New Year's Resolutions and Follow Up - PKTR 14

Download today's show to hear about New Year's Resolutions and follow up information from past shows!

Do you take time to reflect on the past year? The PKTR hosts believe that's the best way to make resolutions for the coming year. Think about the past year, then figure out what you'd like to change, then do it!

If you'd prefer an outline telling you just how to make a resolution, the hosts hook you up with a website that will help you write one.

We will give you plenty of ideas for resolutions as well as some tips for those who make the typical "get organized" resolution.

Here's the website for A Complaint Free World. That's the resolution the hosts thought would be one of the best you could do with your whole family.


The idea is this: you wear some kind of token (like their purple complaint-free-world bracelet pictured above) on your wrist for 21 days and refrain from complaining, criticizing and gossiping. Any time you do one of those (complain, criticize or gossip) you have to start your 21 day count all over again and switch the wrist (to remind you to start over). It's a great idea!

As for the second half of the show...

It's the last show of the year, so we wanted to clean up our PKTR house, so to speak. You'll hear the PKTR hosts clear up some things from past shows (having to do with Webkinz (grrr....), Club Penguin, Kindle and a really lousy video game).

Finally, you'll hear them announce a couple of great new online communities for tweens:

NFLrush.com


and

buildabearville.com

Thanks for listening!

Join us again next Saturday on BlogTalkRadio at 2:00 pm (ET).



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Images from the websites of those companies pictured, specifically nflrush.com and buildabearville.com.

39 Great Gifts and "The 39 Clues" - PKTR 13

Download today's show and you'll hear the PKTR hosts discuss 39 great last minute gifts and "The 39 Clues."

First, you'll hear 39 great last minute gift ideas for preteens. Then you'll get information about "The 39 Clues." Some say it may be Scholastic's next big thing after "Harry Potter." Or is it? Hmmm. The PKTR hosts believe that it's not at all like Potter. If you haven't heard about it yet, listen to this week's show!

Great Gifts for Girls:

Music:
iTunes gift card ($15, 25, 50, 100)
iPod (any type - shuffle ($79), nano (from $149), classic (from $249), iPod touch (from $299))

Video:

Look at our earlier post here for our Top Picks - Video Games for Tweens
Wii --
Super Mario Galaxy (Read our earlier, detailed post about this must-have game!)
Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party Bundle

PS2 --
Sing Star --80s--

UPDATE: Do NOT buy this game! Our family was unlucky enough to get it as a gift and it stinks! It is full of bad, bad, cheesy 80s music that no kid (or very few kids) will enjoy.* We apologize for including it in our show and retract the recommendation. We made a mistake. We meant to recommend SingStarPop.

Terribly sorry...

Moving on...
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol
DDR SuperNova2 Bundle

Nintendo DS --
Hannah Montana: Music Jam

Online games --
Club Penguin Membership (from www.clubpenguin.com)
[Wait...did she actually say "bummer"?? Listen to the show to find out!]


Webkinz (buy the stuffed animal at Target or Hallmark, then go to Webkinz.com)

Flip Video Camera



Sports:
Gift cards to sporting goods stores (e.g., Sports Authority, etc.)

Technology:
Kajeet cell phone (subject to parents' approval)
Firefly/Wirefly pay-as-you-go phone (same caveat)

Clothes:
Gift cards to appropriate stores
for younger girls (7-10), Ltd. Too
for older preteens (10-13), Abercrombie, Hollister, Nordstrom, or Delia's

Books/Magazines:

• Beacon Street Girls books (visit their website for more info and to get an understanding of what they're all about)
• The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau (if your budget allows, also get the sequel, The People of Sparks and/or the prequel, The Prophet of Yonwood). Psst - here's some info about the upcoming movie...
  
• anything by American Girl (especially for the younger girls), consider a subscription to American Girl magazine

Great Gifts for Boys:

Books:
Any of the Calvin & Hobbes books
Cool Stuff & How it Works (or Cool Stuff 2.0)

(and check out the website that Oprah mentioned in her recent rerun with Marshall Brain, founder of How Stuff Works)

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Music:
iTunes gift card ($15, 25, 50, 100)
iPod (any type - shuffle, classic, nano, video, iTouch)

Video:
Look at our earlier post here for our Top Picks - Video Games for Tweens
Wii --
Super Mario Galaxy

PS2 --
Sing Star Pop
Top Spin Tennis
NBA 2K8

Nintendo DS --
Dragon Quest Heroes - Rocket Slime



Flip Video Camera (see photo above)

Sports:
Jerseys of their favorite players
Gift Cards to local sporting good stores (e.g., Sports Authority)

Great Gifts for Families

Here are the great gift ideas for families or for a twist on the ordinary hostess gift:

Anything from Cranium (e.g., Cranium Cadoo, Cranium, Whoonu)
Taboo, Jr.
Outburst, Jr.
Sequence
Blokus
Buzz: The Big Quiz (for PS2)

For more information on these and other games, listen to last week's podcast here.



