ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND ROAD TRIP

Rising above the skyline of Maryland's capital city is the landmark defining shape of the United State's Naval Academy's chapel. Its recently restored dome now has a bright copper tone, after decades of weathering had left it with an aged green patina look to it, which can be seen from miles away. Fifty years ago my parents were married here and a few years later I joined the picture.

To mark their 50th wedding anniversary, my parents decided to have a vow renewal ceremony where their marriage started. I wasn't going to miss that so the wife and kids piled into our car with me and we had a summer road trip from Michigan cutting through Ohio and Pennsylvania to Maryland. The weekend turned into not just a celebration of my parent's milestone anniversary but a fun reunion spent with aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of the family tree that we don't see as much as we'd like to.

The Naval Academy Chapel was a wonderful backdrop for my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration. I'm sure they were wondering how time flew by so fast as it probably seemed like just yesterday when they made their original vows to one another here. It was nice that the building sported its new cooper coloring giving the chapel a brand new look showing that the structure, like my parents' marriage, has stood the test of time.

Though my wife and I have been married for seventeen years, that seems like a drop in the bucket compared to fifty years. What great role models for demonstrating commitment and cooperation in a relationship. So glad we were able to make the trek to Annapolis to be a part of the celebration.

Construction of the Naval Academy Chapel began in 1904 with its cornerstone laid by Admiral George Dewey, the only officer in the country's military history to hold the rank of Admiral of the Navy, and the building was completed in 1908. Designed by architect Ernest Flagg, who also created the Singer Building in New York City which for a period of time was the tallest skyscraper in the world, the Naval Academy Chapel, was constructed in the Beaux-Arts style that Flagg's work is renowned for. While midshipmen attending the Naval Academy were required to attend weekly mass at the chapel from 1908 - 1972, which included the time period my father was training to be an ensign there, the structure now is mainly used for weddings and funerals. At 210 feet high, the United States Naval Academy Chapel is a focal point for both the campus grounds as well as the city of Annapolis.

In addition to the United States Naval Academy (established in 1845), Annapolis is home to St. John's College (founded in 1645) and the Maryland State House (built in 1772). Not only has Annapolis been the state capital of Maryland but the city also served for a brief time as the nation's capital at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. Congress under the Articles of Confederation was seated in the Maryland capitol building from 1783-1784. During this Session of Congress, George Washington personally appeared before the legislature to withdraw his commission as Commander and Chief of the army at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War to dispel concerns about his potentially creating a military dictatorship and the United States ratified the Treaty of Paris which formally ended a state of war with Great Britain and confirmed the independence of this newly formed nation. Much of the 18th and 19th century era architecture still remains in the historic downtown of Annapolis letting visitors step back in time when walking along its streets and through the buildings.

In addition to spending time on the grounds of the Naval Academy, we also had a great time spending a weekend hanging out with friends and family in its historic district neighborhoods. The quaint seaside town atmosphere of this place makes it a relaxing spot to get away from the normal hustle and bustle of life. We had a wonderful time stay in Annapolis!

Summer Water Fights with Prime Time Toys Adventure Force Blasters

 ** A Geek Daddy received the featured products for free to review**

Enjoy the hot summer months of the year outside getting wet in fun backyard water fights.  We had the opportunity to test out Prime Time Toys new Adventure Force line of water blasters over the Memorial Day weekend.  They worked really great and my kids had a great time playing with them.  I joined in the battle and have to say getting soaked on a hot day really is a refreshing way to cool off.

There are a number of Adventure Force water blasters to choose from, that range in size, water holding capacity, and features, which are available exclusively from Walmart.    We played around with the Super Storm and Hydro Blitz water blasters.  Each of these are recommended for ages 6+.

Super Storm

You'll dominate a water fight with the Super Storm.  You'll be able to outlast your competition when it comes to refilling with its 68-ounce size tank and hit them from a distance with its pressurized stream that can soar up to 38 feet.  Use its three adjustable nozzle setting to be strategic on how you soak your friends.  Quad-Stream sprays out four streams of water while Super Soak Blast provides one big drenching.  Flip to the Long-Range Blast to hit your targets from a distance as they try to flee from you.  My lids loved the variety of nozzle setting on this blaster the only drawback was that when fully filled it can be somewhat heavy to hold for younger kids and difficult to handle.  We alleviated the problem very easily by only filling it up half way and that made the kids happy.  The Super Storm is ideal for tweens and teens that want to engage in a water blaster bout.

Hydro Blitz

While the Hydro Blitz has a trigger it is just for imagery as it projects water through a pumping action.  Slide forward the pump action handle on the bottom of the blaster and push it back to launch out a strong blast of water.  This blaster also holds a lot of water storing up to 57 ounces plus has some nice distance to it as well being able to hit a distance of up to 35 feet.  Like the Super Storm when fully filled it can get to be quite heavy so for younger children it is recommended to only fill it up half way.  This is a heavy duty soaker that doesn't have special features to it but instead provides its user with a consistent intense stream through its easy to use pump action launcher for continuous fun during a water fight.  Tweens and teens who want to be running around while drenching each other will especially enjoy the Hydro Blitz.

Hydro Storm

Prime Time Toys also provided us with a Hydro Storm 6-Pack.  This water blaster set is recommended for ages 4+.  They are simplistic, easy to use water blasters that are particularly nice for younger children to play with.  They are very durably built, provide for quick action water release to projects up to 25 feet and are easy to refill.  Coming in a 6-pack makes this set ideal to bring out when you have a group gathering and want to make sure everyone has something to play with.  At under $10, based upon the quality of the blasters and the quantity of them this really is a great deal that I'd recommend for play dates, picnics, birthday parties and other summer activities.

Swing by your local Walmart retail location or visit walmart.com to pick up Prime Time Toys Adventure Force Water Blasters for some summer fun!

Enjoying the Last Day of Summer Having Some Prime Time Water Toys Fun

** A Geek Daddy received the featured products for free to review **

Classes start the day after Labor Day for my kids, so they made the most out of enjoying one last hurrah of water activities playing around outside with some items Prime Time Toys sent us to try out before they had to head back to school.  Since 1990, Prime Time Toys has been producing fun toys and games that can be enjoyed both in and out of the water like the Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler and Hurricane Reusable Water Balls that my kids had a lot of fun with on Labor Day.  It was a sunny, hot day perfect for getting wet in the backyard and these toys really were great at keeping the kids entertained plus cooled off.

The Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler available at Target provides a new twist on running and jumping through a sprinkler.  It's middle section features a hydro powered spinning dome so that water shoots out of its top in a whirling motion up into the sky.  Plus six wiggle tubes on its edge send water spraying all about the sprinkler in various directions.  Rather than having a primary purpose for watering lawns, this sprinkler is designed specifically for kids to splash in on hot days. From our experience using the sprinkler it worked really well at providing my kids with a good soaking and they really had fun using it to cool off.  The sprinkler worked so well that we'll absolutely be storing it over the winter to bring out again to use next summer.  Speaking of storing it, I really liked the tabs on the bottom of the Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler to insert its wiggle tubes in which assist with being able to pack it up without damaging them.

My kids also cooled off tossing Hurricane "REUSABLE" Water Balls at each other.  These provide the fun of playing with water balloons without the hassle of having to tie knots or cleaning up a mess of broken plastic bits.  Place a Hurricane Water Ball in a bucket of water and with a quick squeeze it will fill up and self-seal.  You can toss and throw these reusable balls just like a water balloon.  The best part is you can use them over and over again as they're good for up to 1,000  watery splats.  Kids will have a blast tossing these about.  You can find them at Amazon.com.

For more information about the Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler, Hurricane Water Balls, or other products available from Prime Time Toys please visit primetimetoys.com.

A Stroll Through the Cranbrook House Gardens

We spent a recent summer morning taking a stroll through the gardens that surround the historic Cranbrook House located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  Thanks to the financial donations of PNC Bank, All Seasons, and Roberts Restaurant Group the grounds surrounding the Cranbrook House are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm this year from May through October for the public to come out and explore.  The 40-acre Cranbrook House Gardens feature formal, woodland and naturalistic gardens featuring fountains, statuary, lakes, streams, and extensive traditional and natural plantings.

