“Be the DJ” With Crayola’s New Music Creation App Crayola DJ!

“Be the DJ” With Crayola’s New Music Creation App Crayola DJ!

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Does your child love making music? Let them “Be the DJ” with Crayola’s new music creation app Crayola DJ! Designed with kids ages 6-10 in mind, this easy-to-use app helps little ones create fun music mixes of their own while also learning some of the basic elements of digital music production. The Crayola DJ app features over 100 exclusive tracks for your kids to mix and match in any way they want– and since these tracks are created by professional DJ’s, you know that they’ll not only blend well, but give kids the proper groundwork and creative freedom to invent professional-sounding remixes of their own! Recently my eight year old daughter tested out the new app. I was not sure if she would enjoy it or not. She has never really experienced creating or mixing music. Minutes after putting it into her hands she was hooked and even showing me how to work it. The directions were simple and easy to follow. She was creating her own tunes and even brought up a two player mode so we could play together. My eight year old gives this app a double thumbs up!

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After kids are satisfied with the tracks they’ve created on Crayola DJ‘s highly-interactive turntable interface, they can save their music to play again or share whenever they want– and they can also perform it! With just the push of a button, the app transitions from creation mode to performance mode, putting the player on stage to scratch at the turntable, add sound effects, and even create a pulse-pounding light show. As they wow the audience with lights and music, your little DJ’s earn points– the more pumped up the crowd gets, the more points your child gets toward beating their latest high score!

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As a final bonus, kids can compete against their friends and family with Crayola DJ‘s two-player mode, also accessed via a simple button press from the app’s main screen. The competitive mode puts DJs head to head in a battle for the audience’s applause as each player tries to build off of the other’s mix while adding their own personal flair.
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The brand new Crayola DJ app (available on Google Play for Android phones and tablets for $4.99 now, and coming to the iTunes Store/iOS for the same price in June)  is tons of fun for kids of all ages. Whether your kids already “know the ropes” of music or they’re just beginning to take an interest in music production,this app caters to learners on every level– and is a BLAST just to play with too!

Disclosure: Crayola DJ app is a sponsored post. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com and everywhere else as @3decades3kids. 
 

The Briefcase – Would You Share? @TheBriefcaseCBS

The Briefcase Premieres May 27th 8pm on CBS

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The Briefcase is a new reality show created and produced by David Broome- The Biggest Loser, and Faye Stapleton. From the minute I heard about The Briefcase I was completely taken. Most of us middle-classers have wondered more than once what it would be like to just receive a bag (or in this case a briefcase) of money. Just once it would be incredible to have a few extra bucks. “The Briefcase” will feature families that are going through financial setbacks and are given a large sum of money. For more info check out: http://www.cbs.com/shows/the-briefcase/

The arrival of The Briefcase is only the beginning of the story though. The show is set up that two hard working yet needy families each receive a breifcase. The families have no clue that the other has received an identical briefcase containing $101,000. The families immediately are in disbelief about the money being delivered and then euphoric at the reality that they now have a briefcase filled with hundred dollar bills. The families are then told they have to make decisions about the money. They can keep it all for themselves, or give all or part of it to another needy family. The families have 72 hours to decide what to do with the money.

During the 72 hours each family will be given more information about the other family’s circumstances and even visit their house to see how the other family lives. Recently, I was fortunate enough to watch the first episode screener. I was in tears by the end of the show just seeing the process each family went through trying to figure out what is really important in life and what money really means to them. When the show opened I immediately though that if this happened to me, I would probably keep MOST of the money. With three kids and hubby with health issues, I would have to consider what the money would do for our family. But, as the show went on I realized that the decisions made could have been ones my family would have also made. So, what would you do? Keep it all, Give it all, Keep a little , Give a little?

We had the pleasure of catching up with David Broome to find out where the show idea came from. Here’s what he had to say. “I like to make shows that have a transformational aspect to them whether they are emotional or physical transformations.  And I’ve always wanted to do something that dealt with values and what matters most in our life.  I was thinking of how to do that in an emotional and a dynamic way, and I used the lottery as an analogy.  Because we all have that dream that if we scratch off that lottery ticket and won, what would we do with that money.  If you have the opportunity to win that lottery with a mirror in your face and you have to look at your life through it.  At the end of the day, that’s what the show is all about.  This has nothing to do with the money.  The money plays a little part in this — what really matters is what matters most to you in your life.  What might you have, what might you be taking for granted as a person inside.”

