http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/awlafon Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:43:08 GMT Reviews by awlafon http://www.viewpoints.com/Puzzle-Buzz-and-Puzzlemania-review-cc0b1 Puzzle Buzz and Puzzlemania magazines for kids by Highlights — — www.highlights.com — — For several years my daughter has enjoyed the fun puzzles in Puzzlemania, a fun game magazine from Highlights. Little brother has always been a bit jealous of the arrival of her Puzzlemania and the fact that he couldn’t participate in her fun. — — Now Highlights is offering Puzzle Buzz, a game magazine for just his age. Our son loves it! — — Puzzle Buzz is a fun, interactive magazine for ages 4 through 7. Each book has 32 pages of challenges that practice math, reading and problem-solving skills. Generally these can be done completely independently although younger kids may need help with directions initially. — — — Features of Puzzle Buzz: — — Easy mazes — Beginners Word searches — “What’s different?” pages — Photo puzzles — Fun with numbers, letters, sound... Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:43:08 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Puzzle-Buzz-and-Puzzlemania-review-cc0b1 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Krups-La-Glaciere-1-5-Quart-Ice-Cream-Maker-review-21086 Krups La Glaciere 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker — — The La Glaciere 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker by Krups was a great choice for our ice cream loving family. We enjoy buying local fruits from pick your own farms and homemade ice cream is a reward for our efforts. With Krups La Glaciere 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker — there's no ice, no rock salt, no churning and no waiting for hours but there are a few things you should know before you use a Krups La Glaciere 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker. — — The Krups La Glaciere 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker is easy to use, easy to clean and a reasonable size for storage. If we have guests over, the 1.5 quart container offers scoops around the house. If it is just our family of four, we can each have a generous bowl and I freeze left overs (usually a large yogurt container full) for another day. — — Features of the Krups La Glaciere 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker: — — There are only 4 parts to this ice cream... Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:43:36 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Krups-La-Glaciere-1-5-Quart-Ice-Cream-Maker-review-21086 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Marc-Tolon-Brown-D-W-s-Guide-to-Perfect-Manners-review-ffc50 D.W. ‘s Guide to Perfect Manners — — By Marc Brown, 2006 — — — As a teacher I’ve enjoyed reading the New York Times bestselling author, Marc Brown’s “Arthur” series for many years but as a parent it has become even more dear to me as my children have chosen Marc Brown’s “Arthur” books over and over. Arthur and his other third grade friends, Buster, Francine, Muffy and “the Brain” encounter and solve kid challenges in a kid attractive way. Often, Arthur’s kid sister, D.W. is a predictable pest. She likes to tag along, annoy, tattle tale, disrupt and do what kid sisters do best. I think that is the beauty of D.W.’s Guide to Perfect Manners. Kids who know the series, know that her manners aren’t always perfect. — — In D.W.’s Guide to Perfect Manners, D.W. tells readers that “My goofy brother, dared me that I couldn’t’ be perfect for one... Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:55:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Marc-Tolon-Brown-D-W-s-Guide-to-Perfect-Manners-review-ffc50 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Crafts-for-Kids-Using-Reynolds-Freezer-Paper-review-b8471 Reynolds Freezer Paper — — When I make a batch of homemade meatballs I like to make enough to freeze for football season so I can enjoy the game and still be the MVP at the dinner table without having to throw together a hail Mary pass meal. So I keep Reynolds freezer paper on hand to safely store my preseason efforts while they are benched until game day. But there is another great reason I like to have Reynolds Freezer Paper on hand, two of them actually, my four and nine year-olds. — — Reynolds Freezer Paper is a great canvas for arts & crafts for kids and play time ideas too. Any brand of freezer paper would probably do well. I like Reynold because it is has a great plastic coating that makes it perfect for holding up to paints, I can pick it up with my groceries and the 150 square feet (33 1/3 yards x 18 inches wide) goes a long way. — — These are a few of the ways that our family uses Reynolds Freezer Paper for arts & crafts and... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:32:38 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Crafts-for-Kids-Using-Reynolds-Freezer-Paper-review-b8471 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Avon-Skin-So-Soft-Bug-Guard-Plus-Disappearing-Color-SPF-30-review-a1498 Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus — — Insect repellent and SPF 30 sunscreen — — www.avon.com — — — With the splendor of summer we found that our favorite dog-walking path was also being enjoyed by swarms of gnats.  What had been an enjoyable daily adventure of walking, talking and laughing was now characterized by whining, swatting and rushing.  — — I really don’t like spraying my kids with insect repellent for obvious reasons, so I tried Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus which is an lotion with insect repellent and SPF 30 sunscreen.  — — Features of Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus: — — Insect Repellency — — Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus claims to repel mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, sand flies, no-seeums, gnats and biting midges.  