Socks and Sandals

I know.

You aren't supposed to wear them together.

I know that.

But, my toes were cold this morning.

And, I just needed to run to the store to get a gallon of milk for breakfast....before the kids got up.

So, I did it.

They aren't even my socks.  They're Rainmans Chicago Bears socks.

 

I was feeling pretty okay about it on my rush in and out of the store.....pretty sure that nobody would pay any attention to me and notice my feet.....until I saw someone else in socks and sandals.....walking in front of me.....

 

 

It was a man. 

 

He had pajama pants on.

 

He was at the store in need of only one item too.

 

It was 8:00 a.m.

 

He was heading to the checkout with....a bottle of wine.

 

 

(I didn't even know you could buy liquor that early in the morning.)

 

 

So, um, I am thinking that maybe next time, I will let my feet be cold when I am out procuring supplies for my babies.

 

I don't really want to be bundled into the same group of people as that guy.  Do I?

Gee Whiz, It's Zoo Whiz

Zoo Whiz is a on-line learning program that is designed for 5-15 year olds to be able to have great fun learning....while they get a chance to create their own zoo.

We were able to try out a Premium subscription to this site with A-man, S-girl, L-girl and A-girl....V-girl got to tag along on other peoples adventures.

D-man fell into the recommended age range, but after taking one look at the site, basically said, "Uhhh, no thanks, Mom."  More on this later.

I don't think you will be surprised if I tell you that the games and fun happen at a.....zoo....where your child becomes a zookeeper/zoologist and builds their own zoo.

The premium membership allows you to access to certain games and to "buy" certain speciality animals.

The premise of the program is by playing educational games in math, reading, word skills, punctuation and grammar.....you then earn coins that you can use to either play arcade games or buy more animals for your zoo.

You can play on the site for free, but some of the cooler features and animals are only available with the premium membership.

Whichever option you choose, first you create your free parent account and then go from there.  You set up free membership accounts for the kids and then, you just choose the upgrade to the Premium membership option. 

Everyday that you log in, you get bonus points added to your account.  These points can be used in the arcade or to buy animals for their zoo.  But, in general, you have to "Learn to Earn".  (A concept I am totally fine with!)



The Biodome is where you can find animals.  The Arcade is where you get to play games.  The Milestone building is where you can check your progress, but the building they will spend the most time in, is the Learn and Earn house.

This is a fun little program.  I particularly enjoyed listening to the Aussie accents during the game.  Although the kids sometimes had trouble understanding what they were saying.

This program really does cover all the subjects mentioned above: math, reading, word skills, punctuation and grammar. 

Here is a link to take a look at the different educational content for all the different age levels within the game.


Okay, so the kids log on....pick their zoo zeeper......



.....and start playing and learning.


The way you can tell how you are doing is by looking at a chart filled with little smiley faced guys. 

When I just glanced at them, I misinterpreted the results.  I am used to the standard yellow faced, black eyes and mouth guy.





 

You know. This guy!







So, when I saw a similar one, I assumed that meant that they had done the best.  Then I saw a little green faced guy, smiling with his mouth open....and thought that meant they needed improvement.

Actually, I was wrong.  It was the opposite of that.  The green guy means that you are doing the best.  There is a chart to explain the smiley's but I didn't find it until I went digging around a bit. 



Here is an example of a progress chart that shows all the possible smiley faces.....in action.



There are video tutorials available on the site, that explain all these kinds of details and how you can use the whole program.


The kids are having fun with this program.  I will admit that I have been satisfied that they are learning things when they play on this site, so I haven't been monitoring them as closely as I do when they are on other "just for fun" sites. 

I mean, I am not letting them have unlimited computer access or anything, but if they ask if they can go on Zoo Whiz....I really don't even limit their time....unless someone else is waiting in the wings for a turn at the computer. 

Personally, I like the wide variety of problems that they are given within the different areas.  They also have a lot of different ways to look at problems...which I think is great....gets the kids thinking and not just blindly answering questions....sometimes they have to think about what is really being asked. 

There are also quite a few multiple step problems....like, you have to move things around on the page, then type in the answer, and then pick the person who has the most of something.  They will get it wrong if they don't go through all the steps and answer all the questions.  I like that.  I have certain children who don't like to mess around with little things like details....or reading the directions.....so this is a concrete way to show them that it is good to slow down sometimes and get things right the first time.  If they don't get it right the first time, they don't get as many points/coins.

 
One of the features I liked was how easy it was to change their "age floor".  For instance, S-girl, has had one of those "light bulb" moments in her reading and math skills.....so suddenly, all of the words and math stuff on her page were too easy.  She actually came to me and said it was too easy and asked if we could make it harder.

