Decorating With Chocolate Pen for Kids

Food Art

MBE partnered with  Chocolate Pen for this campaign and this post contains affiliate links

Easily Create Beautiful, Edible DIY Chocolate Art

Who doesn't either love chocolate or know someone who does, especially kids, right? If you have one or more chocolate-loving kids or grandkids who also enjoy being in the kitchen and/or getting creative, you have to check out the new, updated Chocolate Pen Craft Kit from Skyrocket Toys which we discovered at the virtual toy fair and conference Sweet Suite at Home just a few weeks ago.

As you can see from the candy, cookie and cake masterpieces crafted for this story by my darling nephew (age 6) and niece (age 4) -- created under the watchful eyes of Nuriyyeh, their crafty mom -- the Chocolate Pen is a fun creative outlet for both boys and girls. It's an activity which can help build your child's creative skills, fine motor skills, and sense of pride and accomplishment, too. 

Once the box is opened and you've reviewed the simple instructions with your youngsters to set everything up, kids can let the magical fun begin, to easily draw, write, and decorate with the included pink, blue, white and brown meltable chocolate as well as make colorful, detailed chocolate candies  with the candy molds also included in the set.

But, the delights don't have to be limited just to younger kids. Crafty tweens, teens and grownups with more developed hand and eye coordination and skills and a longer attention span might also have hours of fun making fancy chocolates, and decorating homemade and store-bought cookies, cakes and other sweet treats with chocolate. Potentially this can result in some edible works of art you'll be proud serve for every day and special occasions.

How the Chocolate Pen Works

According to Nuriyyeh, "The Chocolate Pen has so much going for it and is a great way for mom, dad or the grandparents to engage with kids as well as bond and enjoy some quality time together. Straight out of the box, the well-written instructions are easy to follow. What's more is that this unique pen, which when filled releases melted chocolate at the push of a button, came already assembled. All I had to do was get out a screwdriver to open the pen and add two AAA batteries which I luckily had on hand to get started.

"The warming tray took about 20 minutes to warm up and kept the chocolate at a good consistency to use with the pen the whole time the kids were working with it. The pen is also simple to switch from "fill mode" to "draw mode" and fits in small hands well. The chocolate molds in this starter set including some bonus molds inspired by Blume Dolls are really fun to make, setting well and producing nice shapes.

"Adding to the fun is the see-through parchment paper with tracing sheets which also came with the set, building creative confidence and guiding the kids with the design process. An added plus, from a mom-perspective, is that both the pen and warmer are easy to disassemble and clean.

"Long story short is both my kids had a real blast letting their inner artist go wild with the Chocolate Pen and were so proud of their creations as you can see by their big smiles," Nuriyyeh says. 

"Luckily the brand offers chocolate refill packs, so you never have to run out of chocolate to decorate more sweets after you've used up the generous amount of melting chocolate that is included in the set. Thinking ahead, this will be a handy kitchen creative tool for them (and me) to use to decorate cookies and desserts for holidays and special occasions throughout the year as well as to make gifts for their teachers, family and friends."

Multi-Generational Fun: See the Chocolate Pen in Action...

The Chocolate Pen Craft Set includes

• Chocolate Pen Designed for Kids
• Drawing Tip
• Warming Tray With Lid
• 4 Tasty Chocolate Colors
• Stirring Stick
• 40 Mold Designs
• Charging Cable
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Recommended for Ages 6+

Additional Items Needed (Not Included in Set)

• One 2 Amp Powerblock Wall Plug for the Warming Tray
• Two new AAA Batteries for the Chocolate Pen

More about the Chocolate Pen

The Chocolate Pen from Skyrocket Toys is fun boys and girls, as well as tweens, teens and grownups.  The Chocolate Pen crafting kit  and the Chocolate Pen refill set are available in-store and online in the US and Canada. In addition to the basic kit featured in our review, there is also a Chocolate Pen Bonus Set which comes with even more chocolate for crafting sweet treats. 

Remember, whichever set you buy, you'll also need a 2 amp powerblock wall plug (for warming tray) and two AAA batteries for the Chocolate Pen.

• One 2 Amp Powerblock Wall Plug for the Warming Tray
• Two new AAA Batteries for the Chocolate Pen

For lots of creative inspiration and to learn more check out the brand's website as well as follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and  Twitter.

DISCLOSURE: Mommy Blog Expert participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The Secret Dare to Dream Movie Review

Movies 

MBE partnered with Lionsgate for this Review and Giveaway 

Releases Friday, Don't Miss Giveaway Below 

Against the beautiful rural backdrops of both Louisiana and Tennessee, the inspiring and thought-provoking new movie The Secret: Dare to Dream from Lionsgate, originally made for the big screen, is available for home viewing on Premium View On Demand as of July 31 in the US and Canada.

Starring Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas, along with Celia Weston and Jerry O'Connell the feature film is based on the 2006 best-selling book

Nothing seems to be going right for Miranda Wells (Katie Holmes), a hard-working young widow struggling financially and emotionally to be a loving and attentive mother to her three children (a demanding teenage girl with a younger brother and sister). 

