Chris truly had a Toy Story birthday to remember. In addition to getting Toy Story Action figures, Toy Story 2 and 3 on Dvds, Toy Story Books and a Toy Story Cake, he also got the new Toy Story video game for his new Leapster Explorer! Not to sound like a commercial but he is REALLY learning while having fun and I'm really happy about that.
Its real hard, as most parents know, to find educational toys that you like and your kid will actually use, but this one is working for us. With holiday sales all around what's also working for me are the super cool discounts available right now on leapfrog.com. I've been patiently waiting to rack up on some games for Chris and now is the right time. The 24.99 Explorer games are $18 at Toys R US and I downloaded 5 Leaplet App Cards for him on the LeapFrog Website... they are usually $14.95 and now they are $11 PLUS they have 25% coupons available on the site AND I found a 15% coupon on retailmenot.com.
The only thing that took me alittle time to figure out was how to connect his Leapster Explorer to my laptop so he could download games from LeapFrog Connect. At first it wasn't working BUT then I found the LeapFrog online community and found out I had to turn off my Firewall first! Thank God for online forums and proactive parents because for a minute, this tech savvy momma was clueless (lol).
My two cents: this is a good buy moms and dads. Related: The new Toshiba Laptop for Kids.
My Chris just turned 4 and he is truly a new age, gadget baby. Yesterday he says to me, "Mommy can I watch movies on your game phone?" (aka my iphone 4) ... I told him yes and he goes, "Is your phone charged?" Imagine that, my 4 year old is asking me if my phone is charged! What a techie world we live in today.
Truth be told Chris is always around me and my gadgets so he's always got his little hands on my laptop, smart phone, digital camera, portable dvd player, etc! I was just telling my hubby I WISHED there was an iPhone for Kids like an iKids or something so he could get off my phone, which he dropped once (oh gosh).
Then its like somebody was reading my mind because I stumbled on the Toshiba Satellite L635 Laptop for Kids, which you see in the video above. This parent approved laptop was created for kids ages 7 to 12, but my Chris just might get one of these even those he only 4!
As far as the specs, it includes 3 USB ports, Web Cam, Dvd player, and the keyboard is wipeable for all the sticky, crumbs, and etc that get in between the keys! Lord knows I wish my keyboard was like that and I'm 30! You don't wanna see the stuff I get stuck up in my keys (lol). Anyhoo, it also includes the KidZui, Kid friendly internet browser, homework help software, and a cinema application with Toy story and Princess and the Frog. You KNOW I love my Disney Movies.
Look out for this one moms and dads. I'm an hp girl, but this Toshiba laptop for kids is looking good.
In the video above I talk about a few of my favorite black positive, multicultural books, dvds, and toys for African American Children like the book - A Snowy Day, the Dvd - Golden Blaze, Solange Knowles Baby Jamz Toy Collection and more.
Be sure to download my latest Color of Christmas: African American Holiday Shopping Guide.
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I have been looking for a game system for my son who is 3 going on 33 (lol - I mean 3 going 4). I wanted a learning game system to help him develop is math and reading skills, so I was trying to decide between LeapFrog Explorer and Nintendo DSi. In the end Chris picked the Explorer. We both love it, BUT I decided why stop at one system sooooo I also purchased a Limited Edition Super Mario Wii. Now that we have a Wii, Chris can also enjoy Sesame Street’s new educational video games for preschoolers available on both Ds, PC, and the Wii systems.
I like the new Sesame Street video games for a couple of reasons…
1. I am BIG on educational games. For Wii, there is Sesame Street: Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure and Cookie’s Counting Carnival. Right now we are all ABCs and 123s in my house, so these games are perfect.
2. When Chris was testing out the Explorer he was really into his ‘alone time’. You know toddlers. He is currently in ‘I can do it by myself’ mode, so me joining in the fun was NOT an option. What is super cool about the Wii games is that we can play them together. He loves when we read together and watch cartoons together, so this is one more fun thing we can add to the list.
3. I also love that each video game includes a Gameplay helper, which is a soft and fuzzy character cover with special grips that slip over the Wii Remote, making it easier for kids to hold.
Chris’ 4th Birthday is coming up in a few days so we won’t be playing these games until them. Once we unwrap his new Wii system, I will post the videos for you to watch of these super cool Sesame Street video games. Until then, you can watch my other Sesame Street videos and also take advantage of the discount offer below.
10% coupon code off any Sesame Street Video Game:
Go to www.sesamestreet.org/videogames and enter promo code MOMMY at checkout.
This Code is good until: December 20
I've been going back and forth on whether I should get the Leapster Explorer OR a Dsi for my Chris... well he plays with the Leapster in just about every store we go to... Toys R US ... Walmart .. Target... Best Buy! He is SOOOO ready to get one and I can't wait to give him his tomorrow, on his Birthday.
You know I am big on Disney Movies Right? (See My Disney DVD Tips Here) Well, if you are looking for the perfect holiday stocking stuffer for your kids OR just an all around cool gift any child would love, I recommend one of Disney’s latest animated movies, Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue.
