Tattoo Mendem: family time

Showing posts with label family time. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Game Review - Thinkfun Mathdice Jr.

About the Game

Introducing MathDice Jr., the perfect complement to ThinkFun's ever-popular MathDice! Roll the 12-sided Target Die to obtain your target number, then roll the five 6-sided Scoring Dice. Using addition and/or subtraction, combine the Scoring Dice to match the target number, moving one space on the track for every Scoring Die used. The first player to reach the finish line on the scoring track wins! Simple rules and chunky, brightly colored dice make it fun for all ages and all math levels.

Features:
* Oversized dice are designed for small hands
* Game-Go Bag for easy storage

My Take on the Game

This game was a fun game to play with any child in earlier elementary to work on and reinforce math skills such as addition and subtraction. It was completely portable and fun.

My oldest daughter likes doing math with me but still struggles with subtraction so I saw this game as a positive game to help me work with her on these and other math skills that we are trying to reinforce at home. It also is a fun way to make learning fun as she does not always want to just do math worksheets!

Though you can start with easier math skills, this game also opens the door to more advanced work as your child advances as well!

This is a great game for any family!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - ThinkFun Snack Attack

About the Game

Craving a fun time? Bring Snack Attack to the table and serve up a fast-paced picture matching, token stacking challenge that will have players of all ages coming back for more! Match the food tokens dispensed from the innovative Snack Attack Spinner to the foods on your plate. Adding a food token to your plate exposes another snack to match, so your plate quickly fills, and stacking the most food on your plate wins! Snack Attack builds memory and concentration skills in younger players and is entertaining fun for the whole family.

Includes:

* 1 Snack Attack Spinner

* 66 Double-Sided Food Tokens

* 6 Double-Sided Snack Plates with two levels of play

* Instructions & Parent’s Guide

My Take on the Game
As I have said in the past my family loves games of all sorts so when I was asked to try this I knew we were in for a treat! The only issue that sometimes happens in our family is that we get a bit too competitive. Oh well, such is life!

In pulling out this game I was first impressed how straight forward the instructions were, the idea of the game was easy to comprehend and my kids were eager to try it out.

Even though the game does say that it is for ages four and up, my three year old had a blast with this game as well, so do not let the age limit hold you back if you ae considering this game for your family.

The game was very fast paced and you have to stay on your toes as you are matching and token stacking. Even though I say this though you can slow it down (and you probably should) if you are playing with younger kids.

What I loved most about this game is that it educates and entertains all at the same time. You will not be disappointed with this game or the load of fun you will have with your kids in playing this together!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Game Review - ThinkFun Bug Trails

About the Game

This simple yet extremely entertaining game will have kids “bugging” their parents for more! Bug Trails is a 6-legged color matching domino game. Players place their Bug Tiles by matching the bug’s colored legs. The first person to run out of bugs wins! Match two or even three legs and advance further in the game. Bug Trails teaches simple strategies and visual matching to younger players yet is fun for the entire family.

Includes:

* 40 Bug Tiles

* 1 Bug Scout Flag

* 1 Bug Bag (for play, storage and travel)

* Instruction Manual

My Take on the Game
My family loves games and this one, with its colorful and unique tiles looked like it was going to be a definite keeper in our home. After playing it first through it seemed like it was too easy and be breezed through the game, then I read the instructions again and found that we had played the game wrong the first time! We then played the game for real and had a blast and it lasted a lot longer!

The game is great for color and spatial reasoning skills. Even my three year old was able to play and she was finding color and pattern matches and even beating her sister and I in the second game that we played, go figure!

The game itself did a great job at allowing for the players to either work individually or as a team and thus there are so many things that you can do overall with this game that I would have no qualms whatsoever in encouraging all to grab this for your own family collection!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Monday, July 18, 2011

Game Review - WII Play Motion

About the Game

Wii Play: Motion with Black Wii Remote Plus is a game bundle for Wii specifically designed to highlight the new Wii standard game controller included. Featuring 12 fun multiplayer party games included with a black Wii Remote Plus game controller, this bundle is the perfect incentive for early adopters of the Wii to gain the all-in-one precision benefits of the new controller as they upgrade from their existing original Wii Remote.

