07/22/2014

Storytime for Toddlers in Orange County

Storytime at the public library is still a tried and true method for teaching kids reading and literacy skills. With all the activities and kids-centric family parks and places in Orange County, I can't believe I've held off on taking Baby D to the storytime at the library until now. We visted the Huntington Beach Central Library for the Toddler Storytime. I was actually suprised to see how popular storytime at the library is. The room filled up with parents, grandparents and kids on an early Saturday morning. The storyteller not only read books but also incorporated playful songs and puppets, and games that got every kid in the room interacting and having fun. Story time at the library is a great free activty for the whole family. They are typically held in the morning, so parents and kids can start the day off with a good book!

Toddler Storytime at Huntington Beach Library - Sugar Tot

Here is a list of free Library Story Times for Toddlers in Orange County:

Buena Park Public Library-Preschool storytime: Tuesdays 11:00am

Newport Beach Public Library-Toddler/Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays 10:30AM

Huntington Beach Public Library-Central -Toddler Storytime:Tuesdays 9:15AM,10:00AM,11:00AM & Saturday 10:00AM

Irvine Heritage Park Regional-Toddler Storytime: Tuesdays at 10:00AM

Orange Public Library-Toddler Storytime: Tuesdays 10:00AM

Seal Beach – Mary Wilson Library-Storytime Stay & Play: Mondays & Tuesdays 11:15am

Westminster Public Library-Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays 10:30AM

Posted by Portia at 09:00 AM in Education, Kids, Learning, OC, Orange County, Reading, So Cal, SoCal, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/22/2014

Nickster Toys: Traditional meets Tech

I’ve always found that toys with simple shapes give kids the most room for imagination and problem solving skills, and Nickster toys does just that. Nickster Toys pairs with the Nickster Playland app for an optimal learning experience. Each toy is made of 3-4 block-like pieces that fit together like a puzzle.

Baby D’s favorite was the Sequence Train. First, he played the Sequence Train game on the Playland app. The app showed a train station scene with numbers 1-5. He had to touch each number for the corresponding piece to come out and connect in sequence. Once all the train pieces one through five were completed on the app, he then took the toy pieces and connected them in sequence exactly the way he did on the app. It’s great because it’s challenges him cognitively to memorize the process of putting the train together just as he did it in the app and physically put the toy together in order with this hands. He learns about numbers and completing tasks in sequence.

The Wagon Animals toy came in a close second for this toddler. Three animals have a geometric shape at the bottom of it. They come in a red wagon, and he had to identify each different geometric shapes and then fit the pieces together like puzzles.

They are big pieces, easy for little hands to manuver. The app is almost like an introduction to the toy. Baby D continued to play with the toys even after he was done playing the apps. Raising a tech-savvy toddler, I really love the concept of tieing a traditional toy with digital learning. You can almost see the thought process come to life as the child puts into action the concept he just learned from the apps.

Nickster Toys is recommended for ages 1 and up.

Posted by Portia at 09:00 AM in Activities, Apps, Toddlers, Toys, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

Technorati Tags: apps, educational, kids, nickster, playland, tech, toy, toys

12/27/2013

4 Apps to Motivate & Inspire Kids

It's important to help your kids build self-worth, confidence and kindness. These 4 apps will inspire kids to value themself and others.

Snoopy’s You Can Be Anything

This app features Snoopy in a variety of different occupations. From an astronaut, to a lawyer, to a pilot, the many faces of Snoopy serve to motivate and inspire kids to open their minds and find what interests them as a career. By using the Create feature, parents and kids can write their own future and by sharing you can tell friends about kids’ dreams. Voice-over narration guides kids through the reading experience or turn-off voice narration to read the book together as a family. You Can Be Anything story is a great way to open the conversation, motivate and talk to your kids about their future and what they want to be.

Available on iTunes for $2.99

Dr. Seuss’ Oh the Place You Will Go

All of Dr. Seuss’ apps and books are known for it’s inspirational and encouraging moral messages but this app in particular is will inspire kids to reach their goals and lets them know that they are capable of anything. It sends the positive message that no matter what life throws at yet-whether it be good or bad it you will always come out on top if you just stay motivated, work hard and be positive. This app allows you to explore pictures from the classic book, learn new vocabulary with tappable words and pictures, and personalize the story with your own narration.

Available on iTunes for $4.99

Aesop’s Wheel of Fables

The Aesop's Fables app presents the classic morality tales in a wheel your child can spin to select a story. Each fable tells a timeless story with underlying moral messages. Your kids spin the wheel to select a classic fable. Read the story aloud, have the narrator read it, or delight your child with a recording of your own voice. In addition, reading each fable unlocks a new "Spot the Difference" puzzle. Stories include "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", "The Hare and the Tortoise", "Town Mouse & Country Mouse" etc.

