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Learn mighty math powers and a whole lot more with Team Umizoomi!
Math is everywhere, so every episode of Team Umizoomi is filled with everyday math problems that kids can solve with a little help from Milli, Geo, and Bot. Team Umizoomi was designed to help kids develop their skills with and to build their confidence in problem solving and important early-math concepts.

Math (Counting, Measurement, Comparison)
Every math problem encountered is an interactive opportunity for children to engage in and be appropriately challenged by math. Preschoolers will have the ability to learn important mathematical concepts such as counting, measurement, and comparison by interactive participation with Team Umizoomi. Milli, Geo, and Bot's mathematical adventures invite exciting mathematical opportunities. The team can be in a boat race counting who is coming first, second, and third. Or they may be in the subway counting out Umidollars to buy a subway pass. Or they may measure the temperature of the water in a sea horse exhibit. Team Umizoomi also uses math language as they analyze problems, compute equations, and measure and compare items.

Patterns & Shapes
Patterns and shapes are important preschool math concepts, and as part of the show, each character embodies these concepts. Milli's chameleon-like dress changes into whatever pattern she likes, and Geo matches shapes using his Shape Belt to build with. Preschoolers may be asked to complete a pattern or compare and contrast shapes, in order to complete the next step in their mathematical adventure.

Self-Image & Math Confidence
With an early understanding and appreciation of mathematics, preschoolers will gain the confidence to solve any and every math problem that comes their way, in the show, and in their lives! Learning such useful mathematical concepts is essential for both the overall development of children and their future learning of math. Milli's spunky and smart character strengthens the image that girls can excel at math and shows that gender does not prevent one from liking and knowing how to use math. Geo's character shows that geometry is as important as numbers and data. Team Umizoomi's encouragement--and your preschooler's involvement--will motivate them to further engage in these concepts in their play and daily life.


The Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits include:
48-page workbook featuring topics covered in each episode
24-page storybook allowing kids to join the team on a math adventure
24 Mighty Math Mission Cards perfect for ‘on the go’ learning
Team Umizoomi pencils and matching eraser
48-page activity book filled with simple games and activities
DVD episode featuring Team Umizoomi in action

MY THOUGHTS

WIN IT
One of my US readers will win a Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kit! Lucky you!

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me why you want to win or who would enjoy this kit the most! Easy!

This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #360 Ericka - congratulations!

Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. Please be honest in your entries as I do check entries and will delete any non-qualified comments! This giveaway will end at midnight on July 14th. I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner and post the winner on my website. Giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck to all!

This review and giveaway was made possible by Team Umizoomi and Nick Jr. Thank you to Team Umizoomi and Nick Jr for providing the complimentary product for review and sponsoring the giveaway. All opinions are my own and if you need further information read my full disclosure policy under Advertising in my main menu.

How do you inspire your child to learn?
Lily has always been an inquisitive child.  In fact, one of the ways I got her to try so many different foods is by introducing her to new words.  I would tell her, "guess what, I have asparagus, do you want to see what it looks like and tastes like" and you could see the intrigue in her eyes.  These days as a near-4 year old, we have moved on to other inspirations.  Every day after work/daycare, I present Lily with something creative or educational to tackle while I grapple with getting dinner ready.  Here are some of my favorite ways to inspire learning and creativity in my child:

Glue projects.  Keep a bag filled with colorful goodies that can be used in glue projects.  Our contains buttons, cut up ribbons, bows, colorful tissue paper, random packing materials.  I ask Lily to draw a picture first, then decorate it, or simply have her decorate a page out of a coloring book.

Sticker projects.  Self explanatory - plain paper and lots of stickers!  I give her birthday cards or old holiday cards to decorate with stickers, too.

Blocks & building projects.  I ask Lily to build a little farm, playground or zoo out of blocks, then we use her little plastic animals/toys to play on the playground.

Writing projects.  Lily loves to color several pictures on plain paper, "write" out some words and string them together into a little book.  Then she "reads" me the story that she wrote and drew.

What do you do to inspire your children to learn?  Intel wants to know what inspires your children and is hosting a contest.  Read below to find out more!

Details about the Intel Contest:
- Open to students 14 – 18. If student is 14 – 17 years of age, please have parent submit on student’s behalf.

- Contest is open until August 15. Winners will be announced Sept. 15.

Sadly, these are only the ones I pulled out of my purse.  I have a few more at my office desk, on my night stand, one in the car, one in my gym bag, two by this very computer I'm typing on....


PS...Clinique's Butter Shine in Perfect Plum on the far left takes the cake.  Worth.  Every.  Penny!
Have a Wordless Wednesday?  Link up below so I can visit!

If you've been following my mommy blog for any length of time, you know I love to cook and experiment with new recipes.  I love it so much so that I started my own recipe blog to keep track of them.  On there I recently blogged about my latest favorite Cuban sandwich style tortilla recipe.  YUM.  We all love it.

