Category: review

July 19, 2018

Dream Big: Engineering Our World DVD Review and Giveaway

Get ready to dream big and explore the world, when this new two DVD set hits the stores on July 24th, 2018.

About Dream Big: Engineering Our World

The education-focused 2-DVD edition of Dream Big: Engineering Our World will offer the complete movie along with a 150-page educator’s guide (12 lesson plans, including handouts), 10 educational shorts, 8 behind-the-scenes featurettes and 8 more short “Fun Fact” videos. This set brings the wonder of engineering to life for students everywhere

Narrated by Academy Award^® winner* Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), Dream Big: Engineering Our World is a spectacular look at man-made marvels that will forever transform the way you think about engineering. It celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small and shows how engineers push the limits of innovation in unexpected and amazing ways. It is more than a movie — it’s part of a movement aimed at bringing engineering into the forefront of our culture. Dream Big is the first giant-screen film to answer the call of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) initiative, which aims to inspire kids of diverse backgrounds to become the innovators who will improve the lives of people across our entire planet as we head into the twenty-first century and beyond. That’s why the film will be accompanied by ongoing educational, museum and community efforts to expose young people from all backgrounds to what engineering is … and what it can conjure in the world.

Originally filmed for and seen in IMAX® and Giant Screen theaters, this stunning film will now be available in living rooms across the country on July 24th, 2018.

Our Thoughts

The world around us is amazing and full of surprises – even if we don’t realize it engineering plays a great role in our world. This video is aimed at children and young adults to recognize and inspire them to embrace the exciting world of STEM. This movie encourages youth to touch, learn and discover for themselves the wonders of innovation. We learn about what inspired engineers to start down their career path and some of us can probably see ourselves in them (a need and desire to help others and to solve problems). This was an exciting educational experience from start to finish that all members of our family enjoyed.

You can purchase this DVD on Shout Factory.

Trailer

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 25, 2018

Take an Adventure This Summer with My Gnome on the Roam

Summer break for children is set to begin in just over two weeks. As parents we may be busy trying to figure out how to fill the weeks. It could be with summer camp, day trips and even daily activities. While fun is always at the heart of what we do, education is so important! We want to keep their minds just as active during the summer months being creative, writing and reading.

What is Gnome on the Roam?

Gustav, the Gnome, is an inquisitive gnome who longs to explore the world outside of his own yard. In order to do so, he needs the help and love of your child to make this happen!

Your Gnome arrives at your home in their own special suitcase ready for your child to take them on an adventure. Your Gnome brings with them a special journal for your child to record their adventures in, Gnome on the Roam book and a very special pen to write with.

When your Gnome arrives you can take some time to decorate him/her to give the Gnome a personal touch and connect each other. We also downloaded the app on the Apple Store to get new ideas, create online journals, upload photos and more. You can also visit the website to get more ideas (resource list), colouring book and the adventurers guide.

I loved that the kit encourages families to explore their world around them and to expand their knowledge when they get home. It doesn’t have to be big adventures, all that matters is that you get away from the television, video games, electronics and get moving and writing. I am a firm believer of always pushing yourself to learn more (I am a forever student always taking another course!) and I want my children to learn the importance of writing, reading and hands on education.

My Gnome on the Roam gives your family the ability to take charge to their own adventures, learn more about each others creativity and personalities and learn new things. Bonus – it keeps everyone busy and interested with new activities throughout the whole summer. While a special activity for your child – it is an activity that the whole family can come together with.

You can connect with Gnome on the Roam on their website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can purchase your own Gnome on Amazon.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 14, 2018

Spin, Crack and Splash with Watermelon Smash by Yulu Toys

The hot, hazy days of summer have finally arrived after what felt like endless days of rain and cooler weather. We are ready to play outside more but sometimes the same regular activities can get boring.

Watermelon Smash combines soaking water fun with a bit of roulette making it the perfect game for parties, get together and any warm, summer day. The object of the game? Fill the watermelon with water or seeds, spin the wheel, ‘crack’ the watermelon on your head and hope you are not its victim!

The Watermelon separates in two allowing you to place a rectangular piece inside which pushes/cracks the watermelon apart during the game. You can either fill the watermelon with water or use the packaged “seeds” that come with the game.

Once the game is set up, players take turns spinning the wheel and completing the instruction they landed on. My favourite one to land on? Getting to crack the watermelon on someone else’s head! Once the watermelon cracks and either the water or seeds are spilled on the person, that person is out. The game continues until there is only one person left and they are the winner!

We LOVED this game! There was excitement and nervousness as you took a chance each time cracking the watermelon on your head, hoping that you were not going to be the one who gets soaked. I love the unique concept and hands on aspect of the game, you can bring this game with you anywhere easily. It can be adapted for both indoor and outdoor play using either water or the plastic seeds that come with the game. The game itself is easy to assemble with a simple push of the rectangular piece into one end of the watermelon and then closing the watermelon on the other side. It was a game that every member of our family enjoyed playing together as while it had a hint of competitiveness to it (you don’t want to be the one that cracks it open), it is based on chance so there were no unhappy tears at the end of the game just laughter.

Find more about the Watermelon Smash game on the Yulu website. You can purchase this game in stores at Indigo and Mastermind toys. Make sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest toys and games.

