JumpStart on Wii-Review

Mark your calendars! Jumpstart's Pet Rescue on Wii is being released September 1st.



Even though the ESRB (the Entertainment Software Rating Board), has rated Pet Rescue “Early Childhood”) , my older kids (5, 7 and 9) enjoy it as much or more than my preschoolers. {Gasp.} It just hit me. My twins are preschoolers. Anyway, Jumpstart Pet Rescue for Wii features more than 70 learning lessons (don't worry. I didn't count them, Jumpstart supplied me with that information) and activities that teach wild monkeys kids over 75 essential skills they need as they grow. They get to create their own Avatar and then head into one of five "worlds".


I must not be the brightest light on the block though because I still haven't navigated through all of them. I'm kidding. But seriously, there is lots to do in each "world" so I'm imagining that there is HUNDREDS of hours of possible play time here. If the transition between activities was instantaneous, it might be better for me with my time constraints and all. Wait. This game is really for Pre-schoolers. Not adults. Check.

I've been told that navigation through the 5 different "worlds" can improve their (children's) pre-reading skills, memory, creativity, motor skills, and listening. I'm still waiting for the improved listening part, but if there is a chance, I'm all for it.


My seven year old told me that she likes Pet Rescue because "you get to discover lots of things, and you get to explore and it's really fun".



So there you go. She summed up our thoughts.

We like it.

If you'd like to win a copy of Pet Rescue for the Wii, JumpStart is holding a contest of "creativity, cleverness, and downright resourcefulness." You'll want to go here for more details.

Tuesday's Tribute

<center><a href="http://angiescircus.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp291/halftimelessons/pinkbutton.jpg" style="border-style: none" alt="Tuesday's Tribute" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></center>

What is it?
Well, we'll tell you what it is NOT... It's Not About YOU. It's about SOMEONE ELSE. It's our chance, each of us, to shine our light on someone else.

Huh? Whaddya mean?
We each spend a lot of time talking about ourselves and our lives, but we are also fairly GIVING people too...Tuesday's Tribute is a chance to talk about OTHER people, OTHER blogs, OTHER lives.

Now's your chance to shine your light on someone else.

Or something else.

I'm not a big peanut butter fan.

Some peanut butter is OK. Brands like Laura Scudder's fall into this category. You know, the type with peanut oil on the top that you have to stir in yourself?

Brands of peanut butter like Jiff or Skippy (which my kids like) leave me never wanting to eat peanut butter again.

There is ONE exception to my "not-a-big-peanut-butter-fan" rule.

Olde Style Honey Roasted Peanut Butter from the Hadley Fruit Orchard in Cabazon, CA.

Seriously could eat this Peanut Butter by the Tablespoonful. If it was slurpable, I probably would.

So, my tribute goes to the makers of seriously-the-best-peanut-butter in the world.

And, to JumpStart. A company whose products I can stand behind and whom I really enjoy working with.

*I was not in any way compensated (or solicited) for this tribute.