National Parks Summer Camp Theme Inspires Innovation for Kids Pre-K to 8th Grade


Parenting






#SpendSummerBold

Our National Parks are collectively America's greatest playground, classroom and art studio. So it couldn't be more fun, educational and creatively inspiring that there's something special going on to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park system. Camp Galileo, with more than 50 locations in Southern California, San Francisco Bay Area and Chicagoland, will be offering a National Park theme week as part of their innovative and educational offerings for the 2016 summer day camp session.


MommyBlogExpert.com
It's amazing what your kids will think of and create when you work with them at home using the Galileo Innovation Approach (GIA) which involves five key mindsets

1. Visionary - Identify goals and decide on a theme to build upon
2. Collaborative - Brainstorm and generate ideas together
3. Determined - Talk about the importance of being visionary as they start their projects
4. Courageous - Encourage kids to be fearless as they go through the creative process
5. Reflective - Evaluate what worked and trouble shoot to redesign better next time

These 5 concepts using the GIA are demonstrated in the four very different crafts my own children created when we sat down to innovate inspired by many National Parks we've visited as a family.

A palm tree painting on canvas...
MommyBlogExpert.com
A horse desert scene made with cardboard... 
MommyBlogExpert.com
A leaf molded from a real one in ceramic...
MommyBlogExpert.com
A painted seashell pencil box...
MommyBlogExpert.com
These mind expanding, creative and fun activities are reflective of the sorts of projects and activities the Camp Galileo kids will experience this summer whether you're looking for an art camp, science camp or a combination of the two.

Save $40 + Get Early Bird Savings - Signup Before 2/29/16
Readers who register your kids for Camp Galileo before February 29th are eligible for both the $40 discount and the Early Bird Savings. After February 29th, the $40 discount will still be active.  Guarantee your spot—and your biggest savings—by February 29th and you can change your camp date or location through May 2 for absolutely no fee.



MommyBlogExpert.com
Just Think of All the National Parks Your Kids Can "Visit" This Summer with Camp Galileo!


Free DIY Downloadable Projects
Galileo also offers FREE downloadable directions with a list of materials your child will need to make educational craft projects including LED Illuminated Cards, Bristle BotsSushi Design & Creation, a Rubberband Helicopter  and a Spoon Catapult. All these stimulating activities are representative of the type of projects Galileo campers create.

MommyBlogExpert.com

About Camp Galileo
Camp Galileo has more than 50 locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California and Chicagoland offering age-appropriate curricula for campers Pre-K through entering 8th Grade. National Parks Adventure is just one of the themes Galileo will offer this summer for kids Pre-K through 5th grade. The other 2016 themes, featuring age-appropriate activities and projects, are Space Explorers, Galileo Makers: Toys and Galileo Olympics
At Galileo summer camp, through the Galileo Innovation Approach, kids have transformative, mind-blowing, life-changing fun. It's where your kids will learn a whole new way to create. Kids start to see themselves differently—they start to think of themselves as innovators, with the vision and confidence to change the world. At Galileo, innovators rule. Visit the official website for more information.

FTC Disclosure: I received a Camp Galileo gift bag and payment to facilitate this post. However opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Best Oscar Night Smartphone Apps + More to Enjoy the Academy Awards on Your Devices

Technology


This is a sponsored post

#VZWBuzz

Living directly under the final approach to Santa Monica Airport, I always know something important is going on in town when the number of private jets flying over the neighborhood spikes. And with Oscar Week just a few days away and the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 28, local luxury plane traffic is increasing big time right now. Even if you're not here in Los Angeles, across the world Oscar Fever is definitely heating up for one of the most popular television broadcasts of the year.




There are so many great ways for everyone who loves entertainment to partake in the excitement of the Oscars via your smartphones and tablets.  From all the Vanity Fair parties and events I've been invited to cover for MBE next week from Feb 24-28, to the Oscar Night red carpet fashion, to the awards themselves, to the post ceremony parties and after-awards commentaries, there will be so much going on.


Best Apps to Take it All In


In addition to logging into Oscar.com, 2021 Inside the Oscars Podcast, and playing along by printing your own free Oscars Ballot PDF and predicting the winners, below are my top picks to enhance your enjoyment and engagement in all the festivities. Go ahead and indulge, because as the Academy says, "We All Dream in Gold."


Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

Official Oscars App
For iOS and Android users, check out the ABC show-focused apps offering goldmine of functionality and fun beyond what you'll see on the actual telecast. Thanks to webcams strategically placed around the awards venue at Hollywood & Highland Center, using this app you'll be able to view the winners' extended Thank Yous, as well as get an insider's view backstage, in the control room and in the press room.  The apps continue to be better each year so you can expect the newest versions to  allow even more unprecedented viewing and sharing options as well as gives you the chance to see more video and interact with all the Oscar Night excitement.

Fandango App
Offers apps for both iOS and Android as well as Apple Watch, where you can find which theaters are open and what health safety protocols are in place as well as do ticket purchasing and theater seat selection.

IMDb App
Whether for iOS or Android, this is your go-to source to see all the details of every movie ever made. This will come in handy if you want to try and see some or most of the movies up for awards this year as well as to consult while you're watching the Oscars and you want to see a trailer, a complete list of crew and cast members, or other trivia for a particular movie.


Pinterest App
The well-known platform Pinterest, which runs on both iOS and Android, is a personal favorite of mine. As you'll see from MBE's dedicated Oscar Night Party Ideas Pinterest board, this is an incredible source featuring a seemingly infinite stream of creative DIY ideas for those of you who will be holding an Oscar viewing party at home this year. You'll find a huge stash of Oscar Watching Party DIY Crafts and Recipes, including easy-to-do projects of every type imaginable from free printable invitations and ballots for your guests to predict the winners to inside and outside decorations, photo booths and props, entertaining ideas and Oscar-theme food and drink recipes.






FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert is a Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger brand ambassador and receive various devices and other perks as a member of the #VZWBuzz influencer team. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Disney Alice Through the Looking Glass Sneak Peek & New Singer P!nk Featurette


Movies





#DisneyAlice

Ahead of the Memorial Weekend 2016 release of Alice Through the Looking Glass, Disney has just announced some new fun freebies to pique your interest in the upcoming movie. As you can see from this poster, Disney most definitely has a whole new look for this project.

First up is this extended theatrical trailer of the upcoming adventure, family fantasy film starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska, and Sacha Baron Cohen.





Also a must see for Disney fans is an entertaining behind-the-scenes featurette of artist P!nk (Alecia Moore), who will be writing and recording a new song for Alice Through the Looking Glass, in the studio talking about the film and singing the iconic song White Rabbit.





Stay up to date on all the news leading up to the release of Alice Through the Looking Glass by staying tuned for future posts right here on Mommy Blog Expert as well as following the Disney brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation in connection with this post and Disney provided all images in this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Odysseo Cavalia Choreographed Horses Show Dancing to Delight Across the Generations


Entertainment



by Norma Perez, Mom Blogger
MommyBlogExpert.com

#OdysseoOC

There's nothing like quality family-friendly live entertainment that appeals across the generations. One of the finest examples I've ever experienced is Odysseo by Cavalia, now playing through March 13th in Southern California at The White Big Top in Irvine in Orange County -- a wonderful, soulful and engaging show my hubbie and I just took our daughter and her friend to see. 


Travelers, Photo by Jak Wonderly
It was simply magical: 65 spectacular four legged dancing horse stars representing a dozen different breeds, all with precise and impeccable training along with 45 artists in exquisite costumes performing. 


The Odyssey, Photo by Pascal Ratthe
I was particularly touched by how the stunning looking giant creatures were handled by their human co-stars with such tenderness. 

You see, as you watch them in action, it's easy to imagine these equines being hypnotized with invisible strings attached to their legs as if they were being lifted flawlessly marionette puppet-style into the air.




The connection between horse and trainer was very impressive and beautiful throughout the performance. At no time could any one of us sense the horses being fearful of the crowd, tense or tired in the least. 


The Fairies, Photo by Pascal Ratthe
Every single piece of music was worth an ovation, each song intentionally written to take your breath away. 

Each choreographed number was a true masterpiece, too, complimented by the dancers ability to wow the audience as they demonstrated their gymnastics expertise in vaulting on top of gracefully moving horses. In fact, during the show these beautiful animals performed just about every skill possible from prancing to gallantly trotting and even dancing.


