Little Red Wagon

I’m really excited to introduce you to a newly released DVD (available TODAY at Wal-mart!) . . .

LITTLE RED WAGON is based on the inspirational true story of eight-year-old Zach Bonner on his quest to change the world with nothing more than his beat-up red wagon and a blazing spirit of philanthropy.

When Zach sets out to help homeless children in America in the wake of Hurricane Charley, by walking from his house in Tampa, Florida to the White House, he must overcome bureaucrats and blisters, and capture the hearts of his fractured family and the entire nation.

I know that my family will enjoy this movie!  Notice that it’s from the director of Rudy and Hoosiers – those are 2 of my husband Brian’s all-time favorite movies!  As for me, I’m a sucker for movies that are inspired by actual events. 

Here’s a bit more about Zach:

Zachary Bonner was born in Searcy, Arkansas on November 17, 1997 but now calls Tampa, Florida his home. He is home schooled under the Florida Virtual School program and is in the 8th grade. Zachary started doing community service in 2004 after Hurricane Charlie hit Florida. In 2005 he formed the Little Red Wagon Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to help underprivileged kids with a focus on homeless youth. Zach believes we all the ability to make a change in the world if we just try.

Watch the trailer:

I’m always impressed with kids who see a need and take the initiative to do something about it.  This is an area where so many adults are lacking these days; so it’s refreshing to see young people doing something! 

I’m anxious to see this movie, and I’m sure that you are too!  So, how about a giveaway?  I have one copy of Little Red Wagon to give away to one lucky reader.  Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below . . .

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Start Your New Year with eMeals

I have had the opportunity to use the eMeals service in the past and I love it!  If you are looking for an organized way to plan both your menus and your grocery lists, then you really need to consider eMeals.  And what a great way to start the new year off right!

eMeals offers over 50 delicious meal plans and corresponding grocery lists every week based on food style preferences, family size and the current sales at selected grocery stores.  Dinner menu plans include classic family meals, low-fat, portion control, low-carb, gluten-free, vegetarian, clean eating, paleo, and the natural and organic plan. For more information, please visit www.emeals.com.

With all those different plans and lists for so many grocery stores, you’re sure to find something that works for you and your family.  My new personal favorite place to shop is Aldi’s, and eMeals has a plan to meet our needs!  Yay!

Thanks, Suave!

For the past several years, my family has spent very little money on health and beauty aids.  There was a “local” grocery store that would double $1 coupons.  (I saw “local” because it was actually about an hour away.)  I would save up all my $1 coupons and we’d head in that direction about once a month and stock up on both food items and health and beauty items.  $2 off most of those things makes them anywhere from free to $2, depending on brand.  For my family, it was like an adventure to see how much we could save, and our linen closet in the upstairs hallway was always well-stocked with goodies.

That ended this past spring, though.  The store announced that they would only double up to 99 cents and it’s not worth it for us to run up there anymore.  Our supply was starting to dwindle, so Ashley and I stocked up on some goodies in November.  Then, Brian and I decided that it was time to start filling stockings with practical goodies that we’ll be needing throughout the year anyway. 

And that’s when I discovered this:

Back in November, after a shopping trip to Lancaster with Ashley, I had posted this on my FB wall:

Great morning at church, relaxing afternoon, nice visit with my parents, yummy homemade burgers (thanks to Ashley). Now, I think it's time for a bubble bath with my Winter Candy Apple goodies from Bath & Body Works!

To think when I bought them the girl said "You know you can mix and match the scents?" Really?! Why would I want to? The very last gift I received from my friend Sue was a Winter Candy Apple hand lotion that I carried in my purse and farmed out for as long as is humanly possible - now I try to replenish my supply every winter!

I guess you could say I’m a bit addicted to the Winter Candy Apple stuff from Bath & Body Works.  But, let’s face it, unless they are running a good sale or you’ve received a coupon in the mail, their stuff tends to run a bit on the pricey side. 

Since we’re cheap and have gone back to using the affordable Suave products, I was beyond thrilled to see that they had introduced a Candy Apple fragrance of their own!  As it turns out, thanks to their FB page, I realized this was actually a FALL scent, not a winter one – which explains why there were only 3 left on the shelf at Wal-mart (and, yes, I  bought them all!)

Honestly, I think they smell very similar.  I’ve been using it for bubble bath and it’s awesome! And at $1.50 for that GIANT bottle, I can totally justify buying a bunch of  them at a time!  (I hope they bring it out again next year, so I can buy more!) 

Do you have a favorite Suave product or scent?  (We’re also quite fond of the coconut.)

Oh, and lest you think that I’m badmouthing Bath & Body Works in this post, I’m totally not.  I love that place!  And I’ll still be shopping there for my Winter Candy Apple body spray and lotion! 

