Giveaway: Five $1 Coupons of Hasbro Star Wars: The Clone Wars Cash

Recently, my children were given the opportunity to review and play with 10 new figures from Hasbro's Star Wars: The Clone Wars Galactic Battle Game including the carrying case and battle mat.

This is a role playing game in which each character has a card with its strengths and a die to cast for the battle. These characters are very cool and the kids had a wonderful time with a group of their buddies playing this latest adventure in the Hasbro line-up.  The game is tough for younger children and is better for kids at least 7 years old and up from what I have sampled in our home. The figurines come with accessories, such as laser guns, lightsabers, etc. 





We are very excited to get some more figures, as we love Yoda, Obi-Wan, Padme, and did not get those characters as of yet. Nonetheless, we are grateful to Hasbro for the characters we did receive. It was like Christmas came early this year!!!


 Win It!!! I have five $1 Clone Cash Coupons that expire on Oct 31st, 2010, which are good on any Hasbro Star Wars Action Figure purchase. *Limit one coupon per purchase.

You must be a resident in one of the 50 United States of legal age (usually 18+) or a US military base with an APO/FPO address (please enter only if legal in your state). Please leave your email address if it is not available in your profile. This giveaway begins on October 14th and ends on October 15th at 11:59 P.S.T. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Winner will be notified by email and given 24 hours to respond, since I must mail these coupons immediately. :)


1. This is mandatory or all other entries will be disqualified and yes, I take the time to investigate. Please share with me if you can use these coupons before Oct. 31st, 2010 expiration date and how many of the five you would use, so that if you are only wanting 2, I may give away the other 3 to another person on here. Good Luck!

 Extra Entries:
2. Follow me (publicly) on Google Friend Connect (in left column) and add a comment letting me know (1 extra entry).
3. Like my StarWarsMom page on Facebook and add a comment on here letting me know (1 extra entry).
4. Please visit Hasbro Star Wars Toys and share with me about a toy you like and comment (1 extra entry).

*The opinions expressed in this post are my own. All images in this post are my own, but the toys are copyrighted by Hasbro and Lucasfilm, Inc.

Scored: Lego Star Wars T-Shirt for Levi

What does one do when they have a child with autism who is extremely picky about which t-shirt characters they will wear? Every single time they go into Walmart, Target, etc...this mommy strolls by the t-shirts for boys and prays to find a t-shirt with characters my son loves! They are few and far between.

Many of his favorite characters are the "unloved" ones from various shows, so no shirt is made in their honor. Ridley from Metroid, Plankton from Sponge Bob, and of course Darth Vader from Star Wars. Poor, poor Darth Vader is so misunderstood and just needs Levi to bring Padme back to life and he will be a sweet guy again!

When I was in Walmart about a week ago I was ecstatic to find this t-shirt in his size with most of the original Lego Star Wars characters on it! SCORE! Oh yeah, The Star Wars Mom found a shirt that Levi's loves!!! I just found Walmart now has a long sleeved shirt with Lego Storm Troopers and Darth Vader on it too! Oh yeah...guess who is going shopping tonight???

The Science Behind the Star Wars Scanimation Book

In a previous post I introduced you to a cool optical illusion style of art called Scanimation. Rufus Butler Seder created this magic to entertain and baffle.



Optical illusions intrigue the minds of most people. We will stare at an object for minutes trying to get our eyes to cooperate for that brief moment of glory!

The human eye's perceptual feed to the brain may be altered which leads us to wonder how many other things in life are only an illusion and not reality.

There are three types of optical illusions of which I am aware.

1. Literal Optical Illusions - These create images that vary from the object that causes them.
2. Physiological Optical Illusions - These are caused by the effects on the eyes or brain after excessive stimulation.
3. Cognitive Illusions - When we need to make sense of incoming data so our eyes and brain infer information that is not literally seen.

