Review- Sesame Street eBooks

This past month I have had the opportunity to access more than 100 Sesame Street eBooks online at http://ebooks.sesamestreet.org/ owned and operated by Impelsys, Inc.

These books include...

• eBooks (63): Books that allow you to read aloud at your own pace
• Audio eBooks (25): eBooks that include fun Sesame Street audio narration, text highlight, sound effects and music
• Interactive eBooks (2): eBooks that allow children to interact with the content in playful and educational ways
• Animated eBooks (26): eBooks that bring to life beloved Sesame Street characters and stories, in full-color animation (currently one book for each letter of the alphabet)

It costs $39.99 for a FULL YEAR and you get access to all the books.   Plus, new books get added periodically throughout the year as they are developed.  If you would like to check them out, you can access 5 free titles at http://ebooks.sesamestreet.org/free or use the widget above.

So, here is my honest opinion of the website

Positive(s):

• Get Access to All Books – You don’t have to purchase books individual like other eBook websites.  They are all included in the yearly subscription fee.
• Quality – The digital illustration, audio narration and storylines were pretty good.  I prefer some storylines better than others, but that is a personal preference.
• Easy to Use – I felt the e-reader was very easy to use and to figure out for an adult.  Kids that have more experience with computers than my 2.5 year old son could probably handle using the e-reader all by themselves...it was that easy. 
• Keeps Child’s Interest – My son LOVED the website and would go through every single book in one sitting if I let him.  He really enjoyed the songs at the end of some of the audio books.
• Reading Tips – This section is great for parents who have never taught reading before.  The tips that they suggest are things that I actually used when reading to my students when I was a public school teacher.

Negative(s):

• Majority of the books are just eBooks (Books that allow you to read aloud at your own pace). Would love if they had more Audio Books available…I would use it more if it replaced books on tape/CD.
• Limited Text Highlighting – One of my favorite features, but it was only available in the audio books. 

Overall, this is a quality website that fans of Sesame Street will enjoy.  It is worth checking out the free books I mentioned above and then deciding if $3.33 a month is worth it for you and your family.

A Mommy Talks Review Disclosure:  The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by Impelsys, Inc. for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. All opinions expressed are my own.

“I Got My Lotion.”

Yes, yes you did.What I thought was an extra long nap, ended up being too quiet for any good!

Zucchini, Zucchini…

Do you have zucchini coming out your ears?  If so, we (my husband and I) have found a couple recipes that were delicious. 

Here is my very first attempt at Zucchini Bread.

I think my bread loaf pan was bigger than the normal ones…or maybe I did something wrong.  I am no baker! It seems a little flat, but it tasted pretty good. And taste is all the matters!  I followed Mom’s Zucchini Bread recipe as is on Allrecipes. Well, I left the walnuts out. 

Then my husband made this Cheesy Zucchini Casserole.  He added squash to this recipe. It was delicious! Yes, it is half eaten in this picture!  This is definitely a must have seconds type dish.   You have to try it if you have some zucchini that needs to be used.

How do you cook up your zucchini?

Sunday Savings- Week of July 11th

This week I wasn’t very excited about how I did.  It was my fault though, I waited until the last minute to get my list together.  Therefore, I ended up missing valuable coupons.  [Sigh]  Lesson learned.

My best deal this week was at Target even though I didn’t purchase a lot. 

Actual cost before coupons: $10.54
Savings: $7.11

How did you do?

Tot School- Summer Randomness

Lil’man is 30-31 months

Well this summer, we have been taking it easy or I guess I should say that I have been taking it easy.  I figured this would be the season to take a break from our Tot School post and to not worry about taking pictures or getting a post up, but to just relax.   And we have!  He are just a few things we have been doing.

PLAY DATES: We have had a weekly play date.  The shots below are the only time I brought a camera and actually took pictures.  Lil’man loved the sidewalk chalk, so I recently purchased him some.  If the weather would get just a little cooler, we may actually go outside and enjoy them.

 

The water table is always a big hit in the heat.   Lil’man got his for Christmas and it made a great snow table as well!

