Holiday Fun with Goliath Games and Pressman Toys

Liam got a special delivery on Christmas Eve. A GINORMOUS box, chock full of fun from Goliath Games and Pressman Toys. Let me just say, our first Christmas in our new home was a blast!

Holiday Fun with Goliath Games and Pressman Toys

    We have a long standing tradition in our family, which is to spice up Christmas Eve by playing games. It's something we have done since I was a teenager living at home. Then when we started to host Christmas Eve, we carried that on and did it at our house. Just because we moved a few states away from family earlier this fall, didn't mean that that tradition had to end. Our night was still filled with love, tons of laughter, and even a few wet faces! Let me explain! 

Hydro Strike Win or Get Wet

    Let me just say that my ribs still hurt from laughing! This game was so much fun! Remember pinball games? Well Pressman Toys took the fun of pinball and added an element of surprise. Water! In Hydro Strike, players compete to hit their opponents target five times to win. Each time you hit their target, your opponent gets a squirt of water in their face. It's hysterical. First Liam and I played it, then my hubby jumped in with me. It was so satisfying watching that stream of water hit Pat in the face. However, while I was laughing, he would score and then spray me in the face. 

Googly Eyes

    One of Liam's favorite holiday games was always the drawing game we played as a family. Well Goliath Games put a new spin on it with Googly Eyes. This drawing game has the coolest "googly eye" goggles that the person drawing has to wear. It makes it so you can't really see what you're drawing. Which makes the game so much funnier. It comes with three different lenses. You roll the dice, and move your piece on the game board. Where you land will tell you which lenses to put into your goggles. Then pick a card, and get drawing!

Stuff Happens....So Make the Best of It

    Let's face it, Stuff Happens. We either cry about it, or have a good chuckle. In this new card game Stuff Happens, players read hysterical cards of bad stuff that happens. Read the cards, and guess which card is worse than the other. Then rate it on the Misery Index. If you guess correctly ten times, you win! This laugh a minute game is PG-13 friendly, so the older kids and adults are going to love it! 

Mastermind - The Game of Coding and Guessing

    Mastermind Remastered is the game of coding and guessing. First, the Codemaker creates a code that they think can't be broken in ten moves or less. Then the Codebreaker tries to break said code in ten or fewer moves. Can you do it? Grab the game and find out.

These are just a handful of amazing games from Goliath Games and Pressman Toys. You need to head to their website to see them all.

Fun Gift for the Kitty Lovers

    Hey all you last minute shoppers, this is for you! I have some perfect gift ideas for the kitty lovers on your list. It's fun and addicting, and you may just want one for yourself too!

Fun Gift for the Kitty Lovers

    We're huge believers in Family Game Night. So it's no surprise that there are always games under our Christmas tree. This year, we have Exploding Kittens. This card game is a blast and is so easy, that anyone can play it. Family friendly and packed full of fun, Exploding Kittens is a fast paced card game for two to five players. If you have more players, you can add a deck and add more people! 

    We actually already had Exploding Kittens, but we've added another deck to so we can play with more people. This game is a lot of fun to play, and there are always a ton of laughs around our table while playing. I mean come on, just look at some of the cards! They're hysterically "punny!"

Expand on the Fun

     As if Exploding Kittens wasn't awesome enough, there are now expansion packs. Imploding Kittens is the first expansion pack to Exploding Kittens. First of all, it expands your core deck from five to six players. Secondly, it adds some more fun to already amazing game! This expansion even comes with a human Cone of Shame! The first player to forget whose turn it is, must wear the Cone of Shame, which is not only hysterical, but reminds other players of the direction of game play. 

My son refused to pose with the Cone of Shame....but Bayleigh will do anything for treats :)

Streaking Kittens

    Expansion number two is here! Streaking Kittens adds fifteen more cards to Exploding Kittens. In this deck you will add more ways to blow up your opponents, but you'll also have a way to hold an Exploding Kitten card without blowing up yourself. If you draw the Streaking Kitten, you can hold on to your Exploding Kitten. That way if a player has to draw from you, you can then blow them up and take them out of the game. (Insert evil laugh here!)

Imploding Kittens

    Like the original game and previous expansion pack, Streaking Kittens includes more hysterical cards drawn by The Oatmeal. We can't get enough of these silly kittens! And we guarantee you're going to love them too! So grab the base game, Exploding Kittens for the kitty loving person on our gift list. While you're there, get one for you too, and maybe some expansion packs. Now you can gather all of your friends for a night of exploding, imploding, and streaking cat fun!

Connect: 

Exploding Kittens  / Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /

Building Toys Just Became Better!

    Move over traditional building bricks! Building toys just became better! Flexo sets take creating something to a whole new level.

Building Toys Just Became Better!

    When I first stumbled upon Flexo Building Sets, I was immediately intrigued. They're much like traditional bricks, but better. Flexo creations can bend and move, in a way the other bricks can't. They're the world's only bendable bricks! Taking rigid construction bricks and adding flexible tendons, Flexo toys are movable, bendable, and hours of fun!

    Flexo creations even float in water, so once built, they double as a fun tub or pool toy. That was a huge selling point for me because Liam has always wanted to take toys into the bathtub, and most aren't made for that. However these are. So your children can have hours of fun.

Build Fine Motor Skills and More

    As a special needs mom, I have always looked for toys that can double as therapy for my son. If I can take something fun, and use it to help build skills he is lacking, then that is a win win for both of us. Flexo Building Sets do just that. Kids work on their fine motor skills while building and manipulating the bricks. They're so busy having fun, they don't realize that they're working on important skills. You can even use the sets to expand on their color and shape recognition as well. Educational enjoyment is truly the best kind.

    Liam got the Crab set from Flexo and I can't wait to sit down and build it with him. It's a great way to spend some quality time together, and have a blast too.

Take Your Creations to a Digital Level

    With Flexo Building Sets, you can take your creation to a digital level. Just download their free Flexo AR app on Google Play and iTunes. Build your Flexo creation, and after you download the app, scan it over your creature or creation, and watch it come to life.  

Works With Other Bricks

    Flexo Building Sets work with traditional brick sets. Therefore you can make those boring sets, even more fun. Seamlessly connect Flexo with other blocks, and let your creativity take hold. Imagine the things you and your children can create together?! 

There's still time to get your Flexo Building Sets before the holidays. 

Get social with Flexo

Holiday Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens

Welcome to our Holiday Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens!

Here you will find gift ideas for those moody tweens and teens. We think these ideas are cool, and they will too!

Check it out!

(Please DO NOT add your own links)

To be featured contact me at alegionforliam@gmail.com

Markers or Watercolors and Paint Brushes?

    It's back to school season. If you homeschool like us, or even have a child that loves art, you'll be purchasing art supplies too. Money is tight, so we're always looking for ways to save it. So should you get them markers or watercolors and paint brushes? How about both, in one convenient pen?

Markers or Watercolors and Paint Brushes?

    Liam gets his love of crafting and art from me. I homeschool him, but use a cyber school, so they send most of the items he needs for the year. However, we always buy his art supplies. He loves to draw and to color, as well as paint. But with money being tight, I can't always afford new markers and watercolor sets each year. So what do we do? That's easy. Grab this set of Watercolor Brush Markers from Lasten.

Color with a Marker, Get the Watercolor Effect

    We love this set by Lasten. The tips come to a nice point, but act like a brush. You get the ease of coloring with markers, but it looks as though you painted with watercolors. The only difference is the colors are more vibrant. So it looks as though you used very concentrated water colors. It's gorgeous!

    The Dual Tip Watercolor Brush Markers come in a pack of twelve. However, since they are dual tipped, you're actually getting twenty-four colors. One end is a dark color, and the other end is a lighter shade of the dark color. I love that because it helps to teach kids more about shades of color.

Lettering, Coloring, and More

    You can use these watercolor markers to color in your books. But you can also use them to create beautiful lettering. Use them in scrapbooks, bullet journals, and so much more. I guarantee you're going to love them as much as your kids. (So you may want to get your own set.) ;)

Makeup Brushes are a Back to School Must Have

    It's that time of the year. Cooler weather is coming, and our kids are headed back to school. If you don't have a set of makeup brushes on the back to school list, then now is the time to add them. These are definitely a must have for teens and adults.

Makeup Brushes are a Back to School Must Have

    All of my friends teen daughters have one thing in common. They have spent a good portion of their summer watching makeup tutorials on YouTube. If this sounds like your child, then they definitely need this twenty-two piece set of brushes from Maange. This set has everything your teen needs to achieve their desired look.

The Set Includes

• Contour Brush
• Blending Brush
• Blush Brush
• Powder Brush
• Eyeshadow Brushes (Various sizes and shapes)
• Lip Brush
• Eyeliner Brush
• Eyebrow Brush
• Eyeliner Brush
• Teardrop Sponge
• Carrying bag for the brushes

High Quality

    The bristles are made from high quality synthetic fibers. They are soft and effective at applying makeup. The brushes are also non shedding, hypoallergenic, and antibacterial. Their handles are sturdy too, so this set is sure to last a long time.

Shed Some Light on College Safety

    Are you sending kids off to college this fall? If so, you may be considering their safety away from home. Let's shed some light on their nights.

Shed Some Light on College Safety 

    A must have item for any teen or young adult heading to college is a flashlight. They'll use it to get to and from their dorm, and as they traverse the campus at night. They may even use it to study and not disturb their roommate. But most importantly, you will rest easy knowing they are safer by having one. However, not just any flashlight will do.

Why Tactical?

    If you're going to send them with a flashlight, choose a tactical one. I happen to love the Kllarmant T6 LED Tactical Flashlight. First of all, it's super bright with six LED lights. You can zoom your beam of light in and out, which can light up any dark area on campus. This tac light has five modes. Your son or daughter can choose from high, low, medium, strobe, and SOS. Since the light it gives off is so bright and intense, they can signal help from afar. 

Self Defense with a Tac Light?

    I realize it's not pleasant to think about our babies having to defend themselves in a situation gone awry. However, in the event that this happens, the Kllarmant Tactical Flashlight can be used as a weapon. Yes, you read that right. It can be used as a weapon.

    Look at the lens end of this flashlight. This is what they call the "Lotus Shape Attack Top." It's designed to not only break glass in an emergency, (think car windows,) but it can also be used as a melee weapon on an attacker. One good swing with the end of this tac light to the temple or eye, is sure to knock an attacker off his or her feet. We all know that violence isn't the answer, but in a life or death situation, your son or daughter can easily fend off an attacker with their tac light. This will help you and them sleep better at night. Afterall, a college journey is something to be celebrated, not feared.

Watermelons Aren't Just for Eating.

    One of my son's favorite fruits is watermelon. This time of year they're everywhere. But they aren't just for eating. They're for playing too.

Watermelons Aren't Just for Eating

    Have you ever put a watermelon in water? Did you know that they are neutrally buoyant? If you were to put a watermelon in water, it would first sink to the bottom, then slowly, float upwards. That's because they are made up primarily of water. As a matter of fact, a watermelon weighing one hundred grams contains ninety-one grams of water. But, they aren't just for eating.....

    They're for playing! Watermelon Ball Jr. by PlaSmart, takes the concept of a real watermelon, and turns it into a super fun water game, for kids, teens, and adults alike. With this ball you can kick, dribble, bounce, and pass it through water, for an interactive game like you've never played before!

Fancy Foot Work

    Watermelon Ball Jr. looks like a real round watermelon, except that PlaSmart has added some brighter colors to make it more visible in water. You simply fill it with water, and toss it into the pool. You can even play with it in the creek or lake like we do! Gather the kids and adults for a game of water soccer or basketball. You can pass Watermelon Ball Jr. back and forth with your feet. You can dribble it underwater too!

    This ball takes playing in the water to a whole new level. Encourage exercise and fun, while teaching good sportsmanship, and keeping cool on hot days. I use ours to help my son fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. The water makes it a little trickier, but it helps him work on the areas that he needs help with due to autism. 

Dive In!

    Another fun way to play with Watermelon Ball Jr. is to toss it into the pool. Then have kids dive in after it, and try to get it before it leaves the floor of the pool. At about eight inches around it's the perfect size for everyone to enjoy. The brighter colors also make it more visible which is a plus if like us, you use it in a creek or a lake. 

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Art is Important Too!

    I home school Liam with a cyber school. Though I love them and most of their lessons, I feel that there needs to be more of a focus on art. After all, it's important too! Being an artist myself, I make sure that we incorporate it into our daily lives. Because learning happens everywhere, and when you least expect it!

Art is Important Too!

    To me, art is any way you can express yourself. Whether it's sketching, painting, sculpting, or even writing poetry. Sadly, for many brick and mortar schools, art classes are nixed due to funding. Even in cyber school, there's not much focus on the arts. I however know what it's like to have a creative mind and need an outlet for it. I also know how important it has been in my own life, so I make sure I expose my son to various forms of art in his life.

Self portrait from 1st grade (finger paints)

Self Portraits

    One of my favorite projects to do with Liam is self portraits. Each year as we begin a new school year, his first art assignment is to create a self portrait. I give him his sketchbook, and allow him to use any mediums he desires. He has grown from using finger paints and crayons, to markers, to colored pencils, and now even uses chalk pastels or watercolors.

    What's amazing is seeing how your children view themselves. And then seeing how that changes from year to year. You will notice how the little details like eyes and ears will vary as they learn better ways to draw. It's fantastic! I gather them up and file them away, so that each year when he is finished, we can dig them out and compare them.

Lasten Sketchbooks

    I happen to love this set of sketchbooks from Lasten. You get two books. One is large (16.5 inches by 11.4 inches,) and the second is smaller at 11.4 inches by 8.3 inches. They paper is of amazing quality. It's smooth, pure white, and thick. You can sketch, draw, paint and more in the Lasten Sketchbooks. My son loves the handles on them. They're perfect for taking anywhere you or your child roams. It's back to school season, so grab some for the upcoming school year. Then get outside, and have an art lesson in the yard, or at the creek! 

You Don't Need to be an Artist to Expose Your Kids to Art

    It's true, you don't! With the internet we can now access various tutorials on drawing, painting, sculpting and more. If you're like me, you'll join your child and learn with them. It's a great way to bond and to keep your own brain fresh and open to new learning. 

    We're currently learning how to sculpt. It's something I have always wanted to do, but was never much good at it. However, we found this young lady on YouTube that creates kawaii sculpts and so we have been watching her and learning that. It's a great way to expose your child to a new art form. Who knows, maybe Liam will be sculpting more in depth pieces soon!

Back to School Guide

We're working hard to bring you cool and useful products for Back to School season!
Check out our thoughts and the links below.

PLEASE DO NOT ADD YOUR OWN LINKS

If you want to be added, contact me at alegionforliam@gmail.com

Small But Mighty Music on the Go From Ancord

    Even though there's a few inches of snow on the ground, Spring is right around the corner. (At least the calendar says so!) That warmer weather means we'll all be enjoying more time outside. If you or your kids like to take your music wherever you go, then you have to check out this Ancord Speaker.

Small But Mighty Music on the Go From Ancord

    Liam is a tween and he has to have his music with him wherever he goes. He also spends a lot of time on his bike. Which is why I don't like him relying on headphones or ear buds for his music. He needs to be able to hear the world around him, while still enjoying his tunes. Which is why I got him the Ancord Speaker.

    It's very small in size, and fits right in the palm of your hand. (Which is great because that means it fits anywhere and goes where you do.) However, don't let its size fool you. The Ancord Speaker delivers crystal clear music and is quite loud. It will put other, larger speakers to shame!

Perfectly Portable

    The Ancord Speaker is not only small but mighty, it's also perfectly portable. Connect to your phone, tablet and more via Bluetooth and enjoy your music. Don't let cords get in the way! You can even take phone calls with it.

But First, Let Me Take a Selfie

    Tweens and teens love to take selfies. Which is good because they'll be able to do just that with their Ancord Speaker. No need for a selfie stick. With the remote shutter button on the speaker you can set up your phone, gather your family and friends, and take that perfect picture. (Hopefully everyone smiles!) Just press the button on your speaker, and voila, instant selfie! Capture those Spring and Summer memories right with your Ancord Speaker.

We love it!

    We all love the Ancord Speaker! Liam carries it wherever he goes. (Which means we rarely get to use it.) With Easter right around the corner, this speaker will make a great addition to your older kids Easter baskets. 

    To get yours, head to Amazon.

(I received this product at a discount to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I would not share it with you if I didn't think it was a great product.)