A working mom trying to do it all ....and succeeding!
Image from http://environment.utk.edu
Your kids will love this fun Earth Day themed printable! It’s an interactive search for items that should be recycled or resold rather than put into the landfill. It’s done by artist Robyn Frank for Krrb!
Click here for ideas on how to get involved for Earth Day!
Here are 5 ways you and your children can celebrate Earth Day!
Make a 3D Earth Day Paper Craft: This is very easy and your kids will have a great time making it. Please click here to check out how to make this craft.
Plant some new flowers: Have your children pick out some pretty flowers for the front of your home or for the back yard. Help them plant the flowers and discuss with them how important flowers are to the Earth.
Have your children help clean up a park or playground: Grab some bags and head out to the nearest park or playground and help clean up! Make it a game and see how much recyclables and/or trash your children can help clean up. Then they can have some fun on the playground or run around at the park!
Walk or take your bike instead of the bus or car: Bike or walk with your children to school on Earth Day. Discuss on your walk or bike ride about the pollutants that come from vehicles and how they are bad for the environment.
Start a Home Compost: Leftovers and food waste can be used to provide nutrient rich fertilizer for a sustainable garden. Learn everything you need to know about composting with GEF’s Gardening Resources and build your own compost bin.
Please comment below on how you will be celebrating Earth Day!
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THE POWER OF MATH IS BACK TO SAVE THE DAY IN THIS
NEW NUMBER-FILLED COLLECTION
LET’S LEARN: S.T.E.M. Vol 2
Available on DVD May 3rd.
Join some of your favorite characters from hit preschool shows such as Blaze and the Monster Machines, PAW Patrol, Team Umizoomi, and Dora and Friends for exciting adventures in this brand-new DVD containing 144 minutes of educational entertainment. Each DVD contains a S.T.E.M.-themed worksheet as a free gift with purchase while supplies last.
There’s no shortage of science and math fun in Let’s Learn: S.T.E.M. Vol 2, Nickelodeon’s second DVD dedicated to the world of numbers. A hot topic for educators everywhere, S.T.E.M. education (science, technology, engineering and math) has proven to be the perfect tool in jump-starting children’s interest in problem solving and technology. Nick’s Let’s Learn: S.T.E.M. Vol 2 contains more than 140 minutes of S.T.E.M. – themed adventures with Blaze and the Monster Machines, the first preschool show on TV to comprehensively cover all areas of S.T.E.M. in every episode, as well as fan-favorites Dora and Friends: Into the City!, PAW Patrol and Team Umizoomi. In addition to expanding imaginations and developing inquisitive minds, the Let’s Learn: S.T.E.M. Vol 2 DVD also comes with a S.T.E.M.-themed worksheet to reinforce some of the lessons learned throughout the collection. Produced by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution, Let’s Learn: S.T.E.M. Vol 2will be available on DVD May 3, for the suggested retail price of $14.99.
Let’s Learn: S.T.E.M. Vol 2 includes the following episodes:
Let’s Learn: S.T.E.M. Vol 2Fast Facts
Street Date: May 3, 2016
Catalog: 59177540000 (US)
Running Time: 144 Minutes
Audio: English, Spanish and French audio tracks
S.R.P.: $14.99
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This DVD is filled with favorite characters, songs and language that kids can understand, yet poses a bit of a challenge to their young minds. The stories have the characters working together to solve problems, and keeps my children entertained the whole time. This DVD finds the perfect balance of entertainment while learning at the same time.
My children love Nickelodeon shows, especially Paw Patrol and Dora. I try to limit their television viewings to only educations shows, which Nick Jr. has plenty of them. They were very excited when we had a chance to review a copy of this DVD before it is released to stores on May 3rd. I love how these episodes incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. A cute coloring S.T.E.M. worksheet is also included! My 4 year old and 7 year old watched every episode and loved each one. I love that they are learning while watching their favorite shows!
Nickelodeon’s Let’s Learn S.T.E.M. Volume 2 retails for approximately $14.99 and will be available to purchase on May 3rd. You can pre-order right now through Amazon.com for $9.99.
***I was given a copy of this DVD in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the DVD. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.
Pieology Pizzeria opened its doors on Monday, and Nocatee residents couldn’t have been more excited. Pieology consists of custom pizzas and salads. They have a menu of their specialty pizzas or you can create one however you choose! You pick from different sauces, cheeses, meats and toppings. Let your imagination run wild! Then your custom pizza is cooked in a open-flame oven and bakes your smoking hot creation in under 3 minutes. For the salads, you choose your greens, cheeses, meats, fresh produce and dressings. You pick your seat and and your custom pizza and/or salad is delivered right to your table in about 5-10 minutes.
I had the opportunity to attend a before opening event at the Nocatee Pieology and tried out their pizzas with my family. We had a plain all cheese pizza and Pieology’s famous “Mad to meet you” pizza that comes with pepperoni, sausage, meatball, mozzarella, house red sauce and olive oil. Both pizzas were delicious and the service was outstanding. I definitely recommend trying out Pieology, you will be hooked!