So, it is no secret that cooking is one of my passions.  I think I go into withdrawal if I spend a weekend outside of the kitchen.  I was excited to try the Tortilla Land all natural, uncooked tortillas.  At first I though...holy cow, I have to cook them first?  Is this going to be really time consuming?  Nope - each tortilla took about 1-2 minutes to cook on a pan on my stove top.  The tortillas are really incredibly good.  Soft and delicious...so much so I thought, oh no, these cannot possibly be good for me, let me check the calorie/fat content.  Luckily for me, they were on par calorie and fat wise with the dry store bought tortillas.  In the end I LOVE the Tortilla Land tortillas...so good, so natural, so easy and delicious. We've been known to snack on these tortillas plain - that is how good they are!

My favorite and easy quesadilla recipe is below.  Easy, quick, relatively healthy (they are a bit fatty if you use the "good" mozarella cheese).

bean of choice (I like black beans)
corn
mozarella cheese
flour tortillas
red onion
salsa and sour cream to taste

I prefer a mixture of black beans, cheese, corn (optional) and red onions.  Yum!  Sometimes I mix in finely diced chicken for more protein.


Mmmm...quesadillas....serve with your favorite salsa, tomatoes and sour cream or guacamole.  Delicious!

Teatulia is named for the region in Northern Bangladesh where their tea is grown.  Teatulia organic teas reflect the pristine and delicate environment from which they hail.  The Teatulia Organic Tea Garden sprang forth from virgin land nestled against the Himalayas to the North and the Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers to the South. Into this perfect tea-growing land, we introduced strong, vibrant saplings, which were planted with care in the new millennium.  Since then, the tea plants have been encouraged and nurtured by Mother Nature's own hand.  The result: exquisite, organic teas unlike any you've experienced before. Fresh. Clean. Smooth.

I always said I wouldn't dye my hair until it went gray, but then I got tired of waiting for the gray and let my crazy (I mean this in a good way) hair lady experiment with highlights and low-lights and different cuts.

However, after about a year of varying look...I need something more stable!  I'm debating going back to my super dark natural color.  But then there are days when I like the blond, sunny look.  What do you think looks better?  Help a girl out!

This is the darker hair look in 2009 at the family Thanksgiving - note Lily's pre-nap cranky face!

Do you remember being a new mom? Coming home from the hospital with a tiny little bundle of joy and thinking to yourself just HOW am I supposed to manage the feeding, changing and sleeping routine? I personally recall being a bit confused. I think we resorted to a daily sheet then a scribbled white board and Expo markers while my mother was graciously watching Lily when I returned to work.

Bumble Bum and Bum2 books are wonderful for first time (or second and third+ time!) mothers to stay organized and on task.

A note from founder Cory:
hello and welcome! i'm thrilled to have the opportunity to tell you a bit more about my beloved bum book and where it came from.the concept itself isn't new. like many new moms i know, i began jotting down every little detail about my newborn daughter (and, 3 years later, my newborn son) right there in the hospital, in a boring old notebook. i carried on with this at home and even after I went back to work, not wanting to forget anything. dirty diapers, nap times, feedings, first smiles - for both practical and sentimental reasons, i wanted to record all of it.

MommyJuice Red Wine Aromas of bright berry fruits. Plums, tobacco and a subtle floral note. Full and rich flavors of blueberries, blackberries and dried cherries. Dried plums and a little anise spice round off the wonderfully smooth finish. Moderate tannins make this a wonderful wine to drink while the kids are sleeping. Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot Alcohol: 13.5% TA: .60/100ml Ph: 3.65 MommyJuice White Wine Aromas of tropical fruit salad—pineapples, guava and bananas. Hints of lemon grass and citrus rind as well. Kiwi, lime and a hit of grassiness round out this very fruit forward Chardonnay. Drop the kids at a sitter and drink on a picnic with your significant other or at GNO (Girl’s Night Out). Blend: 100% Chardonnay Source: Monterey County Alcohol: 13.5% TA: .80/100ml Ph: 3.4

Here's a tasty treat Adam and I shared the other day thanks to Mommy Juice wines.  Yes, I shared, crazy, huh?


MY THOUGHTS
We received both blends of Mommy Juice Wines to review and enjoyed both the red and white blends.  I typically prefer red win that isn't too oaky and the red blend was just right.  The white blend was not too dry but not too sweet, either.  Both retail for $10 a bottle, making them a good value.  And with a name like Mommy Juice, what mommy can resist?

BUY IT
You can purchase Mommy Juice Wines at stores near you or directly online from their website.

WIN IT
One of my US readers will win a $25 gift code to Mommy Juice Wines online store.  Please note you need to be 21+ to purchase wine though they do sell other items!  Lucky you!

MANDATORY ENTRY
1) Tell me something you learned from the Mommy Juice website or tell me why you would like to win!  Easy!

This giveaway is closed.  The winner was #76 Charity and John - congratulations!

This review and giveaway was made possible by Mommy Juice Wines.  Thank you to Mommy Juice Wines for providing the complimentary product for review and sponsoring the giveaway.  All opinions are my own and if you need further information read my full disclosure policy under Advertising in my main menu.

Hosting a giveaway? You can link it here to promote it! I try to visit everyone who links up since I LOVE giveaways!  Please include blog name - prize - end date and link directly to your giveaway.  My current giveaways are listed in the right sidebar.  Please keep it family friendly or identify it as adult content.  Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!