12 Game, Wii Remote Plus Controller Bundle

Twist, turn, and move like never before with 12 games that use the Wii Remote Plus controller - it's a new realm of motion-controlled fun. In each game, you'll use the controller to immerse yourself in the action. Grip it like an umbrella, then tilt it around your body to ride gusts that blow you up, down, and to the finish line of a windy race course. Use the controller like a supernatural fishing reel, hooking ghosts in a haunted house, then pulling them into a cage. Grab it like a mallet to defend your garden, smacking pests on the head or batting them into the distance. All of the games can be played in single-player and two-player modes, and four of the games can even bring in up to four players. (Additional accessories required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.) But no matter how many people are going hands-on with the controllers, everyone in the room will get caught up in the big action of Wii Play: Motion.

The Games

Wii Play: Motion includes one Wii Remote Plus controller, along with the 12 games - each with challenging gameplay and various modes, that adds up to a powerful package in motion-controlled gaming. Games include:

Wind Runner - Tilt the Wii Remote Plus controller all around you to control the direction of an umbrella - riding the wind through a race course filled with gems.
Grappling Ghosts - Catch ghosts that fly out of from your television and surround your body. First, you'll search for a ghost with the Wii Remote Plus controller, which beeps faster as you bring it near the "invisible" ghost. Then you'll hook it with the controller, wrestle it back into your TV, then stuff it into a cage.
Teeter Targets - Flip a ball upward to break targets, holding the Wii Remote Plus controller like you're gripping the ends of a teeter-totter.
Veggie Guardin' - Smack garden pests on the head or bat them far away - twisting, turning, and swinging your Wii Remote Plus controller as you defend your vegetables.
Trigger Twist - Shoot your way through UFOs, ninjas, and dinosaurs. While holding the Wii Remote Plus controller, you'll move your arm to aim and turn your body to pivot - giving you the new experience of being surrounded by enemies and whirling to face them.
Skip Skimmer - Skip stones, by making that motion with the Wii Remote Plus controller in your hand, to get the highest number of skips you can on a lake or to earn the highest score on a floating obstacle course. Shuttle parts safely to a space station by tilting the Wii Remote Plus controller, as if the ship is in your hand, then firing thrusters with controller buttons.
Star Shuttle - Shuttle parts safely to a space station by tilting the Wii Remote Plus controller -- as if the ship is in your hand -- then firing thrusters with controller buttons.
Flutter Fly - Guide balloons through an aerial obstacle course by fanning them along with the Wii Remote Plus controller - fast, slow, and on all sides. You'll also scare off crows by pointing at them then pressing a button before the birds pop your balloons.
Cone Zone - Hold the Wii Remote Plus controller like an ice cream cone, then try to keep it in balance as more and more ice cream is piled on.
Treasure Twirl - Lower a diver to the bottom of the sea by twirling the Wii Remote Plus controller to unspool his cable, and dodge sharks and jellyfish by moving the controller left and right. After you grab the sunken treasure, you'll have to pull him all the way back up again.
Jump Park - Jump around a huge trampoline park by tilting the Wii Remote Plus controller at the exact angle you want to bounce next. You'll gather all the gems you can to earn a high score.
Pose Mii Plus - As your Mii character flies through space, you'll rotate the Wii Remote Plus controller in all directions to squeeze your character through silhouette-shaped holes in barriers before you crash through them. Your Mii will change its pose often, so you'll have to act fast.

The Wii Remote Plus Controller

The Wii Remote Plus Controller is the new standard controller for the Wii gaming system, shipping with new Wii systems as well as available for individual purchase in this bundle. Like the original Wii Remote before it, this new controller utilizes a triple axis accelerometer along with a built-in optical sensor that works in conjunction with the Wii sensor bar. Together this enables the recognition of player movement as well as gives the controller the ability to act as a pointing device used in-game. In addition, the Wii Remote Plus' gyroscope technology provides on-the-fly rotational motion recognition. Once available only to Wii players who purchased the additional Wii MotionPlus accessory for the Wii Remote, it is now built into a single standard unit.

Key Bundle Features

12 new Party games that utilize the Wii Remote Plus controller
Game bundled with one black Wii Remote Plus controller
Get friends and family together for Wii Play: Motion parties
Multiplayer support for 2 or 4 players* depending on the game

* Additional accessories required. Sold separately.

