May 10

App of the Month ~ Abilipad Video Review

Categories:

Apps, Education, Series

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

If you remember from App-ucation Month 2013, I talked about the Abilipad app

made by the amazing peeps at

You can read that post by clicking here.

Well, now that I have my very own iPad, I’m able to use Abilipad at home & Appy Therapy generously gifted my classroom a copy for all of my school friends to use, too! Are they the best, or what?!?! I really like that the person who created by an Occupational Therapist, so she really knows her shtuff.

Mom, my teachers & I are still learning how to use it, but they say there are SO MANY different ways Abilipad can help me. The video you’re about to see shows just a few ways we have started using it for me, so hopefully that will help you brainstorm some ideas of how this amazing app can help you & your kiddos, too!

Here’s what you can find in an App of the Month post:

~ My honest video review of an awesome app on my iPad, {I don’t know how to fake it guys, what you see is what you get}.

~ See the different ways you can use the app with your very special kid(s).

~ Ways to use the app in the classroom {as a teacher} or at home {as a parent} as an addition to school.

~ Academic areas and IEP goals addressed as well as possible lesson plans.

~ I will only feature apps I use and like.

~ And of course, some much needed silliness!

All I ask of you is to share my posts/videos with your peeps ’cause I put a lot of hard work into them, use my affiliate links to purchase apps in the App Store and most of all HAVE FUN, dudes!

Abilipad

Highlights/Uses in the Classroom/Home:

1. Connect iPad to projector/E.L.M.O. for entire class to use together if applicable.

2. Possible use in subject areas include: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, you name it!

3. Can be used for IEP goal work &/or to quickly & functionally modify work in the general education classroom as well as building life/job skills.

4. Customizable Notepads and Keyboards

5. Keyboard customization includes: size, shape, picture, sound & color of keys.

6. Notepad customization includes: font type, size and color & page color.

7. Share Notepads & Keyboards via email, Dropbox or Abilipad Library between school & home.

8. Tons of ideas to get you started in the Abilipad Library.

9. My favorite part is the text READS TO ME when I need it so I can read & write INDEPENDENTLY.

Note from Mom…I created the two sets of Notepads and Keyboards you will see Ty using in the video on a very basic level because I wanted to see how he would use it in a more organic sense. Instead of having him work on something that was already created, I wanted him to show me how he was going to use Abilipad naturally for the first time. After this initial point, I can create more Notepads and Keyboards based on the way he uses Abilipad naturally. I believe this way it will be easier for Ty to use and not viewed as “work”, butt rather fun.

If you would like your app to be featured as App of the Month, send me an email, dude!

tysadventures@gmail.com

Tags: Abilipad, App of the Month, App-ucation Month, apps, Appy Therapy, Down Syndrome, Education, IEP, iPad, reading, school, Series, video, writing

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Apr 26

Down Syndrome – Autism Spectrum Dual Diagnosis App Giveaway

Categories:

Apps, Education, Events, Just For Fun

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

Most of you know that April is Autism Awareness Month, so I wanted to do something extra fun in honor of my peeps who have a DUAL DIAGNOSIS of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What better way than to have an

APP GIVEAWAY!

Not just any app, an app that jumps the lines between different diagnosis’ and can be used to help so many kids/adults with a wide variety of diagnosis’.

Psychology Today reported in 2011,

“a 16-year study published in the Journal of Intellectual Disability Researchconfirm that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the gold-standard for the classification of mental health conditions, can be used to accurately identify autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children with Down syndrome, according to research from Kennedy Krieger Institute.“

And in 2013, DS-ASD Connection cited

1. www.jfkpartners.org and 2. When Down Syndrome and Autism Intersect, A Guide to DS-ASD for Parents and Professionals, Woodbine House, 2013 as saying,

It is believed that 7%-18%¹ (some research suggests up to 39%)² of individuals with Down syndrome also have an autistic spectrum disorder. Both Down syndrome and autism can be challenging disabilities separately, without the combination, however when combined the challenges are multiplied and can be quite complex.

