Mommy Ramblings

May 18, 2015 · 2:14 am

Staying Cool and Comfortable Outdoors In The Summer Heat-NewAir AF-520B Outdoor Misting Fan Review

It is finally getting to feel like summer in New York. After the bone-chilling winter we had that never wanted to end, you will not hear complaints from me about the heat. That is especially true since I discovered the NewAir Outdoor Cool Misting Fan. I can’t wait to share this with you because if you are like me, I was not even aware there was such a fan. Since I found out, I am amazed at how easy it now is to stay cool and refreshed outdoors.

NewAir Front Fan

This 18 inch fan has some great features that make it perfect for keeping you cool and refreshed on even the hottest days. All you need to do is connect it to a garden hose and it adds a refreshing cool mist to the cool breeze it emits. We have never had a fan like this and are really impressed, it is so refreshing when it is hot out and you need a quick cool down. Our kids loved it too. Perfect for entertaining on our porch and deck, this fan really is something special!

The fan has 3 speeds and you can adjust the oscillating fan head to tilt it so you have the perfect angle for optimal coolness. You can adjust the fan from oscillating to stationary. The fan covers a large area, nearly 500 sq. ft.! It is so easy to adjust this fan so that you have the right angle and direction for optimal coolness.

The fan has a stylish, sleek design and the black color blends with most patio decor. This fan is designed for long-term durability. The 3 prong GFCI plug means you can use it safely, the highest quality materials are used in construction so you can count on this fan for years to come. The safety features are really important to us because wherever you have electricity and water, you want to make sure you have the best safety features to prevent anyone from getting a shock or worse. The base is super sturdy and all of the components feel and function like the high-end, quality you would expect in a fan of this caliber.

If you are looking to stay cool and comfortable outdoors this summer check out the NewAir AF-520 B 18″ Outdoor Misting Fan. See it in action in our video below. You can follow NewAir on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and YouTube. You can purchase this fan on Amazon, Home Depot, Air-n-water and Newair, Let me know if you have this fan or plan to purchase one.

I received a NewAir Outdoor Cool Misting Fan to facilitate my review, as always my words and views are 100% my own.

Here’s A Great Way To Keep Kids Entertained & Learning New Skills Over The Summer.

This post was created in partnership with Mom Buzz Media Blogger Network. All views & opinions expressed below are my own and are not influenced in anyway.

Kids Academy | Educational Apps for Children

School is coming to an end and many will be starting Kindergarten in the fall or preschool. If you are looking for an educational app to keep the kids entertained during the summer as well as teach them fundamental skills, your search is over! Kid Academy Apps for children have 2 great apps for learning and fun.

Preschool & Kindergarten Learning Kids Game Educational Books & Free Songs

This free app is perfect for little ones learning simple math skills, There is a game where they will give them a problem and then the child helps a dog find which number in a maze is the trigh answer by dragging his bone to that numer. They can connect the dots in the right number order to form objects and number tracing. There are in app purchases to expand this app and unlock additional features like subtraction math facts.

Download Preschool & Kindergarten Learning Kids Game

Bugs, Shapes and Robots Face Paint for Toddlers

FREE for a limited time! (usually $2.99)

This free app is a great way to teach little ones in preschool and kindergarten fundamental skills. With the use of a firefly incentive, when the child traces the number correctly the fireflies go into a jar and then it goes to the next number. There is lots of other tracing games too and some need to be purchase to work. With the free version you only get so many numbers and then you can buy the app to get the rest of the features with the in app purchases.

Download Bugs, Shapes, and Robots

Do You Know What Happens If You Give A Mouse A Cookie?

He will probably want a glass of milk to go with it. If you and the special children in your life like the “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie” Book, you will love what I am going to share with you. You can own the new DVD “If you Give A Mouse A Cookie” that features 4 Classic Episodes from the iconic Reading Rainbow series. Just released on May 12th this DVD is the First Reading Rainbow DVD from PBS Distribution.

“Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high…” is the opening to the instantly recognizable theme song for the iconic series READING RAINBOW. PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing four episodes from READING RAINBOW on the new DVD “IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE.” Since 1983, this beloved children’s television series has been bringing stories to life.

READING RAINBOW: IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE

Run Time: Approximately 120 Minutes

Format: DVD

READING RAINBOW aired on PBS from 1983-2009. Hosted by LeVar Burton (“Roots,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Perception”) for its entire 26-year run, the program encouraged a love of literature in millions of children and garnered more than 200 awards, including 26 Emmys and a Peabody Award.

