TABEO FREEZES

 

~* TABEO *~ ... when we first bought these for the kids, for Christmas, we had a huge scare the same day! One had a screen that looked like a broken television (static and colors in all the wrong places). The other wouldn't turn off and the Tabeo would just freeze up. My first thought to help save the holiday was see if at least one had an online fix. I was horrified to see many had the same complaint... were we out our money? I returned them the following day when the store was open for new ones (they were accommodating and awesome even though we threw one box away, Christmas gift ripping thing).

 

THERE IS AN ACTUAL FIX... so, before you tune out and think it is just another complaint... let me continue with my experience!

 

First of all, all tablets have batteries that heat up!!! The difference with this one is that it than had a cover designed to help live through children, but lacks a way to keep it cool (even laptops have side components with fans to sit in your lap). I first tried holding the button in, where it would blink like it was responding, but still couldn't get it to shut down. I even thought to let the battery run down, but feared it might over heat and without a box... how on earth can it be returned?!?!?!

 

THE FIX... quickly tap the power button, it will go black like it is off... wait a few moments, hit it again, and it'll actually let you than turn it off. It basically sets it into a sleep mode and still needs to be properly shut down. And hopefully all before the battery gets too hot!

 

That thing was so hot I actually stood outside at one point in hopes it might help while I figured it out. I have had to on a few occasions, after a kid yells it froze again, do the quick fix... than ask them to not play with for a while so it can fully cool down. I do regret this purchase but can honestly say all tablets with thick plastic covers have the same issue (regardless of brand). You have a choice to feel safe from busting or the minor annoyances of over heating. The reading and educational games are why we bought them, not just ANGRY BIRDS.

Now you know what to do when the tabeo freezes or won't turn off. I wish I found a post like this when I was freaking out, machine heating up, and wouldn't turn off (frozen).

Monster Trucks 2013

 

~*Gratitude*~ to 101.9 THE WOLF for the tickets we won to Monster Jam!!! First and foremost I would like to give a moment of thanks...

This last weekend (Sunday, January 20th), the boys headed to Sleep Train Arena (Arco, and no matter how many names they change it to, will always be Arco Arena to us), and had "guy time". I was talked into calling the radio station the day before my birthday (hubby), and I won four tickets. There are five of us, but I didn't mind being the "odd woman out". I spent the day cleaning; windows and doors open for fresh air, and for a short time at tranquility.

The most important thing is, the boys had bonding time, and they had a chance to have fun!

Busy Day

Today was demanding to say the least. Between juggling three kids schedules, a book report due, and an "All About Me" (where we all show up, with pet, at school). The "All About Me" is pretty remarkable, and a chance for family and pets to go into the classroom, and we bring drinks and snacks. I think I was nervous about pretty much nothing. Between the book report and "All About Me" I was just afraid of failing somehow. I know him being sick is no excuse...

 

Than we needed to stop by the store and buy ear muffs that block out sound. We found some that claim to block gunfire, which should be more than enough for Monster Trucks this weekend!!!

 

Being a parent is absolutely amazing...

 

I will say that today made me think a bit more introspectively. The school system is pretty good, until about sixth grade, than I couldn't perceive us still living in this area. The Jr. Highs and High schools are not an environment conducive to higher academics and prospects. I have an idea of the next steps and goals... thankfully we have a little time to get all our ducks in order. Being a parent is much harder if you are actually trying to give them a better chance and future than you have. I would think each generation wants the next to be better than the last!!! I am hoping and praying mine sling shot past us.

 

Mostly, I am hoping I don't end up with an aneurysm as I fight to save the next generation from themselves. Whether they fail or succeed as adults will not benefit us (they will never pay our bills). We'd walk over hell fires, to the end of the earth, but we cannot in the end make each child do what is in their best interest... which is why I am more than grateful that they are competitive, strive to do and be more/better, and more like us when we were kids (hubby and I).

Tyler's Sick Day

Being sick is nothing to be happy about. Our little man has never been sent home sick, and I am grateful both of us were home, so we picked him up together. He was most pleased with seeing his daddy...

 

Today his fever has broke, and his brothers are at school, so we're taking advantage of the one on one time. I asked him last night if he wanted to play "The Game of Life" with me today (Tyler's favorite) and he agreed. So, we dropped off kids and came home to weave a story in a game.

I thought it was just too funny that Tyler landed on a gym membership, had to pull a life card, and it actually stated he won a marathon!  What are the odds?

 

 

I won the first time but he had the highest salary. The second time we both got more into the game, reading out the life cards, and letting our imaginations run wild. I was a computer technician making fifty thousand dollars a year. Tyler was an entertainer, living in a trailer, making ninety thousand dollars. I ended up married with a son... he never took a wife but had a daughter. In the end, we competed on buying stocks.

