Holiday Gift Guide: They Don't Know They're Learning With Thinkfun Games! #Riddles #BrainTeasers #Review #Homeschool #Blogger

Since we started homeschooling, just about everything we do is learning-based. Sometimes, I have to get a little bit sneaky, since if I present everything as "learning" or "educational", not everyone will be interested, if you know what I mean. I am always looking for fun games, activities, etc. to help my boys learn, even if they don't know they are! For example, we have a whole folder on the iPad filled with logic games that the boys LOVE to play, but they have no idea that they are actually learning.. If they did, they probably wouldn't want to play anymore. That's just the way it goes! So, I've learned to get creative. 

When Thinkfun offered to send me their a-ha! Brainteaser kit, I jumped at the chance! I have always been a huge fan of Thinkfun and the fact that they can package and promote educational toys and make them fun and enjoyable for kids. The a-ha! Brainteaser kit is designed especially for classrooms (mom classrooms included!) and it's a really awesome kit! 

This kit contains instructions and materials to create 8 unique Brainteaser Centers in your classroom. Students build problem solving and critical thinking skills as they play through 8 Brainteaser Centers, using hints to help scaffold learning as-needed. The “Aha! Moment” that comes from solving a brainteaser encourages students to exercise logic in new ways and builds confidence to take on more difficult challenges.

Ages:  Grade 2-8

Players:  1

Features: 

a-ha! Straight Arrow

a-ha! The Missing "T"

a-ha! Four T's

a-ha! 4-Piece Pyramid

a-ha! Starburst

a-ha! The Fifth Chair

a-ha! Double Square

a-ha! Pack It In

This is a really great kit, plus it's affordable at only around $25.00. There are eight different brain teasers in all, and they are great for me to give one to Tater while we are getting our day started, or when I need a few extra minutes to get organized. He really enjoys working on these too, since they are hands on. He often does logic and brainteaser type worksheets, and he gets frustrated with them, but with this set, he really likes it because it is hands-on. I like that I can have something in my "bag of tricks" to pull out when we need a change of pace! Thanks, Thinkfun games! If you want to check out this, or any of their other awesome game and learning sets, check out their website HERE. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter so stay up to date with all the latest news and coolest products! 

Holiday Gift Guide: The Air Curler Makes A Perfect Gift! #BeautyBlogger #Makeup #Blogger #Review

I received a sample product in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own. 

I am a real sucker for "As Seen On TV" products. I love them all, and as soon as I see something I like, I'm hooked! I just have to have it! One of the awesome products I've been wanting for awhile is the Air Curler, so when I got the chance to check it out, I was thrilled!

If you haven't seen this thing before, you've been missing out! The Air Curler is a kinda weird looking device that attaches to the end of your hair dryer. You can direct the heat either way to make your curls go whichever way you choose. The Air Curler has a tornado-y vortex action that whips your hair around into nice little curls!

This is a really nifty little product! Now, my hair is naturally curly, so I don't really need this, but I think it will be perfect for my niece. She loves to curl her hair, but she's only 13, so I don't think she needs to be damaging her hair with a curling iron already. Plus, I love that the Air Curler allows you to dry and curl in one easy step, which will save her time on her morning routine!

I love everything about the Air Curler, it is easy to use, and doesn't damage hair. It also doesn't take as long as other curling methods, like curlers or curling irons, so that is a plus too! 

The Air Curler is also super affordable! As a matter of fact, right now, you can buy one Air Curler for $14.99 and GET ONE FREE!!! How's that for a great deal! You can buy one for a gift, and keep the second one for yourself! Love it! Wanna check out how it works? Here's more info: 

Holiday Gift Guide: Fairy Tale High Dolls #Blogger #Review #PR #Toys

We received a sample product in order to facilitate this post, however, all opinions are completely my own. 

I swear, kids today have SO many cool toys that I wish I would have had when I was younger. I had no Nintendo 3DS, no iPod Touch, no super cool dolls. I mean, when I was a kid, I had a Water Baby, and I thought that was just about the coolest thing that was ever going to be invented! But, these toys I am going to tell you about today, are even cooler than that! Meet the Fairy Tale High Dolls!! 

