Plants vs. Zombies - The Family Video Game Night Feature This Week

Family video game night is a big deal around our house.  We make popcorn and milk shakes.  A tremendous amount of planning goes in to finding a game that the entire family wants to watch or participate in.  Okay, so the kids do most of the planning, but my husband and I retain veto power.  Angry Birds, Lego Star Wars and My Sims Kingdom have recently been featured in our family video game nights.  

A couple weeks ago my youngest started lobbying for us to download Plants vs. Zombies to our iPhones so he could play.  One of his friends at school had told him about the game.  So, when I was approached to do a review of the game for the PS3, I honestly thought, I'd sit and watch the kids play a bit, then write a review about how much THEY loved the game.  Um... I couldn't have been more wrong.  Yes, the kids LOVE the game, but after we downloaded the game from the Sony Playstation online store, it was my husband that refused to give up the controller.  I think the game was being played by someone in the house for 4 hours straight as soon as we downloaded it (everyone was taking turns).  Talk about addictive!  It's right on par with Angry Birds and some of the other games that are hugely popular.

One of the things that cracks me up the most is the "notes" that are left by the zombies with such phrases as "Please leave your doors unlocked and yard unguarded".   The notes really crack me up.  It's pretty lighthearted so you don't have to worry about it being inappropriate for younger kids as they simply won't get the meaning of Zombies in this colorful cartoonish game.

What I love about this game is it forces you to build strategy, quick thinking skills and is just plain fun for the family to do together.  I should also point out that within two weeks of release on the Playstation Network, this game was already a top new release with an average rating of 4.86 stars out of 5.  Note it currently costs $14.99 on the Playstation Network (but is still well below the cost of most video games).  I love how you can download the game instantly and don't have to head out to a store to buy it!

*Note:  I was given a free review copy of the game to facilitate this post, but I'm sure we will be purchasing this game for the iPhones on our own shortly, if my husband hasn't already that is... So it is safe to say that hasn't impacted my opinions in the above post!  My husband is actually playing the game as I write this...

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8 Great App Games Under $1

So everyone who knows me knows I am addicted to my iPhone.  I really don't know how I lived without it.  But recently I've noticed the kids are maneuvering to snag my iPhone when I leave it unattended.  They LOVE the Apps.  I also can't tell you how many times those Apps have come in handy (waiting at the doctors office, in line at the grocery store, on a road trip, you name it...).

I have actually created a special games page on my iPhone so I can just hand the kids my phone while I am focusing on something else for a few minutes (like driving!).

Whether you're taking a road trip this holiday season with kids, heading to Grandma's house or just heading down the street... take advantage of some temporary price reductions on these FANTASTIC App games by Konami (and we all remember how much my boys loved Frogger!).  They are each less than $1 so they will also make your iTunes gift card gifts stretch that much further... The price reductions will be good until Jan. 4th, 2010 - so enjoy! (Note that not all of the games mentioned below are for kids, but most of them are and the descriptions of the games were provided by Konami, not written by me)

• Tomena Sanner - As businessman Hitoshi Susumu, players are on a mission to race against the clock while avoiding obstacles like T-Rexes, samurais and cowboys that get in their way in order to reach their ultimate dance party destination.

• Field Prowlers POLICE RUSH! - In this exciting car chase game, players assume the role of a police officer sworn to protect and serve by chasing down criminals and arresting them.

• Frogger - Help guide one of Konami's most beloved characters safely across the highway while avoiding oncoming traffic and other obstacles.

• Silent Hill: The Escape - Enter the fear-provoking town of Silent Hill where players must solve puzzles, uncover dark secrets and gather clues to avoid grotesque monsters and survive.

• Krazy Kart Racing - Pick one of ten classic Konami heroes and speed across 16 themed racing circuits in this 3D cartoon styled racer.

• DanceDanceRevolution S - In this addictive music rhythm game, choose from up to three gameplay modes with 26 songs and 18 playable characters.

• DanceDanceRevolution S+ - Groove in classic DDR style, but with an added bonus of being able to download new tunes to tap to on the go.

• Power Pros Touch - Experience the crowd cheers, fight songs and over 120 variations of play-by-play baseball commentary as players chose from 25 to 162 game seasons.

