It. Was. Awesome.

First, it was nice to ditch my bulky, slow, 125,000 mile minivan for a week and zip around in a sporty little Chevy Cruze.

Second, I'm convinced the Cruze Eco doesn't run on gas. It can't. They delivered it with a full tank and I drove ALL OVER the county to meetings, activities, and on errands I was saving up to do that week - I don't think I used half a tank!

Third, it was quick, comfortable, and offered a really smooth ride considering how low I felt to the ground. Also, I was never a big American car person. That has changed.

Girls took a photo of me driving... and smiling

The only thing that is not great about it, is that it's not practical for carpooling. BUT, it hardly uses gas so I don't mind driving just my kids anyway! Who needs to carpool when you have the Chevy Cruze Eco?

Disclosure: GM gave me the Chevy Cruze Eco and a full tank of gas for the week. I was not required to post nor was this post reviewed prior to being published. All opinons are my own.

The Twofer were around three years old (maybe 4?) and getting their first professional manicure with my mom. These are the people I celebrate on Mother's Day. The two little lives that made it possible for me to become a mom, and the woman who gave me the love, security, and stability I needed to take that step.

When I think of a unique Mother's Day gift I should get for my mom, I think of the mounds of video tape that was left behind in raw format when my dad passed away. When I think of what I want for Mother's Day, I think of the vacuum that needs to be replaced, the fan that recently broke that we'll need on hot summer nights, and (look I'm being honest here) I think about the mounds of video tape that we have taken since the girls were born that are STILL in their raw format.

Lucky for my husband YesVideo can convert that raw video to DVD so that we might actually watch that mound of life movies some day!

If you want to learn more or connect with YesVideo find them here:

• Twitter: @YesVideo
• FB: http://fb.com/yesvideo
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/yesvideo
• Google+: http://gplus.to/YesVideo

What are you getting your mom this year?

Janine

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post as part of a campaign with YesVideo. The story is my own and I really do have a pile of video that needs to be converted. This post was neither approved nor reviewed prior to being published. If your mom has a stack of old video, get her a YesVideo gift certificate or better yet, grab that stack and send it to YesVideo yourself!

Actually, it was kinda FUN!

I did get work done but I also took a few days to just enjoy exploring our city as tourists.

One stop I want to re-visit is the National Gallery of Art...both wings

The Twofer learn about various artists in school and I should take the time to show them original works up close. But also, it's just a really cool place to browse around and chat quietly. A good place to get back in touch with your kids.

Calder at the National Gallery

And art.

Janine

Girls this age seem to love dressing up (not 'dress up' per se, but props and silly things) and they LOVE to ham it up for the camera.

I present as evidence..

So I'm having a photographer friend of mine come, set up her screen, her camera, and some props and let them pose like the rock stars they are!

We had tons of fun shopping for goody bag items like

Clap Board Picture Frame keychains

Metallic Sunglasses

Katy Perry Wig

and lots more.

I might even come back to show you the results!

Janine

This summer I plan to let the girls start riding their bikes by themselves around the neighborhood. Nothing too far, but enough that they'll feel independent and will have to be responsible for their things. That includes locking up their bikes!

WordLock bike lock uses letters and words instead of numbers

WordLock recently sent me two 5 Foot Cable Bike Locks for the girls that we can test out this summer. The cables are nice and long and the lock combination will be a word that is easy for them to remember. Next we need to have the discussion that you

a) never share your lock combination (or online passwords) with your friends

and

b) never use your name as part of your password (or lock combo)

The bike locks attach right to the bike frame and slide in and out of the holder easily. Perfect for smaller hands.

For more information about WordLocks

visit the WordLock website

Like them on Facebook

and look for WordLock on sale at Amazon too!

Janine

Disclosure: I received 2 WordLock bike locks for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Some links are affiliate links.

YesVideo is the easiest way to get all your video transfered and preserved for future generations.

We used YesVideo a few years ago as the video collection of The Twofer started to pile up. We were worried we'd never really get to watch it because our video camera uses those mini video tapes. YesVideo accepts a variety of formats and you can either mail in your video or drop it off at a retail location (we dropped ours off at a CVS near our house).

