Spangler has also made it possible for parents and kids to enjoy the wonders of science right at home. SteveSpanglerScience.com includes directions for an array of easy science experiments, an impressive collection of hands-on science toys and kits, and a link to Steve Spangler’s blog, where he shares even more science news, fun experiments, and what he’s up to now.

My 10yo son was excited when we were recently able to review the Thames & Kosmos CHEM C1000 chemistry kit from SteveSpanglerScience.com.

This kit is described as ideal for the budding scientist, but trust me, the creators have spared nothing in the quality or design of the kit. Everything is exceptional, from the glass beakers to the sturdy safety goggles, to the full-color, incredibly thorough guide book.

The first thing we realized about this kit is that it’s not something you just dive into willy-nilly. As I mentioned, the guide book is thorough, and you’ll want to spend a good deal of time reading through the safety information before you start.

We also discovered that it’s helpful to go through the booklet before beginning because there are a number of “household items” needed for the experiments, and if you don’t have them on hand before getting started, it’s easy to hit an early roadblock.

My husband and son decided to take the CHEM C1000 chemistry kit to the garage, just to keep any chemicals or fumes away from those of us in the house. My son loved wearing the safety goggles, though we were surprised that despite all the warnings of not letting the chemicals touch his skin, there were no gloves with the kit. Thankfully, we had our own here at home for him to use.

Once they got going, my son had fun playing “mad scientist,” mixing liquids to create new solutions and chemicals, causing things to turn colors or change odors, and generally just wondering at all the ways cause and effect work together in basic chemistry.

There are 75 experiments included in this kit, some of them as exciting as making water roll uphill, creating electricity through chemistry, and other seemingly “magic” tricks of science. My husband and son haven’t gotten quite that far yet, because – as they’ve found – you need to work your way carefully through the manual because several of the early experiments (the solutions created, etc), are used to perform the later experiments. And some of the early experiments must sit for 24 hours before they are complete. Because there are only 4 beakers, you can only do so much work at a time before having to wait overnight and begin the next phase.

The Thames and Kosmos CHEM C1000 kit from SteveSpanglerScience.com is the real deal, and it has stoked a sincere interest in my 10yo son to learn more about the science behind each of the experiments. I would warn that this is not a kit you can necessarily hand to your child and let them work out on their own. Instead, the CHEM C1000 is an opportunity for a parent and child to work together, especially since your child will more than likely need your help reading and interpreting the manual. I would also advise that the CHEM C1000 kit requires an investment of time to carefully prepare and perform each experiment. But if your child is as inquisitive as my 10yo son, and is ready for a serious science kit with quality materials and step-by-step instructions, then the CHEM C1000 chemistry kit would make a fantastic gift for any occasion.

For more information, “Like” Steve Spangler on Facebook, follow Steve Spangler Science on Twitter, or visit SteveSpanglerScience.com where now through December 24th, readers of Tree, Root, and Twig will receive 10% off purchases of $50 or more. Just use the code Toys11-TRT at checkout!

*Disclosure: We received the Thames and Kosmos CHEM C1000 chemistry kit in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are honest and my own. And I just gotta say, even though I thought my son looked pretty goofy in those goggles, he’d probably wear them out in public if I let him. Boys are too funny!

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My Son, the Mad Scientist {Our Review of the CHEM C1000 Kit from Steve Spangler Science} is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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If you’re not familiar with Richard Scarry’s Busytown Mysteries, it’s part of the Cookie Jar TV block of shows on CBS’ Saturday morning line-up. The series features classic Busytown characters like Huckle Cat, his sister Sally Cat, friend Lowly the Worm, and more, solving mysteries by examining evidence, using everyday reasoning skills, and – oh yeah – driving some really fun vehicles (Pickle Car, anyone?).

Now exclusively at Toys ‘R Us, Richard Scarry’s Busytown is brought to life through a number of fun playsets for kids. You can learn more about Busytown and buy products directly online when you “Like” Richard Scarry’s Busytown on Facebook.

We were excited to be sent the Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset for review.

What I noticed immediately about this playset is that my 4yo son did not need my help putting it together. The pieces are durable and fit well, are perfect for little hands, and the set’s size itself is just right – not too expansive or daunting. The tracks can also be put together in a variety of ways, which my son explored over and over. Here he is with a slightly unconventional arrangement of the tracks, but he loved it!:

(*a note about the tracks: they are compatible with most wooden train track systems. score!)

