Smockity, She Likes the Free Goods

Y'all are not going to believe what happened to me this week! I got an email out of the blue from a company called Kumon Publishing asking me if they could send me a few samples of their workbooks so I could review them and give my feedback.

I had never heard of them before, but I visited their website and thought their stuff looked pretty neat, so I told them, "Why, sure! I would love to!"

And really, y'all struck it lucky in that regard because I was bone dry in the ol' blogging material department until the package came today. (I'm sure that fascinating "Doggy Chasing the Raindrops" video didn't tip you off, though. Right?)

This is what they sent me:



I really like the Write and Wipe flash cards because - Hello, Reusable, I love you!



The girls had a good time with the tracing workbooks.




I didn't get a photo of it, but the Let's Cut Paper! and the Let's Sticker & Paste! were a big hit! Even the 2 yr. old was able to join in the fun with those.

I didn't get any of these Tub Time posters in my package, but I thought they looked really cool!

One thing that I thought was neat is that the company was started by a man in his home who just wanted to help his second grade son improve in math. They have materials for children ages 2-8, so check them out if you need educational workbooks.

And be thankful you didn't have to read a cynical blog post about this sight I beheld as I drove past the elementary school in my neighborhood. It caused me to pull over and turn around, just so I could ponder the meaning. Then, I went home and got my camera and drove back to get the photo.

Have you priced gas lately? That little maneuver cost me 20 or 30 cents, I so wanted to document the cynicism I felt welling up inside me.


But, I won't be going into my feelings on taxpayers funding the purchase of little plastic squares to poke in chain link fences so that we can teach children to be even more self focused than is already apparently encouraged because I have the whole Free Stuff From the Publishing Company post above.

You're welcome.

And if there are any laptop companies or airline ticket companies or camcorder companies that would like me to preview their stuff, why, I would be honored to do just that.

Do they even call them camcorders anymore? I wouldn't know because ours is ancient. It makes a grinding sound when the power is on and emits the smell of wet wood. Plus, the videos only show in various beautiful shades of green and I'm not even making that up.

I'm just sayin'. Sony, Smockity is at your service.