6 New Edutainment Apps for Kids Now Available on Fingerprint Network

6 New Edutainment Apps for Kids Now Available on Fingerprint Network

Fingerprint Digital Inc. has announced the addition of six new apps from French edutainment digital publisher Happy Blue Fish Studio. 

The apps are part of a "The Deskplorers ~ Jump Into Books" series which combines interactive reading with mini-games to create a truly entertaining and educational experience.  

Tom, Lea, Spoon, and Scrabot continue on their adventures, discovering history, science, language, geography and more as they travel on their exciting adventures.

Kids begin by reading a story and then, when the Deskplorers need their help, they play games to earn points in order to unlock items in order to advance to the next chapter.

The Deskplorers apps include:

The Deskplorers Beginning (Ages 6-9) ~ This "try-it" chapter introduces the characters as they embark upon new adventures, challenging children to read, discover, explore and even learn a new language.

The Deskplorers Knights (Ages 6-9) ~ Travel thru history, back to medieval days and hang out with the Knights.

The Deskplorers Pirates (Ages 6-9) ~ Sail the seas on this adventure as you board a pirate ship to the Caribbean.

The Deskplorers Egyptians (Ages 6-9) ~ The story continues amidst the pyramids where there are mysteries to be solved.

The Deskplorers Cavemen (Ages 6-9) ~ Journey back through time to learn about our early ancestors.

The Deskplorers Jump In Time (Ages 6-9) ~ Time does not stand still as you travel through different points in history.

ALL six apps are now available for download on iPad or iPhone for FREE at the iTunes App Store or at Fingerprint Play, where you can find other great apps to choose from.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Farm Rich Products

For over 25 years, Farm Rich has been making products with only one goal in mind:  keep'em happy.

Whether it's their wholesome ingredients in their products or the wide variety, you can feel good about serving your family appealing snacks, appetizers and meals that will be sure to keep them smiling.

With amazing products to choose from, there is something for everyone one on your food shopping list!

Cheese Sticks
Mushrooms
Meatballs (Original, Italian & Turkey)
Mozzarella Bites
Quesadillas
Pizza Slices
Philly Cheese Steaks
Stuffed Pretzel Bites
Bacon Cheeseburgers
French Toast Sticks (Original & Cinnamon)
Queso Cheese Bites
Jalapeno Peppers
Mozzarella Sticks (Mariana Stuffed)

I was sent a voucher to grab myself a Farm Rich product to check out for review and I choose the Cheese Sticks as they were out of the Pizza Slices which is what myself and my group wished to truly try!

Basically, you open the bag, put them on a tray and cook them...that simple~!!  

The kids found them to be absolutely delicious and with a little sour cream, I must say, they are actually quite scrumptious.

I didn't find the cheese inside to taste bland, as does some mozza sticks I have tasted in the past.  Nor did the cheese run out of them as they baked...that was impressive as there is nothing more disappointing to go get your cooked product and its one huge mass of cheese and bread pieces.

These would make for great party snacks or during the game or even for an after school treat~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

PRODUCT REVIEW: Marvel the Avengers Iron Man Tri-Power Repulsor

Marvel the Avengers Iron Man Tri-Power Repulsor

Armor up and have a blast~!!

Worn on the wrist and palm, this projectile blaster is based on IRON MAN's latest MARK VII armor from the upcoming movie, "THE AVENGERS" and features three great play patterns!

It's a role play version of IRON MAN's famous repulsor blasters, it features an electronic light-up repulsor pad and movie sound effects, and also comes with six darts which can be launched up to 20 feet!

Batteries not included.

Approximate Retail Price:  $22.99

Ages 5 & Up

Available:  Now

This was a really fun toy to watch my kids play with...okay, so NOT the screeches when my son ganged up on his sister and shot her with the darts...hehe

The kids couldn't wait to rip it out of its packaging and take turns pretending to be Iron Man, I must say tho', my sons imagination in this case was more advanced than my daughters.  

The placing of the repulsor was easy, just unlock the velcro straps, place it on your childs arm and adjust accordingly.

The blue light on the repulsor really lights up a dark room and the kids giggled like madlings as they chased each other around.

It was very easy for them to handle and didn't need my parental supervision.

I'm really enjoying this new line of Avengers toys, it truly brings out the imagination in everyone...and yes, even I took a turn with it...feeling my inner child as I chased me weelings around, while yelling..."I AM IRON MAN~!!"  Haha...loads of fun, I tell you~!!

If your child loves super hereos, you truly cannot go wrong with the Iron Man Tri-Power Repulsor!

And being a frugal mom...the price isn't that bad~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

Screen~Free Week ~ April 30th ~ May 6th

From April 30 - May 6, children and their families, schools, and communities will turn off screens . . . and turn on life. 

Not sure what to do during Screen-Free Week? 

1. Listen to the radio.
2. Write an article or story.
3. Paint a picture, a mural, or a room.
4. Write to the Prime Minister,  President,   your Representative, MP/MPP or your Senators.
5. Read a book. Read to someone else.
6. Learn to change the oil or tire on a car. Fix something.
7. Write a letter to a friend or relative.
8. Make cookies, bread, or jam and share with a neighbor.

Continue reading athttp://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/screenfreeweek/101screenfreeactivities.pdf. 

Print out the list of activities and cover up the TV!

BOOK REVIEW: The Silver Boat by Luanne Rice

The Silver Boat

Author:  Luanne Rice
Reading Level:  Ages 18 & up
Paperback:  289 pages
Publisher:  Pamela Dorman Books (April 5, 2011)
Language:  English

Bestseller Luanne Rice returns with a novel as timeless as the sea on which it's set. 

