CTC Math Review

Posted on 28/02/2020 by Momma Jo

_{This post may contain affiliate links which help support my family. Thank you for stopping by.}

$CTC Math review$
I was sponsored by CTC Math to review their comprehensive online math curriculum program and am excited to share my experience as well as an awesome giveaway! All opinions are mine alone. For more information please read my full disclosure.

I decided that we would be using CTC Math for the first 2 months of school year to gauge where the kidlets are in terms of their math knowledge and I’m thrilled to announce that they are ahead of their peers!

Unique Features

For children in grades K-12

Great for catch up, for keeping up, and for moving ahead. We found that Koko was struggling with 1 concept and with the help of CTC Math he now fully understands it and has moved onto new concepts.

Your kids learn at their pace, not somebody else’s. Pixie finished the entire 1st half of the Semester in 3 weeks! She is working through the lessons and assessments at an astonishing pace. She is averaging 85 – 95 % for each assessment.

Start getting better grades now. Fifi is really grown in leaps and bounds in her confidence in her math knowledge. She recently started long division and, where she previously struggled with the concept, she is now really understanding. Its all about finding what works for her and CTC Math is exactly what she needs.

Including Hands-on Activities

Pixie is a visual learner. In order for her to understand math concepts, she needs to have manipulatives. The CTC Math program doesn’t limit the use of these physical aids, but we use them in conjunction of it.
CTC Math review

What Do the Kidlets Like Best?

At the end of each successfully completed topic, the child receives a certificate with their grade on it. This is a great reward and visual reinforcement of their success. They ask to see their certificate after every topic.
CTC Math review

My Favourite Features

I can monitor exactly when and how long the children have been working on a topic (or concept) and where they may be struggling.

I receive a weekly progress report per kidlet, showing exactly what they have done for the week and what they achieved.
CTC Math review

My Final Thoughts

I am so glad I was given the opportunity to review this amazing curriculum. I highly recommend it, even if you aren’t a homeschooling family, its a great resource to use for reinforcing what they have learned at school.

Try out the CTC Math FREE TRIAL today!

CTC Math Family Membership Giveaway ($148 value)!

Enter to win a 12-month subscription for the whole family!

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Product Review ~ Secure-A-Kid Harness & GIVEAWAY

Posted on 24/04/2018 by Momma Jo

_{This post may contain affiliate links which help support my family. Thank you for stopping by.}

Secure-A-Kid Harness
As a parent, belt safety in public transport is something we are constantly faced with. We use Uber a lot (at least 4 times a week), and though you can request a vehicle with a car seat, these seats are not booster seats and my kidlets are to big for the seats they do offer. Traveling with 3 booster seats is impractical for us in this particular situation. Enter the Secure-A-Kid Harness.

A few years ago we bought Koko and Fifi each one for when they travel with friends and/or family. These have worked really well for us and are easy to store and take along when we go out for the day. We now have a 3rd harness for Pixie.
Secure-A-Kid Harness
The reason I like the harnesses so much is that all 3 kidlets can sit side by side and be safely buckled in, in any vehicle that has 3 full seat belts in the back. They are super easy to install and the kidlets can do this by themselves. We have a bag that travels with us that we store the harnesses in and because they are made of a light canvas fabric, they aren’t heavy to lug around when we are out and about.

We were sponsored a new harness for Pixie and I must say, I much prefer the new size. Its slightly smaller than the original harness and much more comfortable than the ones we have for Koko and Fifi.
Secure-A-Kid Harness
Secure A Kid harness black is a seatbelt adjuster as well as comfort harness for toddlers and children. Thereby allowing the seatbelt cover to reposition the shoulder belt for a more comfortable fit while traveling and keeps the belt away from the neck and also face.

Every motor vehicle must be fitted with SABS approved seat belts according to South Africa law. Every passenger being transported must also use the seat belts and strap themselves in.