And like my FEATURED AMAZING PARENT, Debra Forand of www.voicesfordownsyndrome.com has said to me before, there is so little information out there about this dual diagnosis, it can be hard to know where to go for support or help.

In the meantime, you and your family have to function and get through the day to day stuff!

That’s why I want to celebrate my awesome peeps with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and ASD by giving away 4 copies of an app that has changed my life and really got me through a tough transition period. You can view my video app review of FTVS (not HD) by clicking HERE.

First Then Visual Schedule HD

by Good Karma Apps

*if you decide to buy FTVS HD in the App Store, pretty please with a cherry on top, use my link…Apple send Ty’s Adventures a little bit of your purchase! Thanks, dudes!*

ooooohhhhh…aaaaaaahhhhh…all sorts of shiny new bells and whistles that will blow your mind, like…

-First Then boards

-Visual schedules

-Task analyses

-Choice boards (which can also be added to any step)

-Video models (which can also be added to any step)

-Universal (can be used on any iDevice)

-Timer

-Five image choices: 10,000 symbols from Smarty Ears, Google images, stock images, take your own picture or use one form the camera roll.

-Create, customize, print and/or share schedules

- My personal fave is that if you have a hard time with unplanned transitions (like a quick stop at the grocery store) FTVS HD is in Mom’s pocket on her phone to help prepare you & help you understand what’s going on.

As of today, FTVS HD is normally $14.99 in the App Store, but has been discounted to $9.99 for Autism Awareness Month in April 2013…but here 4 people can win a copy for free! gasp

How to win:

Please leave a blog comment below telling me what is the most difficult time of the day or difficult situation for your kiddo.

4 lucky peeps will be randomly chosen.

Winners announced here on my blog in 1 week, Saturday, May 3rd.

Please spread the word to get this incredible app in the hands of those who can really use it!

Tags: apps, ASD, awareness, Education, Events, First Then Visual Schedule HD, FTVS HD, giveaway, Good Karma Apps, iPad, Just For Fun

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Apr 12

Mother’s Day Giveaway!

Categories:

Just For Fun, Mom Says...

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

Hip! Hip! Hooray! for Mom in May!

To celebrate Mom, I have teamed up with Designs by MRS and are excited to offer a sparkly giveaway!

One lucky person will win a beautiful hand stamped necklace designed with Mom in mind by the amazing (and sparkly) Designs by MRS.

But before the giveaway, my Mom wanted to share a quick something with other Mom’s out there.

My Mom Says…

For those days when…

Your (inner) maid takes the day off.

Leave the Matchbox Road Rage Car Show out for more fans to enjoy; you’re helping boost ticket sales.

Don’t worry about Mt. Saint Laundrypilegrowswhileyousleep; it’s a mountain, it’s won’t walk off.

And the dishwasher full of dishes will just have to wait it’s turn for some one on one attention from you; you just “played” with it yesterday for crying out loud.

No. Not tonight.

Tonight is date night, and you’ve already kept Mr. Tub O’Bubbles waiting long enough.

Tonight you have full permission to put your hair up, sit back and sip your wine as you imagine you’re in a footed tub in the middle of a Tuscan vineyard, like the kind you see in one of those erectile dysfunction commercials. Why not? The scenery in those commercials is beautiful, and if you’re anything like me with 3 small boys, this is the closest you will get to taking that trip for several years.

So indulge yourself, have another sip of wine, add some more bubbles, you deserve it. And by all means, take more (mental) trips like this in the future. It’s good to “get away”, even if it is to the smallest room in your house and who knows which kid you’ll walk out to, to find swinging from the ceiling fan.

You need Mommy time, because there is no Mommy without it.

Mother’s or Grandmother’s Layered Pendant you can win!

And now a giveaway just for those Mommies/Grandmommies. You have until Friday, April 19th to enter the Rafflecopter below to win.

RULES: You MUST like Designs by MRS Facebook page to enter AND leave a comment on my blog telling me if you were to win the necklace, which special Mom/Grandma in your life it will be going to.

And just because my peeps rock, you can enter coupon code “TysAdventures” to receive 10% off any order (in the event you don’t win the giveaway, or would like to get a different sparkly for Mom…girls like sparkly things you know).

Good luck, dudes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tags: Designs by MRS, giveaway, Just For Fun, mom, Mom Says, Mother's Day, necklace

6 comments

Apr 04

App of the Month ~ Musical Paint Video Review

Categories:

Apps, Education, Series

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

As promised at the end of App-ucation Month, I am launching a new series on my blog;

Here’s what you can find in an App of the Month post:

~ My honest video review of an awesome app on my iPad, {I don’t know how to fake it guys, what you see is what you get}.

~ See the different ways you can use the app with your very special kid(s).

~ Ways to use the app in the classroom {as a teacher} or at home {as a parent} as an addition to school.

~ Education standards/academic areas addressed and possible lesson plans.

~ I will only feature apps I use and like.

~ And of course, some much needed silliness!

All I ask of you is to share my posts/videos with your peeps ’cause I put a lot of hard work into them, use my affiliate links to purchase apps in the App Store and most of all HAVE FUN, dudes!

So, let’s kick it off with

MUSICAL PAINT

by Building Blocks Media

who so generously participated in App-ucation Month 2013 and gave me a copy of Musical Paint to enjoy.

Highlights/Uses in the Classroom/Home:

1. Connect your iPad to the classroom projector or E.L.M.O.

2. Art: Kids can take turns creating scenes, (example: kids can choose a scene from choices mixed up in a hat like thunderstorm, playground, car race, going fishing, Spring, etc… then create their interpretation).

3. Math: Teacher/parent draws a certain amount of objects/shapes Kids count the number of objects and visa versa: equations, shapes, etc…

4. Language Arts: Kids can practice a number of L.A. activities such as spelling, fill in the blanl, descriptive words, sentences, words with pictures, etc…

5. Music: Identifying different instruments by picture and sound.

6. Super-interactive white board or canvas that comes to life.

If you would like your app to be featured as App of the Month, send me an email, dude!

tysadventures@gmail.com

Tags: App of the Month, App-ucation Month, Apple, apps, Building Blocks Media, Education, iPad, kids, Musical Paint, review, Series, special needs, video

1 comment

Mar 21

World Down Syndrome Day ~ “Who I Am” Blogiversary Giveaway

Categories:

Education, In The News, Life With Boys..., On The Web, When I Grow Up...

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

3/21 is back…yes, it comes around every year it seems. Days on a calendar do that sometimes, ya know. silly peoples

Each year my family & I celebrate World Down Syndrome Day in one way or another, usually there is cake involved. Not this year; this year we went with ooey-gooey chocolatey chip cookies, just to mix things up. And we actually baked them this time. See!

WDSD is about giving the people in your life with an extra chromosome a big-fat hug or hi-5 just because they accomplish some pretty amazing things on a daily basis…things you might take for granted and not even realize.

For WDSD I have decided to participate in the International Down Syndrome Coalition’s “Who I Am” campaign.

I’m going to keep it super simple for you, because I really think this one word says A LOT about Who I Am and who I continue to grow up to be.

INDEPENDENT

That’s Who I Am.

So in the spirit of independence, what better than to giveaway the snazzy-super-updated-NEW version of the app that has given me so much independence! (You can view that App-ucation Month video by clicking here).

Good Karma Apps has generously offered to give one copy of their brand spankin’ new app before it hits the App Store! Whaaaaa?!?!

FIRST THEN VISUAL SCHEDULE HD

Here are the specs:

1. 5 different schedule viewing formats (new formats are velcro strip where you slide image into an enveloper and a view where you can slide images from left to right to indicate completion of task)

2. Link a step in a schedule to a video

3. Link a step in a schedule to a choice board (up to 8 choices)

4. Two settings for the visual timer (timer for entire event and timer option to have set for each step) – app will remember default times.

5. Share a saved schedule via email with another user (do not have to share same iTunes account. But, due to size constraints only one choice board and no video clips can be shared this way).

