Backyard Safari - Amazon
Really nice outdoor items for summer. Binoculars, safari vest, compass, bug holder, microscope, etc. shipping is free on most items with prime or on orders over $35 without prime.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Amazon deal of the day - backyard safari 50%
Head on over to amazon, where today only you can get select backyard safari products at 50% off!
Backyard Safari - Amazon
Really nice outdoor items for summer. Binoculars, safari vest, compass, bug holder, microscope, etc. shipping is free on most items with prime or on orders over $35 without prime.
Backyard Safari - Amazon
Really nice outdoor items for summer. Binoculars, safari vest, compass, bug holder, microscope, etc. shipping is free on most items with prime or on orders over $35 without prime.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Making Chores Fun - Choremonster App Review
What if I said there was a way to make chores fun for your kids? Well, I think this app might just be the solution! I have been trying it out and my daughter is very excited about it.
The app is called Choremonster and it is FREE to download. All you need is a smartphone, ipod touch, tablet, or desktop computer. Parents and Kids will have different logins.
With this app, the parent creates a list of chores, picks the frequency of the chore, and then assigns a number of points to each chore. I have weighed mine as 5 points for daily chores, 10 for every other day, 25 for weekly, and 50 for monthly, but you can choose any number of points you like.
You also create a list of rewards that your child can earn by doing their chores and list how many points they have to earn before they can trade them in for the reward. I personally am really bad about consistently paying an allowance for chores, so I feel like this is going to be a nice solution. You can search for pictures of the "rewards" you will give using either an amazon or google search directly through the app. I want to note though, the prices it shows for amazon items is NOT accurate, so make sure you know the actual cost before you commit to using it as a reward :)
Here are some of the chores and rewards I have listed. The rewards I have set up so far are all $7-8 items and I've assigned 100 points each to them. There are additional rewards built into the app where your child can trade their points for unlocking videos or new monster avatars as well (which don't cost the parents a thing).
I have had some buggy issues with the app crashing on my phone, at which point I just have to close it and restart it. So it's not without flaws, but I still felt like it was definitely worth sharing!
Looking for a list of age-appropriate chores? I like this one from thehappyhousewife.com
What are some of your favorite non-game phone apps? Let me know in the comments or on my FB page!
-Libby
The app is called Choremonster and it is FREE to download. All you need is a smartphone, ipod touch, tablet, or desktop computer. Parents and Kids will have different logins.
With this app, the parent creates a list of chores, picks the frequency of the chore, and then assigns a number of points to each chore. I have weighed mine as 5 points for daily chores, 10 for every other day, 25 for weekly, and 50 for monthly, but you can choose any number of points you like.
You also create a list of rewards that your child can earn by doing their chores and list how many points they have to earn before they can trade them in for the reward. I personally am really bad about consistently paying an allowance for chores, so I feel like this is going to be a nice solution. You can search for pictures of the "rewards" you will give using either an amazon or google search directly through the app. I want to note though, the prices it shows for amazon items is NOT accurate, so make sure you know the actual cost before you commit to using it as a reward :)
Here are some of the chores and rewards I have listed. The rewards I have set up so far are all $7-8 items and I've assigned 100 points each to them. There are additional rewards built into the app where your child can trade their points for unlocking videos or new monster avatars as well (which don't cost the parents a thing).
I have had some buggy issues with the app crashing on my phone, at which point I just have to close it and restart it. So it's not without flaws, but I still felt like it was definitely worth sharing!
Looking for a list of age-appropriate chores? I like this one from thehappyhousewife.com
What are some of your favorite non-game phone apps? Let me know in the comments or on my FB page!
-Libby
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Why Crochet?
January 1, 2013 is the day I decided I wanted to learn how to crochet. And so I did :) On my blog I'll be posting crochet tips, tutorials, and patterns. If you don't already knit or crochet, here are some of my reasons as to why you SHOULD!
1. Quick Startup - Learn one stitch and you are already set up to start making dishcloths, scarves, hats, and blankets. The kimono cardigan I posted above only took two different types of stitches, and really just involved making a large square!
2. Portability - Crocheting is so easy to take on the go. You can find me crocheting at gymnastics practice, soccer practice, baseball games, and in the car (when I'm not driving lol). And why not? All you need is a ball of yarn and one hook. For most patterns it's easy to pick it up, crochet a row, and put it back down making it a great activity no matter what your time frame is.
3. Stress Minimizer - You may have heard recently, but studies have been done showing that crocheting minimizes your stress levels. The rhythmic motion helps to calm you, and take your mind off of what is bothering you.
