Yo Gabba Gabba! Hello Friends! App Review & $10 Amazon or iTunes Gift Card Giveaway

My kids are actually pretty picky about the types of shows they watch on tv. They like Caillou and a few other animated shows, but they absolutely love Yo Gabba Gabba because it is so interactive, fast paced and just pure fun. This is why we were so excited to find out about the new Yo Gabba Gabba! Hello Friends! App and couldn't wait to give it a try.

My kids enjoy stealing my iPad from me on a daily basis, so I've tried to load it down with quite a few apps to keep them happy. This helps so much when we are at the doctor, waiting in line or just stuck inside on a rainy day. I downloaded the Hello Friends! app on via iTunes and, shortly after, the kids were ready to play.

Many apps just focus on one game or activity, but not this one! There are many activities to keep little ones happy, including music videos and songs that fans will recognize from the hit show. Liam favorites are the stickers. You can put them on the Yo Gabba Gabba characters and decorate a scene the way you want it. He just laughs and laughs at his creations.

Josiah, my 5 year old, is also a fan, but needs a bit more to keep him occupied. He loves the games included in the Hello Friends! app and especially likes Brobee Jump, which is similar to another game he has played.

I love that there are so many different activities packed into this app and, for only $3.99 from iTunes, it's quite a bargain! It is also available for Android devices. Plus, there will be even more activities added to the app, so there is no end to the possibilities! Check your updates every week because you never know when something new may pop up!

Because we love Yo Gabba Gabba so much and we are excited about their upcoming visit to Atlanta (we will write about this shortly), we have a great giveaway!

One Lucky CTM Reader Will Receive a $10 Amazon.com GC OR $10 iTunes GC! Winner's Choice!

Keep Up With Love, Life & Happiness With The New Twyxt App

Being a mom means staying on the go pretty much all the time. My husband is a lawyer and works a great deal of the day, so this does not leave much time for us to be together. Together alone? That's even less likely! Keeping up with our weekly schedule has become quite a problem and we often cannot remember what is going on with each other's schedules. It's simply and utterly frustrating. Well, it was, but now we have the situation under control with Twyxt, an app currently available at the iTunes App Store.

What is Twyxt? It is a modern and fun way to keep up with your partner! Twyxt a unique private network allowing couples to share information with each other. You don't have to deal with text messages that mysteriously disappear in cyberspace. With Twyxt you can message, share moods, photos, schedules and much more.

Our Thoughts
I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to text message my husband and never get a reply. I end up getting so angry at him and he didn't even do anything wrong... he was in court or meeting with a client. I just totally forgot! I love that Twyxt offers such an awesome way for us to keep in touch and share our schedules with each other through our couples calendar.

Couples Calendar

Since I am homeschooling the kids now, we participate in many fun activities and go on field trips often. With Twyxt I have been able to take nice pictures and send them to my husband so he can experience them with us. I can document our days and it's like he is there with us and can experience everything, too. He loves this feature!

Photo Album

Twyxt also allows couples to open up a bit to each other by sharing moods. Having a bad day? Need a hug? Just let your loved one know and maybe they will surprise you with something! My husband doesn't share his feelings aloud often, something I think many men do, but in the app they can do so without feeling embarrassed or like they are sharing too much. Knowing my husband had a long, tiring day is actually refreshing to me because I feel the same way sometimes. Plus, I can do something extra special for him when he gets home.

With Valentine's Day nearing, romance is definitely in the air and, after 6 years our love continues to grow. With Twyxt, we are, once again, able to keep up with our hectic schedules, send love notes to each other and have private conversations! Twyxt has been so helpful, romantic, and fun because it's something just for us, which is rare when you have children! Be sure to click the link above and give Twyxt a try with your partner to spice things up a bit and have some fun.

Disclosure: This post was written for Twyxt in exchange for compensation. All opinions written are my own. 

Keep Your Family Safe With Recalls Plus

I never really knew just how many products are recalled each year until they became more advertised on the news. I remember when spinach was recalled and certain canned items. Then, I found out Josiah's car seat was recalled when he was a baby. How scary that can be as a parent to know that something you own was recalled? Especially when you do not even noticed for months after the fact. Just to think something could have happened to my children gives me a heart attack.  It's best to keep on top of recalls not only for your own children, but for other friends and family members. What if the gift you gave your nephew for his birthday is recalled?

