Texas Instruments TI-Nspire Review

• **This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Texas Instruments, who supplied the product for review.**
  
  Not everyone is built to be math-oriented. In fact for some of us it is really difficult. Take Regan for example, this has been a constant struggle for us for years. The hardest part for her with her cerebral palsy is that it is so difficult for her to write out math problems so that the numbers align perfectly. Forget about graphing and fractions, it is not something her fine motor skills can do. For the last few years when taking the state mandated TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)Test the school district has gotten her special permission to use a calculator on the exam specifically to help her align the numbers properly. As math has gotten more difficult and moved into higher level algebra and formulas, I have been looking for a calculator to grow with her.

The TI-Nspire is a wonderful calculator for Regan to finish junior high and grow with in high school. In fact it is so impressive and can do so much that it came complete with it's own "TI-Nspire for Dummies" book as well as its' instruction manual. This year Regan will branch out into graphing and algebraic equations and a calculator that she can use and manipulate to help her understand is a dream come true for us. Here are a few more things from the website that impressed me:
Some unique features of TI-Nspire technology let you:

-View multiple representations of a problem on a single screen
-Grab a graphed function and move it to see the effect
-"Link" representations:
-Manipulate the properties of one and observe instant updates to others without switching screens
-Create, save and review work in electronic documents, like a computer
-Activate the handheld's Press-to-Test feature to block access to certain geometry features not allowed on state exams
-Experience identical functions on the handheld and TI-Nspire Computer Software (Windows© or Mac©).
-Your students can use the software independently or in tandem with the handheld
for work in and out of class
-Project a full interactive handheld alongside a large handheld screen to demonstrate concepts to your class usingTI-Nspire Computer Software - Teacher Edition

The great thing is that it is already pre approved for use on SAT ACT and many other state standardized tests. This is the calculator we will be getting approved for her use for the 8th grade TAKS, and I am already working with the school system so that we are all on the same page to learn its uses and functions. Regan has been getting acquainted with her "calc" as she calls it and was showing me all kinds of impressive math, including how to make it graph. Her life and mine just got a lot easier thanks to Texas Instruments

Dumpster Diving at Retama

Last night John Mark, Regan and I headed to San Antonio to go watch the horses race at Retama Park. We love going to the horse races, and at one point we were even co-owners of a horse ourselves. It is a really fun family activity and a great way for us to meet up with some of our SA friends.

My brother David, and good friends Mark and Teresa along with "new to me friends" all had a fun evening at the races. Since Regan had gotten an "A" on her history test, I allowed her to pick a horse in a race. She looked at the book and immediately went for the most "french" sounding name. Did I mention she has an obsession with all things France?

Amount Regan won....Zero

My brother David and I studied the racebook, looked at the jockeys, and made specific decision based on statistics and past performance.

Amount I won.....Zero

Our friend Mark "has a guy" who is really good at that stuff and came prepared with numbers to bet in every race. John Mark just did what Mark did so.....

Amount they won....tons!

Of course there was the race where there was a question before they could call it official. John Mark and Mark where on pins and needles to see if there was a winner or not. They did win, but it was on tickets they had already thrown in the trash.

Mark went in for the classic Dumpster Dive.

Of course I had to get a pic of Mark doing the dumpster dive, but can't say to much because he won...and I did not, but it reminded us how much fun the track is and it is definitely an evening we want to do again

"I'm Bored" Advertising Game Activity

There are often a large number of kids at my house. Mainly because it is easier for me to entertain everyone here so that Regan does not feel left out of anything. Every now and then they reach the point where I have to get involved because everyone is "bored". I thought I would share one of my favorite easy activities that the girls and their friends love to enjoy. We call it the "Advertising Game".

1. I pull a product from around the house (tube, can, bottle, etc.) and cover the label with a piece of paper.
2. Make up a strange name (Jeral jelly, Blibblob, Acnexus, etc.)and write it on the paper.
3. Divide the group of kids into two teams and give each a few blank sheets of paper, and a magazine (as reference).
4. Set the timer to one hour: Each group uses this time to brainstorm what the product might be and do, make a print ad, and a commercial for made up product.
5. When the timer rings everyone does their ad presentations to the group.

**If they claim to be done early, that is not allowed, they need to use all their time for practice of the commercial or even coloring in their ad.

This is a great way to foster imaginations, work on team work, and graphic arts skills. This is a wonderful rainy day activity. I recommend it for ages eight and up.

Get the heck out of my Hula Hoop

As much as I loved watching Seinfeld for years, there were just not a lot of their quirky characters that I could personally relate too. That is until I have finally found my own personal "close talker"

I really have very few pet peeves in life but my personal space is one of them. I love when children come up and hug and cuddle, I love it when my own girls climb onto my lap or hold my hand, and I have even been known to allow John Mark in close proximity (well we do have two kids anyway). Acquaintances and friends on the other hand should always be outside my "hula hoop".

For several years now I have tolerated a sweet woman who just seizes every opportunity to invade my personal space. She chatters away about her family and life in general, but always within a foot of personage. It's as if she can't communicate unless she is right next to you.