The design, manufacture and designation of all seat belts fitted in cars in South Africa are made with adults in mind, making it unsuitable and inappropriate for children less than 12 years of age or under 1,5 meters tall. Koko is 11 and is much to short to even consider him going without a booster seat. The Secure-a-kid harness has made using public transport with all 3 kids much safer and easier.

Product Details:
* Suitable from 4 years up, once the child has outgrown the baby seat. Even adults can use it!
* Ideal for daily use in mom or dad’s car, school lift schemes, grannies cars as well as more.
* Fully portable and easy to install.
* Crash-tested overseas and has passed according to international and European ECE R444 standards.

4aKid has graciously sponsored 2 sets of 1 X Secure-A-Kid Harness with 1 x Car Back Seat Organizer with Cooler Bag for 2 lucky winners! Click below and follow all the prompts to be entered into the competition.

Winner will be announced on our Facebook page on 6 May 2018.

Good luck to all the entrants.

COMPETITION IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA ONLY
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Lifebuoy vs Winter

Posted on 09/08/2016 by Momma Jo

_{This post may contain affiliate links which help support my family. Thank you for stopping by.}

When I received the press drop from Lifebuoy and read their Lifebuoy vs Winter campaign, I immediately thought of my dad. Strange thing, don’t you think?

Me, Dad and Brian in the early 1990’s at St Michaels-on-Sea in the KZN South Coast

When I was little, my father worked on the gold mines in the Free State Goldfields. He didn’t work underground, but due to the nature of his work (he’s an artisan), he had to take a shower before he came home and the mine provided the Lifebuoy soap bars to all their employees. It’s a brand and scent that I have always connected to my dad’s time on the mines.

Aunty Triena, Me, Brendan and Dad at my Matric Farewell (Snr Prom) in 1999. (Dad dressed to match my dress)

Isn’t it amazing how one brand and scent, in this case Lifebuoy, can bring back those long forgotten memories?

Prevention is better than cure this winter

As the weather gets colder and we spend more time indoors to keep warm, it is inevitable that most of us will catch a cough, cold or flu as germs are spread more easily during this time.
lifebuoy vs winter
With the cold and flu season upon us, it is imperative to give your immune system a boost, whilst adequately protecting yourself from sources of cross-infection. According to the Centres for Disease Control, the single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year (Source), however good health habits can also help stop the spread of germs and illnesses.

Most of the common winter viruses are carried in the air and transmitted when someone sneezes and coughs or by touching infected surfaces, thus spreading the virus. Source

Lifebuoy, the world’s number one selling germ protection soap brand, has a few simple tips to help prevent the spread of infections and germs this winter:
1. Don’t get too close
2. Wash hands frequently
3. Nourish your skin
4. Stay hydrated
5. Clever coughing
6. Get enough zzzz

Just by implementing these simple measures, one can make a big difference that will help protect you, your family and those around you throughout the winter season.

To find out more about the Lifebuoy, or tips on how to implement a healthy hand wash routine, visit the Lifebuoy website and Facebook page.

Product Test Tuesday ~ Valentines Day No Prep First Grade Math

Posted on 09/02/2016 by Momma Jo

_{This post may contain affiliate links which help support my family. Thank you for stopping by.}

Erin from Royal Baloo has created this gorgeous Valentines Day themed No Prep First Grade Math pack just in time for Valentines Day and has given me the privilege of reviewing it.

The math pack consists of the following:
Number Bonds
10 More/10 Less
True or False
Spin the Time
Addition and Subtraction Word Problems
Heart Fact Families
Missing Addends
Roll, Add, Color
Roll, Subtract, Color
Decomposing Numbers
Heart Addition
Flower Subtraction
Heart Place Value
Measuring with Inches
Add or Subtract?
Greater Than/Less Than
Fractions
Addition within 20
Subtraction within 20

Fifi absolutely L.O.V.E.S. it! With zero preparation required, just a simple click of the print button and we were rearing to go. I stapled the sheets together to keep them contained and printed a set for Koko too, to give him something different to do during his math lessons next week.