We can attest that it is does successfully repel mosquitoes and gnats, those we would have been exposed to most.  ... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:42:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Avon-Skin-So-Soft-Bug-Guard-Plus-Disappearing-Color-SPF-30-review-a1498 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Noodle-Bug-Videos-for-Preschoolers-review-3c9d9 Noodle Bug Videos and DVDs for Preschoolers — — Noodlebug Productions, LLC. — — www.ChidlrensSpecialty.com — — Noodle Bug videos may be available at your local library. — — Noodle Bug videos use the illustrations and ideas from the popular BABYBUG and LADYBUG magazines for kids. Playful animations, amusing puppets and real preschoolers create educational fun for preschoolers with familiar melodies, folk songs, classical music and nature sounds in the background. — — Noodle Bug children’s DVDs are comparable to the Baby Einstein series but target the older end of the Baby Einstein audience. Noodle Bug utilizes the brain stimulating music concepts found in Baby Einstein but offers dialogue as well. I like that they include “brain care” messages about the importance of drinking water, good nutrition, getting rest and exercise. — — Noodle Bug videos and DVDs were created with guidance... Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:31:41 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Noodle-Bug-Videos-for-Preschoolers-review-3c9d9 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Natural-Bridge-of-Virginia-review-ef277 Natural Bridge — — The Natural Bridge of Virginia — — www.naturalbridgeva.com — — Natural Bridge is both a natural wonder and an historic landmark.  Visitors can take a short shuttle ride or a slow walk down the Cedar Creek gorge to view the amazing phenomenon of this natural rock bridge.  After passing under Natural Bridge 215 feet above, there is an easy path winding between Cedar Creek and wooded hills dotted with the Saltpeter cave and Lace Falls. Along the trail there is a replica of a Monacan village where visitors can experience what life in a Monacan Village would have been like 300 years ago. The Natural Bridge and cedar Creek Nature Trail is open year round and the Monacan Village is open from April through November.   Natural Bridge is a fun family day trip, school or home school field trip or a nice romantic hike for couples.  — — The History of Natural Bridge: — — You’ll see... Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:53:38 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Natural-Bridge-of-Virginia-review-ef277 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Hallmark-Warm-Wishes-Greeting-Cards-review-9dc03 Hallmark Warm Wishes Greeting Cards — — Warm Wishes greeting cards by Hallmark are found in grocery store, drug store and gift shop card aisles for only 99 cents. — — I am a card person. I like to send cards to say thank you, congratulations, thinking of you or get well and sometimes I need one to say I am sorry. Often I like to tuck cards in my husband’s suitcase, a book he’s reading or his fishing bag for no reason at all. What I don’t like is to pay $3.75 or more for a card. Sometimes an e-card like those from Dayspring.com is just perfect but when I want to give a hold it in your hands card, I want a decent card for a reasonable price. — — I was happy to find Hallmark’s Warm Wishes line of greeting cards that are only 99 cents. The Hallmark Warm Wishes cards are a perfect size and come with a variety of messages. I’ve perused other 99 cent cards and found them to be chintzy and unoriginal. They seem to... Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:31:00 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Hallmark-Warm-Wishes-Greeting-Cards-review-9dc03 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Lubriderm-Daily-Moisture-Lotion-review-10c13 Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 Lotion — Johnson & Johnson — — Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 Lotion is a moisturizer and sunscreen together. I need both and love that I can get two in one application with this Lubriderm moisturizer product. — — Everyone has a little imperfection somewhere. (If you haven’t found yours, please don’t write this station. Just keep looking.) My Achilles heel happens to literally be my heels. They easily get dry and cracked, which is not attractive or healthy. I've tried many lotions to prevent this and I found using Lubriderm moisturizer daily on my heels works well for me. — — Now that I can get sunscreen built-in in Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15, I know I’ve found a winner. Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 provides a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. — — As a skin cancer survivor, I still add a higher SPF... Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:52:47 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lubriderm-Daily-Moisture-Lotion-review-10c13 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Collective-Wisdom-Spelling-Games-ABC-Dice-review-5a984 Spelling Games Alphabet ABC Dice — by Collective Wisdom — — inquire@collectivewisdom.biz — — The Spelling Game ABC Dice are packaged in a box about the size of a box of 3 golf balls. The eight lettered dice inside are quite a bit larger than typical dice. Also inside is an instruction sheet with a bit of alphabet history, how to get started, how to keep score and tips for younger players. — — The Basics for Playing the ABC Dice Spelling Game: — — Each player tosses all eight dice and tries to come up with a word using as many letters as possible. After word number one, the player can attempt more words and will receive a point for each letter used. Optionally, you can use a timer and set a time limit. With younger players you can simply assign one point per word to keep it simple. Who wins? If you're adding points for each letter, the player with 36 points wins. If you're adding points for each word, the player with 12... Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:47:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Collective-Wisdom-Spelling-Games-ABC-Dice-review-5a984 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Hands-On-Regional-Museum-review-7db42 Hands On Regional Museum — — 315 E. Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37601 — (423) 434-HAND — http://www.handsonmuseum.org/ — — — Schedule for the Hands On Regional Museum: — — Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm in summer — Closed on Mondays September - May — Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm — Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm — Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm — Closed on Major Holidays — — Prices for Hands On Regional Museum: — — Adults & Children (age 3+) $8.00 — Children (2 & under) FREE — Members receive FREE admission. — — Membership ($60.00) includes Reciprocal FREE admission to over 270 other museums world-wide which belong to the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). — — We love to fish on the South Holston River in Tennessee but we always take a “rest cast” mid-week and travel to Johnson City to visit the Hands On Regional... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:07:45 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Hands-On-Regional-Museum-review-7db42 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Dig-Magazine-review-b0592 Dig magazine for kids — www.digonsite.com — — ordering: — 1-800-821-0115 or www.crickmagazine.com — — Dig magazine may also be available for you to check out at your local library. — — Dig magazine is billed as being appropriate for ages 9 -14. My 8 year old daughter has already been enjoying it for a year. She's outgrown so many magazine favorites, I was happy to find another subscription that educates while it entertains. Dig is an archeology magazine that covers history and earth sciences. — — Departments in Dig magazine: — — Ask Dr. Dig: Dr. Dig in Dig magazine is actually archaeologist Joyce Tyldesley. She takes questions from kids like "Why do archaeologists profile units and features and why do they bisect features?" or "Was clothing related to status in ancient Greece?" Kids can send in questions by mail or e-mail. — — Stones and Bones: The Stones and Bones department in Dig... Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:12:19 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dig-Magazine-review-b0592 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Mattel-Diegos-Animal-Discovery-Laptop-review-fd542 Diego's Animal Discovery Laptop — — Mattel — SRP: $32.95 — Available through Target.com or Amazon.com for less. — — Our son is a big fan of Diego, the animal rescuer. Having been through the Dora, the explorer craze with our daughter, we appreciate both for their educational components and the exposure to Spanish. Last year our son dressed as Diego for Halloween with his cute orange backpack and for his fourth birthday he chose to have a Diego party. He received the Diego's Animal Discovery Laptop as a gift and our son has really enjoyed it. — — Diego's Animal Discovery Laptop is an interactive laptop that reinforces concepts involving letters, numbers, animals names and facts as well as habitats and geography. — — Features of Diego's Animal Discovery Laptop: — — * Has 4 double sided flipping pages showcasing different environments for 5 "screens" of play. — — * Operates in 3 modes of play:... Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:47:59 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Mattel-Diegos-Animal-Discovery-Laptop-review-fd542 awlafon 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Too-Many-Cooks-review-60731 Too Many Cooks — — by Margaret McNamara — pictures by Nate Wragg — — Disney Press, 2007 — — Too Many Cooks is playful take on the Disney-Pixar's movie Ratatouille. Although no characters from the movie are named, "a rat with a taste for the gourmet takes charge in the kitchen of a fancy French restaurant with some hlep from his family and friends." — — The author, Margaret McNamara, is also the award winning author of the popular Robin Hill School Books and "How Many Seed in a Pumpkin?" — — Nate Wragg, illustrator, is a sketch artist at Pixar Animation Studios. — — Irregardless of the way the theme and illustrations tie in to the movie Ratatouille, which our family really enjoys, this children's book has many great qualities. — — What this teacher likes about "Too Many Cooks": — — It is a rhyming book. — — It is a counting book with number words for one through... Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:40:16 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Too-Many-Cooks-review-60731 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/CandyBlast-com-Candy-Boquets-review-b25f5 CandyBlast.com — — www.candyblast.com — — 1-888-442-5278 — 1-865-531-5689 (Knoxville, TN area) — — — My husband recently celebrated a “big, little birthday.” Some friends sent him a candy bouquet from CandyBlast.com. It looked like a fun, over the hill, flower arrangement but in fact each flower was made up of chocolate bars and candies. This was a really unique gift. It made a great party centerpiece and provided instant party favors. — — CandyBlast.com offers “Memorable candy bouquets, chocolate gift baskets, unique candy bar cakes and much more…” — — CandyBlast.com has a variety of eatable arrangements for different occasions including: — — Grand Slam — — Grand Slam is a gift for baseball lovers that has Cracker Jacks, peanuts, chocolates and a candy filled bat and ball. — — Bootie Blue or Bootie Pink — — Bootie Blue... Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:34:00 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/CandyBlast-com-Candy-Boquets-review-b25f5 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Lee-Publications-Magnetic-Fun-review-ef047 Magnetic Fun — By Lee Publications — — We’ve found ours at our favorite book and educational toy store but they are also available on line. — — www.leemagicpen.com — — — Why Kids Enjoy Magnetic Fun magnetic toy tins: — — Magnetic Fun toys are magnetic toys that come in a colorful, closeable tin about 8 ½ by 6 inches. Inside there are two backgrounds, additional background plates and over 50 magnetic accessories. — — What Parents Want to Know about Magnetic Fun magnetic toy tins: — — Magnetic Fun magnetic toy tins claim to be kid safe with no magnetic hazards and no lead hazards. The contents are made in the U.S.A. but the tin is made in China. — They are recommended for ages 3 and up. — — As an example the Silly Faces Magnetic Fun magnetic toy tins have a blank faces with hair backgrounds and over 50 magnetic pieces including of eyes, noses, mouths, facial... Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:41:58 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lee-Publications-Magnetic-Fun-review-ef047 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/North-Carolina-Aquarium--154245-review-e7ba7 North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island — — Airport Road — Manteo, NC — — www.ncaquariums.com — — 252-473-3494 ext. 242 — — We've been visiting the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island (in Manteo) for many years whenever we've enjoyed time at the beaches of the Outer Banks. I've always thought it was a 5 star experience and this year we were surprised to see that they've expanded and added to the already superb aquarium. — — The aquarium facility is an impressive 6,800 square feet with nature trails outside. The theme is the "Waters of the Outer Banks" and all of the animals on display are native to North Carolina. There are many exhibits featuring marine communities, coastal wetlands and an interesting room dedicated to hurricanes. — — The Touch Exhibits allow visitors to touch rays, sea urchins and others gently under water. — — Wetlands on the Edge is a really cool indoor... Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:47:01 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/North-Carolina-Aquarium--154245-review-e7ba7 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Wright-Brothers-Memorial-review-884e5 The Wright Brothers Memorial Park — Outer Banks — Kills Devil Hills, NC — — As we reached the top of the hill where the Wright Brothers Monument towers, as if on cue the visor I’d been wearing all week blew right off of my head. My daughter said, “That’s why they came here to fly. It’s the windiest place on the Outer Banks.” I could not have planned a better demonstration. — — If you enjoy history and a bit of walking, The Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC is a worthy visit. — — The Wright Brothers Memorial Park is part of the United States National Park Service. — — The park includes: — — The Wright Brothers Visitor Center, where Wilbur and Orville Wrights’ stories are told through exhibits. — — Displays include a full-scale reproduction of the 1902 glider, a full-scale reproduction of the 1903 flying machine, an engine block from the... Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:55:41 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Wright-Brothers-Memorial-review-884e5 awlafon 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Melissa-and-Doug-Wooden-Shape-Sorting-Clock-review-75f14 Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock — — Melissa & Doug is a company that has been bringing us well made, attractive and educational toys & puzzles for years. Melissa & Doug make the wooden See & Spell, Alphababet Train and The USA Map Puzzle. One of my favorite Melissa & Doug wooden toys is the Shape Sorting Clock. This is truly a toy that can grow with your child and last through several children. — — The Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock is colorful, well designed and sturdy. The back is angled so when it is placed on a table, it is not flat but tilted for a better view. The removable shaped numbers are chunky, making them large enough for small hands and easy to spot under the couch. — — Features of the Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock: — — The numbers 1- 12 are chunky puzzle pieces that are different colors and shapes. — — The hour and minute hands are different colors and have the... Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:16:43 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Melissa-and-Doug-Wooden-Shape-Sorting-Clock-review-75f14 awlafon 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Great-American-Puzzle-Factory-A-Box-of-Silly-Word-Games-review-ada31 A Box of Silly Word Games — by Great American Puzzle Factory — — I was looking for a birthday gift for a nine year who has everything. I found A Box of Silly Word Games and liked it so much I bought one for our family as well. — — A Box of Silly Word Games is just that. It is a cute box that measures approximately 5 x 5 x 5 inches that holds 25 games in one box. The 25 game cards are thick and sturdy. The box also includes a pad of paper, pencil, one minute sand timer and a die. — — Some of the games were familiar to us like License Plate Bingo and Rhyme Reply but many were unique like Pluck the Chicken, Clever Q's and Outlawed. — — Each game is for two or more players, ages 8 and up. Games take from just minutes to up to twenty minutes and each card tells you about how long the game will take. — — This is a great game for family travelers who want to avoid "Are we there yet?" Just add in more paper and... Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:34:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Great-American-Puzzle-Factory-A-Box-of-Silly-Word-Games-review-ada31 awlafon 5