The Cranbrook House is the oldest of metropolitan Detroit's grand early 20th century mansions.  It was designed by the noted architect Albert Kahn for the family of George Booth (the wealthy owner of a Canadian iron-working business in Windsor, Ontario) and Ellen Warren Scripps (the eldest child of the founder of the Detroit News).  Booth went to work with his father-in-law helping to build the News into Detroit's largest daily newspaper.  In addition to taking on a prominent role within the Scripps-owned newspaper business which was expanding throughout the Midwest, George Booth also partnered with his brothers to establish a profitable chain of Michigan-based newspapers under the Booth Publishing Company.  In 1904, George and Ellen purchased a run-down 174-acre farm and transformed it into a magnificent estate named Cranbrook after the English town the Booth family originated from.  In their elder years, the Booths transformed  their estate into the Cranbrook Educational Community which includes a private school, a magnificent church, an art museum, and the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Cranbrook Institute of Science.  The Cranbrook House and Gardens have been preserved as a historic landmark and also provides office space for the non-profit foundation which oversees the Cranbrook Educational Community.

While strolling through the gardens is free there is a $10 charge to tour the mansion. There are discounts for seniors, students with ID, and active duty military.  Admission fees are also charged for visiting the Art and Science museums on the Cranbrook campus.  Still there is plenty to see wandering around the meadows, wooded trails, and gardens surrounding the Cranbrook House.

During our visit we spotted a wealth of wild life including a beaver, bunny, chipmunk, butterflies, dragonflies, fish in the ponds and a number of birds along with a variety of attractive plants and flowers as we walked throughout the landscape.  The Cranbrook Gardens are also filled with fountains, sculptures and other artwork.

 

Make sure to download the free app available for both Android and Apple mobile devices before you visit that provide self-guided tours of the grounds complete with useful facts, vivid photographs, and video segments to enhance your experience exploring the gardens.  It can come very handy not just for finding out interesting information about your surroundings but also for helping find your way around the grounds.

There are plenty of special spots that are fun for kids to discover during a trip to the Cranbrook House Gardens.  Two of my kids favorites during our visit included a nook in a sunken garden that looks like something you'd find in a fairy tale and a charming bridge over the manor's driveway you'll find while taking the trail from the visitor parking lot to the Cranbrook House.

The visitor parking lot is off Lone Pine Road located on the north side of the street across from Christ Church.  Park your vehicle and either walk up the Cranbrook House's original driveway or take a short hike along a wooded trail to reach the gardens.  There are also restrooms located within the parking lot's check-in building.  That is important to know especially when traveling with little ones because there aren't a lot of other options when you start walking around.  For more information about the place visit housegardens.cranbrook.edu/ or call 248-645-3147.



During our mid-week morning visit, my kids and I had the run of the place with literally no one around other than volunteer gardeners and some construction workers doing maintenance which made it really enjoyable to explore the gardens and trails surrounding the Cranbrook House.  For a relaxing stroll, adventurous trek, bird watching, gardening tips, or to take in some interesting art, if you live in or are traveling to Metro Detroit stopping by the Cranbrook House & Gardens is well worth a visit.  My kids and I had a wonderful time taking in the art and scenery.

Enjoy a Super Summer of Reading

Don't let all the hard work the children in your life have put into reading over the previous school year stagnate during their summer recess warns Gabrielle Miller, the president and CEO of the non-profit organization Raising A Reader, which is dedicated to helping families develop, practice, and maintain literacy habits for children ages 0-8 that are critical for a child's success in school and life.  Miller notes that with no homework assignments from teachers many of the 50 million plus children that are on summer vacation will stop reading during this break from school impairing their learning abilities when they return in the fall.  She reached out to A Geek Daddy to help spread the message that parents need to incorporate books into summer vacation activities and establish regular reading routines for their children.