READING RAINBOW has helped children build lasting relationships with books at home and in the classroom. The four episodes and books, featured in this DVD are “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” read by Beth Howland, “Owen,” read by Matthew Broderick, “Two Old Potatoes and Me,” read by Jordan Puryear, and “Mr. George Baker,” read by Wayne Brady.

DVD Stories:

“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” – Reader: Beth Howland

One thing leads to another in this episode, with LeVar in a bowling alley, showing how certain actions lead to consequences. Included is a piece on an expert at domino displays and domino art. Beth Howland reads “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” the tale of a little boy who offers a cookie to a mouse, and all the events that occur afterwards as a result.

“Owen” – Reader: Matthew Broderick

It’s easy to get flashbacks while watching READING RAINBOW. Now it’s LeVar’s turn, as he gets in touch with visions of “his boyhood.” Matthew Broderick reads “Owen,” about a little mouse who’s very attached to his security blanket and doesn’t want to give it up, even if it means he will be teased when he starts school.

“Two Old Potatoes and Me” – Reader: Jordan Puryear

Jordan Puryear reads “Two Old Potatoes and Me,” about a girl who works with her father to recycle two old potatoes by replanting them using the sprouts to grow a whole new crop of potatoes. LeVar, working with his daughter, is inspired to make a potato dish from a recipe in the book.

“Mr. George Baker” – Reader: Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady narrates the story of an elderly man who decides to go back to school to learn to read, even though he is almost 100, and his relationship with his young neighbor as they wait for the bus every day.

About PBS KIDS

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital platforms and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS also offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning. The PBS KIDS Video App is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’s films, documentaries from award-winning series such as NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, dramas from MASTERPIECE, as well as films from independent producers and popular children’s programming.

Enter The Giveaway:

PBS Kids is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a READING RAINBOW: IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE DVD . Thank you PBS Kids for the review DVD and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

READING RAINBOW: IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Entertainment, Giveaway

Tagged as book, Classic Series, DVD, giveaway, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, LeVar Burton, Reading Rainbow

May 13, 2015 · 10:55 am

Add This Book To Your Young Reader’s Summer Reading List-Book Giveaway

In New York we still have several weeks of school left. I know that in the southern states some schools are letting the kids out for summer this Friday! No better time to start thinking about some great summer reading books for kids. Reading keeps kids entertained, their reading skills sharp and fuels their imagination. I have a great book I want to tell you about that may be one you want to add to your child’s summer reading list. Fans of Polly Horvath or Roald Dahl will love this quirky story of a determined girl, and some extraordinary chickens.

UNUSUAL CHICKENS FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL POULTRY FARMER

by Kelly Jones; illustrated by Katie Kath

Sophie Brown and her family have inherited her dead uncle’s farm—a place vastly different from her familiar hometown of LA. Due to her family’s lack of funds, though, operating a fully functioning farm is out of the question. But what happens when the farm animals come to them? Sophie begins to see chickens—very unusual chickens—appearing on her land. She chronicles their activity and her challenges in a series of fun-to-read letters to her deceased relatives. But when a respected local farmer tries to steal them, Sophie must find a way to keep them (and their superpowers) safe. Readers will become immersed in the narrator’s honest and endearing tone. Young readers will root for Sophie and her chickens until the very last page. UNUSUAL CHICKENS is an original, clucky classic in the making.

chicken 2

About The Author:

KELLY JONES has been a librarian, a bookseller, and a teacher, and is currently a raiser of (much-loved but fairly ordinary) chickens. Now she has published her first middle-grade novel, UNUSUAL CHICKENS FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL POULTRY FARMER (On sale May 12, 2015 / Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers / $16.99). Written entirely in letters, to-do lists, and quizzes, with several black-and-white drawings, this is a quirky story of a determined, strong-willed girl with some very unusual super chickens.

chicken

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of Unusual Chickens For The Exceptional Poultry Farmer. Thank you Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Unusual Chickens For The Exceptional Poultry Farmer Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Books, Giveaway, kids

Tagged as giveaway, Katie Kath, Kelly Jones, kids, learning, Penguin Random House, Reading List, school, skills, summer, Unusual Chickens, Young Readers

· 12:19 am

How To Save Big & See The Sights of New York City With Your Family

Want to know one of the best ways to see the unique wonders of The Big Apple with your family? I thought you would. The Classic Harbor Line provides family-friendly boat tours of Manhattan dedicated to helping locals and visitors alike enjoy the unique wonders of New York City. When you travel the Classic Harbor Line, they will escort you and your family on a relaxing, inspiring and breathtaking sightseeing cruise through the waters they proudly call home.

