When will this stop? Personally, I think this may only get worse, because even if they tried to fix what is going on in china, or stop buying their toys, our markets will crash. America is just making way too much money off of chinese products.
We, as consumers need to take a stand and hit them where it hurts, (their pocket books) otherwise, this will continue on for the rest of our lives.
I found this video to have a wealth of information. It is a year old, but has anything changed?
This is an interview with Charles Kernaghan, Executive Director of the National Labor Committee.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Interesting Find....
I found a video today while researching the toy recalls, and found this to be important enough to post.
This video is of an amateur filmer that went to his local walmart one day, to find that the store is selling it's chlorine products for swimming pools right by the children's toys, when it says on the chlorine bottles, "keep out of reach of children", it is stocked from the top all the way to the floor where children can easily reach it.
What is wrong with this picture?
This video is of an amateur filmer that went to his local walmart one day, to find that the store is selling it's chlorine products for swimming pools right by the children's toys, when it says on the chlorine bottles, "keep out of reach of children", it is stocked from the top all the way to the floor where children can easily reach it.
What is wrong with this picture?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Found! American Made Toys!
I have been searching and searching for this and finally I found an easy to navigate site where you can buy American made toys. This is a HUGE help to those of us that want to play it safe and stay away from China's toys. I even heard a terrible story a few days ago that said they poisoned their kids at a local school there in china. Most kids that ate their school lunch that day became ill. I am very concerned about China and so whenever I find something useful, I will pass it along to you.
This is the site I found. It will take you directly to the page where you can search for American made toys.
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/specials/made_in_america.cfm?source=google&kwid=made+in+america&gclid=CPO36sPxpZACFUWoGgod3lMd7A
This is the site I found. It will take you directly to the page where you can search for American made toys.
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/specials/made_in_america.cfm?source=google&kwid=made+in+america&gclid=CPO36sPxpZACFUWoGgod3lMd7A
A Brand New Grandma!
My kids Grandma was recently forced to retire due to her growing number of health problems.
The root cause: Obesity. She has been obese all of her life and has always been scared of surgery, but she didn't have much of a choice at this point. They told her if she didn't lose weight, she'd be in a wheelchair soon.
Many grandmas share this same story. I know, I have seen several since I started to research different surgical options with my mom.
Lapband surgery was very attractive to my mom. She would be up and running after 1 week recovery, which is actually quicker than it used to be for lap band surgery.
Lapband is also the least invasive form of weightloss surgery with the least hospitalization, and the quickest recovery. With other surgeries such as stomach stapling and gastric bypass, unexpected complications can arise.
My mother weighed the pros and cons of all, and in the end opted for the gastric bypass about 6 months ago. With the lapband, she would have been required to drive every month or 2 to her doctor 1 1/2 hours away to get the band adjusted and she thought it more practical to just get it over with and just do the gastric bypass.
In six months time, she has lost a total of OVER 100 pounds, and is starting to feel better. Yes-just starting! Her recovery was not fun at all and more painful than she thought it would be, but now she is well enough to start enjoying dropping a different size every week, and we are happy to have a healthier grandma.
To find out more about the lapband surgery, click on the link below.
central florida weight loss surgery
The root cause: Obesity. She has been obese all of her life and has always been scared of surgery, but she didn't have much of a choice at this point. They told her if she didn't lose weight, she'd be in a wheelchair soon.
Many grandmas share this same story. I know, I have seen several since I started to research different surgical options with my mom.
Lapband surgery was very attractive to my mom. She would be up and running after 1 week recovery, which is actually quicker than it used to be for lap band surgery.
Lapband is also the least invasive form of weightloss surgery with the least hospitalization, and the quickest recovery. With other surgeries such as stomach stapling and gastric bypass, unexpected complications can arise.
My mother weighed the pros and cons of all, and in the end opted for the gastric bypass about 6 months ago. With the lapband, she would have been required to drive every month or 2 to her doctor 1 1/2 hours away to get the band adjusted and she thought it more practical to just get it over with and just do the gastric bypass.
In six months time, she has lost a total of OVER 100 pounds, and is starting to feel better. Yes-just starting! Her recovery was not fun at all and more painful than she thought it would be, but now she is well enough to start enjoying dropping a different size every week, and we are happy to have a healthier grandma.