Operation United Hearts ~ Fundraiser & Giveaway

I think our hearts always go out to families in need, but it seems we are even more in tune to the needs of those around us during the holiday season.  We see things, such as the tragic event that took place in Connecticut yesterday, and we want to help.  We want to give.  And that’s just what we are doing now . . .

We’re teaming up with a group of bloggers to form Operation United Hearts.  “What’s that?” you ask. Well, it’s a three-fold thing . . .

First – a GIVEAWAY! We are giving one lucky winner a $140 Amazon Gift Card PLUS a copy of Magical Mouse Schoolhouse: Learn while you Play at Walt Disney World Resort by Jodi Whisenhunt!

Our giveaway starts today and ends on 12/22.  You can enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. 

Second – a CAUSE.  We have joined forces – as a group of bloggers, writers, military supporters and moms – to help a single military mom in need.  She and her young children lost their home to fire in November.  You can read more of the tragic story here and read how others are teaming up to help her here. We have donated $300, toys, books and more for the family just in time for Christmas!

Third – a FUNDRAISER!  You can help too! Anyone can mail donations directly or donate by Paypal.  (To mail payment, please e-mail for address.  To pay via Paypal, make payment to msmommyhh6@yahoo.com.)

 

---

Entry is easy, using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Simply follow the instructions. I’d love to hear if you enter, so please leave me a comment! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

We’d love to have you visit our participating bloggers! 

• Live, Love & Learn with Ms. MommyHH6  (our host)
• Military Wives Saving 
• Busy Bumble Bee
• Mom-blog
• Mother Daughter Book Reviews
• The Dragyn's Lair
• Brain Foggles
• Magical Mouse Schoolhouse
• Heidi's Head (you are here)
• Pursuing the Magic
• Ask Doctor G
• Capturing Magical Memories
• Focused on the Magic
• the Crazy Nuts Mom
• DIStherapy
  

Just Dance Disney

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps #JDDisney

Last week, we received a fun surprise in the mail – the Just Dance Disney Wii game!  Previously, we had tried the ABBA version of Just Dance.  We had so much fun with that one that we knew we just HAD to have the Disney version, since we’re all such huge Disney fans! 

The game did not disappoint!  We’ve been having so much fun playing it this week.  The kids enjoy it, but it seems like I am the one who always says “hey, let’s dance!” 

There are a few different modes of play that you can choose from. 

First, you need to select your song.  You can choose from a playlist, from the song list itself, or (if you’re feeling an overabundance of energy) just go for the non-stop shuffle!  So far, we’ve always opted to choose our own song from the Songs heading.

There is a nice selection of songs from a wide variety of Disney movies and shows.  There are oldies – like The Bare Necessities from Jungle Book, right on up to songs from current Disney Channel favorites, like Good Luck Charlie.  We’ve tried most of them now and they’re all quite fun and a great work-out.  I have to confess that I’m not a huge fan of exercise – but playing is a great way to “sneak” some exercise in!

One of my favorites to do is this one:

In addition to regular dance mode, there are also some other options like “bubble pop” and “freeze & shake” – both of these are the regular dances with extra challenges thrown in (for more fun and more points). 

While Ian can beat us all at Disney Sing-It, so far I’ve been kicking his butt at Just Dance Disney – so, yes, I’m pretty excited about that!

This game would make an excellent Christmas gift for any Just Dance or Disney fan in your family!  Up to 4 players can dance at the same time (but you do need some room to spread out).  You can find Just Dance Disney at many stores and various online retailers – my favorite is Amazon.com (affiliate link).

New Fantasyland Grand Opening!

I’m a blessed girl!  Sure, I might not live in Florida – right near my favorite place on earth.  And, I might not have been invited to celebrate the Grand Opening of the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World today. BUT, I have a friend who lives there and who was able to be a part of the opening festivities today.  And, he’s such a great friend, that he offered me the chance to share the experience right here on my blog!  Told you I was blessed!  (I don’t use the word “luck” because luck has nothing to do with it, but more on that story later.)

So, without further adieu, making it’s first-ever blog appearance (right here at Heidi’s Head), here is the Opening Ceremony video, as taped by my friend LanceAround.

And, because Lance is just that great, he also offered me some exclusive first peeks at his pictures from today as well.  Why?  Because he knows me well enough to know that, even though I couldn’t be there myself, I’m excited to share the fun with my readers and friends!  Check these out:

New Little Mermaid Ride

Mrs. LanceAround chats with the co-directors of The Little Mermaid. When asked about their current project they replied that they couldn't talk about it, except to say it's an animation that features singing and music and is about three years away.

Thanks, Lance!  You literally made my day when you called this afternoon!  I’m honored to be able to share this special day with you and all my friends at Walt Disney World. 

If you’re going to be in the Orlando area any time soon, I’d encourage you to check out Lance’s blog at Lance Around Orlando.  Not only does he share some of the fun happenings in the Orlando area, but I love that he often talks about the obscure, off-the-beaten-path type things to do (like local tea rooms, shops, and parks, etc.)

