Top 10 Toddler iPad Apps

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 6:00 AM

We are not a technology-free family.  More power to those who are but I honestly don’t know how we’d get by without the iPad some days.  Or in restaurants.  Always in restaurants.  My toddler has been using an iPad since he was 5 months, when Grandma downloaded Giggle Gang.  And the truth is, I’m not ashamed. 

I’m not even ashamed to admit that after our first iPad was shattered in a horrific puddle-dropping accident, we rushed out to buy a new one within 24 hours.  It was that important. 

I could go on about how we are a technology-driven society, how I grew up with NES and SNES and turned out fantastic, but I’ll save my breath.  I’m already aware it’s one of those infamous mommy-guilt hot topics and I don’t care to get involved too heavily in that.  I will leave it at this: I don’t believe that technology, in moderation, is bad; it’s not going to ruin my child, and honestly, I’ll be damned if an iPad app didn’t teach my son the entire alphabet.  I

So, in celebration of the iPad, I’d like to list my 2 year old’s top ten favorite apps.  There’s so many out there to choose from and I’m constantly changing and upgrading them as he masters them.  Quite honestly, he amazes me by how much he picks up and he utilizes skills that he learns, like shapes, colors, numbers, and letters, in the outside world as well.  Oh, and finding random toddler selfies?  Priceless.  

1) Originator’s Endless Learning Bundle

These are hands-down my son’s favorite set of apps. Included is Endless ABC’s, Endless 123’s, and Endless Reader.  

2) Tiny Hands Super Bundle

Right now we have TinyHands sorting 1 and 2, Lotto 1, and What’s my pair?  The super bundle includes ALL of the TinyHands apps, but it’s pricey.  So it might be more optimal to pick and choose.  However, these are great apps and the super bundle includes all ten of them.  So really, at $20, you’re only really paying $2/each for endless, educational entertainment. 

3) Writing Wizard

This is a new one for us, and a little above a 2 year old skill level, but basically it teaches kids to write letters and words.  My son shows some interest in it which, historically for him, seems to be a precursor to it becoming a favorite down the road so I felt the need to include it on this list. 

4) Reading Rainbow

Just do it.  Support a good cause. 

5) Petting Zoo

This is a weird one.  This app, I’m convinced, has no actual point.  But my child and his friends are obsessed with it and will literally mess around with it for an entire meal out.  So it’s worth noting.

6) Trucks HD

If your kiddo hearts trucks as much as mine, this is a great one.  It’s not super educational, though there’s a section that teaches the differences between compost, recyclables, and trash, so that’s kinda neat.  

7) KidsDoodle and Drawing Pad

I’ve bundled these two together as our go-to artsy apps.  No crayons? No worries!  These are basically just painting apps with all the pretty colors.  This is a good app for us to play with together on the go because I can draw shapes or faces and ask him what they are.  And then he can copy me.  

8) Peek-a-Zoo and Peek-a-Zoo HD

Animals FTW! 

9) Elmo Calls

Okay, this game is pretty annoying, but it certainly taught my son the art of face timing.  I felt it was worth noting for any die-hard Sesame Street fans out there. I believe there are other characters that can “call” your child as w

ell.

10) Flash Apps’ Baby Flash Cards

This one incorporates all that is preschool as far as numbers, colors, shapes, animals, etc.  It’s not as fun as other apps, IMO, but my son still enjoys it none-the-less.  

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Mama Bear Monday: Bubbles!

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 6:00 AM

My 2 year old loves bubbles.  Loves.  We used to take turns blowing bubbles for him because he couldn't do it himself yet, but now that he can do it himself the biggest concern is how much he enjoys pouring out the solution all over the floor.  No, I don't have any way of fixing that, but what I do have is a darn good bubble recipe!  We use it in our bubble blower, but I bet it would be equally awesome with a wand.  It makes massive bubbles, and everyone knows the bigger the bubble the better.  I'm talking some seriously hardcore bubble-making.  So, without further adieu, here it is:

1/2 cup dawn dishwashing liquid
2 cups of water
2 teaspoons of sugar

Viola!  Hope your kiddos (or maybe just you?) enjoy :)

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Citrus Lane Box Review: September

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 6:00 AM

My 2 year old has been receiving Citrus Lane boxes since he was around 3 months old.  For the most part, we've been very happy with the contents, though admittedly some months are better than others.  Since we're such die-hard CL fans in this house, it was only a matter of time before I signed up my newborn for his very own monthly box.  The plan was to cancel the toddler box and move on to Kiwi Crate's recently released Koala Box but I just can't bring myself to do that just yet (so yes, now we subscribe to both).

Today the mailman delivered tiny-man's first CL box.  For the most part, it was a decent box, but I always feel a little gypped with less than 5 items.  I'm not sure if it's a new *thing* but both boys' boxes seemed a little... light... this month, not the standard 5 items I'm more accustomed to (and I don't count most coupons as an item, usually it's stuff I wasn't planning on buying in the first place).  Anyway, all in all, I rate this box a 7/10.

The contents included a long sleeve onesie from Tea Collection (the long sleeves are greatly appreciated as winter approaches!), a "rattle" that isn't actually a rattle, though it's still pretty neat, a sample of Mrs. Meyers dish soap (which also came in my older son's box, so now I have two), and a small bottle of Gripe Water.

First things first, Tea Collection has some pretty quality clothing so that was a plus.  Included with the oneside was a coupon for $25 off my first Tea Collection order of $50 or more, and that's exciting because I may actually use said coupon.  The onesie itself is a bit plain, but it's super soft and, like a mentioned earlier, it's long sleeved which is always useful when living in the tundra.

The Rainbow "Rattle" by Hape Toys doesn't *actually* rattle.  It's more a manipulative-type toy with bright colors.  I showed my 2 month old and he gave me some big ol' gummy smiles for a good 15 minutes so I count this toy as a win.  I have a few similar toys, probably from previous CL boxes, and they've always been hits in this house.  Plus, it's wooden and I like that.  It too came with a coupon for 10% off Hapetoys.com.

Mrs. Meyers is a favorite brand of mine.  CL has included their samples in the past and, while I do wish they were full size products, a little is better than none at all.  I think this is a new scent, Radish, or at least it's one I have not seen before.  I now have two of them, so that's neat.  Would I prefer toys in my child's box?  Yep.  Will this do?  Sure, why not.  Just don't make a habit of it, CL!

Gripe Water.  Unfortunately, I recently ordered a giant two-count box of Gripe Water for Mr. Gassy McGee.  Otherwise, I'd be pretty pumped about this because it's not super cheap and it's a brand I really like.  But hey, I suppose one can never have *too* much Gripe Water.

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Mama Bear Monday: Little Master BabyLit board books

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 7:00 AM

Any mama who loves classic novels will adore Jennifer Adam’s Little Master collections.  These adorable board books are baby and toddler-style adaptations of the classics.  I had seen them around on for a while before I decided to purchase them, too curious about what could possibly be written in them? Of course, I couldn’t just buy one, so I went all out and bought five: Sherlock Holmes, The Jungle Book, Dracula, Moby-Dick, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Some additional titles in this collection include Alice in Wonderland, Pride & Prejudice, Romeo & Juliet, and Sense and Sensibility.  

Basically, these books will use characters or prominent themes, sometimes even direct quotes, from the actual novels to teach kiddos simple words, animals, numbers, colors, or opposites.  It’s a really sweet idea and I’m glad I made the impulse purchase (because, honestly, the last thing my son needed was more board books).  They’re chalked full of colorful illustrations mixed with fun typography.  I also like that they’re all unique from one another, yet they’re all simple enough to keep a toddler’s short attention span.

I also love that they’re board books.  There are a few titles, including Edgar Gets Ready for Bed (an Edgar Allen Poe adaptation that I couldn’t pass up) that are not board books.  I didn’t realize it at the time of ordering, otherwise I probably would not have ordered since my son isn’t so gentle with pages that can be torn.  Still, I’m happy to add it to his ever-growing collection of books.

They’re not overly pricey either, running a little over $5 a piece on amazon, and they’ve been featured on websites like babysteals.com a few times which leads me to believe they’ll likely make an appearance there again at some point.

So if you love the classics, or even just pretend to, check these little books out for sure!

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Mama Bear Monday: Toddler Cookies

By: Pen-Pal Productions on 10:00 AM

I am obsessed with these cookies.  Not only are they quick and ridiculously easy, they're tasty!  Cleanup is a breeze, and it's simple enough for a toddler to "help".  They make great snacks and are especially awesome on the go.  There are endless possibilities for add-ons (nuts, fruit, chocolate chips, etc.) and they're pretty allergy-friendly with their short list of ingredients.  Best of all, they're actually healthy.

Toddler Cookies
1 cup rolled oats (I use Red Mills Gluten Free)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 ripe, mashed bananas*
1/4 cup walnuts, pecans, sliced almonds.. whatever!
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips or dried fruit (I used cranberries)

Combine oats, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Drop heaping tablespoon onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Press down to flatten. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until done! 

*Bananas can be replaced with 1 cup no sugar added applesauce.  I've made both and while I prefer the taste of the banana version, both are worth trying.  It's also delicious to use 1 banana and 1/4 cup applesauce. Go ahead, pick and choose! You cannot mess this recipe up.



-Jenn 

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