Location address and hours:
641 Crosswater Parkway Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32801
Sunday – Thursday: 11AM to 9PM and Friday and Saturday: 11AM to 10PM
For more information, please check out their website here
I was provided the new 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring to test for a week free of charge to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I recently had the opportunity to review the 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring SUV. I was very excited to test it out for a week since I am in the market for a new small crossover type vehicle. The Mazda CX-5 is a crossover vehicle which means it is a crossover between a car and a SUV, but the way it drives is more like a car.
This vehicle has a very sporty look and feel to it, with very aggressive styling. The Soul Red paint (additional $300 charge) is really striking. The LED Headlights which are included in the Grand Touring Package really light up the road at night.
The 19 inch alloy wheels which come standard are really sharp. The vehicle comes with TOYO All season tires.
The CX-5 is equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5L Engine, SKYACTIV-Drive 6SPD Sport Mode, 184 Horsepower; 185 LB-FT Torque, Front-Wheel Drive, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Electric Power Assisted Steering, Independent Front/Rear Suspension and Front & Rear Stabilizer Bars. Doing a lot of highway driving this week with the Mazda I must say that the pickup was excellent. I like that you don’t have to have your foot on the pedal to the floor to get the vehicle moving.
The CX-5 I received came with a black leather interior. The seats are very plush and comfy, and they are also heated which is a plus. My husband loves that they are bucket type seats that hug your body. The interior is roomy and sharp looking. The interior is big enough to seat 5 comfortably.
The navigation and audio system are controlled by using a joystick in the middle. You also have an electronic parking brake and volume control knob. You can access everything on your screen with these buttons. Once you are driving you cannot use the touch screen via fingers, you have to use the controls near your shifter.
The CX-5 comes standard with a 7 inch color screen display, which displays your rearview camera, radio and navigation system. The HD radio is a BOSE AM/FM/CD/MP3/SAT. The sound quality is amazing!! Also includes Bluetooth hands free phone/audio and a Sirius Satellite radio trial. Below the radio are your air conditioning/heating controls along with your defroster and heated seats controls.
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring has a lot of safety features included in the $1500 ACTIVESENSE Package which includes Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning and High Beam Control. These buttons are conveniently placed on the left side of the steering wheel, making them very easy to access.
The steering wheel is leather wrapped, which has a great feel to it. I do wish the steering was a bit smoother, but overall it is good. The steering column is tilt and telescopic which is great especially since my husband and I like to have the steering wheel in different positions. The controls on the steering wheel are for audio, Cruise control, and Bluetooth controls.
A power moonroof also comes standard. The moonroof opens nice and smooth and is very enjoyable.
I am very impressed with the cargo room. You will not have an issue with strollers or luggage in this vehicle! There is also a really nice carpeted cargo mat (optional) that says “CX-5” on it.
This vehicle also comes with a spare tire and jack which is very convenient!
Key Fob which locks/unlocks doors and a panic button.
Fuel Economy: 29 MPG (26 City and 33 Highway) I did a lot of driving for the week I had this car, and I didn’t have to fill up the tank once. I love the gas mileage on this vehicle!
PROS (my opinion):
Sharp looking, Ample cargo space, Great gas mileage, Lots of safety and security features, Adequate pickup, Nice navigation system, very fairly priced.
CONS (my opinion):
Unconventional controls layout, Would like to see a V6 option for more pickup, would like to see sliding 2nd row seats to maximize leg room, Screen controls via finger touch are disabled when the car is in drive and transmission noise is a little louder than expected. No options for auto tailgate or memory seats.
Overall, I really liked driving this car. It is comfortable, sporty-looking and was great with the gas mileage. I love the navigation system and the lane departure warning with blind spot detection, and all of the many safety features which makes me feel comfortable knowing my family and I are safe while driving this vehicle.
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 is a perfect vehicle for 1st time drivers, kids going off to college and families. It really is a great SUV. Upgrading to the Grand Touring package gives you much more for a fair price. Check out the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring soon if you are planning on purchasing a new vehicle!
2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Front-Wheel Drive
Base Price: $28,200
Price As Tested: $33,240
Options:
Grand Touring Tech Package: $1,505
Navigation System
LED Headlights
Adaptive Front Lighting
LED Daytime Running Lights
LED Foglights
LED Combination Tail Lights
Smart City Brake Support
Auto-Dim Mirror With Homelink
GT i-Activesense Package: $1,500
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
Smart Brake Support
Lane Departure Warning
High Beam Control
Soul Red Paint: $300
Mazda Mobile Start: $550
Door Sill Trim Plates: $125
Rear Bumper Guard: $100
Cargo Mat: $60
Destination Charge: $880
A big thanks to Drive Shop for allowing my family to test out the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring FWD!
I was provided the new 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring to test for a week free of charge to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
What do YOU think of the 2016 CX-5? Would this car be a good vehicle for your family? Please comment below!