Finally, the PKTR hosts were even more excited to tell you about

The 39 Clues

Just when the preteen kids are losing interest in books, or, at the very least, slowing down with reading and moving to computer games or video games, Scholastic helps us parents with The 39 Clues.

The 39 Clues is a sort of project, really, to be released beginning next September. It will consist of a series of books, cards and internet activities. So, it should appeal to the readers who love good writing and adventurous, thrilling, mystery novels (wait 'til you hear the authors who will be participating!), as well as the card lovers, online game lovers, and kids who just want more from their reading experience.

Different authors will write ten different novels, following a story arc developed by the first author. Who's the first author? None other than Rick Riordan, author of the popular, exciting, (and my daughter's favorite) Percy Jackson novels, including The Lightning Thief. We're so excited about this venture!

Riordan's book, The Maze of Bones is due for release in September, 2008 and the online clues and activities should begin around the same time. Each book will include six cards (with clues the readers then use online). The main characters of the story are a 14 year old girl, Ann Cahill and her 11 year old brother, Dan Cahill. They come from a very powerful family but readers don't yet know the source of the family's power.

The characters are racing other family members to uncover 39 clues to find the source of the family's power (and treasure). Readers/players will share in the excitement (and possibly even win some prizes!). Stay tuned as details unfold....and be sure to check the official website (currently in development).

Thanks for listening! Join us again next week on Parents and Kids Talk Radio!

_____________________

Images from Webkinz, Amazon, and the39clues.com

*The possible exception is ladies of a certain age who were in high school around that time. They would probably have a blast with this title, especially if they play it with girlfriends from that time period...it's just not good for kids.

Best Board Games! - PKTR 12

We love board games! What better time of year than the holiday season to bring out our top picks for board games.

That's what you'll hear when you listen to today's show (click on the "play" symbol in the blue button in the right sidebar).

Here are a few of the games we recommend (and discuss) on the show:

Blokus

The PKTR hosts tell you all about the original game (pictured above), but the company offers many other versions. You're sure to find the Blokus that's right for your family. You can find this game at Amazon, too, or can always check your favorite toy store.

For more information, you can check out the company's website.

Next, the PKTR hosts recommend Sequence and Sequence for Kids.




Listen to the show to hear the hosts' thoughts about the latest edition of the most popular board game of all time. Do you know which game it is?

The hosts also make an important announcement about a game that is not a board game...but you'll need to listen right away or the information will no longer be relevant! And it was not the VP of the company that we quoted, so please note our correction: the President of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aime announced the information that we restated in the show.

Thanks for listening and tune in again next week at 2:00 pm (ET) on BlogTalkRadio.


__________________

Images from the company's website and Amazon.

Manners! - PKTR 11 Show Notes

Holiday time means many things and we think one of those things should be manners. Or more accurately, we believe it's a good time to work on your kids' manners. When some folks are getting bit by the Scrooge bug, we can do our part by teaching kids to resist that negativity and instead, learn how to spread good cheer. Isn't that what manners are really all about? Care, respect and consideration of others? Forget consumerism, embrace kindness!

The PKTR hosts discussed how parents need to step up and start teaching kids manners. Everyone will benefit.

We talked about when to start teaching manners and how it helps kids to know basic etiquette. Here's the book we mentioned in the show:


Listen to the show to hear the most important manners to teach kids, including table manners, party manners and thank you notes.

Click on the blue button in the right sidebar to listen to the show now or just click here.

Join us again next week on BlogTalk Radio at 2:00 pm (EDT)!

Here's a link to Domino magazine where you'll find the Cynthia Kling article we referenced in the show. Check out her video where she gives a great summary of the article and a terrific "Manners in a Minute" segment. She ends it with a perfect quote, "Manners will give you social confidence and make you comfortable in any situation." Isn't that a reason to teach them to your kids? It's not for grandma, it's for the kid's sake.

BTW, here's the website that we mentioned in the show that had a blurb about manners (and is a great recipe website). It's called the Six O'Clock Scramble.

And if you know someone who's worthy of an award for his/her good deeds, enter the point of life contest. Here's the link for the free contest.

