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KiwiCo Box Review: Tinker Crate for Ages 9 – 16+

KiwiCo has been around for a while. I remember subscribing to Kiwicrate when my oldest boys were pretty young. They were great to do on rainy or cold days. It was also a nice option to have when we had unplug time. I am not the mom that comes up with all these creative ideas. I’m the mom that searches Pinterest for ideas with materials I have.

KiwiCo subscription boxes come with the instructions and materials you need for each project. KiwiCo has grown quite a bit and has so much to offer now. When I got it for my older boys it was just craft. Craft boxes are still available but so are: Atlas Crates for Geography and Culture, Eureka Crates for Engineering and Design, Koala Crates for Play and Learn, Tinker Crates for Science and Engineering and more.

I let my youngest son (10 yrs old) handle this review. He chose the Tinker Crate for ages 9 – 16+. He was so excited when it came in, he couldn’t wait to get cracking on it. This particular box gave him the opportunity to build a moving robot!

He started taking everything out of his KiwiCo Tinkercrate methodically. Once he found the directions he started there (I knew he was smart). He sorted through and found each pack of pieces and spread them out on the table. Once he was sure everything was there he begun his project.

He worked so diligently putting his robot together. He carefully punched out pieces, connected wires, realized when he made a mistake and fixed it. It was enjoyable watching him work.

What I liked about it is it seemed to take just the right amount of time. It was challenging enough that he had to figure out how the parts went. But it was not above his level that he was getting frustrated. I waited for him to ask me for help but he didn’t. There was one part where he wasn’t sure about something. Instead of telling him how to fix it I asked him a question “Do you think you have that facing the right direction?” It was then that he realized he didn’t and was able to correct it.

I know I talked a lot about my thoughts here so I want to share some of my son’s thoughts. He told me he really liked the Tinker Crate and said “I wouldn’t mind subscribing to that”. I asked him “So you must have liked it then huh?” He said “yep!” He was so proud of his creation that he made by himself.

There are KiwiCo crates available for all ages and interests. There’s a box for 0 – 24 months called Panda Crate all about Explore and Discover. They go all the way up to Eureka Crate for Engineering and Design and Maker Crate for Art & Design for ages 14 – 104 so yea mom and dad, you could even get one. I love the variety and the quality of the projects. Choosing an age appropriate crate is the key. Some age levels have multiple interests to choose from.

Order your KiwiCo Crate HERE

I received a promotional sample to complete this review. Any opinions expressed are my own. This post does contain affiliate links. I will earn a commission from transactions are completed through my links.

3 Amazing Things To Do Near Westgate, New York

The city that never sleeps is full of things to do, no matter what your schedule looks like. The neighborhoods around Westgate are full of local flavor and culture that can give a unique experience to travelers. Here are some of the top things to do when you are in Midtown Manhattan. 

1. Visit Tudor City Greens

Tudor City Greens has been described as a peaceful oasis that takes you away from the business of the city. Located at Tudor City Place, this peaceful garden is used by vacationers and locals alike to take in the beauty of nature. Two well-kept gardens offer bistro chairs and benches for a quiet, peaceful lunch or meeting. Built as a respite from the pollution and noise along the river during the 20s, Tudor City Greens has continued to be a place of serenity for inhabitants of the city. The local residents love this park so much that they actually lined up in the streets to save it from demolition in the 80s. 

2. Take A Westgate Walking Tour

At its Westgate NYC site, this beautiful resort offers a variety of walking tours for visitors to take part in. This is a great way to see what the city has to offer without having to wing it on your own. Guided tours have an advantage because the research is already taken care of for you. Choose from these options to see what the city has to offer:

  • Manhattan Off-The-Beaten-Path Walking Tour
  • Sunday Funday: A Boozy Brooklyn Tour
  • 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour
  • EmptyMet Tour
  • High Line and Chelsea Walking Tour
  • Gargoyles in Manhattan Walking Tour

If you’re looking for a guided tour that doesn’t include so much walking, the Westgate resort also offers a New York Landmarks Cruise, and a Big Bus New York tour. Please click here for more information on The Westage NYC Hotel.

3. Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market is a European-style shopping experience that offers a gourmet shopping experience. Made up of local businesses, this market specializes in high-quality and gourmet meats, produce and bread that is freshly baked on the spot. With over 400 various types of meats and cheeses, food lovers will not be disappointed. 

There are so many great things to do in this city that sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to choose. Use this guide to plan a low-stress day taking in the sights.

This post was made possible by Valued Voice.

Happy Cornerz Sticky Trap Review and Set Up

Happy Cornerz Sticky Traps help catch and monitor pests

It’s December in Pennsylvania. Most people wouldn’t think bugs would be an issue right now. Outside that might be true but inside is a different story. There’s still flies buzzing in the house, fruit flies that seem to pop up every now and then, occasionally lady bugs that found their way in from the cold. We always have house centipedes and spiders in the basement and garage. We tend to not mind them and the lady bugs so much because they eat some of the other pests. Even though the house centipedes are super creepy looking.

The one pest that drives me crazy though are the stink bugs. We started getting stink bugs in our house about 3 years ago. See, they were brought over in a ship from Japan that docked in Allentown. Not on purpose, they just hitched a ride on a cargo ship. Since then they’ve made their way across Pennsylvania and other states. They have no natural enemies and they multiply quickly. Creatures that typically eat bugs like birds leave them along for the most part because of their stink secretion. They’re sort of like the skunks of the bug world. Other than being creepy you can’t just step on them or squish them in other ways because the omit this terrible smell that seems to last forever. I thought I was being smart one day when I vacuumed up a bunch of them. Two problems with that is, the stink bug smell lasted in my vacuum forever and every time I turned it on it would omit that smell. The other, if I didn’t empty the canister outside right away they didn’t die and would find their way out. They can creep through minuscule cracks including window sills.

Sure we tried the bug traps marketed specifically for stink bugs. We even tried bug bombing but it didn’t work. They’re resilient little suckers. The only thing that somewhat helped was to make a spray bottle up with water and a tablespoon of Dawn dish liquid. When you see one just spray it. It couldn’t omit its terrible smell then, it would eventually die from suffocation.

Do they bite? No they don’t but they have no regard for personal space. They’ll sit on your pillow, they’ll fly into your hair (yes they fly), they’ll chill out on the outside of your cup, they don’t care. They make this buzzing sound when their wings beat too that creeps me out. Oh and they smell bad when you try to kill or swat at them.

If we’re not talking about my own personal annoyances with stink bugs they also eat crops and trees. I think that’s one reason we have such an issue compared to our neighbors. We have huge butternut trees that tower over our house. In the fall you can see them in droves climbing up the sides of the house to get to the attic for the winter. I don’t even like to go into the attic anymore. Those nasty things are everywhere.

Introduction to the Happy Cornerz Sticky Trap

Happy Cornerz sticky traps comes along and we decide to give that a try. It’s not poisonous, can use it almost anyway, easy to install, when it’s full just take it down and throw it out.

Sticky traps are versatile in that, you can use them as flat sticky traps or corner traps. they can go in cupboards, on wall joints, shelves, where you need little creepy pests taken care of. If you’re not sure what kind of pests you’re dealing with IE your cereal is disappearing in your cupboard, Happy Cornzers sticky traps are also great for insect and pest monitoring.

Happy Cornerz has been university tested at the Texas A & M Department of Entomology in the Rollins Urban and Structural Entomology facility. They’ve also been tested by a few pest control companies. The hope is that Happy Cornerz sticky traps will be a helpful addition to both pest control experts and private consumers as well.

Installation and Use

I created a video talk to you about the Happy Cornerz glue traps. The video will give you a better look at how you’ll receive the traps, how to use the traps, and where you can use the traps.

Opinions on the Happy Cornerz Sticky Trap

I’m intrigued with how well these worked in the winter time in PA. I’m eager to try these in the spring and summer for ants, mosquitos, etc. I can see where these could also be helpful in sheds, barns, garages, and other buildings. Do you have an ant problem in the cupboard? Use a Happy Cornerz sticky trarp as a flat trap and catch those little buggers. I’m betting you could catch loads of them in that way.