"Summer reading should be all about the parent-child experience," Miller communicated to A Geek Daddy. "Rather than having it be a chore, or a list of must-read books, summer is a terrific opportunity to build family reading experiences.  Whether it's as simple as reading with children so they can see how much adults love reading, or visiting places and doing activities tied to a book, there are a host of ways reading can help children enjoy the summer and be ready to start school in the fall."

Here are a  few Raising A Reader tips for parents on helping their children have a super summer of reading:

• Participate in a local public library summer reading program that will often provide fun educational activities during the break from school plus challenge kids to read in order to earn an invitation to a special event like a pizza party or other  rewards or prizes.  Many libraries across the United States participate in the Collaborative Summer Library Program which provides a uniform theme and resources for libraries to use to encourage kids to read.  This year's theme is Wellness, Fitness & Sports.  Check out what your local library has to offer kids to help keep them reading during the summer.




• Invite the family pet to join the book sharing experience. Even if your child can’t read yet, have her ‘read’ the story to you and the pet. Children who can read will be able to practice their skills and children who have not yet learned to read will begin to think of themselves as ‘readers’ which is very important to lifelong learning. 


• Find books that are centered on summer activities he or she enjoys. If your child likes to go horseback riding, for example, find books about horses or stories with horses as an integral part of the plot. This will give a child a welcome change from the types of books read during the school year and better complement their summer. 


• If you are taking a trip, read books about your destination with your child before you leave. Do some research with them on the location and find things in the area they want to do while visiting. And don’t forget to play “I Spy” with road signs or license plates along the way.


• Write a book with your child about them, your family, their favorite foods or toy, their friends or whatever interests them most. Your child can draw pictures or use actual photos. If you’re worried that your child spends too much time watching TV or playing video games, have him or her tell you or write a story about their favorite TV show or video game. You can also use one of many templates available to create and print the book on your computer.


• Create an outdoor reading area so the whole family can enjoy the summer weather and not feel stuck inside. Children generally read indoors, so being outdoors will create a new environment for enjoying a book and boost a child’s enthusiasm for reading. 


• Let your child choose. Books are great, but so are comic books, magazines and even educational websites such as National Geographic Kids. Let them chase their interests and they’ll be reading more than they realize.

My kids love super heroes so we're encouraging them to enjoy a super summer of reading with DC Super Heroes books from Capstone Publishing, which specialized in children's books and digital products specializing in the educational market serving class rooms, libraries and parents looking for good materials for their children to read.  Capstone Publishing has a wide range of DC Super Heroes books to choose from suitable for all ranges of children to enjoy from those in their preschool years having mom or dad read to them to elementary school students just learning to read on their own to teens who are looking for something interesting to read during their high school years. They generously sent A Geek Daddy a free sample of the books in their super hero collection perfectly matched to my kids reading level to help keep my 7 year old twins reading over the summer months.  Easy to read Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman stories written for a children's elementary school aged audience will keep my kids interested in flipping through books all summer long.  My kids also just discovered through these book Capstone Publishing sent us the world of the DC Super-Pets which is a line of books featuring stories about the unique animal companions to the super heroes and villains of the DC Comic book universe.  My kids have fallen in love with the DC Super Pets collection!

My twins also are participating in our local public library's summer program to help keep them reading during their break from school.  Each week they are provided a list of challenges involving reading books and educational activities that if are completed allow them to grab something from a treasure chest of prizes.  Also throughout the summer they'll have the opportunity to spend some time visiting the library and reading to a therapy dog in training.  They are both excited to share their new DC Super Pets books with the therapy dog when they have a chance to read to it this summer.  At the end of summer there is a party for all the kids who participated that includes a magic show and Kohl's department store provides all the children with Kohl's Cares stuffed animals and books as a reward.  Have you checked out what types of summer activities your community public library has to offer?

For more information about all the wonderful books that Capstone Publishing has available for young readers, visit CapstoneKids.com.  Parents can be super heroes by ensuring their children read over the summer.  I hope all of our A Geek Daddy readers have a super summer of reading!

