Ansel & Clair: Paul Revere's Ride

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One of the kids' favorite apps is Ansel & Clair’s Adventures in Africa. Roo and Jasper reviewed it back in summer 2011 and they still enjoy playing it, which in terms of apps is pretty darned impressive. In terms of educational apps, it's nearly unheard of!

I was excited to hear that a a new title has recently been added to the series: Ansel & Clair: Paul Revere's Ride. Jasper, in particular, has an unusual affinity for the Revolutionary War and is obsessed with the "Shot Heard 'Round The World" from the America Rocks series. This seemed like it would be an obvious hit with him.


This app is very, very interactive with plenty of animation, trivia, maps, minigames and even the ability to type your own notes into the Travel Log. (Jasper does not read or write much yet but Roo really liked that; her class did Lewis & Clark journals so she enjoys the historical documentation process.) Period music and licensed museum artwork add to the immersive learning experience.


At $4.99, Ansel & Clair: Paul Revere's Ride is a great investment in your kids' history education AND amusement. You'll all be reciting The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere before you know it…


In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a complimentary download code to facilitate this review. As usual, though, all thoughts are my own.

Warner Brothers Happy Holidays Giveaway

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Ho Ho Ho, it’s the holiday season and that can only mean one thing... Shopping! But finding presents for your loved ones can be no easy task! That’s why Warner Bros. has come up with their awesome Happy Holidays Blog App featuring some classic and new movies out on Blu-ray sure to please everyone from your teeny nephew to old grandma wrinkles!


Enter to win a copy of Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection, Classic Christmas Favorites or Dr. Seuss’s Deluxe Holiday Collection on Blu-ray (Prize will be chosen randomly from the titles mentioned) by checking out the Warner Brothers Happy Holidays App above and then leaving a meaningful comment below. You can share your results from the Holiday Movie Challenge or Decode-A-Scene Game or even just share your holiday shopping tips or favorite holiday movie memories. I'll pick a winner randomly on December 19th.




In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that no compensation was provided for this post. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Holiday Flavors from Green Mountain Coffee

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Green Mountain Coffee Fair Trade Certified coffee is available through specialty and mass retailers, grocery, club and convenience stores, offices, quick-serve restaurants and online. I am always impressed with their commitment to raising awareness of the importance of fair trade practices as well as the fact that they make great tasting coffee. This holiday season, GMCR is offering two limited edition flavors: Spicy Eggnog and Gingerbread. Both are fair trade certified and available in bags or as K-Cups. 


I prefer darker roasts for a stronger coffee flavor, so I just brew two K-Cups on the small teacup setting to fill my mug. The aroma fills the kitchen and makes it truly feel like the holidays! I especially like the Spicy Eggnog flavor, since you get all the satisfaction of eggnog, with a caffeinated punch and no tummyache from drinking too much of the rich, sweet stuff. A welcome addition to the holiday entertaining arsenal. 

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received samples of the coffee to facilitate this review. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Five Festive Holiday DVDs from NCircle Entertainment

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NCircle has great family videos to keep your preschoolers entertained this holiday season, including two BRAND NEW seasonally themed DVDs from PBS Kids' The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! and Nick Jr.'s Dino Dan. Roo and Jasper are getting older but they still love to watch the shows they grew up with. These make great stocking stuffers or last minute holiday gifts!

•  “The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas” (NEW) – premiering this fall on PBS, this new DVD was specially-produced to ring in the 2012 holiday season, and features the voice of Martin Short as the Cat. Both of my kids still loooooove this crazy cat!

•  “Dino Dan 'Twas a Dinosaur" (NEW)  - follow the adventures of paleontologist-in-training Dan Henderson as he learns what might have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, tracks down a Euplocephalus, and gives the poem "The Night Before Christmas" a new spin! This is not a show we were familiar with but both kids really got into it. We will definitely be checking it out again.