So, we just went in (through my parent account) and upped the age floor and she was challenged again.  Another nice feature of the parent account is that you can see what your kids passwords are, in case they forget.  Actually, I am much more likely to forget my password than they are...but it is a nice feature.


I figured out, that we could also control the type of currency we used or even the spelling for the program.....when things like "colours" and "favourite" showed up.   You have the choice to "localize" things like: Australian/British or American spellings, Imperial or Metric units of measure or currencies in $, £ or €.  So, if Rainman is ever transferred Down Under....we could set it back to those settings and be good to go, mate.

Like I said, my younger kids all liked Zoo Whiz a lot.  The graphics are great.  The variety of problems is great.  The Austrialian accents are "cracker jack".  The parent controls and monitoring features are awesome.


Now, onto D-man, my 14 year old. Remember, he took one look at the site and very politely declined to take advantage of the chance to build his own zoo?

I understand. The game looks very childish. It sounds quite childish. It actually scared me the first few times the kids played it because there were various "jungle" animal sounds that just erupted from the computer.

Anyway, however childish the site looked and sounded, there is a lot of more difficult stuff available on the site. But, he and I just couldn't get past the look of this as a kids site. He would help out siblings every now and then....but would not ever spend time on this site on his own. Ever.

I think the content is there....but his interest isn't. I am not sure what could be done to make him use the site....well, that isn't true....make it some sort of baseball game and he probably would have jumped at it....cartoons and all.

But, D-man aside, the rest of the kids really liked Zoo Whiz. (although A-girl did sort of do the activities to please me - she was in the same boat as D-man....it just seemed to childish).


The designers of this site have content that is appropriate and challenging enough for up to age 15.  But, I really can't see anyone over the age of 11 or 12 really enjoying this program....because it just doesn't seem like a teenage kind of program....if you know what I mean.


It can't hurt for you to try Zoo Whiz for free but, you could just jump in and get started building your zoo with a Premium Membership for $14.95 for 12 months....which is an awesome (wish I could say that in an Aussie accent) limited price option....it used to be $59.95!  I am honestly not sure how long the limited pricing option will last, so if this interests you, be sure and take advantage of the cheap pricing now.

This is a fun supplemental educational program for your elementary aged kids....whether you homeschool or not.

See what other TOS Crew members thought of Zoo Whiz.  Maybe some of them were able to get their teenagers to sit down and try this out.


Disclaimer:  We received a one year Premium membership to Zoo Whiz for free, in exchange for an honest review.

Beeyoutiful You....Again!

If Beeyoutiful You sounds familiar, it is because I was lucky enough to be able to review some of their products last year.  Their Lip Balm remains a favorite around here.




This time around, I got a chance to try some Beeyoutiful Skin and hair products.

Here is what I got to try out.

Laveshmint Daily Moisturing Lotion

Vanilla Dream Body Butter

Laveshmint Hydrating Toner

Hair Shine Spray-In Conditioner



Okay, how do I really tell you about these without you being able to see and feel my skin properly?

I don't know.

So, you will just have to settle for my honest opinion and confession of how much I rub my own face now.

My favorite product from those 4 was definitely the Laveshmint Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($12.00).  Here is the actual product description from their website:

Laveshmint is Beeyoutiful’s soothing new moisturizer that hydrates and nourishes with the power of pure Aloe Vera. It has the same PH level as distilled water and is perfect for daily use over your entire face and body. It is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Aloe has been used for centuries to help repair dry and damaged skin, soothe burns, and relieve irritations. Grapeseed is a light oil which quickly disappears into the skin without leaving a greasy residue, while Coconut oil is known for its skin nourishing and softening qualities.

Laveshment is refreshingly scented with pure lavender and peppermint essential oils, creating a cool, tingly sensation on your skin. Lavender gently helps to repair damaged skin and relaxes the nerves, while peppermint leaves you feeling clean, uplifted, and invigorated. Laveshmint is best used after gently cleansing the face and neck and toning with Laveshmint hydrating toner. Although created as a facial moisturizer, Laveshmint feels great on any part of your body, especially tired feet! Just keep it away from eyes and mucous membranes, as peppermint can sting on these areas.


Guess what?  I didn't read this product description until just now....and I am so excited that I can use it on my whole body.  I have just been using it on my face and neck....which is what the packaging says.

If I can get the rest of my body to feel even a little bit as soft and silky as my face...I will be buying this stuff in vats!

I use this at bedtime every night.

I am a  little bit addicted to the sort of cold, tight-ish tingling feeling I get, when I put it on.  I love laying down on my pillow and smelling it, as I fall asleep.  It is a very distinct scent and I have begun to wonder if this is the smell that my kids will associate with me.  If you know what I mean?

