Review: LeapFrog Scribble and Write February 9, 2010

I’ll admit it, I love gadgets and gizmos and fun tech devices but my love isn’t limited to items just for me. We’re big fans of LeapFrog in our house. They make great educational products that are a lot of fun for kids. And a company that can combine fun with educational is popular with my kids and me.

My five-year-old son has been reading with his Tag Reading System and my three-year-old loves exploring books with her Tag Junior. I’ve developed a comparison chart if you’re not really sure about the difference between the two.

Along with reading we’ve been working on my son’s writing or fine-motor skills. He’s more of an active guy so it’s hard to get him to sit still very long, unless it’s building with Lego. With this in mind, Leapfrog sent along to us their Scribble and Write to try.

Designed for a Little Hands

The Scribble and Write is compact and light so kids can carry and hold it easily. The writing pen is stubby and has groves at the tip making it easy for small hands to hold. The grips and the curved design help young kids who are learning to hold a writing instrument correctly for the first time. The pen is also tethered to the Scribble and Write so you don’t have to worry about it getting misplaced and when it’s not being used there’s a handy storage area for it on the back.

The alphabet buttons are raised to make sure little fingers find and press the letter they want without frustration. The write on/whip off writing tablet is big too, ideal for practicing those letters and shapes in a nice large size. Kids don’t actually write on the Scribble and Write but instead the pen tracing on the tablet brings up the marks that can be wiped off by the slider at the bottom (like a modernised Etcha-Sketch).

The four learning options are accessible by an easily moveable slider at the top and each option is indicated by an image; no reading required. There is a power off on the slider but like most LeapFrog items, it will turn off on its own if your child walks away and forgets about it.

Learning Games

The Scribble and Write is designed to progress with your child’s interest and abilities. There are four different areas: Shapes, Uppercase Letters, Lowercase Letters, and Game.

Each activity is guides by a voice giving them instructions to follow the flashing dots on tablet. The dots move, illustrating the steps the child has to take whether drawing a shape or a letter. And Scout is always there (in voice) to encourage and cheer the kids at each step.

With Shapes kids learn to draw basic shapes like lines and circles and then move into complicated zigzags. The shapes are based on moves kids will need when drawing letters. My three-year-old loves doing the shapes. Some she already knows how to draw and some are new. This tracing activity also helps reinforce shape recognition.

With Letters (both Uppercase and Lowercase) the principle is the same as with the shapes: the letter is drawn on-screen with instructions and then the child traces over it. Both Shapes and Letters wait for your child to finish their turn so there’s no need to rush to complete the letter. Once done (kids tell the machine when they’re finished by pressing a button) the dots disappear and kids can see clearly the letter they drew. My five-year-old son loved this; he loved seeing his letter and how close it looked to the letter that he traced.

If your child is looking for more of a challenge, there is also the Game. Here the lighted dots appear randomly on the tablet and the kids try to guess what the letter is before it’s revealed. After that they trace it for reinforcement. Then they’re rewarded with a fun activity: follow Scout. Kids follow the moving dot on the tablet with their pen and don’t know what they are drawing until the end (though they will probably guess as they go).

What the Kids Think

As a parent I love the idea of learning games; kids love to play them and because they’re fun they don’t really think they’re learning anything. It’s reassuring to see that kids agree. My three-year-old and five-year-old both enjoy using the Scribble and Write, and for very different reasons:

Beyond Scribble and Write

The best part of this toy is when my kids aren’t using it. And what I mean by that is my son actually loves writing on paper now too. Before it was a chore to get him to write anything; he’d get frustrated with his abilities. Now with his fun practice he actually has started labeling his pictures and doing other writing projects on paper. And my three-year-old? I’ve caught her practicing to do her shapes on paper too.

LeapFrog Scribble and Write
Age: 3+
MSRP: $24.00 Cdn

TTC Union: Neighbourhood Bully February 8, 2010

When I first moved to the city I relied on the transit system to get everywhere; school, work, downtown, out with friends. Even when my husband and I first married we didn’t own a car, there was no need. We either walked or rode transit; buying our house we made sure it was transit accessible. Work and family demands pushed us into a car and now we actually have two, but there are many families that don’t own vehicles and rely on transit for their livelihood.

The problem of course is the TTC knows it. Why else would they have such disrespect for its riders and keep their jobs.

