Frustration-Free, Cost-Free Soccer Gaming

June 3, 2016 by 2 Comments

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It seems that every year, our kids want the newest soccer game. To me, the new $60 FIFA title looks exactly the same as last year’s version. Even my husband, an avid football fan, often says that we don’t need to buy it. Usually we give in, shelling out too much money for what seems like the same game. This year, I might’ve found the perfect solution: a soccer video game that doesn’t cost any money!

Heads Arena: Euro Soccer is a kid-friendly, easy-to-play browser game. It works in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc. Because it is on Poki, there’s nothing to download—no apps, special permissions, or payment information required. All of these factors are what initially turned me on to the title. Can a free Internet game be as good as a best-selling console series? After playing, I really think so.

I must admit that I’m not a hardcore gamer. Even so, I was able to compete against the computer in Heads Arena: Euro Soccer within a minute. The menu is simple to navigate, with big buttons that let you choose between Tournament mode (more on that later), Party mode, and one- or two-player matchups. I opted for a solo game in Party mode, which is also called Normal mode. Then, it was time to choose teams and players. There are 12 teams in the game, all of which have two different athletes. The players look pretty silly, with funny expressions and exaggerated facial features. To me, each player looks like a cartoon. My husband insists that they’re based on real athletes, and I’m inclined to believe him. As the name of the game suggests, every team hails from Europe. There are pairs of caricatured superstars from Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the UK.

The controls in Heads Arena: Euro Soccer are simple enough for me, a casual adult gamer, as well as my youngest child. When playing a single-player match, the arrow keys guide your athlete left, right, and upwards. One other key is used for kicking the ball, although it’s not always necessary. In every game I played, goals were scored in all sorts of different ways. Yes, you can execute a perfectly aimed kick to score. However, many goals were actually caused by running or jumping into the ball. I experienced many goals worthy of the highlight reel, such as an accidental header from my defensive zone into the opposing team’s net.

Tournament mode offers a 3-round playoff series. This extra-competitive mode is available in solo and co-op variations, allowing you to team up with a friend. During the tournament, each round is harder than the last. You’ll have to keep improving to beat each team and eventually win the gold trophy.

Whether you’re looking for a quick sports game or want to win the World Cup, kick into Heads Arena: Euro Soccer. It’s accessible to just about everyone; young kids, teens, and adult gamers can glean great fun from my new favorite sports title.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ,

Fighting Boredom is One Key to a Happy Family Vacation

June 3, 2016 by 2 Comments

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Traveling with kids can be a lot of fun. If you don’t believe me take a trip to Disney World with a six-year-old. The way their face lights up at every turn will make every mile traveled worth it. But struggles along the way can make taking a vacation with kids seem like a prison sentence.

Kids’ patience can wear thin when they’re stuck in the car or on an airplane and just want to start enjoying the vacation. If they don’t have things to keep them busy boredom will set in followed by cries of “are we there yet?”

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this scenario. Packing the right supplies for the trip can keep boredom at bay so everyone stays happy.

A Steady Power Supply

Today, most kids can be entertained for hours with electronics. It’s actually amazing how quiet a car or plane ride can be when kids are engrossed in a game on a device. But then the battery icon turns the dreaded red. Right when they’re at the best part of the movie or about to beat their top score the power finally gives out.

Packing a powerbank in your bag (or even two) can help you keep electronics charged when there’s no electric outlet in sight. Powerbanks store power and have ports so that devices can be plugged directly into them. This isn’t just a matter of having endless entertainment. Being able to charge cell phones and navigation systems on the go make them well worth the cost.

Relax With Reading Material

Even if you have an ample power supply there are times when electronics can’t be used, like during the first 20-30 minutes of a flight. Kids and teens that aren’t used to being without their devices will need another distraction. This is the perfect opportunity to get them to pick up some old-fashioned entertainment – books.

Reading is one of the best sources of relaxation because it’s a great distraction. The best part is research has shown any type of reading material has relaxing benefits. It can be a comic book, a young adult novel or an insect identification guide.

It could be fun to get your kids books and maps on the place that you plan to visit. While they read they can start planning what they want to do while you’re there. You can also get each kid a journal so they can write their own story and chronicle the events of the trip.

Coloring Books for Adults and Kids

Another fun pastime that’s popular right now is detailed coloring books. Kids will definitely enjoy them, but they’re designed for teens and adults as well. The coloring books have beautiful, intricate patterns that help relax the mind and spark creativity. Coloring just one page can easily keep you entertained for an hour or more.

These types of coloring books work best with coloring pencils. That means you’ll need to pack a pencil sharpener as well, or you may run out of the color you need before you’re done.