If you back up--she closes in. There is no avoiding it without being out right rude

It is probably the one thing that just drives me crazy about an otherwise very nice woman. She has a good heart and a pleasant personality...but why can't she show it from about 2-4 feet away? I really don't need to see the individual pores on your nose to be your friend.

Yesterday, yet again she stopped to chat with me, and I was stopped by a wall. Instead of hearing a thing she was saying I spent the whole time looking for a way to escape, and pretty much missed the whole conversation. I found myself vaguely smiling and nodding my head to heaven knows what.

Any suggestions? Do you know a Seinfeldian character that you can relate to?

Back to School with Febreze

This year with our budgets strapped tight the girls re-used their backpacks and lunchboxes from last year. Of course it also helps that they are really cute backpacks. When we pulled them out of the closet last week, they looked decidedly dingy and had an odor of lead pencils. I didn't even realize how much I don't like the odor of lead pencils until I pulled them out.

Well we wiped them down with a damp sponge, and then Febrezed the heck out of them. I must admit I am one of those Febreze addicts. I spray my carpets, my curtains, sofas, comforters. I keep one in my car to spray my car. It is probably my easy way to avoid a lot of real cleaning, if at least everything smells fresh.

Well the people at Febreze sent me a few products to fuel my ongoing addiction and also gave me a few tips for back to school uses. Which you can see I already put into effect, but here are a few more:

For the little scholars:
Great for kids’ backpacks, carpet squares, nap mats and sneakers, Febreze Antimicrobial Fabric Spray eliminates 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria that hide deep inside household fabrics. With each use, Febreze Antimicrobial Spray leaves behind a refreshing scent while reducing the occurrence of odor causing bacteria.
Middle-school / high-school students:
Arm your tweeds and teens with Febreze Air Effects to keep locker stench at bay.
College students:
Create the ultimate care package for your college-bound son or daughter by including Febreze for their dorm rooms or off-campus apartments.
Teachers:
Febreze Allergen Reducer is a great tool to use on fabrics, especially in the classroom, because it reduces up to 75% of allergens that may become airborne. Such allergens can also hide in carpets, curtains and couches so promote an allergen-free classroom with Febreze Allergen Reducer.

Anyone else have some good Febreze tips for me.

CH ChChChChanges

I have decided to make myself some goals not only personally but for my site as well. These are the type of goals that I want to see tangible results and start to make things happen. It probably has something to do with the girls starting school, but I feel refreshed and ready for a brand new me.

For my Blog here are my goals:
1. I want to be the positive voice for moms of disabled kids.
2. I can review great products and have my daughter test them to to give that disability spin. Which I have done with Tie Buddies, Polliwalks, and now with Texas Instruments.
3. To show creative parenting and fun ideas you can have with your teen/tween
4. To make a bit of money on my site to pay for things I want to do and not feel like I have to ask my husband to budget it.
5. To build readership and PR connections by being a trustworthy and ethical blogger
6. To be asked to go somewhere (anywhere) on one of these company/blogger meetups that are being held everywhere. I would also like to attend a conference for bloggers. Right now I am focused on MOM2.0 in Houston. I looooove to travel and my kids are old enough that I have no angst about leaving them.
7. I also want to make this site a bit friendlier with more Vlogs, and work on building relationships with readers.

For Myself:
1. To lose about 30-35 more pounds, just because I need to, and I loved all the compliments I got this summer. With the girls at school though I already found myself stalking the pantry.
2. To figure out my relationship with my church, and If I am where I am needed best for me and the family, or if our needs will be better met elsewhere.
3. To add to our household income without compromising my flexibility and dedication to my family.
4. To finish getting this house ready and get it on the market.
5. Buy myself a laptop so that I do not feel so tied to my desktop, and I can get work done at the gym after coaching.
6. Work on my scrapbooking and the work I have to do still for clients.

Yes I have a lot of goals, but really non of them are unmanageable it just takes some organization. Notice I did not say anything about keeping my house a bit better...there is no use posting one I know I cannot keep.

Band or Athletics: Deciding your Social Course

With all the chaos that surrounds going back to school, I had forgotten that this was the pivotal year to choose whether or not you do band or athletics. Which in small town life doesn't necessarily determine your social circle for years to come, because thankfully the local communities around her are too small for that, but it does draw a line in the sand.

I was not a musically inclined person, in fact my piano teacher finally told my mother she had gotten about as far as she could with me. I chose the athletic route which I then found my niche in cross country and cheerleading. Those were just my things.

John Mark on the other hand did both band and athletics (although he tells me the percussion section is not really a band group). After football season was over he ditched band for baseball and golf which are his favorite sports.

Regan had no desire to be in marching band, but is very interested in music. She has been working with my dad for years on her guitar skills. This is a really special love that they share.

Rebecca came home from school yesterday, and declared to be all athletics. In fact I found out she did not even attend the band meeting. She wants to do all the sports school has to offer. She said only three kids in her class (there are only 13 total) decided to do band. I guess I know which side of the line she chooses.

Which side were you on, and did it make a difference?