Disclosure: If you make a purchase through the links posted below, I may receive a small compensation. Read the full disclosure.
It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Troubles. I’ve said it before (like every week), but this should be named “things i’m annoyed / confused / want to complain about”, however I couldn’t figure out how to make any of those into a snappy title, so Tuesday Troubles it is. And yes, I do realize that these aren’t true “troubles”. I know that many of these for sure could be defined as first world problems!
~So I am the Mystery Reader in L’s class next week (he’s going to be so excited) and am supposed to bring a short picture book (like no more than 10 minutes) to read to the kids. Any suggestions? Something the kids will love? They are in kindergarten by the way.
~So L, not unlike many boys his age, is really into video games. We have a Wii system that we have had for ages, but they just don’t have a ton of game options for Wii these days. Like he SO wants the Lego Movie video game, but that doesn’t exist for Wii. So if you are a “gamer” what do you recommend? We don’t need anything top of the line, but something that has a lot of options and that we can have for a while.
~House of Cards. Tell me everything. I have been hearing about it tons lately and am trying to decide if I should be watching this or not. It’s possible that B is / has watched the entire season without me knowing, but maybe I’d like it too? It could be a good show to get into this summer when everything else is reruns. Thoughts?
~When is the earliest in the season (remember it’s cold here still) that we can have a garage sale? Is it weird to have one in April? Should I wait till May? B and I are so anxious to get some stuff cleared out around here and want to do it asap. Also, do you think I can price baby / kids clothing the same at a garage sale as I would at like a Mom2Mom sale? Or do I have to price it lower? I really just want to get it out of my house so I would be okay either way!
~Laundry. That’s what is really troubling me today. How often do you do laundry? I do it once a week and it used to work out well and I’d get it all done quickly. Now? Not so much. I slack, ignore it, etc. There’s just SO much of it. How often do you do laundry? Do you think it’s easier to do a load at a time? I really like when everything is clean at one time, but then again, I hate spending hours folding laundry!
That’s it from here for now! What’s troubling you today?
Does L have Disney Infinity or Skylanders for Wii? I’m crazy about Disney Infinity, and I have friends with kindergarten age kiddos who say the same thing. It’s also a game he can grow into or won’t get sick of. It has a Sandbox mode that’s very similar to Minecraft. If he seems like he’s getting bored, the problem can be easily fixed by buying a 13 dollar figure to play with the game instead of a 60 dollar game. But seriously..if he likes Minecraft, it’s a winner winner chicken dinner.
That being said, The WiiU is a HUGE step above the Wii, and offers a ton of new games, they aren’t making new games for the Wii, only WiiU. If you are looking for something new entirely, check out the XBox with a Kinect. Xbox One comes with a Kinect and is more integrated, but you can pick up a used 360 and a kinect way cheaper at Game Stop. Kinect games are fun and interactive (If he’s willing to get off the couch while he plays!)
Basically, if you need to know anything about games, bitcoin, reddit, or a missing plane…clearly…I might have answers. #needalife.
It sounds like WiiU might be were it’s at for us! He isn’t into either of those, but I know they are super popular!!
He’s willing to get off the couch. He can’t sit down. LOL. He’s so serious about it.
Is dr seuss too over done? Are they too old for that by kindegarten now? Ask your librarian. My friend contacted wii about your same dilema. Always good to let them know your quandry as they take it very seriously and act on it. She didnt want to get new system but ended up with ps3 or newer and very happy with it and her kids thrilled. House of cards awsom but addictive, stayed up and watched all of it at once LOL. Ive done sales in the winter if the weather is good. The earlier the better cuz people are itchin to get out there and response is great cuz there are too few then and early in the season they buy buy buy and id price higher. Laundry as i get a full load not to waste energy or h2o and do it while im doing somethin else.
Good call on people wanting to get out there early in the season!!
and later like oct and before christmas its crazy and if i dont do my laundry that way id be buried beneath it LOL its happened
Too Hot to Hug is a very cute book about a pet dragon that keeps getting hotter and hotter. We found it at Barnes and Noble.
Thanks!
We have a PS3 and both N and C use it. We had a Wii that broke ok really C pushed 3 disc in there and it no longer worked. LOL but we really don’t miss it. The games are better for the PS3 and I can use it as a way to get Amazon Prime and Netflix 🙂
I think you could totally have a sale in April and price the same (so you only have to do it once) you can always give them a deal if they are buying multiple pieces.