6. App is universal (iphone and ipad supported graphics).

7. You can download over 10,000 Smarty Symbols from Smarty Ears directly into the app stock image library.

8. Hide a step (steps) from a schedule via an options tray that is available from inside the schedule (you an also hide this from view/access).

9. Password protected settings/editing.

10. Customizable tags (First, Then on split view).

11. Back up via iCloud.

12. Print a schedule

To win a copy of FTVS HD you must enter using the Rafflecopter below, tell me what your (kiddo’s) favorite thing to do independently is.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gigantic thanks to Good Karma Apps for helping me celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, my 3rd Blogiversary and Who I Am in STYLE!

Tags: 3/21, App-ucation Month, apps, blogiversary, celebration, cookie, Education, First Then Visual Schedule HD, giveaway, Good Karma Apps, life with boys, On The Web, when I grow up

1 comment

Mar 19

Dave Hingsburger Celebrates World Down Syndrome Day

Categories:

Events, On The Web, Random Thoughts...

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

World Down Syndrome Day is coming…3/21 marks the day the world honors and celebrates those of us with that one extra little chromosome. The 21st chromosome. Get it, 3/21…3 copies of the 21st chromosome. Get it? Get it? Yeah, I thought it was pretty clever, too. To put it simply, it’s a day to celebrate the amazing people in your life who have an extra copy of that par-tic-uh-lar chromosome and make them feel great about being them. Shouldn’t everyone feel great about being themselves? Um, yeah. I think so.

On 3/21 we celebrate twice around here; once for World Down Syndrome Day and twice for my Blogiversary! Woop! Woop!

Oh yes, there will be cake. Don’t you worry about that. hehehe

I want to share this really awesome video by Dave Hingsburger from http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/ I’ve mentioned him on my blog before, you can see those posts here and here; he’s a really inspirational writer, you really should visit his blog.

Please enjoy this wonderful video in honor of World Down Syndrome Day on 3/21…and Mom and I will go make some cake!

Tags: 3/21, blogiversary, Dave Hingsburger, disability, Events, On The Web, random thoughts, video, World Down Syndrome Day

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Mar 18

Tip of the Week #45 ~ Being a Helper

Categories:

Just For Fun, Life With Boys..., Series, Tip of the Week

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

It’s time for the

It’s my online version of SHOW AND TELL, where you can post pics of your kids & their hilarious tips on my

FACEBOOK PAGE and on TWITTER.

You can take your duties of being a good helper to a whole new level when Mom or Dad is in the shower.

psst…a cup of cold water motivates them to get out quicker.

Tags: dad, funny, Just For Fun, life with boys, mom, Series, shower, Tip of the Week

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Mar 12

Navigating Pre-Teens with Dandelion Moms

Categories:

Guest Blogger, On The Web

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me again, Ty!

Guess what, dudes?!?!

You can now find some of my Mom’s writing over at this awesome site just for Moms,

If you’re looking to be inspired, be reminded to live in the present or connect with other Moms, check out the blossoming community children’s book author and app creator, Melissa Northway has created.

And please be sure to check out Mom’s post,

Parenting: Navigating Pre-Teens with Special Needs

while you’re there!

Tags: children's author, Dandelion moms, Down Syndrome, guest blogger, kidslit, Melissa Northway, On The Web, pre-teen, special needs, writer

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Mar 11

Tip of the Week #44 ~ Be Sneaky

Categories:

Just For Fun, Life With Boys..., Series, Tip of the Week

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

It’s time for the

It’s my online version of SHOW AND TELL, where you can post pics of your kids & their hilarious tips on my

FACEBOOK PAGE and on TWITTER.

When you try to sneak Mom’s phone in your backpack to play with at school, make sure the ringer is turned off first. #Busted

Image courtesy http://www.wessexscene.co.uk

Tags: busted, Just For Fun, life with boys, phone, Series, sneaky, Tip of the Week

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Mar 01

App-ucation Month 2013 ~ Getting My iPad Video & Thank You!

Categories:

Education, Events, Series

by tysadventures

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

Well, it’s March 1st and App-ucation Month 2013 is just about over…but before we close the book on #AppMo2013 there’s still a few things I want to share.

