Kid-friendly Applications of Ipad Apps (aka App Round-up)

Since none of Shea's aunts, uncles or grand-parental units could think of what to get us during the holidays and/or birthdays we, of course, got a bunch of Apple Store Credits. So we decided to give the iPad thing a try. And yes, it's cool. I would go so far to say that I am on the "it's a disruptive technology" bandwagon. But I digress. We have had some success slowly exposing Shea to the iPad in the form of videos both bought and you-tubed as well as Apps. The apps with proven shelf-life for her are the Sesame Street Monster at The End of the Book and Monster... 2 (2 is with Grover AND Elmo!). We were pretty good with just those for almost a year and it is amazing how she has learned to swipe her way through menus to find the app, start it and interact without any help from us.  We've recently expanded the repertoire with some other apps but she still goes back to the classics probably because she enjoys the gratification of knowing all the nuances of them.
Babiis is an iPad only app, that may have some real legs.  It's marketed as a way of allowing a toddler to express their need for an online social networking presence - which is ridiculous and hilarious but does not make the app any less of a great way to keep distance relatives close.  You help your toddler record a video greeting for whichever relative and send it via email.  The relative can send a video back and when we watch it our response is recorded.  That allows you to have a skype-type interaction that is oh-so crucial to keep those distance faces familiar with your kid - but it has the advantage of email in that you can let the other party respond on their own schedule.  So even with time changes and the like you still get the comm.  Pretty neat.  The drawback is it's a young app and all the bugs aren't worked out and it is horribly complicated.
Crayola HD Color Studio requires you buy an ~$13 "marker".   That let's your kids actually write on the iPad screen.  This is good because just another medium in which they are holding those pens and writing/drawing may prove a great investment when you take you college savings to buy a boat because your kid got a scholarship.

Seneca Creek State Park and nearby Bruster's Ice Cream Stand

Seneca Creek State Park has a great shredded rubber playground with giant tire snake and the momma of all tire swings. The sand volleyball pit doubles as a ginormous sand box when no one is using it. The nature hut has alot of great natural artifacts to touch including turtle shells, preserved beetles and bones. Nearby Brusters Ice Cream is one of those classic ice cream stands with a ton of different flavors and picnic tables to take a break. http://www.brusters.com/
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