The Cartoon Me with Voilà AI Artist

Have you cartooned yourself yet?  I really like the ones of the kids.  Although, it tends to have trouble with our eye colors.  I guess that's the animated me 😉.

ATG Today App - Awakening to God Today #ATGToday

 

ATG Today App

I have a new App to tell you about, the ATG Today App which stands for Awakening to God Today.  It is a devotional journal App that helps you in your walk with God with thanksgivings from your heart and prayers.  It helps bring inspiration for 8 minutes with God at the start of your day, helps guide you to hear His voice, gives you the opportunity to memorize scripture, pray and journal.  The purpose of this App is two-fold.  First, to inspire and encourage people in their walk with Christ (hopefully leading to another 'Awakening' - see 2 Chron 7:14).  And second, to raise funds for services such as digging a well in 100 villages in India, providing 40K meals to widows and orphans, 15K mosquito nets and a medical team for immunizations, cataract operations, and other services.  A mission I can get behind!

You can easily find ATG Today in the App store for $3.99 purchase for Apple Users or find it on Google Play as well.

One feature is a daily inspiration.  This is an easy way to refresh your mind with a scripture or encouragement every day and have fresh inspiration.

 Another example

Above is an example of a daily entry, this is mine from yesterday!  I love that I can jot down notes and thoughts from the day and look back on them in my timeline.

This App is a convenient way to start of one's day and relationship with God.  I like that it has a daily inspiration, an opportuntity to add a daily photo and entries for: thankfulness, hearing God, and prayer.  I have always liked the idea of an on-line prayer journal and this is it, nicely done.

You can check out more about this App here and let me know what you think.

Disclosure:  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for allowing me to be a part of this campaign.  I will receive a prize in exchange for this review and post.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Groovebook - Turn Your Photos Into A Book

 My First Groovebook

I have become a little obsessed with Shark Tank.  I have never seen a live episode but I watch snippets here and there on YouTube.  I find the show fascinating and I love to see what inventions people come up with.  I was so intrigued with one, Groovebook, that I downloaded it as soon as I upgraded my phone and had the ability to support current Apps!

 

 Inside my Groovebook

Another view

 And another

Here is the basic concept of Groovebook.  You most likely already take lots of photos on your phone - definitely me.  After downloading the App, select your favorite photos and upload them into a Groovebook.  Books can have as many as 100 photos.  You can duplicate photos as you wish so if I want 5 of the same photo, no problem.  I was able to get my first Groovebook free to try it out.

Above you can see that the photos are perforated.

You can see that I have torn some photos out of my book.

The perforated pages make it easy to share your favorite photos with others.  I purposely ordered pictured for the kids to use in their Smash Books and Groovebook is perfect for that.  I wouldn't say the quality is the highest I have ever seen but it was decent and the book was a perfect way to have photos delivered to my door.  It would make a cute brag book or theme book if you chose pictures to do that.

This App helps you turn you phone photos into a book for $2.99/month.  You get a new book delivered each month.  If you would like to try it out like I did you can use the code CUMMINS870 to get your own free Groovebook (If you use my code I too will get another free book - so thanks!).  And be sure to let me know what you think.

Compound Word Learning with Fun Socks

I have a fun product to tell you about, compound word socks!  They are a fun, everyday item that can also be used as a learning tool.  Compound word socks by the Gama Family are designed to make learning fun and encouraging as children learn how to structure compound words.  Each sock represents 1/2 of a compound word and when joined together (on your child's feet) the two socks spell out the compound word.

 

I love that each individual sock has pictures to go along with it and then when you put them together they make a bigger picture of the compound word, very creative!

D's new StarFish socks

Out of the package - the design is fun and vivid

On D's feet!

D in her fun socks.

Apart - you can see that the star sock has stars and the fish sock has fish.

Together - when you put them together they also make a starfish in the middle!