From the beloved New York Times bestselling Luanne Rice comes a heartwarming yet heart-wrenching portrait of three far-flung sisters who come home to Martha's Vineyard one last time. Their mother's beach house is the only place any of them ever found true happiness and they need to begin the difficult process of letting go. Memories of their grandmother, mother, and their Irish father, who sailed away the year Dar turned twelve, rise up and expose the fine cracks in their family myth-especially when a cache of old letters reveals enough truth to send them back to their ancestral homeland.

Transplanted into the unfamiliar, each sister sees life, her heart, and her relationship to home in a new way. But how do they let go of a place that contains the complicated love of their imperfect family? Without the house, where will they be together?

The novel is a season on Martha's Vineyard; a mission to Ireland; a cast of friends, including one wildly off-the-grid Zen genius; passionate love in the surf; and three very different sisters with lives filled with beauty, sorrow, and deep love they'd never been quite sure they could trust. The Silver Boat is Luanne Rice at her very best, complete with her singular talent for capturing a family in all its flawed complexity.

I seriously didn't get this book.  It was the first time reading Luanne Rice's work and I'd only heard good things about her.  However, this, to me, was pure drivel.  The characters were wooden and I just couldn't feel for any of them, even their names irritated me.

I thought with the mystery, ghosts and Martha's Vineyard, it would've made for a decent read but I forced myself to the last page wishing I could get that time back.  I truly felt my intelligence was being insulted over the commentary and juvenile writing that takes place in this book.

If I have to say anything that was good, it would be that the cover is decent.  I would give The Silver Boat a one out of five stars.  It just didn't work for me, but maybe some of you will find some pleasure out of it, don't take my word for it, mine is but only one opinion.

The Silver Boat

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

How to Make Your Child’s Birthday Party Special This Year

Birthdays are incredibly important for kids. They look forward to their birthday parties all year, and when their birthday month rolls around, it’s difficult to get them to talk about anything else besides their upcoming birthday party. Unfortunately, busy parents don’t always share the same excitement about planning and throwing a birthday party for their child. Birthday parties require some work on your part, but they don’t have to be a major source of stress and dread in your life. If you plan the party right, you can make it special and memorable for your child and manageable for you. Here are some of the easy things you can do to make your child’s birthday party special this year:

1. Choose the party theme/location together.

You don’t have to and shouldn’t necessarily make all the decisions regarding the party, unless your child’s a baby or toddler. Just sit down with your child and come up with some possible theme and venue ideas. If you want to save some money on the party, consider throwing it at your house instead of a venue where you’ll likely have to pay a fee per party guest. If you do decide to throw the party at your house, make sure you let your child pick a fun theme for the party.

2. Don’t Stress About the Party Menu

Planning a menu and preparing food for the party doesn’t have to be difficult. If you host the party in the early afternoon, you won’t even have to serve a meal – you can just serve snacks. Keep the party food simple. Finger foods like strawberries, carrots, cheese, and crackers generally go over well. If you do decide to serve a meal at the party, consider something simple like turkey and cheese or ham and cheese sandwiches. Generally, it’s a good idea to stick to healthy party foods and all-natural fruit juice instead of punch. Foods that are loaded with refined sugar will only give the kids a sugar high and subsequent crash, which can make it more difficult for you and the other chaperones to manage their behavior.

3. Prepare a Themed Cake

Something like a themed cake in the shape of a pirate or a cartoon character, depending on the theme of the party, can make the shindig extra special for your child. Although making a themed cake may seem like a daunting task, it’s actually not that difficult. All you have to do is decorate the cake with some icing and cut the cake into a fun shape, if you want to put forth some extra effort. Don’t worry about your artistic abilities falling short. The kids won’t notice. All they’ll care about it eating a cake that looks like their favorite cartoon character!

So, lose the stress, make party planning a collaborative effort with your child, and consider making the party extra special with something like a themed cake. And don’t forget to have a little bit of fun too!

Author’s Bio: Melissa is a mom and party planner who regularly writes online content for blogs and websites about party planning, motherhood, and SuperMario party supplies and other party supplies to make children’s birthday parties super duper special.

   

PRODUCT REVIEW: Marvel the Avengers ~ Hero Masks

Every great super hero needs an awesome mask~!!

Kids can pretend to be Earth's Mightiest Heroes with these masks based on the upcoming film..."THE AVENGERS".

Choose from Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America.

Each sold separately.

Approximate Retail Price:  $10.99

Ages:  5 & Up

Available:  NOW~!!

Okay...sooo...like, aren't these the GROOVIEST masks for young people??  I love the quality, they are made from a very durable plastic, harder than normal mask material making it less likely to get crushed when in game play.

I think the price of them is GREAT also...that Hulk mask is the BOMB...I mean...GRRRRR...who wouldn't want to get all Hulked up and run around the house like a mini mad person...hehe  I also dig the Thor mask...the wings are really kewl~!!  

My son loves the Captain America mask and I couldn't get him to take it off when it first arrived. He was thrilled to see all the neat Avenger toys (which I will be sharing with you over the next week) that arrived for review.  He wanted to put everything on and be the ultimate Super Hero!!

I love that the Hero Masks generate imagination and game play within children, drawing them away from those gosh awful video games and having them move around and use their noodles in a creative manner.  I am very impressed with these masks and if your children are into the Super Hero phenom...then I would suggest shelling out the money and making them super hero happy~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **