exploring a Home Design Store

I write often about home decor and design so it was inspiring to go to a Home Depot Design center,  here in San Diego.  There are only three The Home Depot Design Centers — one stop shops for kitchen and bath design — in the country.  

They recently invited me to attend their “festive fete” and it was a dream for anyone who loves decor and design. There were so many colors and options for household appliances from stoves and pizza ovens to washing machines and refrigerators, to cabinetry, and draw pulls, bathroom hardware, and more. 

One of my faves? The working wall display of shower heads demonstrating water pressure for various models. So visual and fun!

How many times have been shopping for household items and wonder how well they actually work!? This lets shoppers test the household items before buying.

The celebration included getting a custom wreath, made right in front of me.

Stay at Home for the Premiere of “Trolls World Tour”

You’re invited to have your town “Trolls World Tour” watch party at home – social distancing is definitely encouraged.

 

In the era of COVID-19, both parents and kids have been indoors for a month, living our best quarantine life. Spending around-the-clock time at home with my kids is nice but we’re all ready for something entertaining!

Now it’s time for some Friday fun: an at-home movie premiere for “Trolls World Tour.” This movie, a sequel to “Trolls,” the 2016 DreamWorks Animation hit, was slated for theaters but now it’s going to be available on-demand starting tomorrow, Friday April 10.

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Watch the movie at 10 am Pacific and live tweet with the film’s directors Walt Dohrn and The McElroy Brothers. Use the hashtag: #TrollsWatchParty.

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Host your own viewing party with your family, complete with themed snacks and decorations. This link has printable crafts and coloring pages, as well as recipes.

Want a peak at the movie, which stars Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake? Here’s the trailer: https://youtu.be/08AExF6dETA

#MotivationMonday, Halloween edition

Check out my this #MondayMotivation message featured on my son’s #pumpkin. He wrote: “Be…fun, silly, wacky, creative, YOU!!”IMG_0935

We were decorating pumpkins last weekend – doing the usual thing of making eyes, mouth, nose, etc.

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Then my son got inspired to write a personal note. I love his sentiment and it’s perfect for Halloween, when everyone wants to dress up to be “someone else.” So go ahead, this Halloween and every day, Be Yourself! 

Art + Science = Fun!

Getting kids interested in science can be challenging. Keeping them interested as they grow older can be even tougher. But exhibits like The Art of Science Learning at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center keep kids fascinated about science.

 

The exhibit very practically explains real world problems, like drought and pollution. Kids and adults ponder the possible solutions using STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning.

 

 

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The Art of Science Learning is designed as a call to action to find solutions to local and global science challenges. The curators say adding art to the science solutions help bring people together to collaborate and create.

Using foam, pipe cleaners, paper, tape and glue, my kids explored science through crafts.

They also enjoyed the “Epic Water Game,” a computer game where players had to research a science problem. In this case, the problem was deciding where to build a water desalination plant. The game involved learning the pros and cons of the project and balancing the project needs including environmental concerns and the impact on the local residents and businesses.

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We also loved the “Taping Shape” experience! Made of hundreds of rolls of packing tape, the art installation is also an “exploratory space” for kids and adults. That means my kids and I were able to walk, climb and slide through this cool exhibit of passageways.

It was hard to believe the whole pathway is made of clear packing tape! You just take your shoes off and have fun! Lots of fun! I lost track how of many times we went through Taping Shape.

Taping Shape exhibition runs through June 12, 2016, in the Fleet Rotunda and Discovery Galleries at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. It’s included in the price of Fleet admission.

 

Wrapping Christmas Presents

If you’re bored of traditional holiday gift wrap or just want to do something new this Christmas, try some of the gift wrapping ideas in my Creators Syndicate article! There are great ways to involve the kids in wrapping too, including using cookie cutters, shimmer, themes and even scrapbook paper!

Gift Wrap article