To find out more about the lapband surgery, click on the link below.
central florida weight loss surgery
Monday, December 10, 2007
Stocking stuffer Idea :)
I had a few things already planned to go in my kids stockings, but then my ideas ran out. This is a simple idea which you may or may not have already thought of, but hey, it's not bad and it's pretty much free.
Everytime we go to Burger king, my 5 year old is way more interested in which toy he's gonna get instead of if he will have a hamburger or chicken, so the last time we were out I told him if he didn't stop talking about it, he couldn't have a toy. So of course, he wouldn't listen to me and went on and on about it. So I took the toy away from him. He did not see what it was, so I put it in my purse and started thinking. My husband gave me this funny look and he could tell what I was thinking... stocking stuffer!!!
He was laughing at me, but I think it's a great idea. and guess what? you already bought the kids meal, so it's free! he will be more than happy to see it on Christmas morning.
Everytime we go to Burger king, my 5 year old is way more interested in which toy he's gonna get instead of if he will have a hamburger or chicken, so the last time we were out I told him if he didn't stop talking about it, he couldn't have a toy. So of course, he wouldn't listen to me and went on and on about it. So I took the toy away from him. He did not see what it was, so I put it in my purse and started thinking. My husband gave me this funny look and he could tell what I was thinking... stocking stuffer!!!
He was laughing at me, but I think it's a great idea. and guess what? you already bought the kids meal, so it's free! he will be more than happy to see it on Christmas morning.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Shop Safely For Toys, Amidst Growing Number Of Recalls
Author: Judy Griscom
Article:
Dolls. Trains. Play sets. Accessories.
It use to be that safety considerations associated with
children's toys were limited to choking hazards. We're familiar
with the warning, "Never give small toys to children under 3
years of age". Recently, though, there have been new problems
that make us almost long for the days when a choking hazard was
our only safety concern.
Companies that parents have relied upon for quality toys for
years are now being tested, undergoing public scrutiny and
issuing recalls on their products due to substandard and even
hazardous production. Virtually every manufacturer is being
questioned regarding the quality of the products they offer.
With the holidays quickly approaching, what can parents do to
find great products and gifts for their children that will
capture their interest, but most importantly, are also safe for
children to use?
First of all, check out any toy company or product with a click
of the mouse by visiting The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) website. The CPSC posts their recalls on all
products they have reviewed as soon as they are available. While
recalled items are typically pulled from the stores as soon as
the announcement is made, early shoppers need to pay close
attention to recall announcements for toys they may already have
purchased.
Next, invest some time researching your gift ideas. Many online
toy companies are now linking to safety guides on their sites.
They are adding toy safety guides for the product lines they
carry, and are also contacting their vendors to ensure the
products they are selling are safe and thoroughly tested.
Whether you intend on shopping online or at a brick-and-mortar
store, do your homework first and check out what other companies
are saying about the toys you are considering. Look for products
recommended by "toy authorities" such as Oppenheim and Dr. Toy.
They closely review children's products and make recommendations
according to their own standards. Their product selections are
not immune to possible hazards, but it is infrequent that their
choices are recalled.
Another suggestion is to change your overall shopping process.
Look for smaller, more specialized stores that take the time to
carefully screen each product that is offered. A smaller store
tends to focus on fewer vendors, giving them greater control
over the products that are sold. Check each vendor for a safety
statement, indicating their commitment to providing quality,
safe products to purchase. Buying name-brand items makes them
easier to identify in a recall, rather than a generic version
with no well-defined brand name. Keep receipts and/or model
numbers for easy reference and returns, should a recall be
issued.
Look for online sites and stores that sell products from
reputable manufacturers. Many vendors and manufacturers will
happily provide information regarding their product production
to help allay any concerns that may arise in regards to quality.
If manufacturer information is not available for a product,
chances are it is not from a quality manufacturer. Take notice
of manufacturer information on product packaging as well.
Many problems have been noted among toys manufactured in China,
which has led to a common thought that all Chinese-made toys
made present problems. The reality is that it is quite possible
to manufacture quality toys in China, as long as the U.S.
companies focus their efforts on production and quality
assurance, and follow up with thorough testing of the end
product. If anything good can come from the recent recalls, it
may be that vendors are now becoming more aware of the need for
quality control, and the responsibility they have in assuring
the consumer that they are taking the necessary steps to provide
the level of quality and safety that parents require.