Available on iTunes for $3.99

Chris P. Bacon-My Life So Far..

This app is a sweet and heartwarming story about a handicapped piglet. He befriends a veterinarian who builds him a customized wheelchair in order for him to get a second chance in life. This endearing app has allows kids to recognize and understand empathy, and will inspire them celebrate diversity. The color pages of this ebook is a great way to start talking to your kids about compassion, acceptance, and loving your imperfections. Record your own narration and share it with others. There are sweet bonus features on this app like viewing Chris’ scrapbook pages with old memorable photos.

Available on iTunes for $3.99

words: apps, ebooks, motivate

Posted by Portia at 09:16 AM in Apps, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

Technorati Tags: apps, books, children, ebooks, inspirational, inspire, kids, moral, motivate, positive, stories, tales

12/16/2013

Huntington Beach Cruise of Lights Holiday Adventure

One of Huntington Beach's most anticipated holiday event is here-the Cruise of Lights! The cruise is put on by the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee. We recently had the pleasure of experiencing the Cruise of Lights and had an amazing time. The boat took us on 45 minute cruise through the waterways of Huntington Harbor. Upon arrival, we were greeted with live music and a warm staff. We got a view of each beautifully decorated house covered in Christmas lights and unique holiday decorations. This years theme was "Music Around the World" and we got to see houses decorated from top to bottom.

Here are some of my favorite houses from the cruise.

The Cruise of Lights runs Dec. 19-23, 2014. Don't forget to bring a coat, it can get a little chilly at night!

Posted by Portia at 08:00 AM in Holidays, OC, Orange County, So Cal, SoCal | Permalink | Comments (0)

Technorati Tags: christmas, cruise of lights, holiday, huntington beach, huntington harbor, lights, oc events, orange county

12/09/2013

3 Elf on the Shelf Alternatives

The Elf on the Shelf is everywhere! He monitors children’s behavior by day and then reports back to Santa Clause about the naughty or nice behavior he's seen. Kids wake up to the mischievous elf doing naughty and silly things. Some argue that the elf scares their children into behaving so that they get more presents, instead of promoting genuinely good behavior. Many parents like the tradition of the Elf, but not necessarily it's message. It's fun to see what types of silly situations the Elf on the Shelf will get into every morning but for those who aren't particularly fond of Santa’s snearky little elf, there are alternatives to start a new Christmas tradition with valuable meaning.

The Dwarf in the Drawer: A Mischievous Parody

This book is a hilarious parody of the Elf on the Shelf. The witty Dwarf "lives in your drawer, with your clean underwear, He plays through the day, And at night, watch Colbert!" The dwarf encourages kids to not give in to the chaos of being good just to get gifts. His message is to believe in yourself and spend time with family and friends. Each colorful page illustrates an "evil looking" elf hovering over as the dwarf and kids try to enjoy their Christmas. "Here is a message for kids of all ages: Don't believe in empty things like shelves or their elves. You simply have to believe in yourselves." The book comes with a dwarf plush that you can hide in different places as the same manner as the Elf on the Shelf.

The Donkey in the Living Room E-Book

This ebook allows families to begin a Christmas tradition focused around the Nativity story for the 9 days leading up to Christmas. Each day, children wake up to find a wrapped gift, which contains a figure from the Nativity scene. Since it is an ebook, you would need to find your own nativity set to go along with the story. The story follows each character’s role in the traditional religious story of Christmas. It is currently available as an e-book, but will be released as a hard copy book in 2014.

Kindness Elves

Elf on the Shelf motivates kids to do good things in order to get gifts. Kindness Elves encourages kids to do random acts of kindness to spread Christmas cheer and spirit. You can use any elves or any small doll for this Christmas activity. Every morning, the kids will find the Kindness Elves in different spots encouraging a helpful or kind activity for the day, "let's bake cookies for the neighbors", or "let's donate toys and clothes to those who need it." The emphasis is entirely positive. The kindness elves leave kids encouraging and praiseful notes when they've done something good. I really love this alternative because it is a very valuable tool in helping kids learn and focus on the positive attributes that we try to teach them in everyday life. Kindness elves teach kids to spread the Christmas spirit by promoting love and kindness.

Posted by Portia at 08:00 AM in Activities, Holidays, Kids, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (0)

Technorati Tags: alternatives, christmas, dwarf, dwarf in the drawer, elf on the shelf, elves, kids, traditions

11/28/2013

MOMtras: Giving

No one has ever become poor from giving..

Posted by Portia at 08:00 AM in MOMtras, Quotes | Permalink | Comments (0)

11/24/2013

Last Minute Thanksgiving Picks

We are only a few days away from Thanksgiving, can you believe it? Looking for some last minute recipes and ideas for the big day? I'm cooking the family staples but also trying some new recipes a la Pinterest. I've created a Last Minute Thanksgiving Picks Pinterest board for Thanksgiving recipes and ideas. This board also has some great centerpieces, table settings, and craft ideas for the kids.

Preparation is key when it comes to cooking for Thanksgiving. If you're looking for guidance on staying organized for the special meal take a look at these Thanksgiving meal prep apps. Some of these apps will automatically create a shopping list for your Thanksgiving dishes. Some apps gives you an outline of which dish to prepare the day before, what to prepare on Thanksgiving morning and then again four hours prior to the big meal. There are even helpful cooking tutorial videos and wine pairing tips.

Here are a few top picks for cooking and preparing the big Thanksgiving meal.

Dress up the kids table in a pratical way by using butcher's paper as a table cloth and drawing in the place settings. Kids will enjoy coloring on the table and clean up will be a breeze.

The aroma of cooking Thanksgiving dinner in the house all day can be torture. It smells so delicious yet..you have to wait all day to to take a taste. I'm going to try out these delicate and scrumptious baked brie bites to hold the family over until meal time.

Try taking a gourmet twist by switching out the traditional stuffing for Chesapeake Bay crab & sausage stuffing.

Hoping this Last Minute Thanksgiving Picks Pinterest board will inspire your Thanksgiving :)

Wishing you all a warm Thanksgiving!

Posted by Portia at 09:00 AM in Holidays, Recipes | Permalink | Comments (1)

11/21/2013

Toymail sends & receives messages to your kids instantly

Toymail is a smart toy that sends messages to and from kids. It's basically like email or text messages for kids but way, WAY cooler. Parents, grandparents and loved ones can send messages directly to their kids from their iPhone. Kids receive messages at home from the adorable toy Mailmen. They'll snort, whine, howl, and growl to let your child know they've got mail.

Meet the adorable little Mailmen-Snort, Fairfax, Buck, Rochester, and Milksop. They come in a line of colorful, four-inch-tall, Wi-Fi-enabled toys that allow you to send messages to your munchkins in real time. These toys are made with child-safe materials like ABS and PVC plastic. It runs simply on 4 AA batteries.

How it works

First, download the Toymail App on your iPhone or iPad for free. Then, connect Mailmen to your home WiFi network and you're ready to go! You simply record a voice message using the Toymail app from anywhere in the world, hit send, and The Mailmen toy will speak them back in their funny voice, or you can use choose to use your own voice. When your child receives a message through the Mailmen, they can reply right from the toy. This reply goes directly to your phone. How many times have you wanted to check in with your child directly while she's at home with the sitter and you're at the office?

Want to learn more about Toymail?

Miss Meatball can show you how it works.

Toymail & Mailmen are suitable for kids ages 3 and up. Currently, it works with iPhone 4, 4S running iOS 5 or any iPod Touch with iOS 5, 6, and 7. The Android app will be available in 2014. The App come with 10 free messaging stamps each month. You can purchase 50 messaging stamps for $.99 per month.

Toymail is on my list of top tech toys for the holidays! The folks at Toymail are gearing up for the holidays, so your kids can get this awesome tech gift just in time for Christmas. Think this smart toy is as incredible as I do? You can back up Toymail's kickstarter campaign and preorder your toy here.

Posted by Portia at 01:00 PM in Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

Technorati Tags: gadgets, kids, messages, smart toy, tech, tech toys, toymail

11/18/2013

Top 10 Toys of 2013

We may only be one week away from Thanksgiving, but many moms have already started their Christmas shopping. FamilyFun magazine announced their Toy of the Year (T.O.Y.) Award winners. These award winning toys are perfect to add to your Christmas shopping list. After being selected from more than 300 contenders, the award winning toys have demonstrated outstanding play value and fun factor – along with innovation, durability, and safety. Here are a list of top ten T.O.Y. Award winners:

**Top 10 FamilyFun T.O.Y. Award Winners for 2013**

Zoomer

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Posted by Portia at 08:00 AM in Toys | Permalink | Comments (0)

11/15/2013

Kiwi Crate Product Review

"Creative people are more likely to start their own companies, to be happy in their jobs, to be successful in business. They tend to be resilient, happier, in better moods."-James C. Kaufman, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut

Continue reading "Kiwi Crate Product Review" »

Posted by Portia at 08:00 AM in Activities, Product Review | Permalink | Comments (1)

Technorati Tags: activities, crafts, creativity, kids, kiwi crate, projects