You can easily keep up with all the latest recalls with Recalls Plus, a new app that is totally FREE to download and is available on Facebook, through Google Play and on Apple Store, so you have many choices. I added to Recalls Plus Facebook App and now I get notifications when new recalls are posted. I feel so much better knowing that I will be alerted when things are recalled.  You can easily download this FREE app onto your smart phone, tablet and more. Here are all the ways you can get Recalls Plus:

Download Recalls Plus: Apple Store

Download Recalls Plus: Google play

Get the Recalls Plus App for Facebook

It's so important to keep up with the latest recalls for your safety and for your children. Download Recalls Plus to see what has most recently been recalled. Here are some items that were recently listed on Recalls Plus:

1. Dream on Me Ultra 2 in 1 Infant Tub, Toddler, Niagra, Baby Bath Seats
Hazard: The bath seats can tip over, posing a risk of drowning to babies.
2. Step2 X-Rider Car Children’s Riding Toys
Hazard: Children who lean too far forward on the seat can go over the handle bar and hit the ground. 3. Boden Children’s Pajamas
Hazard: The pajamas fail to meet federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

**All products listed above where listed on Recalls Plus within the past two months. Product recalls were identified by the appropriate government agency. Please go the Recalls Plus App for more information about the above recalls


On your phone you can keep up with recalls by age and even save items to be alerted if they do become recalled. Don't have a smart phone or tablet? Just get Recalls Plus on Facebook. It's so simple, free and a great way to keep your entire family safe! With the click of a button to download the app I can help keep my family safe. Click the links above or the photos to get the app today!

Thanks to Recalls Plus for sponsoring this very important information. All thoughts & opinions are of my own and may differ from yours.

Webkinz Friends iPad App Means Endless Fun For Kids

Around this time last year I won an iPad from a huge giveaway and was so excited to try it out. Little did I know, my kids would love it just as much as I do. Why? Because there are some great games for kids. We recently reviewed Webkinz stuffed animals and I was so excited to learn there is a new Webkinz app called Webkinz Friends! Since we are traveling a great deal during the holidays, I am so happy to have this app on my iPad because this will keep Josiah and Liam occupied and happy during the long car  rides.

I simply uploaded the app from the Apple App Store onto my iPad for free and it only took about 30 seconds until ready for the kids to play! The idea behind the game is to build your very own town from the ground up. They first picked a pet and named it.

Josiah has a Fox in Socks stuffed animal he has named baby, so he picked the Basset Hound and named it Baby, too. You can register your own Webkinz codes, but you can also play if you do not have one. Then, you begin to build up the town as your pet walks around. I've seen other games similar to this one, but none as straight-forward and kid-friendly as Webkinz Friends. Even though Josiah is learning to read, he caught on quickly and, when needed, he asked for my help. Even Liam was able to join in on the fun.

After picking a pet, you will begin to build your own town of Kinzville with the help of Mrs. Birdy and Dr. Quack! You use your on Kinzcash that you earn by completing quests over time. You can also purchase Kinzcash, but I have my iPad password protected, so I don't have to worry about the boys trying to do that without permission.

There are so many things to purchase from the KinzMart. Once we started building it was hard to stop! We built our pet's house, a bakery and a radio station. Josiah's favorite is the radio station, but Liam enjoyed decorating the inside of the pet's home! There are so many things to do on the app that I am sure we only touched the surface. This is one of those games you want to come back to each day to see what your new quests will be and what other things you can create.

Webkinz Friends is sure to please kids and I'm happy because it was free! It's great to find a fun app for the kids that doesn't involve violence of some sort. It's actually educational in a sense. They learn about helping and cooperation with friends, especially when completing the different tasks. We are hoping his cousin will join up so they can play together.

Since my kids love animals, this is the perfect app for them. Plus, I love that the game ensures they don't sit and play it all day long. You are given a certain amount of energy at one time and can build/play until the energy is gone. FYI, when building you will inevitably run out of supplies, but we gained more by cutting down trees! Just click on the trees. Josiah figured that out on his own. I was clueless, so we both learned new things from the game. I had to read some things to him and other things he just already knew from playing other games.Then, it must replenish over time without playing. Josiah has looked forward to his play time on Webkinz Friends and has asked to play for several days in a row. He gets so excited to build new things and complete his quests for rewards.

You should definitely give Webkinz Friends a try! I know the kids will enjoy this one and you will enjoy the quite time while on the road during the holidays. If you don't have an iPad, you can also play the Webkinz app on Facebook!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Webkinz. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

• 
  
• Webkinz Friends is all about building the best Kinzville possible. What are you and your kids’ favorite items to go to KinzMart for? What are some ‘insider tips’ for building up your best Kinzville?
• Interact with friends and visit their towns. How does your child interact with others to help reach their goals?
• How has the Webkinz iPad App supported family co-play? How is it compared to Webkinz World? Is it easier for your child with the touchscreen technology?