The Busytown Town Hall Deluxe Playset comes with some additional pieces, including a Sergeant Murphy figure and Hilda Hippo in her pencil car. My son got the greatest kick out of that pencil car! It has already seen many adventures on AND off the playset’s track. The Townhall building itself also has several doors or hatches that open, and my son has enjoyed hiding things in those spots and playing a little tricksy peek-a-boo. As an added bonus, the playset comes with a 2-episode DVD of Busytown Mysteries, which is awesome!

*Disclosure: Our family received a playset in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

*original post included giveaway of playset and DVD

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TV Review: Richard Scarry’s Busytown Mysteries – Town Hall Deluxe Playset and DVD is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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Our family of 7 regularly uses 3 different computers at home; I have lost count as to how many documents, photos, music files and more we have created and saved.

Although we have tried our best to sync our computers and use a home share network, sometimes I need the security of knowing certain data is saved in ONE place, and that for a variety of purposes (school, working on an outside computer, etc) that data be secure and portable.

We have USB drives aplenty here, a small sea of them, really. But none of them is nearly as dynamic or with as many added features as the 8GB Kingston DataTraveler 109 USB we were recently sent for review.

The DataTraveler 109 is loaded with unique urDrive software, which not only stores data in a more engaged, desktop-like manner, but also comes loaded with access to tools for improved computer performance, online back-up storage, web browsing, and fun and educational entertainment for kids.

This quick video breaks down the idea behind urDrive software for you:

Our experience with the Kingston DataTraveler 109 USB:

• This is a tiny USB, and I mean tiny. It does have a hole for adding to a keychain or similar, although I like another reviewer’s idea of tying on a large ribbon to keep track of it.
• The urDrive software loads easily and I was quickly able to set up my own urDrive account. Some of the added features lagged a bit on launch and while running, but for the most part have been fun to explore. I tried to set up an account with VDrive (the supplier of the online back-up storage), but every time I tried, it returned with a “system error” message.
• The desktop environment of the urDrive definitely makes organizing and retrieving files more fun, especially with the built-in photo viewer and music player.
• The access to Fooz Kids - a treasure trove of videos, games,  and creative and educational activities for kids that also offers parental controls for safe web browsing – has by far been the add-on feature of most value to me. It actually installs the software onto your computer, and my 4yo son has had a fantastic time with it. I am curious, though, if we will continue to be able to use it, as the service itself if downloaded online costs $11.99/month. I could not find any information on terms of a limited trial, though, so we will just have to see.
• At a price point of roughly $10 for the 8GB Kingston DataTraveler 109 USB, I think this USB is a great value for all it has to offer.

GIVEAWAY: One (1) winner will win a FIVE pack of urDrive USBs from Kingston. To enter, answer in a comment to this post: what computer files are you most concerned about keeping in safe, portable storage? US entries only, please. All entries due by 11:59pm Central time, Thursday, November 24.

For extra entries, please:

• share this giveaway (JUST ONCE!) with your followers on Twitter by using the share button below and leaving “@StaceyNerdin” in the text
• get updates on future posts and giveaways by subscribing to Tree, Root, and Twig via RSS or email

Please leave an extra comment for any additional entry methods used.

Good luck!

Read the complete Official Giveaway Rules for Tree, Root, and Twig.

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CLOSED: Kingston DataTraveler USB with urDrive: Review & Giveaway is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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Until now I’ve been using my iPhone for music, but I constantly worry it will fall out of my pocket or off the exercise bike, and I don’t like using the arm band accessory I bought to hold my iPhone in place. Also, when I’m exercising, I don’t need the distraction of possibly getting a phone call or the temptation of wanting to check my email. I want music, plain and simple.

Which is why I’ve enjoyed reviewing the SanDisk Clip Zip mp3 player. It’s compact, lightweight, and clips directly to my shirt. It has a clear, back-lit, 1.1 inch screen that display information and album art very well, and the navigation buttons are easy to use.

It has a rechargeable battery that is said to last 15+ hours. I haven’t used it that long before just plugging it in to charge, but I’ve never had a problem with battery drainage, either. It also has a micro SD slot to easily expand its built-in 4GB of memory.

The SanDisk Clip Zip plays audiobooks and podcasts, has an internal FM radio tuner, stopwatch, and voice recorder. But, honestly, I’m just loving it for the music.

I’m also loving the SanDisk Clip Zip for how EASY it is to get music loaded. While I love our Apple products, it’s sometimes a pain to try and sync music from three different computers onto one device. With the SanDisk Clip Zip, you can quickly drag and drop files from any computer’s Music folders, or use Windows Media Player to upload your music library.