Check out The Briefcase on CBS tonight at 8pm and Live tweet with us throughout the premiere!

 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com and everywhere else as @3decades3kids.

 

Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition Available Now!! #Nintendo

Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition

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How many people out there love these two fun guys? Mario and Luigi have been household names around here since I purchased the “Orginal” Gameboy many years ago. From that point on  Mario and Luigi have been household names around this place. When we were invited to check out the new game we could  not have been anymore excited!


First perk of this game is that you get TWO games, two full length games! That’s a big one in my book! My eight year old daughter was immediately taken by  Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. edition. I noticed that most people there started off by checking out the Mario Bros one. As time passed Emily still did not switch over and try Puzzle & Dragons Z. Then one of the gaming promotion team sat down by Em and explained that you could play Puzzle & Dragons Z as a GIRL! She immediately switched and it was game on!

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As if the day was not already spectacular, out walk Mario and Luigi! I cannot even begin to know what it was like for the kids- playing the game an out come the characters! The faces were priceless! It was a dream come true for any Mario Bros. fan! Check out all things Nintendo here: https://www.nintendo.com/

Recently the actual game arrived and could not be opened fast enough! Thank goodness the  New3dsXLs were charged up and ready to go! You would think with three players in the house, I would get a chance to play!!! Well, finally someone let me on and this game gets a thumbs up from parents, too! It is great for all ages. I’m pretty sure I am not the only parent obsessed with playing my kids’ video games!

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Puzzles & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros Edition is an all-new incredible puzzle game from Nintendo. These two addictive games are both included on one single cartridge, but have slight differences that keep the gameplay fresh. Puzzles & Dragons Z: Super Mario Bros stars the iconic characters that Mario fans have come to know and love, including Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and many more! Puzzle and Dragons Z introduces fans to a new universe in which we have never seen before. This game features towns and NPCs to interact with in a fully fleshed-out and deep role-playing game experience. When the two games are packaged together, they make a perfect combo for any road trip!

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Disclosure: Diane Sullivan is a Nintendo partner. All opinions are that of my own and my family. No compensation was given for this post. Media invite and Nintendo surprises are sent to our house in order to play the games we love! Thank you Nintendo. Contact us at 3decades3kids@gmail.com and @3decades3kids everywhere else.

Dorney Park – A Perfect Choice For This Summer! #SummerInPA

Kick Off This Summer At Dorney Park! What Could Be Better Than Summer In Pa?
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With Memorial Day Weekend right here, the start of summer is upon us– and there’s no better way to start off the summer than with a trip to Dorney Park! Our family recently took a trip out to Dorney Park, and it was a great time for everyone! My older sons LOVE to chase thrills on roller coasters like the 205-foot giant Steel Force and inverted coaster Talon, both perennial favorites, while my youngest is a huge fan of the park’s Planet Snoopy area. And of course, the whole family can get together and take a spin on Dorney Park’s classic rides like their Antique Carrousel, Whip, and more!
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With more than 50 rides and attractions, there’s something for everybody to enjoy at Dorney Park! For the adventure seekers in your family, Dorney Park has an assortment of exciting and unique thrill rides, including six different roller coasters, the exciting Revolution and Dominator, and the popular Cedar Point Ohio import Demon Drop. Dorney Park also boasts the record-breaking Hydra: The Revenge, a heart-pounding coaster that puts riders through thrills and spills like no other, most notably a 360-degree rotation as the cars leave the station! Make sure you check out the new addition while you are there- Cedar Crest Flyers! You will love it!
On the tamer side of things, Dorney Park’s Planet Snoopy is the perfect place for younger kids to play and explore. My daughter absolutely loves Snoopy. There is plenty to do in Planet Snoopy including an awesome show that features the characters and a meet and greet afterwards. While my older boys ride the biggies, I really enjoy staying as long as my youngest daughter wants to just going around Planet Snoopy! With a wide variety of rides, shows, and more based on the iconic Peanuts characters by Charles Schulz (like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock), Planet Snoopy is like a kids’ theme park of its own within Dorney Park!
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During this visit we tried something new. Dorney Park has a Food Plan. There are different choices, but with three boys in the pack, we went with the dine all day for one price. For $29.99 you can dine all day throughout the park. There is a variety of different kinds of park food available. You can grab something to eat every 90 minutes if you choose to. We used it for three meals during the day since we were there 10am-10pm. My middle son was SO happy that Subway sandwiches were included. The drink cup is not included in the meal plan, but you can purchase a drink all day cup in various locations. I would seriously recommend the dining plan. We generally spend $
Two tips about drinks: You can pre purchase the Drink All Day cup online before your trip and pay about $4 less just by bringing the voucher with you.
BIG TIP: If you are a water drinker like am you can buy the water 4/$10 at the walk up dining spots, But if you buy from the machines they are $4 each.
$50-70 per meal for our family of five, so it was great for us!
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We also checked out Dinosaurs Alive at Dorney Park. Dinosaurs Alive is not included with your park ticket. There is a fee of $5 to enter the massive area filled with about forty life like animatronic  dinosaurs. As you walk through you will really begin to believe they are real! It’s a wonderful experience for any dino fan!
Combining the adrenaline of top-class thrill rides with the charm of  Snoopy and friends and all the family fun of classic midway games and rides– and of course, the added bonus of Wildwater Kingdom!– Dorney Park is the place to be this summer! Check it all out here: https://www.dorneypark.com/
Disclosure: Diane Sullivan received complimentary passes to Dorney Park. No compensation was given for this post. All opinions are mine and true. This post is part of our #SummerInPA Family Travel Series. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com and everywhere else at @3decades3kids. Thank you for having us Dorney Park! We loved every minute of our trip and cannot wait to return. 3decades3kids.net #Roadtrip2fun Please follow us as we spend this summer in Pa!

Netflix Keeping Us Happy! #NetflixStreamTeam #H2OjustAddWater

Netflix May is Perfect For All of Our Favorites! We Found A Perfect Mother-Daughter Show- H2O Just Add Water!

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H2O Just Add Water is definitely at the top of my daughter’s Netflix favorites! I remember when the series came out years ago and how I tried to watch it. Of course  back then Emily was not born yet and I was a mom of two boys. Needless to say I did not get to watch more than a few minutes before the channel was switched on me. During the past few weeks Emily has been off and on  sick and spent some  days home on the couch. Thank goodness for Netflix!

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We love Netflix and live it on a daily basis. My kids use it more than live channels and I can see why. Personally, I have my own list going and honestly I love how everyone’s accounts are kept separate! I also love how it shows what was “Recently viewed” when you check into an account. I’m pretty sure my fifteen year old in not reading my blog, so it’s okay to say- I can peek in and SEE what he has recently viewed. (Please don’t tell him!!- Moms are obligated to check up these things right? Funny part is that  we have quite a few movies in common! I guess I know who I should be watching Netflix with next tim

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Neflix: H2O Just Add Water
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Love reading all the preview notes!

Anyway, when Emily brought up H2O Just Add Water, I pretty much could not believe it! Could my little almost tween really be into this? I had to let her watch and that, of course meant that I got to finally watch it, t00! So we cuddled up on the couch and hit that awesome Netflix button! We started back at Season 1 Episode 1 and we watched and watched. I’m not sure who loved it more- it really could have easily been me! I’m glad to see that I have passed on my mermaid obsession to my daughter. Of course I had to get my water spritz bottle and give Em a few sprays! Well, I needed to be sure she would not turn into a mermaid from coming into contact with water, right?

Watching Netflix- H2O Just Add Water

20150521_080450So, if you are into Mermaid stories, this is completely for you. In the series three friends become mermaids and also are granted magical powers. There is an awesome story line. One of the episodes we just watched showed sea turtles getting caught in nets. It was  great topic to chat with Emily about and most likely something we never would have talked about today.  So, it’s a double thumbs up! For everything Netflix, check it out here. https://www.netflix.com/us/

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan is a Netflix Stream Team member. No compensation was given for this post. Complimentary items have been received in order to view Netflix. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com and everywhere else as @3decades3kids.