National Geographic Kids Magazine - Summer Issue

My kids always are excited and get a big smile on their face when an issue of our NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KiDS MAGAZINE subscription arrives in the mail.  We just received our Summer Edition of this entertaining and educational publication for children 6 to 12 years old which includes a feature article about Jaguars along with being filled with eye-catching kids-oriented photography by National Geographic photographers, interesting trivia, plus fun games and puzzles.

My son has had a fascination with jaguars ever since he was a toddler watching "Dora the Explorer" and took a liking to the "Baby Jaguar" character on the show. So he was thrilled by the magazine's in-depth article which highlight's how these animals' one-of-a-kind features make them stand out from other wild cats.  This four page spread is filled with up-close photographs and informative facts.  Did you know for being a "small" wild cat that jaguars can grow to be 6 feet long and weigh 300 pounds?  One of these cats can grow to be bigger than I am!  This section also has a fun game challenging readers to match a fur pattern to the wild cat it belongs to.

Catering to a child audience, the issue is full of wacky and goofy facts, jokes, trivia and other things kids delight in.  "Weird but true!" trivia, Guinness World Records, out-of-this world facts, and Extreme Weirdness Photographs are just a few segments that have kids learning while they enjoy flipping through the magazine.  With the Summer Olympic Games coming up there is also a great tie-in article about the host country, "30 Cool Things About Brazil."

There are also of fun games and puzzles to keep a child's attention including a "Backyard BBQ" word puzzle and a swimming themed Funny Fill-In.

Also included are pull-out Animal Trivia Cards that provide True & False questions that kids can challenge their friends to answer and trade among themselves.

I've just highlighted a few key items included in the Summer Edition of National Geographic Kids Magazine but there is plenty more to check out included within it.  Each issue is filled with content that will encourage readers to learn more about adventurous activities, geography, science, wildlife and the lifestyles of other children from around the world.  An annual subscription is for 10 issues and costs $15 for a print version or $12 for a digital edition.  CLICK HERE for more information about subscribing to National Geographic Kids Magazine.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. I do not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider.

DIA "INSIDE / OUT" ART DISPLAYS HEAD TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS

Six years ago the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) began a community outreach campaign to expand the awareness and appreciation of the museum with local residents.  The DIA placed weather-proof, high-quality reproductions of artistic masterpieces from its collection outdoors in a few select cities within the three counties surrounding Detroit for people to enjoy.  The goal of the displays was to bring the art IN its galleries OUT into communities for people who may not normally visit the downtown Detroit museum to enjoy. These representations were so accurate that police departments in these communities began to receive calls from concerned citizens that stolen artwork from the DIA may have been put up as a prank.  Rave reviews from the public about the displays have made INSIDE/OUT an annual on-going program since its inception.

The INSIDE / OUT program selects several local cities and townships each year to host these art displays. The nice thing about the program is that seven to twelve images are clustered within walking or bike-riding distance so you can have a fun family outing searching for the artwork and exploring the community where it has been placed.  I've gone on an art hunt with my kids in at least one of the INSIDE/OUT communities hosting the displays each year since the program began.  It is nice too that they've rotated the participating cities and townships during the life of the program so the displays aren't always hosted in the same places and new artwork is regularly introduced year to year keeping going on art hunts fun and exciting.  Metro Detroit locations hosting INSIDE/OUT in 2016 include Eastern Market and the Dequindre Cut greenway trail in the City of Detroit, plus the communities of Hamtramck, Ecorse, New Baltimore, Pontiac, and Warren, among other locations.

Because of the popularity of INSIDE/OUT  the displays will also be included over the summer in three northern Michigan towns popular with summer vacationers -- Alpena, Traverse City and Mackinac Island.  If you are planning on going on an Up North Michigan adventure this summer these INSIDE / OUT exhibits will be on display until September.  I hadn't realized that the INSIDE / OUT artwork was going to be on display in Northern Michigan until we stumbled upon one of the portraits during a family trip to Mackinac Island while walking to our hotel.  Because of our family's past art hunts we instantly associated it with being INSIDE/OUT artwork.

