Fun with LeapFrog and the Hot New LeapPad Explorer

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I have enjoyed LeapFrog Products since my oldest was little.We have pretty much had most all of their gadgets and learning devices over theyears. With each new product my kids have collectively spent many hours on them.  We have taken them with us on long trips, used them to help with homework and had loads of fun playing with them.

Recently LeapFrog gave us the Tag Learning System with a setof Tag books, the LeapFrog Interactive Tag Map and the LeapPad as well as somegames, all for free to review.

First I have to say that the team that works on LeapFrogproducts knows kids and knows parents. They are very thorough and make great products!

We all loved using the Tag Interactive Map.  It is a large size and can be laid out on thefloor or a table.  The map is alsoreversible for even more ways to play (uh, I mean learn).   I was very impressed with what a greatlearning tool this is.  My kids wereenthusiastically searching for countries and trying to identifycontinents.   30 minutes later we werestill going with the games that you can customize to the level of yourchild.  My competitive son wanted to completethe level so he could move on to the next one. 

We are all now HUGE fans of the LeapPad Explorer.  Remember when I said above that the people atLeapFrog know kids and parents?  Thisdevice has SO many ways to use it that the fun (and learning) can go on andon and on.

On the LeapPad there are 3 user profiles that you cancustomize as well as a guest user profile. You can take your child’s picture with the built in camera (yes, they thought of everything! There’s a video camera too!) and it issaved to their profile. 
My kids really enjoyed their customizable pet on the homescreen of the LeapPad.  They played withit and earned treats for it while playing games and using the LeapPad.
Reading on the LeapPad doesn’t seem like work at all.  The stories are all interactive andcustomized to your child’s level. 

Want a new game or book to read?  There’s an app for that!  The LeapPad App Store lets you buy apps and upload them to your LeapPad.  It’s super simple to do and allows for instant gratification.  These apps would be a great incentive for good grades in school, good behavior or a surprise gift.  Going on a trip and need something new to keep the kids occupied?  Download a few new apps and they’re good to go.

 As if the fun and learning for the kids wasn’t enough,parents can go online and track their child’s progress with LeapFrogConnect.  You can even see the areaswhere your child may need a little extra help and time. 
Learning should be fun and technology should continue toenhance our learning experiences. LeapFrog is on top of their game with these great products that makelearning incredibly fun and  interactive.
Filed Under: Gift Ideas Tagged With: , ,

Calling All North Texas Girls: Free $40 SpaFinder Gift Card Just for Test Driving a Chevy Traverse

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Been thinking about getting a makeover lately?  Maybe you could just use some time out to get a relaxing mani/pedi?  Perhaps you’ve put it off because the budget couldn’t handle it?  Well, have I got a treat for you.  When you head to your North Texas Chevy Dealer and test drive a Chevy Traverse between October 24th and November 19th you get a $40 SpaFinder gift card!

Oh, and you’ll enjoy the Traverse! I got to test drive a White Diamond Chevy Traverse for 2 weeks and it was lots of fun!  The car is quiet and drives smoothly.  We had a blast with the XM radio.  We didn’t get a Traverse with a DVD player but the Traverse comes with the option of a DVD player.  It is so helpful for long trips or just when you need to distract fussy kids.

My absolute favorite feature on the Traverse was the hands free built-in Bluetooth.  It was great to make phone calls just by pushing a button on the steering wheel and telling it what name or number I wanted to call.  It is so much easier (and safer!) than fumbling with a cell phone in the car.


When I first heard about the opportunity to test drive the Traverse I was bummed because I didn’t think it would have enough seats for my family of 8 and didn’t think I would be able to do the test drive.  Much to my surprise the Traverse seats 8! And pretty comfortably I might add.  There’s plenty of room in the back for groceries and the seats even fold down when you need to haul more.
 

 The Chevy Traverse event was sponsored by the North Texas Chevy Dealers and  I received a SpaFinder gift card and a gas card for attending the Chevy event at the State Fair and test driving the Traverse.  Naturally, I was excited to get those things and drive a new car for two weeks.  You might be wondering though, if there was anything I didn’t care for about the vehicle?  I mean if you are going to make that big of a purchase you want to know what your getting into right?  The only things I can think of was that my little kids had a bit of a hard time moving the middle seat to get into the back row of seats and putting the middle seat back in place afterwords.  It’s not a huge deal but if you have younger kids just know that you are going to have to move the seats for them because it isn’t super easy.  This wasn’t an issue in our current vehicle so I was particularly aware of it.  Other than that it is a great SUV, especially if you want one to seat up to 8 people and don’t yet want to go the mini-van route.  
 
If you would like to find out more about what myself and other bloggers thought about the Chevy Traverse you can follow #chevygirls on Twitter or visit the Facebook page to see other videos and hear other perspectives on their test drive experiences. 

Now go test drive a Chevy Traverse and get your $40 SpaFinder gift card!  I’ll see you at the spa!

Filed Under: Dallas/Fort Worth, Deals Tagged With:

My Favorite New Clothing Company and An Outfit for Relevant 2011

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In case you missed it I have a new favorite clothing company!  Lands’ End Canvas is modern, fresh, comfortable fashion that is great for women and men.  I have loved every piece that I have gotten from them and tend to drool a bit when I receive their catalogs in the mail.

I have been given the amazing privileged of wearing a great sponsored Lands’ End Canvas outfit to The Relevant Conference this year. It is thrilling for me to get to be a part of Relevant this year and wearing Lands’ End Canvas just tops off the whole experience for me.  So look for me {if you are attending Relevant} or watch for more blog posts about what I wore and why I like Lands’ End Canvas oh, so much. Here’s just a hint at what I am wearing here.

Disclosure: Land’s End Canvas is providing me with an outfit to wear to Relevant. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Announcing the Winner of the Ribbies Clippies Giveaway

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I’m a little behind in doing this but the winner of the Ribbies Clippies giveaway is…

Congratulations Brittney!! Look for an email from me.

Didn’t win?  If you’d like to get your hands on some Ribbies Clippies you can purchase them here.  Don’t forget to check out their headbands, clippie holders and pacifier clips as well.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

#BestBuy All-In-One Touch Screen PC Blogger Party

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I had a great opportunity Saturday to join host Tip Junkie (love her!) at the Best Buy All-In-One Touch PC Party.  It was a great time of connecting with other bloggers and checking out this really cool touch screen all-in-one PC by Gateway.  You saw that I said touch screen right?  Isn’t that cool?!  I asked how touch friendly it would be if my six kids were touching it all of the time.  I was assured it is pretty sturdy and could handle the prodding of 12 little hands (in moderation).

It was a fun computer to play with.  I really like the slim and sleek design.  I could find a spot right on my kitchen counter for this thing.  Because of the touch screen you have a choice of using it with or without the keyboard and that makes it even more space saving and appealing.  I am constantly having to leave the kitchen to go use the computer to look up recipes, add things to my calendar, check email, and many other tasks. With this computer I could have it all right there with me.

The screen on this 23″ Gateway ZX series All-In-One PC is amazing.  It displays photos and videos beautifully.  It’s large size makes it perfect for a slide show of your favorite pictures!

 Jamie & I

As I mentioned above I really enjoyed the chance to connect with other bloggers at this party.  I got to meet Connie from Smockity Frocks (she has 8 kids, homeschools, and blogs!), Christy from Devotion Mama, Missy from Lookie What I Did (she’s fabulously crafty), and Bobbi from When Did I Go From a Kid to Grown Up.  I also got to see the oh, so sweet, Jamie from Roubinek Reality who I am enjoying getting to know.  She is precious and has a beautiful family.  I’m pretty sure you’ll like her as much as I do when you read her blog.

Thanks for letting me share my experience.  It’s been a fun couple weeks of blogger parties for me in the DFW, Texas area.  You’ll see more about my experience with the Chevy Traverse here soon.

Filed Under: Dallas/Fort Worth
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