Miranda has almost lost all hope of being the mom she wants to be and finding love again after the sudden loss of her husband several years prior. Then, when a powerful hurricane hits and her family's rural house on the bayou not far from New Orleans is badly damaged by the storm, a mysterious man named Bray Johnson (Josh Lucas) blows into her life. 

Like the book which received rave reviews from Oprah Winfrey and many others, the movie The Secret: Dare to Dream is all about inspiration for living, no matter what challenges one faces. It's about the belief based on the Law of Attraction, that thoughts have the power to change a person's destiny. If you follow Byrne's three-step process: Ask, Believe, Receive, you can potentially positively impact any area of your life whether in money matters, relationships, and more.

In this day and age with the Coronavirus Pandemic continuing to rage through the world like an out-of-control relentless hurricane storm leaving a trail of sickness and death in its wake, a feel-good movie like this could not be more timely and inspirational to us all. 

Speaking of the book The Secret, which this new movie is based on, I'm excited to announce a flash giveaway of five digital copies of this life-changing book. Read on to find out how you can enter and win! 

Giveaway 

The Secret

5 Digital Books for US/Canada Winners! 

MBE Giveaway on Instagram

Thanks to Lionsgate, FIVE (5) lucky MBE giveaway participants will each win a digital copy of the book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. To enter this giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post to enter. Contest is open to US + Canada residents and ends at July 31, 2020.

About The Secret: Dare to Dream 

From Lionsgate and rated PG, The Secret: Dare to Dream is available for rent for $19.99 through On Demand platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, and cable providers starting Friday, July 31, 2020. See the official site and follow the movie on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube to learn more. All images in post courtesy of Lionsgate.

PBS Kids Grades K-3 Writers Contest

Kids

K-3 Writers Contest Entry Deadline Extended to July 31

With school closures due to the pandemic and many parents homeschooling your children, here's something fun and educational you can do this summer to keep the learning going, while also promoting literacy for the next generation of future leaders. 

Image by Kiana Bosman

Encourage your son or daughter to participate in The PBS SoCal KIDS Writers Contest, an annual creative writing competitive event for boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through Third Grade who are legal residents of California. Local winners will be honored at an awards ceremony and receive prizes.

Libraries, schools, home school kids, after school programs, and clubs are all invited to join the competition. Winners will be selected at each grade level as well as special categories including Humor, Illustration, Science Fiction and Kindness. Story entries may be in any language and non-English language stories will be considered as long as an English translation is submitted with the entry and adheres to the accepted word count.

Image by Lucas George Wendt

More About the PBS SoCal KIDS Writing Contest

• All stories, illustrations, and poems must be the original work of the entrant
• Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling, integration of story and illustrations, and overall presentation.
• First, second, and third place winners will be chosen from each grade K-3
• Every kid who enters will receive a Certificate of Appreciation
• Prizes include PBS KIDS Playtime Pads, $25-$50 gift cards, books, and more. 

See the full list of prizes and get your child started with their entry now by using the Writing Activity Booklet provided by PBS SoCal Kids. Entry forms and rules are available in English and Spanish.

Image by Johny Goerend

PBS SoCal KIDS Writers Contest

How to Enter 

Hurry, Entry Deadline 7/31/20

Scoob Launches on 4K, Bluray + DVD Giveaway Review

Movies

MBE partnered with Warner Bros. for this review and giveaway

New Scooby-Doo Home Entertainment Release

 

Since 1969, Scooby-Doo (Where are You? for those of us who are old enough to remember the original episodes) has entertained multiple generations of kids. As of today, Scoob! (2020), the latest animated feature film centered around the beloved, talking big brown Great Dane cartoon character from Hanna-Barbera Productions, is now available on 4K UHD Combo Pack, Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Scoob! Movie Now on 4K, Blu-ray + DVD

Now available for kids and families to watch together at home, in this episode of the epic franchise the origins of Mystery Inc. are revealed, unmasking the back story of Scooby's origins. 

In Scoob! get ready for a fun and charming adventure to time travel back to that glorious time when a lonely boy named Shaggy first met a homeless, shy but sweet puppy. Fans will also learn how these two kindred spirits joined up with mini detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the legendary detective operation known as Mystery Inc. Together, they face a new mystery to solve, the most challenging mystery ever which involves an evil plot to unleash a global "dogpocalypse" by a ghost dog named Cerberus. 

Scenes from Scoob!, Image Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The kid- and family-friendly Scoob! is directed by award-winning Warner Bros animation pro Tony Cervone, who also was one of the creators of the popular Scooby-Doo series Mystery Incorporated. Featuring some of the best known actors voicing the various characters including Will Forte (Shaggy Rogers), Mark Wahlberg (Blue Falcon), Jason Isaacs (Dick Dastardly), Gina Rodriguez (Velma Dinkley), Zac Efron (Fred Jones), Amanda Seyfried (Daphne Blake), Kiersey Clemons (Dee Dee Skyes), Ken Jeong (Dynomutt), Tracy Morgan (Captain Caveman), Simon Cowell (as himself), and Frank Welker (Scooby-Doo / Pterodactyl). 

Insiders Tip to Get the Most Out of Scoob! 