These socks are fun, comfortable and there are several designs available.  D likes that you can pull them up to make them longer or push them down to make them shorter.

 Butterfly design

 Rocketship design

There is also a free, interactive app to further your child's learning.  Kids will enjoy playing the word games that were created to engage their growing minds.  D has enjoyed playing this app.  There are three sections: play, gallery and learn.  In the play section when you complete a level it will unlock the next door or level so that you can create more compound words.

 You drag and drop the individual word into the bubbles and then the compound word will be created.  Above you see the words sun and flower.

 Here you see that they created the compound word sunflower.

Once you create a word the icon appears at the top.  When you have created all the compound words possible the bubbles will be full and the next door will be unlocked.  There is one incorrect word in this first section.  D was stuck here for awhile because of this error.  The app thinks that glassesflower is a correct compound word; however, it is not.  Hopefully this can be corrected soon.  The same word is found in the gallery and learn sections.

 Here you can see that the app thinks glassesflower is a word.

 I do like the way the learn section is set up so that kids can view the individual words and the compound word it makes above.

You definitely do not have to use this app to enjoy these socks but it is a fun, free tool to have along with them.  And I think having the app helps justify the cost a bit more.   These socks are available on Amazon for $9.99 a pair and come in a number of fun combinations including ladybug, cupcake, firetruck, rocketship, starfish, butterfly, eggplant and sunglasses to name a few.  The size options are 3YR-5YR and 6YR-8YR.  D is 6 and the 6YR-8YR pair fit her well with some room to grow.

Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Kids Academy App Review: Kids Puzzles Preschool Math Games

I love this app in that it allows children to learn in a fun and engaging way at their own pace.  Preschool basics such as number tracing and number recognition are presented in a fun environment with great graphics and engaging music.  My kids are learning correct number formation in writing.  My children love that they get to collect fireflies in a jar as they master their fine motor skills.  This app is designed for children to be able to play on their own but I have really enjoyed watching the kids learn.  I also appreciate that there is a parent area which allows management of children’s profiles and the ability to track success.  This is definitely a fun app for preschoolers!

 E collecting fireflies while making the number 2.

Check out the full App and download it here.  Please let me know what you think too.

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Sverve and Kids Academy for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  Compensation was provided.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Kids Academy App for Preschoolers

I recently downloaded the Kids Academy App for preschoolers.  D and E have really been enjoying the games.  This app is great because it allows children to learn in a fun and engaging way at their own pace.  Preschool basics such as letters and numbers are presented in a fun environment that encourages learning.  I love that my kids are learning correct letter and number formation in writing while having colorful graphics and encouragement along the way.  They cannot help but smile when it tells them Good Job!  And my kids love collecting fireflies in a jar as they master tracing and increase their fine motor skills.  I think sometimes they forget they are learning they are having so much fun.  I think this is a great tool for getting ready to read and I would recommend it.

Check out the full App and download it here.  Please let me know what you think too.

Disclosure: Thanks so much to Sverve and Kids Academy  for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  Compensation was provided.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Talking Anya Dress-Up & Pet Puppies App Review

Have you heard of Talking Anya Dress Up & Pet Puppies?  It is a fun and cute entertaining app for little girls.  Talking Anya Dress Up & Pet Puppies is by Sprite Labs and is a FREE Universal App available on both the iPad and iPhone.  You can find this app on the iTunes App Store here.  Sprite Labs does a fabulous job blending technology and art to create this memorable app.

D loves to tickle Anya.

In this App, little girls can play with Anya by dressing her up, tickling her and watching her respond to many user interactions.  Not only can you dress her up in many costumes (Summer, Winter, Christmas, Halloween), girls can also change her eye color and Anya's hairstyle!  The kids loved talking to Anya and having her repeat it.

Meet Anya

And here is Anya after D dressed her up a bit.  She loves the blue hair and hot pink, heart glasses.