The video came back on DVD so we can watch it, share it, and actually enjoy it rather than letting it sit and collect dust in our office.

Now you can learn more about Yes Video and win prizes through a really fun party on Twitter this Tuesday (2/28) at 8:00 pm CST

To join in on the fun tweet using the hashtag #YesMemory and follow @YesVideo on Twitter.  The best way to follow the party conversation is to use the TweetChat room assigned to #YesMemory.  There will be some fun prizes given away during the one hour party as well!
Prizes include:

• DOOR PRIZE - Sony BluRay Player {must fill out door prize form to be eligible}
• 2 - $75 Value Video Transfer Coupon to be redeemed at Direct.YesVideo.com with 60 day MemorySafe membership
• 1 - $75 Value Video Transfer Coupon to be redeemed at Direct.YesVideo.com with ONE YEAR MemorySafe membership
• 1 - $100 Value Video Transfer Coupon to be redeemed at Direct.YesVideo.com with 60 day MemorySafe membership
• 1 - $100 Value Video Transfer Coupon to be redeemed at Direct.YesVideo.com with ONE YEAR MemorySafe membership
• 1 - $50 Gift Certificate to TracerPix.com
• Surprise Final Giveaway!

*prizes will be given away randomly during the Twitter Party to people tweeting with the hashtag.

Twitter Party Panelists:
    •    @RachelFerrucci
    •    @LisaSamples
    •    @CherylBudge
    •    @jonbonjovious
    •    @StacieinAtlanta
    •    @Zipporahs
*follow all the panelists on Twitter to keep up with the party conversation and see important tweets during the party

During the Twitter Party be ready to share favorite Spring memories, discuss Spring cleaning and Spring Break travel plans.  Hope to see you there and good luck in winning some of the awesome prizes!

(You must be in attendance of the Twitter Party using hashtag #YesMemory to be eligible to win prizes.)

RSVP today! http://on.fb.me/z0whVn

Disclosure: I have been compensated to help spread the word about the YesVideo twitter party but the videos we had transfered we paid for ourselves and all opinions are my own. This post was neither approved nor reviewed prior to being published.

The Sisterhood.

Oh how sweet it is when they play well together

Twin Moms Stick Together

We moms of twins, as much as we try to blend in, are different.

We have anxieties that only someone with 2 kids who are CONSTANTLY COMPARED can understand.

This woman has 11 year old twin girls.

As soon as she found out I have 8 year old twin girls she gave me

The Look.

The look that says, "I know what you are going through. I understand your fears. And you are right to be afraid. But we are survivors."

Yes, a look can say all that and more.

Because only a moms of twins (and possibly only a mom of twin girls who are about to embark on a trips through the Sea of Hormones) can understand the fear and anxiety that comes with knowing we'll have to manage

2 girls who are constantly compared BY others and By themselves

maturing at different stages

experiencing hormones, changes, drama...

together, and yet, alone.

As soon as I meet another Sister we are quick to bond.

We understand that we struggle to help our kids navigate because we weren't twins. We may have had siblings, we may have experienced comparisons, but there was a buffer in a difference of sex (I had a brother), age, or grade to ease the comparison.

We bond when we discuss the dominant twin and how that role can switch from time to time.

We trade stories of similarities, differences, separation.

We hold onto hope that they stay close, like Mary Kate and Ashley, rather than divided, like Cain and Able (who were not twins but the only reference of sibling rivalry I could come up with for now)

Then we hug each other goodbye knowing we have met someone who understands.

One way to thank your favorite PR contacts, favorite brand reps, or even fellow bloggers (think of the friends who have passed along great opportunities to you) is with a simple, but thoughtful holiday card.

FedEx Office makes it easy to order custom holiday cards and calendars!

FedEx Office has a huge selection of holiday card and calendar templates that for cards and calendars that would work to help you highlight the 'best of 2011' from your blog. Trust me, I know. I was given a gift card to use to order holiday cards or a calendars and have spent several days just browsing and trying to decide if I want to go with a calendar or cards!

I have finally decided on a custom photo calendar (I think) and there are tons of cool backgrounds to choose from. It's taken me so long that I'm writing this post before I've even placed my final order. Once you decide, the process is really, really easy and quick.