Laundry I do load by load as needed. Kindof if I’m going to have time one day I do a load. Doing it all one day is just too much for me. I get bored of it so if I spread it out its kindof like dishes I don’t like doing them but its a small manageable dose.
For books what about a Pete the Cat book? N loves them here and they are pretty fast reads.
Oh that’s a good idea! I think we have one of those!
The problem with doing it all in one day is that I don’t and it just sits there for a few days in various stages of “laundry”.!
On the Garage Sale matter. Honestly, take a look on Facebook and see if there are Buy and sale groups in your area, ask or ther Mom’s at the school. Or start one up! My area has Loads of them! Great way to weed out thing until the better weather hits…. You can meet the buyers at a prearranged place and examine, sell your items. You could even start and create your own group and invite and create a network amongst your friends and the other parents at school.
Oh gosh, the local Facebook trade groups are a complete disaster. Everyone is fighting and yelling at each other about trades. I actually just don’t want to plan a bunch of meet ups! I am scared!
Are they too young for Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs? Not sure if that could squeeze into 10 minutes either. For gaming, I’d suggest the Wii U console. It’s the next gen Wii so he’d already be familiar with the functionality, and he can play his existing games & use existing accessories on it. It’s high def so the fam could use it for Netflix, Hulu, etc, too. The controller for it can become a portable gaming device, too, I think. AND it does have the Lego game he wants. http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu/
House of Cards – LOVED it. Kevin Spacey is awesome. I still have to catch up on season 2 though. I have no clue on the yard sale timing. I would think if it’s even remotely warm – 50s? – people would be there. Where I’m at they go on all year long & people are there no matter the weather!
BTW, if you happen to receive an unmarked cardboard box with a whole lot of samples just thrown in, it’s the Beauty Box 5 limited addition box. Took me awhile to figure where that one was from! Lol. No need for pomp & circumstance. Just good ole cardboard & scotch tape! 🙂
So you can play old Wii games on a WiiU? That might be the way to go then!
I heard that about the BB5! I didn’t order it, but I am sure I would have been confused!
House of Cards is one of my favorite shows! It’s so well written and very smart. I definitely recommend!!
Sounds like I’d like it!
I would say the PS3 my son is a little younger than L and out of all of the gaming systems that’s the one he likes he best. It has a ton of Lego video games and the controllers are wireless and rechargeable and smaller than the xbox ones
My husband is kind of leaning towards a PS3, but L doesn’t want to switch!
This was my FAVORITE when I was a child, it’s a “topsy turvy” and has two stories: http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-book-1988-Crick-ette-Cooty-Doo-Topsy-Turvy-Book-HC-by-Stephen-Cosgrove-/231179980365#ht_540wt_684
I don’t remember that one!
If you’re looking for something for L moreso than something for the family, you might consider looking into a 3DS. It has a pretty good lineup of games (including the Lego Movie game) and is portable, so he can play it in the car or waiting rooms or what have you.
Granted, my perspective is from a 3ds owner and not a parent. I’ve been having a blast with the Lego Movie game though and I’m ummm…more than 5 times L’s age. 😉
LOL!!! My husband likes to play with him, so that probably wouldn’t work. But I was shocked by the number of games they had for those at Target!
Ha, my husband does the same thing–manages to watch entire series without me even knowing. I actually watched a couple of episodes of House of Cards and it wasn’t for me–and I was even living in DC at the time! Tons of my friends love it, but it just felt a little dark for my tastes. My mood is too easily affected by the shows I watch! I wish I had an idea for a book you could read to L’s class. I love “Oh the Places You’ll Go” but honestly don’t know what age range it’s designed for! I also love “Sneetches” (also by Dr. Seuss).
I get anxiety watching some of those shows. I think Breaking Bad raised my blood pressure to unsafe levels when I watched!
Any books by Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus or any of the Elephant and Piggie books) are always great to read aloud and the kids think they are hysterical.
Those are good ones! Thanks!
Where the Wild Things Are, The Mitten, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Pete the Cat, and Strega Nona are all popular in my BFF’s Kindergarten classroom!
Ohh, The Mitten!
I know they aren’t cheap but I use the xbox one all the time I don’t play games but I watch hulu,amazon prime and netflix on it. Since. The one is out you can get a good deal on the xbox 360 . 🙂
Do they have a lot of sales?
Target has the 360 for under 200.00 and then you get a 25.00 gift card(this week)! My suggestion would be to be on the look out for sales that offer gift card offers (best buy,walmart,target). Then putting the gift card towards maybe that lego game ;). The ps3 is great too! I forgot about the ps 3 lol
Ahhh, there are just too many!
Dragons Love Tacos!! So cute and funny! Even my daughter who is a afraid of dragons likes it.
Thanks!
Laundry is just a thorn in my side. Eventhough my oldest (11) does the sorting, washing, drying and brings it up that’s where it stops. He does two loads a day minimum. I currently have 5 baskets to fold and 4 to put away. With 5 boys there is just no way to keep up with all the clothes. I would love a laundry fairy.
Kindergarten book: have you seen the Skippy Jon Jones series? They are so much fun.
Wii: it is very frustrating that these systems get out dated so quickly. My boys have turned more to minecraft and Wizard 101 lately. I have heard you can use some games from wii on wii U but not all work.
I cannot even imagine laundry with 5 boys.
It is frustrating that everything switches so fast!
Have you read The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt? It’s adorable and a great read for children.
Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Crayons-Quit-Drew-Daywalt/dp/0399255370/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1395164862&sr=1-1
Hope this helps!
Oh, no, I haven’t read that one! It looks great too!
I try to do one load of laundry and get it all put up a day. Sometimes it doesn’t happen and sometimes I have to do more but it helps with keeping up.
I may need to do this!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is seriously the most fun book to read, ever.
If you liked Breaking Bad, you will like House of Cards. Smart and evil and well-made.
That’s a great book idea! And I did love Breaking Bad!
“The Interrupting Chicken” is one of my favorites!
Thanks!
Anything by Robert Munsch is usually pretty hilarious for that age.
Thanks!
I usually do laundry on the weekends or as needed. That being said, I also have to fluff the same load 2-3 times as I keep forgetting it’s in the dryer. :0
Have fun being the mystery reader! L will be so surprised!
I do the same!
“Something Else” by Kathryn Cave was a huge hit with my niece (age 5). The illustrations are super cute and the message is brilliant.
I am loving all these recommendations!
Me First by Helen Lester is hilarious. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/552583.Me_First
And Kate and Pippen is an adorable nonfiction picture book about a dog and deer that are best friends. True story, amazing photos.
http://www.amazon.com/Kate-Pippin-Unlikely-Love-Story/dp/0805094873
Thank you!
Gaming console recommendations: So this comes from someone who is not a parent, but a gamer and I own many of these consoles, and I used to sell them as well at a popular electronics store to parents who weren’t sure which was right for their kids!
Wii U – Great upgrade from the Wii, you can use all your old Wii games with it, controllers, etc. Has a lot of fun games geared towards young children, but is also fun for adults. The controller that comes with it looks like a tablet, and L could play games on the gamepad while someone else watches something on TV. That’s one of it’s most attractive features IMO.
PS3- Great inexpensive last generation console for kids that they can also grow into (i.e. Has younger and older kids games) Huge game library to chose from, and accessories for it aren’t too expensive anymore.
PS4 – IMO my favorite current generation console, lots of games coming, but not a whole lot available ATM. Controllers for this one are more comfortable than the PS3 ones, and yes they use different controllers. Is a little more expensive than other alternatives, but he can grow into it as well.
3DS – My favorite console, tons of games, lots of the same kinds of games that were on the Wii, portable. You can almost always find a sale for these, downside is that if he wants to play with B you need 2 3DS’ but not always 2 games. Many games allow multiplayer with only one game cartridge. I would highly highly recommend this one for kids, because it’s relatively inexpensive, portable, and I think has the most fun games geared towards children. You could also do a 2DS instead, which doesn’t have the 3D feature, but can play all the same games and is much cheaper, ~$130.
Okay, that is awesome to know about the WiiU. You may have sold me.
House of Cards – LOVED it! I’m not much of a political show type, but this one is very well written and the characters suck you in. There is also a British version of this show called The House of Cards. I didnt care too much for that one, but my bf really enjoyed it.
Gaming system – I’m all about the xbox 360, but I hear the Ps3 is great for gaming as well.
How long does it take to get sucked into it?
House of Cards – BRILLIANT and will be great for summer. Highly recommend. You will keep wanting more!
How many episodes does it take to get into it?
It takes at least 3 I would say.
Book: The Story of Ferdinand
You must watch Netflix’s House of Cards. It’s very addictive. If you have time, you can watch the original BBC’s House of Cards too, it’s free on Amazon for Prime members.
Does it take more than one episode to get into it??
