11/2/12: Harvey Building Products Showroom Visit

We have just undertaken a huge renovation to our home.  To me this is very overwhelming as there are so many decisions to be made.  I personally need to see things to really visualize how they will look, and a small piece of tile, or piece of siding makes it very difficult for me to think of how that would look covering a floor or house.  I was extremely thrilled when I was invited to an event at the Harvey Building Products Showroom in Burlington, MA.

Not only can you see full facades of houses, you can touch and feel products that your contractor might use.  I know when our contractor speaks sometimes it sounds like a foreign language because I have no idea about deck materials, or windows.  I love that you can go in to this showroom and ask as many questions as you want and are under no pressure to buy because they don't sell to the public.  They sell to contractors.

We also had a special treat as the Boston Globe's "Handyman on Call" columnist Peter Hotton came to the event to speak with us.  He was fantastic and you could tell right away that he is a real straight shooter.

I personally was interested in deck materials as that is one renovation we are doing.

 I seriously love this solar powered post.  So cool looking!

I love how everything is displayed in a mock home so you actually see what the door would look like on a home.

 Isn't this detail beautiful?

 I also learned that their philosophy is that the Customer is always right.  Who doesn't love that?

 Love this.

I was at the Burlington Showroom which is at 1 Wheeler Rd. (overlooking Rt. 128, Exit 32 Middlesex Turnpike, former Tweeter building), Burlington, MA 01803 however you can find other showrooms here.  They have windows, doors, patio rooms, siding, roofing, decking, railing and wood flooring on display.  I also was looking at windows as we are replacing some of our larger ones and all of our windows are Harvey and we love them.

 I love again that you could see the inside and outside.

 Plus now I feel like I can talk to my contractor more intelligently.

 Beautiful!

I highly recommend you go there and get some ideas for projects you could do yourself or if you are thinking of renovations to your home this is the perfect place to go to get ideas.

You can find a contractor approved by Harvey here: http://www.harveybp.com/homeowner/find-a-contractor.aspx if you are interested in pricing, timing, very specific questions to your own home improvement/renovation projects.

You can also check out more photos of the showroom on Pinterest here:

http://pinterest.com/dennehypr/home-improvement-projects-harvey-building-products/

Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarveyBuildingProducts

Follow them on Twitter here: @harveybp
Disclosure:  I received a gift bag and was treated to lunch however this did not influence my opinions of Harvey Building Supplies.

11/2/12: Reading Eggs Free Two Week Offer

We all know how important it is to build good readers.  I am searching all the time to find fun ways to engage my son in reading.  My son loves to use the computer so I have found a great way to get him to enjoy reading while being on the computer called Reading Eggs.  It is an innovative fun way to learn to read including games, songs and rewards.  These are great motivators for my son. 

Now you can try out Reading Eggs Free for Two Weeks with no credit card required!  Just go to their website and you can try the free online reading trial.  The program is not just for beginner readers, it is for children ages 3 through 12.

The program was developed by a highly trusted team of teachers, education writers, animators and web developers.  Since launching in 2011 they now have 500,000 subscribers and have presented more than 15 million lessons!

Go ahead and try it out, you have nothing to lose.

Like them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ReadingEggs

Follow them on Twitter: @readingeggs

Disclosure:  I was given a three month trial in exchange for this post.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/1/12: Crayola Digital Light Designer Innovative Toy

When I was at Toy Fair I was introduced to the new Crayola Digital Light Designer.  Since I saw the demo of how it worked I was extremely excited to be able to try it out and include it in my Holiday Gift Guide.  You get to create with colored LEDs!  Crayola has really impressed me lately with all their innovative toys.  

 What we learned is that it came in extremely handy during our recent power outage during Hurricane Sandy.  The kids had a great time drawing on it and animating their designs.  I even had some fun playing with it.

 Evan trying it out.  The kids also learned that you can save your designs.  You can save up to 50 designs!  They loved this.

 There are games too.

 Here is a demo of it from Toy Fair to show what it is capable of.

It truly is an amazing toy and best shown through video.  This picture shows what the display looks like.

Lauren was really enjoying drawing on it.

I love her looks of surprise when it animates and when the games appear.  She got a hang of it pretty quickly and understood how it worked.

She is having a blast.

Here is Lauren showing me how it erases:

Now she is showing her friend how it works.

Here is more about it:

Using the digital light stylus, kids can select colors and line width to begin free-drawing anywhere on the domed surface. They can easily switch between 8 different colors, or erase and start over. Kids can then activate their creations with amazing special effects; making them spin, change colors, melt or even mix up the drawings.  Kids can even put their ideas into motion with two different animation modes; one for simple creations and another for more advanced animated features.  Up to 50 original masterpieces can be stored in the gallery so kids can create, change and replay their creations.

Extending the fun even more, the Digital Light Designer also comes with 8 different interactive games and activity apps.  Kids can spend hours creating or just doodling with Rainbow Draw, magically duplicate their creations with Mirror Draw, create funny animated faces, play interactive mazes and so much more!  There’s even amazing drawings included, so kids can experience jaw-dropping effects right out of the box.  There so many ways for kids to discover the fun of creativity with the Crayola Digital Light Designer. 

I highly recommend this toy for hours of fun.

Find Crayola on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Crayola

You can also follow them on Twitter:  @Crayola

Disclosure:  The Digital Light Designer was provided for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/1/12: Monsuno Brand New Episode

I just shared Monsuno toys with you recently and also wanted to let you know that this Friday the “Monsuno” action returns when a brand new episode hits the small screen at 7pm PT. Chase and the gang get a message that Darkspin is chasing Jeredy and resolve to do whatever it takes to protect Jeredy – even though Chase is super mad at him for lying about his mom! To get to Jeredy before Darkspin does, Chase and the gang decide to trick S.T.O.R.M. into giving them a ride to make up some ground. Will they get to Jeredy before Darkspin? Tune-in this Friday at 7pm PT on Nicktoons to find out what happens! 

