Verizon Family Education Tools

Wishing your kids would quit playing Angry Birds on your phone & wishing they'd play something more educational? I know I was recently discussing that with a friend!

It seems like kids are spending more time on our electronics. I wouldn't mind it as much if they were learning something while they were playing. I know my friend felt the same. We both had some edicational apps on our phone/tablets, but the kids ignored them and went straight back to the "fun" (aka non educational) apps.

Amazingly, about 2 weeks after our, conversation about school starting again & needing to find learning apps that they find fun, I learned about Verizon Educational Tools App!

Verizon Family Education Tools is an app designed for kids from kindergarten to high school senior and even special needs. The apps are reviewed by educational professionals who know what helps our kids learn. The app is well designed and easy to navigate, arranged first by grade level. Then subdivided by category (mathematics, vocabulary, spelling, calculus, etc).

The Hungry Fishie Game is currently a favorite of my kids. They "feed" the fish whatever number is on his tummy. The higher the difficulty the more bubbles you had to combine to add up to equal the number the fish wants.

Some of the apps are free, some are not. For me, having a new 2nd grader I love the portability and ease to navigate. He can pick and choose the apps he'd like. My daughter is in preschool so sadly, there's no category for her yet.

For some reason the app seems to be having a log-in issue suddenly. Hopefully by the time you read this it'll be resolved, but it keeps asking us to log-into our accounts. 

The only other issue I've herd with the app is it only seems to be supported on iPhone, iPad or iPod. Both my kids have a Kindle and I try to keep them awayfrom my phone unless I forsee an emergency meltdown coming. They really like the games, but now constantly want my iPhone to play on because they don't have these games on their kindles. If your kids have iPads, like one of my friends' kids, this seems to be a must have app.

The game prices range from free to $9.99 (I believe). I just noticed they also have test preps available - apps for ACT testing as well as SAT. I'd much rather be paying for fun educational downloads then paying for the non-educational games that my kids won't get much out of.

I highly recommend a quick download just to check it out instead of buying another app that the kids will play for an hour and be bored with.

*Compinsation was provided by Verizon in exchange for my review of the Verizon Educational Tools.

Ivory® 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash Trial

I recently got an opportunity from a company I'm new to called, Influenster. I had no idea what product they were going to send me aside from the fact that it was a 2-IN-1 shampoo/conditioner &  body wash. It's the kind of thing I'd buy for hubby (who could care less about the hair under his baseball hat all day everyday) and something I'd immediately dismiss for my own use. But figured I'd at least stick to my word and give it a shot. After all, I'm a busy full-time mother of 2. I find it hard enough to find time to change my clothes let alone find enough shower time to shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse, body wash, rinse....

A couple weeks ago I got the package at my door. Excited to see the brand and smell what I'd be showering with for the next 2 weeks (yes, I was going to stick it out for 2 weeks, good or bad before I gave a fair review). Having extremely long, blonde hair I'm very fussy about my hair products because if it doesn't work, I'll be spending all that extra shower time I saved trying to fix whatever it did to my hair each day.

Contents of the package I received from Influenster.

The box arrived shortly after being accepted. Here's what I found:

• Welcome Note
• 1 full sized bottle of Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash
• 3 coupons for $0.75 off 1 bottle of Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash

First things, first... the smell. I had nothing to go on yet aside from the smell since I'd already showered for the day and would start the next day. I gave it a quick sniff and can't say it was anything too overdone. It actually reminded me of a bar of soap. It wasn't real feminine like the products I'm used to, but not masculine either. It was a very clean scent though, one I could live with.

The next day I threw caution to the wind and grabbed it quick before I hit the shower. I was in a hurry anyways so I was really hoping it would cut my shower time down. When I put some in my hand I was surpised it didn't lather quite as much as usual shampoo, but then again it was supposed to be different. Rubbing it in my hair I thought felt a bit odd, but soon enough after a quick washdown and rinse I'd cut my shower time in half (impressive since I usually have to take fast showers anyways, as my 2-year-old allows me little to no privacy).

