Holiday Gift Guide: VTech® InnoTab MAX (Giveaway) CLOSED

**WINNER IS Kim S.** Congratulations! 

Do you have a little one that you are thinking about purchasing a tablet for, but you aren't quite sure what to get? I might be able to help. The Vtech InnoTab MAX is a really nice high-quality tablet that is built for a kid, yet gives a slightly grown-up feel. Whether we like it or not, technology is here to stay and it is important that our kids have access at an early age. The InnoTab MAX is an excellent way to guide your child on using an electronic device while also being able to monitor what they are doing. Check out the details below about the products:

VTech® InnoTab MAX (Ages 3-9 years, MSRP: $109.99)

• VTech’s 4th generation kids’ learning tablet features its fastest processor yet with up to six times the processing power of previous generation and a 7” high-resolution multi-touch screen display

• InnoTab MAX features an enhanced 2nd generation version of Premium VTech Kid Connect™, at no additional charge, allowing children and parents to exchange voice and text messages, photos, drawings and fun stickers in real time between the tablet and a smartphone

•  InnoTab MAX offers the best of both learning worlds with access to more than 650 educator-endorsed, age and stage appropriate learning titles as well as carefully cultivated educational Android apps that can be purchased and downloaded through VTech’s Learning Lodge® app store

• The tablet comes with 15 onboard apps including Premium VTech® Kid Connect, My Magic Beanstalk, Movie Maker, Art Studio, Wonder Cam Max, E-Reader with Story Dictionary and more

•  InnoTab MAX also comes with one free Toca Boca app and two additional free apps that can be downloaded from the Learning Lodge

• Other InnoTab MAX features include a built-in rechargeable Lithium battery and kid-safe Wi-Fi so kids can explore appropriate online games, videos and websites that have been pre-selected by VTech

• Parental controls allow parents to manage their child’s apps, web access and tablet time, as well as view a progress log

My thoughts about the VTech InnoTab MAX:

• It has a very large screen and the quality and clarity are as good as any other tablet I have used. 
• We find it to be very user-friendly and my six year old son seems to have no problems navigating through the apps on his own. 
• I love that I can teach my son how to “text” since he will eventually have his own phone. It’s a great way to introduce it. 
• It has a really good battery life and I like that it has buttons for volume control, home screen and shut-off/on. 
• I like the alarm clock function. This is great for teaching your little responsibility to get up in the morning and get his/her day started. 
• The carrying handle is perfect for smaller hands and the cover is convenient when not in use. It’s also lightweight and perfect for travel. 
• My son loves the variety of activities available and there are tons of options to purchase and download if you choose (at parent's discretion). 
• The camera is really neat and I like that you can position it in virtually any direction you want. 

Check out the videos below featuring VTech platform learning expert panelist, Dr. Eric Klopfer, who provides an in-depth perspective of the InnoTab MAX:





This tablet is really great overall and we look forward to exploring the huge selction of apps to find appropriate ones for our son. The InnoTab MAX would make an excellent gift for the upcoming holidays. I'm sure any child would appreciate this item! Be sure to connect with VTech on the web, Facebook and Twitter for product promotions and updates. You can purchase the VTech InnoTab MAX here.

One very lucky Mom Files reader will win a VTech InnoTab MAX just in time for the holidays. Enter below:a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to  US Residents only and will end on November 21, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Review unit and information was provided by VTech. All opinions are 100% my own.

Why I love the carpool line

Most people think I am insane because I get in the school carpool pick-up line really early. I actually have gotten a lot better because I used to always be first (by at least 10-15 minutes). Yep, I was the lady people talked about saying that I had no life. I have evolved and now I end up being 5th or so. I sit for about 30-40 minutes at the middle school and another 30 at the high school. Sitting in the car is so nice. It's my quiet time. The little one only goes with me on the first pick-up and stays home with middle sister while I go pick up the older one. Even while William is with me he behaves very nicely in the car. The fact that he is secured into his car seat means no running, climbing or destroying. He just sits quietly and enjoys playing with his toys, reading his book or listening to his Yo Gabba Gabba CD.

This is usually my time to think. I bring a notebook and pen to jot down ideas for blog posts as well as write to-do lists or reminders. Some days I get so behind (more like procrastinate) on clipping and filing coupons so I bring this little basket with all I need to get the job done. I feel like carpool time is my creative time. You would be amazed by the brilliant brainstorming I do. When I am feeling too lazy to do anything productive I will sometimes Facebook, Tweet, text or make a phone call to pass the time. I don't know about anyone else but I just love the carpool line :)

Do you have time to care?

Just curious...

Do you often say "I don't have any time".

I was talking to a friend of mine on this subject a couple weeks ago. We discussed how people often say they have no time. Now, when you have to go to work... you set your alarm clock, you lay out your clothes, you grab something quick to eat and you run out the door so you are not late for work. (Maybe it's not always done that way but you get what I'm saying) We do this because it is our responsibility. You and your family depend on that paycheck. Now what if you get a call and someone wants to get together for coffee or would like to drop by for a quick visit. I bet in the back of your mind you think "I don't have time for this. I work and have responsibilities. I'll just make an excuse to get out of it." I think we all do this at times, we are all human after all. My point about this is that we only make time for what is important to ourselves.

How long does it actually take to send an email that you can type up in less than a minute while paying your bills or checking your email?

How hard is it to call someone you care about and tell them you only have a couple minutes to talk, but you wanted to see how they were doing?

How much time does it take to send a text message to say hello?

I'm not always the best at keeping in touch with everybody and their mamas, but I do give the effort for those I care about and sometimes for people I have never even met. Yes, I have 3 kids, a husband, a home, bills, responsibilities and so on... I still take time for others even if it's for 2 minutes. Those 2 minutes can speak volumes to someone.

With all that being said, I challenge you to pop an email, a text or a quick call to someone you have not done your best to keep in touch with. After all, life is not just about you.

Are You Text Savvy?

Do you like text messaging? I do. I find it to be quite a convenience at times when I can't physically make a phone call in order to relay a message to someone. Now I do however have problems when I get a text from a younger person and can't decipher what the heck they are saying. I received a list of definitions in an email for what I call shorthand for teens. This helped me a lot! My hubby calls this shorthand or abbreviated style the dumbing down of today's young people. I do admit I personally use the ttyl, brb and lol but that is about it~! Check out the list for yourself ...you may learn something you did not know!

(Dang, my spellchecking function has this post all lit up!!)

AFAIK - as far as I know
ASAP - as soon as possible
B4N - bye for now
BBS - be back soon
BFN - bye for now
BRB - be right back
BTW - By the way
CUL - see you later
DQMOT - don't quote me on this
EOM - end of message
FWIW - for what it's worth
FYI - for your information
GL - good luck
GMTA - great minds think alike
HT - hi there
HTH - hope this helps
IAC / IAE - in any case / in any event
IMO - in my opinion
IMS - I am sorry
JK - just kidding
JMO - just my opinion
JTLYK - just to let you know
LOL - laughing out loud
NP - no problem
OTOH - on the other hand
ROFL - rolling on the floor laughing
TA - thanks again
TIA - thanks in advance
TTYL - talk to you later
TU - thank you
UW - you are welcome
WTG - way to go
WU? - what's up?
YBS - you'll be sorry
YW - you are welcome

And for the record, I am a very cool mom even if I don't understand text messages!