Submitting Your Posts:
Once your blog post is live, please fill out our online submission form here: http://www.momcentralconsulting.com/blogger-submission.php

Disclosure:
As part of Mom Central Consulting’s disclosure policy, we ask that you include the following information, with a link to http://www.momcentralconsulting.com/, at the bottom of your posts:

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Webkinz. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

Keep Up With the Latest Apps & Programs For Our Phones & Tablets

When I was growing up, technology was booming with the first Gameboy system and Nintendo. Every few years something new would come out and everyone had to buy it. Now, it seems like something new comes out every few months and we must constantly stay on top of technology to keep up with everything. Plus, everything is smaller and more compact. My husband has to have all of the newest and up-to-date electronics and programs out there, so I hear about this all the time!

With an office phone that's a few years old, my husband recently had to get an android update because the older systems definitely limit the things you can do with your phone. We've come a long way from pagers and huge portable phones that weigh 10 pounds. My son just can't get enough of the apps we download on our phones and tablets. He would play all day if I let him and I'm pretty sure I could easily do so, too.

One of the newest additions to our phones is the officesuite pro, which allows us to view, edit and share important work documents even when we are away from the office. Most of the files I deal with are Word documents and Excel spreadsheets, so I used to lug around my laptop everywhere, but now I don't have to worry about that! My husband also has to be on the road often for work, so being able to view documents on the go really has been a lifesaver for him and also allows him to do more work from home, which the kids absolutely love.

It really is amazing how much is available just from our tablets and phones these days. I rely on mine more than ever before and never leave home without it. I'm sure you can relate! What program or app do you use the most on your phone or tablet?

$500 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Enter to win a $500 Amazon.com gift card with the CheckPoints Star Spangled Giveaway!

Summer is officially here, so it is time to stock up on some great summer items via Amazon.com.  CheckPoints, the #1 Lifestyle Rewards Smartphone App is giving away a $500 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner! Yay!

CheckPoints provides you an App that pays YOU back!

That's right! All you do is download the CheckPoints app for your iPhone or Android mobile device. Then, turn on  CheckPoints whenever you go shopping.  Check in your location and you’ll see nearby products that you can scan to earn points! How easy is that! You get more points for simply checking-in. Then, redeem your earned points for a variety of rewards from gift certificates to your favorite stores and restaurants, to airline miles and the latest must-have electronics.  You even have the option to give back to your choice of charitable causes. 

Freebie & Automatic $1 Donation For My Readers

Here's a special promo for my readers - when you register for an account with CheckPoints use the code: teachingmama and you will automatically get enough CheckPoints for a free and instant $1 gift card or charitable donation.  What a great way to be rewarded for doing what we love - SHOPPING so sign up (iPhone) (Android) and don't forget to use the teachingmama code to grab your free CheckPoints while registering your account!

1 Lucky reader will win the $500 Amazon Gift Card! Please note the rafflecopter entry form is embedded in the CheckPoints mobile app.  To access this rafflecopter entry form you must download the CheckPoints App on your Smart phone first and register for an account to get to the rafflecopter entry form.  Follow the instructions below to be in for a chance to win

1) Download the CheckPoints App for FREE from Google Play or iTunes.

2) Register for an account using my bonus code, teachingmama

3) Under the "Collect" tab in the App, choose "Easy Points" and select "Enter to Win a $500 Amazon Gift Card!" from the menu.

4) Follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form to complete as many entries as you like!  Login to the rafflecopter form with your facebook login (not your email address) for easy access to all the entries.  

Come back each day to the rafflecopter form for extra bonus entries to increase your chance of winning. Bonus entries include easy blog comments, tweets and daily secret code words - so its worth checking in.

The $500 Amazon Card giveaway is open to US residents only.  Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST on July 18th, 2012. Good Luck.

Organize Your Summer Photos & Send e-Photo Books Via Pholium, A New iPad App!

Summer is nearing and we all know the nice weather brings around many fun events! We just celebrated my son's 5th birthday and our family is now planning our 4th of July vacation! Others may be planning a wedding or even a family reunion! Regardless of the event, one thing is for certain: there will be many pictures taken over the next few months. I think I took about 100 just during my son's birthday party. 

When you take pictures, where do you usually store them? I sometimes place them on Facebook, but they otherwise sit in in a file on my computer. Now there is a creative way to take those pictures and make something to share with others with Pholium. This amazing digital photo book iPad app allows you to make photo books and send them to others as well as receive photo books from friends and family. It's such a unique idea and a great way to share those memorable photos.

Thanks to Pholium for providing us with 5 great tips to help us all create a beautiful photo book for family members that will last a lifetime!

