Got Game?

If so, then you are probably already prepared to hit the release party for the fabulous new Nintendo DSi system at midnight this Saturday at GameStop at Universal CityWalk. Gamers throughout the Southland will flock to this official party celebrating the console's April 5 release.

Even though I'm a little bit of a geek when it comes to gadgets and games, I will rarely stand in line with a bunch of other gadget and game geeks to buy anything – but I might have to make an exception for this one: The new DSi is one cool puppy.

Aside from the fact that it comes in a cool new color (aqua, anyone?), this nifty little device gives you the power to do more than play games (hence, a lot of the appeal for moms and grownups). It has two cameras and plenty of distortion "lenses" that take photo manipulation to a whole new artistic level. On the audio end the new DSi has an interactive recorder that allows you to "play" with your voice and other noises as well as a music player (set the tempo to your favorite Cold Play song to whatever you want or just play the music and sing your own track).

Even more cool are the downloadable games (for a fee), inviting developers to go crazy on all sorts of new and addictive ways to use up your spare time. And most of your (or your child's) old DS games will still work, although you (or your child) will no doubt want to find some time to check out the amazing new titles, such as Rhythm Heaven. The Nintendo folks gave us a preview here at the L.A. Parent offices a few weeks back, and trust me when I say that this is one game that lives up to the buzz.

The new units retail for $169.99, but I wouldn't count on being able to get one soon unless you're willing to stand in line with the rest of us gadget and game geeks. Here are the details, in case you do:

WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 9 p.m.-midnight
WHERE: GameStop at Universal CityWalk
WHAT: Check out DJ Fader, a stunt show, giveaways, gaming stations and other surprises.

See you there, geeks.

It's a Celebration!

L.A. Parent and Expecting! L.A. is sponsoring the Baby & Tween Celebration L.A. April 25-26 at the L.A. Convention Center.

It'll be quite the to-do, complete with fashion shows and all sorts of products and services for those of you who are pregnant, new parents or raising a tween. I fall into the last category and am excited to see what types of things I'll find for Kate.

Tickets are $10 for adults or receive a discount when you purchase them online by using discount code exp09.

Here's what they had to say about us!

Girl Talk

I can look at this one of two ways:

• Kate is only 8 ...
– or –
• Kate is already 8!

When it comes to talking to Kate about growing up and all the changes she'll be going through, both of those statements seem to apply. And frankly, I don't always know which side to err on.

Thank goodness for books! Is This Normal?, an American Girl advice book, arrived in my mail a few months ago. At first I was hesitant to show it to her (see statements above), but it turned out to be a great conduit to conversation with Kate about our monthly blessings, getting boobs and other stuff that we've all wondered about at some point or another. The book also touches upon body-type issues and addresses them in the form of a question from a girl, which makes it all very approachable and relatable. Stuff like "I want to keep eating even though I'm full" and "I feel self-conscious about my lack of development" speak to girls at all stages, and the answers are low-key, almost as though a trusted aunt is filling you in on her experiences.

And Kate seemed very comfortable with the dialog and the content, especially for being only 8 (or is it already 8?).

I've Got Mail: Duckies

Lewis the Duck has a new book!

Lewis Goes to Canada is the second tale in based on Lewis the Duck, the mascot of the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Originally conceived as a tool for business travelers to help young children cope with parents who do a lot of traveling, this book has Lewis and the whole family (wife Lois and kids Lisa and Lance) taking a trek to Canada. This clever bit of branding also serves to remind family travelers that the chain, which has 260 properties, offers amenities that will work for moms and dads who can combine a business trip with pleasure (the latest annoying term for that is "workation," in case you need an annoying term for it).

The book is cute, and mine was delivered with rubby ducky versions of Lewis and his feathered clan, all of which are available at Homewood's Suite Shop (perfect for those baths away from home!).

A Salute ...

The next time we decide to set one soldier's foot onto the soil of another country, this video should be required viewing. Whenever I see these deployments on the news, the images of those little faces watching their moms or dads go off to places unknown makes me feel like I'm running my heart through a paper shredder.

So I salute Alison Buckholtz, the wife of an active-duty Navy pilot and mom of two little ones who produced this video and is releasing a new book, Standing By: The Making of an American Military Family in a Time of War. Her goal is to honor these brave little souls who endure months without Mom or Dad and to bring awareness to National Month of the Military Child in April. In addition, her family will soon be sending off her husband for a 12-month assignment in Baghdad.

Get out your tissues and watch: