Category Archives: Family Fun

September 28, 2014 · 11:31 pm

Make a Painted River Rock Cactus Garden-Fun Craft Idea

If you liked our earlier post where we made candy corn out of river rocks, you will love this new river rock project! Let me show you how easy it is to make this Rock Cactus Garden. This is a fun craft for all ages and best yet, this cactus garden will thrive even if you have two brown thumbs.

When I was gathering river rocks, I looked for shapes that resembled cactus plants. Flat oval or round shapes are best. Choose a variety of sizes. I painted the rocks on both sides with craft paint that you can find in any craft store or in the craft aisle of mass retailers. Pick a green you like and get to work. When the green paint dries you can embellish the stones with some accent painting to make them appear more realistic. Seal the rocks with a Mod Podge or similar sealer. After the sealer is dry, choose a container to showcase your cactus garden.

Cactus

I used clean play sand as my base and packed it tightly in layers. When the sand reached the top, I arranged the rocks and used decorative stones to cover any sand that was showing.

Cactus 1

Cactus2

cactus 3

Cactus 4

The result was a beautiful, bright, non-prickly cactus garden that I placed on the ledge alongside my whirlpool tub. Now, when I am relaxing in the tub, I can look over and smile at the memory of fun summer days at the river and crafting at home.

Cactus 6

Cactus 7

So what do you think? If you make one, please share your results.

20 Comments

Filed under Crafts, DIY, Family Fun, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings

Tagged as cactus, Crafts, Family Fun, gifts to make, Mommy Ramblings, Painted Rocks, Plant, Planter, River Rocks, Rock Cactus, rock creations, rock plants

September 25, 2014 · 10:41 pm

Physical Apps, TheO SmartBall Review & Giveaway!!!

Are you looking for a fun way to help your kids aged preschool to 5th grade learn? Did you know that active kids learn more and retain more of that knowledge? They do and TheO SmartBall lets kids learn while they play! TheO SmartBall is an orange foam ball that is soft and uses revolutionary technology and your smart phone to entertain and educate kids. The Physical Apps Website offers a variety of kids learning apps featuring engaging games to stimulate kids mentally while they have fun physically.

TheO SmartBall In Bag

The O Smart Ball

It is easy to get started with TheO SmartBall, all you need to do is download the entertaining and educational apps to your smart device. Physical Apps offers 8 free apps to get started. See them all HERE! You can download them from the iTunes or Google Play. Insert your device into TheO SmartBall as shown on the website tutorial and then toss, roll or shake the ball to initiate lots of learning fun!

TheO SmartBall Graphic

Theo Smart Ball

My kids were so excited to try TheO SmartBall and since my kids are really active this was a great combination to stimulate learning. TheO SmartBall makes a great holiday or birthday gift for a child. 8

Giveaway!!!

Physical Apps is sponsoring giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own TheO SmartBall ($39.95 Retail Value)!!! To enter just use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!! Open to US residents.

TheO SmartBall Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!

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10 Comments

Filed under Entertainment, Family Fun, Giveaway, Holiday, Review, Toys

Tagged as Active, Apps, fun, giveaway, learning, Mommy Ramblings, Physical Apps, review, TheO SmartBall

September 17, 2014 · 11:54 am

Celebrate Autumn In New York State with a Trip To The Wright Family Farm & Save 33% on Admission!!!

Wright Family Farm

The leaves are changing, the pumpkins are ready for picking, the apples are crisp and it’s a wonderful time to explore New York State. Fall is so beautiful in New York State, sometimes living here, we take for granted the beautiful change of seasons and the colorful beauty of fall. If you are living in New York State or visiting the area, I urge you to experience the beauty of Autumn with a trip to the Wright Family Farm in Warwick, New York

Wright-Family-Farm

Wright-Family-Farm- Pumpkin

Try to find your way out of the Corn Maze, go on a hay ride, pick your own pumpkins, compete in the duck races, visit the animals in the barnyard, ride the pedal karts and have a picnic. Right now you can save 33% off admission to the corn maze and barnyard with a special US Family Guide discount coupon that you can get by clicking HERE. You can follow them on Facebook too to keep up with the newest happenings.

The Wright Family Farm is located in scenic Warwick, New York, just an hour north of New York City. This family-run farm stand offers a variety of seasonal family fun! During the fall, we offer pick-your-own pumpkins, free hay rides, and a corn maze. The farm stand features seasonal produce, fresh-baked breads, and cookies, as well as hot dogs and snacks.

Wright Family Farm Pic

Wright Family Farm Cows

Contigo AUTOSEAL® Madison Water Bottle – 24 oz, Review & Giveaway!!! {Giveaway Ended}

Recently, I was sent a green Contigo AUTOSEAL Madison 24 oz. Water Bottle. When my four-year-old saw it, he declared it his, because it was his favorite color. As we were heading out the door to his soccer game, I happily obliged. Filling it with fresh ice and water, it took me just a few seconds to show him how to push the button on the back of the lid, so he could drink from it. He thought that was pretty cool, and it was easy for him to handle. He showed it to all his team mates and we have been using it ever since. He even likes to use it at home. This bottle has an excellent seal that guarantees no leaks. I have thrown the bottle in my diaper bag and it has been flipped around and no leaks. The size is great and the quality is excellent. Comes in great colors, so you are sure to find your favorite. One of the things I really like, is that Contigo only makes BPA-Free Bottles.