___________________________________

Image from Amazon.com

Manners! - PKTR 11 Preview

Holiday time means many things and we think one of those things should be manners. Or more accurately, we believe it's a good time to work on your kids' manners. When some folks are getting bit by the Scrooge bug, we can do our part by teaching kids to resist that negativity and instead, learn how to spread good cheer. Isn't that what manners are really all about? Care, respect and consideration of others? Forget consumerism, embrace kindness.

We'll talk about various ways you can enlighten your kids (and other family members!).


We've used this book for scout meetings and other things and recommend it (and will talk about it a bit in the show).

What do holidays mean to you? Is it a time to relax, be casual and throw manners to the wind or it is time to show respect, learn to hold doors open for elderly folks, and to write great thank you notes. Call in and let us know what you think.

Tune in (and/or call in) Saturday at 2:00 pm (EDT).

______________________

Image from Amazon.com

First of the Month Free4All! - PKTR 10

It's December first, so it's time for our First of the Month Free for All!!

Iceberg in Club Penguin (Step 1)

The PKTR hosts want your help in solving their vexing question: Can anyone ever really tip the iceberg in Club Penguin?? If you or someone you know play(s) Club Penguin, you probably know what we're talking about. Can you solve the mystery? Put the rumor to rest? Help us sleep better at night??? Please?? Leave a comment or send us an email to pktalkradio@yahoo.com.

Iceberg in Club Penguin (Step 2?)


Or...is this the right Step 2??

On to other things...

Where did we first hear "Nice Bwinker, Jerkface!"? Right here at icanhascheezburger.com.


moar funny pictures

If you want to have a chuckle, visit their site. It will make you smile.* Probably goes without saying, but...we sure don't recommend that you say that little sentence in anger!! It's just meant as a silly thing. And we mean that!

In fact, to remind us all how important it is not to say angry things around kids, we mentioned the following intense (NOT FOR KIDS) video that makes the point better than we could:



Note: We hope that's not too preachy (or something), just wanted to put the whole thing in context...
it's hard to watch, though...(NOT FOR KIDS)

On a lighter note...

Here are the books the hosts recommended.

First, for kids in grades 1 through 6:

The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo



And here's the link for that beautiful Nutcracker book.

Here is the bilingual book (for younger siblings), Disney Princess Talking Dictionary** that the hosts highly recommend:


It's a terrific way for kids to learn some Spanish words, see their favorite Disney characters and interact with that electronic keypad. Fun, educational and on sale, too!

You can get it by clicking here** and you can read our detailed review by clicking here.

These are some of the other great titles the hosts recommended in today's show.
Sponge Bob's Sea Sale**


and

Dora's Words to Know (A Talking Dictionary)**


We love Dora!!

Here's the great book one of the hosts mentioned that you can just check out of your local library (and this one's for your own enjoyment).

And finally, here's the dog the PKTR hosts mentioned in today's show!



Listen to the show for other pet ideas and a special announcement for our tween listeners -- here's the website we mentioned.)
Thanks for listening. Tune in again next week at 2:00 pm (EDT).

___________________________

*actual results may vary
**click on "Shop Now" then "Electronic Books" and scroll down until you find the title
(BTW, we get nothing from that click, other than a good feeling that something we liked made somebody else happy!)


Images from ClubPenguin.com, icanhascheezburger.com, Amazon.com, bmgmom's own work, and the company's website.

Kindle! - PKTR 9 Show Notes

Here it is!


It's called Kindle and it's the new darling of Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. They don't call it an e-book reader, or a Reader Digital Book, rather it's a wireless reading device. It holds about 200 titles and can hold even more simply by adding a memory card. You can choose from almost 90,000 books (including almost all of the current New York Times Best Sellers and new releases), top newspapers (including the Washington Post, The New York Times and others), top magazines and blogs. Amazon will be adding more book titles daily.

Wireless delivery of all of these goodies is free and includes access to Wikipedia. So, once you buy the book or the magazine subscription via Amazon, they deliver it wirelessly and virtually instantaneously to your Kindle. And they back up your info for you. No need to sync with your computer.

Read this post from Techcrunch for terrific information, including many more comments and Erick Schonfeld's Q&A with Jeff Bezos. The post that the PKTR hosts referenced can be found here. Here's the Macworld article we mentioned, too. And, for the sake of comparison, here's a link to the latest Sony Reader Digital Book.

We simply couldn't cover all there is to say about this device, so please go to Amazon.com for more information. Oh, and here's the video with the guy whose voice is similar to the guy who does the Apple ads (close your eyes before deciding whether you agree with us; they look very different. We're just talking about the voice). But forget the voice, the point is that he does a great little demo of Kindle.

