Cow's Can't Quack! (or jump)

Tweet

Our Father's Day was really great. AJ got home around 11:00 A.M. and Aliceana made him open his present (really, she found it on the floor and started unwrapping it herself almost as soon as AJ got home.) We spent most of the time hanging out outside as a family, just relaxing, and even listened to the baseball game on the radio. 

Then I made a rhubarb crunch pie (recipe for that later this week!) and we went over to my Father-in-law's for dinner and shared the pie. After we got home and Aliceana was asleep we watched a movie. It was a really nice, simple and relaxing day!

I bet you're wondering what I got AJ for Father's Day! First, since he's always on the road I framed a picture of AJ and Aliceana and backed it with velcro so he can display it in the back of his truck cab. 

Then for his main gift, I gave him two books called "Cow's Can't Quack" and "Cow's Can't Jump." These books are written by David Reisman and illustrated by Jason A. Maas. They're absolutely adorable, a quirky little twist to the normal animal sound books. 

Each page follows the same theme as the pages I have pictured below, "Cow's Can't quack." "...but they can moo." "Moose can't moo..." "...but they can..." and it keeps repeating with different animals. 

Aliceana loved looking at the pictures, when her daddy read to her. I was really excited to give these books to my husband for a gift to read with Aliceana, as he grew up on a dairy farm. I wrote in the card, "Now you can start teaching Aliceana all about cows (they can't jump, or quack!)"  

I also love that these books are available in both board books and paperback books. These would be great books for little ones who are just starting to read, they're a great length too (not too long, but not too short either!)

Both books are available to buy from Jumping Cow Press, you can purchase via Amazon or download onto any reading device! Make sure to visit Jumping Cow Press on Twitter and Facebook!

One lucky reader will receive signed paperback copies of Cows Can't Jump and Cows Can't Quack!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Father's Day!

Tweet

AJ is always telling me that I'm an awesome mom, but I can think of so many areas of parenting he's better at than me. Daddy just does it better!

So this post is all for our Super Da-da-DAAAAAAAAAAD! (That's in Aliceana's voice if you couldn't tell) 

When it comes down to Aliceana you're far superior at...

Bath Time

If I attempt to give Allie a bath it turns into a disaster, one of us ends up crying and afterwards the bathroom looks like a tsunami hit. When you give her bath time it's all fun and giggles, you can turn the dreaded bath time into playtime. Only a rock star dad could do that.

Dirty Diaper Duty

You know I love to rely on you to change those dirty diapers when you're home. All those years of you living on the farm have totally paid off, as nothing grosses you out. Also, you can clean up messes without using half a tub of wipes like I do, that still amazes me.

Teaching Aliceana About General Mischief 

Oh you're fabulous at convincing her to tickle my feet. The day you taught her to fan everyone with a newspaper was really fun too. I have a feeling this has only just begun. 

Cartoon Time

You have this talent of being able to hang out with Aliceana on the couch, she doesn't like sitting on my lap, but for you she'll just veg out and be comfy. I'm kind of really jealous of this. 

Dressing Allie in Girly Colors

You're fabulous at dressing her in 5 different shades of pink, sure they clash, but at least you get the point that she's a girl across to strangers on those days.

Errands with Allie

I don't know how you do it, but you make running errands with Aliceana in tow seem easy, and it seems like you actually enjoy it! She's basically a celebrity at the bank now since you take her so often!

You Have a Beard.

I'm not sure if you realize this, but you have a beard growing on your face... This beard is pretty much the most amazing thing Aliceana has ever had the ability to constantly tug on ever. Instant toy! 

Your Breakfasts Are Way Yummy

When you're home we don't get stuck eating scrambled eggs and toast, we always have quite the awesome meal. Whether bacon and eggs, or pancakes, we love it!

There are so many more parenting things you rock at, way too many to list. You're definitely an amazing dad and we're lucky to have you. 

Happy 1st official Father's Day!

Flips Audio (The Coolest Headphones Ever)

Tweet

Thank you to Flips Audio for providing me with a pair of Flips Headphones for review!

When I first met AJ he was in a band. Being the music lover that I am, I always tagged along to band practice and I even watched as they recorded their music (one night I even took part as we recorded a parody of Creep by Radiohead with hilarious lyrics that we made up.) I worked for the band a lot too, whether promoting via social media, or lugging equipment around at shows.

When recording music we always used superior headphones, but it always always awkward when they would ask each other how it would sound, and they would each take turns listening with the headphones. It definitely wastes time, and oh how awkward! When it was my turn to listen I would be paranoid that I was breathing too loudly or that I would show any expression on my face (I was always worried it would look like I wasn't enjoying it) since everyone would pay attention to the person listening.

