Tag Archives: educational

iPad App Review: Madagascar Preschool Surf N’ Slide

  By Amy | November 12, 2012 - 11:11 am | , , ,
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Now here is an app (for your iPhone and/or iPad) that is entertaining and educational for the preschoolers.  My 3 year old (and more advanced 7 year old) both love the Madagascar Preschool Surf N’ Slide app.

The app is very simple for a preschooler to navigate.  The options are to choose one of four characters (baby Marty, Gloria, Melman or Alex) and then choose from a selection of magic carpets or surfboards.  Next, the character is guided through various scenes, where they collect stars and miscellaneous objects along the way.

My favorite part of the app is when the character gets to the “challenges” along the way.  These challenges are great educational stops for the preschoolers.  After each challenge is completed, they get to choose a “sticker” and can place it on one of the various “sticker book” scenes.  Then, they are prompted to go back to surfing and collecting more stars and tackling more preschool-level challenges.

The app is priced at $2.99 in the iTunes store and in my opinion, it is worth purchasing.  It’s one of the more visually appealing and easy to use apps out there for preschoolers.

We were given a promo code to download this app for review on ParentSphere. All of the opinions above are my own. My kids would tell you the same.

Cute books for the kindergartners

  By Amy | August 30, 2011 - 7:01 am | ,
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My first born just started kindergarten the other day and I have been going through a whirlwind of emotions.  It’s a full day of school, five days per week and that’s a pretty big change for all of us.

As of day two, she loves school.  She loves the bus ride to and from school, which is a big relief for me.  It’s not that I didn’t think she’d love school, because we’re talking about a kid who loves just about everything (not including most foods or loud noises).  It’s more about me, letting her go.  Gone for the entire day, five days per week.  Letting someone else teach and nurture her.  Letting her grow up and become even more independent.

Alright, enough about my anxiety.  Here are some books that are fun reads for you and the new kindergartener.

Sea Monster’s First Day

seamonster

By Kate Messner MSRP $16.99

This book was sent to me for review.  It’s a book about Ernest, who is a sea monster and his first day of school.  It’s a cute story about Ernest trying to fit in and helps kids realize everyone is unique and that’s not a bad thing.

Panda Kindergarten

panda-kindergarten

By Joanne Ryder MSRP $17.99 (much lower on Amazon)

My mother-in-law gifted this book to our new kindergartener.  Tons of adorable photos of giant panda cubs at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at the Wolong Nature Reserve.  It’s a super cute book that gives you a peek at a day in the life of these young black and white fur balls.  FYI: I choose to believe that pandas would not hurt a fly.  ;)

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

bindergarten kindergarten

By Joseph Slate MSRP $6.99

We haven’t read this book but it was recommended to the parents on kindergarten round-up day.

The Kissing Hand

the kissing hand

By Audrey Penn MSRP $17.95 (much lower on Amazon)

The Kissing Hand is another one we haven’t read but was recommended to us on kindergarten round-up day.  I hear that it’s a tear-jerker for even those who have a tough exterior.  I will definitely check it out.

Do you have any book recommendations for the new kindergartener?  If so, please leave them in the comment section.  I would love to check them out!

There’s an App for that: Snow White and Once Upon a Potty

  By Amy | June 17, 2011 - 9:45 pm | , , , ,
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enchanted-tales-snow-white-app

Enchanted Tales – Snow White has just been released in the iOS and Android markets by omBooks (Oceanhouse Media Digital Books).  This fairy tale is the first in a series to be released by Oceanhouse, one of our very favorite digital book publishers.  As you know, with two young daughters, anything “fairy tale” is tops in our book.  So, of course, Enchanted Tales: Snow White was an instaHIT in the Mueller household.

Next on the list…an app for the infamous Once Upon a Potty, y’all.

once-upon-a-potty-app

I will never forget the first time I watched this introduction to learning how to use the loo.  I watched it on a VHS tape and I thought it was the silliest thing ever.  However, my then two year old daughter was intrigued.  The countdown to potty training has begun again for us.  I sat down on the couch with my toddler the other night and we watched Once Upon a Potty (for girls), together.  It’s still as goofy as I remember and my second daughter was just as intrigued at my first.

We will watch the lovable Prudence in Once Upon a Potty: Girl until we are blue in the face or until she finally uses the toilet, whichever comes first.

There is also a boy version of this omBook – Once Upon a Potty: Boy, starring Joshua.  I am willing to bet this version is just as delightful as the girl version.

