ROCK ON! A game for kids about geology

When Colorado mom Melissa Weisner was faced with planning a birthday party for her geology-crazed 6 year-old son, she took nothing for granite (ba DUM bum).

It all crystallized for her when she began thinking about a game. She developed one and rolled it out at her son's party to great reviews from him and his friends, and now ROCK ON! is being shipped to kids everywhere via Amazon.

My kids got a chance to play (we received a sample in exchange for writing an honest review). They had never expressed interest in rocks before (unless we're talking about a Jonas Brothers movie) but they sat and played together nicely, trying to figure out how to pronounce words like "anhydrite" and "septarium."

Melissa says,"Since the birth of ROCK ON! my children’s fascination with the earth's elements has resulted in some amazing collections and their geology knowledge is equally amazing. But maybe most important of all, some of our best times together are now spent in nature looking for treasures the earth has to offer."

I intend to take the rock love outside the next time we're out trekking. In the meantime, ROCK ON! is a recommended introduction to geology for kids, sure to cement their interest in geology.

ROCK ON! on Facebook
ROCK ON! on Amazon (great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer)
ROCK ON! Etsy store
Video clip from Channel 's Colorado's Best.

Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort's Kids Culinary program

Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort in Avon, CO is unveiling its culinary program for kids and teen offerings this winter season. Tessa and Reed got to check it out this week.

Parents traveling with teens know how hard it is to find anything that grabs their interest, other than their phones and, just maybe, The Food Network. Which is why Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa and the culinary team from 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill are launching weekly, complimentary, tween/teen focused cooking classes inspiring our kids to trade texting for chopping.

Classes will include themes such as basic knife skills, gourmet pizza making, sushi rolling, cold weather “mocktails” and lessons on how to make barista style coffees at home.

More info: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort.

Flim: The Heart of Christmas, with giveaway

I knew it was a tearjerker. It's just that I thought by knowing it, I'd be immune from the tears being jerked from my tear ducts.

The Heart of Christmas is based on the story of Dax Locke, young son of Austin and Julie Locke, and the radiating love of a community as he battled childhood cancer. Julie began a Caring Bridge blog while her son underwent treatment at St Jude Children's Research Hospital for leukemia.

The story was first covered by singer Matthew West’s single “One Last Christmas,” which has raised over $205,000 to date for St Jude's. The film was released on DVD last week and will show on the Gospel Music Channel on December 4.


One other way to see this film -- own it, even -- is to enter to win this giveaway. A DVD will be sent to one winner selected from commenter here. Just leave a comment below by November 1 and random.org will select a winner.

However you get hold of the movie, whenever you watch it, make sure to have tissues ready.

(As to why I chose a Halloween image for this post, you''ll have to watch the movie.)

More information:

• http://www.theheartofchristmasmovie.com/
• Dax Locke Foundation website: http://www.daxlocke.org

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Lisa Heffernan -- you win! Check your email for instructions how to get your DVD.

Splat marks the spot

In theory, I was going to raise children who wouldn't be enthralled by guns.

And then my toddler son turned everything -- plastic spoons, a kid-size broom, his own finger -- into guns. It was clear early on that my husband and I were fighting a losing pacifist battle.

Said son is now 9, as sweet as can be, and still crazy about guns and war games. So when I had the chance for Reed to try out something the big boys enjoy (my husband's bachelor party involved controlled warfare back in the day), I knew it would make him supremely happy. And active.

Introducing JT SplatMaster, available in the Sporting Goods section of  your local WalMart and at WalMart.com.

JT Splatmaster, ammo and goggles

From the SplatMaster website:

JT SplatMaster was engineered so kids (and adults!) ages 9+ could easily cock, load, and fire. JT SplatMaster is a versatile product that can be played in your backyard – simply follow a few guidelines and rules, including always wearing JT Optix for eye protection, and you will have hours and hours of safe, outdoor fun.

Safety on -- er, in.

Reed and his friend could hardly contain themselves when they saw what was in the box JT SplatMaster sent me. It was quite a feat for me to go over safety and household rules before the boys got all locked and loaded. But I threatened them with chores if they were to get any paint in the house (though it is billed as non-toxic and resists staining), so they humored me.

Ready to duel?

And the carnage began. I didn't have safety goggle on so I had to duck inside until a break in the action.

Wounded!

Down but not out. The evidence of impact washed right off with water and an old towel.

I didn't even have to get into the trenches and STILL I'm a hero to my son. We give JT SplatMaster our thumbs up.

Follow JT Splatmaster on Facebook and on Twitter, @JTSplatMaster.

Disclosure: I received samples of this product for purposes of writing an honest review.