I'm a full-time mummy

This app is freaking addictive!!!

There I said it...! Phewww... *breath in* breath out*breath in* breath out*

Now before I begin, I would like to mention that I am the one reviewing this app, not my boy though I tried showing it to him and got him to try looking for one of the hidden objects. He squinted his eyes, look at me, and ran off to play with his Lego. Bah... I think this game is too advanced for my 3 years old boy for now! Anyway, his loss hahahah...

Oh, did I mention I am a crazy fan of games like this? Looking for hidden objects and all? Me, me, me!!!! So of course I immediately replied with my interest to review this app when I received the press release!

It took me 1 day to solve all 12 screens! 12 scenes with more than 280 neatly hidden objects!!! Achievement or slowpoke? I don't know, I am just happy to be able to solve all the puzzles! So here goes my review:

* Title: The Smurfs Hide & Seek with Brainy
* Price: $1.99
* Category: Games
* Released: Aug 30, 2012
* Version: 1.01
* Size: 145 MB
* Language: English
* Seller: zuuka! GmbH © 2012 Peyo, Lafig Belgium/IMPS
* Rated: 4+
* Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.

Description from the product page:

"There has never been a Hide & Seek game on iPad or iPhone as smurfy blue as this! Optimized for the new iPad “The Smurfs Hide & Seek with Brainy" is the ideal entertainment for all clever seekers, who like a tough ride. Your child will indulge in exploring this collection of tricky puzzle pictures for hours. And if one is stuck the implemented cheat functionality will help out three times on each screen. Entertaining music and crystal clear images will engage you while you can look for even the tiniest detail. Easy usability paired with challenging tasks to tackle are a guaranty for looooooong lasting gaming pleasure. But beware: once you have started it will be hard to stop!"

* I have to confess that I panicked right after solving the 1st puzzle screen as I couldn't find any buttons or links to go to the next puzzle or to the mainpage. I immediately emailed the sponsor asking for help and after a few emails exchange, found out that the navigation buttons are there all along! It's at the bottom of the screen, just need to tap the blue ribbon! Doh'!!!!!  My bad!

* You can go previous or next puzzle screen or listen to the narration or music on the screen, you can also opt to refresh the puzzles and do again. The icon with Brainy Smurf will allow you to tap up to 3 times per screen for hints to the hidden object(s) and at the bottom right of the screen is the object(s) which you need to find.

* I like that I am able to zoom in and enlarge the screen - else I think I'm going to be changing my glasses prescriptions soon hahaha... anyway, to zoom in or to enlarge the screen, you just need to use 2 fingers and slide it across your iPad to enlarge.

* This is my favorite thing that I love to see showing on my iPad! That I had finally smurfed everything on the screen! (meaning solved and found all the hidden objects)

* I like that when I exited the app and goes back again later, the app asked me whether I would like to resume back my object searching madness or restart everything again.

* If you think this app is easy peasy, think again! Some of the hidden objects are not what it seems to be! For example, look at the screenshot below where I am supposed to look for Baby Smurf. You can look at the pink arrow I included in the screenshot which shows the actual answer to the hidden Baby Smurf! Not easy right?!

Still not convinced and think this app is too easy? Again, look at the screenshot below where I am supposed to look for a billiard ball. You can look at the pink arrow I included in the screenshot which shows the actual answer to the hidden billiard ball! Mind you, the screen are zoomed to the max so you can see where it is actually located!

Now are you feeling a tad respect for my ability to solve all 12 screens (with more than 280 neatly hidden objects!!!) in 1 day?! Hahaha... again, I'm just happy to be able to try out this app, it is really addictive, fun and entertaining! Definitely the best so far that I get to try!

You can purchase the "The Smurfs Hide & Seek with Brainy" app from the iTunes App Store.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the promo code to redeem the application for free from iTunes Store in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous iPad Apps reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My iPad App Reviews"

I would like to share my feedback and review on another awesome album by Andrew Peterson that I get to review. The album is called “Light for the Lost Boy” and was released on August 28th, 2012. Here goes my review...

One of the songs in the album which caught my attention is "Rest Easy". I've been playing this song over and over again and just find myself relaxing and feel peaceful. The lyrics are so meaningful and touched my heart.