If you’re interested in renting a Dream Home for your Orlando visit, please  click on the link in my sidebar!

Sesame Street LIVE–coming to Hershey, PA!

Calling all super heroes!  Super Grover has lost his super-ness!  Never fear, the fabulous five Super Heroes are here -- featuring Elmo as Captain Fuzzy!  Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe and all their furry friends are on a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover.  Singing and dancing their way through fun lessons on healthy habits, they discover how exercise, rest, nutritious food and good hygiene can save Super Grover -- and turn your children into Super Heroes, too!  You’ll be feeling good when Elmo’s Super Heroes! comes to town!

Central PA residents will be excited to note that you can see Sesame Street Live – “Elmo’s Super Heroes” at the Hershey Theatre.  Show dates are Friday, January 11th through Sunday, January 13th. 

Performance Schedule
Friday                 January 11               10:30 am & 7:00 pm
Saturday             January 12               10:30 am & 2:00 pm & 5:30 pm
Sunday               January 13               1:00 pm & 4:30 pm

Sesame Street Live is a larger-than-life, musical touring stage production featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie…and more.  Each performance is 90 minutes of singing, dancing and audience participation, including a 15-minute intermission.  The perfect length for very young children!

You can save $3 per ticket using this great special from US Family Guide! Tickets are on-sale NOW at the box office and all Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 800-745-3000.

For those of you outside the central PA area, you can find the show schedule for other cities at Sesame Street Live’s website.

Have a Crafty Kid? Try Kelly Kits!

Kelly Kits encourage art play using a wide variety of creative tools & materials beyond what coloring books can offer and are the perfect holiday gift for your creative kiddo!  For 72 hours only Kelly Kits is having a site wide sale where all products are 10% off!  Get your favorite little artist a years worth of art kits or a special gift pack with 5 activities that explore the five discipline of art:  Drawing, Painting, Print Making, Collage & Sculpting!

I have some kids at my house that would LOVE these kits!  Who will YOU be buying for?

Think, think, THINK!

For this week’s Destination Disney in Quotes, we’re focusing on this one, from our friend Winnie-the-Pooh.

What this quote means to me . . .

Almost a year ago now, my friend Brenda and I felt led to quit our jobs.  We worked together heading up a product review team.  It was a very hard job to walk away from because we both really liked what we were doing. 

But, I have to confess something . . . there were times when we felt so limited in what we actually COULD do.  We both had ideas swirling around in our heads – things that would be beneficial for the team and make things better and more efficient.  Some of them, we were able to put into practice; but others were simply tucked away in the recesses of our minds because we didn’t have the means, resources, or permission to put them into practice.

Sometimes God has other things in store for us . . . things we might have no clue about because we can’t see the bigger picture.  But, He knows each step of the path we take in this life.  And sometimes, looking back, it becomes so obvious why events played out the way they did (even if, at the time, it seemed traumatic or heartbreaking). 

Now, Brenda and I are at a place in our lives where we can make use of our ideas.  They are OURS.  And we don’t have to run them by anyone else to see if they are good, workable ideas.  We bounce them off each other – and, sometimes, we help each other take those ideas and make them into something even better. 

Earlier this year, with the help of a circle of phenomenal friends, we launched our first idea – the website called Homeschool Mosaics.  If you’re a homeschooler, and you haven’t visited this site yet, you’re seriously missing out!  We’ve got a team of 35 writers now – and each month we bring you articles about all areas of homeschooling – whether you’re just starting out with preschoolers or you’re nearing the end of your homeschool journey, whether you’re an all-textbook-all-the-time homeschooler or an unschooler, there’s something for everyone on this site!

Now, we’re at a point where we’re getting ready to launch another new project.  I  can’t really give details now . . . but the announcement will be hitting the blogosphere in the next few weeks.  And we’re really excited about it! 

Why?  Because we’ve been digging deeper!  We’ve been thinking of things that we’ve never thought of before!  And we’re excited to be able to put those ideas into practice!

Sometimes ideas are put into practice and the results are success.  Other times, failure.  Or maybe somewhere in between – the project just doesn’t live up to expectations.  No matter what, though, it’s always a learning experience.  Whether we succeed or fail at something, as long as we take what we’ve learned from the experience, pick ourselves up, brush off the so-called dirt, and move forward, using our experiences toward the next big thing, we’re always a success! 

What are your thoughts on this quote?  I’d love to hear them.  Either leave me a comment below, or post about them on your blog, then come back to this post and link up.  (You don’t have to be a Disney lover to take part in this meme!)

Introducing Friendship Friday

So yesterday I was waxing nostalgic.  Yes, I do that sometimes!  Anyway, I was thinking about how depressed I was after my friend Sue died – I just knew that I’d never have another friend like her.  Friendship like that comes along once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. 