•  "Happy Holidays WordFriends" - a fun and festive DVD from the multiple Emmy Award-winning PBS Kids series, WordWorld, featuring three episodes – The Christmas Star, A Christmas Present for Dog, and Duck’s Family Reunion – plus a bonus music video, Dancing Dog. Jasper, in particular, enjoys this show. He's just starting to read so I think it makes a big impact on him.

• "It's Always Christmas With You" - the most recent holiday DVD from The Wiggles is a real treat for the entire family, filled with 14 original new tunes and seasonal favorites. The DVD features special celebrity guests (including ‘N Sync’s Joey Fatone) in performances filmed around the globe. Okay, I know many kids are fanatically devoted to them but my kids really don't get into The Wiggles. And I'm alright with that. The holiday theme makes them less freaky than usual to me, though.

• “Puppy Party” - available in fetching holiday packaging, this adorable live-action DVD from Animal Atlas features Milo, the adorable Labrador Puppy, who’s invited over 25 puppy pals to a party! Filled with facts and antics, and an ideal treat for animal lovers young and old. Roo loves this. It's full of puppies of all shapes and sizes. What's not to love?!

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that we received copies of the DVDs pictured to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Rebeca Raney X Madewell

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Madewell started way back in 1937 as a denim label, and from the very first jeans they made to the silky dresses and covetable shirts they’re known for today, there’s one thing that’s never changed: the love and attention to detail that’s put into every piece— right down to the last stitch.

Madewell recently collaborated with artist Rebeca Raney, whose whimsical and colorful work is featured on a signature capsule collection:


Enjoy 10% off your Madewell.com order when you use code: STYLE10.

Start 2013 off right with a $2013 shopping spree- click here to enter.

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In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that no compensation was received for this post. I'm sharing this info as a member of Style Hunters. As usual, all thoughts are my own.

Thankful November: Day 27 & 28

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THANKFUL NOVEMBER: DAY 27 & 28
As I was writing the last post, I was thinking how thankful I am for all the "little things" in my life that I enjoy every day! Things like scented candles and pretty wrapping paper, simple things I take for granted, but things that make me happy. The other thing I am thankful for, is being able to buy gifts for my family and friends, and to be able to give to others {Toys for Tots, Union Mission, Food Bank, and others who have a need}.

this & that

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 I can't believe it's the last day of November! This month has flown by, even faster than usual it seemed, but it has been a very, very busy month, and I don't think we could cram another thing in. Our November is going out with a bang .....
 We spent 3 hours in the doctor's office yesterday, and she finally took care of Nathan's ingrown toenail...hence the slipper! He really did great with the procedure, and after getting a good night's sleep, he says it feels much. much better! I am very thankful that he made out so well.THANKFUL NOVEMBER: DAY 29 

• I have spent the majority of this week decorating, cleaning, organizing, and shopping {online of course!}. We can't get our tree until the end of next week because Window World is coming on Wednesday to install our windows and I want to get that done before doing the tree. I hope to have everything else finished by then though. I did finally order candles for the windows from QVC....no more cords!!!!!!! They should be here by then as well.
• Tonight, we had movie night. Peter & I watched Christmas Vacation, and Nathan & Kayla watched ELF. I'm anxious to watch it too! I'm going to DVR some other Christmas movies that we don't have to watch over the next few weeks.
• I fixed my December calendars today {I have several that I use}......December is slammed!!!!!! I am going to try to take "one day at a time", otherwise, I'm not sure I'll make it through December sane. We leave for Florida in 12 days for the Senior Trip!!!!!! Everyone is sooooooooooo excited!

THANKFUL NOVEMBER: DAY 30
I have been trying to get out this week to get a picture of the moon, but it hasn't worked out. It has been amazing! I started my Thankful November posts with a picture of the clouds, and had wanted to end with another awesome look at God's beautiful creation. Although I didn't get a shot of my own, I copied this one from the web to share. This same moon  that I stare at each night, can be seen by Logan in the wheelhouse of his boat down in the Gulf, hundreds of miles away. I am thankful for an awesome God who watches over us, no matter where we are. I couldn't think of a better way to end my month of thankfulness.