16oz cups with Straw 2.27 @Walmart - Great Teacher gift

I found these reusable insulated cups at Walmart for less than $3 each.  They are perfect for teacher gifts!  If you remember, I did this for my kids' teachers for Christmas.  I grabbed a couple cups for a few of my teacher friends as an end of year gift.

I'm "stealing" (I LOVE pinterest) another idea for teacher appreciation week this week.  Feel free to steal this one.

Reading Eggs Review + 2 weeks free!

We had the opportunity to try out Reading Eggs.   The child takes a test and as soon as they miss three it chooses what lesson to start on.  My daughter started on map 6.  One question she missed was an accidental selection.  The other two she didn't know.  She was very interested in playing the "game."  I love educational games that keep children interested.

We didn't have a mouse hooked up so she had to carefully navigate with the mouse pad which involves lots of dragging and dropping.  I finally went and found a mouse that she could use and that helped a little.  It will be much better on an iPad. Unfortunately, it isn't available on iPad or Android yet, but it is coming soon.  I think we will both like it more once that is updated. 

The lessons that she completed were very repetitive.  She had to move words around to complete the correct sentence. She did this for quite a while.  If she didn't get the sentence correct she would have to start over and she'd have to get it correct twice to move on and collect eggs.  When she got tired of doing lessons and was ready to stop for the day, she found the arcade.  She was able to use eggs that she earned doing the lessons to play games.  That kept her happy for a bit longer.  She got annoyed with the driving test because she took a 20 question sight word test and when she finished it she was allowed to race her.  Unfortunately, it glitched when she clicked the mouse to jump (like it says) and it made her start over.  The mouse had to be right over the road.  I think it would have been better if it used arrows instead of the mouse.  There are so many aspects including spelling, library, story factory, puzzle park, driving tests(sight words, letters, contents), and many more.

I can tell there was a LOT of time put in so that the children have lots to do.  I encourage you to use the two week trial and try it out for yourself.  There is no credit card required.   I do love that there is testing to try to get an idea of where the child is, so they aren't bored starting at the beginning.  I didn't try the program on my 3 year old because he is not very good with a mouse.  Once it is available on touch screen tablets then it will be great for him as well.

Free two week trial with no credit card required!

We were given a 3 month trial to review the product. All opinions are my own.

Teacher Appreciation - next week

Next week is teacher appreciation week. I'm trying to think of something simple to make for all if my kids teachers (pre-k/daycare).

As a specials teacher I rarely get gifts from students. I don't expect anything, but on the rare occasion a student (or parent) remembers me I treasure it. It's less about the gift and more about the fact they remembered me and, hopefully, appreciate me. Although I do not teach the students everyday, I do teach them every year for 6 years. I get to watch the children grow.

This was my surprise teacher appreciation gift from a student last year. I loved it!! I know the art teacher and coach loved it too.



I'm thinking about stealing the idea for my kids' teachers. It would be easy enough to make one for all the teachers in the center and not expensive.

Happy Teacher Appreciation to all the teachers out there! I wouldn't be a teacher without teachers. :)

Photoshoot

I did a quick photoshoot at church.  My boy is almost 3 years old!  I also made a photography logo in case I ever want to pursue that option in the future.  I usually only take pictures of family and friends and don't charge.  It would be nice to make some money taking photos, so that I can put some money toward a new lens or equipment.

I'm going to be 3!

Reading Eggs Subscription - 2 weeks FREE

 My daughter is 5 years old and is in Pre-K.  When she was 3/4 she kept begging me to teach her how to "read these letters."  She already knew her letters and letter sounds, so we figured why not.  We let her lead the way.  She is now reading quite well.  She surprises us everyday.  Technology has helped some in her reading skills.  She loves educational computer games.  I'm looking forward to trying Reading Eggs with her.  They have a two week free trial with no credit card required!

I checked out their website and it says it was developed by teachers, educational writers, animators, web developers.  The lesson I listened to looks like it would be great for my almost 3 year old.  It's suitable for ages 3-12 and teaches core reading curriculum of skills and strategies.  Our schools are going to common core standards, so this could help.  There are over 500,000 subscribers, so that's a lot of people that seem to like it.

I was not compensated for this post.  I am receiving 3 months to try it out.

Crayola's Big Colorful Birthday Adventure

To celebrate their 110th birthday, the 8 original crayons are throwing a birthday bash at the new fun-omenal Crayola Experience, the world's only interactive Crayola family attraction. Right now, they're out on a colorful adventure to spread the news, and you're invited to join the fun!

How can you join in on the fun? You can FOLLOW the crayons on their adventure, LEARN more about each color and enter to WIN a trip for 4 to celebrate their birthday and the Grand Opening of the all new Crayola Experience this coming May, 2013!

Visit the Crayola Facebook page and click "enter now" for your chance to be first in line when the Crayola Experience reopens.

The new Crayola Experience features four floors of new interactive exhibits and one-of-a-kind attractions that will bring the magic of color and your child's creativity to life! The winner will be among the first to experience the fun, along with a three- night, all-expenses paid stay. It's an experience your kids will never forget - and neither will you!

I checked out some information (here's an article) on the Crayola Experience in PA and it looks awesome!

This information was provided by Crayola.  We are a Crayola family...no brand compares!  My Art teacher friend knows art supplies and she prefers Crayola too.

Mother's Day Movie Night - Movie Giveaway

What is your ideal Mother's Day gift?  Mine would probably be professional house cleaning.  What would be your perfect Mother's day?  Breakfast in bed, movie with the family, no fighting, etc...

 

 One lucky reader will win a classic Blu-ray movie to watch! 

(Prize will be chosen randomly from the titles below!)
- A Star is Born (1976) (Blu-ray)
- Cabaret (1972) (Blu-ray)

Check out the Warner Bros. Mother’s Day Movie Night Blog App and enter below to win a free Movie!

I was not compensated for this post. Warner Bros. is providing the giveaway to the lucky winner.

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