Blinding him with Science

The hubby has many fond childhood memories of bonding with his dad while conducting various science experiments. Need to make a battery out of a lemon or a clock made out of potatoes? Marc can tell you how to do that and why it works. He and his dad tackled all kinds of projects. (Who needs MacGyver when you’ve got a chemistry professor in the family?)

Now both Marc and his father are starting to share their passion for science with Seth. As Seth grows, I can see he’s definitely taking after his paternal grandfather’s side of the family. He’s very interested in various science fields – from chemistry to physics to biology.

But how do you foster a love of science when you, yourself, flunked high school chemistry? Well, you have two choices. You can marry a person who’s very strong in science (like I did) or you can start checking lots of websites like Hobby Science or Zoom for project ideas as well as simple explanations. (I do this too.)

Identifying concepts your child will find of most interest can sometimes be tricky. But for the most part, just follow their lead. (Of course you’ll have to adjust your vocabulary and explanation of concepts depending on age.) Seth is a Star Wars fanatic. So what better time to introduce astronomy? When his passion for all things transportation was at its peak, we introduced the concept of energy and how the parts of the vehicle interact with each other in order to make that vehicle stop and go. When he eats, we discuss food choices, nutrients found in various foods, as well as how the body uses those nutrients. When I’ve vacuumed, we’ve discussed how the vacuum cleaner works. When he’s gotten a cold, we’ve discussed germs, how they get into the body, why we cough, and that lovely byproduct — snot.

When it is too cold for a trip to the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Science Center, The Magic House or the St. Louis Zoo we check YouTube. Want to watch a solar eclipse? Want to watch a tornado form and wreak some havoc? Want to see how rattlesnakes mate? It is there.

But it is always good for kiddos to get some hands-on experience, yes? And for that, there are also some supa cool offerings at Target for kids of varying age ranges and interest. The Discovery Channel Store also has a plethora of products.

Although Seth has been begging for this FOREVER he recently got this for Valentine’s Day. This totally appealed to the hubby too - being he’s an electrical/computer engineer.

This blog post is was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network as part of the Zula Intergalactic Inquirer blog blast.

Friendship, Fun and "Bunko Babes"

Becca is the typical midwestern mama. She’s got her share of tribulations but she’s also got her "bunko babes" to help her get through those tough times. When Becca discovers she has Lupus, you find the other characters reach out to her with love and support.

Sounds like "The Bunko Babes" is a story with great potential, yes? So when I was approached to review the book, I was super excited. I’m a midwestern mom. I've got a fun group of bunko babes too. We have a blast! I was all set to LOVE this book.

But my excitement quickly soured a mere few hundred words into this overly sanitized tale, written by Leah Starr Baker.

Overall, I didn’t find myself becoming more emotionally invested with the turn of each page. (That would be because the characters seemed flat and contrived.) Baker’s writing style is very simplistic and lacks charisma. (There are an overwhelming amount of clichés used on each page. It was not only distracting but very vexing.)

The overall energy of the story feels very forced. By page 10, I had to make myself keep reading. By page 85, I started skimming. And honestly? If you only read the first few pages as well as the last few? Well, it doesn’t take much effort to put the rest of the story together.

I’ve got a very close friend with ALS. Another friend and fellow bunko babe died of cancer this past August. I do have some life experience in how women come together to support and strengthen each other through the monumental as well as mundane. Baker, in my humble opinion, just didn’t capture the essence of how those connections change and grow. She didn't convey how these deeper connections changed the souls of all involved. I find that to be a grave disservice to her characters as well as the reader.

Building with "The Bob"

"The Bob." It's the term our family uses when referring to the beloved Bob the Builder. Seth was a devout fan until his fellow kindergarteners turned him into a Star Wars fanatic.

So when given a chance to review Bob the Builder's newest dvd -- Bob the Builder On Site: Roads and Bridges, I was all over it. I figured this would be the ultimate test. Would the self-proclaimed "big kid" still be interested in what he now deems as a "baby show?"