The most important thing first,

THANK YOU!!!!

There is no way I would have been able to do ANY part of #AppMo2013 without YOU.

So you know what that means, don’tcha?

I REACHED MY GOAL!!! I got my very own iPad!!! All thanks to you. You guys rock.

App-ucation Month is one of my favorite times of the year (on my blog) because I get to share all of my favorite learning apps, make lots of videos, introduce you to awesome new people and give stuff away all to raise money for an iPad and Down syndrome cognition research.

While we wait for medical advances in cognition research for people with Down syndrome, there is technology out there that continues to increase a child’s ability to learn.

The month of February is dedicated to those technologies on Ty’s Adventures.

Cognition is one of the hardest things for me to gain…Mom explains it like this, it’s like I have holes in my memory and sometimes those holes move around and swallow up different memories. So one day I will be able to remember my address, and other days I won’t. It’s just the way my brain works; that’s why cognition research is so important and the apps I can use on an iPad can help me while the scientists are figuring all of that out.

#AppMo2014 will be even bigger and better…until we get to February 2014, I’ve decided to do

series here on my blog where I’ll be featuring an awesome app in action on my iPad each month. So please be sure to come back for that and of course the rest of my shenanigans! mwah-hahahaha! (shenanigans, that’s a funny word, haha)

Now for the super fun part. Huge thanks to my buddies at Apple, Wyatt, Jared & Blake for setting me up with my iPad and the awesome welcome at the Apple Store. Check out the video Jared took when I got there…

And more humongous thanks to all of the app developers & elite guest bloggers for making #AppMo2013 so amazing!!! You guys rock!!!

and of course

Good Karma Apps

Happy App-ing!

Tags: App of the Month, App-ucation Month, Apple, AppMo2013, cognition reasearch, Down Syndrome, Education, event, Series, thank you, video

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Amazon.com Widgets

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

If you remember from App-ucation Month 2013, I talked about the Abilipad app

made by the amazing peeps at

Here’s what you can find in an App of the Month post:

~ My honest video review of an awesome app on my iPad, {I don’t know how to fake it guys, what you see is what you get}.

~ See the different ways you can use the app with your very special kid(s).

~ Ways to use the app in the classroom {as a teacher} or at home {as a parent} as an addition to school.

~ Academic areas and IEP goals addressed as well as possible lesson plans.

~ I will only feature apps I use and like.

~ And of course, some much needed silliness!

All I ask of you is to share my posts/videos with your peeps ’cause I put a lot of hard work into them, use my affiliate links to purchase apps in the App Store and most of all HAVE FUN, dudes!

Highlights/Uses in the Classroom/Home:

1. Connect iPad to projector/E.L.M.O. for entire class to use together if applicable.

2. Possible use in subject areas include: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, you name it!

3. Can be used for IEP goal work &/or to quickly & functionally modify work in the general education classroom as well as building life/job skills.

4. Customizable Notepads and Keyboards

5. Keyboard customization includes: size, shape, picture, sound & color of keys.

6. Notepad customization includes: font type, size and color & page color.

7. Share Notepads & Keyboards via email, Dropbox or Abilipad Library between school & home.

8. Tons of ideas to get you started in the Abilipad Library.

9. My favorite part is the text READS TO ME when I need it so I can read & write INDEPENDENTLY.

If you would like your app to be featured as App of the Month, send me an email, dude!

tysadventures@gmail.com

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

Most of you know that April is Autism Awareness Month, so I wanted to do something extra fun in honor of my peeps who have a DUAL DIAGNOSIS of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What better way than to have an

APP GIVEAWAY!

Not just any app, an app that jumps the lines between different diagnosis’ and can be used to help so many kids/adults with a wide variety of diagnosis’.

And in 2013, DS-ASD Connection cited

1. www.jfkpartners.org and 2. When Down Syndrome and Autism Intersect, A Guide to DS-ASD for Parents and Professionals, Woodbine House, 2013 as saying,

And like my FEATURED AMAZING PARENT, Debra Forand of www.voicesfordownsyndrome.com has said to me before, there is so little information out there about this dual diagnosis, it can be hard to know where to go for support or help.

