The winner is: Jen B – Please email me Jen @ kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com to claim your prize.

It was Sid the Science Kid to the rescue @ MommyKnowsville this week. I am still fighting what is now a week long headache. Tuesday a.m. to keep Georgia still and quiet, I popped in Sid the Science Kid DVD from the folks at the Jim Henson Studios. WOW … for three straight days, it’s all she’s wanted to watch.

Over and over she’s we’ve watched the first two episodes of SID THE SCIENCE KID a new educational animated television series that premieres September 1, 2008, on PBSKids (check local listings).

Sid often uses his hand-held microphone to ask his “question of the day.”
Credit: TM & © The Jim Henson Company
Co-Producers: The Jim Henson Company and KCET/Los Angeles

Normally, we don’t watch a ton of TV (yeah right), however, a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do. When that means turning on the ‘boob-tube’ to make it through a few sick days, you do it. There’s a lot less guilt involved when you can turn on a quality program that promotes exploration, discovery and science readiness.

Yep, science for preschoolers! The program is based on the curriculum of Preschool Pathways to Science (PrePS©), SID THE SCIENCE KID delves into children’s natural curiosity about science in their everyday lives.

I love doing product reviews, this time it’s been a hoot to have Georgia join in the review fun. She’s a girl of few words.

Me: Georgia, do you like Sid the Science Kid?
Georgia: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! (each YEAH was accompanied by a jump and a clap). Definitely a ’2 thumbs up’.

Do your kids watch PBSKids?

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling). If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ‘schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Winner is: Kim R. – Kim please email me: kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com with your address :)

Summer is flying by. This is our last week before school starts. I’ve been battling a 4-5 day head-ache. The pain-killers are making me so lethargic. I finally forced myself out of the house today.

I took dozens of photos. Most of them stink (I can’t get the lighting right, shadows everywhere). A few worked out OK (after a lot of work). It’s extremely frustrating. MUST. READ. THE. MANUAL. It’s just that with the head-ache the last 200 pages of the camera manual aren’t at the top of my list of things ‘to do’.

Here are a few that turned out OK.

I am not sure why she has her tongue stuck in her bottom lip like that?! Regardless, I loved the colours, especially her eyes and the highlights in her hair. Note to self: buy Lizzy lipsmackers.

Georgia picking flowers. I took a dozens of photo’s at this spot. Her hair is really hard to photograph … too white. Unfortunately, she often ends up looking like the off-spring of Einstein (we’ll take the hair if she gets the brains that go with it). To those of you wondering, YES … I brush her hair.

This is ‘C’ a friend of Lizzy’s. Isn’t she gorgeous? She was also extremely cooperative, unlike my own children, who have a tendency to frown/glare at the camera or just refuse to look at it all together (Georgia … I’m talking to YOU).

Are your kids back to school? Are you ready? Are they? Sigh … so NOT looking forward to it.

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling). If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ‘schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Update: See the Submarines interview on ABCNEWs.
You really need to go and BUY the album.

MommyKnows good music when she hears it.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Winner is: Amy from Texas – Amy please email me: kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com

I have a new camera. Maybe, I should call it a new obsession. All I’ve been doing is taking photos, then editing/processing photos.

Now that I have ‘retired’ I have decided to further pursue my photography hobby. I packed away my old Nikon D70 and treated myself to a Nikon D300. It’s way, way, way too much camera for this mommy. Nevertheless, I am determined to figure out how this one works.

I took several pictures of the kids yesterday. This is my favourite of Sam:

Here is the same photo in black and white:

It’s amazing really the how different they seem. In this version of black and white you see his freckles better; and it’s seems to have been taken in another time and place. I can’t decide, which I prefer. How about you, black and white or colour?

If you have the time, give it a try. I would love to see your efforts (make sure to leave a link in the comments section).

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling). If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ‘schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

It’s all fun and games until someone drops a toddler.

http://view.break.com/553570 – Watch more free videos
Thanks to MetroDad for this one.

I was pretty much ‘OK’ with it until poor little Addies turn. Have these guys one brick short of a load (or two or three), or am I a worry wart (I am so NOT)?

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Love This Planet reusable shopping bag.

A sturdy, light weight, reusable bag that makes going green a little hipper. Even better, every bag purchased means a donation will go to The Green Ambassadors, a high school eco-ed program.

Each Bag comes with a hangtag that explains just some of the issues facing the environment today.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Ahh, just look at my girl …

She’s quietly sorting sea shells. No doubt she’s dreaming of all the wonderful creations she could make. IF her mother allowed glue and paint and crafts (aka HUGE frickin’ mess), more frequently than the semi-annual 1/2 hour craft making sessions she has scheduled now.

Then again, maybe she’s just thinking about all the fun she had collecting them. YEAH, I am pretty sure that’s it (crafts-schmafts).

So what about you all? Do you do a lot of crafty things with (or without) the kids??

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

I am loving this *spoon-fork-knife* combo from Light My Fire! Perfect for picnics, hiking and school lunches. My house needs a case of *Sporks*. Stylish, environmentally friendly and smart … sounds just like me.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

A Lazy Mommy Blogger …

Mostly because, we’re too busy enjoying summer.

In the heart of Edmonton (Alberta’s capital) is our Legislative Buildings. There are about 2 city blocks of fountains in front of them (this is about 1/4 of them). Pretty eh?

Up here where the summers are short. We don’t just look at our fountains, we get right in. It’s encouraged … take advantage of the weather while you can.

There are waterfalls and steps to climb. I don’t know about your kids, but mine LOVE water. If there’s water they’re in it.

There are about 30 of these particular mini-fountains, of course these three … all want in at the same time.

Everything is better with a friend. This is Sam’ and his buddy Ryan.

It wouldn’t be a summer day at the park without a picnic.

What are you doing to pass the summer? I want to know … blog about it … comment about it.

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Winner is: Carey – please email me: kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com

If I weren’t already so tired (and bored) of writing about my recent vacation, I’d tell you that besides the fantastic scenery, one of the things that made the LONG (long long long) drive bearable was the tunes –> specifically The Submarines.

Photographer: ORRiN ANDERSON

You may not recognize the name, but any of you that watch TV (all of you right?), have heard the current Apple iPhone 3G ads featuring The Submarines track ‘You Me and the Bourgeosie’ from their recently released album ‘Honeysuckle Weeks’.

Their first music video just debuted … have a look & listen

I’m no music critic, but I know a catchy tune when I hear it. The Submarines have several catchy tunes. You really need to go and pick up the album. My favourite is ‘Swimming Pool’.

The Submarines are Blake Hazard and John Dragonetti (aka John Drag). What make the submarines special to me (besides the fantastic music) is, John is an old friend from Dubai.

John has always loved and made music. I remember him being in a band called ‘Space’ in the 7th grade. They made their own ‘cassette’ complete with a home-made lightening bolt cover featuring Matt Johnson (I think?) as the lead singer, my favourite song on that album was Lynrd Skynrd’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (still one of my all time favourites). Somewhere in the dozens of boxes of stuff I just can’t get rid of is that ‘Space’ cassette. I knew you’d be famous John!

One lucky commenter is going to WIN a ‘HoneySuckle Weeks’ album curtousy of MommyKnows. The winner will be randomly chosen by me soon, so leave a comment.

MK xo
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my feed.

Submarines on Facebook
Submarines on myspace
Submarines blog

• share:
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later