Flips Audio came up with the best solution to that problem!

Flips Audio is a brand founded by four guys, an MIT guy, producer, designer, and entrepreneur. They all worked together to create an amazing product. This product is HD quality headphones that turn into HD speakers. 

AJ is kind of a technology snob, and when I said I was writing this review, he told me I should just be writing that these are "awesome," because they truly are.

First of all, I love the design. Currently Flips is only available in two colors, but they are gorgeous. I have the black with green accents (also available in white with red accents.)

They fold up nicely for travel as well, and even come with their own stylish (hard shell) carrying case, with an attached carabiner. 

As far as headphones go, these are great quality headphones. They're comfortable and produce great HD sound. I especially love using these on my phone that has Beats Audio, the quality sound is simply amazing. 

Then it comes down to the simple flip of the headphones, and they are transformed into some of the best portable speakers I've ever heard. 

These are 40mm neodymium speakers with an optimized amplifier, producing a Amp'd Hi Def sound. These are powered by a lithium ion battery which is rechargeable through any USB and lasts hours.  

Honestly, I love the quality of the speakers and use them almost every time I'm working in my office. They beat the speakers of my brand new gaming computer by a long shot! Here's a picture of my headphones as I'm working in the office, and you bet I'm using them right now too!

Overall, this is just a fantastic invention. I'm obsessed with not only how great the idea is, but how well these headphones are executed in design. Having a device that provides Hi Def sound in two different modes is absolutely perfect. I'll never hear music the same way again. 

If you're a music lover, or know a music lover, you need to check out Flips Audio!

You can purchase Flips Headphones online at flipsaudio.com. They're already available for the low price of $120.00 (dirt cheap when you consider the that these are HD quality headphones AND speakers, but my readers get a discount code on top of that low price!

To Get $10 Off on Flips Headphones PLUS Rush Shipping Upgrade FREE*

Enter Code:  FA0010INT

*This Offer is exclusive to purchases made online at www.flipsaudio.com and valid from June 12, 2013 through July 16, 2013. Each unit purchased will receive $10.00 Off the online retail price plus we’ll “upgrade” your shipping from ground to Rush 3-Day at no additional cost to you. This Offer is unlimited in quantity and cannot be combined with any other offers. 

Sports Team Packs by Lovable Labels

Tweet

Thank you to Lovable Labels for providing me with a Sports Team Pack for review!

It's no secret that I love Lovable Labels. They're adorable and so useful. So I definitely love the idea of the Sports Team packs, they're perfect if your child is on any kind of sports team. No more confusing each other's gear. My favorite use for these Sports Team Packs are as party favors, having a sports themed party? Now you have the perfect favors! Starting at only $5 each and a favor that makes the parents happy, now that's the perfect party favor!

The Sports Team Pack includes 6 sets of; 6 Multi-purpose Sticker Labels, 8 Press N’ Stick Clothing DOTS, 1 set of Shoe Labels and 1 Mini Metal Tag.

Lovable Labels are waterproof, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, washer and dryer safe, sun safe, bleach safe, sunscreen safe, and temperature safe! Now those are some tough labels, and I can definitely tell you from experience that these are dishwasher safe, I use these on Aliceana's sippy cups that are constantly being sanitized in the dishwasher and the stickers look just like new. 

Check out the Sports Team Pack I had printed for my younger relatives!

One lucky reader will win their very own Lovable Labels Sports Team Pack ARV $30!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Playgrounds and Cream Puffs

Tweet

This past weekend was our town's biggest festival (Walleye Weekend, it's also a fishing tournament), and since AJ was home we decided we definitely should attempt to go.

We actually got there right as everything was opening on Friday. 

AJ and I have been trying to find the Cream Puff vendor for the last several years with no success. So this year, not only did we find the vendor. We got the first cream puff of Walleye Weekend. 

We found a lakeside picnic table and shared our cream puff, it was pretty yummy. Even Aliceana had a bite. We were all powdered sugar messes.

Since it was still early the playground was pretty empty, so we finally got to let Aliceana play at the park! We have our own toddler swing and slides in our backyard, but that's not the same. Every time I've had the idea to go to the park there hasn't even been parking, so this is a big and belated milestone!

Notice she's not looking in any of these pictures. She was people-watching, it's her favorite past time, second to anytime we're eating. She's obsessed with going to restaurants where she can people watch while eating.  

Here she took a break from watching the little girl next to us to check out the chain of the swing, and the closest I got to her looking at the general vicinity of the camera. 