Finally, as a caregiver or parent, please remember that all toys
are potentially hazardous, depending upon how they are used by
the child. Make sure to read the packaging and instructions.
Production companies package products for children with age
guidelines posted clearly on the label. These age specifications
are provided for safety reasons and should be followed when
buying toys and products for children. Toys with small parts
should not be given to children under 3 (or any child who
habitually puts objects in his or her mouth) to avoid a possible
choking situation. Read any instructions or warnings that are
included with the product to ensure proper use and care. Anyone
who will be using the product should be made aware of the
appropriate way to use it.
Children need adequate supervision to make sure they use toys
and products appropriately. And, for those toys that are just
too tempting to be used the way they are intended? Store them
for a rainy day - next year.
About the author:
Judy Griscom is a preschool teacher and mother of two boys. She
recommends that parents review WonderBrains'
safety guide to find out more about toy quality and safety.
Article:
Dolls. Trains. Play sets. Accessories.
It use to be that safety considerations associated with
children's toys were limited to choking hazards. We're familiar
with the warning, "Never give small toys to children under 3
years of age". Recently, though, there have been new problems
that make us almost long for the days when a choking hazard was
our only safety concern.
Companies that parents have relied upon for quality toys for
years are now being tested, undergoing public scrutiny and
issuing recalls on their products due to substandard and even
hazardous production. Virtually every manufacturer is being
questioned regarding the quality of the products they offer.
With the holidays quickly approaching, what can parents do to
find great products and gifts for their children that will
capture their interest, but most importantly, are also safe for
children to use?
First of all, check out any toy company or product with a click
of the mouse by visiting The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) website. The CPSC posts their recalls on all
products they have reviewed as soon as they are available. While
recalled items are typically pulled from the stores as soon as
the announcement is made, early shoppers need to pay close
attention to recall announcements for toys they may already have
purchased.
Next, invest some time researching your gift ideas. Many online
toy companies are now linking to safety guides on their sites.
They are adding toy safety guides for the product lines they
carry, and are also contacting their vendors to ensure the
products they are selling are safe and thoroughly tested.
Whether you intend on shopping online or at a brick-and-mortar
store, do your homework first and check out what other companies
are saying about the toys you are considering. Look for products
recommended by "toy authorities" such as Oppenheim and Dr. Toy.
They closely review children's products and make recommendations
according to their own standards. Their product selections are
not immune to possible hazards, but it is infrequent that their
choices are recalled.
Another suggestion is to change your overall shopping process.
Look for smaller, more specialized stores that take the time to
carefully screen each product that is offered. A smaller store
tends to focus on fewer vendors, giving them greater control
over the products that are sold. Check each vendor for a safety
statement, indicating their commitment to providing quality,
safe products to purchase. Buying name-brand items makes them
easier to identify in a recall, rather than a generic version
with no well-defined brand name. Keep receipts and/or model
numbers for easy reference and returns, should a recall be
issued.
Look for online sites and stores that sell products from
reputable manufacturers. Many vendors and manufacturers will
happily provide information regarding their product production
to help allay any concerns that may arise in regards to quality.
If manufacturer information is not available for a product,
chances are it is not from a quality manufacturer. Take notice
of manufacturer information on product packaging as well.
Many problems have been noted among toys manufactured in China,
which has led to a common thought that all Chinese-made toys
made present problems. The reality is that it is quite possible
to manufacture quality toys in China, as long as the U.S.
companies focus their efforts on production and quality
assurance, and follow up with thorough testing of the end
product. If anything good can come from the recent recalls, it
may be that vendors are now becoming more aware of the need for
quality control, and the responsibility they have in assuring
the consumer that they are taking the necessary steps to provide
the level of quality and safety that parents require.
Finally, as a caregiver or parent, please remember that all toys
are potentially hazardous, depending upon how they are used by
the child. Make sure to read the packaging and instructions.
Production companies package products for children with age
guidelines posted clearly on the label. These age specifications
are provided for safety reasons and should be followed when
buying toys and products for children. Toys with small parts
should not be given to children under 3 (or any child who
habitually puts objects in his or her mouth) to avoid a possible
choking situation. Read any instructions or warnings that are
included with the product to ensure proper use and care. Anyone
who will be using the product should be made aware of the
appropriate way to use it.