Before I go on, in the fairness of full disclosure, I should point out that I am not a big fan of the TTC union. I’m actually not a big fan of unions at all. I agree, they had their time and place but that’s behind us. Perhaps my vacation-working, medical-plan paying, self-employed bias is coming through.

I have witnessed my fair share of union service: drivers not opening the doors when stopped at a red light (sorry, you missed the 1 time only door opening), rudely speaking to passengers or making inappropriate comments, not waiting at a stop long enough to let a passenger off or not opening the back door at all at a stop. It’s always irked me when a TTC driver makes fifteen minute stop to get a coffee; they get a stop at each end of their run. Oh, but they’re monitored by video surveillance there. Out on the road it’s just us who are witness to this behaviour.

And they’re not just rude to riders. As a driver I’ve had to put up with abrupt stops in the street, forcing their way into my lane instead of waiting their turn, stopped with doors open through an entire light (no one is getting on or off), speeding up to box you in or not let you change lanes. Oh yes, my feelings for the TTC aren’t kind. I should point out that I have had pleasant encounters with TTC drivers too, sadly the rude and angry incidents overshadow most of these.

Needless to say I had a good chuckle when the sleeping driver image appeared. I think it’s great that passengers are now pushing the TTC to deliver the service they’re suppose to. So with all this public press and pressure you would think the TTC union would be making an effort to alter their attitude. No, not our friendly neighbourhood bully. No the TTC’s response is to work less and offer less service (if that’s possible)! And you know, like any bully, they know they have the upper hand, the power, and they’re going to use it to make you cry and give-in and shut-up about being mistreated.

I hated bullies when I was in school. I hate them even more now that I’m older. I’m lucky, I don’t have to take the TTC to get things done. I feel bad for the other kids in the neighbourhood that have to put up with this bully, at least until a parent steps in.

February 5, 1994 February 5, 2010

Yes it’s been sixteen years; sixteen years of being married to my partner (both personal and business) and best friend. The funny part about all of this is I never planned to get married. Marriage was a waste of time. I had great plans for my life and being tethered to someone else, with different dreams, just wasn’t part of them.

Then I met my husband. Considering I picked him up in a bar, the old Amsterdam Brew Pub on King Street which I don’t think is around anymore, it seems bizarre that we’re still together, sixteen years later (actually eighteen years if you count when we met in the bar). There must have been something to our chance encounter (and it had nothing to do with my friend performing match tricks — putting matches out on her tongue) because I ended up moving in with him a few days later.

I can remember the day in cold February. We planned the whole thing is a few months and on little funds (remember, getting married wasn’t a big thing on my agenda so I never saved for it).

My mom stayed with me and played chauffeur to myself and my maid of honor. I remember the night before driving the route with her from the house to the church so she would know how to get there in the morning. But we didn’t take into consideration the city’s [stupid] time operated street signs (the sign that said we couldn’t turn down the street we were driving on was flipped closed until the next day when we wanted to turn it was flipped open) so we arrived late trying to find a new route. Father reassured my husband by telling him that maybe I changed my mind, it happens.

We borrowed a friend’s car for our getaway vehicle. My husband and friends decorated the car with streamers to make it look all wedding fancy. Then they raced along the Gardiner Expressway to get to the church. Our wedding fancy car now was now decorated with little pieces of masking tape and ripped squares of the surviving tissue paper. For engineers they weren’t smart enough to figure out that paper would rip when stuck to a fast-moving vehicle.

After the wedding we visited the photographer that took our engagement photos: the photo booth on the arrival deck of Union Station train station. Needless to say we turned a few heads (and even more when we tried to cram all four of us into the booth at one time).

We went back to a hotel pub for our reception where people from another party tried to come in and take our food and my match-tongue friend helped the bartender by dancing and drinking behind the bar. I washed down my day’s diet of Tums with some wine and cake(s).

Yes it was a memorable day and an interesting sixteen years. I look forward to the next sixteen and the next sixteen after that.

I love you hunny! xoxo

Write a Review Wednesday: Lin Yi’s Lantern February 3, 2010

Welcome to another Write a Review Wednesday, a meme started by Tara Lazar as a way to show support to authors of kids literature. Last week I reviewed Hammond’s new release The Secret Life of Princesses (all age) written by Virginie Hanna and illustrated by Cathy Delanssay. This week my kids are in the mood for a little Chinese culture, since Chinese New Year is just around the corner (Feb 14), so we’re reading Barefoot Books Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Story. It’s written by Brenda Williams and illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe. I have to thank Rebecca at Barefoot Books for my review copy.