Cameras to Capture the Trip

Kids innately know how to use electronic devices these days. Even small children are fascinated with them, including cameras. Usually parents are the ones trying to capture their kids on camera, but what if the shoe was on the other foot? A super fun way to keep your kids entertained is to give them their own camera for the trip.

It can be an old one you haven’t used since you got a smart phone or a cheap disposable camera. It really won’t make much of a difference to your kid once they start snapping away. At the end of the trip you can take the pictures and video clips they captured and create a slide show for the family.

Stock Up on Classic Games

Some games are considered to be classics because they are still just as fun today as they were decades ago. Car bingo is one classic that was made for travel. A deck of cards is all you need for dozens of games that the whole family can play together. Legos are another way to stop boredom before it happens. You can even upcycle an old lunchbox to create a portable Lego kit.

Vacations are a great way for families to bond and break free of daily stressors. Just make sure you pack extra entertainment so boredom doesn’t derail the trip.

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: , ,

Win NATIONAL DONUT DAY Prize Pack

June 3, 2016 by 131 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own and honest.

Now that Mother’s Day is over, its time to get ready for the next holiday. That’ s right- none other than National Donut Day, which occurs on June 3. To celebrate this wonderful and delicious holiday, be sure to grab some donuts and chow down. Everyone celebrates donut day differently, some just grab some treats, others make special meals celebrating the versatility of the round delight. Luckily for us, Entenmann’s is celebrating too.

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For the sixth consecutive year, Entenmann’s & The Salvation Army are partnering to celebrate National Donut Day and the rich heritage behind it! To Celebrate in 2016, Entenmann’s is rolling our the NEW Entenmann’s Rich Frosted Party Sprinkled Donut, an iconic treat made just for National Donut Day 2016!
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As a part of the National Donut Day festivities, Entenmann’s is hosting a “Win Free Donuts for a Year” Facebook Sweepstakes, awarding 10 Grand Prize winners one year of free Entenmann’s Donuts. In addition, 100 of those who enter, will be selected to win National Donut Day Party Pack Prizes, which include everything they need to throw their own National Donut Day party at home! For every consumer (fan or not) that enters the Facebook Sweeps, $1 will be donated to The Salvation Army, up to $35,000!
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One of you can win a prize package that includes the following: 5 $7 Entenmann’s Coupons, one $25 AMEX gift card, Entenmann’s Party Plates & Napkins, one National Donut Day T-Shirt and one Rich Frosted Donut Plush Toy with a Party Hat.
Feel free to enter using the RC form below.  Good luck!  Ends June 20, 2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: giveaway, review Tagged With:

Kohl’s Cares for Kids

June 3, 2016 by 2 Comments

 

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As many of your know, shopping with children in tow can be interesting/taxing/mind boggling-ly difficult.  To help with this predicament, Kohls has a two prong answer- Kohls Cares.  This program has low cost plush and books of popular book titles, and all the proceeds from the net profit of the items are donated to kids’ health and education initiatives nationwide.  This means your little one gets a new toy, your wallet gets so stay a little heavier, AND you get to help children in need across the country.

The items available are always changing and are of the utmost quality.  You can give a gift that gives back with children’s books and soft toys from the Kohl’s Cares® summer collection. The pieces are priced at just $5 each, with 100 percent of the net profit supporting children’s health initiatives nationwide.

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The summer collection of Kohl’s Cares books and plush is available now through June 26 at Kohl’s Stores nationwide and online at Kohls.com and includes:

  • Penguin on Vacation book, Penguin’s Big Adventure book and penguin soft toy
  • Board Book Set and clownfish soft toy
  • Found book and bear soft toy
  • Stormy Night book and dinosaur soft toy

To date, Kohl‘s has raised nearly $300 million through the Kohl’s Cares merchandise program. To reinforce the company’s commitment to children’s health, Kohl’s has donated financial support to hospitals across the country. The donations fund hospital outreach programs focused on children’s health initiatives and address the specific issues needed most in each hospital’s community. These tailored programs provide vital resources to families at no cost and include topics such as injury prevention, asthma awareness, dental care, and fitness. A complete list of hospital partners is available online.