Children need adequate supervision to make sure they use toys
and products appropriately. And, for those toys that are just
too tempting to be used the way they are intended? Store them
for a rainy day - next year.
About the author:
Judy Griscom is a preschool teacher and mother of two boys. She
recommends that parents review WonderBrains'
safety guide to find out more about toy quality and safety.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
An alarming find!
I thought I was pretty careful in chosing toys n' such for my children this year. With the rediculous number of recalls from items from china, including but not limited to: Beef sold here, toys, etc, we all need to be diligent.
What I don't get is how they can continue to get away with this. I heard a story on the news last night about beef being recalled that was dated October 10 and they say, "If you have it, don't eat it, throw it out". HELLO! If anyone DID have meat dated OCTOBER 10, I think we would have ate it already! How can this continue to happen? I have seriously been considering going vegetarian because of this ongoing problem.
Now about toys, I guess America just doesn't make it's own toys anymore. I was very careful in my selections this year, though I did not read the labels. I shopped at my local PX thinking surely it would be made in the USA, nope! I bought my son a castle set with a dragon, etc, ... Made in China! Barbie: Made in China, Childrens watches from Wal-Mart: Made in China, Lite Brite: Made in China, Playdoh Creations Bucket: Made in China. Black spiderman Venom: Made in China.
So what did I buy that WASN'T made in China? A Coloring book: Made in Ashland, Ohio and guess what the crayons... Made in the USA! (crayola brand) Thank God for that at least! It would be pretty terrible if the coloring book was made here and the crayons in china!
Other things that you can find that are not made in china: Clothes. I purchased some Old Navy Clothes for christmas that were not made in china.
:) So good luck to everyone this year. It is slim pickin's for American Made products. I am not too worried about my China selections since my kids are old enough they do not put things into their mouths, but I would be extra careful if you have babies!
What I don't get is how they can continue to get away with this. I heard a story on the news last night about beef being recalled that was dated October 10 and they say, "If you have it, don't eat it, throw it out". HELLO! If anyone DID have meat dated OCTOBER 10, I think we would have ate it already! How can this continue to happen? I have seriously been considering going vegetarian because of this ongoing problem.
Now about toys, I guess America just doesn't make it's own toys anymore. I was very careful in my selections this year, though I did not read the labels. I shopped at my local PX thinking surely it would be made in the USA, nope! I bought my son a castle set with a dragon, etc, ... Made in China! Barbie: Made in China, Childrens watches from Wal-Mart: Made in China, Lite Brite: Made in China, Playdoh Creations Bucket: Made in China. Black spiderman Venom: Made in China.
So what did I buy that WASN'T made in China? A Coloring book: Made in Ashland, Ohio and guess what the crayons... Made in the USA! (crayola brand) Thank God for that at least! It would be pretty terrible if the coloring book was made here and the crayons in china!
Other things that you can find that are not made in china: Clothes. I purchased some Old Navy Clothes for christmas that were not made in china.
:) So good luck to everyone this year. It is slim pickin's for American Made products. I am not too worried about my China selections since my kids are old enough they do not put things into their mouths, but I would be extra careful if you have babies!
Monday, November 19, 2007
'Made In China' Toys: Is Your Family Safe?
Author: Sarah Corlett
Article:
With the massive number of recalled goods manufactured in China
this past year, there is certainly cause for concern. From pet
food to children's toys, the products found to be contaminated
or simply unsafe have hit families where they can truly be hurt.
A statistic that cannot be ignored is the fact that products
made in China account for 80% of all toys sold in the United
States, and a similar pattern holds true for the rest of the G8
countries - the richest nations in the world. All of these
countries maintain high government-enforced safety standards in
the manufacture of toys, but China is behind in such regulation
and they find themselves short-staffed to enforce the
regulations they do have. The fact of the matter is, as long as
large corporations such as Mattel look to shave dollars off of
their bottom line by having their manufacturing done in the
developing world, rather than within the G8 countries where
their toys are primarily sold, these sorts of problems will
continue to arise. The factories where these goods are being
produced use cheap components and even cheaper labour. I know
it's a cliché, but you do very often get what you pay for.