Photo Cards are not limited to one photo

What made the decision so hard is that the photo cards do not limit you to one, or even two photos. The design options are vast...

AND, the designs work whether it's one photo, or if you choose the collage layout.

Notice you can even choose horizontal, vertical, and you can choose the collage that works best for the photos you want to use. This option is great if you want to highlight all the cool things you did on your blog this year.

Another option I was considering was the mini desk calendars that have a unique photo for each month! A very cost effective and fun way to promote your blog or your business.

SAVE on FedEx Office Cards and Calendars

Through November 27, order online using www.fedex.com/greetings to save 30% on select holiday cards and calendars!

Order on December 8-17 and use www.fedex.com/us/greetings/25email.html to save 25% on select holiday card and calendar orders

WIN a FedEx Office Holiday Prize Pack

I'm giving away a prize pack to one luck reader and all you have to do to win it is leave me a comment telling me how you'll use FedEx Office calendars or cards this holiday season.

For an extra entry, post a link to this giveaway on Twitter or your public Facebook page and leave another comment with a link to your post.

Prize pack includes:

20 holiday cards

plush ornament

FedEx Office pen

compact office supply case with sticky notes, paper clips and a ruler

Contest open to residents of the US and Canada, 18 years or older, and ends 12/7/2011 at 11:00pm ET. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. Winner has 2 days to claim prize before another winner will be chosen.

Happy Holiday Ordering!

Janine

Disclosure: I received a $50 gift card from FedEx Office to make this Holiday Cards and/or Calendar. I am solely responsible for selecting the winners for the giveaway (not FedEx Office). Also, the ideas in this blog post are entirely mine and I have not received ideas or advice from FedEx Office. 

Did you know....

46% of US parents studied, wtih children age 8-17, do not use parental controls.

Study conducted by FOSI and Hart Research

As a mom of young girls who are turning into tweens before my eyes, I know the cell phone / texting thing is not far off. As the wife of a computer expert, my girls are already on their 3rd computer, and they can maneuver around an iPad like anyone's business. They are already on the internet, by themselves, sometimes unsupervised.

Lucky for us, computer expert Dad knows how to install parental controls.

Did you know...

58% of teen internet and cell phone users say their parents have been the biggest influence on what they think is appropriate or inappropriate when using the internet or cell phone.

From a study on Teens, Kindness and Cruelty conducted by Pew Research, FOSI, and Cable in the Classroom

I once heard a wise mom say that just when you want to let go of your teenagers because they are all grown up and self-sifficient, that is when they NEED you the most. They need your guidance, your listening skills, and they need you to continue to set boundaries. This is how they learn how to deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly when they are out there in the real world by themselves.

AT&T offers 'smart controls' for TV, Internet and phones help parents create an Internet safety plan along WITH their kids.The biggest issue seems to be getting kids involved in the discussion from the start. No teenager wants to have their parents monitor their texts or online discussions. Yet this is exactly what can help them to understand the importance of thinking before you text, tweet, email, or post. If you don't want your parents to see it, why are you putting it out there on the Internet???

Did you know...

44% of online teens admit to lying about their age so they could access a website or sign up for an online account.

From a study on Teens, Kindness and Cruelty conducted by Pew Research, FOSI, and Cable in the Classroom

 
Kids need to understand that when you click, "I agree" online, it's as valid as signing your name offline. Be careful what you agree to, and be careful who you share your information with. We learned that 30% of online teens reported sharing one of their passwords with a friend, boyfriend or girlfriend. It begs the question, how many teens are not only lying about their age, but about WHO is really behind the online profile? It might not even be the account holder.

We have already had a very serious discussion with our girls about why they cannot sign off on their daily reading log in the space where it says 'parent's signature'. Even if I KNOW they read that night. Even if I forgot to sign it. If I gave them the idea that forging my signature on a homework paper was ok, then it would definitely reduce the importance of an online signature.

Disclosure: I received compensation and attendee pass from AT&T for covering the conference. All opinions are my own and this stuff really does keep me awake at night. This post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.

Relationships are difficult and require open communication and, most importantly, honesty, to work well. Everyone will relate to something in Monster in Laws, so everyone deserves a shot at winning this in law survival kit!