Here is the David Pogue video we mentioned (okay, gushed about) in the show:



We still love that video. I think we know it by heart...and here is his article about Kindle.

Please note: On the show, we mentioned that downloads can take less than a second. Of course, we meant to say one minute (it's fast but it's not that fast.) That's less than one minute to download a book.

Make Books Kindling?! - PKTR 9 Preview

A few years ago, I saw Oprah interviewing Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. I like the guy. He seems sincere and earnest. Yesterday, I saw an article in the New York Times describing his latest darling, Kindle.

That's our topic for today, Kindle, the e-book reader that aims to eliminate, or significantly reduce the number of, books in print (on paper).

What do you think about e-books?
Call in! Saturday at 2:00 pm (EDT).
1.347.215.7870


Images from Usborne Books and Google Images.

Birthday Parties Galore!! - PKTR 8 Show Notes

On today's show, PKTR hosts discussed birthday parties. Do we really need to have elaborate, over-the-top parties? Did you have them when you were a kid? The hosts shared their thoughts about how today's families celebrate birthdays.

They noted various locations that are great for younger kids and for tweens, including Build-a-Bear and Chuck E Cheese's.

One of the resources the PKTR hosts mentioned on the show was Celebrate Express:



Here's an example of a popular theme for tween birthdays:



Celebrating baby's First Birthday? You'll find plenty of products including these:



The hosts ran out of time before they could give you other resources to make your party what you want it to be. Here they are:

Birthday in a Box, Birthday Direct, The Party Works, Beau-Coup, Plum Party, Oriental Trading, and Shindigz.

Join us again next week at the same time!

Birthday Parties! - PKTR 8 Preview

Holiday time often means that kids whose birthdays fall around this time of year get shortchanged. PKTR's hosts want to give you ideas and resources to help put together a birthday party now (or at any other time of the year!). We'll also tell you what we think about birthday parties for today's kids.

Call the show on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (EDT). 1.347.215.7870

Holiday Greetings!! - PKTR 7

On today's show, the PKTR hosts tackle the world of holiday greetings. What are you doing this year? Does the whole family sit for a formal portrait then send it to everyone you know after you've glued the photo to a card? Or have you given up on them altogether? Do you prefer postcards or do you send out a two page holiday letter? Do you know about online resources to make the whole ordeal fun??

It's that time of year...

And we're here to help.

Here are the sites we mentioned in the show:

Exposures

Shutterfly

American Greetings

Snapfish

iPhoto

And, as we promised, here is the Flip Video Camcorder:

Front:


Back:











Update: After our show, the Today show ran a great segment on how to take a good holiday photo. View it by clicking on the link below:

Tips for a great holiday-card photo





Images from Google Images, Amazon (and the sites themselves, of course).

Movie Time!! - PKTR 6 Show Notes

In today's show, the PKTR hosts and some guests provide some insights about Jerry Seinfeld's, "Bee Movie" (in theaters now).

As promised in the show, here are a couple of trailers for the movie:





Now, for the list of PKTR's Top Movies for Tweens:

Top Movies for Tween Girls:
Bridge to Terabithia
The Road to El Dorado
Hairspray
The Simpsons Movie
Ratatouille

Top Sports Movies for Tweens:
The Game Plan
Angels in the Outfield
Everyone's Hero
Miracle
Invincible

Top Movies for Tween Boys:
Golden Eye
X-Men 3
The Simpsons Movie
Ratatouille
The Bee Movie


and finally, the website where you can read reviews and descriptions of movies, books, television and more before your kids do:

www.commonsensemedia.org

What's All the Buzz About? PKTR's Top Movies for Tweens - PKTR 6 Preview

PKTR has heard so much about Jerry Seinfeld's "Bee Movie" that we want to talk about it -- and we want to hear from you! Call in Saturday at 2:00pm to join our featured show. We'll give you the scoop and provide a trailer or two, too (on this site)!

Some early reviews are not great and the movie tie-in video games are not getting good reviews. Here's what one person had to say about the Wii game. But we don't always agree with movie critics, so tune in to hear how our group of kids rate the movie.

Also, time permitting, we'll provide some alternative movie titles that we recommend for tweens! Listen in to hear PKTR's Top Movies for Tweens. Saturday, November 3 at 2:00 pm (EDT).

Halloween and Holidays for Tweens - PKTR 5

It's that special time of year when parents and kids start thinking about Halloween and holidays. So, on today's show, the PKTR hosts talk about those things as they relate to tweens. When should kids stop trick or treating? What costumes do tweens like? Later, it's holiday talk! Does the Toys R Us catalog cut it anymore if you have tweens? What kinds of gifts are they hoping for? Listen in and hear exciting news from a special guest!

