Elephant's Trunk Game Giveaway

Redirect to new blog You are being redirected to the new blog.

Grocery Shopping...Again

Redirect to new blog You are being redirected to the new blog.

The Perplexus Original

You are being redirected to the new blog

"Easy to play. Hard to master."

This is a quote taken from the back of the box. And my family agrees. The Perplexus Maze Original
is a maze ball around the size of a basketball. It is meant for children six and older. (They make the
Perplexus Rookie too, which is for younger children.) It has a little silver ball that the player tries to move around on a track without letting it fall. It is colorful and inviting; making children want to pick it up immediately. (I'll admit, the grownups like it too.) It is portable and quiet, making it easy to bring on trips. It sells for approximately $25, however, I have been able to find it for about $15.

Ideally, you would want to buy this game for children over six. It requires that a child be able to count up to 100. The directions on the box are in three languages, English, Spanish, and French; but any child who can read numbers can play it. This puzzle is fun for all types of kids. However, since it is challenging, you would want to monitor the frustration level. My nine year old son has Asperger's Syndrome and he had approximately the same frustration level that my five year old son had. They both kept having to start over and would get mad. Then, they would pick it back up again and start over. They literally could not put it down! "I have to do this mom!"

At first when we got the box, we didn't read the directions and just started moving it around. I then picked up the box and read the directions on the back. It was then that we realized that you needed to count in a certain order. My older son, immediately liked it better when I told him this. My 5 year old still prefers to play it without the numbers (fine with me.) I tried to play it too, but the numbers were hard for this old lady to read. Once I moved into better light, I found this game to be really fun. 

I then began to wonder what would happen once my sons mastered it. Would it then collect dust? So, I went to the Perplexus webpage. I was happy to discover that there were several ideas for both single player and multi-players; as well as Freestyle. It's nice to know that I will be able to teach my kids other ways to play.

As a mom of a special needs child, I would recommend this product for several reasons. First, it is easy to use and does not require major gross motor skills. Even my toddler was able to move the little silver ball along the track for a little while. Second, the design of the ball makes it easy to hold. There is a little bar around the outside of the ball that serves as a handle. Furthermore, I especially like that it is mentally challenging; allowing the kids to work through their frustrations in a fairly controlled environment.

Enter here for a chance to win your own Perplexus Original.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grocery Shopping with Kids

Redirect to new blog You are being redirected to the new blog.

Xbox Kinect Bundle Pack

Have you heard? They are having a Techy Summer over at Mom to Bed by 8, the ‘Iowa Mom‘ and want to help you continue on with your sensational summer by offering you a chance to win an Xbox Kinect Bundle Pack (including Xbox 360 console, Kinect Sensor and Kinect Adventures Game). Retail value $299.

Special thanks to our lovely co-hosts TechyTribe, I Love To Gossip, Giveaway Bandit, As Mom Sees It and Couponing4you for their support in bringing this gamer giveaway to life!
I just bought one of these myself and they are amazing! I love having a game that keeps my kids active during these hot summer months,

Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect
Product Description
The Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect. Kinect brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways – no controller required. Easy to use and instantly fun, Kinect gets everyone off the couch moving, laughing and cheering. See a ball? Kick it. Control an HD movie with a wave of the hand. Want to join a friend in the fun? Simply jump in. Wi-Fi is built-in for easier connection to the world of entertainment on Xbox LIVE, where HD movies and TV stream in an instant. Xbox 360 is more games, entertainment and fun.

Product Features

Kinect Sensor: With the Kinect sensor, you can experience gaming like never before. Easy to use and fun for everyone, the Kinect sensor utilizes revolutionary full-body tracking to put you in the center of the fun. This amazing new technology allows the sensor to recognize your body and mirror your movements in the game, making you the controller. With Kinect Xbox 360 now has the best controller ever made – YOU.
Built-in Wi-Fi: The new Xbox 360 is the only console with 802.11n Wi-Fi built-in for a faster and easier connection to Xbox LIVE. Stream HD movies and TV or download games from Xbox LIVE in 1080p and 5.1 surround sound from anywhere in the house. Compatible with b/g/n networks.
Xbox LIVE: Xbox LIVE brings a world of entertainment to you. Instantly watch movies and TV streaming from Netflix. In crystal-clear HD, or download game add-ons like new levels, characters, maps and songs. Easily jump right into online multiplayer fun and play along with friends around the world. Plus, get your favorite music from Last.fm, connect with friends on Facebook and post Tweets on Twitter. Xbox LIVE is your connection to more games, entertainment and fun.
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (black): This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller features a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of up to 30 hours on two AA batteries.
More ports: Connect more accessories and storage solutions with added USB ports. Now with a total of 5, (3 back/2 front) you’ll find more places to plug and play. Plus, in addition to the standard Ethernet port and HDMI output, we’ve added an integrated optical audio out port for an easier connection to the booming sound of your A/V receiver.
Kinect Adventures game: Float in outer space. Experience the thrill of roaring rapids. Tackle mountaintop obstacle courses and dive into the deep to explore a leaky underwater observatory — all from your living room. With Kinect Adventures, you are the controller as you jump, dodge and kick your way through exciting adventures set in a variety of exotic locations. Rated “E” for Everyone.

What’s In The Box?

• Xbox 360 4GB S Console
• Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360
• Kinect Adventures game - rated “E” for Everyone
• Xbox 360 Black Wireless Controller
• Xbox 360 Composite A/V cable (standard definition)
• 1 year limited warranty on console

Water Fun

Vegas in the summer is about as close to hell as you can get. Unfortunately, 6 months out of the year requires us to be inside. I hate this! Kids should be outside playing! The only way that this is going to happen is if we play water games. Here are the top five water activities that I found (besides the pool). The links will take you to lists that offer other activities as well.
Bouncing Balloons Game sounds like a blast. Basically what you do is have the kids bounce a water balloon on an old sheet. The trick is getting them to catch it back on the sheet. My kids would love this!
Frozen Feet sounds hilarious. Fill a kiddie pool with ice and  have the kids race to remove the ice to fill their own personal bucket. The person with the most ice wins.
Jump Rope on the Sprinkler seems like an easy set up. All you have to do is turn on the sprinkler and have the kids twirl the jump rope through the spray.
Freezing Water Tag is a variation on freeze tag. The "It" person runs and sprays others with water using a spray bottle. When someone is sprayed they have to freeze. The last one to be sprayed wins.
After reading the above activities, I realized that I didn't really pick good activities for my toddler. So, this one is for him. Break the Ice requires some prep work. Make large ice cubes using plastic bowls or pans. Hide little plastic toys in them. Let the kids use plastic hammers to free the toys.
So why are you still sitting here on the computer. Get your kids outside! (I guess that goes for me too.)