Their classic yachts – the Schooner Adirondack & Adirondack III and the Schooner America 2.0 ( sailboats), and the Luxury Yacht Manhattan (motorized yacht) are reminiscent of the classic boats that cruised New York Harbor a hundred years ago.

SAVE NOW
My Readers receive 15% off each ticket purchased at HERE using ONLINE promo code Mom2015 – Valid for any Day Sail, Sunset Sail, City Lights Sail aboard Schooner Adirondack, Schooner America 2.0 OR any Cruise aboard our 1920’s style motor yacht: Yacht Manhattan!

Let me know if you have ever traveled the Classic Harbor Line or plan to take advantage of the big savings and book your tour. We are going as a family, maybe we will see you there.

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Filed under Attractions, Family, Sale, Travel

Tagged as Boat Tours, Classic Harbor Line, New York City, NYC, Promo Code, Save, Statue of Liberty, Tour, USFG, Yacht

May 10, 2015 · 1:19 am

Remembering The Motherless on Mother’s Day – The Cardinals’ Kiss

I wrote something 2 days ago on Facebook that received many comments and resonated with many people. I thought I would share it here today, for all the motherless on Mother’s Day.

The Cardinals’ Kiss

10 years ago on Mother’s Day, I lost my mother, my best friend, and life was forever changed. 364 days later, I lost my father. It was the end of an era. Yesterday, on the anniversary of my Dad’s passing, I saw a male and female cardinal who were nesting in our yard.

The male cardinal kept flying over to where I was sitting on the porch, and would sing sweetly, the female sang too as she stayed clearly in my view. They would at times, both fly back to a bush in the front yard and perch there.

I saw them throughout the day, and it was comforting to me. I am certain it was a sign that their spirit is still here. I am so grateful for signs like this. My two youngest children never had the chance to meet their grandparents, which is so sad to me. Last spring, I told my youngest son, Luke, that the Swallowtail butterflies that always come in a pair every spring and summer, remind me of them.

When the Swallowtails stay on the lilacs, my mother’s favorite flower or when I see them circling around my two youngest children as they play, I know it is a sign they are here. Well, Luke came in the house all excited shortly after that and said, “Mommy, I saw your mother in the garden.” He meant the butterfly, a preschooler’s take on it. It made me smile.

The other sign, is the pair of eagles on our lake, we never had eagles, until the summer after my father passed away. Now, we have a pair of bald eagles living here. Some may say I am crazy, and it is my own wishful thinking, but it pulls me from the darkest moments. Those moments, where I have thoughts that maybe “this” is all there is, maybe Heaven and eternal life is something many have to believe because the truth of “that” and the fact we would never see our loved ones again, is too painful to comprehend.

When I see these signs, it pulls me out of that thinking, it gives me hope and faith that there is so much more to “this.” I love and miss you every day Mom and Dad, please keep sending signs to let me know you are near and watching over us. I need them more than you know.

After I wrote this status, I went outside and saw the most amazing thing just as I was going back inside. I know the picture below is not the best, but I am so glad I was able to capture the moment. The male and female cardinal flew to a branch off my porch near my front door as I was going back inside, and they kissed.

When I went out early that afternoon, I sat on the porch and the male cardinal flew right across my field of vision to land in a bush directly across the yard from where I was sitting. He looked at me, and twisted his head in all sorts of ways. and then sang his beautiful song. He just stayed there singing and looking at me.

I was blown away by these moments, and so very grateful. I hope that all of the motherless have a moment like that, one so profound it lets you know her spirit is around you. I hope it gives you comfort and peace on a day that makes you remember more than ever, just how much you have lost. I wish you all of you a happy Mother’s Day, and most of all, I hope you see signs!

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Filed under Faith, Family

Tagged as Faith, Family, Mother's Day, Motherless, Signs

May 6, 2015 · 10:18 pm

American Sniper Blu-Ray Combo Pack Giveaway

We have worked with the Wounded Warriors Project in the past at Mommy Ramblings. The Wounded Warrior Project’s mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

You can help Warner Bros. Home Entertainment assist Wounded Warriors.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will donate a portion of the proceeds across physical and digital sales to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). One dollar of each purchase will be donated up to $1,000,000 from April 21, 2015 through December 31, 2015, void in Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Mississippi and South Carolina. To get involved and learn more, visit the Wounded Warrior Project

WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To learn more about WWP’s life-saving programs and services, please visit Wounded Warrior Programs.

American Sniper Available on Blu-Ray Combo Pack May 19th!

