Paul Mayne blogs here since 2003.

We recently finished our basement and since we have more space, I set up one of my older computers for my two boys to play on. Up until now they would use Jana’s Macbook. They absolutely love it. Jackson has always been enamored by computers and the Internet but now Eli is really getting the hang of things. I’m amazed by how quickly they pick up things and instinctively learn how to use different navigation systems without even being able to read.

Currently they play on three websites: Playhouse Disney, PBS Kids, and Starfall.com.

We’ve purchased a few CD-rom based educational games which had decent reviews on Amazon, but I found them to be worthless compared to the current free stuff you can find online, like Starfall. It seems like there could be a nice market for more kid based educational and entertainment web sites, specifically for kids 2-5 years old.

I see that Playhouse Disney has a subscription based site for even more educational games called “Preschool Time Online“. It’s $49.95 annually, but has a free 7-day trial, I need to check out.

Does anyone have any other sites they recommend for kids, specifically under the age of 6?

— January 25th, 2009

Ron Reagan and Barack Obama gave excellent speeches at the DNC today. I’m convinced that stem-cell research is a very positive and valuable science that should be further developed.

It takes a LOT of patients to take care of a crying baby. Thank goodness for the Mom. Jackson is still a good boy, but he’s been a bit moody the past couple days. I was left alone with him for over an hour tonight and the hearing is just now returning in my right ear.

My legs fall asleep every day on the 1 hour bus rides to and from work. I’m thinking of carrying a pillow in my backpack.

Macromedia finally updated the Flash MX 2004 Dictionary. It’s about time – I use the dictionary as a quick reference and some definitions and code examples are (were) completely useless.

— July 27th, 2004

A few things I shall resove in 2004:

- Design, build and keep a web log (so far so good)
- Write a song on my guitar
- Pack more lunches (food court is getting nasty)
- Become a daddy (in 6 months)

I can already tell it’s going to be a good year, I’m very excited for everything.

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— January 1st, 2004