90 days to a sharper mind

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. 

 Zeitgeist sent me this Logic Puzzles Book for Brain Fitness: 90-Day Challenge to Sharpen the Mind and Strengthen Cognitive Skills with Enlarged Print to review. As we age we need to keep our minds healthy. One easy way to do that is through puzzles like these which can help improve your logical thinking skills by stimulating your brain, testing your knowledge, and developing your reasoning and creativity.

This book has 90 days worth of puzzles in 6 different formats from easy to hard and teaches you how to to solve the puzzles if you have never done them before. If you are like me you pick up assorted puzzle books and do your favorites but leave the puzzles you don't know how to do empty. The large print is great for those who need it.

Puzzles like this Logic Grid Puzzle on the left I would always try but never finish, not sure why but I never got the hang of them but the informational pages that taught me how to do these puzzles I am doing them on my own now and getting the answers right. I am 52 and I strive to learn new things each day and this was a win for me. Logic Grid puzzles sharpen your logic and reasoning, develops perseverance, and encourages you to see the world from different perspectives.

Sudoku puzzles like the puzzle in the top left-hand corner comes quite easily to me and even though this has easy to hard I still love doing them and usually just breeze right through them. It is nice to have both easy and hard puzzles to do to keep your mind sharp. Think back to all of the years you had to learn your multiplication tables, the practice of reciting them over and over again is why some of us can still recall them with little effort. Sudoku improves memory, deepens concentration, and increases your capacity to analyze how individual parts relate to a whole. 

Calcudoku is at the bottom of the left page. I have seen these but they are one of the puzzles I would skip over and now I am learning how to do them. Calcudoku helps improve number sense, develops problem-solving skills, and prevents memory loss.

Battleship is on the top right page and is one of my favorite games to play but solving it this way is quite different and took me a bit but I am now doing well with this puzzles as well. Battleship improves creativity, increases spatial reasoning, and helps develope logical deduction and reasoning.

Kakuro on the bottom right and though I have seen and skipped these I am looking forward to learning how to do these soon. Kakuro helps lengthen your attention span, helps develop highly methodical thinking patterns, and increases your ability to use resources efficiently.

Masyu, which I am sure I have seen but only a few times and will learn how to solve once I get to that spot in the book. Masyu enhances visual intelligence, boosts your pattern-recognition skills, and increases adaptive thinking.

Most of us want to look and feel young but that includes taking care of our minds too. Here is to stronger better minds for years to come.

Find Logic Puzzles Book for Brain Fitness: 90-Day Challenge to Sharpen the Mind and Strengthen Cognitive Skills with Enlarged Print at

Easter Basket Idea for Toddlers

Today I am talking about this set of toddler puzzles you see above. Isn't the lady bug puzzle adorable?  My grandsons are still quite young so these will be going into my oldest grandson's Easter basket this year with a few small treats. In a few years his little brother will be able to play with them too. He loves back packs so I was really excited to see that this set of 4 puzzles comes with a little draw string back pack so they can be toted along for fun on the go. 

My suggestion once opened as long as you are keeping an eye on your child is to put the puzzle pieces to each puzzle in a zip bag so when playtime is open you can hand the board and pieces and they can put the puzzle together and not worry about mixed up pieces. Also as they get quicker at doing the puzzles you can add two puzzles and their pieces to make it a bit harder and keep adding till they have all four empty puzzles, as well as all of the pieces to challenge them even more. 

These are rated for children three years of age, but my son who is my grand sons father was doing 25 piece puzzles by the time he was 18 months old, so depending on my grandson who seems to be following in his footsteps these may be too easy. I always say go with caution. A parent knows their child best, if using with younger children make sure to be watchful and not leave your child alone while playing with small toys. 

Each puzzle board is 5.8 inches by 5.8 inches. Perfect for toddlers and a great gift idea.

Check them out at Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Puzzles to Go

Today I am talking about the super cute toddler puzzles you see above. Aren't just the sweetest? My grandsons are still quite young so these will be going into my oldest grandson's Easter basket this year with a few small treats. In a few years his little brother will be able to play with them too. He loves back packs so I was really excited to see that this set of 4 puzzles comes with a little draw string back pack so they can be toted along for fun on the go. 

My suggestion once opened as long as you are keeping an eye on your child is to put the puzzle pieces to each puzzle in a zip bag so when playtime is open you can hand the board and pieces and they can put the puzzle together and not worry about mixed up pieces. Also as they get quicker at doing the puzzles you can add two puzzles and their pieces to make it a bit harder and keep adding till they have all four empty puzzles, as well as all of the pieces to challenge them even more. 

These are rated for children three years of age, but my son who is my grand sons father was doing 25 piece puzzles by the time he was 18 months old, so depending on my grandson who seems to be following in his footsteps these may be too easy. I always say go with caution. A parent knows their child best, if using with younger children make sure to be watchful and not leave your child alone while playing with small toys. 

Each puzzle board is 5.8 inches by 5.8 inches. Perfect for toddlers and a great gift idea.

Check them out at Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Making Ornaments

Every year we add a few more decorations to the tree, as well as buying a decoration for each child to add to their own set that they will have when they move out on their own someday. 

