Review of MathRider: A Math Game for Kids

Wouldn't it be great if there was something available to help our elementary school age kids master the foundational math operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division? This was the question the co-founders of MathRider started with--they ended with an exceptional game software that propels children toward mastery of  math operations while at the same time building their confidence and letting them have a bit of fun.

MathRider is a quest game.  Your child names her own rider and starts out on the quest, complete with her own map to get a sense of the journey.  MathRider does all of the following:

• Maintains extensive statistics of each player's performance in the game and uses that to optimise what needs rehearsing and what doesn’t. 
• Considers a player's individual typing speed. 
• Adjusts according to player performance and when someone has indeed mastered an operation, the software recognizes this very quickly.
• Offers support--once you have MathRider running, you can press the question mark in the game to get to the web-based help – it has a lot of explanation on the various aspects of the software.
• Features an auto-update built into the software, so that we can make improvements available to every existing user.

Check out this video explaining the features of the software:



Second Born and I played MathRider.  Just a bit of context, Second Born is in 3rd grade and her favorite subject is Math.  But that doesn't mean she can't benefit from using MathRider.  As a mom, I worry that she'll do what girls generally do which is, as they get older, retreat from developing their talents/interest in Math and Science because they're told or otherwise shown that those are disciplines for boys.  So even if Second Born likes Math, I'm counting on MathRider to help her take that commitment to the next level where she excels and, hopefully, avoids the Math hole that girls seem to fall through.

Second Born really enjoyed playing the game! Although she loves Math, the speed at which she completes operations can improve.  MathRider offers that kind of practice.  Also, I love the recursive learning aspect of the software.  When she got a problem wrong, the equations got easier for a few of the jumps and then returned to the one she got wrong--its like she isn't getting dinged in the game (or in life) for getting an equation wrong.  Second Born has only been able to play the game a few times so I'm looking forward to further exploring her quest as plotted on the map.  When I played the game, it was a bit addictive to plug in the right answer and watch that horse jump the bars.  I also love that progress bar that parents can access to see how their child is doing in mastering equations and that the software is programmed to allow multiple riders which means multiple kids can play the game and improve their math skills.

I think that MathRider has a lot of potential and I'm grateful to have the software for my daughter to use. I would like to see its software developers enlarge the mission of the program by allowing schools to license the game (similar to something like Kid Biz 3000) and by creating a smartphone version of the game that can either be bundled with the software or sold separately from it.  I would download something like this in a minute so that I can hand the phone to Second Born when we're stuck somewhere to practice equations play a game.  Otherwise, for the price of one tutoring session, parents can purchase a game guaranteed to improve their child's Math skills.  You can purchase MathRider here and download the software from the site.

Mahalo to Family Review Network and Mathrider for allowing me to review the software.  I did not receive compensation for my review although I did receive a software sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions are my own.

Deadlines Extended for EverStride and CSN Giveaways

I'm going to extend the deadlines for the EverStride and CSN Giveaways because of a glitch with the comments that I didn't discover until both were well under way.  So the EverStride high performance foot products giveaway will end on Monday, 11/22/10 at 11:59pm Hawaii time and the CSN $20 giveaway will end on Wednesday, 11/24/10 at 11:59pm Hawaii time.

Also, mahalo to EverStride for offering Moana Saves readers a discount when ordering EverStride products on the website--use VIP20 and receive 20% off your order! 

Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar Review and Giveaway

As a working mom, I can tell you two things about the way I clean: 1. The simpler my process, the more likely I am to get it done, and 2. The more natural the products I use, the better I feel.  Windex's new Multi-Surface Vinegar fits the bill on both counts!  I was lucky enough to receive a full-sized bottle to try out for this review and I gotta admit that its good stuff. 

I used Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar on my bathroom mirrors, my sliding glass door and my kitchen counters with a micro-fiber cloth.  On glass, it leaves the trademark streak-free shine and on the counters it cleaned up spills easily.  I love that vinegar is the main cleaning ingredient because its natural and its safe.  My dog can lick the windows if he wants after I've used this product with no ill effects. (Ok, my dog doesn't lick the windows.)  I also love that this multi-surface cleaner doesn't smell like vinegar; instead it has a pleasant, light scent.  This is a product I can use almost everywhere in my house--I can walk from room to room with my Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar and my cloth cleaning all kinds of surfaces.

I love that S.C. Johnson is actively committed to developing greener products.  They've created a Greenlist process for making Windex which " involves selecting raw materials that have a reduced environmental impact yet maintain high product performance" and their plastic bottles are made of 50% post-consumer materials and are recyclable.  Perhaps the only suggestion I have for S.C. Johnson is that they list all of the ingredients of Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar to ensure total transparency between the manufacturer and the consumer regarding ingredients in the product.  Otherwise, its safe to say that I'm in love with the stuff.

S. C. Johnson is giving away a Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar prize pack to one lucky Moana Saves reader! The prize pack consists of one full-sized Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar, a digital photo frame and a reusable shopping bag.  Your prize pack will be similar to what's in the picture below:

To earn a mandatory entry, tell me how you would use Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar to clean your home. Mandatory means that if you don't do this first, all of your other entries will be disqualified.

To earn an additional entry, do one (or all) of the following and leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Become a public follower of Moana Saves via Google Friend Connect (on the right side).