But, you know what?  Over the past 2 years, God has blessed me with so many friends who have entered my life in so many different ways – friends I’ve made through homeschooling, friends I’ve made via online jobs, friends I’ve made through Disney blogging, and more.  Each one is special and unique, and I can’t imagine not having them in my life. 

Rather than sending another ONE friend my way, God decided to send a BUNCH of them!  And, while my friendships are different, they’re still pretty special! 

I decided that it would be fun to blog about my friends. I want to brag on them a bit!  That’s ok, right?  So, each Friday, here at Heidi’s Head, I’m going to post about a new friend.  We’ll call it Friendship Friday.

And, I’d love nothing more than for YOU to join me!  All you have to do is blog about a friend on Friday – tell what that friend  means to you, share pictures, etc. - then come here to my blog and link up your post! 

We’ll get started next Friday, October 19th.  I can’t wait to introduce you to my friends and meet some of yours!  So, will you join me?

A Slow-Cooker Recipe Link-Up? Yes, PLEASE!

Around our house, times . . . they are a’changin’.  A few weeks ago, Ashley started working more full-time hours.  She’s gone now Monday through Thursday, and some Fridays too.  This is the girl that, for the past several years, has done 90% of the dish washing and vacuuming, probably 40% of the cooking, and upon getting her driver’s license, started sharing the taxi duties with me as well. 

Suddenly, I find myself left with all the responsibilities and I’m not afraid to admit that I’m drowning! I know it’s time to train up daughter number two to help with some of these things.  Last week, I assigned her to Tuesday night suppers and she successfully completed her first meal – which we all deemed edible (and even better than normal).  She’s on the schedule for tonight again, so we shall see.

Now, I don’t know about you, but things tend to get extra busy around here in September.  I used to have this thing where I would say “We’re busy, but things should slow down in _______” (fill in the blank with a month of choice).  Eventually, I realized that that statement is a crock of crap.  Things don’t slow down around here – they just seem to get more crazy. 

Anyway, September is when music lessons kick into full swing for fall and orchestra rehearsals start up again for Gracie.  Living in Smalltown, USA means that only piano lessons are local – we have to travel for violin and orchestra.  And this year, Ian is added to the mix with soccer – he’ll be heading right from outdoor to indoor next month – with no break in between. 

All this to say that my Crock-Pot® is my best friend!  (Because I have a real, true Crock-Pot®, I can call it that – it’s “the original slow cooker”!)  I can’t even count all the Crock-Pots® and slow cookers that I’ve been through (I tend to crack the pots.  Don’t judge!)  Here is my current pal:

I’m gone most Monday and Wednesday afternoons – home just in time for supper – so I need easy meals to throw in the ‘Pot on those days.  I’ve purchased some slow cooker recipe books, but they seem to be full of things that take a lot of ingredients or prep work. I want recipes that take just a few items – throw and go – yet come out making my house smell great and our supper taste wonderful!  You know the ones I mean, don’t you? 

I was contemplating starting a Slow-Cooker Recipe Link-Up when I just so happened to notice that my dear friend Jenn Perry was in the same “need of recipe ideas” boat.  I mentioned the possibility of a link-up, and the rest just fell into place.  Because surely, we aren’t the only two moms in need of some quick and easy slow-cooker help, right?  Please say “no”.

So, starting next Monday, both here at Heidi’s Head and over at Daze of Adventure, we’ll be posting a link-up for you.  I love how Jenn puts it – “we will be co-hosting a link up on Mondays for all slow cooker/crockpot/plug-it-in-and-forget it recipes.”  Yep, that pretty much explains it.  So, get ready to share your favorites with us on Monday, the 1st of October!  We’ll be waiting (and so will our families!)

Oh, and lest you doubt that Jenn and I are really IRL friends, here’s a picture to prove it.  (I love meeting my blogging and internet buddies!  I had opportunity to meet Jenn last spring at the FPEA convention in Orlando.  You know me, any chance to get near Mickey and I’m there!)

See you next Monday!

Monsters Inc. in 3D? Yes, please!

MONSTERS, INC. is returning to U.S. theatres for the first time in 3D on December 19th! Will YOU be there?

Our Visit to Dutch Wonderland

Earlier this summer, I posted coupon/savings information for visits to Dutch Wonderland.  And, in that same post, I committed to taking my kids to Dutch Wonderland this summer.  We did that very thing on August 17th . . .

Gracie had a little friend spend the night with us on Thursday, and we all woke up bright and early Friday morning so that we could head to Lancaster for breakfast at Dutch Wonderland.  Recently, Dutch Wonderland has added a character breakfast to their line-up of fun.  Being die-hard Disney (and character meal) fans, we were anxious to see how Dutch Wonderland's character meal would compare.

