How to save your LeapPad from a watery grave!

Last week my youngest's  LeapPad somehow ended up in a full sink of hot soapy dish water.

We are not quite sure how long it had been in there but by the time my hubby noticed it was in there it was well and truly soaked.

My first thought was .... "well that's the end of that".

But I had to at least try and save this most loved possession.


With no time to wast I drained as much water out as I could and then set to work dismantling it .

I suggest watching this to aid in dismantling.

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Once I had it in pieces I used kitchen towel to dry everything as much as I could very carefully, as not to damage anything.

Next step was a large bowl and Lots and lots of uncooked rice.

Completely cover and pack rice very carefully, everywhere you can get it.
Put you bowl of rice a la LeapPad in a cupboard and forget about it for a couple of days.

After at least 48 hour, carefully remove all the rice and reassemble the LeapPad .
If you are lucky, as I was, it will spring back to life.

Looking for a leapPad 2

Just another reason I love takealot.com , is I just managed to get a great deal on a new leapPad 2 bundle, for my son. 

You get the LeapPad 2 and a 20LFD download card for R1149 (free shipping to your door)
They have stock and if you live in major centres if you order before 2pm on the 21st Dec you will get it in time for x-mass.

Link to Green LeapPad 2 Bundle
Link to Pink LeapPad 2 Bundle

LEAP PAD 2

The Leap Pad 2 is available from my favorite online shop (takealot.com) on pre-order

 http://www.takealot.com/toys/leapfrog-2031/leapfrog-leappad2-explorer-pink,12843180

http://www.takealot.com/toys/leapfrog-2031/leapfrog-leappad2-explorer-green,12843175

R 1,299 Shipping Included

Pre-order: Dispatched 30 Sep, 2012 

The number 1 learning tablet just got better!

• LeapPad2 Explorer inspires kids to imagine and explore with front-and-back cameras, 4 GB of memory and a library of 125+ apps for limitless learning and fun!

• Explore a library of 125+ LeapFrog Explorer cartridges and downloadable apps, including innovative book apps, videos, music, creativity apps and more!

• LeapPad2 comes with 5 apps: Pet Pad, LeapFrog Learning Songs, Cartoon Director, Art Studio and one app of your choice.

• Works with all LeapFrog Explorer cartridges and apps (sold separately).

• Capture your world in two ways with front and back cameras/video recorders! Trace, create and play by using your finger or the included stylus on the brilliant 5 touch screen, control the action in games with motion-based play and record your own voice with a built-in microphone!

• Progress is remembered from game to game so the learning and fun keep moving forward!

• The LeapPad 2 has a faster processor and 4GB of memory.

• Parents can connect to the free, online LeapFrog Learning Path to see specific details of their child's learning progress and share achievements and artwork with family and friends.

• Additional apps and games sold separately.

• Parents can see and share their child's learning progress through the online LeapFrog Learning Path.

• For children ages 4 to 9 years. Requires 4 AA batteries (not included).

Warning: WARNING! Not suitable for children under 36months. Long Cord. Strangulation hazard
Additional Apps and games are sold separately.

Harmonies App Review

This cute little app will set you back 5 LF$

Leapfrog's suggested age range is 4-7 Years, but I would place it from 2 to 4 years,
Its a very basic app where you choose one of the 5 songs

• Twinkle, twinkle little star
• Bach minuet
• The wheels on the bus
• Row, row, row your boat
• She'll be coming round the mountain

And then conduct the four singers by turning their voices on or off by touching them to adjust the harmony's

You can also add sound effects  to the songs.

• Drum 
• Dog
• Cat 
• Symbol 

This game does not have a goal or any type of scoring, it is just a fun way to play with music.

My kids enjoy this game in small bursts, but I think if it had a objective it would be far more engaging
Great app for younger kids who are not ready to play the more complex games where counting, spelling or good coordination are needed.

Rewards Revamp

Yesterday I was finally able to retrieve reward's again. 

It looks like the issues. We have all been having with being unable to connect to the rewards screen to get treats and micromods was because they were updating the interface.

I must say this new rewards screen is much better than the last one and seems to load considerably faster. 

I just wish LeapFrog had let us know what was going on as it would of saved a lot of parental frustration, and no doubt several thousand emails from disgruntled parents who where left in the dark yet again. 

Great news for left handed kids !

If like me you have a left handed child, I'm sure you were a Little disappointed that Leapfrog had disregarded our children when designing the Pet Pad app.

My Son a Lefty was frustrated by the screen setup being orientated to the right, Making it very awkward to trace the alphabet letters without touching the rest of the screen.

Well Leapfrog has finally rectified this issue, with its latest update.
Now when you enter this part of the Pet Pad app you can select to orientate the screen for left handed children

If you do not yet have this option, just connect your LeapPad to the connect software and check for updates.