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Lin Yi is excited about the Moon Festival but first he must help his family prepare. He has to go to the local market to buy items for the family’s picnic: moon cakes, star fruit, rice, yams and peanuts for Uncle Hui. If he barter’s well, Lin Yi can use the money left over to buy a new red rabbit lantern for the festival. And boy would he like one.

At the market Lin Yi barters well, even his mom would be proud. Now he’s able to buy his lantern. But wait, he’s forgotten something — peanuts for Uncle Hui. Lin Yi now has a difficult decision: buy the red rabbit lantern that he so desperately wants or the peanuts for Uncle Hui liked he promised his mom he would get.

Even though the Moon Festival isn’t until the fall, my kids loved reading about it. Lin Yi’s Lantern gave the kids a peek into a great Chinese festival, like that of Chinese New Year. Brenda did a great job having Lin Yi repeat his shopping list as he travelled through the market. As we read the story my kids started to recite his also. When Lin Yi decided he was ready to buy his lantern, my kids were quick to point out that he forgot to buy peanuts. They loved being part of the story.

For added enjoyment the book includes Uncle Hui’s retelling of the Moon Fairy legend, plus a brief description of market life in China. Since most of the story took place in the market as Lin Yi bartered to save enough for his prized red rabbit lantern, this added a nice extension to the story. It took a fictitious account and added the reality of chinese life.

But I must admit the part my kids enjoyed most was the instructions to make a chinese lantern. After we read the story the kids made their own Chinese lanterns, even if they weren’t red rabbit lanterns, and enjoyed parading around the house with them. These will make great decorations for our Chinese New Year celebration.

You can add Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale to your home library by visiting your local bookstore or Amazon.ca. If you’re looking for other great kids books, read through some of the past Write a Review Wednesday posts.

Toddler versus Toilet February 2, 2010

There are many stages kids go through that are memorable: when they become mobile by rolling or crawling or walking, when they start to eat solids and feed themselves, even learning to talk with loud screeches and constant questions is a special time. Of all the memorable childhood stages there is one I don’t look forward to at all. You know the one.

Toilet Training.

I dread this. At first the idea of transitioning from diapers and pull-ups into underwear is exciting, but after months of cajoling and laundry the excitement begins to wear off.

I remember with my first-born the discussion among moms would be about how early their child was toilet trained. As a first time mom I fell into the trap. I stressed about my daughter being toilet trained by 18 months and she was, for a few months anyway. I quickly discovered that my daughter had her own goal. We were off and on pull-ups for the next year. It wasn’t until just before her third birthday that I could confidently say she was toilet trained.

When  it was time to train my son I tried to stay calm, remembering the stress of the toilet training process with my oldest. I expected he would be trained by around his third birthday so I didn’t worry too much, until his third birthday was around the corner. I wanted to book him  into summer camp but kids have to be toilet trained to attend. After a few failed attempts I decided I would book him in camp anyway. Worst case I would have to cancel. I guess that was enough incentive. My son was completely trained a few days after camp registration.

You would think with two kids having gone through this stage I would know what to expect and not get so obsessed. Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment. I did start well, not worry about toilet training or even broaching the subject with my now three-year-old. If she wanted to sit on the potty or the toilet I’d let her but I wouldn’t turn it into a bathroom training session.

I did buy my daughter motivational underwear and eventually she learned to go pee on the toilet. She has the occasional accident but I can usually trust her to tell me when she has to go pee. But bowl movements are a whole other story. Now perhaps I’ve given mixed messages in the beginning, like when we were out and wanted her to use a pull-up so I wouldn’t be in a mad panic to find a bathroom, but since she turned three we’ve only used pull-ups at night (night-time training is a whole other game). With her using the bathroom regularly to pee I thought the next stage would follow closely behind (no pun intended). No such luck.

My daughter has taken to hiding in a secret corner to go poop. I’ve tried all the tricks that worked with my other two: taking her to the bathroom at key times, getting her to sit with a book on the toilet. I’ve even tried incentives like sticker and treats. It’s been a real hit and miss with her. Now she only turned three in December so she does have time before summer camp and school begins. I guess I haven’t learned much from my past experiences, except for the fact that I’m a little obsessive.

I am trying to not stress over this and not stress my daughter but if you know any tricks that have worked for you, please share them. PLEASE.