Breakfast consisted of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, bagels, fruit, cereal, milk, juice and coffee.  One thing that I noticed (that I've never seen happen at Disney) was that the food containers were often empty - it seemed like they were having a hard time keeping them full (and there really weren't that many people there).  The food was kept in large, domed containers.  While they were nice and visually attractive, they didn't serve to keep the food warm.  The kids, however, got their fill! 

During breakfast, the characters make their rounds, stopping at the tables to interact with the children.  We met Merlin first and I was impressed with how friendly and interactive he was.  He remembered the kids' names and called them by name, which I thought was a nice added touch.  While my kids acted like they were embarrassed to get their pictures taken with the characters, they sure look happy on the pictures, don't they?! 

After breakfast, we set out to find some rides! 

Someone had mentioned to me that Gracie (12) might be bored with the ride variety at Dutch Wonderland.  We didn't find that to be the case at all.  While it's definitely more of a park for kids - not teens - I think any child aged 12 and under would have fun here.

Ian (6) is fascinated with the monorail at Walt Disney World, so he was thrilled to see that Dutch Wonderland had a monorail as well.  We stood in quite a long (hot) line to ride.  Problem is, the monorail window are really high (as you can see on this picture (Gracie is over 5 ft. tall now).  The littler kids could see NOTHING from inside the monorail.  I have to admit that, while they didn't complain, I found that very disappointing!

All in all, we really had a great time at Dutch Wonderland and I wouldn't hesitate to go back or to recommend the park to friends.  Not a thrill ride park (like Hershey) it's definitely more calm and mild; but there's plenty of fun to be had.  All the paths are macadam and smooth.  There are lots of trees, so you can duck under them for some shade, as needed.  One thing I would like to point out is that there really aren't enough benches throughout the park.  We would put the kids on a ride and have to stand because there was maybe only one bench available in that area. 

On a side note, if you're reading this and you sit on a bench in an amusement park, sit off to one side, please.  And if the park is busy, don't take up room on the benches with your backpacks - they can sit on the ground in front of you.  Seriously, people!  Let's try to offer some courtesy to our fellow park guests! 

What was MY favorite thing at Dutch Wonderland?  Let me show you . . .

Now that I know that I can get a Dole Whip fix at Dutch Wonderland, I'll be a lot more likely to visit.  Actually, I wish the Dole Whip stand was located right at the park entrance so I could stop for one every time I head to Lancaster!  Ashley and I both enjoyed Dole Whip Floats right before leaving the park for the day - and it was the perfect ending to our park experience!

Milk Unleashed ~ and a Giveaway!

I have a little boy who absolutely loves milk!  But, milk isn’t really something that we can pack up and take with us for all our on-the-go adventures.  If you don’t keep it cold, it gets yucky fast.  And those stinky sippy cups . . . well, I don’t even want to talk about it.

So, when I heard about these new handy single-serving shelf safe milk cartons, I got just a little bit excited.  (OK, maybe a lot!)  And I just had to share with you too – because one of you will be lucky enough to win a free Milk Unleashed variety pack consisting of four shelf safe milks (white and chocolate) from: Hershey’s, LaLa, Horizon and Organic Valley, along with a cow stress ball and information on shelf safe milk!

Have fun playing with the Blog App below.  Take the Family On-The-Go Quiztacular and post your results in the comments section for a chance to win!  Be sure to leave an e-mail address where I can reach you if you win.  I’ll draw a winner next Friday, the 31st, at noon.  Winner will have 24 hours to notify me with shipping address, or a new winner will be selected.  Good luck!

What’s Your Laundry Detergent of Choice?

Mondays are generally considered “Laundry Day” at my house.  I try to get as much of our laundry done as possible on Mondays, and then just do “straggling” loads throughout the week, as needed.  What about you?  Do you have a designated laundry day at your house? 

As a busy work-at-home, homeschooling mom, I’m always looking for ways to make my around-the-house tasks simpler and quicker.  In the past, I was very “into” making my own laundry detergent.  I did like the feeling of having made it myself, and knowing exactly what went into it. But (and here’s my lazy side coming out) lately I’ve been buying laundry detergent – it just saves me so much more time (and, quite frankly, I like the way it smells!) 

Most recently, I’ve been using all small & mighty.  I love that the bottle isn’t huge and heavy, but it’s concentrated enough that you need very little in a load.  A 64 fl. oz. bottle is enough for 64 loads! 

I had an opportunity through Smiley 360 to try a new product from all – their mighty pacs.

Can you say “easy”?! These little things are a great idea in laundry  detergent!  Each little “packet” contains a pre-measured dose of super-concentrated laundry detergent.  The outer layer of the packet will dissolve in either hot or cold water, allowing the detergent to interact with your laundry – both cleaning it and removing stains! 