Some of the older children have already taken their ornaments with them and are already adding to theirs each year on their own. I hope they will continue the tradition with their own children.

This year the girls made ornaments down at the Library and we have a set to make here at home. I am going to sit down and make this Nutcracker Guard. This particular ornament reminds me of my oldest and first born who fell in love with the nutcracker over 26 years ago. I can't wait to see what it looks like on our tree.

I love that this set comes with almost everything you need to make this nutcracker ornament. You will need to just use just a bit of glue to adhere the mustache and beard to the nutcracker as well as a piece of ribbon to thread through the eyelet on the top of hat so you can hang it your tree or in a window. This is great for both children or adults. This would be a nice family craft as there are several different designs available from Master Pieces here or you can get the exact one I have here which is the Guard. There are even full size Nutcrackers and other Holiday Crafts here . Master Pieces has many different Games, Puzzles, and Gifts to choose from. 

Find out more about Master Pieces Inc. on:

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#masterpiecespuzzles #worksofahhh #masterpiecesinc

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Works of Ahhh

* Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  

Looking for rainy day summer fun? Look no further then Works of Ahh! wooden art projects to keep you or your little once busy for hours. They even come with an app so they can plan their project out from the colors they will use so when they are ready to start they have a outline of exactly what they want it to look like when it is done. 

My 9 year old is in love and wants me to get more so she can have a little extra father daughter time. She already has a list going. 

There are plenty of art projects to pick from and each kit comes with everything you need right down to the stencils, paint brush, stickers, and paint to complete your Works of Ahhh! 

This particular Birdhouse can be found here. While you are there they also have a puzzle section. Puzzles were the thing I grew up doing with my parents on a weekly basis. These items make great gifts and the gift receiver is bound to have loads of fun.

You can find out more about Works of Ahhh on:

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#masterpiecespuzzle

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Works of Ahhh. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Old MacDonald's Farm

Looking for a great gift for our pre schooler? Check out this puzzle from The Learning Journey International. It is a sing puzzle with Old MacDonald's Farm.

12 big pieces to be put together. Then push the button for musical fun. Sing along to Old Mac Donald's Farm.

My two year old grand daughter Lainy just learned how to sing this song so this is going to be shipped up to her.

I would love to see more puzzles like this made. Super cute and educational.



This puzzle can be found on Amazon.


What the Learning Journey International has to say about their product.

Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! Once you complete this fun 12 piece floor puzzle, place the sound module and sing away!  This beautifully illustrated puzzle of Old MacDonald on his farm features the lyrics to this favorite nursery song. A simple touch of a button on the sound module and your little ones can sing along! Putting jigsaw puzzles together helps children develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor and problem solving skills. And they can sing along while they do it!  Puzzle measures 24” x 18”. Ages 2+ years.

You can find out more about The Learning Journey International on:

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 #learningjourneytoys

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and The Learning Journey International. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Two times the fun

Sensei Cube is a great cube for those who like to solve Rubic type cubes quickly as it is lubricated for quicker turns. For our family it is just a fun cube to try and solve.

My oldest child was the only one in our family to actually solve the cube and continued to do so until he could do it quicker each time. Matter of fact when there is a new cube like puzzle out there we usually buy him one if he hasn't already bought one of his own.

This set however I kept for the younger children to play with and I took the mini cube to have in my purse for times when we are out and about waiting for an appointment or for when the kids get board so they have something to keep them busy. The small cube is also great to attach to backpacks for kids to have something to do on ride to school.

I really like that this came with a pouch, it protects it from dings scratches when it is't being played with.

You can buy the Sensei cube on Amazon.


What Sensei has to say about their product.

SENSEI SPEED CUBE 3X3 with FREE playable Keychain & Pouch Are you ready to be the next Cubing Sensei Sensation? 

Get this unique Ultimate Cube Set and become the next best "Cubing Sensei"!
Sensei Cubes are designed and manufactured by expert engineers who are avid fans of the original Rubik's cube. Therefore we understand the many problems with the speed cubes that are currently available. 
Sensei Cubes are engineered to provide amazing corner cutting, greater stability and an optimized structure to prevent the cube from popping/locking.

Special Heat Transfer method 
-Colors are printed directly onto the tiles using the latest heat transfer technology. 
This is the end of stickers peeling off and colors fading.

New anti-Pop/Lock structure 
-Cube will never pop/lock no matter how fast you cut corners. 
-Sensei Cubes are engineered with cutting-edge, robust, lightweight composite materials which allow the cube to withstand larger forces when cubing at high speeds.

Adjustable Tensioning with easy-to-use configuration 
-Sensei cubes are constructed with the optimal standard tension. 
-If ever needed, easily open the centre piece and adjust the cube to whatever you are comfortable with.

Lubrication 
-Our cubes are lubricated to provide a silent, smooth and fluid experience. 

Ultimate Cube Set Gift 
Relieve those nostalgic moments of the Rubik's cube. 
Buy one or several for you and your loved ones today.

Package contains: 
1 x Sensei Cube 
1 x keychain cube 
1 x travel pouch

This set is a complete travel companion.
Cube wherever you are!

#senseicube

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Sensei Cube. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.