The In-Law Survival Kit includes:

$50 Body Shop Gift Card

Spa Wisdom™ Japan Yuzu & Green Tea Bathing Salts

Total Body Massager

Here's how to enter:
1. Leave a comment telling me a funny or crazy in-law story. Feel free to post anonymously and note that your email is not visible.

2. Extra entry - share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or public Facebook page and leave another comment with the URL of your post

Contest is open to US residents 18 years and over, and ends November 25, 2011 at 11:00 pm. I will choose a winner via random.org but the prize is provided by Lifetime / A&E.  I will notify winner via email and give 48 hours to claim with a response.

Be sure to watch Monster in Laws on A&E Monday nights (10 Eastern /9 Central) and follow the chatter on Twitter with #monsterinlaws.

Disclosure: I have a wonderful relationship with my OWN Mother-in-Law who occassionally reads this blog along with her other relatives. We are one, big, happy, loving family with no issues whatsoever. That said, even I can enjoy this show...it's THAT good. The giveaway prize is provided at no cost by Lifetime / A&E. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.

Water.

Turn on the tap, and out it pours. Clean, safe, and the best thing to put into your body.

But did you know...

"Diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war"?

via Charity: Water

The world is in a water crisis. But there are things we can do to help.

Holiday Greetings With Nautica

Starting today, you can upload a photo of your family to the Nautica Facebook Page, include a caption of how your family gives back, and celebrate Nautica's donation of $5,000 to Charity: Water - an organization that brings clean, safe drinking water to needy communities!

Did you know that 100% of public donations to Charity: Water are used for water projects? And, Nautica's donation of $5,000 will bring clean water to an entire village!

Save 30% on Nautica for Your Family Photo

Nautica will choose a few family photos to highlight on the page each day in their Well of Fame on Facebook. You can save 30% on Nautica for your family holiday photo starting today with code: BLOG30 at check out.

Check out the adorable holiday skirts and dresses for girls, or the handy gift buying section.

You can save on using your Nautica photo for your cards over at Hallmark.com by using code NAUTICA25 at checkout there.

Savings abound!

WIN $25 Nautica Gift Card right here!

I'm giving away a $25 gift card to one luck person. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me who you'll spend the $25 on!

For an Extra Entry share this URL link (http://ow.ly/7lIYi )

either on Twitter (cc @JanineNickel) or Facebook, or in an email to your pals...you get the idea.

Contest open to US residents 18 and over and ends November 18, 2011 at 11:00 pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries.

In Summary: get your Nautica, upload your photo and tell the world you care, enter the giveaway, then check out Charity: Water for more ways to help.

Janine

Disclosure: I received a Nautica gift card to purchase clothing for my family photo. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, I care about the world's water crisis. You should too.

This post was underwritten by BMO Harris Bank, which offers a matching $25 on a new savings account opened for your child through their Helpful Steps for Parents program. Learn more at bmoharris.com/parents

What better way to teach kids about money than with their own savings account?

The opportunity to write about this came at the perfect time.

The girls have been asking about getting an allowance for a few weeks now and just last weekend we sat down to discuss how we might handle that. The Mister and I agree that we don't want to necessarily pay them to do chores. We feel that each member of the family needs to contribute and that's what chores are...they are part of life in a family.

However, how are they supposed to learn about money, managing, saving, and spending if they don't have the chance to earn it?

We discussed what other families do:

Some pay a small amount for various chores...emptying the dishwasher is $.10, while taking out the trash is $.20.  Some simply pay a weekly amount and track the chores that get done...or don't get done. Other kids don't get any set amount but receive money here and there to spend (or save).

We've decided to go with the all or nothing approach.

In all honesty, I'm not sure how good I'll be at the 'nothing' part of this approach but we'll try it. For "all or nothing" the girls have a set of chores they have to do. Some are daily (putting those DAMN shoes away), some are weekly, and some are monthly. If they do all their chores for the month they will receive $20 at the end of the month! That's a large, tangible amount that they can see grow if they save it, or even a portion of it.

Earn Money then Save Money

The next step in this allowance adventure will be to open a bank account for each of them. This way, they can see the amount they save grow, but not be tempted to spend it as they are if they simply stuff it in their wallets. I think BMO/Harris Bank has a great idea matching $25 for a new kid's account! First of all - to go from $0 to $50 just for opening an account will get kids excited about seeing the balance grow, and thus excited about SAVING their money.