The answer? Oh yeah, baby!

Testing came at a most opportune time at Casa Midwestern Mommy. Seth woke at 2 .m. a few nights ago in a coughing fit, sputtering and gagging. After giving him some medicine, we laid in bed watching this new dvd, waiting for the meds to "kick in." The show mesermized him. He was able to relax, which meant, better breathing. (Yeay for Bob! Yeay for portable DVD players!) I turned off the show once the meds were working. (There was much protesting as a result.)

The next morning, first thing, he asked if he could finish watching the dvd. Again, the movie captivated him. And he's been asking to watch it every day since.

This dvd combines the world of Bob the Builder with the real world. You get to watch footage of actual graders, diggers, concrete trucks and construction workers in motion while building roads and bridges. Little boys who love their vehicles will love, love, LOVE this video. Methinks even girly-girls will enjoy watching. As a parent, I found it delightfully entertaining and soothing.

This may sound really wierd but... You remember as a kid, getting a stomach virus so vile you couldn't watch tv because the food commercials would turn your stomach? Or there'd be some shaky, fast moving camera angles? Or even a promo for some type of hospital drama (of course always including blood or grisly scenes)? You were dreadfully queasy. You just wanted some type of diversion to pass the time but you'd end up turning off the tv because you couldn't deal with it all. (There is a point to this, stay with me...)

This video? While great for well kids, is perfect for sick kids too. Bob's voice is soothing yet enthusiastic. The subject matter is interesting to most kids and there aren't any fast moving scenes or shaky camera angles. And as most parents know, it is always a good idea to have at least one movie on hand that won't anger the upset stomach of a vomiting kid.

The only thing I wasn't completely thrilled with was the amount of repetition incorporated throughout. While some repetition of the building method is nice and aides in learning, I found myself thinking, "Ok already! I get it!" (But Seth didn't seem to notice, so what do I know?)

But all in all, kudos to the creative team behind this effort. Great execution on a wonderful idea.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

Win something pretty from MikaRose

Michaella Lawson, owner of MikaRose is giving away a $60 gift certificate to one lucky Midwestern Mommy reader! (And yes that’s enough to include shipping!)

In case you aren’t familiar with the brand, MikaRose dresses are great for the office place and other times when revealing your inner “hoochie mama” isn’t appropriate. The dresses are cute, affordable, easy to accessorize, and not frumpy.

In order to qualify, go to the MikaRose website and then go to my main site and leave a comment as to what dress you’d like and why.

"The boy" will pick at winner on the 14th.

Kerner -- How to put the "OOO" back in "Mattress Mambo"

What comes to mind when you hear the word "sex"? Do you smile? Do you scowl? Or do you just roll your eyes because, "who has time?" Does the thought make your heart race with pleasure or anxiety?

While the mechanics of sex are fairly simple, the other aspects of sex can get pretty complicated and emotionally charged.

Everyday stresses, strains, and past hurts don't knock on our bedroom door -- they sneak underneath like a nonchalant breeze. Sometimes you don't even notice the toxicity until there's a marked change. By then, is it too late?

Ian Kerner has a PhD and several books about sex/dating/relationships. His newest book, Sex Detox, not only addresses this fact of life but professes to put a couple back on the path of, ahem, "passionate persuits".

According to Kerner, "American sex lives are broken" and "we cannot seem to make them whole."

In a nutshell, his message? Its not about getting freaky-deaky as much as it is about intimacy. When you have a deep connection with your partner, you have a much higher chance of sexual fulfillment when you are doing the matress mambo.

Kerner's approach? He talks a bit about "neuroplasticity" which involves the brain's way of rewiring itself. (Like learning new, healthy habits to replace the old unhealthy ones.) He believes that we can retrain our brains and get rid of the unhealthy attitudes and action, thus paving the way to a healthier, happier romantic relationship. This is where he introduces his readers to the term, "reORDERng" which means to "observe, recognize, de-couple, engage, and regulate. "

The 30-day process does take commitment as well as some reading each day. Kerner's tone is friendly, not preachy. And you need not be in a long term, relationship in order to see results. Kerner also devotes a large chunk of the book to singletons.

But do you know what I found most refreshing about this book? He includes same sex couples! This is the FIRST relationship book I've ever read that includes gay and lesbian couples, citing them as well as straight couples in varied examples! (Gay/lesbian couples face many of the same problems straight couples face, so why shouldn't they be included?)

You are wondering if I took the "30-day challenge", aren't cha? Um, no. But for reasons I can't blog about, sorry. But in reading the book I have become inspired to try his techniques. (Though I'd bet you my entire savings that if I brought this book to my husband he'd be making fun of me for the next month just because I expressed an interest. But that doesn't mean all men will be opposed to the book.)

The second last page of the book, for me, was the most uplifting and profound.

"The goal of the program is not to find a spouse for the sake of being married. The goal is to get rid of your prefabricated pictures and checklists and learn to trust your own instincts...

"I often tell people that dating and maintaining relationships... is like acquiring a piece of art: We should wait to be struck and captivated by someone we want to take home and frame. But too often we do the opposite: We walk around with our frames, desperately trying to fit others into them... we carry those frames with us into our intimate relationships, where they shape our expectations and ultimately, our disappointments... Worse, our frames also become shields, blocking others from getting through."

Insightful advice indeed.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

Room-A-Day Giveaway

Quick! You need to enter this contest, RIGHT NOW. The first drawing starts January 28.

You may be asking yourself, "Why is Lisa being so bossy. And what is she talking about?"

Well... The lovely peeps at Kimberly-Clark (who manufacture Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Depends and Kotex) are hosting the great “Room-A-Day Giveaway.”

(I just realized the only Kimberly-Clark product I'm unfamiliar with is the Depends. But hey, give me about 30 years. Ok. Maybe less time than that. But seriously? We have quite a few of their brands in our home.)

But the company realizes, we moms? Are their biggest buyers. So they're trying to show us some love. The object of the sweepstakes is to help some lucky moms "relax, restore, and renew".)

S'Anyways... Sixteen lucky winners will be chosen (from January 28 to February 15) to receive $25,000 to renovate ANY room in the house. The winners (one person, per weekday) will be announced on The View. The final winner will be announced on the “Room-a-Day Giveaway” website, March 21.

Well? What are you waiting for? To enter click on the link provided or go to the Room-A-Day Giveaway widget in the sidebar.

This post was written on behalf of MomsCentral.

Party On...

When Tracy and Ben decide to have a party in the park, they continuously disagree on the preparations, activities, and food. What to do? Barney to the rescue!

The big purple dinosaur is celebrating his 20th birthday this year. And his creators have got a whole new video out to mark the event. Check HERE for the details. The new video, Celebrating Around the World, takes children on a whirlwind adventure without ever leaving the house.

From Brazil to Ireland to India, Barney and the children stop to talk a bit with children, who are dressed in traditional garb, about their customs and what they love to do when they celebrate.

There's lots of different dance styles showcased. (This DVD is filled with dance and music. If you've got little dancers in the house, they'll really enjoy this production. Odds are they'll be jumping out of their seats, trying to "bust a move" too.)

Through the course of the show, Tracy and Ben learn how to settle their differences. They decide to celebrate their friendship.

Of course Barney and the two kids meet up with Baby Bop as well as her big brother and cousin along the way. (Yes, if you haven't watched in a few years, you'll see that a young, orange dinosaur has been added to the cast.)

If you've watched a few episodes of Barney, you've seen how the show has a few songs they use quite often. These regular songs are infused into this DVD.

My son is 5 1/2. He's not into Barney anymore. (Well, unless he could pretend Barney was Darth Mol and chop off his leg with light sabers.) But kiddos who are neck-deep into their love affair with Barney will really get a kick out of this newest addition.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.