From director Clint Eastwood comes American Sniper, arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on May 19 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Mad Chance Production, A 22nd & Indiana Production. American Sniper stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter.A two-time Oscar® nominee for his work in Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, Cooper stars alongside Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, JakeMcDorman, CoryHardrict, KevinLacz,NavidNegahban and Keir O’Donnell.Oscar®-winning filmmaker Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven) directed American Sniper from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Scott McEwen and JimDeFelice. The autobiography was a runaway bestseller, spending 18 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, 13 of those at number one.The film is produced by Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooper and Peter Morgan. Tim Moore, Jason Hall, Sheroum Kim, Steven Mnuchin and Bruce Berman served as executive producers.
American Sniper will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and includes the film in high-definition on Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and a digital version of the movie in Digital HD with UltraViolet. Fans can also own American Sniper via purchase from digital retailers.

SYNOPSIS

From director Clint Eastwood comes American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield.

But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter.

Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield, and as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world.

Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

American Sniper Blu-ray Combo Pack & Two Disc DVD contains the following special features:
One Soldier’s Story: The Journey of American Sniper
Join director Clint Eastwood and his creative team, along with
Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, as they overcome enormous creative and
logistic obstacles to make a film that brings the truth of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle’s story to the screen.
Making of American Sniper

Enter The Giveaway

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win an American Sniper Blu-Ray Combo Pack! Thank you Warner Bros. Home Entertainment for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

American Sniper Blu-Ray Combo Pack Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Entertainment, Giveaway, Movies

Tagged as American Sniper, Blu-ray Combo Pack, Bradley Cooper, Clint Eastwood, giveaway, Movie, Veterans, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Wounded Warriors

May 5, 2015 · 9:50 pm

How Grateful Children Thank & Praise Their Moms

Mother’s Day is bittersweet for me because in 3 days it will mark 10 years that I lost my mother on that very day. While I enjoy celebrating my motherhood with my family, there is always a huge part that is missing. I know my mother would never want me to be sad so I try to stay happy and positive about the day.

A great book that has heartwarming and entertaining stories by grateful children all in praise of their mother is Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks to My Mom. This new book is filled with stories to brighten any mother’s day and show that kids were truly paying attention to their mom after all. The book features country singer Jo Dee Messina’s own story about her mom! You will also find stories about the other moms in your life, step-mothers, grandmothers, in-laws and more.

This book makes a great gift for moms or for yourself. 101 stories of love, learning and gratitude fill the pages to give mom the praise she deserves. Children of all ages share their words of thanks in these 101 stories of love, learning, and gratitude to the woman they couldn’t have done without!

Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Three lucky blog readers will win their own copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks to My Mom . Thank you to CSFTS Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks to My Mom Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Giveaway

Tagged as 3 Winners, book, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Gift, giveaway, Mom, Mommy, Mommy Ramblings, Mother's Day, Thanks To My Mom

May 2, 2015 · 2:09 am

The Easy Way To Keep Your Smartphone Secure & Accessible In The Car

I have a great universal car mount for your smartphone to share with you. You can use the K2R Universal Car Mount in the car or even on your kitchen counter. The adjustable sides ratchet closed to hold your phone securely. Holder rotates 360 degrees to hold your phone in all kinds of angles for portrait or landscape viewing.

Out of the package it’s super easy to just connect the 2 pieces and tighten with the lock nut. Next remove the protective film from the bottom, place on a clean, flat surface and push down on the lever lock to secure. You will not be able to budge the holder. When you are ready to release you push up on the lever and pull the little strip on the back and the holder will release, leaving no damage to your surface.

We tested this mount on the counter at home and in the car and were very impressed with the secure seal and all the viewing angles. You can see our video review to see it in action. Please let us know what you think.

My Secret To Kneading Bread Dough

I love baking bread. I know what goes in and I love the way it comes out. I also enjoy the whole process especially kneading the dough. It’s quite therapeutic and I have an easy way to make sure it doesn’t stick. I just knead the dough on the dual-use silicone pastry and baking mat from 1Easylife. The mat provides a large non stick surface for me to knead the dough. It also comes with a free 15″ wooden rolling-pin. I like that the mat has measurements in inches and cm all along the sides as well as different size pie crust circles.

There are so many quality features in this mat, it’s the thickest mat on the market with a thickness of .7mm, simple to clean and takes up no room to store because it can be rolled. You can also use it in the oven to line a cookie sheet and it is heat-resistant up to 480 degrees F. With proper cleaning the mat is safe from micro-organisms and it is odor resistant. A very large 25″ by 15″ mat that gives you plenty of room to make your pastry, knead dough or bake lots of cookies on.