Rinsing my hair felt clean and ready to go. A quick towel off and I felt fresh head-to-toe. Brushing my hair I have to say wasn't quite as easy as when I use my normal product, but it was much easier then after I use those shampooing conditioner bottles you find in hotels. A quick spritz with my detangling spray and I was set.

I have to say, once my hair dried I was FLOORED! I don't remember the last time my hair was so shiny... yes, actually I do. After the last visit to the salon! I figured for sure that first trial had to be a fluke, surely it must have been the detangler that I sprayed in my hair. I made a mental note to brush through the mess the next day with no detangler. That seemed to work fine anyways because I didn't seem to need it as much the next day (maybe I just had awful bed head the first day)? Later, my hair dried... it sounds so egotistical of me and self centered but it was a sunny day and I had the sunroof open and with the sun shining in on my hair I could NOT stop looking at it.

My mom happened to be visiting and not wanting her to think I was a total ego maniac I told her what'd been going on and I was using the new Ivory 2-IN-1 Hair & Body Wash. Apparently she was intrigued and very excited when I said it was made by Ivory. She said, "Really? Ivory? That means it's affordable too!" Later she was headed to the gym and I caught her sneaking some from my bottle into her portable shampoo holder. She said she was out of shampoo and figured the gym (where she's always in a hurry to shower) would be the perfect place to try. She returned raving about it and telling me I had to give her one of my coupons.

I also tried it out on the kids' bath time and not only is it quick and easy, I found that it doubles as bubble bath. The kiddos love this stuff as much as I do!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

$20 Old Navy Gift Certificate for $10

Groupon has done it again! They brought back the Old Navy gift certificate you purchase for $10 to get $20 worth of clothes from Old Navy. These will be great for finishing up some Christmas shopping, or grabbing a Christmas or New Years outfit for yourself. Get yours here.

You are allowed to purchase 1 for yourself, and 1 as a gift.

$20 Gift Certificate to Old Navy for $10

Groupon has done it again! They brought back the Old Navy gift certificate you purchase for $10 to get $20 worth of clothes from Old Navy. These will be great for doing some Christmas shopping. You can get yours here.

You are allowed to purchase 1 for yourself, and 1 as a gift.

50% off Vikings vs. Cardinals (10/9) Tickets

I know the Vikes have been a heart-breaker this season (at least for those of us who bleed purple) but to make it up to us the Vikings are offering 50% off tickets to Sundays gave vs the Cardinals. I'm hopeful we'll pull on out, but if not at least you got a good deal on tickets and had fun tailgating right?

You can find tickets here and use the promo code: showyourhorns

FREE Transformers Toy

Get a FREE Transformers toy at Target this week. First, you'll need to sign-up for Target coupons on your cell (if you don't already) and you'll get a $5 off coupon via a web link the cashier will need to scan. Next, head over and print off a $5 off manufacturer coupon from the Target website. There are action figures on price cut this week for $9.99 down from $11.99. This will make a great stocking stuffer for my son!

If you need to sign-up for Target coupon texts, you can do so here.

To print the manufacturer coupon, look under toys here.

As if that's not a good enough deal, the manufacturer is also offering a mail-in-rebate when you spend $20 on Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon merchandise (shirt, limited edition Kreon, and a $5 off coupon). You can find the rebate here.

Half Price to Como Town Amusement Park

Hurry and grab 2 tickets to Como Town Amusement Park for the price of 1. I absolutly love Como Town, and happy when I can find a deal on it. You can purchase them here.

HURRY to Buy the Trunki for Only $15

Like the Melissa & Doug Trunki I blogged about a couple days ago that Totsy had for just $28? Today you can get it for almost half that price! BuyWithMe has a $30 gift certificate to Totsy for just $15. The certificate won't work until the day after purchase. Tomorrow you can grab that Trunki here with it.

You can buy your gift certificate at BuyWithMe here. If you check out Totsy they have some other REALLY cute things!

Melissa & Doug Trunki Suitcase Only $28

Totsy has the Melissa & Doug Trunki suitcase for only $28 right now. These are usually about $40 and are super-cute. Kids can actually ride these through the airport, or pull them. You can also customize your Trunki's with accessories like stickers & saddlebags. These are great for playing around the house (my son loves riding around on his) or packing up to head to Grandma & Grandpa's house. Find one on Totsy and grab one before the sale ends here. Your first order from Totsy ships FREE!

NOTE: This is a great item to purchase if you have a Totsy gift certificate from the Plum District deal awhile ago before they expire.

$25 for $50 at JC Penny

Hurry to grab a $50 gift certificate to JC Penny right now for only $25 at Plum District. This will be great for back-to-school shopping you may have, or just a little something for yourself. You can find this deal here.

Half Price Tickets to the MN Renissance Festival

Grab your tickets now to the Minnesota Renissance Festival. These tickets are 50% off the price they'll be charging to get adults in. Tickets are usually $20.95/ticket - save yourself the $21 and buy them here.


If you'd like to learn more about the Renissance Festival, you can view their website here, or their Facebook page here.

$25 Credit to MyHabit - FREE or Cheap Clothes

Amazon has a new site called MyHabit.com and if you're not familiar with it, the idea behind it is each day they've got clothes for men, women & children. The deals go live at 11:00 CST each day and I have to say I'm impressed with them so far. You can check-out the deals here.

My one critique is that the deals are a bit hard to get right now because they are giving you $25 toward a purchase until the end of the month when you use SUMMER25 at checkout.

I'm absolutly in LOVE with the Lords of Liverpool collection right now (HUGE Beatles fan I am). I ordered a bunch for my son. I just looked and they have a few left so thought I'd share the deal. You usually have a chance each day to get something FREE, but it's a bit difficult as the cheapest stuff goes first with people looking for freebies. Find them here.

NOTE: Don't forget to check the men's & women's selections also!

Half Price Tickets to Como Town Amusement Park

Hurry and grab 2 tickets to Como Town Amusement Park for the price of 1. I absolutly love Como Town for my son since the rides are geared towards kids... even young ones. They only have a limited quantity left so buy yours quick. You can purchase them here.

FREE Water Bottle & Spoke Cards

FREE Water bottle & spoke cards here.

"For your next ride, we can outfit you with bikelaw WATER BOTTLES and SPOKE CARDS. Enter your selections below and we'll get them in the mail."

FREE Sample of Nestle Nido 1+ & Coupon

Nestle has FREE samples of Nido 1+ on their site here. NIDO Kinder 1+ is a powdered-milk that contains Prebio 1, a prebiotic fiber which helps to maintain a healthy immune system. Get your sample here. After you request your sample, there is also a printable coupon for $2 off here.

FREE Sample Huggies Snug & Dry

You can get a FREE sample of Huggies Snug & Dry diapers from Target here. Last I saw there was only size 3 and above available. You can get yours here.

Bellatoria Pizzas BOGO & FREE Valleyfair

Right now Cub Foods has Bellatoria pizzas on sale with the Cub coupon BOGO. In addition they are running a promo for July with Valleyfair. You need to purchase 2 pizzas, send your recipt in with a self-addressed-stamped-envelope & they'll send you 2 junior/senior admission passes. You can read about the offer here.

FREE Drinking Straw Glasses

Once again, 1SaleaDay has another freebie for us right now you can get these FREE drinking straw glasses. when you head to their site. Get your light FREE driking glasses here.

They only request that you "like" them on Facebook, you can find them here.

$10 for $20 to Once Upon A Child

You can get a $20 gift certificate to Once Upon a Child for just $10 if you hurry to Groupon. These are only valid for Minnetonka & Shakopee locations. They only have a limited quantity, so get yours here.

Boogie Wipes Giveaway or Coupon?

Head over to Boogie Wipes Facebook page and watch for a giveaway. You can find them here.

"Get out there and celebrate your independence! Honor what makes our country and YOU Boogie-tastic this weekend and do a good deed. Stay tuned in to our Facebook page as there may even be a little something in it for you from the makers of Boogie Wipes…"