Computer games for preschoolers? Of course!

If your child is interested in games and computers, there are plenty of free sites you can go to.
This is the place where we usually go to find the links to old favourites and new games, but I'll be adding a few separately as well.

Craymachine is a web toy created by Orange, it isn't really designed for kids, but Emily here likes it. Basically, every letter key makes a funny sound and a little animation/shape, like falling raingdrops, cheeping birds, drums etc. Press Ctrl and + (on number pad) together to make the square bigger (and Ctrl and - afterwards), before you click on it.

Paint like Jackson Pollock is a Flash animation created by Miltos Manetas, and it's incredibly fun and easy. All you have to do is move the mouse around the screen to see different splats appear (the faster you move the smaller they are). Click the left mouse button to change colour, and press Enter to refresh to a clear page. Also, press F11 to get rid of all the toolbars and have a full screen of "canvas" to paint on. Pressing F11 again brings toolbars back.

Few days ago we discovered a new page with games, the Fungooms. It's full of little simple games, but they do require mouse. There are 5 characters, each of them have their own "room" which has about 5 games in it. You can plant, water and pick tomatoes, play a big trombone-like instrument, tickle babies with a duster etc. Emily's favourite is the singing frogs one. Every time you complete a special action (click on all the water lily leaves) or finish the game (pick a basket full of tomatoes), you get a star. The music is nice and not annoying even after quite a long time, IMO. I really like this page. After just a few days, I have noticed that Emily's mouse skills have gone up quite a lot, and she has learnt to deal with frustration. Previously, if she couldn't get or do something straight away, she would start crying and run away, and sulk in a corner. Now she whines a few seconds and tries again. Definitely check this site out. :)

If your kid is very good with a mouse, or a bit older, you could try Octonauts games (they have a few printable colour-in pictures too) or Orisinal, full of beautiful, gentle, mouse-controlled games.

If you have a bit of money to spend, you could try I Spy or Can You See What I See? games. These are based on the book series, and are HOGs, hidden object games, where you have to find a list of items on beautifully set up photo scenes. Every time you click on an item, it will move and make a fun sound. You can get them from Big Fish Games, for example, where you can also download a trial and play free for an hour to see whether you like it. (If you decide to buy, don't forget to join the Game Club, which means you get 30% off every game you buy, plus daily deals etc. When you join, you get billed for one credit straight away, but you can cancel any time - straight after buying the game with your credit, if you wish. Honestly I'm not advertising them here for the sake of it. :)

Have fun!

tuskel,
sincerely

*falls over laughing*

If you have EVER edited photos in some photomanip program or simply seen street adverts or read magazines, then check out this. It's hilarious. I promise.

http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/

Kerli,
sincerely

I bloody fancy James May.

He just ticks all my boxes. Long hair, patient, a bit nerdy, a lot older than me. He reminds me of my ex's best friend and my flatmate at some point, who I had a crush on. And he looks a bit like my hubby (who is 41, I am 25, btw. bet you didn't expect that! :D), only his hair is more curly and he cuts it more often. Which I don't like, but he cannot be a hairy rocker where he works. Boo!

But, back to James May. I just loved Top Gear this time, with all the race and the silliness of the blonde model. Hee! But James was cute and patient and nerdy. I'd love to take him home and wash his hair. *shivers* *drools*

Kerli,
giggly

About Life, The Universe And A Blog Giveaway

After a few days I actually have some time to post again. Well, I have to write about the parcel I received in the destash swap.


It is very cute! All the browns and greens are exactly my taste and I would gladly marry the corduroy! :D And cute ribbons... I don't even want to use them! :) I've never had a pair of handbag handles before, but they have definitely given me a few ideas now. Thanks, DinkyDaisy! :)

We went to Bookbarn on Monday and got loads and loads of books! We spent there 5 hours, I think! Emily had fun as well, crawling around between the shelves like in a big maze! Oh how many exclamation marks there are now! :O Here are all the books we found and took with us to give them a new home:


And as you can see from this picture, the pile is almost as tall as Emily is! :P


Yes, you can tell we love science fiction. All the Clifford D. Simak books were picked by me, but I quite like Poul Anderson, so I'll be nicking them off hubby! ;) I recommend Far Side to everyone, and the book about boxes is just too cute.

And now to the giveaway: Guess how much the pile of books cost, comment and you can win these three beauties:

I will soon have them in my shop too, or at least some that are very similar, since they are handdrawn.

You have time until 19.07 23.59. :)

Kerli,
sincerely

My God... Cbeebies is so surreal!

Watch this... PC Plum's Clue song from Balamory in the style of Queen... :D



When I saw this the first time I almost wet myself...

Kerli,
sincerely

Destash swap, anyone?

Come on, you hoarders, yes, you know who you are! Let's air our cupboards/shelves/chests! :D And make space for some more things. :)

I have lately discovered quite a few things I once bought but haven't used at all (or very little) so I've decided to organise a destash swap. Are you in? Think and look around for a few days and then tell me:

Your name and address with postcode (of course!)
Your email address
Your destash discipline (that would be the things you have the most to give away)
Your receiving discipline (if it is any different from the things you give away)

For example, I don't use much paper nowadays, but I have lots of scrapbook and handmade paper to give away, and I have never done anything with big glass beads. I would like to get some textiles - ideally upcycled, so get your rag bags out for me! :P

Then start fillig your boxes! :)

Ideas:
Buttons, interesting pictures/ papers/ pages from books, pieces of fabric, odd balls of yarn, embroidery thread, postcards, doodles, sequins, something you have made, sweets to help with thinking (who doesn't like chocolate?), beads, ribbons, embellishments, patterns, whatever you find lying around and think your swap partner could use, really!

My address is vintage.paperdoll at gmail.com

Let's give it a week or so (let's say until 30th of June) and then I'll email you with the name and address of your swap partner. I think there might be some three-way swapping as well, since things you give and receive may not be of the same discipline.

Take care and tidy up your house! :)

Kerli,
sincerely