Category Archives: Mommy Ramblings

October 19, 2014 · 11:24 pm

K5 Learning Online Reading and Math Program Review!!!

K5 Learning is an award-winning online reading and math program for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Kids work at their own level and their own pace through a personalized program of over 3,000 online tutorials and activities.

Designed principally for after school study and summer study, K5 is also used by homeschoolers, special needs and gifted kids. K5 helps your children build good study habits and excel in school.

I recently tried this program out and it was easy to set up and customize for my kids. Before they begin they enter their name and grade level, then design a character that looks like them or anything they like. Next, your child is ready to start learning through fun games. The math facts for my 5-year-old was done integrated with a bowling theme and it was engaging and kept his interest. It is a program that both he and my 7-year-old look forward to playing not something that is a drag. It will save their progress, give reports and let children switch between math, spelling and math and reading lessons easily.

Parents will find it easy to monitor progress and identify areas where their children need more help or practice. There are 2 logins, one for parents and one for kids. The kids are logged in to an easy to navigate dashboard and the parents have a dashboard that lets them view reports on their child and get the details of how they are progressing. To view a video of how the system works click HERE. The software is designed so that children as young as 4 can use and navigate the lessons by themselves.

This program is great for both kids that attend school or are home schooled as well as pre-school age children. If you are looking for a reading and math enrichment program, you should check out K5. You can view sample lessons HERE. There is a 14 day free trial you can use to see for yourself how it works and how your child likes it. You can also download a free ebook, “How to Help Your Kids Succeed in School” filled with practical advice and specific activities by clicking HERE. To set up the free trial click HERE to get started. Let me know what you think.

Oh and you can get free printable worksheets by clicking HERE.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Save 30% with Exclusive Discount Code on Amazing Dream Team Pets!!!

Dream Team Pets are much more than a bedtime toy-they’re an innovative kid’s sleep aid that helps end the bedtime battles of trying to keep your child in bed. Developed with the help of a pediatrician, Dream Team Pets bedtime routine empowers kids as they reward their Pet with stickers and a certificate for a good night’s sleep.

dream pets dog

dream pets cat product

dream pets lioon

If the child wakes up from a nightmare, there are no hard feelings because the responsibility is on their Pet, but when they successfully sleep in their own bed, the kids feel a sense of accomplishment as they reward their Dream Team Pet. What makes this unique is that the kids think they are training their Pet, but really they are sleep training themselves!

dream pets bed

Mommy Ramblings’ Readers receive 30% Off Dream Team Pets with Promo Code: USFGUIDE
The pets are available as a playful puppy, magical cat and mighty lion. The Dream Team Pets can be purchased on Amazon.

dream pets cat child

dream pets child dog

Safety 1st Alpha Elite 65 Convertible Car Seat Giveaway!!! #OurSummerJourney

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You may remember reading about our Summer Journey and how Safety 1st made my kid’s road trips much more comfortable and most of all safe! Now Safety 1st is giving one of our blog readers a chance to win an Alpha Elite 65 Convertible Car Seat! This car seat is so versatile because it goes the distance and works with children as small as 5 lbs right up to 100 lbs! Use rear facing from birth to 40 lbs and forward facing from 22- 65 lbs. When you child is older it becomes a belt positioning booster good for kids up to 100 lbs. The QuickFit harness is easy to adjust in height from the front of the seat and the 3 position recline takes just one hand to operate. LATCH equipped seat has a removable infant head support, padded arm rests and a cup holder.

Safety-1st-Car-Seat-Giveaway-#OurSummerJourney

Product Description

With a harness rated to 65 pounds, the Alpha Elite™ Convertible Car Seat is helping keep children in harnesses longer. As an extended-use car seat with superior comfort and convenience features, it’ll please parents and children alike through 3 separate stages: Rear-facing infant car seat, Forward-facing car seat with harness to 65 pounds, and Belt-positioning booster!