To be honest, as a SAHM with 2 kids and pretty much occupied with caring the kids 24/7/365, not to mention unofficially teaching my 3 years old boy since few weeks back, my 1 year old getting more and more mobile and seeks my attention all the time and also trying to maintain my blogging passion, I was just listening to this song and soaking in the lyrics of the song and all of a sudden, it makes me feel like God is telling me these words from the song:

"You don't have to work so hard
You can rest easy
You don't have to prove yourself
You're already mine
You don't have to hide your heart
I already love you
I hold it in mine
So you can rest easy "

Some other noteworthy songs in this album are "Come Back Soon", "Day by Day" which has an upbeat tune to dance to, "Carry the Fire" and "Don't You Want to Thank Someone".

Andrew Peterson's songs are very very nice to listen to (not to mention his sultry sand papery voice which is dreamlike hahaha), wonderful lyrics which is definitely inspiring and uplifting! Go on, get a copy, no regrets to get this album!

You can purchase it from The Rabbit Room store or the iTunes Store.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the 10-track album in MP3 format to assist my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.

I received an email pitch seeking bloggers to review this children CD. The few things that caught my attention were:

- children CD!

- packed with 20 classic songs and stories!

- combines the beautifully orchestrated original recordings with the talent of today’s biggest and brightest stars!

In case you don't know, I often play music and songs in the background while my 3 years old boy do his activities (Lego or pretend play mostly) as we were told that children learned even though they just listen to the sound or songs or music. In fact, my SIL even recommended me to play the National Geography videos or series on the TV and just let my kids listened to it. She said we'll be surprised to know how much our kids can absorb and learned by just listening!

Because of that I went on a search to look for nice, educational and fun songs to play as background music. The song I have on my list is Luther Frank's "Manners Can Be Fun" which I think really helps as I found my boy humming and singing parts of the song back to me! Of course, I also used the opportunity to teach my boy about manners and that it is a fun thing to watch out for our manners too!

So yes, I am so so so happy to be able to review this album as I get to add more songs and wonderful stories to my background music/song album now! Anyway, without further delay, here goes my review...

* Title: Golden Records: The Magic Continues - Celebrity Series Vol. 1
* Price: $9.99 Audio CD (September 4th, 2012)
  * ASIN: B008SUE9LU
 * Label: Verse Music Group

About Golden Records:

"Golden Records was one of the first and ultimately most successful children’s record labels in America. Grammy Award-winning producer Arthur Shimkin imagined the iconic label in 1948. Through rich orchestration and the use of A-list talent, Golden Records created a timeless, one of a kind sound, releasing beloved songs and stories that entertained and educated children for decades.

Back by popular demand, Golden Records returns to release a series of highly anticipated albums, launching a series of instant classics and remastered original recordings to come. Award-winning music producer Tony Shimkin, son of Golden Records creator, Arthur Shimkin, has carried on his father’s legacy, producing each of the releases, reimagined for the child in all of us!"

What a wonderful collection of songs and stories in this album! Some fun and entertaining songs such as "Yankee Doodle (Didi Conn)", "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf (Did Conn)" and "The Muffin Man (Didi Conn)" and "Jack B. Nimble (Ed Asner)" really brings back memories to me! I love the fact that my kids can now enjoy listening to these timeless classics!

As for stories, I really love listening to "Cinderella (Busy Philipps)", it just reminds me of the giant Disney story book I used to have when I was a little girl. I also used the opportunity in the "The Story of Goldilocks (Alicia Silverstone)" to teach my 3 years old boy manners, that we have to ask permission before using other people's things/properties.

Some of the celebrities' voices are so so convincing and soothing to listen to! I never expected Alicia Silverstone's voice could be so captivating! And Susan Sarandon's voice is truly charming and one of a kind! I also find myself dreaming while I listened to Ed Asner's voice in "The Little Engine That Could".

Not only is this album truly fun and entertaining, it also open up my eyes and I learned some new things too! To be honest, until I listened to the "Snow White And Rose Red (Cheryl Hines)" I did not know there is a Rose Red character!

To sum up my review, this album is a must to have! Seriously, you really really REALLY need to get yourself a copy of the album NOW NOW NOW!

You can purchase it from Amazon, Wal-mart and iTunes Store.

* You can download a free music from their Facebook page too!

** Btw, I am so privileged to be given the opportunity to giveaway a copy of this album to 1 lucky US resident! Watch out for the giveaway on 8th Sept 2012!

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with the 20-tracks album in MP3 format to assist my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.