*I received zero compensation for this post.  :)

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Tide Pooling Time in Orange County!

One of our favorite family adventures in Southern California is Tide pooling. I’m always surprised to hear how many SoCal residents haven’t taken the time to go. Maybe it’s because I’m such a beach lover that it has naturally rubbed off on my children, who knows. But I’ve always found that I start to get the itch to go to the beach if it’s been more than a week or two. There’s just something about the sound of the waves crashing on the beach and the sweet smell of the ocean mist. Whatever it is – I’m hooked!

As I was “surfing” through the App store on my iPhone I found this really cool App called Tide Graph by Brainware. I downloaded it and have got to say it is pretty cool! Whether you’re a surfer, beachgoer or boater, this little App will definitely come in handy. What it allows you to do is find the tides according to your location (using GPS) and it tells you in real time where the tide is at (in feet) and shows you the wave curves so you easily know whether the tide is coming in our going out. No more guessing or having to look it up on the internet before going to the beach – it’s all right there on your phone!

And for those thinking “Oh, Cool! ... but I don’t have an iPhone!” Here are a few of the best times to go tide pooling here in Orange County, CA over the next week or so. (I’ll try an continue to post these under the Tides archive tag, so check back if you’re looking to go tide pooling.)

-Saturday 8/8/09- Low tide is at 5:04 pm and the tide will have dropped about 3 feet from it’s peak, so it should be a good one.

-Sunday 8/9/09- Low tide is at 5:30 am and 5:45 pm. If you’re game to get up early, I’d head out there at 8 am, the tide will be coming back in, but will still be pretty low after a high tide overnight.

-Monday 8/10/09- Almost the same as 8/9/09 with the tide not being quite a low.

-Tuesday 8/11/09- Low tide is at 7:43 pm and this is following a really high tide, so there should be some really cool tide pooling and a beautiful sunset to match!

Happy Tide Pooling!

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Easy Pizza Dough!

Even I Can Make THIS Pizza Dough…

Okay, so it’s no secret around our house – my home made pizza dough’s leave something to be desired. I admit it. I’ve tried, but there always seems to be something wrong and most of the time it’s the dough. Grrrr. I don’t have to make pizza all that often, but I REALLY want to be able to make a good pizza.

Last week, I found a great App on my iPhone for the Epicurious website. While playing around the other day found an easy enough looking recipe for Pizza Dough, it sounded too delicious. I had to try it. The biggest difference from most of the recipes I have tried is the length of time the dough rises and the amount of yeast. I made it for dinner last night and for the first time EVER, I received a two thumbs up from the entire family!!! The Epicurious iPhone App is awesome!

OC Mom Chef Note: I let the dough rise an extra 30 minutes once placed on the cookie sheets, this made them super light and airy, and it was awesome! I also did not hand knead the dough, I used the hook on my Kitchen Aid mixer. Only problem with this recipe was there was a lot of rising time, so I had to be home most of the afternoon while it rose, but it was worth it!

Pizza Dough Courtesy of Epicurious
Yield: Makes 2 pounds
Active Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 3/4 hr
Adapted from a recipe by chef Chris Bianco, of Pizzeria Bianco, in Phoenix, this dough bakes up crisp and chewy.

Ingredients
2 (1/4-ounces) packages active dry yeast
4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, divided, plus additional for dusting
2 cups warm water (105–115&Deg;F), divided
2 teaspoons salt

Preparation
Make dough:
Whisk together yeast, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1/2 cup warm water in a measuring cup and let stand until mixture develops a creamy foam, about 10 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)

Stir together salt and 3 cups flour in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and remaining 1 1/2 cups warm water and stir until smooth, then stir in 1 cup more flour. If dough sticks to your fingers, stir in just enough flour (up to 3/4 cup), a little at a time, to make dough just come away from side of bowl. (This dough may be wetter than other pizza doughs you have made.)

Knead dough on a lightly floured surface with floured hands, lightly reflouring work surface and your hands when dough becomes too sticky, until dough is smooth, soft, and elastic, about 10 minutes.

Divide dough in half and form into 2 balls, then generously dust balls all over with flour and put each in a medium bowl. Cover bowls with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

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Educational Must-Have App for Kids!

As I am sure you have guessed by now, I have a new obsession – my iPhone. But I am proud to say that my iPhone has now crossed the threshold and become an educational asset! As I sat here this morning, raking my brain for ways to help my boys get ahead educationally over the summer without them feeling like I was cramming it in to them, it dawned on me… There must be an App for that! Sure enough there are and several of them at that!

Brett is now entering 2nd grade and one of our biggest hurdles this last year was his math skills. He is great at math and grasps concepts well, but our challenge was improving his speed for the testing. They practice something called “Rocket Math” in their classes. Rocket math is basically a half sheet full of 40 simple math problems (they have different levels of complexity) and the students are given one minute once a week to complete the test. First grade is more of a practice from my understanding, but second grade is s different story. Brett did a fantastic job of getting them correct, but was always falling a few problems short in the given time frame. I really needed a simple and fun way to give him the practice at home. I also knew that Kyle would also need the same practice this upcoming year.

After a brief search I found the Math Flash Cards by One Moxie App. Within minutes I had it installed (for a nominal 1.99 charge on iTunes) and had Brett practicing away on my iPhone. The Math Flash Cards App is basically just flash cards with multiple choice answers that keep accuracy and time. Exactly what we needed! After less than 15 minutes practicing Brett had increased his speed by 25%. It is completely customizable so you can set the number of cards, the difficulty and they type (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).

I am a super busy working mom and something this is fantastic to be able to help my boys prepare for the next school year and save me time! Love it Love it Love it! It is a must have for all elementary aged kids!

Don't have an iPhone? Don't want to switch to AT&T? Buy an iPod Touch and you can use all the Apps without the hassle! You can buy one here:

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iPhone App

Okay, so I know I haven't been very good about posting lately, life has been hectic! But I'm resolving to get back to serious posting again!

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I finally gave in an joined the iPhone crowd. Oh yes, I was fighting this one, but he just kept persisting.

Immediately, I knew I was in trouble... and now just two weeks later I can't imagine what life was like without the iPhone. But there has been one particular app that has made the ENTIRE switch worthwhile... The Disneyland Walkee iGuide app. This one is an absolute must have for any Disneyland visitor! I would have paid far more than the $2.99!

As you know, we are avid Disney (freaks) with annual passes who tend to go *ahem* about once a week on average. And no, I'm not kidding about that. We LOVE going to Disneyland and we make the effort every time we have the chance. The one thing that drives my husband absolutely crazy about Disneyland is the lines- he HATES them. That is exactly why I took the boys alone on the first day that the Finding Nemo ride was open, knowing full well there was zero chance of getting my husband to wait in the 3 1/2 hour long line. I left it up to the boys as to whether we would wait in the line and they were determined to ride it that day! So we waited for 3 1/2 hours in 90 something degree heat. And then we went back again just a couple of days later and waiting in the line AGAIN. You should have seen the laughter from the Castmembers as we got on the ride (for the 4th time) when they found out that my boys had already "found Nemo" 3 times and the ride had only been open for two weeks... For those that aren't aware, the waits for the ride were insane for months after the ride opened!

Last Sunday we got up early and had breakfast at the Carnation cafe on Main Street (LOVE the Mickey shaped waffles!) and plotted out our rides according to the wait times we found for the rides on our new Walkee iGuides. It made for a fantastic time because we knew how long the ride waits were for each ride before heading over there! The coolest part of the day was seeing that there was a nine minute wait for the Matterhorn (was only 5 minutes by the time we got in line), so we bolted over there after riding Big thunder Mountain. As we were waiting in line and scoping out the waits on the other rides, I saw another couple immersed in their iPhones! I smiled and asked if they were using the Walkee guide also. Sure enough they were! How cool is that?

You can bet from here on out I will plan my next trip to Disneyland according to how long the lines look on the Walkee iGuide and diligently enter our own wait times after each and every ride.

Love that there's "an app for that!"

Don't have an iPhone or don't want to switch to AT&T? That's an easy one, buy an iPod Touch and get all the fun of the Apps, without the hassle of switching! You can buy one here:

Family Travel Tips
Anaheim

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