The Safety 1st Alpha Elite 65 Convertible Car Seat Features:

Extended use car seat – rear facing: 5-40lbs and forward facing: 22-65lbs
Belt positioning booster 40-100lbs
5-point harness with center front adjustment
QuickFit™ Harness System adjusts height from front in one easy step
3-position recline, adjusts with one hand
Removable infant head support
LATCH equipped

Safety 1st is a Dorel Juvenile Group brand, the global leader in car seat design and manufacturing and the trusted experts for baby products that make life easier and more enjoyable for both parent and baby. Safety 1st offers a wide variety of top-rated products, such as Air Protect car seats, high chairs, thermometers, safety gates, play yards and much more, that offer modern parents and their children both convenience and comfort. At Safety 1st we remain committed to giving you peace of mind for every 1st you and your child experience.

Features

The Safety 1st Alpha Elite 65 Convertible Car Seat is an extended use car seat that includes rear facing 5-40lbs; forward facing 22-65lbs; belt positioning booster 40-100lbs
5-point harness with center front adjustment, QuickFit™ Harness System adjusts height from front in one easy step – never needs re-threading!
3-position recline, adjusts with one hand. Removable infant head support. Removable infant lumbar support
Padded, pivoting armrests. Removable cup/juice holder
LATCH equipped. Meets or exceeds Federal Safety Standards

Product Dimensions (in inches):28.2 x 22.2 x 21.5

Enter To Win!!!

To enter the giveaway to win a Safety 1st Alpha Elite 65 Convertible Car Seat use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!! Open to US Residents. Thank you to Safety 1st for the review seat and for sponsoring this spectacular giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!

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Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, Giveaway, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Shopping, Toddler

Tagged as 100 lbs, Alpha Elite 65, Belt Positioner, BIRTH, Car Seat, Convertible Car Seat, Giveaway #OurSummerJourney, Mommy Ramblings, Safety 1st

October 13, 2014 · 5:14 pm

Chicken Soup For The Soul: Reboot Your Life Book Review & Giveaway!!! 3 Winners!!!

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Are you feeling a bit down, need something to change? Do you want to go in a different direction? We all fall into ruts at times, with our jobs, our relationships, our lives.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Reboot Your Life will inspire, invigorate, and empower you to break out of your rut. With its powerful stories of taking chances, positive life changes, and finding new paths to happiness, you will be inspired to find the courage to reboot your own life! The book is packed with 101 inspiring personal stories of change that will motivate and encourage you to find your own new path to happiness.

csfts reboot your life book

Every chapter begins with a motivational quote about rebooting or changing what you don’t like in your life. As you read the stories of people who began again even when most people would feel it is too late, you will be cheering for them and left with a healthy dose of inspiration for whatever course you wish to navigate. You can purchase this book on Amazon.com and you can read the first several chapters there as well.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Three lucky blog readers will win their own copy of Reboot Your Life! Thank you to Chicken Soup for the Soul for sponsoring this great giveaway and for the review book. Open to US residents. Good Luck!!!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Reboot Your Life Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Giveaway, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review

Tagged as 3 Winners, book, Chicken Soup for the Soul, giveaway, Inspiring, Mommy Ramblings, Motivational, Publishing, Reboot Your Life, review

October 8, 2014 · 9:25 pm

“Thunder And The House Of Magic” DVD Review and Giveaway!!!

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC

Directed by Renowned 3D Filmmakers Ben Stassen and Jeremie Degruson,

With Original Music by Ramin Djawadi

Featuring the Music of Selena Gomez

Bring home this internationally acclaimed animated features today on DVD and on two-disc Blu-ray™ 3D Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and digital), available exclusively at Walmart stores

This fall, venture inside an intriguing mansion full of endearing animals and a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos, and spellbound by the exciting animated adventure of THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC. Already a great box-office success in much of the world, this highly entertaining family movie is directed by renowned 3D filmmakers Ben Stassen (Fly Me to the Moon, Sammy’s Adventures: Escape from Paradise) and Jeremie Degruson (A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventure), with original music by Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones). The film also features the music by Selena Gomez.

