GameStop

My children are always longing for a new video game of some sort or another. We've recently discovered our local GameStop--my son wanted to see if they carried old games for the original Nintendo game systems. (They did not, alas.)

But they have a large selection of games for all the current systems (XBox, Nintendo, PS2, etc.). In fact, when I stopped by to shop with a gift-card given to me just for this promotion, the two employees both asked me if I needed anything. I browsed for quite awhile, then asked if they have Wii Fit. (Out of stock.)

I purchased a Nintendo DS game for my daughter--a game where you take care of up to six "babies." I'm hoping this will entertain her during long car rides. (She's five and a half, but since she has older brothers, she is quite the video game player. Once she can read, she'll be unstoppable.)

So, all in all, a great experience. Nice store, helpful staff, excellent place to buy video games to keep the kids occupied.

Nana Star

When we received the package containing Nana Star--including a doll, stuffed Moonman, two books and accompanying CDs--it was like Christmas in summer.

My daughter is five and a half--and funnily enough--was immediately attracted to the Moonman toy rather than the doll. She did take the book and CD upstairs right away to listen to and "read." Later, then, she asked for the doll to be removed from the package so she could play with her.

Nana Star and all the accompanying items are really darling. While I am partial to Nana Star the doll, my daughter is still very fond of Moonman. The book is a delight with its lovely illustrations and my daughter loves listening to the CD on her Hello Kitty CD player.

You can see a little preview of Nana Star on YouTube. Check it out here.

We love Nana Star. So do the reviewers on Amazon. Maybe you will, too.

Schlage Keypad Lock Review

I recently received a Schlage keypad deadbolt to review.

I am thrilled to report that installation of this deadbolt was super-easy. My handy-man friend said the hardest part was getting the old deadbolt out. He was able to install it with one tool, a screwdriver.

We put it on an exterior door that leads directly into the teenagers' room. (It used to be a garage, then was turned into a rec room and we use it for a bedroom.) The door has been inoperative for a long time because of a dead doorknob, but we bought a Schlage doorknob to match our new deadbolt and couldn't be happier.

Just now, I went out to program the thing. This is the cool part about this particular lock. I took out the instructions and within a few moments was able to program two entry codes: one for the boys and one for me. You can program up to 19 separate codes--so say someone's coming to house-sit. Instead of giving the house-sitter a key, you simply assign him or her a code. And then later, you can erase it. Easy as pie!

It's awesome, I think. I am very happy with my Schlage deadbolt.

* * *

I received a complimentary deadbolt and a $20 Amazon gift-card for this review, but that doesn't change the fact that I am very impressed by the quality of this item. I will look for this brand in the future.

Review: GoPets Vacation Island

We received a GoPets: Vacation Island Nintendo DS game to play.

First, I handed it over to my 5 and a half year old girl. She was highly motivated to play it and loves these sorts of games where you have a virtual pet and you can buy items and make friends. Alas, because she cannot read yet, she was not able to play this game independently.

So, then I gave it to my 10-year old boy to play. He is not fond of this type of game, but despite his declared dislike for it, he played it for a solid two hours. He enjoyed the arcade area of the game.

My 15-year old son told me he'd play it and give me a review, but we didn't get that far.

What I thought was cool about this game was the ability to customize your pet and collect accessories and items (up to 700). You can also interact with other game players (if you have two games). I think my daughter will continue to enjoy this game as she gets older and can read it for herself. This is exactly the kind of game she likes. (She plays similar games on the computer.)

The age range says "E for Everyone" but the truth is that reading is necessary for continuing game playing fun. I'd recommend this game, despite my 10-year old's opinion. Perhaps it's not the perfect game for an active 10-year old boy, but it's kind of funny that he played for two whole hours before deciding that.

Book Review: The Cure for Modern Life

I'm midway through this book, even though I only started it a few days ago. (I had another book to review a couple of days ago, plus a different one last week--or was it the week before?)

Anyway, the book is Lisa Tucker's The Cure for Modern Life.

Here's what Publisher's Weekly says:

This is her best novel yet, with captivating characters, a progressively intricate plot and unexpected twists that grabbed me and did not let me go. The hip, funny and cynical protagonist, Matthew Connelly, who works for a pharmaceutical company and undergoes a transformation after meeting a homeless 10-year-old boy, is so fully realized that I wondered who Tucker had been talking to, to get such insight into the male mind. As Matthew's definition of happiness and success is upended, the reader confronts serious questions about what the good life is and how we decide what is right and wrong.

Now that we have all the appropriate links in their proper places, let me tell you how I feel about this book. I would rather read it than sleep. I have been reading it while eating my dinner. I considered reading it while working. (But resisted that urge.)

I began reading it with no preconceptions about the plot and no familiarity with Lisa Tucker at all. But from the first page, I was drawn into the story. What will happen next? What will happen to the homeless children and their drug addict mother? Will the protagonist self-destruct? Will the self-righteous heroine (heroine?) bring down the big evil corporation?

Even if I knew, I couldn't tell you, of course. But I will tell you that I am enjoying this book and even though my obligation to it ends with this blog post, I am going to read every single page.

Book Review: Road Map to Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years With Down Syndrome

This book, Road Map to Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years With Down Syndrome (Paperback), by Jennifer Graf Groneberg is the story of a mother's first two years with her son, Avery, who was born with Down syndrome. She describes the details from the early days of the shocking news and draws you into the story of how life with Avery changed her and her family.

Jennifer is a lovely, lyrical writer. She blogs here.

You can try not to cry after reading the story about the cover photo here.

Here's what other people say about her book.

If you are interested in mothering, children who have Down syndrome, love or any combination of the above, you'll want to check out this book.

While I read Jennifer's book, the old days of having twin babies in my house flooded back to me. The entire world revolved around nap-times and feedings and baths in the kitchen sink. You see, Jennifer's baby, Avery who was born with Down syndrome, was one-half of a set of twins. Raising twins is challenging enough, but Jennifer also had an older child and the unexpected news that one of the babies was born with Down syndrome.

She writes in present tense of journeying through the first two years of her twins' lives, so you do feel as if you are in the middle of her life, if only for a moment. And isn't that what reading is all about? Trying on someone else's life to see how it feels?

Product Review: Cranium Bloom Games

Cranium has introduced a new product line: games, books, puzzles and toys for preschoolers. I'm a fan of Cranium already, so I was delighted to receive two games to test with my preschooler (and her friend, a kindergartener).

We played "Let's Play Count & Cook Game" first. The object of the game is to collect all the ingredients in the recipe. You use a simple board, a dice and a cook (as your game piece). The game is very cooperative--you all work together to collect the ingredients from the board. The "winner" is the one who lands on the last ingredient, but it's very non-competitive. (Which I appreciate when playing with preschoolers.)

The kids wanted to play it again, but I rushed them on so we could try out the next game.

"Let's Go to the Zoo Seek & Find Puzzle" comes with a 24 piece puzzle, a dry-erase pen and two books of cards. The idea is to find the items pictured on the cards and then locate them on the puzzle and circle them with the pen. We started the game together, then I left to write this review--and they are still happily searching for items and circling them. Again, they are working together. I love games that are cooperative.

I must confess that I hate playing board games, but these games are very attractive, easy to play and fun for the kids. Plus, they do not drag out forever and a day like some games we own. (My husband is the game player around here. That is why I married him.) (Oh, and I love what Anna Quindlen says: "Maybe I had three children in the first place so I wouldn't ever have to play board games. " I wholeheartedly agree.)

But as far as games go, as far as preschool games go, these are delightful and even I, a game curmudgeon, approve and recommend them to you.