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These toys make great gifts as well in a pinch where you just have no idea what to get for a little one in your life.  They are also just fun to bring home for your child who enjoys plush toys.  The only issue with The Kohls Cares program is, it can be difficult to say no to your little one when they ask for one of them.  I know I never can, and we now have a giant collection of them. It’s hard to say no to a cute face asking for a cute plush or book, when you know the proceeds go to a good cause- AND it’s inexpensive. What can you do?  It’s one time in your life you don’t have to just say no.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, kids, review, toys Tagged With: ,

Visit Chuck E. Cheese for Helen Henny’s Birthday! #ad

June 2, 2016 by 6 Comments

How long has it been since you have been to Chuck E. Cheese?  Hopefully not too long, but if it has been, this is your reason to take the kids- Helen Henny is having a birthday, so head on over!  They have some really fun promotions that you will want to take advantage of.

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Helen’s Birthday Promos

  • $1.50 Dippin’ Dots
  • $2 off Helen Henny plush dolls
  • Everyone gets a Helen Henny coloring sheet with 5 free token coupon when they leave
  • Helen Henny will be there to celebrate + take photos with guests
  • Chance to win a pair of virtual reality headsets, a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones and guest passes in the Helen Henny birthday sweepstakes (last day to enter is 5/27)

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Make sure you know your “Helen Henny Fun Facts” before you go!

  1. Helen Henny’s deep passion for music began at an early age, growing up in New York City—right down the street from Broadway!
  2. Helen is a vegetarian – no meat for this chick!
  3. Helen is a great singer, but she’s also an amazing gamer and takes pride in mastering every new game at Chuck E. Cheese’s
  4. Helen first met Chuck E. when he challenged her to a game of Pong (which of course she won!)
  5. ChuckE. invited Helen to join his band right on the spot when he heard her sing a victory song after their Pong match

My son had the best time playing games and listening to the band play- he loves Chuck E. Cheese, and always has a great time. The pizza really has improved, and there is also new “thin and crispy” pizza if you’d prefer- so if it’s been a while, give it another try mom and dad.

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What kid wouldn’t love to spend some time playing games, eating pizza, and collecting prize tickets?  It’s a really fun way to spend the afternoon (evening, what have you).  On killer hot days, rainy days, or during endless winter- you know where to go.

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You can also follow Chuck E. Cheese on social media- here are some links;

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Chuck E. Cheese’s. The opinions and text are all mine.

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NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY at NJPAC June 3rd

June 2, 2016 by Leave a Comment
NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY:
World Premiere of First Touch
to be performed at NJPAC
on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 7:30pm
The critically-acclaimed Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will perform at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center(NJPAC) on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 7:30pm. The dances of choreographer Nai-Ni Chen fuse the dynamic freedom of American modern dance with the elegant splendor of Asian art. Enjoy a full evening of her work which The New York Times calls “endlessly proliferating forces of cosmic energy.” An extraordinary cast of dancers and musicians takes you on a fantastic journey that blossoms with color, energy, and motion. NJPAC audiences have experienced the Chinese Lunar New Year spectacles that Nai-Ni Chen produces each year and have witnessed the power and grace of her work alongside traditional dances. This summer performance is a presentation not to be missed!
NJPAC is located at 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Tickets are $20-$50 and can be purchased at http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/nai-ni-chen-dance-company-1
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About The Nai-Ni Chen Program at NJPAC
From her own cultural journey as a Chinese immigrant in America, Nai-Ni Chen created Calligrafitti with noted composer Huang Ruo – a new piece which links the graceful, elegant lines of Chinese calligraphic art with the grit and rebellious freedom of American graffiti. According to Ink Painting Today “Calligraphy is sheer life experienced through energy in motion that is registered as traces on silk or paper, with time and rhythm in shifting space its main ingredients.”. By this definition, calligraphy reflects Nai-Ni Chen’s own background in Chinese dance, Peking Opera, and Chinese martial art. On the other hand, graffiti was born out of thirst for expression in the urban environment. For Nai-Ni, it reflects her immigration to America: her search for a sense of freedom as an 18-year-old performer first visiting New York City. Calligrafitti – will be performed with live music by the New Asia Chamber Music Society.
Mirage (2009) further showcases Nai-Ni Chen’s unique integration of Chinese philosophy and art into her work. Mirage originates from her journey to the Silk Road and integrates the essence of sculptures and paintings found within ancient Buddhist caves and the ecstatic rhythm and shifting motions of the Uyghur culture.
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WORLD PREMIERE: First Touch, a new piece that will have its world premiere at this concert, is a sensuous, physical duet that examines the human primal desire to connect.
ABOUT NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY
The dances of Nai-Ni Chen fuse the dynamic freedom of American modern dance with the grace and splendor of Asian art. The Company’s productions take the audience beyond cultural boundaries to where tradition meets innovation and freedom arises from discipline. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is a vital resource of culture in the eastern United States. Each year, thousands of audiences are transported beyond cultural boundaries to the common ground between tradition and innovation, discipline and freedom, and form and spirit. According to The New York Times, they “…essentially recreated nature…”
Filed Under: entertainment, theater Tagged With: ,

Visiting Dorney Park #DorneyFirstTimer #ad

June 2, 2016 by 5 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company in conjunction with Blog Meets Brand, and I have been compensated for my participation. All opinions are my own.