Sarah (right) with her friend, MommyBlogExpert.com
My 7 year-old daughter Sarah, who has been passionate about horses since she was a toddler, was mesmerized. I don't think I ever saw her even blink once and I am certain that she will never forget this unique experience. In summary, Odysseo, the new adventure by Cavalia is a must-see family show both young and old will enjoy.


Odysseo by Cavalia, Photo by Dan Harper
More Information
The largest known touring production of its kind, Odysseo Cavalia tickets are available now for performances at The White Big Top at the junction of the I-405 and SR-133 in Irvine for shows through March 13, 2016. Ticket prices range from $29.50 to $144.50 with a variety of VIP packages also offered for $149.50 to $269.50. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit the official website. Another great way to stay up to date on this elaborate production and to see lots more photos of the show's beautiful 4-legged stars is to follow Cavalia on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

FTC Disclosure:  MBE blogger Norma Perez and her family were invited to attend Odysseo Cavalia to facilitate media coverage for this post. However opinions in this post are Norma's alone. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

5 Tips to Perfect Lips Stain Application for Busy Constantly On the Go Women & Moms


Beauty



Editor's Note: With this post, I'm pleased to introduce the newest member of the Mommy Blog Expert team: Amanda Cianciolo. Amanda is an Arizona mom of four, a full-time nurse, and a Younique consultant who will be covering beauty, fashion and lifestyle for this blog. Watch for her regular exclusive MBE posts twice a month.

by Amanda Cianciolo, Lifestyle Blogger
MommyBlogExpert.com



LOVE IS IN THE AIR! With Valentine’s Day this past weekend, I think many of us ladies are in agreement that even on the other 364 days of the year we love to feel beautiful and impress the lucky person in our lives. From your hair, to your outfit that you change five times, and most importantly your make up.


Have that full coverage foundation to cover all of the blemishes on your face, the eye shadow that will last hours without creasing, fading, or wearing off, those full long lashes, and last but not least that amazing lip color that will last all night. You definitely want to keep your lips luscious and kissable year-round!


Friend Kaylie in Younique Stiff Upper Lip, Sleek

NO NEED TO STRESS about having to constantly reapply the lipstick or lip-gloss.  Instead of using a lipstick or a lip-gloss, why not try a lip stain like Younique Stiff Upper Lip Lip Stain ($22) available in 7 gorgeous shades? You won’t have to worry about applying it several times throughout the day or night and it will not leave lip prints when you take a drink of your wine during a romantic dinner. It won't even rub off on your sweetie if you decide to give that special person a little kiss. And, best of all, it will keep your lips looking gorgeous the entire time.


Friend Stephanie in Younique Upper Lip, Saucy

Another great perk to using a lip stain is that men usually do not like getting your pretty lipstick all over them; this amazing product will not even leave a mark. So not only are you benefiting from having amazing lips, your special someone doesn’t have to worry about wearing it too.


Have you ever wondered how female celebrities' smiles of every age always seem to appear perfect? Maybe you're even wondering how that associate at work or that mom you are always seeing at your kids' school with her immaculately looking lips does it? It's really not such a mystery. With lip stain and these simple steps you will be surprised to learn how easy it is for YOU to have perfect lips every time, too.

Me in Younique Stiff Upper Lip, Skittish, MommyBlogExpert.com

5 steps to lip stain application perfection
  • Be sure your lips are nice and smooth, if you notice dry skin or flakes, simply take a soft toothbrush and gently scrub away loose skin
  • Start with clean dry lips, this includes no other products on them such as liners, chap stick, moisturizers, etc.
  • Put one layer on of the lip stain at a time, doing the upper and lower lips separately because this is not like lipstick where you rub your lips together
  • Allow the first layer of lip stain to dry on your lips completely (it feels like water resting on your lips when applying)
  • Apply as many layers as you like to get as dark a shade as you desire
Before you know it, your family and friends are probably going to notice and will start asking you what's your secret to perfect lips.



Younique Stiff Upper Lip Lip Stain, MommyBlogExpert.com

About the Author
Amanda Cianciolo is a mother of four, nurse and Pink Status Presenter for Younique. To contact Amanda for beauty advice, to get invites to her online beauty events, and to purchase Younique products from her visit Younique.com.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was exchanged in connection with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.