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: 

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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 Kids

Welcome to our Holiday Gift Guide for Kids!

Here you will find gift ideas we adore for younger children.  

Check it out!

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There's SNOW Time for Cold Feet

    Whether you like it or not, winter is on it's way. For many of us, that means snow is coming as well. When the weather turns, there's SNOW time for cold feet. Which is why winter snow boots are a must have if you live where the wind blows, and the white stuff falls!

There's SNOW Time for Cold Feet

    I don't hate snow. To me, the first snow fall is always dreamy and romantic. I love to take Liam out and ride sleds down the hill. But that's it. After that, I want it gone. But no matter how you feel about that white, cold stuff, if you live where it falls, then you need snow boots. I just got Liam this pair of Gubarun Snow Boots. Their super warm and he loves the camo coloring on them.

Gubarun Snow Boots

     This pair of boots is so comfy. The inside is plush and covered with a faux fur lining. This keeps toes and feet toasty warm! The outside of the boots is waterproof, so not only will feet be warm, but they'll be dry too! As a mom, I'm a fan of the tread. I don't want my son slipping on icy and snowy surfaces. So I was impressed with the nice traction that the tread on these boots provides. They also have hook and look closures, so there's no need for tying. This was huge for us because even though Liam can tie shoes, he struggles with it due to his fine motor skills.

    I'm lucky enough to have small feet. Which means I can fit into Liam's pair of Gubarun boots too. I tried them on and they are so soft and squishy on my feet. I love them so much that I think I will have to get myself a pair. Even though we moved South, we will still get some snow, so I'm going to want a warmer pair of boots for the winter.

    Speaking of sizes, these boots come in a wide range of sizes. You can find them for toddlers, little kids, and big kids too! (As well as moms with small feet!) There is also a bunch of other camo colors to choose from too. With winter right around the corner, grab a pair for all of your kids! You won't be disappointed!

Protect Your Eyes from Water

    One of Liam's sensory aversions is water in his eyes. So it's imperative that he can protect his eyes from water.

Protect Your Eyes from Water

I don't personally care for water in my eyes, especially if it's highly chlorinated. However, for my son, it's a sensory nightmare. So having quality goggles on hand is a must. I just got Liam two pairs. (He's kind of in between, so i got him a child's pair and then an adult pair. I have to cover my bases. ;) )

Free to Fly Kids Goggles

    I love this set. It not only comes with goggles, but also a nose plug and ear plugs. Liam won't swim without a nose plug either, so this was a big selling point for me. The goggles are made from hypoallergenic silicone. They're latex and PVC free so they're safe for your kids.

    The lenses are electroplated and have a mirrored coating. This helps to filter out harmful rays. So not only will these goggles keep water out of their eyes, but they will offer some protection from the sun as well. The strap is easily adjustable so you won't have to fight with it to get them to fit your child.

Free to Fly Adult Goggles

    Liam is a growing tween. We're at the stage where he's not only in between a child and adult emotionally, but size wise as well. So I also grabbed him a pair of Free to Fly's Adult Goggles. These sleek goggles are pretty cool. So much so, that my husband snagged them until Liam grows into them. (Guess I will be ordering another pair!)

    The adult goggles from Free to Fly feature a double layer silicone seal to keep water out of the eyes. The gasket is made to accommodate different facial sizes, nose sizes, and even hair length and thickness. Assuring that anyone whom wears these goggles won't have water in their eyes. These goggles even have a buckle on the strap making them super easy to put on and take off.

    Anti fog goggles means you won't have to worry that air temperature and water temp will be fogging up your lenses and making seeing harder. These goggles have a mirrored coating to protect from UVA and UVB rays. The polycarbonate lenses are panoramic, offering you more viewing area.

Holiday Gift Guide

Welcome to our Holiday Gift Guide!

Here you will find gift ideas we love the most. Whether you're shopping for family or friends, we have something for everyone. 

Check it out!

(Please DO NOT add your own links)

To be featured contact me at alegionforliam@gmail.com

Keep Your Seats Clean and Dry in All Seasons

    We have two fur daughters (and one furry granddaughter.) Our youngest daughter just happens to be the biggest of all, and the one that loves water and mud. To say our Jeep seats look terrible is an understatement. I personally hate cleaning them, so I need a way to keep them clean and dry in all seasons. Chewy.com was there to help!

Keep Your Seats Clean and Dry in All Seasons

    I do all of our pet shopping at Chewy.com. They have everything we need in one place, and their prices and customer service can't be beat. So when I decided I was tired of detailing our Jeep every week, I went to Chewy.com. I discovered the car seat covers from Frisco, and knew they were for us.

    First of all, they're made of heavy duty Oxford Polyester. Which means they will stand up to my German Shepherd, as well as the mud, dirt, and water she will get on them. This material also makes them resistant to water, spills, and color bleeding, so my Jeep seats are safe from everything Bayleigh brings their way. Since they are easy to wipe clean, and can be machine washed, I can easily keep them clean. 

I just cleaned my seats last week.... I had to clean them again before I put on my Frisco Car Seat Cover

Seat Cover or Hammock

    Frisco has these seat covers in a traditional Bench Seat Cover, or a Hammock Cover. I chose the bench style since I also have Liam that sits in the back with the dogs. This way my son and my fur daughters can't ruin my back car seat. The cover is kid and dog proof! ;) 

    The Frisco Hammock Seat Cover will not only protect your back seat, but it also keeps dirt, debris, water, mud and more from your floors. Oh, and it protects the back of your front seats as well. 

Accommodates Human Seat Belts and Pet Restraints

    I love our Frisco Car Seat Cover. It was super easy to install, which means it will be easy to remove and clean, and then put back in the Jeep. You can also access your seat belts with the cover in place. So whether you have a human sitting in the back with your fur baby, or you use a pet restraint for car safety, you can access the buckles so your babies are safe!

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.) ;)

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. 

Get Yours Here!!

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Launch Your Kids into a Fishing Frenzy

    We are a family that loves to fish. However, if you've yet to catch the bug, the Rocket Fishing Rod will launch your kids into a frenzy. It's a super fun, and safer way for kids to catch a big one!

Launch Your Kids into a Fishing Frenzy

    Whether or not your kids love to fish, or you want to expose them to how much fun it is, the Rocket Fishing Rod is perfect. Much easier to cast that traditional rods, it launches their line up to thirty feet into the water. All you do is cock it, and shoot. The bobber launches their line, hook and bait, right into the water.

Safer Than Traditional Poles

    If you're worried about having your kids try to fish because of the danger of the fishing hook, then the Rocket Fishing Rod can set your mind at ease. The bobber actually holds the hook and the bait INSIDE. Once it hits the water, it opens up, and the line with their hook and bait drops down to wait for a fish to gobble it up.

    This is so much safer than having young children cast a line and hook all willy nilly into the water. Since the sharp hooks are encased inside the bobber, no one is going to the hospital with a hook in their body.

Fish On!

    So if you're thinking that this thing can't possibly work, then think again! The very first time my son launched his Rocket Fishing Rod, he caught a fish. I kid you not, the hook no longer released from the bobber, and he had a sunfish on his line. He reeled it in with ease, and being a seasoned fisherman, removed it from the hook, and launched back out into the pond. Liam caught a bunch of panfish that evening.

    He was having so much that we decided to drop our regular poles and give the Rocket Fishing Rod a try. Both myself and my husband were catching fish with it too. We both agree it's easier for kids to maneuver, and they will have a blast!

Get it HERE! 

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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

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Finding Underwear for Those with Sensory Aversions

    Just a heads up, this post will contain some affiliate links for underwear. However, as with all things, I wouldn't share them with you if I didn't approve of them. ;)

Finding Underwear for Those with Sensory Aversions

    If you have a child on the spectrum or one with sensory processing disorder, you know how hard it is to find clothing that they can tolerate. For us, it's underpants and socks. He's good with most tee shirts, soccer or basketball type shorts and pants. It's the undergarments that are an issue.

    My boy needs underwear without tags and harsh seams. He also needs them with a comfy waistband. Oh and in a wicking material. Because if he sweats just the tiniest bit, he's changing his underwear. (And I don't know about you, but I don't want or need more laundry to wash.)

Those with sensory aversions tend to despise the following:

• seams
• tags
• scratchy material
• material that causes them to sweat
• clothing that is too tight

Uwewiz Boxer Briefs

    I just got my son this three pack of boxer briefs from Uwewiz. I chose these for him because they are tagless, and are void of irritating seams. Even the waistband is seamless and made from a soft and comfortable cotton. 

    The underwear themselves are made from premium material, (90% spandex and 10% nylon) that is super silky and soft. It isn't just comfy though. It's designed to wick away moisture. In the words of my son, "It won't give me swamp butt!" This material won't pill either which is another plus when it comes to sensory needs.

     Uwewiz boxer briefs are designed to give the family jewels space. The u shaped pouch in the crotch gives men and boys more room for their "stuff," so they're more comfortable. Liam is twelve and I got him their three pack in size medium/large as they run a bit smaller, and they fit him nicely. Get some for the men and boys you love and I guarantee they'll love them too!