What I find so neat about these handy little pacs is that they are so simple and easy to use, and don’t require lifting a big heavy bottle of detergent.  I think these would be so ideal for older people, who maybe have issues with arthritis or muscle problems.  All you do is grab a teeny little pac and through it in your washer – no lifting whatsoever. 

I’ve been using my mighty pacs for about a week now and my laundry is clean, fresh, and stain-free.  Yay! 

Would you like to try all mighty pacs?  Guess what?  If you “like” them on FB, you can get a 75 cent off coupon to use toward your purchase.  I’m guessing that, if you take advantage of this coupon, you’ll probably come back here and thank me! 

NOTE: I received a full-sized bag of all mighty pacs (enough for 24 loads of laundry) as part of a Smiley 360 mission.  I was not required to post a positive review.  I only share items that I feel are beneficial to my readers.

Waterpark Anyone?

Do you enjoy waterparks with your family?  We took our oldest daughter to a waterpark at the beach years ago – before daughter #2 came along.  Once there was another little one in the picture, it was hard to go to a place like that with an older child and a baby.  Since there are 6 years between my 3 kids, we haven’t been to a waterpark in many, many years. 

We do a lot of traveling (as much as the budget will allow) and we’ve passed our fair share of waterparks.  My kids have often asked “Can we go?”  Our answer is always something along the lines of “Someday, when Ian is older.”  Well, he’s 6 now and I think it’s high time that we actually fulfill our promise and take the kids to a waterpark, don’t you think?

Recently, I learned about Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort in Columbus, OH.  Columbus is probably 6-7 hours from home; but, we have several friends who live in Ohio and could make a mini-vacation out of it!

Are you familiar with Fort Rapids?

Fort Rapids is central Ohio's largest indoor water park resort. It’s the perfect family fun travel destination where 60,000 square feet of wet and wild fun is waiting for the whole family. Come relax and unwind in one of our guest rooms or family style villa suites, then zip down 12 unique water rides, float in the lazy river, get drenched by the 1,000 gallon tipping bucket and win big at the 5,000 square foot Gold Rush Arcade.

Have you and your family ever visited an indoor waterpark like this? If you’d like to, I’ve got a great opportunity for you ---

Thanks to Fort Rapids and the US Family Guide, you can use this coupon to receive $50 off an overnight stay or $12 off the regular admission price for waterpark only (for up to 4 family members). 

Sounds like a great deal, huh?  Are you close to Columbus?  Is this something that you and your family can take advantage of?  The coupon is good through June 2013, so you have plenty of  time to make plans!

As for me and my homeschooling family, I think we’ll plan to visit at a time when other kids are in school!

Sun, Sunday, and Sunglasses

Today is a sunny Sunday, so I thought it seemed like the perfect time to tell you about something I received in the mail recently . . .

I was offered the opportunity of reviewing a pair of glasses or sunglasses from Firmoo.  Those of you who have been reading my blog for some time, probably already know that I realized a few years ago that there are better (cheaper) options than purchasing your prescription glasses from the eye doctor.  There had been a few occasions that we had paid over $250 for one pair of glasses.  Then, I discovered the online options and have been purchasing glasses for my family online ever since. 

Firmoo.com is a “global online optical store” specializing in both prescription glasses and sunglasses.  The thought of being able to wear sunglasses again made me very hopeful, as I’ve been missing sunglasses ever since transitioning from contacts back to glasses a few years ago.  Let’s face it, not only is there something fun about wearing a trendy pair of sunglasses, but they also greatly help with keeping the sun out of your eyes – something regular glasses just can’t accomplish.  Oh, I’ve tried the transition lenses that get dark in the sun – they’re ok, but I hate how you walk into a building and they stay dark for awhile.  So, I browsed the sunglasses selection at Firmoo, found a pair I liked, and placed my order.

I was very impressed with the  customer service department at Firmoo.  Just a short while after placing my order, I received an e-mail from them, saying they were confused by my prescription.  I scanned the original and e-mailed it to them; and all was well.  They wrote back to tell me that my sunglasses would be on their way soon. 

I received a shipping notice and saw that the glasses had shipped from China, so I figured it would take them awhile to reach me here in the states.  I was wrong – they arrived at my door in just a few short days!

I’ve had them for about a week now and must say that I’m really enjoying them.  I keep them in my van because that’s where I need them the most.  I thought it would be a pain swapping glasses all the time; but, really, it hasn’t been that big of a deal.  I have realized how much I was squinting when I was driving before – now I don’t have to squint, my eyes are protected from the sun, and I can see!  Pretty cool!  I’ve used them this past week on walks, at amusement parks, and for driving.

Would you like to try a pair of glasses from Firmoo?  Well, you’re in luck!  Firmoo is the world's most popular online eyeglasses store.  Vision and Fashion the Frugal Way is the ultimate goal of Firmoo, so it has always committed itself to providing customers with high-quality and fashionable eyewear at the most affordable prices.  Firmoo launched a program offering free eyewear to first-time buyers in order to make more people try Firmoo’s quality products & excellent service. Plus, it’s easy to get your free eyewear, and the delivery is pretty fast! Want to have a try? Just go to http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html to get your FREE pair! 

One thing I must mention about the free glasses --- there are only a limited number of each style available each day, and it’s a first come, first serve thing.  In other words, you might have to be a bit flexible with your time, in order to snag your favorite pair.  But, it’s worth it!  After all, they are free!

After my girls saw my glasses and realized how much I was enjoying them, they each wanted a pair of prescription sunglasses of their own.  I’d highly recommend them! 

Here’s a bit more about Firmoo, if you’re interested in learning more about this company:

Firmoo.com is the most popular online eyeglasses store worldwide. Years of expertise in optical industry enable firmoo.com to offer varieties of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses in a frugal way and to be the ultimate fashion events guide. Since the establishment of our company, we have served over 300,000+ customers and now we also have 470,000+ fans on facebook. We have always committed ourselves to offering customers the best quality products at the most affordable prices, 85%~90% lower than that in the brick-and-mortar optical stores.

NOTE: I received a free pair of eyeglasses in exchange for my posting about them on my blog.  I was not required to post a positive review.  I only post about items that I feel will be of interest and benefit to my readers.

Dutch Wonderland ~ A Kingdom for Kids

About 12 years ago, my family started what would become an August tradition for us --- the guys went to Iowa for a week of sprint-car racing each summer while the girls stayed home and did fun local things.  For us girls, that often involved spending a few days in Lancaster County – an area of our state that we love and visit as often as we can!

One particular summer, while visiting Lancaster, we decided to take the girls to Dutch Wonderland (yes, this was before Ian came along, and back when Gracie was little and I still dressed the girls alike sometimes!)  Oh, the memories! 

But, what particularly stands out in my mind about that particular visit was that it was SO HOT we could barely breathe!  I remember standing under a sprinkler and wishing that I didn’t have to move from that spot.  It also sticks in my mind that my mom and I thought we had lost our marbles for taking the girls to an amusement park on what was the hottest day of August that summer. 

Ever since, I’ve been longing for a do-over.  Now, Ashley is 18 and way too old to even appreciate Dutch Wonderland anymore.  It’s definitely “a kingdom for kids” as their logo suggests.  Every time we pass by the park entrance, Ian asks when we can go there.  And I usually reply with something like “probably soon”. 

I’m not going to let another summer pass by without visiting. I’ll just hope and pray that we choose a day to visit that isn’t quite as hot as last time, so that we can actually relax, have fun, and enjoy everything that Dutch Wonderland has to offer. 

Have you been considering a trip to Dutch Wonderland with your little ones?  Great!  Because I’ve got some super-exciting deals to share with you today . . .

Dutch Wonderland is committed to making the “world behind the castle walls” a great place for kids and their families.  Since opening on May, 20, 1963, Dutch Wonderland has consistently been recognized as a premier family amusement park and has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Kid's Park in the World by Amusement Today magazine. Children will enjoy attractions like ChooChoo Charlie, Frog Hopper, Dragon's Lair, Duke's Lagoon and so much more.

And guess what is new for 2012?  (As a Disney character meal fan, I’m excited about this one.)  Merlin and friends host a magical buffet-style breakfast inside the Dutch Wonderland Castle. Guests will meet Princess Brooke, the Dutch Wonderland Knight, Duke and of course, Merlin as they enjoy a yummy breakfast fit for royalty! Food selections* include pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, bagels, fruit, cereal, milk, juice and coffee.

Thanks to Dutch Wonderland and US Family Guide, your family can take advantage of this great coupon valid for $5 savings off Royalty Admission price of $35.99, valid for up to 4 admissions.

* Merlin & Friends Breakfast requires advance reservations and is based on availability.   Please schedule as soon as possible to ensure your date.   Merlin & Friends Breakfast is held at the park from 9-10am each Friday-Sunday through September 2, 2012.

7 Tools Book Club ~ I’m in!

This past spring, while in attendance at the 2:1 Conference, I had opportunity to pick up and browse a book from author Zan Tyler and Apologia Press called 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child’s Potential.  I’ve always been a fan of Apologia.  We’ve consistently used their science curriculum in our homeschool – both on the elementary and high school level.  But, since discovering their Press materials at an Apologia luncheon last year, I’ve been even more impressed.  The books that Apologia Press is publishing are all very encouraging for the homeschool mom who is in the trenches. Moms, if you aren’t taking time to enrich and encourage YOURSELF, how are you going to effectively do that for your kids?! 