Push button to hydrate! Spill- and leak-proof AUTOSEAL^® technology offers one-handed convenience, making the AUTOSEAL^® Madison Water Bottle perfect for active use. No spouts to open or lids to remove – just press to sip and release to automatically seal.

The AUTOSEAL^® Madison Water Bottle is easy to drink from, and easy to carry. It’s the ultimate in on-the-go hydration.
Benefits:

100% BPA free. No need to worry about the container you are drinking from – Contigo^® makes only BPA free bottles.
Patented AUTOSEAL^® lid is 100% leak-proof and 100% spill-proof.
Drinking made easy! Press to sip. Release to seal. AUTOSEAL^® automatically seals between sips to ensure no spills.
One-handed water bottle operation for on-the-go drinking.
Water bottle is made out of Tritan™, which provides high impact resistance and won’t stain or retain odors.
Carabiner clip on the handle makes this water bottle easy to carry. Attach it to a bag strap for hands-free portability.
Water bottle is top-rack dishwasher safe.
Wide opening fits ice cubes.
Volume markings help you gauge water intake.
24 oz. size fits most car cup holders.

Volume: 24 oz.
Dimensions: 4.1″ across widest point of lid x 10.3″H x 2.9″ diameter at base

About Contigo AUTOSEAL Products

Contigo® travel mugs and bottles feature the revolutionary new AUTOSEAL® patented technology that automatically seals between sips. The products – to-go coffee mugs, hydration bottles and kids mugs – are 100 percent leak-proof and spill-proof with superior insulation properties and are FDA approved and BPA free. Contigo is a brand of Ignite, a company with a passion for great products. For more information, visit www.gocontigo.com.

I am happy to let you know that Contigo is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own Contigo AUTOSEAL Madison 24 oz. Water Bottle. Thank you Contigo for the review bottle and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US Residents.

Contigo AUTOSEAL Madison 24 oz. Water Bottle Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Visit Contigo and let me know another product you like. Leave me a comment with your answer on this blog post. (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2. Like Contigo on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Contigo on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did. Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did. Can only be done once per give-away.

9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!! Give Away Ends November 1st at 12am EST. Winner will be selected by Random.org.

358 Comments

Filed under Family Fun, Giveaway, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review

Tagged as Contigo, Contigo AUTOSEAL Madison 24 oz. Water Bottle, Fitness, fun, giveaway, hydration, Mommy Ramblings, review, sports

May 14, 2011 · 5:10 pm

Top Must Visit Family Attraction in Atlanta, Georgia

The wonderful folks at Georgia Aquarium brought us in for a full day of fun while we were recently in Atlanta. Our day started with “Growing Guppies,” which is a program for 2 -5 year olds. Luke and Ethan got the VIP treatment, they were the only ones and had a private session that included behind the scenes tour where they got to go to the top of the tanks in the back. That was super cool for both the kiddies and Jimi and I. We were inches from the Whale Shark they were learning about that day. They got to wear lab coats and carry clipboards and make a Whale Shark hat. It was really fun and we had wonderful knowledgeable staff with us that tailored the experience to Ethan and Luke.

Ethan drawing a Whale Shark

Our Little Scientists!!!

Luke holding tight to his blanket at the top of the tanks.

A Magnificent Whale Shark swimming right by us.

The culmination of the “Growing Guppies” program was meeting the friendly and cuddly Whale Shark!!!

After that we were set to explore the world’s largest aquarium. We had a lot to cover, but it was so exciting and the exhibits were so captivating we were in awe the whole time. The hands on exhibits were a highpoint of Ethan’s day. He loved touching and petting the rays, that was great fun. Walking through the see through tunnels in the tanks was just awesome, we got to view these magnificent creatures from all angles.

Daddy and Luke checking out the Shrimp.

Petting the Rays!!!

Beluga Whales!!!

Very captivated by the fish with his little pearly whites!!!

So much to see!!!

Lemonade Break!!!

So many colors!!!

Can you find Nemo?

We were in for a real treat later in the day at the “AT&T Dolphin Tales Show.” This fantastic show just premiered at the Georgia Aquarium on April 2, 2011. The show was 2 years in the making and is dedicated to creating memorable connections between humans and animals and helping guests better understand one of mankind’s favorite aquatic animals, the majestic dolphin. Since no flash photography or video is allowed, I cannot share images with you but trust me the show is a must see when visiting the aquarium. An original score was performed and recorded by a 61-piece orchestra at Sony Studios in Hollywood. Emmy-winning producers and directors, along with a team of talented individuals from TV, film and Broadway, developed the show. Some of the world’s most accomplished animal trainers were recruited. Together, they have created an experience which motivates and inspires guests.

One of the stars, posing before the show!!!

We had lunch at the aquarium which was enjoyable and offered a wide selection of food and drinks to suit everyone’s individual taste. Once we were refueled we were ready to take on the rest of the day.

With two toddlers, it is sometimes hard to find activities and venues that can capture their attention for a day but the Georgia Aquarium succeeded with flying colors or should I say flying fish!!!

If you are looking for a great aquarium to visit then be sure to plan a trip to the Georgia Aquarium, you will not be disappointed.

After a trip to the gift shop for two cuddly friends and some T-shirts we were on our way back to the hotel but we had memories to last a lifetime. Thank you Georgia Aquarium for all you did to ensure we had a wonderful visit. We truly appreciate all your time and effort.