Which type of illusion does Scanimation fall under? There is much controversy if one can even consider any kind of animation an optical illusion. It appears to be the need for the brain to fill in gaps between still shots because of "persistence of vision."  Personally, that fits my idea of an optical illusion, though I am not quite certain if it fits the scientific definition.

In my next post we will discuss how to make your own scanimation! :)

Star Wars: The Scanimation Review and Giveaway

"It's art!"


"No way, it's a toy!"


"Nah, it's a book!"


 It's Star Wars Scanimation! I still cannot determine how to classify this, except it fits in the EXTREMELY COOL category!


Are you looking a very unique gift which is reasonably priced for your favorite Star Wars fan this holiday season? I have found it!  The suggested retail is $14.95(US) $18.95(CAN), though you can get it between $10 and $11 (US) from most major book sellers. Amazon wins for best price from my research.


My kids and I stumbled upon Star Wars: A Scanimation Book and have fallen in love with its simplistic genius which entertains over and over again.


Rufus Butler Seder, creates optically animated artwork that engages the mind with oohs and aahs. He first came up with the idea of Lifetiles Animated Murals which grace the walls of many of our museums, aquariums, and other public places around the world. You have probably seen them if you have visited the Smithsonian in D.C., Sea World in FL, California Science Center, Bay Area Rapid Transportation's South Station in San Francisco, etc. As you travel past these walls of beautiful tiles, they seem to spring to life and animate on their own.


After years of Lifetiles, among other pieces of optical artwork, Rufus started creating scanimation books, which topped the New York Time's Bestseller List. The newest book, Star Wars, released this year debuted at #1 on the list.

Inside are 11 different scenes from Star Wars Episodes I-VI. Of course we had to figure out the science behind the book and that will be shared in the next post. Unfortunately, it did not work quite how we thought and thus trying to wedge some white paper behind the film to show you the black stripes on the clear film did not come to fruition. I was almost ready to dissect the book, but alas, I just could not bring myself to destroy such an amazing art book! Thankfully, I did not carry through after learning the artistic science behind this is more complicated than a "flip book."


The only downside to the book: It is missing my favorite character Qui-Gon Jinn. Yes, it has a battle scene with Darth Maul, but has Obi-Wan Kenobi coming in after (*SPOILER ALERT* LOL) Darth Maul struck down Qui-Gon Jinn. Of course, my youngest daughter is devastated that Queen Amidala is not in there either, but was consoled by Princess Leia Organa being included. Of course there is no way that Rufus could include everybody's favorite characters, but this is just one more reason he should make more books in the Star Wars and Clone Wars theme! :)

Levi, my son with autism, was delighted to find Darth Vader revealing his fatherhood (oops, another SPOILER spilled) and one of my other sons, Brett was intrigued that they brought out the colors in the characters, such as Yoda and his green light saber. Even the adults who have checked out this book have been intrigued with the optical illusions and the Star Wars theme. I watch everybody open and close the book slowly, investigating carefully, then speeding up the process, as if that will make it "click" as to the exact science behind this book. I enjoy the facial expressions; kind of like the first time I spied my kids' faces while watching Star Wars!


You can buy this book for your Star Wars fan through almost any major book retailer.

AND THE WINNER IS VIA RANDOM.ORG...#46 BECKYTAG...CONGRATS!!!


Win It!!! I have one copy of Star Wars, A Scanimation Book by Rufus Butler Seder to give away to one of my readers. You must be a resident in one of the 50 United States of legal age (usually 18+) or a US military base with an APO/FPO address (please enter only if legal in your state). Please leave your email address if it is not available in your profile. This giveaway begins on October 8th and ends on October 22nd at 11:59 P.S.T. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.


1. This is mandatory or all other entries will be disqualified and yes, I take the time to investigate. Please share with  me who you want this book for and why they would enjoy it!


