The Difference Between Boys and Girls--Play Dough

Now that M is two, the differences between him and his sisters are becoming ever more apparent. The usual differences are there (M likes cars and trucks and making noise and destroying things, E and C like dolls and princesses and singing and building things), but some other, less predictable differences have come to light lately.

For example:

C and M are currently playing with homemade play dough (recipe below). Although, with M, "playing with play dough" is a relative phrase.

C: squishes play dough, rolls play dough, cuts play dough, shapes play dough, plays with play dough.

M: squishes play dough, places play dough back in canister, calls play dough "coffee," plays with play dough toys, ignores play dough.

And this happens every. single. time M "plays" with play dough. But he loves it! He asks for it weekly. He enjoys it.

I guess I have a lot to learn about having a boy.

Kool-Aid Play Dough

Mix:

2 packages of unsweetened kool-aide

1/2 cup of salt

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 tablespoon cream of tartar

Add:

2 cups of boiling water

3 tablespoons of oil

Stir, cool and knead for 5 minutes.

Today

Today...I woke up early

Today...I worked out

Today...the sun is shining (for now)

Today...my boy is feeling better

Today...my parents return from Hawaii

Today...I vacuumed the house

Today...I will make cookies

Today...I don't feel so overwhelmed

Today...is going to be a good day

Oscar's Apps--A Review

Oh, I love my iPad!

And my kids do, too. They love it so much, I've actually made them their very own page with games and apps just for them.

Included on this page are two new apps from Oscar's Apps, which I got a chance to review.

And let me tell you, I love them! And C, who is 3 1/2, loves them, too.

From their website:

Oscar's Apps is a fun and interactive learning environment for toddlers and preschool aged children.

My Review

I got the chance to review the Alphabet Song and 1-10 Balloons. Both are very similarly designed, with either the alphabet or numbers printed on balloons which kids "pop" in order. Both games have three options: Learn, Follow, and Play. In the "Learn" option, kids pop the highlighted balloons in order. In the "Follow" option, the balloons are all mixed up, but are highlighted in order. In the "Play" option, the balloons are still mixed up but aren't highlighted right away, giving kids the chance to remember the alphabet or numbers in order themselves.

As I said earlier, C loves these apps. The colors are vivid, the graphics are fun, and the "games" are simple but engaging.

C's been getting very, very curious about letters and numbers recently, and both of these apps from Oscar's Apps have been wonderful for her!

I personally like how the apps grow with children, from showing them, to guiding them, to allowing them to figure it out on their own. These apps are great for exploring letters and numbers! And I can't wait to start using them with M in the next year!

This post was written for Family Review Network and Oscar's Apps who provided the complimentary products for review in exchange for my honest opinions.