In the meantime, you and your family have to function and get through the day to day stuff!

That’s why I want to celebrate my awesome peeps with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and ASD by giving away 4 copies of an app that has changed my life and really got me through a tough transition period. You can view my video app review of FTVS (not HD) by clicking HERE.

First Then Visual Schedule HD

ooooohhhhh…aaaaaaahhhhh…all sorts of shiny new bells and whistles that will blow your mind, like…

-First Then boards

-Visual schedules

-Task analyses

-Choice boards (which can also be added to any step)

-Video models (which can also be added to any step)

-Universal (can be used on any iDevice)

-Timer

-Five image choices: 10,000 symbols from Smarty Ears, Google images, stock images, take your own picture or use one form the camera roll.

-Create, customize, print and/or share schedules

- My personal fave is that if you have a hard time with unplanned transitions (like a quick stop at the grocery store) FTVS HD is in Mom’s pocket on her phone to help prepare you & help you understand what’s going on.

As of today, FTVS HD is normally $14.99 in the App Store, but has been discounted to $9.99 for Autism Awareness Month in April 2013…but here 4 people can win a copy for free! *gasp*

How to win:

Please leave a blog comment below telling me what is the most difficult time of the day or difficult situation for your kiddo.

4 lucky peeps will be randomly chosen.

Winners announced here on my blog in 1 week, Saturday, May 3rd.

Please spread the word to get this incredible app in the hands of those who can really use it!

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

Hip! Hip! Hooray! for Mom in May!

To celebrate Mom, I have teamed up with Designs by MRS and are excited to offer a sparkly giveaway!

One lucky person will win a beautiful hand stamped necklace designed with Mom in mind by the amazing (and sparkly) Designs by MRS.

But before the giveaway, my Mom wanted to share a quick something with other Mom’s out there.

My Mom Says…

For those days when…

Your (inner) maid takes the day off.

Leave the Matchbox Road Rage Car Show out for more fans to enjoy; you’re helping boost ticket sales.

Don’t worry about Mt. Saint Laundrypilegrowswhileyousleep; it’s a mountain, it’s won’t walk off.

And the dishwasher full of dishes will just have to wait it’s turn for some one on one attention from you; you just “played” with it yesterday for crying out loud.

No. Not tonight.

Tonight is date night, and you’ve already kept Mr. Tub O’Bubbles waiting long enough.

You need Mommy time, because there is no Mommy without it.

And now a giveaway just for those Mommies/Grandmommies. You have until Friday, April 19th to enter the Rafflecopter below to win.

RULES: You MUST like Designs by MRS Facebook page to enter AND leave a comment on my blog telling me if you were to win the necklace, which special Mom/Grandma in your life it will be going to.

And just because my peeps rock, you can enter coupon code “TysAdventures” to receive 10% off any order (in the event you don’t win the giveaway, or would like to get a different sparkly for Mom…girls like sparkly things you know).

Good luck, dudes!

Hi! It’s me, Ty!

As promised at the end of App-ucation Month, I am launching a new series on my blog;

Here’s what you can find in an App of the Month post:

~ My honest video review of an awesome app on my iPad, {I don’t know how to fake it guys, what you see is what you get}.

~ See the different ways you can use the app with your very special kid(s).

~ Ways to use the app in the classroom {as a teacher} or at home {as a parent} as an addition to school.

~ Education standards/academic areas addressed and possible lesson plans.

~ I will only feature apps I use and like.

~ And of course, some much needed silliness!

All I ask of you is to share my posts/videos with your peeps ’cause I put a lot of hard work into them, use my affiliate links to purchase apps in the App Store and most of all HAVE FUN, dudes!

So, let’s kick it off with

As of today, FTVS HD is normally $14.99 in the App Store, but has been discounted to $9.99 for Autism Awareness Month in April 2013…but here 4 people can win a copy for free! gasp

3/21 is back…yes, it comes around every year it seems. Days on a calendar do that sometimes, ya know. silly peoples

Oh yes, there will be cake. Don’t you worry about that. hehehe