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about BMO Harris Bank, visit their website http://bmoharris.com/parents

Disclosure: I received compensation for this post but all opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.

So. Much. Fun.

That was the theme of our Wii Play Motion slash ice cream party we held for our Brownie troop. Moms and Brownies had a chance to balance their ice cream both on screen (love the soft serve version of the game) and off screen, thanks to Nintendo Wii Play Motion and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream!

mmmm ice cream didn't last long

kids LOVED the Ghost hunter game

The ONLY issue is that the moms has to declare "adult time" so that we could get in there in play.

The Moms LOVED the wack-a-mole game. Maybe it's all that stress we have?

I'm thinking we'll have to find a night to have an adult wii party like my friend Jodi did. With wine. She's smart.

With Wii Play Motion you get 12 games in all and a special 'motion' controller. One of my party moms went home with her own copy of the game and a remote, and the other moms have added the game to their Christmas lists.

Disclosure: I received a Wii Play Motion game, three remotes, and all the fixings including ice cream gift card to Cold Stone Creamery to host the party. The ice cream and sugar high in no way influenced my opinion of the games and you can see from the smiles on the other moms' faces that the adults enjoyed it as much as the kids.

Parading

Eating Chili

I was a judge at the neighborhood chili cookoff. Tough job but somebody has to do it.

Crafting

Cupcakes

And of course, Mummy Making

Happy Halloween and Happy 13th Anniversary to Me and The Mister!

All it took was a pedal.

The Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Cleaner Starter is so easy to use, all it takes is one little push of a pedal and the toilet is clean.

There are no batteries required and, Scrubbing Bubbles even thought to provide a white cover for the can of cleaning solution that sits next to your toilet! The sprayer clips easily onto to the toilet bowl rim. The only issue I had was convincing my daughter she wouldn't pee on it the first time she saw it on the edge of the bowl.

She quickly got over it when I showed her how to step on the pedal and it leaves the bowl looking and smelling nice and clean.

Disclosure: I received a Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Cleaner for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, I truly hate cleaning toilets. This makes it much easier. Some links are affiliate links.

So it makes a whole lot of sense that Kellogg's and Scholastic would team up on a promotion, right?

I mean, don't we deserve to read more than a ceral box (no offense Kellogg's) at breakfast?

Get $5 toward a Scholastic Book from Kellogg's and Walmart

Buy 2 specially-marked Kellogg's products (sold at Walmart wouldn't ya know) and redeem the code inside for a $5 gift card to buy a book from Scholastic Book Clubs or the Scholastic online store.

WIN a Kellogg's / Scholastic Prize Pack

It just so happens that one lucky reader can win a bounty of Kellogg's products and Scholastic books to celebrate the partnership.

Here are just some of the goodies you'll win.

• a mix of picture and chaper books from Scholastic
• an assortment of Kellogg's products
• a $15 gift card to Walmart

Here is a link to the complete rules.

Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me what Scholastic book you would purchase with a $5 gift card (or which book you would apply the $5 to)

2. Post this on Twitter, "What is the ONE thing everyone does when eating cereal? #giveaway http://bit.ly/qqXLrK via @JanineNickel"  (Then leave a second comment with a link to your tweet.)

That's it! Giveaway ends 10/14/11 at 11:00 pm Eastern. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. A complete list of giveaway rules are HERE.

Disclosure: I received a prize pack of my own as a thanks for helping spread the word. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, I LOVE the Kellogg's products we received and purchase them on my own all the time. In addition, I have big readers and we're always big supporters of our school's Scholastic Book Fair. Great books. Great company.

Noodles for everyone!

Or, at least everyone in my family because I received a sweet package from P.F. Changs as a thank you for helping spread the word about National Noodle Day and the festivities they are planning in celebration.

P.F. Changs Home Noodle Meals

We will be sampling two of the 4 Home Noodle Meals by P.F. Changs:

Grilled Chicken Teriaki with Lo Mein

and

Pepper Steak with Chow Fun

I've had P.F. Chang's Home Meals before so I know how easy they are to make and how delicious they are as well. Plus, I don't need any other excuse to eat noodles for dinner - if it's noodle day then I'm eating noodles.

Socialize wtih P.F. Chang for Prizes

P.F. Changs is hosting a Twitter party on October 5th from m 8-10pm EST. Be sure to tweet with @PFChangs and follow the hash tag #noodlenight for a chance to win prizes and more! Then, on October 6th check out the PF Changs Facebook page (www.facebook/pfchangs) where there will be a Home Menu Sweepstakes tab where you'll enter to win a VIP noodle tasting kits like I received, chef-quality skillets to prepare your meal, and a grand prize trip for two to Las Vegas!

Of course, if you win, I would expect to be your #2 on that trip!

Disclosure: I received a VIP noodle tasting kit including 2 P.F. Changs home meals, noodle bowls, and the awesome Lo Mein t-shirt in the top photo. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, the meals really are deelish but the "Aint no shame in lo mein" t-shirt is the bomb!

Did you ever have someone hand you a toy for your kids and you try it out and you think,

"I'm not giving this to them!"

Yea, that's what happend with the 20Q Artificial Intelligence Game that my friend Leticia handed me a few weeks ago.

Here's how it works.

Think of something that is an animal, vegetable, or mineral.

Then, let the 20Q start guessing.

You press yes, no, sometimes or rarely for the answer.

It somehowbymagicelves guesses your thing every. single. time!

For my kids they needed some help answering the questions but for the most part they could do it all themselves and it occupied them for an entire 3-hour car ride

Here's a short list of some of the things our 20Q has guessed correctly:

• Dog
• Whale
• Ruby
• Snot

That last one had be really believing in magic.

20Q is available in all sorts of colors and themes including this 20Q Harry Potter version!

You can get more information on the 20Q Facebook page.

Disclosure: I received the 20Q game at no charge. All opinons expressed here are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Some links are affiliate links.

I love our sofa.

I stalked our sofa for YEARS at Urban Country in Bethesda, MD - a fabulous shop if you are ever in the area - browing on the weekends (before kids when I could do that) and then relaxing on Big Blue, as I called it, and dreaming of a day it would be in my very own home.

Our sofa is a giant, massive, slip-covered, denim beast that is soooo comfy and wide you sink right into it.

But our sofa is over 10 years old and those comfy cushions have started to sag. I refuse to get rid of Big Blue so finding a way to perk it up became the only option.

Enter Furniture Fix

I was given an opportunity to test out Furniture Fix to help give Big Blue some much needed support...and my back as well!

Furniture Fix is a series of interlocking panels that slide right under the sofa cushions (or mattress, or easy chair cushion, etc) to give sagging furniture a firm lift.

 Furniture Fix panels

Does it work?

I slid Furniture Fix under one side of our sofa and then sat on both sides. I definitely noticed a difference immediately. In the above photo you'll see 2 sets of the panels under one sofa cushion (I told you Big Blue is big).

How much does Furniture Fix cost?

You can purchase one set for under $15 at various retailers (Bed, Bath & Beyond) and online at www.furniturefix.com. One set is large enough for a chair, but you will need to get 2-4 sets if you want to firm up a sofa or bed.

Have you found other quick fixes for sagging sofas? If so, I'd love to read about them in the comments!

Janine

Disclosure: I received 2 sets of Furniture Fix at no cost for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior publishing. Also, I invite you to come over and test my sofa before I buy 3 more sets of Furniture Fix and see for yourself!

Did you know that honey does not spoil?

Me neither. That fact would have come in handy last year when my huge Costco-sized container of honey crystalized and I was trying to decide if I should toss all $14 of it.

It took National Geographic to design an app that my kid is hooked on to educate me about the shelf-life of honey.

The Weird but True app give you an interesting fact with every swipe or shake.

Inspired by the National Geographic book series of the same name, Weird but True has some of the strangest facts that can be ranked with your vote on the weird-o-meter.

 Here is what Ellie thought:

The Weird but True app is available for iPhone and iPad on iTunes.

Also, be sure to check out the Weird but True Collectionon Amazon.

Disclosure: I received the app for free but all experiences and opinions are my own. This post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Some links are affiliate links.