Another fun feature is that Anya has little puppies to play with - the puppies do tricks, dance and can be dressed up as well.  There are 5 puppies in all and they can be purchased for a small price.  It should be noted that all purchases are behind a parent gate so there aren't any accidental purchases.

 

 D enjoys watching Anya dance!

 Bubble Popper Game

The Bubble Popper game is also a hit with the kids.  Anya blows bubbles and your job is to pop them.  There is a counter at the top of the screen so you know how you are doing and how many bubbles you have indeed popped!  Kids love this.

You can also give Anya treats - cupcakes and strawberries.

If you have little girls that like puppies and dress-up, they would love this app.  What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear them!

Disclosure: Thanks so much to Sverve and Sprite Kids for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  Compensation was provided.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

The Nativity Story App Review

Disclosure:  I was provided with this app to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  Thanks so much to FlyBy and the sponsor.  As part of this campaign I am eligible to win prizes.

  

I have a fun new children's app to tell you about, The Nativity Story App!  It is colorful, interactive and tells of a great story - that of Jesus' birth.  It is available on both the iPad and iPhone.

You can see from this photo that this app has a pop-up book feel to it with the way the illustrations are done.  I really like the character and feel this lends to the story.

 My kids have been super engaged using this app.

The whole story is set to rhyme which my kids love!  Not only can you read or listen to the story itself but there are tons of interactive opportunities woven throughout.  Red boxes will appear next to characters - when pushed they will make additional comments or ask and answer questions to other characters.  Windows can be opened, ropes can be pulled, the donkey can be moved with your hand and so much more.

 They have really enjoyed the tapping, swiping and many interactive features within.  

 

C loves to make the chickens fly.

Listening to the story.

D listening and interacting with this app.

I really like that you can have the story read to you (great for my younger ones) or you can read the story for yourself (great for my older ones).  And I love the band of angels at the end.  You can choose which angels and their instruments are playing during the song Noel.

 This is extremely cool!

The Nativity Story - Popup Deluxe Edition retails for $3.99 on the iPad and The Nativity Story - Popup Mini Edition retails for $1.99 on the iPhone.

Read more about this App below.

About The Nativity Story
Where will baby Jesus be born?  At the market?  AT a restaurant?  At the inn?  Readers of this book app can follow Joseph and Mary on their search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.  Along the way they encounter a variety of colorful local people and animals.  This is a fun and engaging way to share the original story of Christmas with the young generation and remind them what Christmas is all about.  Great for kids 2-10.

You can watch a video on The Nativity Story App here.

Why Kids Love This App
 - It's like a vintage pop-up book, with classic woodcut-style illustrations
 - By tapping and swiping, kids can help Joseph and Marty find a place to stay.
 - Knock on doors ... Pull on the rope... Ring the bell... Open windows... Make people talk...
 - Create music!  Help a band of angels play their instruments.
 - Lots of characters to get to know: Innkeeper, Merchant, Shepherds, Chef, A Band of Actors, Neighborhood Children, Mary's Donkey, Farm Animals and of course... Angels!
 -  Funny sound effects!

Why Parents and Grandparents Love This App
 - Nostalgia.  It feels like a classic pop-up book, bringing back memories for parents and grandparents.
 - Optional Narration: Listen to the old-timey narrator tell the story, or read the story yourself.
 - EXTRA Feature: After the story, explore the original Bible text that tells the Nativity Story.
 -  Amazing Visual Quality: Support for retina display

How is This Christmas App Different?
 - Production Values - It is a work of art: a rich visual and sound experience.
 - Interactive - Touch technology and animation is used to engage the reader in the story in an enchanting and educational way.
 - Age approach - The classic Bible story is retold her with an original and creative approach that appeals to young kids as well as adults.
 - Original - This app is designed like a vintage popup book and includes unique features such as interacting with a band of angels and playing instruments like trumpet and harp.

I hope you will try out this App and let me know what you think!  And by the way, this would make a great Holiday gift.