Say it with me now, "Faith, Trust, and Pixie dust!”
Watching this particular Disney DVD was one of our favorite movie nights to date. Chris liked it (he’s 4), my hubby loved it (he’s 4 at heart), and I am a Disney fan for life, so it was a big hit all around.
We laughed and don’t tell him I told you, but I did see my hubby cry alittle. I won’t give the story away, but what I can say is this … the ever curious Tinkerbell finds herself on another adventure in very unfamiliar territory. When her fairy friends discover she’s lost, they set out to rescue her and along the way she meets her biggest fan, alittle girl who absolutely loves fairies and wishes her father would spend more time with her.
I choked up a bit myself watching those daddy – daughter scenes because as a busy work at home mom, I sometimes say “maybe later” to Chris or fail to understand what he’s saying when I’m lost in my own world. Beyond being entertained, I liked the messages of friendship and diversity among the fairies. I also took to heart the idea that parents need to listen more to their kids and spend time with them, something I strive to do with my little Chris.
Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue is one great addition to our Disney DVD collection. Be sure to add it to your collection too!
When it comes to my son, one of my BIGGEST missions in life is to make sure he loves the skin he is in as an African American man AND that he also understands how to accept those differences that make each of our cultures unique. I strongly believe in incorporating multicultural books, dvds, and images into his everyday life. Its is an important part of self esteem building and developing his personal identity, which is why I’m really excited about a new series of multicultural books that I discovered called the Alphabet Kids.
Alphabet Kids is an original, multicultural children’s book series, created by mom, Allegra Joyce Kassin. In search of books that highlight children from all countries to explain diversity to her youngest child, Allegra decided to create her own series. Children ages two to seven can learn from and enjoy a host of diverse characters: Allegra (Italian-American), Elena (Hispanic-American), Isacc (Jewish-American), Oni (African-American), Umar (Arab-American), and Yang (Asian American).
The Alphabet Kids’ books teaches young people about accepting each other’s differences and being proud of who they are. My Chris got into the books right away! As soon as I opened the story, “Oni’s Good Hair Day”, he started asking questions. “Why are they called the Alphabet Kids?” was his first question and of course as soon as we got to the last page he asked, “Can we read it again?”
Definitely go visit their official website: http://alphabetkids.com
“There are simple pop-up books. And there there is the work of Robert Sabuda.” – USA Today
Every child should have their own collection of classic children’s books and fairy tales. Truth be told, I still have my very first Beauty and the Beast Book, but it doesn’t compare to the visual experience you get while reading “Beauty and the Beast, A Pop-Up of the Classic Fairy Tale” with Illustrations and Paper Engineering by Robert Sabuda.
This truly is a pop-up book like no other. I’ve taken a few snap shots to show you how the story literally jumps off the page, BUT you honestly have to buy it to see for yourself. I’m sure you already know the story line, but Sabuda’s style lets you see a classic tale in a whole new way. Personally speaking, Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite classics because it was alittle dark and scary in ways every kid can enjoy and the pop-up design of this particular book just adds to this stories suspense and appeal.
If you are looking for a unique book with a classic tale to add to your child’s library, I highly recommend this one.
Available on Amazon.com: Beauty and the Beast, A Pop-Up of the Classic Fairy Tale
I’ll never forget my first night in the hospital after my son was born. He and I were hanging out in the room and all of a sudden it looked like he was gagging and couldn’t breathe! I picked him up and ran into the lobby to find a nurse. The first one I saw gave me that, “you’re a new mom look.” She said to me, “Infants have a lot of fluid they have to clear out of their system, he’s fine.” At that point I looked at him and he was fine, but how would I have known that?
We soon left the hospital with diapers, baby ointment and a stack of papers that became my “Baby Bible.” They explained breastfeeding, normal body temperature for infants, and little things I never even thought about. Every time Chris got the sniffles or looked ill, I went back to my stack of papers (lol) looking for alittle help. It would have been nice to have alittle How-to guide for new parents and you know what… today one actually exists. It’s called “Dear Parents: When to Call the Doctor for Your Infant or Toddler” by Dr. Louis I. Cooper.
In this guide Dr. Cooper shares his advice on what to look for when it comes to your baby’s health. He talks about fever, rashes, feeding, bed wetting, breathing, sleeping, safety, and a few other things in between. I actually learned about this book a few weeks ago. It’s a must have for newbie moms and dads. I wish I had it when Chris was an infant, but it also comes in handy now that he is a toddler. As a new parent, it’s so easy to get scared when you don’t know what’s going on with your child. In our house, we are big on taking note of any health issues or body changes to Chris that are out of the ordinary. A quick Google search often provides some initial insight from parents who have seen similar symptoms, but there is nothing better than getting a doctors point of view.
If you’d like to feel like you always have at least one doctor on call, consider adding this parenting guide to your home library today. And also find follow the book on facebook.
Available on Amazon.com: “Dear Parents: When to Call the Doctor for Your Infant or Toddler” by Dr. Louis I. Cooper.
