Archives for December 2011

Overthinking iPad 2 Cases

12.31.11

{Ya’ll, I received products to review for this post. The opinions I share about using these products are my own. I use affiliate links in this post. So, if you decide to make a purchase through my links, Amazon will pay me a commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional.}

It’s official.

I’m a bona fide overthinker.

One week into iPad ownership and 7 cases later, my overthinking has reached an all new level.

And, to save you from your own overthinking, I’m going to share mine with you–in video form no less.

Make fun of my anal retentiveness or take advantage of my research so that you only have to bring one case into your home. Your choice.

The Addycase – good iPad 2 case for families with really young kids who find the home button irresistible. It’s pretty heavy though.

The Trident Kraken case – well known company with a well known iPad 2 case marketed towards families. But, not my fave.

The Ekto 2 from Uzibull – good case for older kids who need a protective case but don’t want one that shouts “My mom made me get this big ole case to protect my iPad.” Not my fave though.

The iGuy stand-up case from Speck – pretty much a gimmick, but I may just have to keep him around because he’s so darn cute.

The Big Grips case and stand – The case isn’t my favorite because of the entire back exposed and difficulty getting to the ports. The stand is helpful though.

M-Edge Super Shell case in Atomic Green – good case at a great price but I honestly miss seeing more of the back of the iPad (I’m an apple junkie who likes the back…I know…weird). And, it’s hard–my kids could use this thing as a weapon if they wanted to (and weapons are popular here).

iLatch – Classy white leather case with clip-on dealies that are fantastic when you need them (think side of pack ‘n play when you need your little one to nap at Grandma’s or the stroller handlebar when you are trying some new duds on in the dressing room).

Gripcase – handles on all 4 sides that are perfect for both little and big grippers alike. Love the lightweight EVA foam which is safe even for kids who tend to chew stuff. Also love that the screen truly doesn’t need any protection because it sits low enough in the case to never touch any surface. My kids could bowl with the Gripcase and the iPad will be totally safe. (I know, they’ve tried.) *My fave*

Here’s to a new year of lots of productive and stress-free overthinking…for me at least.

UPDATE as of April 2013

We have officially fallen for the Gripcase—and it’s Gripbase stand (so much so that I’m doing some marketing work for them now). LOVE being able to stand it up on the counter while charging, stand it up for viewing, rest my phone or stylus in the back. It’s the best on the market for schools and families—and that’s why I’m helping them spread the word.

Pierced and Inked

12.30.11

It was one of those what-were-we-thinking moments.

I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears pierced. It’s a rite of passage. I practically counted down the days until I was allowed to get them pierced.

But, Ashlyn wanted them pierced…now. Months ago, we said no. She asked when. We said when we felt like she was responsible enough to take care of her ears as well as oodles of little earrings she would no doubt accumulate.

When we were deciding what experience gift to give her for Christmas, we decided this would be it. I mean, why wait? She’s pretty responsible. And, there’s no real reason why we have to make her wait. Haven’t read anything that says a girl has to be a certain age.

But, seeing her sitting there in that seat waiting for the big moment, I was thinking we may have made a mistake.

She’s 7 years old. And, getting her ears pierced would make her look years older – 10 years older, I’m sure. Okay, maybe only 8 or 9 years older.

What’s next?

Don’t answer that.

This was the worst it got. No blood. No tears. Not even a rating more than 1 on the pain scale, so she told the 8 year old waiting to age 10 years herself.

My little girl, looking all grown up, with her sweet dainty little pink pearl earrings.

And, you know what, I kind of like them on her after all.

But, Drew’s new look he greeted us with when we got home?

Nope. This mama has to draw the line somewhere.

My favorite things

12.29.11

Brown paper packages tied up with ribbons

AND a super cute tea kettle to replace the boring silver one I left on the burner too long.

A very generous gift from Gran for our whole family…

One Mark really appreciates for the kids’ sake, but one he says he’ll never use.

But, my favorite gift of all was one that made me cry.

Remember this?

Weeks earlier, as Lydia and I walked Evan and Ashlyn to school, Lydia asked to go with them. The big kids and I laughed and started talking about what their day might be like if Lydia (aka our Chinese Curious George) joined them.

A few days later, Ashlyn won a Bingo game in school and chose the prize of a Mickey Mouse shaped pencil, one she was pretty excited about. But, then she got an idea. So, she asked her teacher if she could trade her already sharpened pencil for something else–a blank book. And, so she gave up her prize and went to work so she could give us something very special.

Yup, I cried. Of course I did. And, I smiled till my cheeks hurt and gave lots of hugs.

And, though I’m an undeniable apple addict and may get warm fuzzies when I think about my brand new iPad 2 and all the neat cases, apps, and add-ons to try, my little handmade story written using a plain old No. 2 pencil makes my heart skip a beat.

And, hearts skipping beats tops warm fuzzies any day.

Ahhh….Christmas

12.29.11

Every Christmas is fun. Even kidless, Christmases were fun. But, with kids, Christmas is fun. And, this year, well, it may have been the most fun of all the Christmases I can remember.

A big ole breakfast we ate together before opening gifts.

A family devotion over breakfast discussing why Jesus was born as a baby, to go to the cross.