Now that it’s, summer (and now that nature has hopefully figured out what season is it) it is now time to enjoy the sun.  One of the best ways to enjoy that beautiful weather is by screaming at the top of your lungs on a thrill ride or roller coaster.  One of the most popular local amusement parks is Dorney Park in near by Allentown Pa.

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Dorney Park is the perfect destination for fans of summer fun- all ages and enjoyment levels will have a great time, from the roller coaster enthusiast to the little ones who just want to play with familiar Peanuts characters and get their feet wet.  The best way we have found to tackle an amusement park is by splitting up at some point.  Mom and little guy venture off together to the kids area while dad ventures onto the roller coasters.  This is the way the day starts because lines are shorter earlier in the morning.  We all get in several rides before meeting up again to discuss the plans for lunch and the rest of the day.

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As my son is getting bigger and more adventurous, he is sometimes interested in something with a bit more thrill and a little less little kiddie.  He is now able to hit the roller coaster rides with Dad, but sometimes height and safety requirements are just not there yet for him.  He gets on the ones he is able to, and we do the “lighter” ones as well.  Dorney Park has rides for all levels of enthusiast, including eight roller coasters spread out throughout the park.  Snoopy Planet is perfect  for the little ones, which not only includes rides but also have character interactions and an amphitheater for special kid oriented shows throughout the day.

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There are also classic thrill rides which turn up the fun with big turns, big twists, and big fun.  Family rides are perfect for everyone to enjoy (even those of us who can no longer do the big thrill rides).  These are similar to the carousel, road rally cars, and a Ferris wheel.

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Some tips for Dorney:  Come early, keep hydrated, always know where the bathrooms are, bring comfortable shoes, and if hitting the roller coasters but are of a taller or heavier weight then average- ask the employees for their honest opinion on if you will fit in the seats, it will save a ton of time and a ton of embarrassment, lol.

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Traveling With Kids In Hot Weather

June 1, 2016 by 2 Comments

Sometimes, travel occurs in the hotter months, or in the summer. This can be hard work when you’re on your own, or with a friend or partner. But when you’ve got a kid, or kids, and are taking them along with you? It is a totally different ball game. Whether you’re traveling to steaming hot sunshine in Hawaii or a hot New York afternoon, you’ll need to be prepared.

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Here is how to make traveling kids in hot weather more bearable for everyone. Here is a clue; It’s all in the preparation.

First off, be sure to give some careful consideration to how you are traveling. Taking your own car is great, as you get to decide when you travel and how. But if that option isn’t available, bus travel is a good alternative. Buses now have good air-con, which will keep everyone cool when it is hot outside. Many have toilets on them too, which can avoid other types of discomfort. Also, be sure to book your bus tickets in advance. You can pick them up on online these days, which is really handy. Get bus tickets from Shofur, for example, and they guarantee clean, safe and pleasant travel. All of which are great words in a parent’s vocab!

Next, you need to think about your packing. Taking the right items with you will make all the difference. Layers are the best way to dress your children in hot weather. If they get too hot, you can strip them down to just one layer. However, if they go inside a shop with air-conditioning, for example, you can keep them warm. Hand-held fans are way more effective than the nearest sheet of paper! Or, consider a little electric hand-held fan.

Outside in the heat, a wide-brimmed hat will do more than just protect their heads. It will also keep their heads cool. Plus, the wide brim will protect and cool their forehead and neck. Of course, sunblock is a must in hot weather. You can use it to cool them down also. Keep it in a cool bag and it will go on nice and cold. Or get a mist; these usually come out much cooler than those in bottles.
You also need to give some thought to your activities. If you will be inside a lot of the time, you’ll be fine. But what if you’ve got outdoor activities planned, like hiking or swimming. The right clothing, hat and sunscreen will go a long way. But so will keep them in the shade. Or, if they are out in the sun, having them go in the shade every half an hour or so. This will keep their body temperature down, and generally, keep them happier! Sunstroke is not fun.

Finally, be sure you keep your kids hydrated. It will keep them happy and functioning, and will again ward off sunstroke. Being dehydrated can just lead to mild things like headaches, but again, this is not something you want to deal with while traveling.

Filed Under: lifestyle, traveling Tagged With: , ,