Available for: Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation2, Playstation3, PC Rated: E for Everyone (ESRB) Recommended Age: 10 or older Price: $19.99 - $39.99
Let me tell you the truth about how much I love the movie Wall-E. Not only did I pay to see it twice, but I also bawled my eyes out both times. So when I finally had my hands on Wall-E the Video Game,
you can imagine the high expectations I had for it. Would it be a
spectacular extended version of the movie? Or would it be just a
terrible made-for-TV version?
Here are my findings: I. Love. It.
Disney Pixar has created an amazing cinematic experience here. Not
only does it weave scenes from the film into your adventure, but it
really feels like you're IN the movie. You'll play both Wall-E and Eve
to help them solve puzzles, fly through obstacles, and tumble through
space.
Pretty exciting, isn't it? And don't worry about the controls being too
hard to understand for the kiddies (or yourself). This one
is ideal for beginners because there are tutorials on the basic
controls for moving around, jumping, and controlling the camera.
The game play is simple and kid-friendly, since you basically move from
point A to B. But I'd argue that adults would also enjoy the more
advanced moves,like unlocking secret passages and traveling the more difficult routes. And with the multiplayer mode, you and your kids can play together.
I was told, as a child, that Thanksgiving is a celebration of the first gathering of the Pilgrims and the Indians, a bountiful feast marking the beginning of this beautiful friendship. I have memories of being forced to wear a paper pilgrim bonnet and sing a long, drawn out ballad about the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, and Squanto with my classmates.
But as I got a little older, I learned that it wasn’t quite so. Settlers came armed and ready to fight, seeking the head of the local Indian leader. They built a high wall around their community to keep the Indians out. The Indians died of disease and gunshots, and much of their land was taken or destroyed. Where was this version when I was rocking back and forth singing about how the pilgrims “came to dock! On Plymouth Rock!”?
I’m not saying that first graders should be subjected to all of this. But what should we really tell children about Thanksgiving? Is Thanksgiving a good opportunity to introduce a darker, albeit more accurate version of history? Should Thanksgiving be a national day of mourning, as Oyate suggests? (Personally, I don’t think so.)
Most cultures have celebrations for giving thanks, and I’m glad that we have one, too. I saw a sign in a store this morning that said “Gratitude Elevates Us All” – and it does. I’m looking forward to giving thanks and spending time with my family this year, but I won’t really be invoking the pilgrim spirit when I do it.
Ashlee Simpson gave birth to her first child with
husband Pete Wentz last night. They christened their son, who weighed
in at 7 lbs, 11 oz, Bronx Mowgli. While that may seem like an odd name,
other celebrities have, in fact, done worse (see comedian/magician Penn
Jillette’s daughter Moxie Crimefighter). If he and Brooklyn Beckham
get together for a play date, they'll have 2 of the 5 New York City
boroughs covered.
Plus, naming your child after the
lovable character from The Jungle Book can’t be all bad. With luck,
this little Mowgli will be just as popular on the playground.
Ikea has recalled 670,000 IRIS and ALVINE Roman blinds. Strangulation
can occur when a child places his neck in an exposed inner cord on the backside
of the roman blinds. On April 4, 2008, a 1-year-old girl in Greenwich, Conn.
became entangled in the inner cord.
CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and
shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords
are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or
occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or
shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.
You know that saying “If you look good, you feel good”? Well I think it
is absolutely relevant to getting motivated and getting in shape.
Splurging on a few key items to make your workout experience a little
more comfortable (and fashionable) will give you more confidence and
spruce up your usual workout get up.
The Fiona Bra by Moving Comfort
has adjustable straps that allow you to loosen, tighten, and even
unhook the straps of your sports bra -- very convenient for nursing
moms.
Nike’s LIVESTRONG Half-Zip top
is perfect for layering during the chilling months. Its Therma-FIT
technology holds on to heat and energy and keeps you warm even when the
temperatures drop.
Don’t neglect your feet. When your feet get tired you get tired. Keep those toes dry and blister free with the Mizuno Breather Thermo Quarter Sock. It wicks away sweat from your feet and keeps them warm.
If you already have the latest workout gear, how about a training group? At See Mommy Run.com
moms can network and meet to run, walk, get fit, exchange stories and
tips about parenting, and motivate each other. There are groups all
over the nation, but if one hasn’t developed yet in your neck of the
woods, sign up and start one with friends!