To learn more about the “Monsuno” action-adventure series, visit: 

http://nicktoons.nick.com/shows/monsuno 

Become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/MonsunoToys - fans can also RSVP to the episodes event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/471165682903521/  

About “Monsuno” Millions of years ago, “Monsuno,” a living DNA, hitched a ride to Earth in a concentrated asteroid pocket. When it landed on Earth, the impact drove the dinosaurs into extinction. The “Monsuno” DNA lay dormant until a scientist named Jeredy Suno activated it, sending a rippling wave of movement back into action. By doing so, Jeredy may have reignited the end of the world but he also created its salvation, the “Monsuno” monsters. Now, it’s up to his son Chase to learn the secrets of “Monsuno” and help save the world from impending destruction.

11/1/12: GymStreet USA Session 2 Registration

GymStreet USA has Session 2 starting up soon.  The session runs from November 8th to January 22nd. 

Lauren has been taking Gymnastics at GymStreet USA for 3 1/2 years now and is on pre-team now.  She has improved so much since she has been going there.  Evan also takes Gymnastics and I have seen a huge improvement in him.  It shows in his Hip Hop class when he does his handstands and headstands.  You can check out all of my posts here.

 Check out the latest video of GymStreet and all the cool things they have there.

If you are looking for your kids to get some great exercise and learn a lot of great skills there is plenty of time to sign them up. 

Registration is always OPEN. Sign up anytime during the session. You can even try out a No-Obligation Trial Class. Call today to register: 978-694-9678

What drew me to GymStreet was the amount of options they had in addition to the flexibility of so many class times. There are so many options to choose from including:

• Gymnastics for Girls and Boys – All Ages, Advanced and Recreational, Adaptive

• Parent and Me - Ages 12 – 36 months which Lauren started out in. 

• Tumble Cheer Programs – Recreational, Advanced and 2hr Open Cheer Tumble

• Dance – Center for Performing Arts Dance Studio - Hip Hop and Gymnastics/Hip Hop COMBO

• Martial Arts – Little Leopards, Beginner and Advanced

• Sports Conditioning – 1 hour program

And even some classes for Mom/Dad:

• Adult Gymnastics and Aerobics for Adults – Combo Class, Cardio Kick Boxing, Cycling, Muscle Conditioning, and Zumba

Plus At Gymstreet USA there is a workout room with weights, treadmills, universal machine, ab toner, thigh machine and stability balls you can get in shape and feel great while your child is in class.

Come join us and watch your kids have a great time.

GymStreet USA (978-694-9678) http://www.gymstreetusa.com
Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/GymStreet-USA/106031366104860

One Jewel Drive Unit 1R Wilmington MA  01887 (Entrance is on Route 38)

Disclosure: I receive a free month of my daughter's Gymnastics in exchange for posts for GymStreet USA.

11/1/12: Oz The Great and Powerful

Disney's Oz The Great and Powerful is coming out on March 8th and I wanted to share a sneak peak.

More about the movie:

Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

 Here is a trailer from the movie:

Website and Mobile site: www.Disney.com/TheWizard

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OzTheGreatAndPowerful

Follow us on Twitter: @DisneyPictures

Disclosure:  No compensation was received for this post.

11/1/12: Personal Creations Gifts for Anyone on Your Holiday List

I was lucky enough to be able to discover a wonderful gift website that has personalized gifts.  They are Personal Creations and they offer quite a large array of products for anyone on your holiday list.  I chose jewelry.  Let's face it, who doesn't love jewelry and when it symbolizes my kids, what is better?  I figured I would treat myself.  I got the Mother's Embrace Birthstone Pendant with my children's birthstones which are Emerald and White Spinel (for Diamond).  It is beautiful.

  The website was easy to navigate and I love how they break it up by Occasion and also by recipient.  You could shop for Mom, Dad, kids, teachers, really any one on your holiday list.  I love the little box it arrived in.  Isn't this cute?

I was also impressed by their customer service.  I had to call as there was an issue with my order and they resolved it quickly with me on the phone.  Plus the selection is great for all areas.  I had such a hard time choosing something. 

Check them out this holiday season at:

http://www.personalcreations.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PersonalCreations

Twitter:@pcgifts

Disclosure: I was given this necklace from Personalcreations.com. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/1/12: The Halloween That Almost Wasn't

Unbelievably we got another storm this Halloween!  Last year it was a Nor'easter that knocked out power for days and this year it was Hurricane Sandy.  We lost power on Monday night during the storm due to a pole coming down that closed down our street.  Luckily we received a Treat after returning from Trick or Treating and the power returned last night.  It was a Halloween miracle!

Last year our town actually delayed trick or treating due to the damage.  Luckily this year trick or treating still went on.  The kids were extremely excited!

 Luckily the neighborhood near us that we usually trick or treat at had lights.  We got together with some friends to head out for a night of trick or treating.

 I have a couple pictures posted as it was hard to get them to all look.

 So cute!

 Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!

 I have such fond memories of trick or treating when I was a kid and was so happy the kids got to safely go out last night and enjoy it.  A huge credit goes out to the Billerica Police who communicated so well during the storm (via Twitter and Facebook) and also drove around during the night checking that everyone was safe.

 The smile says it all!

 Lauren and one of her best friends from school.

 We met some friends along the way.

 What an awesome time!  Now what to do with all the candy.  Luckily we can donate some to school for Treats for Troops and I am sure Papa would help us out with whatever we can't eat.  He used to go out trick or treating with me each year and some candy disappeared that was "unwrapped".

I hope all your ghosts, goblins, witches and super heroes had a great night!