Hexbug Warriors Battle Stadium

October 17, 2012

My son has been a huge fan of Hexbug ever since they were released. When I attended The BlogHer ’12 Conference in New York this summer, I saw a preview of the next big thing from Hexbug, Hexbug Warriors.  Hexbug Warriors are battling robots.

I recently received a Hexbug Warriors Battle Stadium for review.  The Battle Stadium is the ultimate large scale battleground for the Hexbug Warriors.  The stadium comes with two Hexbug Warriors {Battling Robots}, (8) expandable Battle Stadium pieces (compatible with Battle Arena), and 12 standoffs.

Hexbug Warriors
From the website:

In the year 2087, students from the world’s greatest science academies apply their technical skills to compete using battling robots known as WARRIORS.  Now you must choose sides and configure your robot with weapons and armor to emerge victorious and gain prestige for your chosen academy.

Hexbug Warriors

My son took all of the parts out of the box and set up the Battle Stadium by himself.  I was quite impressed with him. He was eager to watch the robots battle.

The unique thing about the Hexbug Warriors is that they have two modes: training mode and match mode. You can choose Training Mode, with unlimited health, for scrimmages and testing purposes. Power Warriors into Match Mode for competition. Once put in Match Mode, each robot’s Shock Sensor activates its Damage Indicator Light which changes colors from green to yellow to red and blinks more rapidly as its health decreases. Warriors can then be reset after each battle.

Hexbug Warriors
My son loves watching the Hexbug Warriors battle. He keeps switching around their battle armor also. He cannot wait to collect more of the Hexbug Warriors.  He becomes somewhat of a hoarder with Hexbug products.

I highly recommend the Hexbug Warriors and Battle Stadium.  This is a toy that my son will play with over and over again.  He has even told his friends about the Warriors.

The Hexbug Warriors Battle Stadium retails for $29.99.  It is recommended for ages 6+.

Disclosure: I was provided with a Hexbug Warriors Battle Stadium for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions and photographs are mine.

Filed Under: Parenting, Reviews 3 Comments

Hasbro zAPPed Games

October 14, 2012

My 7-year old son has been an avid iPad user since he received his as a Christmas gift almost two years ago.  We don’t spend a ton of money and games and apps for the iPad because he usually plays free games.

Although he loves play games on his iPad, he also likes playing traditional board games too.  I was excited to hear about Hasbro’s zAPPed games, which are iPad games with interactive games pieces that you move around on the screen of the iPad.  The games are free online through the App store and the game pieces are purchased for $17.99 and up, depending ont the game.

Just received these fun @HasbroGameNight Spellshot and Battleship zAPPed Edition Games for our iPads. Can't wait to try them out!
I was sent to zAPPed edtion games which were Battleship zAPPed Movie Edition and Spellshot zAPPed Edition.

With the Battleship zAPPed Movie Edition, players use their iPad screen as the playing surface when waging battles. Using proprietary technology, the iPad will recognize which ship pawns are in play and when they are moved.

All of the elements-Earth, Air, Fire, and Water are combined in the mesmerizing and magical game of Spellshot zAPPed Edition.  Once again, using proprietary technology, the iPad recognizes which of the four wizard pawn figures are placed on the screen as players use strategy and skill to “cast spells” with touch-screen gestures.

My son loved playing both of these games on his iPad. It gave him something new and different to play rather than the games that he usually plays which have him “growing something” or “trying to earn more coins”.  I’m really getting tired of the in-app purchases also. Luckily I have restrictions set on all of those but the gamemakers really get tricky with those.  I think my son’s favorite game was the Battleship zAPPed Edition because we own the board game and he also saw the movie recently.  He loved moving all of the ships around on the screen of his iPad. And the best part, he could play the game by himself rather than the board game where it takes two players.

Both games are an approximate retail price of $17.99. They are recommended for ages 8 and up.

Disclosure: I was provided copies of Battleshop zAPPed Movie Edition and Spellshot zAPPed Edition for review purposes. I was not given any cash. All opinions and photographs are my own.

Filed Under: Parenting, Reviews Leave a Comment

Micro Chargers

October 11, 2012

Micro Chargers are micro-sized cars which you load into a handheld charger to charge them up.  You then place them on the track to race each other. There are over 30 Micro sized cars to choose from including super fast race cars and loop-the-loop ready stunt cars. You select your Micro car, place the car in the quick charge handheld charger, and then let the car race!  The Micro cars can excel to speeds over 600 mph.

With over 30 Micro sized cars to choose from, there are also three different track packages: loop track, jump track, and time track.  We had the opportunity to test out the loop track.  The car goes up into the loop, around, circles back around, and does the loop again. It is a single car loop, but super fast!

Micro Chargers Review via Angry Julie Monday

A close-up view of the Quick Charge Handheld Charger, The End of The Loop Track, and a Micro Car.

