Learning on the iPad

Uncle Tommy brought Ellie a PINK stylus for the iPad a few weeks ago and tonight we finally took it out.  I had an app already that was for handwriting but it didn't interest Ellie so I deleted it.  I re-downloaded it tonight and she LOVED it.  The best part is it rates how you write by giving stars.  Ellie practiced and practiced letters until she got three stars.  I wonder how this will apply to real life pencil and paper.  We'll try that after she's mastered the app :) I swear the kid learns so well on the iPad.  I know there are people that are against "screen time" for little kids but I am not one of those parents.  Ellie loves the iPad and uses it at night before bed, and only educational apps or Netflix.  She smoothly navigates the home screen and new apps are like gold for her.  If you don't know of the app called "Apps Gone Free" you should get it.  There are lots of educational apps for children posted, so I rarely pay for apps that should cost money.  Anyway, here is a video of Ellie's first time using the writing app with the stylus.  Thanks for watching and reading.

Family Fun

A few years ago, when I didn't have an iphone, we had the Flip video recorder.  It was great- took great videos and plugged right into the computer.  Life with an iphone is much easier.  All I need to do is hit a button and my video goes to youtube (and then to here!) The next videos are of our family having fun!! Although the Ellie videos are funny, these are my favorite videos.

Our Sweet Boy

Evan is what Ellie was at 13 months...sweet, innocent, calm...It is such a joy to watch him learn and grow.  It is much different raising Evan than it was to raise Ellie.  He has a favorite teacher and it's not me or James! Just recently, he has started to mimic more consistently.  He knows how to answer "what does a dog say?...wolf say?...duck say?" It's so cool to watch a brain develop.  Anyway, here are some Evan-centric videos. I guess I like to video him while he eats!

Singing and Dancing Queen

As you probably can guess, Ellie has a thing for dramatics.  She enjoys singing, dancing, and putting on "shows".  Sometimes, I can even get it on video (but most often she doesn't sing in front of the camera!) Here, we have Ellie singing, dancing and/or acting.

We bring the crazy.

Hey all! I've been posting some funny videos on Facebook of Ellie being Ellie. Many people have requested to see more videos and so here we are. I just want to post a disclaimer here. I call my family The Great Duffy Circus. Whenever we go, we go together in a whirl of craziness and happiness.  We make big messes and certainly don't clean them up right away. We are loud because we are having fun. As parents, we feel that our job is to nurture two little brains by providing them opportunities to imagine, problem solve and have a sense of humor (take a joke as well as play a joke).  Our kids climb and fall- hard. But they get back up and continue on. This video blog (vlog?) is going to be filled with videos of our life. Please laugh with us but don't judge our parenting style, messy house, or disheveled kids. Thank you and enjoy. XxooL