I mean, I have scents associated with people and places from my past.  Some not so pleasant, like the smell associated with Bethel Elementary School comes to mind (slightly musty, with an undertone of whatever that pink stuff was that they threw down whenever anybody threw up).

Some pleasant like my Grandma Seraphine and my mom.  My Grandma's memory scent is too hard to describe. 

But, my mom's scent (that sounds sort of weird, doesn't it?).....anyway....whenever I smell Mary Kay Night Cream.....I think of my mom.  That is the product that she used most nights.....I also have a strong visual picture of her at bedtime too.  Did anyone else's mom wrap their hair up before they went to bed?  Sometimes she used some kind of pink sticky paper-y stuff....sometimes with toilet paper.  The point was so her hair-do would last...she would just unwrap her hair and fluff it up for the next day.

Look!  It worked....even on vacation.  Nice, full, fluffy curls!  You can't tell...but her skin was smooth and smelled good too.

(Seriously....why can't I look this stylish when I am on vacation with my family?!?)

I think maybe whenever my kids smell Laveshmint....they will think of me too.  My kids get to see me put my hair in braids most nights. Not nearly as exciting as a toilet paper wrapped head, I imagine!

I also love that it sort of self-levels itself everyday....so it looks like it hasn't even been touched.

(It grosses me out a little bit when I can tell where stuff has been gouged out....even if it is my own finger poke holes.  Do you know what I mean?  Anyway....with this....you never even know any hands have been in there!)

Really.....seriously.....my skin feels awesome.  I have no idea if it really looks different to the outside world....but it makes me "feel" different.  Plus, I will just sit sometimes and "pet" my face.  It is just so soft!

It is really, really soft...like, "young me" kind of soft.


My second favorite of these products was the Vanilla Dream Body Butter ($15.00).  Here is what their website has to say about this product:

Feel well bred with butter. Shea butter, vanilla-infused oils of coconut, olive and grapeseed, grapefruit seed extract, essential oil of ylang ylang and vanilla plantifolia augment the ancient and well loved aphrodisiac, the vanilla bean, for a relaxing effect on women, assuring us we are beautiful and desirable. The soothing and healing oils of this body butter soak into dry, chafed skin for long lasting relief and beauty.

 

The soothing oils leave skin looking radiant and feeling soft and silky smooth … great for damaged skin. Vanilla Dream Body Butter soaks in deep moisturizing and promotes repair of damaged tissue, restoring a healthy luster.

In case you didn't realize it, I have some of the nicest kids in the world.  My kids give their poor, old mom foot rubs every now and then.  When my girls, especially, want to score a few points....or get some alone time with me, they know the magic words are, "Mom?  Do you want me to Ped Egg your feet?"

I know.  Sort of gross.  But, wow does it feel good!


I have never, ever, turned their offer down!  Even when I know it is being used as a blatant, ummm..... persuasion tool.  When you have soft, silky feet....you just don't care about silly things like that!

So, when we got the Vanilla Dream Body Butter, we decided to try it on my feet after one of our Ped Egg sessions.  Ahh....bliss.  We did do it at bedtime, so it had a chance to soak in and I wouldn't slip out of my sandals....which probably would have happened if I had done it during the day.  This is a much thicker moisturizer than the Laveshmint....and does leave the slightly icky finger poke indentations....but I can get over it for this stuff.

This smell really nice too.  Just vanilla.  Nice, simple, nummy, relaxing vanilla.

We feet really are softer....and they stay that way.  I mean, before when they would rub lotion into my feet....they would stay pretty soft for a day....maybe.  With the Vanilla Dream Body Butter....the softness lasts for days.  Really.  It is odd.  My darling children don't have to Ped Egg my feet nearly as often as they used to.  Now that I say that, this one is probably their favorite one!

I am used to my feet being sort of crunchy....if you know what I mean.  It is still strange for me to not catch my feet on the sheets....or on socks...and feel sort of silky in my shoes.

They don't feel greasy either.  I am not sure how they were able to balance the moisturizing without feeling greasy....but they did.  Although, like I said if I had gotten a foot rub with this in the morning....it would have definitely been slippery before it soaked into my skin.

I did find the product description a little giggle inducing. I mean the "aphrodisiac part....and assuring us we are beautiful and desirable."  

But, I will admit that soft, silky feet make me feel like I am a better person than I was with the crunchy, scratchy feet I used to have.....and I walk a little taller.

Not sure if I feel any more desirable.....but, I am okay with that!  


My next favorite was was the Laveshmint Hydrating Toner ($14.00). Here is what their website has to say about this product:

Laveshmint Hydrating Toner is the ultimate culmination of clean refreshment. Made with certified organic Aloe Vera, Laveshmint’s astringent properties naturally close the pores after cleansing. Aloe Vera leaves skin hydrated and gently restores proper pH balance.