I can't wait until we hit up the park on a not-as-busy weekday so she can ride the carousel and train that run across the street from the playground (running these rides may have been my High School Summer job. I'm super nostalgic, even though I'm not looking forward to paying almost $10 for two rides that my kid won't remember.)

Baby Proofing in Full Throttle

Tweet

Aliceana has turned from baby to toddler way too quickly. She's almost one and I've been an emotional mess lately, the classic "where did my baby go?" thoughts keep running through my mind. This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Circle of Moms for LifeLock, as always all opinions and text are my own.

Toddlers get into a lot of trouble, if there's something they shouldn't be handling or pulling on, they will find it. Of course I could spend every moment chasing after her and making sure she doesn't bump into anything, making her avoid furniture and cupboards, and only let her play with toys. In a dream world it would be as easy as that! As a parent you have to be diligent at preventing against injuries to your little one.

Trying to keep her safe from everything in our house seems like a nearly impossible task. Our house seems like a death trap in this mom's eyes. I've gotten rid of our coffee table altogether after concern that she was going to run into corners or pull out the drawers, the bookshelf full of DVDs that was once displayed in our living room now resides in the basement. That's just the major furniture changes!

Almost all of our knick knacks are hiding on tall shelves. Don't even get me started on how much money we've spent on baby proofing cupboards and drawers. I think we should buy stocks in baby gate companies too, I think I would only be content after having a baby gate for each room of our house to help keep her contained.

They look so cute when they're getting into trouble too. 

"Let my cuteness fool you, while I try to rummage through the cupboards again."

I would do anything to protect her from potential harm. Wouldn't you do anything to keep your family from harm?

Watch this short video about social media from LifeLock.

LifeLock is a very compassionate company that puts it's members first. LifeLock helps prevent against identity theft.

LifeLock is a suite of services that work together to protect your identity from various risks including credit fraud using their 5 points of protection, including;

Monitoring Your Identity

Scanning For Identity Threats

Responding to Identity Theft

Guarantee For Services

Tracking Your Credit Score

For more information on LifeLock services visit their website, Facebook, and Twitter.

FTC DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT The Domestic Geek Blog aims to provide unbiased editorials. However, I wish to disclose that from time to time I may receive free products or other compensation from companies for blogger reviews.

Board Games for Geeks

Tweet

You know that I love video games, but there's a deep dark geeky side you probably don't know about me. 

I'm a board game addict. Lately, I've been completely addicted to watching Wil Wheaton's show Table Top, where he plays board games with friends. I might be watching it while typing this..

This show is dangerous, as it's making my board game shopping list extremely long!

We do already have lots of great geeky board games at our house that we play with our friends all the time. 

Some of our favorites are:

Castle Panic (with Wizards Tower expansion) - 

This is a great game, seriously, it has to be one of the best games ever. In this game you play cooperatively with your friends to defeat a horde of monsters. It's extremely difficult, but so much fun! Do you know how infuriating it can be losing to a board game? Pretty infuriating, so winning against that same board game is just so rewarding. The goal is to protect your castles from these beasts, by finishing them off before they get there. 

Then we found the Wizards Tower Expansion, it includes helpful spells. So of course we wanted to buy it to help us battle these monsters. What we didn't realize, is that this expansion includes even scarier monsters with terrifying bonuses. It's pretty tough to win, but we have done it on occasion. 

This photo below was from a night where AJ and I won playing by ourselves while drinking a little too much wine. We were pretty ecstatic. 

Drakon-

Basically, this is a game where you're building the game board as you go. The goal is to collect 10 points worth of gold coins. You can sabotage other players with special game pieces, or by chasing them down with the dragon. This game can be never ending if you're playing with competitive players, but it gets to be so fun! We normally like to gang up and sabotage a single player, because we're nice people like that. 

Cards Against Humanity - 

Cards Against Humanity is basically a naughty/dirty version of Apples to Apples, where you play cards that fit with the theme of the phrase or question asked. Ok, so this game isn't exactly nerdy, right? The great part of this game is that you can easily go online and print your own cards. At this point we're basically playing with a deck all written by our group of friends. It's full of nerd references and inside jokes. 

This game will make you laugh until you cry.

Pictionary- 

This might seem silly, but it's so much fun. I laminated a piece of paper and we use dry erase markers for the most creative games of Pictionary you can imagine. If we're being jerks we'll toss full paragraphs into the bowl of suggestions and make you guess every word, even 

That below, it's Goku performing the famous kamehameha wave. Told you we're nerds!

Then you know, you end up with more inside jokes. The one below depicts a girl stalking with a crush on our friend. 

The best part about being a geek? You don't ever have to completely grow up. 

What are your favorite games to play with friends?