1. Think, but don't over think - Don't worry about the actual photo book until after the photos are taken. You want to tell a story about an event or possibly a vacation, but do so naturally without over thinking it! While taking photos just be in the moment and enjoy every single minute of it... and make sure you have plenty of batteries and memory space! Once you have already captured the moments via pictures, there is no need to provide too much detail. Let the recipient enjoy the book via photos.

2. Capture the memories - Snap those pictures! You want a variety of content to include in your photo book, so if it looks like a great photo opp, go for it! If you think there will be a chance to take photos somewhere, go ahead and pack your camera. Long gone are the days of paying for film to be processed. You can take as many pictures as you like, delete the ones that didn't turn out great and keep the ones that are perfect!

3. Represent and be present - There may be specific photos you know you want to take at an event or on vacation, but be sure to take other photos in between. Just last weekend at my son's party my husband and I took turns with the camera, snapping pictures of our guests having fun and the grandchildren playing with Grandma. The candid pictures turned out amazing and are some of the best we took! Take pictures of the scenery, but always take time to get some pictures of people. These are always the most special and memorable.

4. Don't edit or delete those photos (yet!) - Yes, we all want a "perfect" picture, but don't over analyze when snapping photos, just do it! Even if eyes are closed, someone is making a silly face or not paying attention, it's okay. Those can sometimes make for the best and funniest photo stories. My son always makes faces at the camera and I used to get mad, but now I save them as a progression of his many silly faces. Just capture the moments as you go and edit/delete later!

One of the cutest pictures we took. It is unedited and may need work, but it will be perfect for a photo book!

5. Organize and create the book the way you want it - Now that you have taken some beautiful and amazing pictures, let the story come together in your photo book. Before uploading all of the photos, which can be time consuming, think about the story you want to tell and how you want to displayed. For example, do you want it in chronological order like a progression of the year or vacation or do you want the story to be a theme? We have made photo books of each year as well as just cute theme of the boys playing together. It's important to think out the book before sifting through photos because it can sometimes become daunting and stressful. Making the photo book should be fun and easy, so don't do unnecessary work. You can even sort the albums via date, event name, location, etc. to make it easy to sift through photos when making your own one-of-a-kind photo book!

Putting photos together in a photo book can not only take some time, but is usually expensive, too. Apps like Pholium allow you to create high-quality digital photo books that are easily customized on the iPad and sent to others! Try something different this summer by getting Pholium and making photo books for your loved ones. They will appreciate the great gift and the books are always fun to look back at and remember the great times you experienced with friends and family. 

What events and vacations do you have going on this summer? Be sure to take lots of photos and give Pholium a try when organizing and making a photo book. Let us know what you think. We just know you will love this new App like we do! Be sure to "Like" Pholium on Facebook to keep up with all the latest news!

Cube Dog iPhone App Review - Get Your Free Pet Today

Thank you to Cube Dog for sponsoring this review. For more information about Cube Dog please visit the Facebook page or download it on iTunes.

bI am constantly amazed by the awesome apps available for the iPhone. I had the opportunity to try out the brand new Cube Dog app thanks to Clever Girls and was so excited when it was finally released! I love animals, but already have my hands full with the two boys. The Cube Dog by podotree is an adorable virtual pet app compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch 4 with camera.

What makes Cube Dog different from other virtual pet apps? You have the ability to customize your dog. There are many different options for every little part of the dog, from legs, eyes, ears and even size of the nose! You can finally create the perfect pet for yourself! Even better, no cleaning up after it. In addition, the 3D graphics for the Cube Dog are great, as you can zoom in, rotate and play with your pet from every angle.

One of my favorite feature of the Cube Dog app is the ability to take pics of your pet in real-life settings. Take a picture of your dog in the pool or sitting on your desk. As you play with your Cube Dog, you'll notice they have quite a personality. Snap a picture of your pet and they will make a funny face or be silly. Your pet travels wherever you go and is ready to play when you are. Just start tickling your pet's belly and they spring to life. Shake your phone and it will get an attitude with you. Play with your pet for a while and watch him/her bust a move, too! What it to be a ninja? Not a problem either. You will truly be amazed at what your Cube Dog can do.

The Cube Dog app is so much fun. The kids will absolutely love this pet and so will adults. I know I enjoy playing with my cute doggie each day! With over 50 different animations, there's much to see and do. This app will keep the kids entertained day after day. Go get Cube Dog on iTunes today for FREE! Also, be sure to "Like" Cube Dog on Facebook and keep an eye out for a fun contest running from June 13th-17th!

While Cube Dog provided me with the app to review, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Cube Dog, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity.