My parents got all the boys in my large family the coolest presents this Christmas: laser tag sets from Dynasty Toys. 
When they first opened them, I had no idea how cool they were. I guess I was picturing one of those cheesy laser tag sets I had seen before with the vests and the lasers that never seemed to work. This isn't that kind of set.
Technology & More
Fail-proof cooking with Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker
I’m a chronic over-cooker. I know this about myself and still I find that at least a few times a year I over cook to the point of being inedible because I get distracted with kids and life and leave food in too long. My husband is a chronic under-cooker. Which is understandable because he … Read more
Meet Piper, the DIY STEM computer kit for kids
As a parent, I’m always looking for toys that aren’t *just* toys for my kids. I want toys that inspire learning, ones that will resonate with the kids, and mostly I want toys that won’t get abandoned as soon as the shiny luster wears off. Well parents, I found the holy grail of presents for … Read more
Chorus from Fabriq gives you Alexa in an awesome little speaker you won’t want to hide
Alexa, where have you been my whole life? Seriously, where.have.you.been? As I discussed in my Techlicious post, I’ve basically been sitting out the newest tech upgrades for far too long now. But, when your phone doesn’t support 99.9% of apps, you end up with a smartphone that isn’t very smart. So, I’ve learned to tune … Read more
Put the focus on science with My First Lab microscopes
My daughter asked for a microscope for years and years, and we finally relented last year for her 8th birthday when we threw her a science birthday party. Ever since that day, she has been “sciencing” everything she can get her hands on, and we love it. Before we got it for her, we did … Read more
All the best tech gifts from Techlicious Seattle
I was a guest at the Techlicious event with Consumer Technology Association in Seattle this month. We were shown some really awesome tech gifts, given some Aftershokz earphones and treated to an amazing lunch. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I love knowing all I can about the newest technological advances. … Read more
Ready, aim, fire with the Sky Rover Voice Command RC Helicopter
Have you ever wished that you could take the controls and command helicopters to take off, land, and fire? Now you can with Auldey Toys new Sky Rover Voice Command Missile Launcher. It’s basically a little kid’s dream present, amiright? The Sky Rover is a remote controlled gyro balanced helicopter that you can fly all … Read more
The tablet that just might replace your laptop from AT&T
Remember a few weeks ago when I showed you a preview of the Microsoft Surface 3 tablet I’ve been dying to get my hands on? Well, thanks to AT&T, I’ve been using it for the past few weeks and it's been great to ditch my heavy weight laptop for a bit and go light, especially with all the traveling we've been doing.
I hate that whenever I travel it’s this big dilemma about whether I will take my 7” Android tablet that is hard to work on or I will cave and take the super heavy and way-too-large laptop that I use for editing photos and videos. Sadly, the laptop usually wins and it’s yet another thing I need to haul around with all the kids. If it's truly a vacation and I don't plan on working at all, the Android tablet is okay, but it’s definitely not a work substitute and it could mean a whole lot of stress if even a small issue comes up.
For everyone who is Windows-based like me, the Surface is the perfect answer to this dilemma. I need to have all my files and work documents while still being lightweight and portable, and the Surface is all that and more. They call it "the tablet that can replace your laptop", and for many that would definitely be the case if they don't need a ton of storage, an entertainment hub, or a large monitor screen for editing photos/videos or designing.
Cleaning made easy with the Shark Rocket Complete with DuoClean Technology
There’s a rule I hear thrown around a lot about shopping for women, and every time I hear it, it makes me cringe. Marketing companies for years have been spreading the rumor that women don’t like practical gifts. And, while this might be true at some points in a woman’s life, like when she’s going through tough times or has had a life changing event happen, it absolutely is not a written-in-stone “rule”.
I, for one, love a good practical gift. Really, the more practical, the better. My favorite gifts in recent years have been 1) camera equipment that I needed for work, 2) a bread box, and 3) a new pair of boots. Honestly, the absolute best present ever is one that I really, really need – and maybe one a little nicer than I would be fine with. So, if there’s a deluxe version of a super practical, needed item, go with that.
That’s exactly what the new Shark® Rocket® Complete with DuoClean™ Technology is.
10+ tips for car trips with kids
Do you have some long car trips coming up for the summer? Like most people, I will be spending quite a bit of time in my car over the next few weeks as we visit relatives, see the sights, and vacation with friends in the area, and I’m already planning ahead for the road trips with three young kiddos.
To me, road trips are a great way to bond and see the sights both near and far in ways you just can't on an airplane, and I love taking a good road trip {or three} each summer. But, because of limited space and cramped conditions, they can also be a delicate balance of having what you need with fun things to do, without packing your vehicle from top to bottom. The picture below shows a precarious suitcase tower that includes what 5 people need for a snowshoe, ski, sun, and swim trip and even with the bigger car, and all of this stuff really pushed the limits of what is manageable for a road trip.
Here are a few tips for awesome car trips with kids: