LeapFrog Tag: Reading the next generation way
Posted by Amy on June 25, 2008
It’s out on the shelves now and Tag! You’re it! It’s time to head out to your nearest LeapFrog product retailer and pick up this brand new, sensational reading tool…for the kids of the next generation.
I’m still amazed at how far technology has come even in the past five or so years. I sit and watch my toddler run this over-sized pen along a sentence in the accompanying book and it actually READS the story to her. She taps a word on a page and the pen SAYS the word. Pretty fantastic, in my opinion.
The Tag is quite easy to set up and use. Load the software onto your computer (disc included/Mac and PC compatible), connect the Tag to your computer via USB (cord provided) and follow a few simple instructions to load the books onto the pen-like reading device. The Ozzie and Mack book (our favorite) comes with your Tag. You can also connect the Tag to your computer and use it online at LeapFrog’s Learning Path.
“The Tag Reading System is the first handheld learn-to-read technology that interacts directly with real books. Audio for the stories, as well as the fun-filled games and activities spread throughout the pages, offers early readers an entirely new and captivating reading experience. By simply touching the Tag reader anywhere on any page of a Tag-enabled book, children can bring their favorite stories to life, easily skipping from page to page or book to book.“
So, we’re totally digging this new product and highly recommend picking one up for your kiddo or purchasing one as a gift for someone. The Tag retails around $50 dollars and can be found at most major retailers that carry LeapFrog products. Additional accessories for the reading system, like books, retail around $14/ea. There are quite a few books in the LeapFrog library to choose from right now. I can’t wait to pick up more!
PS: I highly recommend checking out the live Tag Demo by clicking HERE and scrolling down the left-side of the page to “Try the Tag Demo”.
My toddler, Hailey, using Tag on her new Tag Cars “Tractor Tipping” book:
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Tags: books for the kids, educational material, electronics
Category: Kids, Products
Bye George
Posted by Eric on June 24, 2008
I don’t know why it surprised me to learn that comedian George Carlin passed away Sunday at the age of 71, but it did. I mean, he’s been doing his thing since before I was born and even though his material was often indecent and crude, it was also satirical and thought-provoking. I thought he was great.
Now I didn’t hear Carlin’s “Seven Dirty Words” bit until 20+ years after it got him arrested, but it still (even today) poses the question of what speech is acceptable for mass-consumption and what isn’t. In my eyes (however) that isn’t his most memorable performance.
As silly as it sounds, one of my favorite movies is Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure which starred George Carlin as the mystical guitar-playing guru Rufus. He also appeared in Dogma and even as the voice of Fillmore in the animated Pixar film Cars, a movie that our daughter Hailey can’t get enough of.
So whether you loved him or loathed him, George Carlin is gone. And at least at our house, he will be missed.
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Tags: his thoughts
Category: Blog, His
Great Wolf Lodge: Our night away from home
Posted by Amy on June 23, 2008
We recently took a jaunt up north to the Wisconsin Dells (JUST before the flooding!) to visit the Great Wolf Lodge that is located just off of I-90/94.
We did the the touristy thing when we arrived and took a drive around the area, as this was our first time visiting the Dells. Our main reason for visiting was to spend a night at the Great Wolf Lodge resort and check out the amenities.
After we finished our cruise up and down the main strip and stopping to enjoy some appetizers and a micro-brew at the Moose Jaw Pizza & Brewing Co., we made our way over to the Great Wolf Lodge.
The Grand Lobby of the Great Wolf Lodge resort is very attractive with its rustic, log cabin-like features and colorful, interactive Great Clock Tower. We stayed in the Royal Bear Suite (Rates anywhere between $319-$369/night). This rate includes waterpark passes and admission, as well as your other basic room amenities. The suite had an extra private bedroom area with a king size bed, as well as a queen size bed in the main area. There was also a little kitchenette and a “living” area with a sofa, which Hailey curled right up on to watch some toons. There is plenty of room in this suite, that’s for sure.
After settling in, we jumped into our bathing suits and made our way down to the indoor waterparks. Right away when we entered, we were able to pick out a small life jacket for Hailey. They seemed to have plenty available for the tots and the bigger kids.
I was pretty pleased with the layout of the waterparks. It was very manageable and Hailey was really enjoying herself - that was the most important part. We found out quickly that she’s a little fish…a fearless little fish. There were several areas for the little ones and that’s mainly what we focused on this time around. Eric and I did manage to take turns on the adult water slides. It was so cool. I screamed on my way down the slide and felt like a big dork afterwards. : )
After prying our child away from all of the glorious water, we cleaned up and headed to The Loose Moose Bar and Grill in the Grand Lobby. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the northwoods-themed ambiance because Hailey decided she was not interested in dining out. So, we ordered our dinner “to go” and retired to our suite. The food was good (we ordered a pizza) and it was nice and relaxing to just finish dinner in our room.
I drifted off to sleep shortly after but was awoken by Hailey and Eric around 8 p.m. to join them for “The Rhythm of Nature” show at the Great Clock Tower. It was fun to watch Hailey become mesmerized when the animals “came to life”. After the show, Wiley the wolf made an appearance and we all gathered around for story-time. She even gave the big furball a hug before heading back up to our room.
The day was full and we were welcoming sleep, so we tucked ourselves in for the night. Some say the beds at Great Wolf are too firm but my uber-picky husband said that he “thought they were nice”. That’s like being nominated for an Oscar, believe me. I was pretty happy too because I chose to relocate to my very own bed in the middle of the night. : )
We had breakfast at Camp Critter Buffet and it didn’t take long to fill up on oodles of buffet food. I’m not a buffet kind of person but the food wasn’t half bad. I mean, it was no breakfast buffet at the Bellagio but I can think of worse. Hey, it’s quick, the food is fresh and readily available and when I have a fit-throwing toddler on my hands, I can’t complain!
After breakfast, we strolled over to Wiley’s Woods, which is part of the resort but also open to the public. We did not end up going into the (video game) play area because we didn’t have socks and didn’t really want to purchase any, although that would have been quite easy with a vending machine full of socks available at the entrance. Instead, we opted to go over to the Northern Lights Game Parlor. Anything with lights and noise will attract a toddler, so she was happy as a clam. We purchased some tokens and let her have at it.
Another great entertainment option for the pint-size ones is the Little Tikes Great Wolf Lodge Cabin and the Cub Club activity room. I love those little extra somethings for the kiddos! We were too busy doing other fun things and didn’t get a chance to hang at the Cub Club, however, Hailey was able to chill in the cabin for a few.
So, we really had a nice little get-away at the Great Wolf Lodge! I would definitely recommend planning a stay there with your family. When you’re planning your trip, remember to check out their website for great deals. For instance, right now they have a deal on their premium suites or stay for two nights with the third night free. Obviously, these deals are only available for a limited time - so you must check out GreatWolf.com for current deals.