 Mackinac Island is known for prohibiting motor vehicles so walking, bike riding and horse drawn carriages are the primary means of getting around while visiting the Michigan state park which is filled with historical buildings, scenic landscapes, and lots of fudge shops and souvenir stands. The INSIDE / OUT artwork is sprinkled throughout the island's downtown and the grounds of the historic Grand Hotel.  Some of the artwork really stands out along the island's thoroughfares while others are a bit more subdued so they are not so easy to discover without looking out for them.  Of course we went on an art hunt to our Mackinac Island activities once we realized the DIA reproductions were there searching for all the INSIDE/OUT displays adding an extra element of fun to our trip.

I've shared a few of the Mackinac Island INSIDE/OUT portraits we discovered.  If you visit can you find them all?  If so let us know!  Plus if you make it to Alpena or Traverse City this summer, have some Pure Michigan fun and go on an art hunt!  Of course we'd enjoy seeing your INSIDE/OUT art hunt photos.  Please share your pictures by tweeting them to @Geekdad248 so we can share in your fun!

If you are planning a Metro Detroit art hunt be aware that they switch up the locations and displays in August with the new exhibit locations staying up through October.  Upcoming locations include Belleville (Wayne County), East English Village (Detroit), Beverly Hills (Oakland County) and Romeo (Macomb County).   For more information, visit www.dia.org.

Be a Super Hero this summer when it comes to Food Allergies

With summer starting children will be breaking from the normal day-to-day school routine.  This can be a challenging time for kids with food allergies as they begin to interact with new people and visit out of the ordinary places during summer camps, family vacations, amusement park excursions or trips to the zoo where there may not be a familiarity with dealing with this medical condition.  FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), one of the leading non-profit advocacy groups for the 15 million Americans with food allergies, wants to help educate those who aren't afflicted with food allergies to have an understanding of the safety issues important for those who do have them. Plus FARE wishes to remind those with food allergies (especially children) along with their family and friends not to let your guard down when it comes to maintaining safety practices over the summer break.  You can be a FARE super hero this summer by being cautious and considerate regarding food allergies!



As an educational tool, safety kit, and fundraiser, FARE is offering a special Summer Pack for $29.95 (plus shipping) to help children with food allergies during the summer break from school.  It is a simple, fun way to store and carry all your favorite summer allergy-friendly products.  Plus all proceeds support FARE's mission!

The FARE Summer Pack includes a cinch bag, a medicine storage kit, a food allergy restaurant card, a food allergy tip sheet and a common symptoms of anaphylaxis magnet:

FARE cinch bag:  big enough to carry a water bottle, epi-pens, and all the other stuff kids haul around with them during the summer months.  It also displays foodallergy.org to encourage people to learn more about the topic and give them a heads up that this is an issue to be cautious about.

Medicine Storage Kit:  Can accommodate two epinephrine auto-injectors, a large bottle of antihistamine, and a list of emergency phone numbers.  It is bright red so it is easy to spot!

A Food Allergy Restaurant Card to present to the chef while dining out to outline the foods and ingredients you must avoid.

Common Symptoms of Anaphylaxis Magnet lists the most common symptoms of anaphylaxis and what to do in an emergency so that camp counselors, coaches, babysitters, and other people who may be supervising a child with food allergies can have easy access to the information.

Parents who have a child with food allergies that will be outside a lot in hot weather may also want to consider purchasing a FRIO Epinephrine Cooling Bag which isn't included in the FARE Summer Pack.  It keeps epinephrine at a stable room temperature during the hot summer months! This reusable 5.5” x 7” wallet has insulating qualities that are activated by water – no refrigeration or ice needed – and holds 2 epinephrine auto-injectors. When activated, the FRIO cooling pack keeps its low temperature for a minimum of two days, even in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a great item to add to your emergency supply kit, travel kit or camping kit as there is no refrigeration needed. 