Extra Entries:
2. Follow me (publicly) on Google Friend Connect (in left column) and add a comment letting me know (1 extra entry).
3. Like my StarWarsMom page on Facebook and add a comment letting me know (1 extra entry).
4. Please visit either Scanimation's Website or EyeThinkInc (Rufus' art website) and share with me something new you learned about Rufus, Scanimation, or another form of his artwork and comment (1 extra entry).
5. Blog about this contest and link back to me and this contest. Then add 5 additional comments with the link to your blog entry in the comments. (5 extra entries)


*The opinions expressed in this post are my own. All images in this post are © Copyright 2010 Rufus Butler Seder.

Helix - The Science Behind Midichlorian Finger Traps



Helix Staircase in Berlin, Germany

 A helix is best exampled by coil springs or the DNA molecule. To learn more about the science behind a helix, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helix

Sirius, is a binary star system, that appears as the brightest star in our night sky. It travels in a helical (helix shaped) pattern .

To make your own origami collapsible helix: http://www.livevideo.com/video/FEFB8658E3F14119A286F8F73AD5B6D4/helix-video.aspx

Our Midichlorian Finger Trap is an example of cylindrical, helically wound biaxial braid. The tightening effect happens when pulling the entire braid causes it to lengthen and narrows it at the same time. The scientific explanation given by Wikipedia is as follows:

“The length is gained by reducing the angle between the warp and weft threads at their crossing points, but this reduces the radial distance between opposing sides and hence the overall circumference. The more one pulls, the more the circumference shrinks (i.e. the trap tightens). The same effect is used in specialized textile manufacturing, electrical contractors' wire-pullers, Indonesian woven fruit presses, and by fly-fishers.”

How to Control the Force: Using Midichlorian Finger Traps

During our Jedi Training Academy, an important rite into the entrance of the order of the Jedi Knights, is learning to control fear by the power of the force within.


First you show the children the Midichlorian finger traps and explain to them that every good padawan must learn how to control fear before they can become a Jedi. Midichlorians are a microscopic life form that resides within living cells and communicates with the force. Jedis have high amounts of midichlorians, but must learn how to listen to the force.


Explain to them how they will put the tip of each index finger into the finger traps and then pull out their fingers. If their fingers should get trapped, they must immediately relax and use the force to gently untrap them, by becoming quiet and listening to the voice of the force instruct them on how to become released.


Hand out the finger traps and the panic will begin. Remind them to relax and become quiet, to immediately quit pulling. Now ask them if they think hard, can they hear the voice inside their head instructing them to push the two ends of the finger trap towards the middle, and gently pull their fingers free? As it works, the excitement builds, the young padawans have learned to control the force.


You can acquire midichlorian "Chinese" finger traps at most dollar stores and/or party stores for a minimal amount.


To make your own finger traps:
Wiki-How to Create a Chinese Finger Trap

Have you Drank Your YODA SODA FLOATA Today?

Another dynamic treat that is easy to fix and delights all who sip on it. An excellent choice for parties or movie nights. There are several versions of Yoda Soda or the Yoda Floata and with a little imagination you can build your own!




First we have the traditional Yoda Soda/Yoda Floata.

• Lemon-Lime Soda Pop

• Lime Sherbet 

Mix both together in a cup. Some throw it in the blender, but it does incorporate a lot of air in that manner. We served it with stirring sticks in jewel tones from Party City that cost us $1.00 for about 50 of them.

Placing the soda pop in the cup first helps control the amount of foaming, then adding a scoop of Lime Sherbet and topping it off with the jewel-toned stirring stick.

Next we have a recipe that does not require sherbet, but is very delicious and loads of fun. First take some watered down blue colored Kool-aid and pour it into the cups. Give each participant a Laughin' Lemonade Fun Fizz tablet from Kool-Aid and ask them to use their force powers to turn the blue drink into Yoda Soda...green and fizzy.  As they drop it in, Presto! They have green Yoda Soda!!! :)

You can also pre-make either of these recipes in a punch bowl and serve!