The Traveling Sisterhood: October 2016

Meaningful Gifts Matter!


I can’t believe it, but the holiday shopping season is upon us: I’m seeing holiday deals in my inbox already and it’s not even November! A lot of you might agree that holiday gift giving has lost some of what made it special in the past, and the expectation of material goods has gotten out of hand. Just google Walmart + Black Friday + injury for some of the worst.

But despite negative news, there is something really special about getting together and giving loved ones gifts that have meaning. So before you get anything to just check someone off your to-do list, take a moment to model thoughtful giving for your children, family and community. Give them a gift that will last.


Experiences create the memories that bond us. Consider taking loved ones on a local adventure, a music show, committing to an exercise routine or honing cooking skills together. Or even just setting up time for a special day with just the two of you. This can be inexpensive for your pocketbook, and rich in meaning.

Education is also a gift that lasts a lifetime. For youngsters in your life, how about a set of blocks that get their creative juices flowing, science experiments they can do with friends, or Peter and the Wolf, the Nutcracker and other classical pieces you loved as a child?

Whatever their passion as a young learner, stoke those coals. Your gift to them will last a lifetime!

Butterfly Garden Review: The Perfect Educational Gift to Spark Curiosity and Wonder



 
About 5 years ago, my children and I hatched Painted Lady butterflies.  It was simply magical!  They were very young then and don't remember the experience except through pictures, so I've ordered another kit for them. It includes everything you need to hatch and learn about 10 butterflies.  When we did this last time, we ended up with 9 gorgeous Painted Ladies!
Once you're ready, you send in a form that comes with the Butterfly Garden for your 10 free caterpillars and their food.  We'll be ordering ours early this upcoming Spring. Last time, they arrived safely via USPS. They quickly ate and grew, forming cocoons on the lid of their container.  We simply unscrewed the lid and attached it to the side of the Butterfly Garden so they could have a nice space to emerge about a week later.
The day they began to emerge was amazing! My youngest daughter woke me up exclaiming that we had a butterfly. Throughout the day, nine butterflies emerged, simply gorgeous. We let them go out into the world a few days later. Every child should experience this at least once! Such an incredible way to learn about God's amazing creation!
 
The Butterfly Garden is the perfect gift because it's something they'll never forget. Since you don't need to order the caterpillars until you're ready, it can be done this spring which will be here before we know it! It will give the kids something to look forward to. Even though mine have already done it once, they've asked me a few times, "Mom, when can we order our new caterpillars?" This is one gift that will be a hit for much more than a day or two, unlike most of the toys they get and end up playing with once!
Save 10% and receive free shipping with the code WOW10 or get $10 off your $25 purchase with this coupon!

Hello Fresh: A Whoppin' $40 off your First Box Coupon Code!


UPDATE
If you missed the giveaway or didn't win, you can still save a whoppin' $40 off your first box! Just use the code B5YRBP at checkout!

HelloFresh is one of my favorite meal delivery companies! They were one of the first, and they are definitely one of the best! I love their recipes--very family-friendly. Each week, you get to choose which 2 or 3 meals (depending on your plan) that you'd like to cook out of the 5 they have available.
The box comes filled with everything! Fresh produce, pre-measured spices, condiments for cooking, and meats--it's all there along with brightly colored, easy-to-follow recipe cards.
The meals are so delicious and will give you chef status in your home! I've definitely become a better cook because of them--I'm learning how to pair ingredients even when not cooking with them. These are their Italian-Style Pork Chops with Lemony Potatoes and Minty Zucchini Salad.
  
There is also usually a fish dish if you'd like one. My hubby loves their salmon! This one is the Spiced Salmon with Arugula Salad, Couscous, and Lemon Shallot Dressing. I've recently discovered that I love shallots. They bring such a delicious taste to your veggies!

The Most Gorgeous, Personalized Gifts at Charmed Collections #GiftsForHer



Charmed Collections sent me what has got to be the most beautiful, creative review package I've ever received in 5 years of blogging. Read on to discover just how gorgeous and amazing they are!
Charmed Collections is a collaboration of three moms who create jewelry keepsakes for all of the special moments in your life--or no occasion at all. Let them create the perfect gift for you and your loved one!

Charmed Collections are handmade sterling silver & gold jewelry with custom designs. I chose the Foundations Mom Necklace. It includes my childen's names as well as two pretty beads. Everytime I wear it, I get so many compliments! It's absolutely gorgeous, beautifully simple, and so special.
 

Jewelry from Charmed Collections is so wonderful because it's so personal. It will touch the heart of any woman who receives it and it is customizeable from the type of jewelry (ring, necklace, bracelet) to the names upon the piece, and even the beads can be hand selected by you. The customer service and thoughtfulness I received stood out more than any other company's has in the past!
Use the code TSISTERHOOD for free shipping in the US through November 2nd.
 
Compass/Hope/Stackable Rings/I Can Do Hard Things/Family Tree/Forever in My Heart

The Most Groovy Christmas Gift for Kids!

Our first Groovy Lab in a Box was definitely nothing short of groovy!!  Inside this snazzy box, we found enough cool stuff to make at least 4 different kinds of rockets. In many ways, STEAM has been our theme this year. Our 3 favorite rockets are shown in this post.  Today was a beautiful autumn day for rocket launching and since it's that time of year again, this is the first item of this year's Holiday Gift Guide series! Ladies and gents, put your hands together for... Groovy Lab in a Box!

We started with the foam rocket because it sounded exceptionally awesome! And it was.  My son followed the directions and built this awesome rocket out of some of the supplies in the box.
Off it goes, and mom was too slow to catch the rocket in  motion! As you can see by his expression, it went an impressive distance... and as I could see from his expression, this let's-take-school-outside-for-Science-class idea is a hit! I love products that can help me break up the monotony of the daily drivel... especially when there's zero preparation involved! Groovy Lab did it all for me!
Off the rocket goes from another angle! This time it hit the side of the house. Groovy dude!
Next up, Alka-Seltzer rockets!

This guy was hot glued and ready to blast off! There was enough Alka-Seltzer in our kit to get the parachute pretty high.  Once, the lid hit the roof of the porch and made everyone go, "Whoa! That was cool!" We want to try again with a bigger bottle and more Alka-Seltzer!

Next up, Balloon RocketWe let it go and it flew super fast across the backyard--the perfect culmination for a day of STEAMy fun!

Groovy Lab in a Box is the perfect gift for kids 8+ because it's not just a toy they're going to get tired of after 1 day. It's an opportunity to focus their imaginations, determination, and inquisitive nature using the "Engineering Design Process" that's a part of every box. My kids loved it, and so will yours! I've got to admit, by writing this review I've convinced myself that I need to purchase them some more of these boxes!
You can get a Groovy Lab in a Box for as low as $18/box with this $10 off coupon! You can choose your box in a theme: Shake It Up, the earthquake box; Fly with Me, the aaeronautics box; or Stitch a Circuit, the technology box. You can also purchase a discounted gift subscription for 1, 6, or 12 months.

Foxes, Owls, Bunnies, and Deer: A Woodland Friends Toy #Giveaway!


I am always thrilled to review items from Manhattan Toy! The best quality, the most adorableness, their toys are at the top of my list and will be widely featured in this year's Holiday Gift Guide!
Wandering through the wilderness you are bound to find a few woodland creatures. These super soft Woodlanders have plush fabrics that make them perfect for snuggling. My daughters love their Felix Fox and Oakley Owl. I wish you could feel just how incredibly soft they are!

From playtime to nap time, Felix Fox is by my darling one's side. While she's already 10 years old, these adorable woodland themed plush toys are also the perfect first stuffed animals for baby.

  There is also this adorable Woodland Babies stroller set, as well as a Foot Finders & Rattle set, and musical pull toy which feature the same darling group of woodland friends.
One of my readers will win an item of choice (U.S. only).  Enter below by Oct. 28 at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning.
You Can Find Manhattan Toy On:
Pinterest

Which toys will you choose if you win?

Thanks to the wonderful people at KidStuffPR and Manhattan Toy for this giveaway and review opportunity!

Kittens, Puppies, Dinos, and Rockets! A Kids Alarm Clock #Giveaway, Winner's Choice!

The picture that's on my daughter's ceiling thanks to her adorable new Kitten Alarm Clock! You can choose from 5 different pics and this is her favorite. You can also choose to display the time over the picture.

You can choose to have the time lit like this, or not. As you can see, this is one super adorable alarm clock and it is easy enough for a 7 year old to use! It's also made very well, durable, and adjustable in a variety of ways.

The cat alarm clock is one in a new line of animal clocks by Red Rooster. They started out with a Rocket Ship Alarm clock which my son has. My daughter was so thrilled when they came out with animals and was ecstatic when I showed her the cat and the cute pictures it makes on the ceiling or wall--your choice! The pictures are moveable. You can also choose the time to be shown on the ceiling (as here) or now (as in our picture).

The full line of alarm clocks by Red Rooster. The winner will be allowed to choose any of the four! Add your favorite to your Amazon wishlist in case you don't win!

One of you will win your choice of alarm clock from Red Rooster!  Enter below by 10/28 at 11 pm anyone's time.

Which clock is your favorite? What would you like to see next from Red Rooster?



Special thanks to the wonderful people at Big Red Rooster and KidStuff PR for providing us with this alarm clock to review and give away!

Win Boardgames for the Whole Family, A Winner's Choice #Giveaway!




I always love receiving e-mails from Winning Moves with all their new games!  They have a ton of great ones--some oldies but goodies, along with a brand new Play-doh based game.  And one of my readers will win all of these games--the classics along with the newbie.  My kiddos have been having a blast with all of their new games, and I've been having fun, too!  Here are the games we reviewed this time around.


Our favorite game, roadtrip-style! The innovative design of Scrabble To Go allows you to pack up in the middle of the game without disturbing the words you have already placed on the board. The tiles snap in place!

Upwords has been sending word builders soaring to new heights ever since the game debuted in 1983. Now, the Classic 80's version is back! The 8x8 gameboard grid and 64 letter tiles challenge players to think "upside" the box!

The Velveteen Rabbit game captures the spirit of the cherished story as players' rabbits venture around the board, collecting cards along the way, in a quest to become real. No reading is necessary so this is perfect for all ages!

Giveaway
One winner will be receive your choice of games from Winning Moves Games up to $50 in value! (US only)  Enter below by October 28 at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning.  

You Can Find Winning Moves On

 What were your favorite games to play when you were a kiddo? Mine were Guess Who and Pay Day!

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Winning Moves for providing us with this review and giveaway opportunity!

5 Adorable Fall Freebies to Add to Your Lessons


Add a few pumpkins, scarecrows, and fallen leaves to your learning activities this week with these 5 fall freebies.

teacher tips to ease back to school anxiety
Whether you need to work on math, writing, reading, or vocabulary, Educents has plenty of free resources to make after-school activities fun this season. Download one or ALL freebies today and use for your next lesson!

Pumpkin Patch: Number to Quantity Match – With this fall-themed math worksheet and card game, students will practice number matching to quantities on ten frames. “Got this and my kids love the graphics, and it gave them good counting and number recognition. Thank you!”

2. Autumn Inference – One mom says, “All 3 of my kids, ages 7-11 enjoyed these. They love playing ‘games’ like this, it takes the chore out of learning for them :-)”

3. Fall Math & Literacy Activities for K-2 – Each page of this resources addresses the math and literacy concepts for kids in Kinder to 2nd grade. Activities include addition, reading, graphing, and sight words.

4. Fall Theme Logic Puzzle – Logic puzzles are a great way to challenge kids to work on skills such as deductive reasoning, critical thinking, making inferences, process of elimination and more. Challenge your kids to improve their higher-order thinking skills with this Fall theme grid logic puzzle!

5. Fall Fraction Sort – This is a great resource to use during the fall season or just about any time of the year with students who need help with fractions. It is also a great product to use as an assessment tool to see if students are understanding, equivalent fractions in lowest or simplest form or reduced form.

BONUSDIY Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer – Okay, this freebie isn’t so much for learning… but moms will definitely enjoy this cup of delicious productivity!!!

Butterfly Garden #Giveaway! Hatch Painted Ladies in Your Home!

 
About 5 years ago, my children and I hatched painted lady butterflies.  It was amazing!  They were very young then and don't remember the experience except through pictures, so I've ordered another kit for them. It includes everything you need to hatch and learn about 10 butterflies.  When we did this last time, only one of our butterflies didn't make it.
Once you're ready, you send in a form that comes with the Butterfly Garden for your 10 free caterpillars and their food.  Ours arrived safely and quickly ate and grew, forming cocoons on the lid of their container.  You simply unscrew the lid and attach it to the side of the Butterfly Garden so that they can come out about 6 days later.

The day they began to hatch was amazing! My daughter woke me up exclaiming that we had a butterfly.  Hour after hour, a child would announce that another had hatched.  They love oranges so we added them along with some flowers from our garden to their habitat.
 
Nine butterflies in all, they were simply gorgeous. It was so interesting to watch them drink the orange juice and the flower nectar up close.
Soon it was time to send them out into the world.  The kiddos were excited to see them fly. They wanted to see them go out into the world so they could lay eggs and fly free.  For the next year, every time they saw a painted lady, they said "Maybe it's one of the babies of one we hatched!"
Do you see it?

Every child should experience this! It is so amazing!
 
One of you will win the Giant Butterfly Garden because I have extra Edubucks to spend on you! It comes with even more than mine did--you also get lifecycle figures which is a really cool bonus.

GIVEAWAY!
Fill out the form below to enter. Ends 10/26 at midnight.


Another way to win!!
Educents is having a contest to win $500 of items from your wishlist! Add the Giant Butterfly Garden and sign up here for a $10 off coupon in case you don't win! Winner for that one will be announced Oct. 31st. Plus, if you DO win you can still use the coupon AND your store credit!