social networking for 7 yr olds

a while ago i read about the disney site club penguin.
basically it's a site where your child creates a penguin - then walks around playing games, talking to other penguins, and spending their winnings.
it's a well moderated - easy to figure out website.
naturally, i knew this was right up drew's alley - so i got him set up with his very own "penguin" immediately.
he loved it.

so fast forward to a week ago.
we went over to our friend's house and drew discovered that his friend jordan was on club penguin -
but HE HAD A MEMBERSHIP***!
this created the NEED for drew to have a membership as well.

***when you're a member ...
you get to dress your penguin.
buy cool things for your penguin.
and
decorate and UPGRADE your igloo!
who wouldn't want that?!

being the fun mom and dad that we are (ha!) we decided we would let him try it out for a month and see how he did.

he has had SO much fun with it!
he comes up with some of the craziest outfits ...
he walks around trying to get girl penguins to fall in love with him ... (ha!)
and he redecorates his igloo at least once each day.

it has been fun for him (but even more fun for us to watch!)

it is the PERFECT summer vacation distraction :)
*******************
AND NOW ...
because i know you are curious ...
i took some screenshots so you could see some of his creations

i give you .... penguino319

this was earlier today


i just logged on and this is how he is dressed now (ha ha!)

AND ... because i know you are wondering ...
here is his igloo
now .. if you were REALLY to visit his igloo you would hear some nice background music
you would see the hockey game actually playing on his LCD
and you would see the little pink and black fur balls that he calls his pets hopping around :)



if only fun stuff like this existed when i was 7!!
i don't even think pong was around until i was like 10 :)