Make sure to stick around for the closing credits when watching this movie so you don't miss the montage of nostalgic adventures from Scooby-Doo and friends over the years.

Lots of Movie Special Features 

Scoob! 4K UHD Combo Pack & Blu-ray Extras Included

• Bloopers
• Deleted Scenes
• How to Draw Scooby-Doo
• New Friends, Newer Villains
• Puppies

Scoob! DVD Extra Included

• How to Draw Scooby-Doo

Giveaway

SCOOB! Movie

4K UHD Combo Pack

MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win the brand new Scoob! 4K UHD Combo Pack to enjoy at home. To enter this Movie Giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends July 27, 2020 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

More About Scoob!

As of July 21, Scoob! (2020), from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with a run time of approximately 94 minutes, is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD and digital. Learn more by visiting the official site as well as following the movie on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Finding Inner Peace In Uncertain Times

Wellness

5 Tips to Find Inner Peace in Stressful Times

MBE partnered with The Spa Girl Life for this post + giveaway

In these stressful and turbulent times, with the pandemic raging on seemingly with no bounds, feeling centered and finding calm and inner peace has never been more important. This is of course true for just about everyone right now. But it is especially a reality for today's moms and dads who have been trying so hard to multitask like never before, working from home while also homeschooling and looking after one or more children.

Take Time for Yourself

Here are my own tips for achieving an overall sense of well-being

1. Look Inward

Slow down and look inward. Take the time to care for your emotional and spiritual self so you'll have the stamina and energy to nurture and be present for the family members or friends around you. Take notice in the simple pleasures in front of your eyes and model that sense of positivity and gratitude for your loved ones, especially children who look to you for how to react. Begin each morning as you open your eyes by just being thankful that you are very much alive.

2. Make Music

Soft music, whether it's classical, white noise, or new age is thought to soothe the soul. If you haven't tried it before, try playing a recording of the calming sound of a bubbling brook as it laps against the smooth river rocks or the pitter patter of raindrops gently falling on the forest floor. You'll be surprised what kind of naturally sedating effect gentle music has on a perfectly healthy, but fussy baby who just won't fall asleep. In fact, playing the same classical music every night at bedtime in my triplets room really helped lull my babies to sleep.

Amethyst Natural Crystal 

3. Get Outside & Play

Make sure you get enough fresh air and light outdoors every day, weather permitting. It really is true that a little outside time will often leave you feeling more refreshed when you return inside. Exercise and play are an important component of that time outdoors for everyone, both the kids and us grownups. An added benefit of getting out gives you another way of looking at the world, surrounding you with nature: blue sky, clouds, sunrises and sunsets, flowers and trees, wildlife like birds chirping, and more depending on where you live. Yes, even if you live in the city, really open your eyes, ears and other senses, and you will experience a different feeling outside that you can bring home in your mind.

4. Be Kinder to Others

We're not just talking about the people under your own roof. Nor do I mean just common decency and treating other human beings with respect. What I suggest is to go out of your way to say something nice to that hard working cashier at the supermarket. When you do, it will almost certainly leave both of you feeling a whole lot better afterward. What's more is that when you do this simple act of kindness with a child within earshot, they will be watching and learning from you by example how gratifying it can be when you say or do something nice -- however small -- beyond what is expected. Before you know it, you'll be raising a child who multiples his or her own joy simply by giving of themselves and being kind to others.

5. Create a Calming Environment

Aromatherapy is yet another avenue to spreading a sense of calm and feeling of wellbeing across your household. For me, there's nothing more relaxing than the smell of a burning scented candle, like the Hand Poured Hawaiian Sunset Soy Candle I recently received from The Spa Girl Life, which also came with a tiny white pouch including two amethyst crystal stones. With its fragrant notes of orange blossom, lavender, jasmine, rose and musk, this candle fragrance profile not only transports me back to last summer's vacation on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The scent burning beside me right now makes me also feel more relaxed but at the same time, more energized and creative as I write this story.

Read on to enter for chance to win a beautiful The Spa Girl Life candle with two natural crystals in an organdy white pouch in winner's choice of scent.

Giveaway

The Spa Girl Life

Candle with Crystals

Winner's Choice

MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

The Spa Girl Life Candle & Crystal Giveaway

Thanks to The Spa Girl Life, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win their choice of one of The Spa Girl Life's candle and natural crystal sets. To enter the giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry this giveaway ends August 3, 2020 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. The Spa Girl Life is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

 

About The Spa Girl Life

The Spa Girl Life is a 2020 NAPPA Winner. Founded by Nicole Black, a female wellness entrepreneur and mother of one daughter in Santa Barbara, California, The Spa Girl Life's collection of candles, paired with different natural crystals, combine the calming benefits of aromatherapy with the healing powers of crystals. Each candle is hand poured, made with soy wax and cotton wicks, and comes with two natural stones, a mantra card, and a link to guided meditation. Billed as a mini first aid kit for the soul, these make beautiful gifts for moms and moms-to-be as well as anyone else seeking ways to destress and find inner peace. Learn more on The Spa Girl Life official site as well as follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.