 

 

I know I shouldn't take enjoyment in sickness, but I truly enjoy bonding with the little man that prefers his daddy. We still need to get his "all About Me" done by tomorrow, his book report is due tomorrow, and the rest of his homework. Letting him rest on the couch for a while to regain his strength (he's been throwing up, coughing, and so far no temp today).

 

 

It is so fun to play board and card games with Tyler! He has fun playing, doesn't get mad like Anthony if he looses, and looks at the bright side of everything. Last night, Anthony had such a competitive spirit about him, he threw a fit over loosing to his dad at cards (War). Thankfully, once all calmed down, Anthony apologized to his father for being such a poor sport.

 

It's been kind of nice that the boys are getting older and more into playing games with us. I love the conversations, bonding, and use of imaginations (or strategies).

Chef Tyler

 

We encourage our children to find interests, to follow their dreams, and learn new things...

 

 

Our lil' Tyler did amazing as he chopped up pieces of sausage.

 

 

He cracked open eggs, scrambled them, and did a remarkable job.

 

 

He even got a chance to use the stove, with adults watching of course, but he loves this new freedom! We're trying to teach him new life skills.

 

 

Breakfast sandwich, with eggs, sausage, and cheese on an English muffin. He did wonderful, cooking the sausage on low (starting it first), than cooking the eggs, and his daddy helped him with everything.

 

 

Eating his creations is his favorite part of cooking! He has two loving and supportive parents. But we're grateful to have such a great child in our lives. He decided the night before that he was going to make breakfast for everyone the following morning... to do a "nice deed". We love how he is always doing acts of kindness...

Tic Tac Toe

Our youngest child is only five years old and we couldn't be more proud of him. He's extremely intelligent and rivals even adults in what would seem like a simple game of tic-tac-toe. He'll actually thinks about his next move, how to trick you, and gets this insanely cute giggle when he wins. He loves playing checkers too (only five years old). I adore that amazingly little boy snicker. I wonder what would come of having him learn how to play chess... if he is a good adversary with innocent games, imagine his potential. He thrives on competition, he loves to earn money (allowance), and he has a huge heart.

 

We are absolutely blessed to have him in our lives... ~*Thank God*~

New Years Resolutions

This year we added "New Years Resolutions" to our conversations with the kids. Where we make goals and decisions to become better people. It is a first for the little ones...

 

In years past we'd all go to bed early and set the alarm clock for that lucky "kiss". This year, my husband and I were talking about resolutions. Normally we don't bother making them much less talking about them. After all, we work on a continuous basis to be better people. This year, for the first time I am going to make it a point to reduce stress. I want to learn ways to bring more harmony to our household.

 

My kids wrote down their New Years Resolutions... ~*Cheers*~

 

HAPPY 2013... may it bring peace, harmony, and a prosperous new year.

 

.~*~._.~*~._.~*~._.~*~._.~*~._.~*~._.~*~.

 

PBS

http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/article-winter-making-new-years-resolutions-with-your-child.html

 

Happy Wink

http://www.happywink.org/newyearfestival/new-years-resolutions-for-kids.html

 

Harvard Homemaker

http://www.harvardhomemaker.com/resolutions-for-kids

 

New Years Printable

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2012/12/new_year_resolutions

Happy New Year... 2013

The New Year started to ring in the night before, as the news stations added in the last of the bad news. A shooting in Old Sacramento, fireworks on hold in West Sacramento, and families told festivities are canceled. We actually took into consideration that our boys might enjoy the experience. I'm not glad we chose against going because one person ruined it for everyone. We obviously don't hang around bars so we would have been safe. The reality is that we would have paid for parking, had the night cut short, and traffic without first seeing the night sky light up. I hope next year is better...

 

 

*Crockpot Cooking*... ~*Mmm*~

 

 

 

We end each year with black-eyed peas, hammock, spices, and greens. Thankfully I have two crockpots, so we also bring in the year the same. We eat other foods normally, but the soup is there to eat through out the day. May we bring forth a prosperous new year!!!

 

 

 

The boys stayed awake with little effort. My husband had already gone to bed and set his alarm to wake in time to celebrate with the boys. Which means I was left to not just entertain but keep them out of trouble. The longer they stay up, the more irritated they become, and the more they act out. Normal behavior for children their age. We survived; they had on their hats, pulled the string on poppers, and blew the cardboard horns...

 

HAPPY NEW YEARS... 2013

 

~*Applause*~ ... ~*Cheers*~ ... ~*Praise*~

 

May 2013 bring forth prosperity, goals reached, and many more happy memories. I look forward to more quality time with those that matter the most...