All About Kimberly

Sailing Along the Life of Single Parenthood

Tag Archives: review

Big Bang Mini

I was recently sent a new DS game to try and it has quickly become one of my favorites.  Usually Cameron (my 8 year old) and I like different types of games, but this time we agree that this one gets a “2 thumbs up.” Which game? Big Bang Mini from SouthPeak games.  Our DS had almost started sitting on the shelf, but when this game came in, we have started using it daily again.  We’ve actually been trying to outdo each other so it’s made for some fun mother-daughter bonding.

Her and my teenager (Becka) both have DS’s (I just borrow one of theirs) and have loved that they can both play the game in multi-player mode but only have to have one game.  There are 9 different main levels to this game. We still haven’t made it through each level (which I’m happy about because when I beat a game, I tend to not play it much longer).  

Features:

  • Create your own fireworks display using the stylus
  • 9 different worlds with multiple stages each with unique art, sound, and design
  • Every world contains a different set of rules including new abilities previously unavailable
  • Collect the stars dropped by defeated enemies to move on to the next wave
  • After each level, design the Final Bouquet – a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that will illuminate the sky
  • Versus play adds to the chaos
  • Online rankings lets players see where they stack up against the competition
  • Additional gameplay modes and options provide tremendous depth
  • Over 20 music tracks by “Yubaba, Smith & Fortune” – nominated for “Best Music” in 2007 for
  • Nervous Brickdown at Festival du Jeu Video

One thing that is interesting about this game that makes it really unique is you control everything with your stylus. I have a hard time with a lot of the games that are controlled with the small pad on the right, but I can easily use the stylus.  If you are looking for a game that could be fun for the entire family, I would consider Big Bang Mini. It’s been a hit in my house.

 

Bloggers CAN Make A Difference

ATTENTION TO ALL REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY BLOGGERS:  It is true, you can make a difference.

4 Bloggers have joined together and formed a new blog – a blog with a cause.  The blog is called Blogger’s Give and is run by the ladies who run MomDot, What’s That Smell?, MomStart, and Jessica Knows.

So what is Blogger’s Give? Blogger’s Give is asking those of us that run reviews and giveaways to ask those awesome companies we work with to donate one additional item besides the one they are giving you for review (or the two they are giving you to review and giveaway) and donate it to Blogger’s Give.  Each month the ladies over at Blogger’s Give will choose a charity and all donated items for that month will be sent to that charity. The first cause that was chosen by Blogger’s Give is The Center for Courageous Kids.

So if you are a blogger who does reviews or contests, I strongly encourage you to consider asking for that extra item to be sent directly to Blogger’s Give.  Really, the only thing you have to do is ask. From there it is handled by Blogger’s Give. Trisha has even written the request for you in a form letter that you can send to the  companies and PR representatives you deal with each time you are setting up a review or giveaway.

What do you get for being a participating blogger in Blogger’s Give?  Well first you get the self satisfaction of knowing you are helping others.  But if this is not enough for, you’ll receive a few tokens from Blogger’s Give.  From the Blogger’s Give Site:

Every time we receive a product donation on behalf of your blog’s giveaway or review, we will do the following:

  • Promote the giveaway on your site of participating product in a post we run once a week
  • Promote the review on your site of participating products in a post we run once a week
  • A list under our Blog Listings that is permanent
  • The blogger who donates the most product throughout the month will receive our Blogger of the Month award and be permanently listed on our sidebars the rest of the year
  • The blogger who donates the most product at the end of the year will be awarded a $100 gift certificate to any store of their choosing 

Don’t think you can convince your PR reps or business to donate?  On top of the warm feeling in their heart, Trisha says that Blogger’s Give will do this for them:

  • A link listing permanently under our donating companies
  • A 125/125 banner on the sidebar (if sent to us) for the month they donate
  • The companies that donate the most product via a blogger per month will recieve a banner ad that rotates throughout the 4 Bloggers Give blogger sites (Mom Generations, Simbaco Lifestyle, MomDot and Accideintal Mommies)

I’m Creating A New Blog

For my students to follow our path of a new team to the majorly successful team we will be. I wish I had been more into blogging last school year to actual blog our very beginnings, but I’m looking forward to doing it now!  If you are interested, check it out at www.chsacademics.com!  I’m excited.  I’ve only found one owl template (well one free one) but it will do for now.

What brought this on? Well it started with a invitation to try out Qlubb.  I was anxious to see how this worked as it sounded really useful for our school. What is Qlubb? It’s a free easy to use calendar for groups.  I thought it would work great for all of us that sponsor extra events at our school to post competitions, practices, meetings, etc to decrease the double booking where students are having to miss something. I hate when they are put in thsoe situations.

I was immediately impressed with how user-friendly it was. I was able to use it instinctivly without any problem. I shared it with a few students to test it out, and they too were able to navigate and use it immediately.

If you are looking for a way to organize a group – a sports group, a neighborhood, a mom’s group – anything you can think of, check out Qlubb. Did I mention it’s free?

They advertise:

In just 1 click, get
Secure, Private Site
Public Webpage
Group Event Calendar with Reminders
Shared To-Do Lists with Reminders
Group Invites/RSVP’s
File Sharing
No user registrations required
And Much more!

And I have to say that I think they fulfill on all claims!

Inkheart

Have you read this book? I’ve read it myself several times as I’ve read it with groups of students. I’m so excited to know that a movie is now coming out about this book. This is as exciting to me as many were about the Twilight movie.  And I’m even more excited to learn that Brenden Fraser will be the star of Inkheart.  I have loved his performance for many years. I love each of the Mummy movies, but I think I first became a Fraser fan in 1993 when he played in Son In Law. We actually have that movie on DVD and I stil pull it out and watch it from time to time. Cameron loves to watch him as George of the Jungle. :)

If you do not know anything about the story of Inkheart, it is the first book in the Inkworld trilogy. The story is about a 12 year old girl, Meggie, who flees her home with her father and a family friend. Her father ends up being kidnapped.  Through searching for him, Meggie learns that her father actually read her mother INTO the book Inkheart and that is why she has never been a part of Meggie’s life. I don’t want to ruin the entire plot, but I will conclude by saying that Meggie’s father atempts to read the people who are pursuing them into a book, and this book is the story of that attempt.

This movie will be in theaters January 23rd. Watch the trailer below for a sneak preview.

Screen Shots

 

 

Family Retreats

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I’m not sure if you noticed, but not too long ago, I wrote about how neat the town of Branson looked for a family vacation, and now I have the chance to share with you the types of vacation packages offered by Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel this holiday. Maybe it’s too late to plan a trip this holiday season, but they run these types of deals for various holidays so it’s still useful knowledge.  I am thinking that I may look into 4th of July packages come summer.

As a point of reference, the New Years Eve Package. This includes deluxe accommodations, party favors, a four course dinner for two, $50 gift card and Bloody Mary breakfast buffet for two. For a couple who wanted to get away, wouldn’t this be a special way to spend New Years Eve.

Maybe you are planning a getaway for an anniversary or birthday?  There’s also a Romance package that includes wine in your room upon checkin, access to hotel health club, pool and whirlpool spa, full American breakfast for two in your room, and if you stay beyond one night, you’ll get a buy one entrée and get a second one of equal or lesser value at no additional cost in the hotel restaurants. And finally, you can get a late checkout upon request.

Currently, they are also offering a Family Package (available through March 2009) that as long as you book at least 14 days in advance, you receive 20% off your stay. That could easily add up to some great savings.

If you are looking for a vacation destination that would be laid back and a place where you could spend quality family time together (or maybe just a getaway for Mom and Dad), check out Branson and the Hilton hotels. You might just find a winner for your  family.

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