RELAXED: We have enjoyed just being at home and pulling out some of our favorite toys.  It is so much fun to actually see the boy play with these animals now…especially when he adds dialogue. 

We’ve also found new ways to use old things to have fun.  We used our homemade train table to create a car ramp!  Lil’man loved watching the cars zoom down it!

  

LINING & MATCHING UP: Lately, Lil’man has enjoyed lining things up.  He has been lining up anything and everything.  He even used the Sobe Water I stocked up on for a total of 71 cents!

On top of lining things up he likes to match things up.  Here he has matched his zoo animals with 2 of its matching letters.

So, that is just a taste of what has been going on in our household this summer.  I am hard at work planning out Tot School for next year.  We hope to be back full time come August.

I hope your summer is going well and you are staying cool.  Don’t forget to see what others are doing at 1+1+1=1!

 

On another note:  My current giveaway, Carolina Pad products, ends this week! Go CHECK IT OUT and ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

The Potty Training Chronicles

I have been preparing for months. Researching techniques & tools, getting advice from other moms and observing my son’s behavior.  First I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who shared their advice with me by commenting on my blog post or participating in my polls and discussion on Facebook.  It is so great to have learned from other moms that have already been in the drenches. I don’t know if any of you are interested in knowing what conclusions that I came to, but just in case there is someone out there that is curious I will be doing various post about it.   I mean this blog is called A Mommy Talks and potty training is one of the many things a mommy has to do. (Side note: These conclusions/choices may change once we dive into the whole potty training process, especially if they aren’t working!)

The Tools

Potty Chair- When choosing the potty chair I wanted something that was going to be durable, easy to clean and not take up a lot of space.  It wouldn’t hurt if it was fun for my son, but not over the top.  You know, something that he would want to sit on.   Plus, it needed to keep everything inside!  I went back and forth on whether to get one that sat on the floor or just a seat that attached to the toilet.  So, since I couldn’t make up my mind I bought one of each.

Precious Planet™ Froggy Friend Potty

Why I picked it:

high splash guard

easy clean up, even a toddler could do it

fun for the boy

Sea Turtle Trainer Ring 

 

Why I picked it:

again high splash guard (Can you tell I am worried about pee getting all over the floor?)

long lasting, won’t rip like some cushioned seats

portable and fun

Both of these products received at least 4 stars on Amazon Reviews and even better they are both priced lower than many of their competitors. 

Stay tuned for more Potty Chronicles where I will share more about the tools I picked, as well as the whole potty training process.

Review- Carolina Pad

I was recently contacted by Carolina Pad to participate in a review of the new Studio C products now available at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores nationwide. Check out what they sent me:

Pictured above is 1-subject notebook, Ideal book (3-subject professional notebook), Elastic strap journal, 18-month spiral bound planner, and Package of 3 matchbook style mini-notebooks.

Aren't they cute! The retail price range is from $3.99-$9.99 for these products. And guess what you can get some too, so make sure to enter the  GIVEAWAY! Details at the end.

So, here is my honest opinion of the whole collection:


Positives:

• Love the great design choices! My favorites being:

 

• Hard, sturdy covers on the 1-subject notebook, Ideal book (3-subject professional notebook), & 18-month spiral bound planner
• 2 pockets & Perforated sheets included in both the 1-subject notebook and Ideal book (3-subject professional notebook)
• Tab Dividers included in the Ideal book (3-subject professional notebook) Elastic strap journal
• Matchbook Size is perfect for keeping in your purse and car.
• Elastic Strap on the journal.
• 18-month spiral bound planner includes a weekly section broken into hour increments.

 


Negatives:

• 18-month spiral bound planner monthly section doesn’t offer a lot of space.  I like big squares to write in, but it wouldn’t have worked with this size of a planner.

Giveaway: If you would like to win a collection of products similar to those I reviewed, then go here to enter.

A Mommy Talks Review/Giveaway Disclosure:  The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by Carolina Pad for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. All opinions expressed are my own.