4. Inexpensive Gifts - Using a basic yarn from the yarn store, you can make gifts for your friends and family for only a few bucks! Not only do you save money, but your recipient knows how much time and effort you put into their gift - aww. :)
5. Sense of achievement - You are going to be proud of your work, even your first lopsided dishcloth that you create (I'll post mine later). Feeling a sense of achievement is great for your well-being.
6. Conversation Starter/Social Activity - Once a month at work I host a crafting party during the lunch hour, and about half of us crochet. There are also local crochet groups you can find through Facebook or Ravelry. You will probably find yourself connecting with people of all different ages and backgrounds. Though really, I am an introvert, so I also very much enjoy crocheting in solitude when I can.
7. Multitasking - Maybe not at first, but eventually you find that it is fairly easy to multitask while crocheting. Of course that depends on what kind of project you are working on, but this is one of the reasons that I will bring my crochet along with me rather than a book. I can watch my daughter at practice, or carry on a conversation with someone, while still being able to work on my project. Also, pretty much any time I have the tv on, I am crocheting at the same time. So I don't feel like I'm completely wasting my time...lol.
8. Keeps your brain sharp - Crocheting can help prevent Alzheimer's Disease. And my memory needs all the help it can get! :)
9. Exercises your hands - Before I started crocheting, my hands were always cold. I feel like crocheting has improved my circulation in my hands which is a huge plus! Also, while I can't speak from experience, it is supposed to be good for people who have arthritis.
10. Creative outlet - You may not think of yourself as a creative person, and honestly I never did either. But once you are comfortable enough with your technique, you'll find yourself modifying patterns and even making some of your own.
Stay tuned for tutorials and patterns
-Libby
1. Quick Startup - Learn one stitch and you are already set up to start making dishcloths, scarves, hats, and blankets. The kimono cardigan I posted above only took two different types of stitches, and really just involved making a large square!
2. Portability - Crocheting is so easy to take on the go. You can find me crocheting at gymnastics practice, soccer practice, baseball games, and in the car (when I'm not driving lol). And why not? All you need is a ball of yarn and one hook. For most patterns it's easy to pick it up, crochet a row, and put it back down making it a great activity no matter what your time frame is.
3. Stress Minimizer - You may have heard recently, but studies have been done showing that crocheting minimizes your stress levels. The rhythmic motion helps to calm you, and take your mind off of what is bothering you.
4. Inexpensive Gifts - Using a basic yarn from the yarn store, you can make gifts for your friends and family for only a few bucks! Not only do you save money, but your recipient knows how much time and effort you put into their gift - aww. :)
5. Sense of achievement - You are going to be proud of your work, even your first lopsided dishcloth that you create (I'll post mine later). Feeling a sense of achievement is great for your well-being.
6. Conversation Starter/Social Activity - Once a month at work I host a crafting party during the lunch hour, and about half of us crochet. There are also local crochet groups you can find through Facebook or Ravelry. You will probably find yourself connecting with people of all different ages and backgrounds. Though really, I am an introvert, so I also very much enjoy crocheting in solitude when I can.
7. Multitasking - Maybe not at first, but eventually you find that it is fairly easy to multitask while crocheting. Of course that depends on what kind of project you are working on, but this is one of the reasons that I will bring my crochet along with me rather than a book. I can watch my daughter at practice, or carry on a conversation with someone, while still being able to work on my project. Also, pretty much any time I have the tv on, I am crocheting at the same time. So I don't feel like I'm completely wasting my time...lol.
8. Keeps your brain sharp - Crocheting can help prevent Alzheimer's Disease. And my memory needs all the help it can get! :)
9. Exercises your hands - Before I started crocheting, my hands were always cold. I feel like crocheting has improved my circulation in my hands which is a huge plus! Also, while I can't speak from experience, it is supposed to be good for people who have arthritis.
10. Creative outlet - You may not think of yourself as a creative person, and honestly I never did either. But once you are comfortable enough with your technique, you'll find yourself modifying patterns and even making some of your own.
Stay tuned for tutorials and patterns
-Libby
Going On A Bug Hunt
It's finally starting to feel like summer outside! So I've been trying to think of some creative ways to get my daughter outside and enjoying the sunshine. I got this idea of creating a scavenger hunt for her to find various things in the outdoors, and I created my first one today. The theme of the one I am posting today is BUGS. This activity is great for such a wide range of ages.
Once you find an item, you could:
Please let me know what you think of my list! More will be coming :)
Enjoy
-Libby
Once you find an item, you could:
- Simply check it off the list
- Bring along your phone or camera so that the kids can take pictures when they find the items.
- Bring a sketchbook and encourage them to draw a picture of each of the bugs that they find.
- Check out a bug classification book from the library and bring it with you so you can try to identify the specific name of the bug.
Please let me know what you think of my list! More will be coming :)
Enjoy
-Libby
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