FARE has also posted a special SAFE FOR THE SUMMER section on its website.  It includes tips on emergency preparedness, traveling, summer camp, and barbeques.  Summer Barbeque Tips for Hosts & Guest and Managing Food Allergies at Camp are two very informative articles I'd recommend everyone take a moment to read.  This special educational section of the FARE website also highlights four important points for families dealing with food allergies to remember over the summer months:

1. Avoid the heat: Epinephrine is sensitive to light and should be stored at room temperature. Never leave your auto-injectors in a vehicle, where temperatures can rise to the triple digits. 
2. Prevent: Make sure you remain vigilant about reading labels and never take chances with foods you're unsure are safe.
3. Prepare: Summer is a great time to prepare for the school year, including learning how to advocate for your child and about the guidelines and laws that help ensure the safety and inclusion of students with food allergies. 
4. Practice: Using a trainer or expired auto-injector, practice how to use the device. Review your Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan with the entire family and all caregivers.

Dealing with my own children's food allergies is something that our family has to be constantly vigilant about.  I shared my story about being a food allergy dad on the FARE blog which you can read here.  We're lucky in that my children attend a school with a peanut free campus which provides a lot of peace of mind regarding their safety while they are attending classes but have to admit it can be easy to become complacent when they aren't guaranteed as protective an environment during the summer months when out and about.  Please be a Super Hero this summer by being cautious and considerate about food allergies.  Your actions could save a life!

QUACKERZ - A Summer Movie Adventure from SHOUT! FACTORY KIDS

Disappointed about the lack of age appropriate motion pictures for children younger than tweens and teens playing at movie theaters that you can feel comfortable taking your kids to go see? SHOUT FACTORY! KIDS has a solution for that dilemma by releasing a feature film lengthed animated adventure QUACKERZ straight to home video that is perfect for a family movie night.  QUACKERZ will be availabe on Blu-ray and DVD beginning June 14, 2016 at Walmart stores everywhere . It will also be available in Digital HD on iTunes and across all major video on demand outlets.

 
QUACKERZ is a colorful CG-animated family movie which brings to life a unique tale of unlikely heroes with action, comedy, heart and even a bit of romance! Brimming with whimsical characters, vibrant animation and high-energy fun, this movie features a flock of all-star voice cast, including Michael Gross (TV’s Family Ties), Robbie Daymond (Nickelodeon’s Get Blake!), Enn Reitel (The Adventures of Tintin), Andrea Becker (Storage Wars: New York), Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde), Bruce Nozick (The Last Ship), Jesse Corti (Beauty and the Beast, Frozen) and Jimmie Wood (The Wild Thornberrys).


In anticipation of QUACKERZ June 14th movie release SHOUT! FACTORY KIDS has provided A GEEK DADDY with a blu-ray/dvd/digital download movie prize pack to giveaway. Who wants it?! To be eligible for this giveaway you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded below before June 13, 2016 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and we'll randomly select a winner from all eligible entries.

Follow @Geekdad248 and RT by June 13 for chance to win the new @ShoutFactory movie QUACKERZ on blu-ray (US Only) #ad pic.twitter.com/DNvQAbF85L

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) June 2, 2016

When the peaceful island of the Mandarin Ducks is mistakenly invaded by the Military Mallards, a conflict flares up between the Mandarin Emperor and the Mallard Commander. Longway, the Emperor's son, and Erica, the daughter of the Mallard Commander, meet… and before long, a friendship takes wing. While their feathered fathers fight and egg each other on, the wicked Ms. Knout is con-duck-ting a scheme to destroy the sun. The kids will have to get all their ducks in a row to battle their foe… but waddle they do if her foul plan succeeds?

Journey through a fun movie adventure that is filled with wholesome values, universal appeal and laugh-out-loud fun for the family. QUACKERZ emphasizes the importance of family, friendship, teamwork, respect, and acts of generosity and kindness. For more information, visit quackerzthemovie.com

Disclaimer & Rules / FTC Notice:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest, but Shout! Factory is responsible for fulfillment and delivery of the prize. By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion. A Geek Daddy Blog hosted this contest and blog post based upon Shout! Factory providing the prize to the selected winner. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. Must be a US resident over 18 years old.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Prize will be delivered by UPS or FedEx so no P.O. Boxes are allowed as mailing addresses. A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this giveaway as a benefit to our readers. Information for this post was provided by Shout! Factory. A Geek Daddy Blog did not receive any financial compensation for publishing this post but did receive one of the prizes for personal use.