Anyway, when we were given a bag of “parting gifts” from Apologia at 2:1, I was THRILLED to open it and find a copy of the 7 Tools book in the bag!  Here’s the thing, though (and I’ve confessed this over and over again here on my blog) --- I’m not good at non-fiction/self-help type books.  I might be all gung-ho to start, but I’m hard-pressed to finish one. 

I read the first few chapters of this book with gusto.  It’s a great book!  I know there is lots and lots of great information for me to glean.  But, I need accountability.  And that’s where Amanda from ThePelsers.com comes in.  She is hosting a Summer Book Club for this book! 

I’m in!  How about you?  All you need to do this first week is read the Introduction and Appendix.  The remaining weeks you will read just one chapter per week.  Simple enough, right?  And, in addition to reading and gleaning from Zan and the book, you can link up on Amanda’s blog, join the Book Club’s FB group, and make some new friends!  Good deal, right?! 

If you’re visiting my blog for the first time, by way of the Book Club, I’m Heidi.  You can learn a bit more about me here – but, in a nutshell, I’m just a typical homeschool mom with a desire to spend time with and love on my kids!  My latest “adventure” is in the form of a website called Homeschool Mosaics – I hope you’ll stop over and visit.  God is at work on that website – and it’s fun to be along for the ride!

Fun Summer Learning Ideas

Ideally, Fridays are supposed to be my day to share updates on how things are going in our homeschool.  We actually do school in the summer months – we just started earlier this week.  We start slow (basically, Gracie has only done 2 days of math so far).  Today, I plan to add in some Bible and maybe another subject. 

Anyway, whether you homeschool or not, there are lots of things you can be doing with your kids during the summer months to keep the learning alive.  Here are some suggestions from Commonwealth Connections Academy (here in PA):

Vote for Summer Learning With Your Children This Summer
With an eye on the upcoming election, these fun summer activities keep kids engaged in learning, prepared for the new school year.

Learning over the summer doesn’t have to be a drag for your children – it can actually be a lot of fun.   In July and August, “vote” for learning by tapping into one of 2012’s biggest current news items.

Research shows that when students don’t engage in educational activities over the summer, “summer learning loss” can occur --- meaning more time will be spent reviewing previously learned knowledge and concepts once school begins.

Educators at Pennsylvania public cyber school Commonwealth Connections Academy suggest that parents looking to support summer learning in the home to develop a fun learning theme – like the upcoming presidential election – to help with planning and lend structure to activities.  After all, politics and social studies don’t have to be a dreaded subject by even young students!

To get you started, here are Connections Academy’s Top Ten Election Education Activities to allow children to have fun while practicing math and English skills --- while learning about the United States’ democratic process at the same time.

1.   Don’t argue, debate! –A light-hearted “formal” debate offers children the opportunity to analyze their opinions, organize thoughts, and speak in front of a group. Whether your family is debating whether or not to add a hamster or a puppy to the family, EducationWorld.com offers some great tips and ideas to get you started. 

2.   Walk the footsteps of our nation’s leaders – Take a day trip to local historical sites, government buildings, and, homes of past Presidents. Many offer guided tours and have historical documents and artifacts on display.

Living in Pennsylvania, we often have the unique opportunity to show students Philadelphia, PA – where our nation first began! Visit the National Park Service’s National Historic Landmarks website to scout out your adventure.

3.    Vote for… dinner! – “Nominate” two dinner choices and explain that you will hold an election to determine the winner.  Make campaign posters, a ballot box, and paper ballots; count ballots to bring out math skills or introduce new vocabulary words such as nominate, election, and more. 

4.    Start (Electoral) College early – Older students will most certainly review the Electoral College in the fall. To learn more about this complex system, visit the National Archives and Records Administration’s page on the U.S. Electoral College. Students can even try predicting who will win the next presidential election with the Electoral College Calculator.

5.    Climb the branches of government – Have your children research and create a visual representation of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of government.  Use reference materials or other online resources to gather facts.

6.    Get presidential with poetry –Have children start with, “If I were President, I would…” and encourage them to fill in the rest with a paragraph or more (depending on the child’s age) about what they would strive for as President.  Children can even send their thoughts to the President by visiting the White House website.

7.    Learn about local officials – Have your child practice research skills and report writing when they write about a local official.  You can also take a short trip to your state Senator and/or Representatives district office so your child can ask questions of their staff, and gather information.

8.    Explore the free Election 2012 Activity Pack– Pearson is offering an interactive online resource that is with games, a student-friendly blog, historical facts, profiles of the candidates, and much more.
 
9.    And, as always, read with your children–Libraries offer many children’s books about government, the election process, presidents, and more for parents and children to enjoy together.  Check out titles like Duck for President and others on the U.S. Senate’s kid’s bookshelf – a great resource for books about how government works, the constitution, and more.

**For more Summer Learning Tips, visit Connections Academy’s online newsroom and blog.

Enrollment for Connections Academy virtual schools is going on now.  To learn more visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com.