Yep, these dolls are the high school versions of all of your girl's favorite Fairy Tale characters! There is Teen Little Mermaid, Teen Snow White, Teen Alice In Wonderland, Teen Rapunzel, Teen Cinderella, Teen Belle, Teen Sleeping Beauty, and Teen Tinkerbell! LOVE THESE! How cute is this, and how fun for a little girl to get to play with the teen versions of their favorite fairy tale characters?? 

Here's what Fairy Tale High is all about: 

Once upon a time, before they fell in love and lived happily ever after, they were teenagers. Enter the magical world of Fairy Tale High...

What would it have been like to take biology with Belle or art with Alice in Wonderland? Were Cinderella and Little Mermaid songbirds, even back in high school? Run track with Tinker Bell, eat lunch with Snow White, rehearse with Rapunzel for the big talent show or try to wake Sleeping Beauty from her daily desk naps at Fairy Tale High.

Typical teenagers... living life and loving fashion, fun and friendships... long before they even knew they would be princesses.

We received Teen Sleeping Beauty and Teen Alice (In Wonderland), and they are so adorable! I mean, really, could you think of a single little girl that wouldn't love these dolls! I love that all of the girls are updated and perfect for 2013!! I think it's really cute that the dolls serve as a "prequel" to the girls' princess lives! The dolls themselves are well made and cute, their clothes are cutting edge fashions that any girl would LOVE,and the website has tons of cute things to play to help enhance the experience! There are a ton of adorable webisodes online to go along with the dolls,and each girl has their own e-book! 

This is Sleeping Beauty, isn't she cute? I love her skirt the most, it's the cutest thing ever! 

And, this is Alice! She's my favorite of all fairy tale heroines, so I was really excited about her! I have heard that some moms don't like her blue lipstick or her short dress, but I think she's adorable! 

These Fairy Tale High Dolls are super cute, and they are sure to be a huge hit this holiday season! We don't have any girls to enjoy these in our house, but we're donating them to a Christmas charity, so we will know that they are going to a good home where they will get lots of love! If you are interested in picking up some Fairy Tale High Dolls for your little one, they sell for around $17.99 each and you can find them on Amazon, or online at Walmart, ToysRUs, or Kmart. They are also available in store at Walmart and ToysRUs if you wanna check them out in person before buying. Make sure to connect with Fairy Tale High via their website, Facebook and Twitter to make sure you stay up to date with all of their latest news, deals, and promotions! 

Holiday Gift Guide: FAB Starpoint Backpack For Your My Little Pony Fans! #PR #Blogger #Review #MyLittlePony

I received a sample product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100 percent my own. 

Call me crazy, but I have always used the holidays to stock my kiddos up on things they need and pass them off as "wants"! My kids usually get new shoes, socks, clothes, coats, toothbrushes, school supplies, etc for Christmas in addition to toys and other "frivolous" junk. I feel better knowing that instead of a bunch of toys that they will be bored with in a few days, they are also getting stuff that they need as well. Do any of you do that? Well, for my boys, one of their favorite "needed things" are backpacks. Now, my kiddos don't go to regular school, but we often have school days at the library, the park, or just about anywhere. They also always pack a bag when they go to visit their nanny, so backpacks are a must have! Well, the folks at FAB Starpoint have got you covered when it comes to backpacks! Don't believe me? Just take a look: 

How cute are these? M big man would flip over those NASA backpacks, and Skylanders too!My little man would be thrilled with either the Mr. Potato Head or Chuck and Friends! So cool! 

We received this adorable FAB*Starpoint My Little Pony 12" Plush Backpack and it is sooo cute! While we don't have any My Little Pony fans in our house, we are going to donate this adorable backpack to make sure another child has a great Christmas! This is a really cute backpack, it's the perfect size for a toddler or preschooler! It's super soft, the plush material really makes it stand out! It's so bright and cheerful too, what's not to love! This particular backpack contains a large pocket and a smaller pocket so there is plenty of room for your little one's stuff! I really like that this backpack is not too big, so it won't drag your little one down! :) 

Which of the fabulous collections from FAB*Starpoint are my favorite? That's an easy choice! Check out these: 

You ain't seen nothin' yet! FAB*Starpoint has so many great products! Check out their full line HERE! If you're looking for an awesome FAB*Starpoint backpack, you can find them at Toys R Us,and at some Claire's locations! What a perfect gift these make!