Disclosure: We received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 8, 2018

Satellite Girl and Milk Cow DVD Giveaway

In Satellite Girl an Milk Cow, it all starts when an out of commission satellite picks up a lovelorn ballad on her radio antenna and descends to Earth to find the source of such sincere emotions.

About Satellite Girl and Milk Cow

GKIDS and Shout! Factory have announced the release of the charming fantasy/science fiction romance Satellite Girl and Milk Cow on Blu-ray/DVD on June 5, 2018.

The debut feature-length film from Korean director Chang Hyung-yun, acclaimed creator of animated short films that have premiered and won prizes at festivals worldwide, the highly original Satellite Girl and Milk Cow was produced by Cho Young-kag (The Fake, The King of Pigs), and received an Asia-Pacific Screen Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

An out of commission satellite picks up a lovelorn ballad on her radio antenna and descends to Earth to find the source of such sincere emotions. But on the way she is caught in a raging magical battle and transforms into Satellite Girl, complete with rocket shoes and weapon-firing limbs. Meanwhile, the balladeer in question – a loser twentysomething at a café open mic – meets the fate that befalls all broken-hearted lovers: he is turned into a farm animal. But love knows no bounds, and aided by the wise and powerful Merlin – a wizard who has been turned into a roll of toilet paper – our duo must evade the all-consuming incinerator monster, the wily pig witch, and other nefarious adversaries in an attempt to be together.

Bonus Features

Coffee Vending Machine and Its Sword – a short film
Trailers

Our Thoughts

In this cute and funny DVD, we have a heart-broken musician, an enchanted toilet paper roll and a satellite turned into a girl. Caught your attention yet?! I hope so!

This extremely unique movie will leave you laughing and wanting more. Our heart-broken musician is turned into a cow – yup a cow – and his beautiful music attracts the attention of a satellite. As the satellite moves closer to the music, she is turned into Satellite Girl AND she has rocket shoes and limbs that can turn into weapons. Add in an enchanted toilet paper and these three new friends are off to great adventures that you will not want to miss.

This is a unique and special movie right from the get go. We loved the plot and the animations are fantastic. This is a great movie for older children and their families.

Movie Trailer

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

June 1, 2018

Harmony Patches: Easy Application for Natural Relief of Digestive, Cough, Cold and Allergies

One of the hardest jobs of being a parent? Giving your child, no matter what age, their medication. It has led to tears, screaming and absolute breakdowns in our house.

Both of our children as infants suffered from digestive symptoms, especially our youngest. I breastfed him for the first six months before he decided to wean himself. When we switched him to formula, he began to vomit daily and would cry every night. After multiple different brands tried, our family physician switched him to soy which seemed to help.

On top of this, our children suffer from allergies and eczema. We deal with runny noses, red eyes and coughing from early spring right through to the fall. You can imagine how they have begun to react to having to take medications orally! Not to mention that many of the over the counter medications can not be taken by children under the age of four that leaves you with very few options, frustrating right?

About Harmony Patches

Harmony Patches were designed to be placed strategically on the body for fast relief of specific symptoms. The patches release the ingredients gradually, which provides lasting relief over a period of time (we used ours over ten hours as directed on the label).

The patches are completely natural – ingredients include organic ginger, chamomile and fennel used in differing amounts. These ingredients are completely safe and have been found to be effective for all ages (they have also been used for centuries). The patches adhesive contain no silicone, latex, acrylic or rubber, which makes them gentle and perfect for sensitive skin (and if you suffer from digestive and allergic conditions more than likely, you also have sensitive skin).

The Harmony patches come in:

Infant cough Harmony patches (0-12 months)
Infant Colic Harmony patches (0-12 months)
Child Cough Harmony patches (1-7 years)
Child Tummy Harmony patches (1-7 years)
Adult Cough Harmony patches (8 and up)
Adult Tummy Harmony patches (8 and up)

Our Thoughts

I could not wait to try these patches out both on myself and my youngest. It is allergy season for us and we are all suffering with plugged noses, sinus pain, coughs and red eyes. The products were all natural (a definite bonus) and contained no allergens that could cause my skin to react (I am allergic to latex).

The patches were easy to apply, just peel and follow the instructions on where to apply on the chest or stomach. They stuck to the skin easily and came off just as easy without any pain or leaving any marks or residue. I really liked the ease and simplicity of application, we had no fights or spilled liquid on the floor.

The patches were left on between ten and twelve hours which is great for school and work. I was able to apply my son’s before I left for work and he had relief throughout the day. There were no side effects from the patches – no drowsiness or headaches. Sometimes with liquid medication, we found our youngest would first get hyper and then crash, which forced us to give him medication at night but he was having no relief during the day when pollen count was highest.

The Harmony patches are a fantastic alternative for parents for both their children and themselves, to relieve common digestive, cough, cold and allergy symptoms throughout the year. They are easy to use, provide great relief with no side effects. A win for everyone involved.

About Dr. Loo

Dr. Loo is a graduate of the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine and has served as a Clinical Professor at Stanford University Medical School for twenty-one years. She is an expert in five schools of Chinese medicine. She has been a presenter to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. She is the author of several medical textbooks and has lectured throughout the US, Canada, Europe and China.

Where to Purchase

You can purchase the Harmony patches both on their website and Amazon.

Make sure to follow Harmony Patches on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with their products and the newest information.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.