Pajama’s for Haiti January 28, 2010

My two youngest ready for Pajamas for Haiti. My oldest didn't want to be photographed in her PJs

Yesterday my kids participated in a fundraiser at the school called Pajamas for Haiti. Kids could wear their pajamas to school for the day in exchange for a two dollar donation. The funds would go to the Canadian Red Cross to help support relief efforts in Haiti.

My kids were thrilled with the idea of wearing their pajamas for the day. See in our house I make the kids get dressed before coming downstairs for breakfast, even on Saturday. It’s a me thing. So Pajamas for Haiti gave them an excuse to wear pajamas all day and there was nothing I could do about it. Even though my youngest doesn’t go to school, she wasn’t going to miss out on the pajama party madness and insisted on wearing her pajamas too.

I did have to go over a few ground rules:

1. they couldn’t wear the same pajamas they slept in. No rolling out of bed and saying they were ready for school.
2. they had to wear underwear, socks and an undershirt beneath their pajamas (I mean it is winter).

You may think those are funny rules but my kids expected just to get out of bed and go to school. The kids had fun and felt pretty good at making some sort of contribution to an event they felt helpless about. Now I just need to remind them that pajama day was only for that one day.

Write a Review Wednesday: The Secret Life of Princesses January 26, 2010

Welcome to another Write a Review Wednesday, a meme started by Tara Lazar as a way to show support to authors of kids literature. Last week I reviewed Tundra Books new release Here Comes the Bride (age 4-7) written by Beatrice Masini and illustrated by Anna Laura Cantone. This week is all about princesses with Hammond’s The Secret Life of Princesses (all age) written by Virginie Hanna and illustrated by Cathy Delanssay. I have to thank Kristel at Hammond for my review copy.

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Do you know why Cinderella likes to hide in the pumpkin patch? Or how the Princess actually discovered the pea under all those mattresses? Or how Beauty found out if the Beast really loved her? It turns out even these princesses have secrets and if you come closer the book The Secret Life of Princesses will reveal some of them to you.

My seven-year-old and my three-year-old love princesses and princess stories. Just buy looking at the images in The Secret Life of Princesses they were quick to tell me which princess we would be reading about. This hard cover book consists of thick pages for easy turning (and hiding secrets of course). Each double-page spread contains a wonderful illustrated image of one princess. But look carefully, also on these pages is hidden a secret about the princess. You’ll find an envelop with a note, a little book, a fold out page, or even a flap that is cleverly worked into the illustration. Each note contains a little story about the princess and her secret.

The images are beautiful and fill the page. My seven-year-old thought the princesses were beautifully illustrated. But their favourite part, and mine, was the secret notes. Reading these little notes gave you a sense that you were discovering a true secret. The notes also kept the pages clean for the illustrations; no copy showed on the pages with the exception of the princesses name.

At the front of the book is a little envelop for your own princess to fill out with her secret. I thought this was a very cute addition. I should point out the stories are written like the old fashion princess stories; the princess lives for her prince and her secret revolves around winning her prince. And one story, Princess Donkey Skin, is one we tend to skip (you can probably guess from the princesses name).

I wasn’t expecting my son to be too interested in The Secret Life of Princesses just because of the subject matter, but he listened intently to each secret. I think he liked the idea that the book contained secret notes.

You can add The Secret Life of Princesses to your own library from Amazon.ca. If you’re looking for other books suggestions for your kids, read through some of the past Write a Review Wednesday posts.

Getting Old versus Growing Old January 24, 2010

I know I’ll grow old and I’m fine with that, sort of. What I want to avoid is getting old. Confused? There is a difference. Growing old is all part of your life-cycle; it’s inevitable. You body doesn’t have the same shape or react the same way but you have more free time, even if it’s just spent napping.

Getting old on the other hand has nothing to do your physical abilities. It can sometimes have nothing to do with your age, though many older people fall into the getting old trap.

People who are getting old are those who have quickly forgotten what it’s like to be young, to be a kid. I tend to notice these people more when I’m out with my kids, like at church today. Father was talking and yes you are supposed to be a good Catholic and listen quietly and attentively, but try telling that to a three-year-old. My daughter was pretending her fingers were people talking. It wasn’t loud but loud enough to disturb the ‘old’ woman sitting in front of us. How quietly would you sit while someone gave a speech on how calculus evolved. Not what father was talking about but the point is it’s hard for anyone to sit still and be interested when the topic isn’t of interest to you.

Old people seem to forget what it was like when they were young. Perhaps that part of their memory has eroded away. Along with the part that sensors the crazy things they say ‘I feel sorry for your son. If you don’t cut his hair he’s going to grow-up thinking he’s a girl.‘ Yes, we’ve had to deal with the ignorant side of those getting old too. And the part that stimulates logical thinking; why else would a person with a cane and the inability to move faster than a sloth decide to cross a busy street without using a cross walk.

I have to be careful though, I think I’ve noticed hints of growing old in myself. It usually comes out as impatience. My three-year-old wants to get herself dressed and her socks have to be perfect (seams lined up and everything). My son HAS to build the extra dungeon in his Lego fortress before coming down to dinner. Sometimes I find it hard to remember what it was like learning and practicing new skills or loving what you’re doing so much you just can’t stop. Or maybe it’s not that I’ve forgotten but rather I don’t think the skills my kids are learning (and I’ve mastered) or the activities that interest them (and not me) deserve the same consideration as my own new skills and interest. It’s hard enough getting through childhood without having people, including your mom, discourage or short-change what kids are doing. I think I need to work a little more on avoiding getting old. Hopefully my kids are patient enough with me while I learn.

Should I be feeling guilty? January 23, 2010

So my husband is away on a business trip. At first I was a little jealous we couldn’t swing it for the family to go. He’s going to warmer Orlando, Florida. But now that he’s gone I’m actually looking forward to my time. Yes it will be a little harried getting the three kids to bed or out the door for school but there is a plus side.

Like now.

As I sit in front of my computer trying to get things organized and work completed, my kids are entertained by the TV or video games or the computer. Okay, I won’t win any parenting awards, but sometimes even kids love time to do nothing or better still play games and watch TV, something they don’t usually get to do.

I don’t have to stress about entertaining them or curbing too much digital input into their brains. I’m not worried about getting outside and away from the house or doing errands or fixing up the office (though I did tell my husband I would do that).

Now don’t get me wrong, my husband doesn’t expect that these things get done on the weekend or when he’s here. If we were to reverse our roles and I was away he would probably do the same thing. When we’re all together in the house at the same time there’s this underlying sense that we need to be doing something as a family, something educational or entertaining or culturally enriching. The week is so busy with work and school and classes, the weekend is the one time we’re all together; we should be DOING something.

So having my husband out-of-town gives me, the family, permission to do our own thing even though we’re all in the house together. Maybe I do feel a little guilty about not feeling guitly but I’m trying hard to suppress those feelings, at least for the next few days.

There ARE people behind the games January 21, 2010

Checking out the cool iPhone apps from zinc Roe design

I’ve probably mentioned before that we’re a bit of a gaming family. We play with Leapster and the Wii and the DS and Playstation 3. Now we can add my iPhone to the list. Even my three-year old is hooked on the gaming action; her favourites are those Tickle Tap Apps, iPhone Apps developed by zinc Roe design. We tried out their first three apps when they were introduced to the market. More have been released since our review and still more are in the works.

It turns out zinc Roe design is a Canadian company, in my very city. When they found out we were nearby, they invited us (as in myself and my kids) to visit their studio. My seven-year old was disappointed she had to go to school. She did feign an illness but I’m too smart for that. I mean, I was her age once; I know those tricks.

So it was just myself and my five-year old son and three-year old daughter.  After their initial shyness wore off, my kids were right into playing some of zinc Roe design’s great iPhone games. They even got to try some of the new games we don’t own yet which was kind of fun. My daughter was excited about trying Field Flier and my son really enjoyed the Colour Collector. Along with their own work, zinc Roe design also works with other clients on interactive new media projects for kids. They recently launched TVOKids first iPhone game called Melvin’s Marvellous Words.

I always enjoy meeting the minds behind great creative products and Tickle Tap Apps is a great product. You sometimes forget that there’s a whole team behind a seemingly small property. My kids also seemed to really enjoyed themselves. We stayed longer than I expected, almost missing the start of my son’s class in the afternoon. The people at zinc Roe design were amazing with the kids. I do feel a little bad though; I think my son may have eaten them out of snacks (sorry).

All in all it was a fun and exciting morning. On the drive to school my daughter fell asleep after all the excitement. My son spent the whole time in the car discussing his plans to be a game designer. He plans on making iPhone games too, scavenger hunt games. Well something with treasure and pirates and an Indiana Jones like character.

Thank You! (drawing of all the stairs we walked up and my son 'sneaking' snacks from the office)