If you’re dealing with a cockroach problem they like to gather in the corners which made the corner placement option fo these idea. They can be set up at ground level or the upper wall corners. They can be placed in the back corner of a cupboard. Wherever you’re dealing with your pests.

Because they’re glue traps, there’s no concerns about safety with pets or children. Worse case scenario is it getting stuck to a pet’s fur. I have 3 cats though and they haven’t bothered with the traps.

They could even be cut if you wanted a better fit in a certain corner or shelf if necessary. Using them as a flat trap would work out nice for the top of refrigerators or high kitchen cupboards. The could also slide easily under microwaves stands, couches or beds.

I was happy to see that at least one of the traps we set up did capture a stink bug. That’s my #1 pest issue so if this trap can do that I’m happy to have it in my home.

I received free samples of the product in order to complete this review and video. Any opinions expressed are my own.

10-in-1 Tool That Fits In The Palm Of Your Hand

Everyone knows that multi-tools can be so handy. Some of them are bulky, Some of them you have to search through your backpack, purse, or tool box for. But what if you have a multi-tool that was compact, light-weight, clipped right onto whatever you’re wearing and had TEN different uses? That’s what PockeTool brings to the table…or the campsite..or bike ride or whatever.

So what exactly can the PockeTool do?

  • It’s a carabiner
  • It’s a flathead screwdriver
  • It’s a phillips head screwdriver
  • It’s a bottle opener/letter opener/staple puller
  • It’s a bicycle spoke key
  • combine the tip with magnesium for a fire starter
  • It’s a wire bender
  • It’s a wire cutter
  • It’s a scraper/lid popper
  • It’s a 6 point wrench 10 cm, 8 cm, 7 cm, 5.5 cm

You’ll find though, the more you use it the more things you realize you can use it for. Use it as a keychain so you have it everywhere you take your keys, Use it to scratch your lottery tickets, use it to help separate, so much stuff.

It’s compact and fits right in the palm of your hand. Easily clips onto a purse, backpack, pant loop. Or small enough to fit in a pocket, wallet, purse, or change pouch. Keep it in your car for emergency like quick car fixes.

Don’t worry about it bending or breaking when trying to pop that paint can lid off or tightening a screw it’s made for 420 grade stainless steel. Check this video out to see the Pocketool in action:

You can pre-order PockeTool Now! Plus if you pre-order right now, it’s only $15! Great stocking stuffer or under $20 gift!

PockeTool is part of this year’s Holiday Gift Guide 2019 here on LuvSavingMoney.com so watch for that!

I received the above mentioned product sample in order to complete this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Challenger International Soccer Camp 2019

For the 2nd year in a row my kids participated in the Challenger International Soccer Camp. My son is 10 and my daughter is 6. They both ended up being in the same 1/2 day camp.

Our group was very small. Only about 5 kids. I thought this was amazing though because the kids got so much attention. I was a little worried about my daughter only being 6 in with kids several years older than her and being the only girl. The other boys were very kind to her and the coach was very encouraging.

We had a couple days of rain so the camp was done in the school’s gym.

My kids really enjoy the Challenger International Soccer Camps. They learn new skills, they make it fun, and they get to meet other kids from around the area. They are sincerely interested in learning. As a mother it’s great to see how well the coach worked with the kids. I liked that they were given homework each night of camp to learn more about international soccer and other counties.

At the end of camp the coach hand wrote feed back for each kid both positive and brought each kids up to talk about their critique. I really feel like the kids get a lot out of the camp.

If you register for a camp at least 30 days in advance you get more for you money by getting a soccer ball, camp T-shirt, 2 jerseys, and access to the app that allows you to practice skills.

Register now for Challenger’s International Soccer camp and get a free international ball, t-shirt, poster, skills evaluation and new downloadable coaching app & 20 skills videos! Register 30 days before camp and qualify for a free International Game Jersey! https://www.challengersports.com/international_soccer

We received 1 tuition free in order to complete this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.