Micro Chargers Handheld Charger, Loop Track, and Micro Car

My son has had a blast playing with this track. He is already asking for more tracks.  We had a party the night that I received the package with the Micro Chargers kit, and the kids played with this toy all night. These kids were ages 4, 7, and 9. They all fun playing with them. So much fun that one of the dads called my husband the other night asking what the name of the toy was.

Micro Chargers requite two AAA batteries (not included), recommended for ages 5 years and up, and have a $19.99 MSRP. They are available at Toys R’ Us and other select toy retailers nationwide.  I think $19.99 MSRP is the perfect price for a birthday party gift. I usually spend about $20, and this set fits right in under my budget.

Micro Chargers has a great video showing how the product works. See below!

Caution: These Micro cars are VERY tiny. I would be careful if there was small children, infants, babies, and even small animals (hungry dogs) around them.  One of the cars almost got lost in the jungle of my son’s bedroom carpeting.

Disclosure: I was provided a Micro Chargers Loop Track Set for review. All opinions and photographs are mine. The video is via Micro Chargers.

Filed Under: Parenting, Reviews 1 Comment

Being Active, Means Activewear

October 10, 2012

It is official, I have become “a runner”. Which means that I need the right clothing to do my “runs” in.  After running awhile, I’ve found what types of clothing work and don’t work for me. I’ve also discovered my favorite brands to run in.

Because I’m running several times a week, 4+ days…this creates a ton of laundry.  I think I wear workout and workout clothes and/or running clothing more than normal clothing. But really, what is normal clothing for me, jeans and t-shirts.  Because I have my favorite brands and I know the sizes that fit me right, I’ve turned to online shopping for I can find the best deal on running clothing.

I was recently given the opportunity to shop online at Macy’s Department Store in their Activewear section.  They have great brands like Nike, Puma, and The North Face available.  I focused in on what Nike had to offer as I have several other items that are Nike currently at home. Nike’s sizing is usually the same across the board, so I know that if I select the size online, it is usually spot on.

I chose the following items:

Nike Skinny Active Dri-Fit Shorts (black)

I love love love the shorts. Yes, they are a bit short but so comfortable. They are perfect for yoga or a short run.  They are not quite compression shorts but just loose enough where they are don’t cling. I’ve washed them already and they are super soft also.

Nike Skinny Active Dri-Fit Shorts

Nike Dri-Fit Pro Combat Sports Bra (black)

This a great sports bra. It is tight enough where everything is not bouncing while I run. Plus, black is a basic for my workout/running wardrobe.  I usually size down so that my sports bra fits a teeny bit tighter.

Nike Dri-Fit Pro Combat Sports Bra (black)

Nike Dri-Fit Pro Sports Bra (purple)

This bra is very similar to the black sports bra above but is a simpler style. And a gorgeous purple color. I love purple.

Nike Dri-Fit Pro Sports Bra (purple)

All of the items that I selected where on sale for great prices.  They shipped super fast also and were here in less than a week.  I love when you receive online orders fast!  Also, there is nothing better than coming home to find a package on your doorstep. It’s like Christmas!!!

I’ve shopped at Macy’s for years. I actually worked there for a year while in college (random trivia for you).  I had a great shopping experience finding Activewear online.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored review via GigaSavvy. All opinions and random thoughts on fitness are mine.

Filed Under: Reviews 1 Comment

Wordless Wednesday: As Seen On My Run

October 10, 2012

I went for a little 3 mile run tonight. It has been two days since my half marathon and I need to train/keep training for my second one, which is in a month from today.  At about mile 2, I stopped for a water break and looked up at the sky. The clouds were big and puffy.

As seen on my run 10.09.12

Welcome to “Angry Julie Monday’s Wordless Wednesday Linky”!

If this your first time here, HELLO! I do a link-up every Wednesday! Post a picture(s) and link back to it here. Wordless Wednesday is a great day to post an awesome picture that “speaks” for itself, no words needed.

Be sure to check out Wordless Wednesday Link-Ups at these other sites also:

Project Alicia, Better in Bulk, Crazy About My Baybah, Dear Crissy, Five Minutes For Mom, Live and Love…Out Loud, Naptime Momtog, Parenting By Dummies, Seven Clown Circus, The Divine Miss Mommy

Also, Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy does “What I Wore Wednesday” every week with a great big link-up.


Link Up Your Wordless Wednesday Post:









































(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Filed Under: Orange County, Photography, Running, Wordless Wednesday 10 Comments

Aquarium of the Pacific Kid’s Fun Run

October 8, 2012

On Saturday, my son ran the Aquarium of the Pacific Kid’s Fun Run in Long Beach. This race was a free race in conjunction with the Long Beach ICB Marathon and Half Marathon.  This was not my son’s first race. His last race was on the 4th of July, where he had some difficulties (tripping over adults and small children, chaos!).