Like many Neil Gaiman readers, I was introduced to him through his epic comic book series Sandman. He won over my sinister little 15-year-old heart when I read "The Sound of Her Wings" (issue #8 of Sandman), because it featured Death as a young, cheery girl who wore all black and the occasional top hat. Also, her little brother, Dream, came to her for advice. Too cool.
Gaiman has since worked his storytelling magic with books aimed at young readers, including the bestselling Coraline. His new children's book, The Graveyard Book, is similar to Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, except the child -- Nobody Owens, or Bod for short -- is adopted by dead people instead of animals. In his home-sweet-cemetery, Bod grows up and meets many intriguing characters of the dead, living, and in-between persuasion. I don't want to give too much away, but I promise: mischief, adventures, thrills, and chills ensue.
Bod's tale may sound dark and macabre, but it is also charming and hopeful. Take it from someone who once hung a huge poster of Death on her dorm room wall -- like Sandman, The Graveyard Book will stick with you long after you've finished it.
It's a question I've been asking myself a lot lately. After I tuck my son to sleep, after my wife nods off, I find myself firing up the DVR for Yo Gabba Gabba! This is the loudest, most exuberant show on TV right now. I don't know how my family manages to sleep through it.
So this morning when CDubs let out one of his fortissimo toddler screams as I was trying to get him dressed, I thought I'd try turning some Gabba rays on him. Guess what? It completely immobilized him. This is some powerful stuff.
And was I ever ready when my wife asked, "Why are you watching this?"
"It's got Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo. Mates of State have a song in this one. They have animations where kids get to act like Pitfall Harry. Plus there are good moral messages such as 'Don't bite your friends.'"
Confession: This morning I let my 2 ½-year-old son, Jason, have a lollipop — at 7:15 a.m. He’d just gone pee pee in the potty, and given that he’d fulfilled his part of the bargain, he was ready for his treat. Which had to be a lollipop. A big one, and pink. We were running late. I had no other “healthier” treats and he wouldn’t have had it anyway. And so, he had a lollipop before even one morsel of real food crossed his lips.
It wasn’t always this way. A couple of months ago when he was just getting familiar with his potty, he’d go maybe two or three times a week, and then maybe not again for two. A DumDum or square of chocolate now and then didn’t seem like such a big deal. But now, now he’s going three or four times a day, and candy three or four times a day just can’t be an option (can it?!). No, no, it can’t. But now that I’ve set up this deal, how can I break it in good faith? Can a sticker be just as satisfying? That’s a hard sell, even for me. Have you successfully made the transition from potty prizes to a good old pat on the back for a job well done? If so, please, PLEASE share your secrets!
Ex-jailbirds Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart talk mizzashed potizzies; check out Snoop's five tips for fatherhood:
Martha is so "gangsta", says one of her commenters. [The Martha Blog]
PETA puts out a parody of popular Wii game Cooking Mama; their version is called "Mama Kills Animals". It didn't make us want a tofurkey, but it did remind us to get Cooking Papa to do a little more work this Thanksgiving. [PETA]
Plus: Majesco, maker of the original Cooking Mama, responds! [Wired]
Suri Cruise is more influential than the Jolie-Pitt children, according to Forbes. Suri put out the following statement through her publicist: "Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyaaaah!" (Just kidding about that last bit.) [Momlogic]
Does genetically engineered corn (which may account for as much as 85% of the corn crop in this country) increase your chances of infertility? The Center for Food Safety worries that it might. [Gourmet.com]
In South Korea, 93% of all students graduate from high school on time. Compare that with the U.S., which is one of only two countries where the percentage of high school graduates is lower among younger workers than among their parents. (The other is tiny little Estonia.) [USA Today]
Banning fast food commercials would reduce the number of overweight children in the U.S. by 18% and decrease the number of overweight teens by 14%, says a new study. [NYTimes]
Daring Young Mom: "I'm married to a software engineer while having a way too-close relationship on the side with my laptop, smartphone, and many other electronic devices."
Available for: Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation2, Playstation3, PC 
Buy 
, is similar to Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, except the child -- Nobody Owens, or Bod for short -- is adopted by dead people instead of animals. In his home-sweet-cemetery, Bod grows up and meets many intriguing characters of the dead, living, and in-between persuasion. I don't want to give too much away, but I promise: mischief, adventures, thrills, and chills ensue.