We bought our 5 year old an xbox 360 for Christmas. He loves his Disney infinity game and then has 2 lego games ( star wars and Indiana Jones). He is getting the lego movie game for his birthday in May.
I need to start the house of cards to my hubby just finished it last night. I miss my breaking bad though.
Okay we tried House of Cards last night and I couldn’t get into it. I only gave it 15 minutes though. Maybe I should be giving it a better chance?
VIDEO GAMES. The Wii is my favorite of the newer systems, and frankly I like it better than the Wii U just because it’s not too much. I’d definitely look into Mario Party 8 if you are into family games, but also check out Elebits (it’s one of the first 3 games to come out for the Wii—and is EPIC!), which is a cute adorable game that is also a lot of fun–you capture electricty and feed your gun to capture more and power on different things, like lights, generators, cars, you name it! The Skyward Sword Zelda might be an option too; it was definitely geared toward a younger audience and is a LOT less intense than any other Zelda game. Still, might be a year or two before it’s for L? If they were in Jr. High, I would say Twilight Princess. It’s beautiful, but in a distopian kind of way…so probably too much at this point? Pikmin is another really good game, and it’s probably ok for a younger crowd. It involves a squishable alien finding flower critters (“Pikmin”) that help him rebuild his ship so he can go home. This was for the Gamecube originally, but it was re-released for the Wii as well. And, there are TWO of these games: 1 and 2. 😀 You also might want to check out the Nintendo store–there are some older Nintendo 64 games worth getting. Don’t forget Lego Batman–that game was AWESOME on the Wii. The Lego LOTR and Star Wars versions were also quite entertaining, but I personally haven’t played them. (It’s on a very, very, very long list!). Super Smash Bros Brawl was really fun, but it can also get intense, especially in solo play. Paper Mario is a classic, and if L has help, I think he would enjoy it. You play the entire game as a paper cut out of Mario–and while it’s not the same as the N64 version, the graphics and basic premise is the same. Skylanders (Original) was really, really good. Giants was much simpler. And, if you look on Craigslist or your local sell back game store, a lot of people get rid of their Skylanders after they beat the games for a much cheaper price (I’ve see the full set go for $60, and that’s ~45 skylanders). I’ve heard good things about Epic Mickey as well, but that’s not a game I have gotten to yet. Fire Emblem is probably a ways off for him, but it’s the second reason I bought my Wii (First: Twilight Princess). Sonic the Black Knight is one that L might like–it’s not as intense in hand-eye coordination as the other Sonic games; you basically just have to move the joystick and hit things and the game moves you along the path. I really, really want to play Sonic colors, but with all the games I already have, it’s on the back burner. I think I’ve covered most of them, Last Story is one other one, but I haven’t played it yet and being an RPG with likely lots of reading, probably not up L’s alley? If you are still looking for games, I’d even go back to the game cube games…they have a lot of classics on there, including discs with all of the older Zelda games. 🙂
P.S. The Wii has the most kid friendly games. PS3 and XBox tend to focus more on first person shooter and RPG, which is an older crowd. It just depends on what you consider ok 🙂 For my (muchmuchmuch) younger brother, he has a Wii/IPod touch combo, and he’s now going in to desktop gaming (he’s 14). We have many fond memories of the Wii. It’s a great start system if you can’t get your hands on an N64. I have a 3DS, and while there are a lot of games out there, I just can’t get over the price for the games, not to mention the lower number of games I’m actually interested in…which is just my personal preference. I love my DS though….I’m almost willing to part with my 3DS to go back, though my friends with the 3DS will probably no longer admit to knowing me hehe 😀
Totally the kid games! I am sure that L would think a shooter game is amazing, but I think we’ll stick with Lego Movie type games!
Thank you for all the recommendations! We actually have Lego Batman and that is what started this gaming discussion. He is so into it and I wanted to get him the Lego Movie one and it’s not a wii game.
Visitor for Bear and Sniffles for Bear are really cute. We have an xbox with Kinect and my almost 4 year old loves it. He can do so much by himself since there is no controller. Something to think about for WB 🙂
I will look into that one as well!
Has he played Animal Crossing? My nephew started playing that when he was in kindergarten and he still loves it 2 years later! You build a town, shop for clothes and furniture, plant things, dig for fossils and chat with your cute animal neighbors. Another fun one is Boom Blox. It was developed with Steven Spielberg and is great for multiplayer. Both are for original Wii – you can probably get them cheap second hand!
Ps. LOVE House of Cards!!!
Oh no, I don’t think he has played either one of those! We will look into them!