Learning Video Game Console

[Dita]

Kenneth and I bought Carson (a newly found video game fanatic) a vtech learning game console. It's called V-Smile and is the best thing ever!!! I'm not sure if any of you condone video or computer games, but this thing is awesome. It integrades colors, numbers and alphabets in an included video game and has several popular character games to buy separately (Mickey Mouse, Scooby Doo, Little Mermaid and Pooh, to name a few).

Carson was able to play a few levels before bed tonight and I'm very excited to let him play this console knowing that he's learning at the same time (unlike the Game Cube games he's been into lately).

It definitely keeps his attention much more than his Leap Pad. Yay for making learning fun! [post20]

[-Jes]

Jack ADORES his Leap Pad. He will play with that thing for hours. We have a few computer games for him to play and he will play all the games at nickjr.com. The funniest thing is he likes to play our old NES. He likes to play Mario Bros. He is not very good at it though. hehe. I know it is not educational at all, but he thinks it is the best thing ever and I only drag it out once in a while!

[Dita]

We have an old NES too. Carson likes Excitebike. :)

[Clementine]

*boost*
I was thinking of getting this vtech thing for Ethan because he loves playing video games (only occasionally) with his dad.
Any other reviews for it?
I'm interested in Leap Pad too.

Thanks!

[courey]

My mom is getting the V-Smile things for the kids this year, so I don't have any idea what they're like yet. We have two Leap Pads, too, and they can be pretty cool if the kids don't get bored and decide to rip the books up. :r The one thing I don't like about them is that a lot of times one of them sort of has an electronic freak out and won't play one of the books; it keeps saying that it's not a Leap Pad book, even though it is. We've tried fresh batteries and all, to no avail; at least we have two of them so the other one will play the book in question. It's a real pita, though!

[Clementine]

Ooooh I'm so excited about it.
His grandparents will be here for a visit (yes, it's that time again) at the end of April.
I may get Neil to talk his mum into getting it for him. :D
Lemme know what you think when you get it.
I noticed they have a Thomas game for it and Blue's Clues, too. Ethan would so dig that.
He's playing on noggin.com right now.
I still find it hilarious that I had never even seen a computer til 3rd grade, but my three year old is proficient with using a mouse and following directions on a Web site.
CARAZY!

[courey]

ohhh noo.... house invasion time ;l
I know, it is crazy how much little tiny kids know about computers these days!

[Clementine]

Yup.
After all the shit that's happened over the last six months, this visit will either make or break me.
Three weeks. Who the fuck vacations for three weeks?
;l

[katz]

i would!

if i could get any vacation time that is *L*

[Clementine]

i would!

if i could get any vacation time that is *L*

Oh, I would too---but at a hotel! (Or a cruise ship, resort etc. Not at someone's house.)

[katz]

ok that's a good point *L*

unless it was courey's house and she promised to take me hiking *L*

[Clementine]

I am lucky because I really do love my in-laws. But there's nobody on earth that won't get on my nerves after being in my house for three weeks. ;l

[Clementine]

I bought the Leap Pad Plus Writing this afternoon!
It was cool. Ethan and I ate at Subway, then went toy shopping.
He had a meltdown from not having a nap and being really tired.
I managed to calm him with the "I'll leave these toys here, and we'll leave the store this instant if you don't change your attitude" speech. Made it through with minimal embarrassment. *wheew*
I did, however, damage myself a bit because I lifted him into the shopping cart. I"m not supposed to lift over ten pounds for another few days. Ah, well.

It's super cool, but I wanted the V-smile thing too.
For some reason Neil thought it would be best to buy one at a time.
Gah!! I hate being sensible! [post13]

[courey]

unless it was courey's house and she promised to take me hiking *L*

Yes! [and we'd have to kidnap Rish, too, since she lives here, also! :e]

Aww, I can't even imagine Ethan having a meltdown, he's such a quiet, wise lookin' little guy :) It's amazing what not having a nap will do, huh.

[Clementine]

Yes! [and we'd have to kidnap Rish, too, since she lives here, also! :e]

Aww, I can't even imagine Ethan having a meltdown, he's such a quiet, wise lookin' little guy :) It's amazing what not having a nap will do, huh.

I'd love to go!
I'd slow you down, though cause I'm so fluffy. :(
But! I'll make a picnic. :D

Yup he rarely has meltdowns. I really pushed him to the limit this afternoon; paying bills, washing the car (well, paying someone else to do it), and then shopping. He even kept hold of a lollipop sucker this idiot man at the car insurance place gave him. I told him he couldn't have it til we got home, and he was totally cool with it. It amazes me how reasonable he is.
But I asked for that meltdown after going all those places and he'd been up since 6am.

This makes me want to start a thread about stupid people at shops and offices offering sweets to children without asking the parent first. I hate that!!!!!!!!!!!

[courey]

I'd love to go!
I'd slow you down, though cause I'm so fluffy. :(
But! I'll make a picnic. :D
psh. I smoke still, so it's not like I'm tearing up the countryside or anything! :p

This makes me want to start a thread about stupid people at shops and offices offering sweets to children without asking the parent first. I hate that!!!!!!!!!!!

yes!

[supernova]

I noticed they have a Thomas game for it and Blue's Clues, too. Ethan would so dig that.


We have the Thomas game for it. It's pretty cute, and most of it is learning as well as playing (shapes, colors, numbers). My son's a bit young for it right now, so I have to help him with it, but that's kind of nice because we get the interaction while playing. It has a Bertie the Bus game where he has to collect children and drop off the right number at the bus stop, and he has to avoid sheep and cows on the road - that's probably my son's favorite.

[Clementine]

Ooooh fun!
I think we'll be purchasing the v-smile within the next week or so.

[FaerieDreamer]

I can see this being a birthday present for my son in the near future. He loves watching Daddy play his playstation (Daddy will let him hold the other controller that's not plugged in so he can pretend to play along with him), so I know he'd like to use something similar. And if it helps him learn, even better! :)