PottyBoy_iPhone

Make sure to check out Oceanhouse Media, as they have plenty of educational apps available.

Being an Auntie, a “Savvy Auntie”, that is

  By Amy | May 31, 2011 - 5:18 pm | , , ,
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Melanie_NotkinI have some history with the pretty lady pictured to the left.

While preparing for my review of Melanie’s new book, Savvy Auntie: The Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and All Women Who Love Kids, I have pieced through the archives of said history and I am so proud to say that I have watched Melanie’s baby, Savvy Auntie, blossom from the ground up.  Melanie has created an amazing (and truly appreciated) network of women role models and I couldn’t be happier for her (and for us Aunties!).

SavvyAuntie.com is a beautifully designed site geared toward women who adore children.  Whether a PANK, ABR, or ABC, Savvy Auntie is a place chock-full of smart, savvy individuals who are ready to lend an ear and a helping hand to the women who want the best for the little ones in their lives.

Can you see why I speak so highly of Melanie and her empire?  A place just for Aunties!  It may sound kind of silly but SavvyAuntie.com is sort of a place where I can put my mommy hat aside for a few minutes and focus on my relationship with my nieces and nephews.  Am I being the best Auntie I can be to them?  How is my relationship with them different than my relationship with my own kids?

Now that you have a sense of my adoration for Miss Notkin, let me tell you why I think you should own and/or gift her brand new book.

savvy-auntie-book-cover

I’ve read through the Savvy Auntie guide and have gained some brand new insight. (Yes, even though I’m a mommy!)  Becoming an Aunt for the first time or even for the sixteenth time is exciting and intimidating!  It’s nice to get a grasp on your new role or even a memory refresher if you’re a “seasoned” Aunt.  Auntie support is always welcome.

Savvy Auntie, the book, is like the fabulous sister or girlfriend of the new mom guides.  It gives the scoop on the special role of being an Aunt, the person who loves and supports the children within or outside of her own family.  There are wonderful tips included in the guide that will help first-time Aunties become a pro in no time, to updated ideas for seasoned Aunties, like nutrition and gift-giving.  You will read expert advice on how to be a supportive comrade during her pregnancy and, if you will be assisting in childcare after the baby’s arrival, how to “niece or nephew proof” your home (among many other very handy tips).

As a mom myself, the Savvy Auntie guide helps me to better understand my role in my nieces’ and nephews’ lives.  It reminds me that I’m not their mom, rather someone they can look to for guidance and support (and the most awesome gifts).

My first nephew was born when I was three months old (I have seven older siblings).  I didn’t have many “Auntie-ing” duties back then but it was always fun for my nephew of the same age to call me “Aunt Amy” during our childhood years.  We made jokes about it.  As you can imagine with such a large family, many more children were born in the years ahead.  Currently, I am the proud Mommy Auntie of fifteen nieces and nephews with another nephew arriving in the coming months and yet another niece or nephew arriving later this year!  (Also, Godmother to one and Great Auntie to another FIVE!)

You would think that I am the savviest of Aunties; I wish I could say that’s true!  I spent the majority of my Auntie-ing years as a child/tween/teenager.  Sure, I babysat and played with my nieces and nephews but we didn’t truly have that role model/bonding relationship that more mature Aunties have with younger kids.  Becoming a mom myself changed the whole Auntie experience for me.  I realized the importance of the role of Aunts and Uncles.  I was then able to see the joy my kids brought to my family and friends and so, the tables were turned.

For the record, I cried when my husband’s twin sister announced that my preschooler and toddler were getting a new cousin.  I have been brushing up on my ABR (Auntie By Relation) skills and preparing for my newest nephew’s arrival in approximately 7 weeks, 3 days, 7 hours, 11 minutes and 38 seconds! (Yesss, don’t be silly, I looked that up.)

I am currently re-reading Chapter 3: The Aunticipation, in the Savvy Auntie guide, as shower preparations are in the works and I have two weeks to finalize them! Get on it, Auntie!

Savvy Auntie, the book, is the perfect guide to being an Auntie.  You don’t need to think twice about owning a copy of Savvy Auntie or giving it as a gift to someone who is about to become an Auntie.  It’s uplifting, refreshing and reassuring.  It celebrates your gift of being an Auntie and what’s not to love about that?

melanie notkin and amy mueller - cbs studio 2008

2008 - Melanie and I at the CBS Studio in NYC for a meet and greet with Katie Couric

melanie notkin and amy mueller - guy kawasaki 2008

2008 - Melanie and I at Guy Kawasaki's house (BlogHer/Kirtsy party)

The Happiest Mom by Meagan Francis and Parenting Mag

  By Amy | May 12, 2011 - 3:30 pm | , , ,
1 Comment

the-happiest-mom-meagan-francis

I’ve been so anxious to write about Meagan Francis’ new book, “The Happiest Mom”.  I’ll pull out my cool card right away and tell you that Meagan is a friend of mine.  We met through blogging and have attended many of the same events and conferences.

me-and-meagan-francisMe and Meagan.  This grainy little gem was taken a couple of weeks ago at the World of Whirlpool blogger lunch.

Maybe our friendship makes me a *little* biased for highly recommending her book or maybe it’s because I have read it and have laughed out loud at our similar parenting styles.  In my opinion, The Happiest mom should serve as a guide to help us all refocus and RELAX a bit.  When life hands you lemons, make lemonade (make it even if life hands you the powdered, sugary kind, which I use).

The Happiest Mom gets three R’s from me.  It’s a lighthearted and Refreshing parenting Resource.  Most of all, it’s a Reminder to sit back and smell the roses every once in a while.  You’re not alone.  There are others going through the same thing as you.  Come on, we don’t actually have it all that bad.  So what if your daughter just slid across the carpet with a diaper full of liquid poo? It’s not the end of the world.  This too, shall pass (and come clean with some heavy duty carpet cleaner).

I don’t know if this guide to enjoying motherhood hits home with me more because I am a parent of two or not, but if you are a new parent or even if you’re not so new to the parenting grind, please pick up a copy of this book.  It will help you laugh (out loud), it will have you nodding your head in agreement and best of all, it will help you refocus on being happy.  For me, life became so much more crazy after adding a second child to the mix.  Referring to The Happiest Mom for reminders and advice and self-reflection has been wonderful.

I am looking forward to gifting a copy of The Happiest Mom to my sister-in-law, who in a few short months will become a mom for the first time.  It’ll be interesting to hear her thoughts after she’s had countless sleepless nights and leaky boobs.  (Love ya, Em!)  I can’t imagine these 10 secrets to enjoying motherhood won’t bring a smile to her face.

The Happiest Mom is a must-have for any new or seasoned parent.  We could all stand to hear some girlfriend advice and who better to hear it from than The Happiest Mom herself.

There’s an App for that: Horton Hears a Who

  By Amy | March 1, 2011 - 6:11 pm | , , ,
1 Comment

horton hears a who book app

Oceanhouse Media has stole my heart once again.  They now have that timeless Dr. Seuss story, Horton Hears a Who, available via iTunes for the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad.

My daughter’s first trip to the theater was to see the 2008 big screen version of Horton Hears a Who.  Now that we’re an iGeek family, we have the beloved story tucked snug inside of the “Book” category on my iPhone.

Hailey is learning to read, so one of my favorite things about Oceanhouse Media’s story apps are the reading choices offered.  She can read it herself, flip the pages and hear the story read to her (as each word in the story changes color so she can follow along), or let the app auto play (the story is read and progresses automatically).

All this week, OM is offering a discount on their Dr. Seuss apps, as well as hosting app giveaways to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

These links will take you where you need to go:

Franklin Speaking Spelling Bee

  By Amy | February 23, 2011 - 8:32 pm | , , ,
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franklin speaking spelling bee

The Franklin Speaking Spelling Bee (pictured above) is a pretty cool little palm-sized vocabulary enhancer.  It retails anywhere from $40 to $60 and uses three AAA batteries.  Something like this comes in handy for anyone who wants to keep their mind sharp in this age of automatic spell-check.

There are three Spelling Bee modes to choose from; Practice, Game Show and Competition.  Use the included Stylus to select a skill level and assign yourself an avatar; and then play solo (Practice or Game Show) or with friends (Competition).  If you’re not in the mood for a spelling bee challenge, you can opt to play Hangman or Jumble.  A headphone jack is available for gaming privacy.

Keep the Speaking Spelling Bee in your purse, diaper bag, or blogger backpack and easily transport it anywhere for quick mind stimulation.  We have been having a lot of fun with it ourselves and think it would make a great gift for someone school-aged.  I would definitely recommend shopping around online before purchasing it in order to get the best price.  It’s available through Amazon.com for around $42.

*The Franklin Speaking Spelling Bee was provided to us for review here on ParentSphere.  The opinions stated above are our own (as always)!