Listen to the show by visiting BlogTalkRadio (click link in the right sidebar) or by clicking here or here.

Webkinz, Neopets, Club Penguin and More! - PKTR 4

This week, the PKTR hosts give you a little taste of some of the many virtual worlds available. They talk a little about Webkinz, Neopets, and Club Penguin. At the end, they briefly mention a book they're excited about called, "Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life" by Wendy Mass.

Seinfeld's "Deceptively Delicious" Cookbook - PKTR 3

We reluctantly give a thumbs-in-the-middle vote to Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook, "Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food."

After trying a few of the recipes, and really trying to like the food, the kids are split on the whole notion of deception as a means of getting your kids to eat their veggies. My son just didn't like the idea, but my daughter thought it was an interesting concept, especially for younger kids.

To see what other kids thought, look at the video the PKTR hosts mention in the show (where Allie Wentworth talks to a roomful of first and second graders who have tried some of the food). It's a little tricky to get to it, but play any of the videos here and you'll eventually see it.

You can also check out Jessica Seinfeld's website for the cookbook by clicking here.

Here's the cross referenced list of purees mentioned in the show:



As much as we really wanted to love the cookbook, PKTR's hosts felt obligated to provide listeners with an alternative and here it is -- The Six O'Clock Scramble by Aviva Goldfarb.



Bottom line? PKTR believes that older kids (tweens to teens) can manage eating vegetables in their natural state and might even be ready to venture into more exotic foods. Oh, and they don't like being deceived. So try these websites for kid-friendly, healthy recipes: www.thescramble.com or www.thescramble.net

Tell us what you think about the cookbook (or anything else we discussed in the show) by sending an e-mail to pktalkradio@yahoo.com or leaving a comment.

(You can listen to the show by clicking "play" in the BlogTalkRadio button in the right sidebar or by clicking here.)

Jessica Seinfeld's "Deceptively Delicious" Cookbook - PKTR 3 Preview

Call in to our show Saturday, Oct 13 at 2:00 pm (EDT)! We're talking about Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook, "Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food" where she puts pureed veggies into basic kid friendly recipes. Tell us what you think! Call-in Number: (347) 215-7870

Technology and Tweens - PKTR 2

It's getting close to that holiday crunch time! And it seems that technology will be at the tops of kids' lists this year.

So, it's time to talk tech!




On today's show, parent and kid hosts tell you why they think cell phones are okay for tweens and why they think iPods are great, too. Overall, they like Apple products and talk a little about the differences between the iPod Classic, Nano, Shuffle and iTouch.



Finally, they tell you a little about digital photobooks and how much easier they are to make than all those burdensome (and so yesterday!) scrapbooks!! Here (below) is a screenshot from Apple's iLife's program called iPhoto.



If you don't have a Mac, Shutterfly also has a great program for photobooks.

PKTR highly recommends using one of these services. Just think -- after the holidays, you'll have a fun (and EASY) way to present your digital memories.


Listen to the show by clicking the BlogTalkRadio button in the sidebar or here.

Another logo

Okay, readers, help us out...
which logo do you like best?
Here's another choice:

New Logo?

What do you think of this logo?
Should we use it??

Overscheduled Kids - PKTR 1

Here's the book the PKTR hosts referenced (and recommended) on the show today, September 22, 2007:
The Over-Scheduled Child: Avoiding the Hyper-Parenting Trap by Alvin Rosenfeld, MD, and Nicole Wise.

Rosenfeld and Wise also have a website named after that phrase they coined, Hyper Parenting. It's definitely worth a look.

Thanks, also to BP for the lovely little jingle, "Say Hey!" to make your day a little better.

Thanks for listening (and if you missed it, check out the archive to the right).

Tune in again next week when Parents and Kids bring you another topic. Call in and let us know your thoughts!

Listen to the show (now!) by clicking the BlogTalkRadio button in the right sidebar or by clicking here.

Overscheduled Kids - PKTR 1 Preview

Tune in to our premiere on Saturday, September 22 at 2:00 pm (EST). Click the link on the right and join in the discussion.
Dial in to 347.215.7870.

Today's show is about overscheduled kids. When is it time to slow down? Should you be involved in everything you're interested in? How do you know? Are the parents going crazy driving the kids around and providing snacks and uniforms?



Call in and tell us what you think.

P.S. Thanks to a great article, by Christine Gorman entitled, "Six Lessons for Handling Stress" we found the image to the left. If you're feeling like that (or even a little like that) call in!