What's App: Kids Song All - 220 Songs by KYK

Aside from the usual stuffed toys that you bring along during your trip, what would be the other sources of entertainment for your kid? Just like everyone else, most children are also captivated by the pleasant sound of  music. When on the road, you could either have your little one's favorite CD on nursery rhymes play on the background. If your car is equipped with an audio-video system, you can load videos of Barney singing until you can't shake the lyrics off your head.

With today's technology, the iPad (also the iPhone and iPod) has become a multi-function gadget for everyone in the family. Aside from browsing my emails and the net, I interact with my 5-month old baby with the aid of some apps. Together with the baby flashcards app I previously wrote about, I found another baby-friendly app which can calm down your little ones anytime, anywhere.

Nursery rhymes collection arranged alphabetically

Traveling with the Kids: 5 Tips to Remember

Not only do November 1st marks All Saints' Day, but it also reminds us that Christmas is just around the corner. Yay! :) I am so excited I can't stop imagining all the food, gifts, parties and family bondings. Of course, these family bondings would include travel with the kids. Double yay!

Family Christmas Holiday 2010
(photo from Tito T)

Buen Family: Author, SJ and JF.

SI was still in the author's tummy. 

(photo by Tito T)

What's App: All-in Yoga HD

Right after the first time I attended a yoga class, I became a fanatic. I instantly loved it not because I have to keep up with the “in” thing but I found out it really does wonders. I frequently complain about back aches and a good massage would never fail to soothe me. I was unaware that the practice of yoga would alleviate the pain in a more lasting level.

This favorable effect immediately made yoga a very personal choice for my fitness routine. However, now that I recently gave birth, I find it hard to attend a yoga class because of mama duties that I have to fulfill first. It is just fortunate that there’s an iPad app that lets me practice just like the way I used to.

The All-in Yoga HD: 200 Poses and Yoga Classes developed by Arawella Corporation is the closest approximation of an iPad app to a real yoga class. There are ready made programs from which you can choose from.  What’s even more amazing is that there are different levels of difficulty so that you can make the most out of your practice. It even has a pose data base containing over 250 poses with accompanying instructions, photos and videos for perfect execution.

Yoga Classes from All-in Yoga HD iPad App

What's App: Baby Flash Cards from eFlashApps

I would like to think I am a techie. Not because I am well-versed in tinkering with any software or hardware. I just enjoy using every piece of gadget that I have. As a matter of fact, I've had my iPhone for almost two years now and model upgrades later, I am still using it. I don't think I'll find a better phone than this.. well, except for a newer model but that's not in mind at the moment.

The latest "toy" I bought was also an Apple gadget which is the iPad 2. It took me several days dreaming about it. My husband, JF, told me if I really need it and I can pay for it, then by all means, I should buy it. Though I haven't given much thought on JF's words of wisdom, I bought it without hesitation. Now, not only do I love my iPhone but I also love my iPad 2 as much. Little girls, 9-year-old SJ and 4-month-old SI both feel the same way as I do. Yes, that's right. My 4-month-old has her own set of apps too!

The first set of apps I downloaded from iTunes are baby friendly. Never did I knew that moms nowadays do utilize the iPad to entertain their kids. I found the eFlashApps' Baby Flash Cards app very nice. So did SI. You can see her ear-to-ear smile as soon as she hears the word "APPLE" until the last flash card "ZUCHINNI." I am so entertained in return.

Baby Flash Cards start-up screen grabbed from their website