To top this off, we've added a unique blend of lavender and peppermint essential oils to cool sunburns, cleanse wounds, and uplift your countenance. With its captivating fragrance, Lavender has sedative and deep relaxing qualities, as well as being renowned for helping all manner of skin irritations. Cool and tingly on your skin, Peppermint essential oil is an incredible aid for acne, dermatitis, fever, headaches, and mental strain.

Together, the all-natural ingredients in Laveshmint have manifold functions and endless applications. Just spray it on your skin and feel the cooling refreshment wash over you.

This is the product that probably got used the least at my house.  Just because I would forget.  And,  I admit that I did feel a little "super-model on the Concorde heading to Milan for fashion week spritzing her face with Evian water" or something whenever I used it. 

That is just a mental block of mine....so.....nevermind.

It has the same cool, tingly, minty smell thing going for it that the moisturizing lotion does.  I am thinking that if I actually went places in the morning....instead of to my basement in my Pjs....that it would have been a great partner with my fresh from bedtime, moisturized skin....before heading out to the office.....or wherever people go when they aren't teaching school in their basements.

Maybe I should keep this on my desk in the basement, instead of the bathroom.  I can use it when I teach to "uplift my countenance"...when my students are acting less than stellar.


My least favorite was the Hair Shine ($15.00).  Here is what their website had to say about this one:

 After a day of fun at the pool or the beach, you’ll be glad you brought along Beeyoutiful’s Hair Shine. It’s a safe, healthy, and highly effective alternative to chemical-filled hair de-tanglers and sunburn sprays.

Combing out chlorine or salt-water soaked and tangled hair won’t cause balking and tears anymore if you spray on this organic blend of aloe and essential oils of lavender, rosemary, and citrus. Hair won’t feel greasy, and the fresh, clean smell of sweet orange essential oil will cover the pool or fishy smells if a shower isn’t available. Hair Shine can be used on wet or dry hair of all types—long or short, thick, thin, curly, or straight—to add body and softness while taming frizz.

 

You can also use Hair Shine as an all-over body spray—after your bath or straight from water play (a fresh-smelling idea if you plan to dine at a restaurant right after a trip to the beach!). It’s even fine to use on your face (but be sure to close your eyes when you spray). The rosemary oil acts as an astringent and skin rejuvenator. A single bottle of Hair Shine contains hundreds of spritz’s worth, so feel free to spray liberally.

 

The lavender is an especially hard worker in the mixture. It enhances body in your hair and is a major contributor to Hair Shine’s detangling and softening qualities.

 

Hair Shine also helps:

• Sunburn. If you or your little ones got more sun than you planned, spray on cooling Hair Shine. The aloe and lavender cool burns and protect from infection. Like aloe, lavender is known for its use on burns, so putting the two together makes Hair Shine a cooling, healthy alternative to standard sunburn sprays. You won’t have to worry about chemicals with unpronounceable names soaking into your skin. But do not use Hair Shine before you hit the sun—the sweet orange essential oil may actually increase photosensitivity in some people.

 

• Insect Bites. Lessen the itch and protect against infection and scarring—from mosquitos to ticks—with a squirt of Hair Shine on the bites.

This was the product I was looking forward to trying out the most.  Because we have 4 girls....plus me.....and a swimming pool.  The product worked beautifully....there really seemed to be less tangles and tears as we combed through their hair.  And, their hair, especially L-girl's was quite shiny.

The problem.....none of them liked the way it smelled.  I didn't love the smell either.  I didn't hate it like they did....but, I didn't love it either.  I like lavender and citrus....so I am thinking it was the rosemary essential oils that I didn't love.

Will I stop using it?  No.  It works too well.  But, it didn't leave me with the happy feelings that the Laveshmint Moisturizer and the Vanilla Dream Body Butter did.

Overall, I am loving these products.  I will definitely buy another jar of both the Laveshmint Daily Moisturizer and the Vanilla Dream Body Butter when these ones are empty.  I have never tried anything that works as well as these two. 

My Laveshmint Hydrating Toner spray will last me a long time since I don't plan to become a Concorde traveling super model anytime soon.  I am going to move its location though and see if I use it more.  The Hair Shine really does work great, but I probably won't buy another one just because of the smell.

You can get all of these products (and more) at the Beeyoutiful website.  They have also started a make-up line that is available over at the Beeyoutiful Skin website. 

See what the other TOS crew members got to review....including the make-up.



Disclaimer:  I received Beeyoutiful You's Skin Care set for free, in exchange for an honest review.