Pop on over to Erin’s Teachers Pay Teachers Store and purchase the Valentines Day No Prep First Grade Math pack!

The Little Prince Movie Premier

Posted on 30/11/2015 by Momma Jo

_{This post may contain affiliate links which help support my family. Thank you for stopping by.}

We were invited by BURGER KING® South Africa to attend a movie premier yesterday at Ster Kinekor at The Zone in Rosebank. BURGER KING® South Africa have partnered with Toy Kingdom and Ster Kinekor for the long awaited premier of The Little Prince Movie.

The kidlets were treated to a visit from the Prince, Princess and the Frog Prince. There was also a balloon artist and face painting before the movie started.

Koko (who has decided that he’s too old for face painting *sob*), asked the balloon artist for a rifle.

She is FANTASTIC and made the girls each a Tiger, Pixie’s animal of the day (there was love at first sight), and a butterfly for Fifi.

The face painter was amazing. Fifi asked to be made into a bear. How beautiful did she turn out? Can you spot the glitter that was added? A girl can NEVER have too much glitter.

Pixie asked to be made into a tiger and giggled her way through the whole experience. The face painter was patient with her and worked around Pixie’s constant touching and smudging.

Our scary Bear and Tiger!

Once we got into the cinema, we were surprised by these little goodie bags filled with a Cap and Scholastic booklets from BURGER KING® South Africa and a “The Little Prince” kaleidoscope from Toy Kingdom.

The movie was amazing. I highly recommend it to everyone, of all ages. Pixie, who is 4, sat through the whole movie till the end. Koko and Fifi loved it and have asked for us to purchase the DVD to watch again when it becomes available. It’s a beautifully told story about a little girl who lives in a very grown-up world with her mother, who tries to make sure she is prepared for it. Her neighbour, the Aviator, introduced the girl to an extraordinary world where anything is possible, the world of The Little Prince. The movie is an adaptation of the book, “The Little Prince”, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Afterwards, BURGER KING® South Africa served a lunch of Burgers and Fries.

The kidlets and I had a fantastic time! If you do nothing else this December Holiday, take your children to go watch this amazing movie, you won’t regret it.

Disney’s Descendants Movie Review

Posted on 22/08/2015 by Momma Jo

_{This post may contain affiliate links which help support my family. Thank you for stopping by.}

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Today we went to our first movie premier for Disney’s Descendants! It was fantastic. We walked down the red carpet with camera’s rolling and the kids had an absolutely fantastic day! Fifi invited one of her best friends, T, to join us.

When we arrived this morning, we noticed signs that a show would be filmed while we were there and we had to sign waivers allowing them to use footage of us! The kids were super excited to participate. We then saw that we’d be walking down a red carpet and into an entertainment area with a buffet full of yummy treats and sandwiches to fill our bellies before going into the movie theatre.

20150822 descendents

They had photographers there taking photos of the patrons and they were even allowed to dress up. Fifi, Pixie and T had tons of fun posing for the camerA.

DOVE CAMERON, BOOBOO STEWART, SOFIA CARSON, CAMERON BOYCE

The movie reminded me quite a bit of High School Musical. I love that each character has a back story and that they bring in their parents’ stories too. Without giving to much away, this movie is AWESOME. If you like musical shows, this one’s for you! All the kidlets loved it, even Koko!

disney_descendants_by_ichaelbarnes-d8veto0

Click on the image to read more about the main characters. This image was created by ichaelbarnes on Deviant Art.

Descendants – Coming this September!

In the magical kingdom of Auradon, Prince Ben, the son of King Beast and Queen Belle, is preparing to take the throne. His first official proclamation: the children of the Isle of the Lost, home to the most infamous villains, should be given the chance to live in Auradon. Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay travel outside the realms of the island prison for the first time in their lives. Will they follow in their parents’ evil footsteps, or will they choose to embrace their goodness and save the kingdom?