Shout! Factory is proud to present THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC on DVD and on two-disc Blu-ray™ 3D Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and digital), available exclusively at Walmart stores everywhere. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack allows viewers to enjoy THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC on the platform of their choice and includes spectacular movie presentation on Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and a digital copy of the movie.

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC is a whimsical animated family adventure, bringing to life a unique story with a great sense of humor, positive values and universal appeal. Brimming with spectacular animation and endearing characters, this internationally acclaimed motion picture delivers a fun and captivating movie experience for the entire family.

The film tells the story of Thunder, an abandoned young cat who stumbles into a magical old mansion operated by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos. Owned by a retired magician, the house is occupied by an assortment of his wacky assistants who don’t all welcome the new houseguest. But when the magician lands in the hospital and his scheming nephew puts the mansion up for sale, our young hero and his new friends join forces to save their magical home.

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Filled with laughter and adventure, THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC is a wonderful tale that you and your little ones will love.

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC is written by James Flynn, Domonic Paris and Ben Stassen, based on an original story idea from Ben Stassen. The film is produced by Caroline Van Iseghem and Ben Stassen, executive produced by Olivier Courson and Eric Dillens, and features original music by Ramin Djawadi. The 85-minute film is produced by nWave Pictures in association with Studiocanal and Anton Capital Entertainment.

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC Two-Disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack contains the following special features: Movie presentation on Blu-ray 3D and 2D, DVD and a Digital Copy of the film

Origins
Character Animation
The making of the soundtrack
Teaser
Trailer

THUNDER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC DVD contains the following special features:

Origins
Character Animation
The making of the soundtrack
Teaser
Trailer

Shout! Factory is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky winner will win Thunder And The House of Magic on DVD! Thanks to Shout! Factory for the review copy and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Thunder And The House Of Magic DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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Filed under Entertainment, Giveaway, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review

Tagged as DVD, giveaway, Mommy Ramblings, review, Shout! Factory, Thunder And The House Of Magic

October 6, 2014 · 9:54 am

Grilled Peanut Butter, Banana & Honey Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches With Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles!!! #4MoreWaffles

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #collectivebias

I always think that the plan of getting up 20 minutes earlier in the morning will make getting the kids out the door less hurried and subsequently less stressful. It makes perfect sense at night and I totally agree and would offer the advice to anyone. However, when that alarm goes off and I am feeling particularly sleepy, knowing that I have the extra minutes can make me hit the snooze alarm a few times. Now at the time, I think those extra minutes are so worth it, but when we are scurrying about trying to get everyone dressed and out to the bus stop in time and someone can’t find something they need, it hardly seems worth it.

I want my kids to not be stressed in the morning, so we make sure that we have everything ready to go the night before and that helps. You know what else helps? Having breakfast choices that are fast and easy. That is why I keep Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles in our freezer. The resealable packs now come with 14 waffles instead of 10! Yeah for 4 more waffles and the resealable bag makes it easy to take what you need, leaving the rest sealed for freshness.

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I buy mine from my local Shop Rite and they come in 4 different varieties; Homestyle, Buttermilk, Low Fat and Blueberry. They are conveniently located in the frozen food aisle.

#4morewaffles-#collectivebias-Aunt-Jemima-Breakfast-#shop

My kids love waffles and these can be heated in the toaster which makes breakfast on the go a breeze. We usually just toast and serve with syrup, fruit or fruit and yogurt on the side on school days. However on weekends, we can go all out and cook sausage, eggs with cheese, Canadian bacon and of course have fruit and yogurt too. A really special recipe for Grilled Peanut Butter, Banana & Honey Waffle Sandwiches is below!

#4morewaffles-#collectivebias-Aunt-Jemima-Breakfast-#shop

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My kids love a waffle sandwich that is made with 2 Aunt Jemima Waffles fresh from the toaster and with scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, topped with Canadian bacon or pork roll and topped with another waffle. They also like the waffles with syrup and a side of sausage. So many great ways to eat them, you can use your imagination and indulge your taste buds. As for me I’m glad I have something in the freezer that makes breakfast fast and satisfying for my kids. Aunt Jemima helps me have one less thing to worry about on busy mornings and gives us something special to look forward to on weekend mornings.

Recipe Idea:

I want to share another way to serve Aunt Jemima Waffles that is super yummy! What you need is 1/2 banana cut in slices, about 1.5 Tbsp of Peanut butter, 1 Tsp of honey and 2 Aunt Jemima Waffles of your choice.

#4morewaffles-#collectivebias-Aunt-Jemima-Breakfast-#shop

Toast the waffles and then spread the peanut butter on both waffles, top one side with the honey and the other side with sliced bananas.

#4morewaffles-#collectivebias-Aunt-Jemima-Breakfast-#shop

Put it together and grill it lightly in a pan with a little butter. After grilling both sides remove, cut and enjoy!

#4morewaffles-#collectivebias-Aunt-Jemima-Breakfast-#shop

#collectivebias-#shop-#4MoreWaffles!

You know, the fact that I could have one of these yummy grilled peanut butter, banana & honey waffle breakfast sandwiches may just be the inspiration I need not to press that snooze button. What do you think? You can save right now when you purchase with a coupon for $1.00 off your purchase of Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles. Click HERE to print your coupon. Let me know if you try them or any of the ideas in this post. #4MoreWaffles

Follow SoFabConnect’s board Aunt Jemima Frozen Waffles on Pinterest.

Aunt-Jemima-Waffle-Coupon-#4MoreWaffles-#cbias-

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Filed under Cooking, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Recipes, Shopping

Tagged as #4MoreWaffles, #Collective Bias, #CollectiveBias, Aunt Jemima, Banana, Breakfast, Breakfast Sandwich, Coupon, Easy, Fast, Frozen Waffles, Grilled, Honey, Mommy Ramblings, On-The-Go, peanut butter, recipe, Save, Shop, Waffle

October 3, 2014 · 12:43 am

“The Wonder Years” Season One on DVD Review & Giveaway!!! #TheWonderYears

THIS FALL, FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN WITH ONE OF THE MOST EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED TV DVD RELEASES OF THE YEAR AND ITS VERY FIRST RETAIL RELEASE FROM STARVISTA ENTERTAINMENT/TIME LIFE!

Season One 3D Cover
THE WONDER YEARS: SEASON ONE

The Wonder Years captured the angst of growing up in suburban middle-class America in the late ‘60s as seen through the life and times of Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage).

In Season 1, Kevin experiences the ups and downs of young love, his school’s well-intentioned, though comedic, attempts at classroom sex education, and the incredible social pressures behind an innocent junior high dance. The peace-love movement hits close to home when Kevin’s sister Karen (Olivia d’Abo) falls for a college-aged, VW bus-driving hippie (future star John Corbett), as does the dark reality of the Vietnam War when his cool neighbor Brian Cooper is killed in action. Kevin gets by with a little help from his friends Winnie (Danica McKellar) and the hyper-allergic Paul (Josh Saviano). Two hours of bonus material, including highlights from the 2014 cast reunion, make Season 1 even more wonderful.

I think the Wonder Years was one of the best shows on TV! The accurate portrayal of life in the late 60’s and 70’s is so real and tugged at our heartstrings. After 6 seasons, we felt that we had grown right up along side Kevin, Winnie, Paul and even pain in the butt brother Wayne. We laughed with them, we cried with them and we felt good watching them as we could relate to the coming of age experiences they faced every episode. From the great music to the unforgettable fashion The Wonder Years is a timeless classic. Season 1 is on DVD along with the other seasons of this fantastic show.

Named by TV Guide as one of the “Top 20 Shows of the ‘80s,” the 2-Disc Set ($19.95SRP),delivers the Emmy® Award-Winning Television Landmark to DVD for the Very First Time, featuring Six Complete Episodes from the Breakthrough First Season and Over Two Hours of Exclusive Bonus Features Including 2014 Reunion Highlights, Interviews
with Fred Savage (Kevin Arnold) and Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper) and Much More!

The Season 1 Set Contains:

Pilot

Kevin Arnold and best friend Paul Pfeiffer are saying goodbye to their last summer as boys and preparing to enter Robert F. Kennedy Junior High School. Kevin and Winnie share their first kiss as Winnie mourns the loss of her brother, Brian, a soldier just killed in the Vietnam War.
Swingers

At Brian’s funeral, all Kevin can think about is Winnie and their first kiss; meanwhile, sex education begins at school, but Kevin and Paul get the feeling that their teacher isn’t telling them everything they need to know.
My Father’s Office

After Kevin asks his dad about what he does at work, Jack brings his son to his office at NORCOM and shows him around. Kevin gets a glimpse into his father’s life after spending the day with him, and in the end, he realizes that his father is a great man.

Angel

Kevin’s older sister, Karen, doesn’t communicate with her parents anymore, and it’s all because of her new boyfriend, Louis. Kevin takes an immediate dislike to Louis, and finds out that he is cheating on Karen. Things are only made worse when Louis comes to dinner.
The Phone Call

Kevin tries to get up the courage to call Lisa Berlini, while Paul consults the junior high grapevine to find out if Lisa likes Kevin.
Dance With Me

Kevin is madly infatuated with Lisa Berlini and asks her to the school dance, but things change quickly after Lisa accepts a date with another guy.

Bonus Features
- A Wonderful Day: Highlights from the Cast Reunion, May 28, 2014, in Los Angeles, California
- Featurette: With a Little Help from My Friends: The Early Days of The Wonder Years
- Interviews:
  - Neal Marlens and Carol Black, Creators
  - Fred Savage (Kevin Arnold)
  - Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper)
  - Josh Saviano (Paul Pfeiffer)

THE WONDER YEARS is the newest DVD release from StarVista Entertainment/Time Life, following in the critically acclaimed footsteps of other top-selling, award-winning boxed sets of CHINA BEACH, THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW and THE DEAN MARTIN CELEBRITY ROASTS, among many others. And much like Kevin Arnold says in the final episode, perhaps, after all these years, you’ll “still look back with wonder” at one of the landmark television
programs of our time.

**Win The Wonder Years Complete First Season on DVD:**

StarVista Entertainment/ Time Life are sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog winner will win Season 1 of The Wonder Years on DVD. Thank you to the Star Vista and Time Life for sponsoring this awesome giveaway and for the review set. Open to US residents.

The Wonder Years, Season One on DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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Filed under Entertainment, Giveaway, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review

Tagged as Angst, Arnold Family, Classic, Coming of Age, Family, Friends, giveaway, Growing Up, Kevin, Mommy Ramblings, Norma, Passages Timeless, review, Season One, Soundtrack, StarVista Entertainment, The Wonder Years, Time Life, TV, Wayne, Winnie

October 2, 2014 · 12:27 am

Creo Collapsible Food Storage Containers Review and Giveaway!!!

Creo tools are inspired by the originality and creativity of chefs at home who have their own distinct tastes. People that cultivate their passion for cooking (and eating) on their own terms. Their mission is to deliver a home cooking experience that is exciting, exploratory, creative, and self-expressive.

From delicious ingredients to tasty leftovers, the Creo Collapsible Storage is vacuum sealed making it leak proof and airtight to keep food fresh.

Creo Containers website pic

I recently had the chance to try out a few pieces of Creo collapsible food storage containers and I absolutely love them. They collapse so they save room in cabinets and drawers and expand to hold your food and keep it fresh with the vacuum seals. The seals also vent to let steam out during microwave cooking if desired. The lids have a silicone gasket that creates a leakproof, tight seal, perfect for traveling. Containers are safe and can be used in the freezer, oven and microwave. The silicone containers are stain and odor resistant plus they are dishwasher safe for easy clean up! You can purchase the containers on Amazon.com.

creo containers

Creo Conatiners 1

Creo Containers 2

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Creo Containers 4

Creo Containers 5

Creo is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win 2 pieces of Creo Collapsible Food Storage Conainers! Thank you to Creo for sponsoring this great giveaway and for the review containers. Open to US residents.

Creo Collapsible Food Storage Container Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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Filed under Cooking, Giveaway, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review, Shopping

Tagged as Collapsible, Creo, Dishwasher, food, Freezer, Fresh, giveaway, Kitchen, Mommy Ramblings, No Leaks, Oven, review, Seal, Silicone, storage, Vacuum, Vent

October 1, 2014 · 3:13 am

Enhance Your Life and Career With Thousands of Free Online Courses From Distinguished Universities!!! See our list!!!

If we’re lucky we will learn at least one new thing a day, every day, until the last day of our life. I can tell you the last few days I have learned quite a few things about sewing. I finally feel like I just may learn to love my sewing machine which has intimidated me for almost 2 years.

Learning new things keeps us sharp and current. If you are wanting to gain some new business knowledge, learn how to build apps, or delve into product design, journalism, photography, storytelling for work, leadership skills, teaching, chemistry, philosophy, math, medicine, coding, Facebook marketing, blogging, content marketing, poetry, technology, design and much more, I have great news! Did you know there are a multitude of classes and courses you can attend online for free?

Free courses from Harvard, MIT, Stanford and other distinguished universities are available for you to take online! I have compiled a list of some of the top resources and hope you find them helpful. So go on and embrace that knowledge, it could change your life but it will definitely enhance your life!

Coursera– an education platform that partners with top universities and organizations worldwide, to offer courses online for anyone to take, for free. Coursera envisions a future where everyone has access to a world-class education. They aim to empower people with education that will improve their lives, the lives of their families, and the communities they live in.

Kahn Academy– Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. They’re a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere. All of the site’s resources are available to anyone. It doesn’t matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology. Khan Academy’s materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge.

Academic Earth-Academic Earth was launched on the premise that everyone deserves access to a world-class education. In 2009, they built the first collection of free online college courses from the world’s top universities. The world of open education has exploded since then, so today their curated lists of online courses are hand selected by our staff to show you the very best offerings by subject area. They also make sure there is something for everyone: whether you want to explore a new topic or advance in your current field, Academic Earth brings the amazing world of academia to you for free.

Open Culture-Get 1000 free online courses from the world’s leading universities — Stanford, Yale, MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, Oxford and more. You can download these audio & video courses (often from iTunes, YouTube, or university web sites) straight to your computer or mp3 player. Over 30,000 hours of free audio & video lectures, await you now.

NovoEd-NovoEd partners with leading education institutions and corporations to offer collaborative, experiential online courses. Choose the Free courses and search for a great variety of courses.

edX-EdX offers interactive online courses and MOOCs from the world’s best universities, and institutions. Online classes are available from MITx, HarvardX, BerkeleyX, UTx and many others. Topics include biology, business, chemistry, computer science, economics, finance, electronics, engineering, food and nutrition, history, humanities, law, literature, math, medicine, music, philosophy, physics, science, statistics and more. EdX is a nonprofit online initiative created by founding partners Harvard and MIT.

Alison- Their mission at ALISON is simple: to enable you, wherever you are in the world, to learn and get certified – at your own pace – using their free, interactive, multimedia. Every course is standards-based and certified. That means bragging rights with family and friends, an edge in your first job or new job, and inspiration to be all you can be. There are 600 free courses for you to choose from!

SkilledUp-Our ultimate vision is to transform education as we know it — how it’s delivered, how much it costs, how quickly it helps people get to a career they love.

Open Education Database OEDb-The most comprehensive collection of online college rankings and free courses anywhere online. They welcome learners of all levels to explore their interests and prepare for exciting new careers, build on existing foundations of education and experience, or just satisfy a craving to learn something completely new.

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

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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