Because trouble comes in all sizes.
Vincent Daly 
To the dismay of many parents, their beloved Apple iPad has become the go to toy for the sticky fingered little people in their lives. With a starting price of $500, it’s not surprising that Moms and Dads have yearned for a viable, inexpensive alternative. Enter the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet. A kid friendly, durable, interactive tablet with a built in microphone and video capable camera promising to fulfill the needs of kids and adults alike.
For me, 2006 was the year that changed everything. A nine month odyssey of introspection, fear, and discovery that would shake me to my very core. To state that I was mentally and emotionally unprepared for my upcoming new role in life would be an understatement. I was a mess pure and simple. A wobbling bowl of green jello barely held together by skin and bones. Maybe that’s why Bill Cosby, America’s TV Dad, became a spokesperson for Jello products. A tacit nod to all new Dads who’ve gone through this rite of passage. The path that leads to Father’s Day.
The 2nd Muppet Movie trailer has just been released.
Dads who have avoided all things remotely related to Arts and Craft will take solace in Ken Denmead’s “The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun.” Inspired by trends in popular geek culture, the book ambitiously sets forth on providing fun, hands on, do-it-yourself type projects which will challenge as well as delight kids and the young at heart. In addition, most of the projects involve an introductory level of science, math, and computer skills in order to successfully complete the task at hand. In other words the book offers the elusive combination of learning made fun. Read on for more examples of projects from the book as well as an opportunity to enter to win a copy of “The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun.”
Growing up I was always a fan of comedy teams ranging from Abbott and Costello to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. You could always count on them to deliver witty banter and outrageous adventures. As a parent, I was thrilled to discover the children’s book “I Broke My Trunk!” by Mo Willems. A whimsical tale in a series of books starring the unlikely pairing of a sweet natured elephant named Gerald and a plucky outspoken pig named Piggie.
Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets are back in theaters for the Summer of 2011. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy and the whole gang are back to entertain a whole new generation. Check out this newly released trailer for the upcoming comedy feature from Disney titled “The Muppets”.
I was recently sent a Kidorable Lucky Cat Backpack to review. Having first seen this girls toddler-sized backpack on Kidorable’s web site, I recognized the potential for infinite pint sized adventures. Yet the proof would ultimately be based on the reaction of my own 2 year old product tester aka Super Girl. In addition, one lucky reader will get the opportunity to win a Kidorable Backpack for one’s own little adventurer.
I’ve never been a fan of commercially driven holidays such as Mother’s Day. Add in the layers of guilt associated with not acknowledging your Mom and you have the makings of an enormous last minute spending spree. How else can one explain paying over $100 to purchase and ship a bouquet of flowers? Yet there we are, credit card in hand, grateful to pay inflated prices allowing us to lift the crushing weight of guilt from our shoulders. It all seems so unnecessary. Especially when most mothers would much rather have a hug or some other genuine expression of love. So how do we reclaim the day from commercial entities and return it back its rightful place as a family oriented occasion? I’ve come up with a few suggestions.
Today, May 7, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day which has been held on the first Saturday of May every year for the last 10 years. Participating local comic book stores give away a free comic book to anyone attending the event. Comic books are an exceptional way to introduce young children to the joys of reading. Take a look at the video for an overview of today’s event.