Product Description

Twist, turn, and move like never before with 12 games that use the Wii Remote™ Plus controller. It’s a new realm of motion-controlled fun! In each game, you’ll use the controller to immerse yourself in the action! Grip it like an umbrella, then tilt it around your body to ride gusts that blow you up, down, and to the finish line of a windy race course. Use the controller like a supernatural fishing reel, hooking ghosts in a haunted house, then pulling them into a cage. Grab it like a mallet to defend your garden, smacking pests on the head or batting them into the distance. All of the games can be played in single-player and two-player modes, and four of the games can even bring in up to four players. (Additional accessories required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.) But no matter how many people are going hands-on with the controllers, everyone in the room will get caught up in the big action of Wii Play: Motion! Wii Play: Motion includes one WiiRemote ™ Plus controller. Along with the 12 games, each with challenging game play and various modes, that adds up to a powerful package in motion-controlled gaming!

My Take on the Game

This game was fun and is filled with so many games for the whole family. All 12 of the games were perfect for playing wit the family. We lplayed for a while and though at first I was winning, I found that my daughter became the better competitor between the two of us. Of all of the 12 games, all were pretty fun. The one game that I had the more fun with was the ghost game. This game reminded me of ghost busters and I was having problems with figuring out the controls on this game in specific.

The controls on these games are fun, but I will say that on many of the games you have to be quite precise on how you move the controller as the whole game is set up on motion, so you need to make sire that you have set up your controller to work well with the movement that is needed in the game itself.

Overall though this game was a lot of fun and my daughter and I have had a ton of fun together playing this together and even though she has beat me on a number of the games I still have enjoyed the game and I know this this game will be one that we will be playing for a long time to come.

This game is an amazing games with 12 amazing fun games. The games use Wii motion plus perfectly the best use is the ghost hunting game where you search you house for ghost and the wii motion plus can detect where you are 360 angle :D The game is best played with other people and is a great multiplayer game with many games that were built up from Wii Play the original

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Christmas in July with Storkie.com

I have heard people talking about Christmas in July for many years, but for myself, I have been a person that thinks far in advance, and will at times, even find gifts throughout the year, so though Christmas in July is a topic for some, I say, why not think Christmas throughout the year!

Some of the ways in which my wife and I prepare for Christmas throughout the year is to plan out our Christmas Cards far in advance. While there are times when we do Photo Cards or other cards that we can design online, we have also made our own cards in the past as well, so every year is an adventure. Keeping this in mind though means that we need the time to plan out and coordinate this effort, so waiting until the last minute does not work!

Recently in thinking about our Christmas Cards (Yes we are looking at doing them already), we came across a site called Storkie.com. We had never heard of this company before but were impressed by the variety of cards that they did have not only for Christmas, but for year-long use. So whether you are looking for wedding invitations, baby announcements or something else, Storkie.com has a huge variety to select from. I also have to say that not only do that have a large variety, but the variety that they do have is high quality as well, which is always a must when looking for special occasions like the ones I mentioned.

For me, last year was one of the years that I remember most in regards to our Christmas Cards. We had done a lot as a family in the previous year and because of this we had a lot of great pictures. Instead of writing a letter and including pictures within it, we wanted to do something creative so we decided to build out a photo card with many of the images for the year. The whole family got into this and we had a blast. It did take a long time though so that leads me to the planning that we are doing as a family now!

So if you are like me and are already planning out your Christmas Cards or if you have other special events within the future, go and check out Storkie.com and see if they can provide you with the cards you need! I think that you will be impressed!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Book Review - 101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child

About the BookHere's a brief time out that EVERYONE in your family will enjoy: disconnect from the Net, put away your digital toys, and get ready for some good old-fashioned fun. Even 20 minutes a day can be rejuvenating for you and a great way to connect with your children. In "101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child," you'll find activities that tap the most advanced microprocessor--the one between your ears. Best of all, you can do most of the activities with little or no preparation! You'll find games and activities: * To do in your house, when you're out and about, or on the road. * That spark imagination and creativity. * That test everyone's powers of observation. * That bring out the kid in you! What are you waiting for? Unplug. Tune In. Enjoy!

My Take on the BookThis book is just in time for summer when there is free time to explore, learn, have fun imagining and creating, and just being outdoors. So turn off the TV, video games, etc. and use this book for great parent /child interactive play.

The 101 activities range from inside activities, outside activities, on the road fun, creating games, using your imagination, acting out parts, word games and more.

Here is one easy activity: Take a muffin tin. You can use pennies , beans or dry macaroni to toss into the muffin tin spaces. Keep score as to how many land in the tin. Each child has a turn. you can do this several times. You could change it a little by putting a slip of paper with a number in each "cup" and then counting up the score after tossing the pennies or beans.

An art activity for all ages uses coffee filters and water color paints. Have the children use brushes and water color paints to paint designs on coffee filters. Allow the filters to dry and cut into shapes. You can hang them on a window to see a rainbow of colors or paste them on paper in a pleasing design.

Play career charades: Write the names of occupations on slips of paper. Put the papers in a bag or bowl and each child selects one of the papers, reads silently the occupation and acts out the way this person would perform on their job. You can ask questions of the "actor" such as: Do you work outside? Do you wear a uniform? etc. Put a time limit on the guessing. At the end of the time limit or the correct guess, switch roles.

These are only three of the 101 activities in this little book. I am sure you and your family will enjoy hours of joy choosing and involving the entire family in the fun, easy, environmentally friendly activities.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Game Review - Solitaire Chess

About the Game
You don't have to know chess to be a master of this addictive sequential logic game! The rules in Solitaire Chess are simple - first set up the chess pieces on the board according to one of the 60 challenge cards, then proceed to capture and eliminate all but one piece using only moves allowed in traditional chess. You must capture a piece with every move, so this game is fast-paced and always exciting!

Features:
* 4 levels of play, Beginner to Expert
* Game board features a storage drawer for easy cleanup
* Hints and step-by-step solutions

Try it out yourself!

My Take on the Game
My family loves games! I used to be big into chess as well when I was younger so I was excited to get the opportunity to try out this game with my eldest. The game says it for ages eight and up, but my eldest is 6.5 and I thought it would be fun for her to try it out as well.

What was great about this game was the fact that it definitely makes you think as much of the game itself is logic based. It was fun to see that you could play this for as long or as short as the time that you had available. Thus even if I only had a few minutes I could still have fun with this game and have some enjoyment from the challenge!

This game is now on one of my favorite games list (for the ones that I have in my home). My daughter struggled at first but after a few times she started to get the hang of it as well and she enjoyed being challenged by the game, and by me.

If you love logic puzzles and games that will stretch your mind, this is the game for you!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Friday, June 24, 2011

Game Review - Splinter Cell 3D (3DS)

About the Game
Coming exclusively to the Nintendo 3DS™, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D is the highly anticipated hand held game in the multimillion-selling Splinter Cell series and one of the most critically acclaimed franchises of all time.

Sam Fisher is sent behind enemy lines in the Korean Peninsula to prevent WWIII, by investigating the responsible party that sunk the USS Clarence E Walsh, U.S.’s most advanced cruiser. Through his investigation, Sam learns that the key parties who are planning to use the Masse Kernels to launch WWIII are war comrade Douglas Shetland, Displace International, and Admiral Otomo, the Third Echelon Information Self Defense Force (I-SDF) contact.

The cutting edge hardware of the new Nintendo 3DS™ allows Splinter Cell fans to play in immersive 3D and ability to interact with the game like nothing before.

Features:

Immersive 3D Action - Gameplay, Cinematic, Maps, HUD, Menus, Loading screens, and more are projected in stereoscopic 3D.
Optimized Controls - New button mapping with the Slide Pad and Touch Pad gives the player seamless control to equip weapons and gadgets for more effective mission executions.
Enhanced Weapons - Protagonist Sam Fisher is equipped with enhanced weapons and better gadgets to infiltrate the enemy: new fusion goggles, OCP electronic disabling device, wall mine, more add-ons for the SC-20K rifle, smoke and gas grenades.
Infiltration Evolved - Lock picking is enhanced by utilizing the new Slide Pad to mimic the realism of lock picking. Hacking has also evolved from numeric codes to solving interactive 3D puzzles.

My Take on the Game

I had played Chaos Theory on a friend's Nintendo DS system in the past and this game reminds me a lot about it (without the 3D action that is). As a single action shooter game, the 3D adds depth to the game. There were a few parts where it was a little blurry, but what I liked was that I could turn off the 3D if I so chose at those points in time.

It takes a little time to get used to the controls on the game, but once you do it is a lot of fun! I will warn you though that after you do get the controllers down, this game can be addicting and you can find yourself losing track of time and instead finding that hours have passed you by (not that this has happened to me...I'm just saying).

The one part of the game that I did not like was the time it takes to load the game. At different points in the game, it tends to get bogged down, such as when you die and need to restart. Though this was a bit frustrating at times, I still loved the game and know that I will be playing it for a long time to come.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Game Review - Cubic Ninja (3DS)

About the Game
Introducing Cubic Ninja, the Nintendo 3DS title that lets you play without ever touching a button. Simply tilt and turn your Nintendo 3DS to solve challenging puzzles, outwit devious enemies, and escape intricate traps.

Cubic Ninja places you in the role of CC, a brave little ninja with a distinctly cubic shape. The princess of your beloved kingdom – plus a few of your ninja friends -- has been abducted. And it’s up to you to save them. To do so, you must tilt and turn your way through over 100 eye-opening levels, defeating adversaries such as Woofbot, Scorchbot, and more. From gravity distortions to raging infernos to elemental forces of wind and water, your enemies will do whatever it takes to stop you.

But you won’t be stopped. If you have to tumble till you’re dizzy, or survive raging waters just to rescue the princess, then you will. Because you’re Cubic Ninja. And that’s how you roll.

Key Features

Revolutionary Gameplay - Who needs buttons? Tilt and turn your Nintendo 3DS™ to guide Cubic Ninja™ through more than 100 challenging levels. Or simply use the Circle Pad.
Master Ninjutsu Skills - Outwit cunning traps and rescue your fellow Ninjas by earning and unleashing mysterious Ninjutsu skills.
Challenge Your Friends - Race through a level as quickly as you can, share a ghosted replay of your best run, and dare your friends to beat it.
Unleash Your Creativity - Create your own pulse-quickening levels and share them with players all over the world.

My Take on the Game

I have been playing the 3DS now for about a month and I have to say it is so much fun! I love the graphics in the games and the fun you can have on all levels. With this game, I did not know what to expect, but when I got into the game I found it to be quite addictive!

The first thing you have to get used to on this game is the fact that you are not using buttons to control the character, instead you are using your body. By tilting the controller in the direction in which you wish it to go you are able to have fun with the character and are able to get both you and the character into precarious situations. This type of game control does take some tie, but when you do get used to it, it is worth the work as it is so much fun!

I have not yet gotten through the game, but I will say that I have tried it out for a while now and the fun continues to follow along. The graphics are good and the music is lively. Overall, this was a fun game that I know you will enjoy!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Game Review - Michael Jackson The Experience

About the Game
No artist in history has commanded the stage like Michael Jackson, the undisputed King of Pop. With over 800 million albums sold worldwide and 13 #1 singles in the U.S, there is no doubt that Michael Jackson’s music influenced pop culture as we know it today. Michael Jackson The Experience is the ultimate performance game featuring the world’s ultimate performer - providing an interactive experience that enables players to step into the shoes of Michael Jackson himself and re-live his most iconic moments through their own performance. Michael Jackson The Experience includes the original songs you know and love from his extensive catalog, including Billie Jean and Beat It, and proves that anybody can groove like the King of Pop!

FEATURES:

Nintendo Wii:
- Anybody can dance like the King of Pop with the fun and accessible gameplay that made Just Dance a worldwide hit.

- Family and friends can relive the magic of their favorite Michael Jackson songs in multi-player and competitive modes making The Experience the ultimate party game.

My Take on the Game
This was an amazing game. We have Just Dance 2 at home and the kids love this, but this game takes dancing to the next level. I will mention that if you are getting this game or planning on playing it make sure that you have room as you will be moving and you will be getting a workout. No wonder you always noticed Michael sweating after he did his dance routines!

My eldest had heard of Michigan Jackson from us in the past and she knew some of his music, but now we have made her a convert. The kids love it (and now even more songs than just thriller)! My eldest daughter continuously wants to have dance offs with us now (and she sometimes wins). One nice thing in the game was the fact that f you do well on dances you can unlock bonuses, so there is an incentive for doing better each time (and not just for the workout).

Overall the detail in this game was superb. You will notice similar graphics to what you see in a game like Just Dance 2 but that does not detract from the game. In fact it adds to the game as you are not distracted by the game of anything around it, you can focus on the music and dancing which is what the game is all about! If you are a Michael Jackson fan, this game is a must have, and if you have children who do not know Michael Jackson, this is a great game to introduce them to the King of Pop!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Max & Ruby: Bunny Party!

Koba Entertainment proudly welcomes the newest addition to its family of touring musicals – Max & Ruby: Bunny Party! It's a surprise party for someone special, and bunny siblings Max and Ruby have a-million-and-one things to do before the big event. Join in the fun as they embark on a musical bus ride to East Bunnyhop General Store, where they deliberate on what to buy for the Super Duper Special Birthday Guest. Max & Ruby never quite want the same thing and their plans always collide – with hilarious results! Back at home, Louise arrives with her beauty kit and everyone gets a makeover - even Max! When everything is all set for the party, Ruby discovers some uninvited guests including an engaging Robot, a giant Spider, and an adorable Slug. Who could the mystery guest be? Find out by joining Max & Ruby in this lively theatrical production adorned with exquisite costuming, rich colorful sets, and original songs that will have the whole audience singing and hopping along.

Celebrate the universal nature of sibling relationships with Max & Ruby: Bunny Party!

SATURDAY * OCTOBER 1

2 SHOWS! * 1PM AND 4PM * TICKETS $29.50 & $39.50

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 24 AT NOON!

Tickets available at the Royal Oak Music Theatre Box Office, all Tickets.com outlets, online at tickets.com or charge by phone at 800.919.6272.

The Royal Oak Music Theatre is located at 318 West 4th Street in Downtown Royal Oak. For more information visit royaloakmusictheatre.com or call 248.399.2980.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tips to Enjoy the Outdoor Activities this Summer!

REI (a national outdoor gear and clothing retailer), is partnering to host the National Wildlife Federation’s 7^th annual Great American Backyard Campout®. The Great American Backyard Campout, encourages families to open the door and sleep under the stars in their backyards or a local park. Over 180,000 families participated in REI’s Family Adventure programs last year, so this is a great way to jump in on the fun this summer.

In honor of the Great American Backyard Campout, REI is sharing a helpful list of camping tips by its' very own Green Vests (outdoor activity experts).

CAMPING TIPS:

Before an Overnight Trip:

Practice camping at home: If your kids are outdoor newbies, pitch a tent in the backyard or even inside your home. Let them hang out in it and sleep in it so they become comfortable with a new sleeping environment.
Take a trial run: Before your overnighter, try a family day outing at a close-to-home park. Spend a half-day or so at a lakeshore or park and see how your kids react to extended outdoor excursions.
Take notes: Write down reminders for future trips: "Pack more sunscreen." "Bring long pants." "Leave bongos home."

Preparing for a Trip:

Be enthusiastic: Why should kids get fired-up about an outdoor adventure if you're not?
Involve your kids: Make trip planning a family affair. Ask kids for ideas of possible things to do or see at your destination. Take their input seriously.
Kids as packers: Give children the responsibility to pack their own gear at home (using a list you've created). A parent should double-check a child's packing job before leaving home.
Keeping kids (somewhat) organized: Have your kids pack every personal item in a duffel bag and encourage them to always return those items to that duffel. ("Mom, where's my paddleball set?" "Look in your duffel, dear.") Each child's duffel should be a different color for easy identification.
Favorite toys: Let kids bring some of their favorite playthings so the campsite doesn't feel entirely foreign to them. Need ideas for new toys? View our suggestions later in this article.
Friends are valuable: It can be fun for kids to camp with another family that has kids. Your kids may get bored with adults after a while. With playmates, they could be happily occupied for days.
Bring bikes: Bikes are handy in a campground, so consider bringing a few along. If it's a long way from your campsite to the beach or play area, it's faster (and more fun) to use a bike instead of walking or firing up your vehicle. Bikes keep kids entertained, too.
Check fire restrictions: Planning on a campfire? Before you leave home, make some calls to determine if campfires are permitted at your chosen campground. If not, make sure everyone in the family knows in advance. There's no bigger disappointment to a kid who has packed all the s'more fixings than to discover that a burn ban is in effect.

At the Campground:

Exude a positive vibe: Family-camping rule No. 1: Be prepared to cope with inconvenience. Everything is in a different place. The bathroom is no longer down the hall, it's 6 campsites down the path. As an adult, you must lead by example with an upbeat, can-do attitude.
Organize: Establish fixed locations for important items. "The forks and spoons are in the blue tub." "Flashlights are in the green stuff sack."
Then stay organized: Remind everyone to always return items to their established locations so others can find them. If you're especially industrious, create a reference list of where-to-find-it locations. Tape it some place obvious.
Keep everyone oriented: Help kids memorize the number of your campsite or point out landmarks ("We're 4 sites from the amphitheater") to help them remember its location.
Make kids feel important: Kids like to feel important and involved. Assign them some meaningful camp chores, such as gathering firewood or collecting water from the pump. Recognize their contributions with praise or a treat (or both).
Be safe: Make sure your kids always carry a whistle (teach them to blow it if they become separated from you) and have easy access to a flashlight or headlamp. Attach a lanyard to both the whistle and light and tie them to one of the child's belt loops.
Wildlife: Ask park rangers about wildlife activity in the area you are visiting. As the adult, you need to take the lead and understand any precautions necessary (such as proper food storage or how to react during an up-close encounter) for safely coexisting with wildlife. Educate your children about the importance of not feeding wild animals (it negatively alters their food-gathering patterns) and treating wildlife with respect and caution so everyone stays safe.

When Outdoors, Be Outdoors:

Make the most of nature: Look for wildlife. Check out bugs. Examine rocks. Identify birds, flowers, clouds, constellations. Lead kids on a rock scramble. Show interest in things that interest them. Bring a field guide to help you identify and learn about the things they find.
Be active, stay loose: Try to keep your kids active without following a regimented schedule. If they're entertained by skipping rocks on the water, give them time to perfect the multiple-skip fling.
Attend ranger talks: If you're camping at a state or national park, attend the ranger's evening talk. Ask staff if the park offers a junior-naturalist program or other kid-focused activities.
Geocaching: A GPS-guided treasure hunt engages kids physically and mentally. Check our link to geocaching to see if any caches are hidden in the area you'll be visiting.
Share time together: "Hey, mom, remember when we saw that deer?" Great memories are one of the great payoffs of a camping trip. Come home with the sort of stories that can only be created outdoors. Shakespeare must have been camping when he wrote, "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."

Fun Stuff You Can Bring:

Paddleball set: At one of our photo shoots, the kids accompanying our crew couldn't put this game down.
Marshallow launcher: Traditionally you toast them. Now you can shoot them at one other, too. Imagine: The common marshmallow, transformed into a summertime snowball.
Animal-shaped flashlights: Leapin' lizards! Sharks, orcas and toucans, too.
Kits, discs and flying toys: If it flies, it's probably a heap of fun. Our faves include lighted discs and Djubi balls.
Make ice cream: Have some low-tech fun (with delicious results) with a boot-around plastic ball from Camper's Dream.
Stream Machine: Camping in warm weather? If you can tolerate a little flying water, this is a kid's ultimate way to cool off.
The glowing, multicolor flying disc: Whoa . . . it's psychedelic, man. Illuminated with LEDs, this disc changes colors while you play.
Foot bags: So simple, so entertaining.
Educational games: What? You haven't played "Pass the Pigs" or "Why Knot?" Well, why not?

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Cars 2 Activity Pack

Disney/Pixar has created an awesome activity pack for kids that you are free to share with your readers! These include Mazes, Soap Box Dragster Activities, T-shirt Designs, a Radiator Springs Play Set and much, much more!

All of these great family activities can be found here: http://media-file.net/11/cars2/family/.

Visit the official website at: http://www.Disney.com/Cars

“Like” CARS 2 on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/PixarCars

CARS 2 races into theatres everywhere in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D on June 24th!