There's a lot of crying, a lot of "stay with me," a lot of clinging. There's a lot of "Mama, whatcha doing?" and a lot of "Can I come with you?" to every move I make. There's a lot of pouting, a lot of big reactions, a lot of anger they can't explain. There's a lot of worrying, a lot of nervousness, a lot of trying new things.
A few weeks before my daughter's fourth birthday, I stumbled across an AI party planner called CelebrateAlly. "Looking to plan a themed party, a surprise bash, or just a relaxed get-together?" read a banner on its website, which promised that the app would take care of "all the details-themes, activities, and decorations." It also offered to write birthday cards, "capturing your heartfelt sentiments beautifully!"
Readmio is a mobile reading app that turns your voice into the centerpiece of the story. As you read aloud, the app adds sound effects and music that respond in real time. When the story says the wolf growled or the wind blew, you'll actually hear it. The result is an experience that feels more immersive than a regular book, without relying on screens or flashy visuals to keep your child engaged. It's also on sale right now.
Traveling with two people instead of four had distinct advantages, like the ability to quickly adjust plans to suit our preferences and energy levels. For instance, my daughter and I were able to snag a last-minute dinner reservation at a popular Italian restaurant. On another occasion, as we were exploring Petit Champlain, a shopping district, my daughter asked if we could go somewhere less crowded.