2. Subscribe to the S.C. Johnson Right@Home email newsletter where you'll recieve cleaning and organizing tips, recipes, special promotions and more--all in your inbox.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Tweet about this giveaway (limit one tweet per day) using the following (leave the tweet URL in your comment):
#Win Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar, reusable shopping bag and digital picture frame from S.C. Johnson and @moanasaves http://bit.ly/dtqLad #giveaway ends 11/22

5. Like the Moana Saves Facebook page.

6. Subscribe to my feed via RSS reader (right side) and/or email updates (left side).

7. Grab my button and put it on your blog until the giveaway is over.

8. Put Moana Saves on your blog list.

Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway.  He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S.  This giveaway ends on Monday, November 22th at 11:59 PM HST (Hawaii Standard Time).  One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org.  I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.

Mahalo to Family Review Network and S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. for providing the opportunity to review Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar. I did not receive any form of compensation from S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. to review their products or host this giveaway.  I did receive a full-sized sample to facilitate my review.  Any and all opinions are my own.

Review of Disney's Tangled

 There are many moments in my bloggy life when its good to be me.  Watching Disney's Tangled before its general release on November 24th was definitely one of them.  This morning it was a gloriously sunny day in Hawai'i nei and we were in the minivan, racing into town, trying to get to the sneak peek of Tangled on time. (I won't talk about the last PR sneak peek that we missed because I sent us to the wrong theater and then, when we we got to the right one, we were too late--nope, I won't mention that.)

If you know a recent contemporary re-telling of the Rapunzel fairy-tale, then you'll be familiar with the story line of Tangled.  While the main characters of the fairy-tale in this movie are engaging, perhaps the peripheral characters that Disney adds into the mix are even more so.  In particular, I enjoyed the stormy bro-mance between Maximus the Royal Guard horse and Flynn Rider the common thief/Casanova.  Rapunzel as well was captivating as the main character--loved her giddy angst at finally leaving the tower.  The film is rated PG but there was only one part I would worry about with sensitive kids.  The end--as in one character's demise--was not as visually scary as it could have been.

I think the biggest star of Tangled was look of the film (and, by association, that hair!).  When I was poking around for info about the film on IMDB, I noticed that the producers talked about how Jean-Honore Fragonard's "The Swing" inspired the look of Tangled.  It is gorgeous and the 3D technology just makes the palette of the film even more stunning.

In short, Tangled was a great family film that was funny, endearing and beautiful to look at.  As we waited for our lunch after the movie, I interviewed my family about what they thought about the movie.  I asked them the following questions:

1. What did you think of Tangled?

2. What was your favorite part of Tangled?

Second Born, 8 yrs old (SB):
1. It was really good!
2. I have no idea, oh wait! The chameleon (Pascal)!

First Born, 14 yrs old (FB):
1. It was a good movie! I think people of all ages would love it.
2. My favorite part was when the ruffians talked about their dreams (and sang about them as well). Oh, and the boat and lanterns scene!

Visiting Tutu, age undisclosed (VT):
1. It was totally fabulous and cool! Each character had an individual personality and there were lots of laughs.  I've always been a Disney fan but Tangled was the best of the best!
2. I loved every scene with the horse, Maximus.  He had a great attitude!

The Hub, older than me (the hub):
1. Tangled made great use of the 3D effects without being heavy-handed.
2. I enjoyed the song and dance parts.  They really connected the audience to the characters.

The Blogger, 40-ish (me):
1. Loved the look of it.  Tangled is a visual feast and I thought the 3D effects were mobilized well in some scenes.  This was a movie where the special effects helped drive the story for viewers (as opposed to other recently 3D-ified kids movies: nudge, Toy Story 3, nudge).
2. The boats and lanterns scene was gorgeous--a real treat for the eyes! I might just buy this DVD when it comes out so I can watch that part over and over again.  It was my most favorite hair fetish movie ever!

I did not receive compensation for this review from Disney although my family and I did view the film free of charge in order to facilitate this review.

Aloha Friday #160

from Kailani's blog:

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My question/statement is has to do with Disney films.  We're excited to go see an early showing of Disney's Tangled on Saturday morning.  What is your favorite Disney film?

My answer: Mulan.  I love that she's a strong warrior woman and I love the soundtrack of this movie as well.

Review of (Seed) Healthy Hand Cream

I've discovered one of the ways in my house to tell whether a product is good or not.  When someone steals it.  Okay, not felony theft or anything.  More like a teenager sneaking off with it and then keeping it on her nightstand instead of returning it to me.  That's how I started to review (seed) Healthy Hand Cream, by searching frantically in the place I'd left it and then sneaking into my daughter's room to reclaim it from her. 

First Born does have good taste.  (seed) Healthy Hand Cream is 100% natural and is paraben-, phthalate- and petrochemical- free.  Further it has not been tested on animals, does not include animal ingredients or artificial colors.  What it does have is grape seed oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil and lots of other great ingredients to soothe and condition your hands.  I love that the cream isn't heavy or greasy.  First Born loves the invigorating citrus blend--she says that it smells refreshing!  Also, she compares it to a body lotion she uses that makes her hands oily so that when she touches her face it makes her face feel oily as well. (seed) Healthy Hand Cream doesn't leave her hands or face feeling gross.

The bottom line is that (seed) Healthy Hand Cream is like a vacation for your hands (in a tube!).  It feels great when I put it on and is fast-absorbing. I love that (seed) uses natural ingredients and has a commitment to sustainability.  (seed) Healthy Hand Cream is a product that is easy to love--in more ways than one!

You can buy (seed) Healthy Hand Cream here.

 I did not receive compensation from (seed) for this review.  I did receive a product sample in order to facilitate a review.  Any and all opinions are my own.

Winner of the Shabby Vanity Custom Blog Makeover

Congrats to #56 who is Rachel R! You're going to enjoy working with Madeline and absolutely love your blog makeover!