The SanDisk Clip Zip comes with a free trial offer for Rhapsody and eMusic, but honestly, I’m not a big fan of either service, and didn’t install any of the software or take advantage of the offers. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on any additional features, and my player is working just fine on its own.

Because I’m using the SanDisk Clip Zip mp3 Player primarily for workout music (but do have other tunes on their as well), it was essential that I figure out how to use the Playlists feature. That was such a process in-and-of itself, that I created a whole new post about Creating a Playlist in the SanDisk Clip Zip mp3 Player. Definitely check out the post if you decide to buy this player for yourself.

GIVEAWAY: One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a coupon code from me via email to order a SanDisk Clip Zip mp3 Player via SanDisk’s online store, 100% free, including shipping! Four (4) additional winners will receive a coupon code from me via email for 20% off a SanDisk Clip Zip mp3 Player (shipping not included). US entries only, please. All entries due by 11:59pm Central time, Friday, November 18.

To enter, please answer in a comment to this post: what is one of your favorite songs to put on a work out playlist?

For extra entries, please:

• share this giveaway (JUST ONCE!) with your followers on Twitter by using the share button below and leaving “@StaceyNerdin” in the text
• get updates on future posts and giveaways by subscribing to Tree, Root, and Twig via RSS or email

Please leave an extra comment for any additional entry methods used.

Good luck!

Read the complete Official Giveaway Rules for Tree, Root, and Twig.

Disclosure:  I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of SanDisk and received a product sample to facilitate my review, and coupons to giveaway. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.

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CLOSED: SanDisk Clip Zip mp3 Player: Review & Giveaway is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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Central among their concerns with beauty is controlling and fighting acne, which each of them struggles with to some degree. We’ve tried a variety of acne-control products in the past, with wide and varied results.

We often see commercials for Proactiv on TV, and my girls always express a wish to give the products a try. Which is why when we were given the chance to review Proactiv’s 3-Step System and accompanying Proactiv 365 personalized skin care assistance, I assumed my girls would be doing a happy dance.

Proactiv's 3-Step System

Which they did…for a little while.

I gave my teens the responsibility of using the Proactiv 3-Step System and reporting back to me – which is what I assume most parents do when they buy Proactiv for their teen. I didn’t hound them, but did re-arrange things in the bathroom so they would have space for the products, some washcloths, cotton balls, you name it. I even taped the instructions for the Proactiv 3-Step System up on the wall above the sink. I wanted to support them in using the products, but knew that with the products being ultimately for them, they would need to be responsible in using them.

And I learned an important question to consider before any parent buys Proactiv for their child: will your teen USE IT? I mean, REALLY use it?

Because two things became very clear right away with my girls: they each thought the 3-Step System took longer than they were willing to spend at the sink twice a day, every day, and they were terrible at consistently using the product every day.

When they WERE using the products, two of my three girls said they liked it – it made their skin feel softer, fresher, and when used several days in a row, absolutely made their skin clearer. My third daughter said her skin felt dried out and flushed when she used Proactiv, so she stopped altogether.

My two daughters who enjoyed the effects of Proactiv were also impressed with Proactiv 365, a “Care & Benefits” service for Proactiv customers that offers custom skin care advice from advisors on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. My girls weren’t necessarily interested in chatting live online with an professional advisor (for some reason, that kind of freaked them out), but they did appreciate the online forum for Proactiv customers and the massive Q&A database that gives all sorts of information about the products themselves and acne treatment in general.

So with all Proactiv has to offer in terms of effective products and the support from Proactiv 365, why wasn’t it enough to keep my girls consistently using the product? I’m not sure. Teens will be teens, I suppose. Busy, mercurial, distracted.

I also think perhaps they became too lenient when they saw the products working and would stop when they saw their acne clear up. The Proactiv site (and paperwork that comes with the product) says several times that the products need to be used even when skin is clear in order to keep up with the regimen.

So, I have to say this review is mixed for us. I saw that the products worked for two of my three teenage daughters. But I also saw that adopting a strict routine like this was difficult for them to insert into their already busy schedule, acne or no acne. Definitely something to consider when deciding if Proactiv is right for your teen.

*Note: it’s worth mentioning that Proactiv does have a 60-day money-back guarantee, so if it does not work for your teen or your teen is simply not interested in using the products effectively, you can return the products for a refund of the purchase price.

**Disclosure:  I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Proactiv and received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions expressed are honest and my own (as well as my teenage daughters’).

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Our Teens’ Mixed Review of Proactiv Acne-Fighting Products is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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