Aquarium of the Pacific Kid's Fun Run
Before we even got to the race, Angry Kid had a soccer game. Yes, an 8am soccer game where he played the entire time.  It was one of those games that took forever. But he knew that he had the race after, and ironically he didn’t whine.  He even got his shoes ready the night before.

He has his running shoes all ready for the @runracing Aquarium of the Pacific Kid's Fun Run tomorrow. #runlb
We got to the race on time, and waited for the 7-year old group to start. While we were watching we saw some super fast kids in the 8 and 9 yr old divisions. I think Angry Kid got the hint that he was there to run.  When it was time to get ready, they placed all the kids in a waiting space. They didn’t allowed adults to run with the kids which made everything 100% better. When the adults run with their kids, they only pay attention to their kid, which causes confusion and chaos. Believe me, we experienced that on the 4th of July.

I was so proud of Angry Kid when I saw him coming around the bend, he was running full force. I loved seeing him run.  I think all of my crazy running lately has motivated him somewhat. This kid has some speed and energy, and I knew that running would be the perfect way to channel all of that.

Aquarium of the Pacific Kid's Fun Run 2012

At the end of the race, he got a shiny medal with a cute penguin on it, plus he got a free ticket to the Aquarium of the Pacific. I had to take a ton of photos to share of course. My husband asked if he ran and finished running the race, I said of course! I quickly texted the husband a picture also.

Aquarium of the Pacific Kid's Fun Run 2012
After the race, Angry Kid was a trooper. He walked back to the Official Race Expo with me so that I could pick up my race bib and other stuff for the Long Beach Half Marathon the next day. He LOVED the race expo. It was hilarious. He tried all of the different types of energy bars and drinks. You should have seen the faces that he made.

I think his favorite part of the expo was making this poster for me. He was going to be home while I was out running but he made me a little “support poster”.  Ironically, I call him the “mean running coach” because he wrote, “Go Faster” twice on the poster. He says the same thing when I’m running and he rides his bike alongside me.

Although he will be sleeping, my son wanted to write me some notes on a sign for tomorrow's race. Notice the "Go Faster" comments...He is a mean race coach! cc: @runracing #RunLB
I think that this race was a great new opportunity for Angry Kid. He even wore his running shoes to school today, because he wanted to run to school. He is signed up for another kid’s race in December, but I might sign him up for a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot also. I’m not quite sure yet.

I will be posting about my race, which was my first half marathon, soon…I need to recover a bit more.

Filed Under: Parenting, Running 5 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Rainbow Ice

October 3, 2012

I love Dippin’ Dots. I met my mom and my son at the OCC Book Fair on Sunday.  My pals Debbie and Dan from The Fountain Valley Dippin’ Dots were serving up some of their goodness! I had to get some rainbow ice dots!

Went on my lunch hour to the OCC Book Fair and had to get some Dippin' Dots from @DippinDotWoman Debbie!

Welcome to “Angry Julie Monday’s Wordless Wednesday Linky”!

If this your first time here, HELLO! I do a link-up every Wednesday! Post a picture(s) and link back to it here. Wordless Wednesday is a great day to post an awesome picture that “speaks” for itself, no words needed.

Be sure to check out Wordless Wednesday Link-Ups at these other sites also:

Project Alicia, Better in Bulk, Crazy About My Baybah, Dear Crissy, Five Minutes For Mom, Live and Love…Out Loud, Naptime Momtog, Parenting By Dummies, Seven Clown Circus, The Divine Miss Mommy

Also, Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy does “What I Wore Wednesday” every week with a great big link-up.

Link Up Your Wordless Wednesday Post:































(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Filed Under: Photography, Wordless Wednesday 7 Comments

Seventy-Eight Miles in September

October 2, 2012

September was INSANE!

I started the month off with the Awesome 80’s Run. Then school started for my son. Then soccer and soccer practices started.

You can’t even imagine how much planning it has taken to get my runs in this month. Working full-time five days a week, shuffling around the kid, soccer practice twice a week, plus soccer games on Saturdays.  Somehow I fit in 78 miles! It would have been 87 miles, but I had a total long run fail on Saturday. I’m blaming the fail on wearing heels to a wedding the night before, and also getting a flu shot.

Ok, maybe I have an addiction to @Saucony Kinvara 3's, but I totally blame @CaseyRuns for being an enabler.

September’s goal was 44 miles and I almost ran double that amount. Crazy! Insane!! And wow, the heat, there was so much heat. I also got another pair of shoes. I love my Saucony Kinvara 3’s and my original pair was getting worn down and had way too many miles on them. I heart these pink, black, and purple ones!

October’s goal is 41 miles.  I can’t wait to support everything participating in this for another awesome month!! This is Half Marathon Month!!  Eeek, I will be running my first half marathon on Sunday, October 7th, the Long Beach Half Marathon.  I’m scared and anxious. Wish me luck!

To see more of my running challenges, and mileage: June, July, and August’s totals!

P.S. I even got up early today and ran 3 miles before work!

Filed Under: Just Julie, Running 8 Comments
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