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iPad Apps For Kid For Dummies

Posted on January 31, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Several months ago, we received an iPad. I knew that we would adore this amazing piece of technology, but it was a bit confusing to me. There are so many apps out there and my boys were hungry to try different items. Some apps are free, but others have price tags that range from $1 to $10 or more. Reviews at the app store left me curious for more information. When we were given the opportunity to review the new iPad Apps For Kids For Dummies, I knew it was a resource we needed. The minute it arrived, the boys took it over.

My oldest, NHL 9, read it to my kindergarten kid, JSL 5. They sat, looked, read, and plotted what apps they were going to ask us to purchase. The color photos kept them engaged, but my older son enjoyed reading what Jinny Gudmundsen wrote about each of the items that he was interested in. NHL was even curious to compare what he thought of some apps that we already had to the thoughts in the book (I was wondering the same thing).

As my kids found out, iPad Apps For Kids for Dummues follows the traditional easy to follow layout of the other Dummies books. This book is broken down by age groups, book apps, app themes, and more. Here is a quick overview of why this resource is so easy to use.

Chapter 1: Using an iPad with Kids – Tips for parents/caregivers on using password locks, making folders, buying covers, and other items that will be useful when sharing your iPad with children.
Chapter 2-4: Age Collections – App collections for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten aged children.
Chapter 5: Art – Apps that help kids to draw, be creative, and learn about Art.
Chapter 6-7: Book Apps – Broken down into suggestions for younger kids and older kids.
Chapter 8: Cars, Trucks, and Things That Go Vroom
Chapter 9: Co-op and Multiplayer – This included apps like Uno and Blokus HD. I liked that Gudmundsen explains that the popular Uno translates well onto the iPad format. It is also great to see that there are tutorials to help people to learn the strategy behind Blokus.

Chapter 10: Creativity, Storytelling, and Journaling
Chapter 11: Dinosaurs
Chapter 12: Games – Includes Angry Birds and other popular games like Peggle, Where’s My Water?, Plants vs. Zombies, and more.
Chapter 13: Games Great for Kids – This includes LEGO Harry Potter which both of the boys are begging for.

Chapter 14: Girl Power – Heroines, Fashion, and Princesses.
Chapter 15-19: Learning Apps – Broken down into Language Arts, Math, Reference, Science, and Social Studies.
Chapter 20: Monsters & Aliens
Chapter 21: Music
Chapter 22: Puzzles
Chapter 23: Road Trip Apps
Chapter 24: Special Needs
Chapter 25: Toy Ads-Ons – So many of these items like The Game of Life ZappED are out and this chapter talks about them.
Chapter 26: Ten Favorite Free Apps for Kids
Chapter 27: Ten Favorite Kid Apps – We will be reading this more closely since we are intrigued with Toca

For parents that are not sure of a starting point on apps for their children, I really adore this book. It is a resource that helps busy families to break down possible apps that their children may enjoy. Even the Appendix with the Apps by Age Groups is a huge asset to someone like me.

Oh and if you were wondering, we did look and compare a few apps that we already owned with the pages in the book.

We definitely agree with what was written about Angry Birds and Where’s My Water? by Jinny Gudmundsen. She explains what the game is about, how there is an educational twist, and what families may enjoy. There are also warnings about some links on the apps and other pointers about upgrading the Angry Birds.

If you have apps that you adore for your kids, I would love to hear about them. I know our list of apps to purchase is growing thanks to iPad Apps for Kids for Dummies and the pointers within the valuable resource.

Disclosure: I wrote this post as an Ambassador for Dummies books through a Global Influence campaign. I received a copy of this book for review purposes, but as a fan of Dummies books, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and no other compensation was received. An Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the Dummies book mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to purchase it through that link.

Categories:
books Educational

Disney Pinterest Pics

Posted on January 30, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

There are a lot of people that share Disney photos on their Pinterest account, not just blog posts. I am not really one of those people. I have my Disney Life for Me board, but it is filled with posts about Disney from others and also has some of my own. Even before Pinterest was popular, I loved making fun collages and/or adding captions to my photos. Pinterest has just made it more of a hobby so I can make sure there is an item to be pinned on each post. This week, we were asked to share some of our Pinterest photos for the Focused on the Magic theme. You can also click on the picture and it will take you to the blog post it came from (a magical bonus).

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

Categories:
Disney Pinterest travel vacation

Tuesday Tales – Wooby & Peep

Posted on January 29, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Do you have a friend that you never would have guessed you would hit it off with? Perhaps that person likes rock music while you prefer things that are a little big more country. Maybe you love to do arts and crafts, but your friend is more creative in the kitchen. That is the beauty of friendships, we often do not know who we will hit it off with and learn so much from others and their unique personalities.

Enter the new book from Sterling Children’s Books called Wooby & Peep: A Story of Unlikely Friendship by Cynthea Liu (February 2013, ISBN: 9781402796449).

When we received this book to consider it for review, my kindergartener immediately ran off with it. JSL was fascinated with the fun comic book style illustrations from Mary Peterson. He looked over the story alone and eventually came back to read it together.

We start off meeting Wooby. He is living a happy life with his goldfish Wendy. He adores his quiet street, home, and yard. Of course, the house next to Wooby’s is for sale and the next thing we know, Peep is moving in and it causes quite the commotion in the neighborhood.

To get to know everyone, Peep decides to have a party and invites everyone to come. Unfortunately, they all appear to have other plans. Peep’s party does not turn out very well.

This is just the start of some tough times for Peep that we experience with him and Wooby. The pictures in the book make it seem like we are right there with the unlikely duo. I am not going to ruin those parts of the story, but as you can tell from the title of the story, the two close neighbors become friends. This is a great book to read with younger and older children about patience with new peers, getting to know people, and trying to find things in common with others.

As always, please share what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

It's Me

Disclosure: My family received the book mentioned above from Sterling Children’s Books in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed are my own. An Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the books mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy the book through the link.

Categories:
books Tuesday Tales

Mickey Takes Time to Listen

Posted on January 28, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

My boys have not always liked going to have photos taken with Disney characters. We actually have documented the way that they have grown up and learned to enjoy interacting. Two years ago, JSL really came out of his shell. He was finally willing to walk up to the characters when his big brother went running ahead.

No, we no longer had to hold him in our arms. At nearly four years old, JSL was warming up to Mickey and other characters. There may not have been a smile on his face, but he was having fun.

Once the boys took a photo with Mickey, we did the obligatory family photo. Where else can you get a photo with everyone in it?

Then, something even more magical happened. JSL stopped to say something to Mickey. Not only did he wait to listen to JSL’s request, he bent down to accommodate his kiss.

Of course, there was more. Mickey returned the kiss back to JSL.

Have you had any extra magical moments like this with a character that you captured? I would love to hear all about them.

Mondays-Magical-Moments

This post is part of the fun over at Super Jenn and her Monday’s Magical Moments Meme. To join in the fun and link up, head on over to the linky there.

It's Me

Categories:
Disney family travel vacation

Soup Weather

Posted on January 25, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As I sit and type this post, it is 11 degrees outside. That really isn’t too horrible for winter time in New York. Of course, when you factor in the crazy wind, it really feels like it is –11. Mother Nature has quickly reminded a lot of the United State, Canada, and beyond what winter weather and bone chilling temperatures are like.

When the weather is like this, I dream of soup. Perhaps some days, I crave eating this delicious soup from Les Chefs de France at Epcot.

As much as I adore French Onion soup, there are so many other favorites. When I want something comforting or I am not feeling great, matzah ball soup is a must. This reminds me of being a little kid and having my mother’s Jewish Penicillin (bonus I wasn’t allergic to this). Soups made in the crock pot are delicious and easy, thanks to some great recipes that TechyDad and I have found. Of course, in the winter various vegetable soups help us to keep on top of our veggie consumption.

So my question to you this week:

What is your go to soup on a cold day, or a day when you need something that is nice and comforting? If you have recipes please share so I can add them to my Pinterest board all about soups.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.