There are some people who have spoken up in defense of the
practice of farming out manufacturing jobs, as well as other
jobs requiring large numbers of workers (such as call centres),
to the developing world, saying that it reduces costs to the
consumers. Frankly, I believe that it only increases profits to
the companies that use these factories. However, when companies
cut costs, somebody somewhere has to pay them - and it seems
that it usually ends up being the shopper that is buying their
toys. We're seeing it now, in the massive recalls that have
probably only just begun.
That is not to say that China hasn't felt the sting of this
global controversy. The head of the Chinese toy factory at the
centre of the lead paint dispute took his own life in one of his
warehouses shortly after the world-wide August 2007 recalls that
brought so much negative attention to the country's
manufacturing industry. Mattel has announced stricter scrutiny
of its own products prior to their distribution and some members
of the government of the United States have called for
legislation to detain Chinese made products at customs for full
safety inspections before allowing them to enter their country.
With such a negative light shining on their manufacturing
industry and the Olympics coming to Beijing, the Chinese
government is likely to step up regulation in its manufacturing
industry to counteract the bad public relations that they have
received thus far. What that will mean to large companies like
Mattel is hard to predict at this point, but I think that a
higher cost for toys at the cash register is a small price to
pay for the safety of our children.
About the author:
Sarah Corlett runs the successful toy resource The Toy Maker:
www.the-toy-maker.co.uk
Article:
With the massive number of recalled goods manufactured in China
this past year, there is certainly cause for concern. From pet
food to children's toys, the products found to be contaminated
or simply unsafe have hit families where they can truly be hurt.
A statistic that cannot be ignored is the fact that products
made in China account for 80% of all toys sold in the United
States, and a similar pattern holds true for the rest of the G8
countries - the richest nations in the world. All of these
countries maintain high government-enforced safety standards in
the manufacture of toys, but China is behind in such regulation
and they find themselves short-staffed to enforce the
regulations they do have. The fact of the matter is, as long as
large corporations such as Mattel look to shave dollars off of
their bottom line by having their manufacturing done in the
developing world, rather than within the G8 countries where
their toys are primarily sold, these sorts of problems will
continue to arise. The factories where these goods are being
produced use cheap components and even cheaper labour. I know
it's a cliché, but you do very often get what you pay for.
There are some people who have spoken up in defense of the
practice of farming out manufacturing jobs, as well as other
jobs requiring large numbers of workers (such as call centres),
to the developing world, saying that it reduces costs to the
consumers. Frankly, I believe that it only increases profits to
the companies that use these factories. However, when companies
cut costs, somebody somewhere has to pay them - and it seems
that it usually ends up being the shopper that is buying their
toys. We're seeing it now, in the massive recalls that have
probably only just begun.
That is not to say that China hasn't felt the sting of this
global controversy. The head of the Chinese toy factory at the
centre of the lead paint dispute took his own life in one of his
warehouses shortly after the world-wide August 2007 recalls that
brought so much negative attention to the country's
manufacturing industry. Mattel has announced stricter scrutiny
of its own products prior to their distribution and some members
of the government of the United States have called for
legislation to detain Chinese made products at customs for full
safety inspections before allowing them to enter their country.
With such a negative light shining on their manufacturing
industry and the Olympics coming to Beijing, the Chinese
government is likely to step up regulation in its manufacturing
industry to counteract the bad public relations that they have
received thus far. What that will mean to large companies like
Mattel is hard to predict at this point, but I think that a
higher cost for toys at the cash register is a small price to
pay for the safety of our children.
About the author:
Sarah Corlett runs the successful toy resource The Toy Maker:
www.the-toy-maker.co.uk
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
10 Classic Toys That Are the Perfect Choice for Children's Gifts
Author: Chris Robertson
Article:
Buying Christmas gifts for children is always a delight.
Invariably, the experience brings me back to my own childhood,
and I fondly remember the thrill and wonderment of seeing
beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts and discovering the
surprises that lay beneath the wrapping. Perhaps that's why
today, whether I'm shopping for boy's toys or girl's toys, I
almost always select the classics. Here are my top ten favorite
Christmas gift selections.
1. Monopoly. Some have called Monopoly the world's greatest
board game. I call it a classic. You can't help but become a
land baron when faced with a board full of properties waiting to
be purchased and you can't help but be delighted every time you
can collect rent or pass "Go." The classic Monopoly board game
makes a wonderful gift, as do the junior edition games and
special themed edition games.
2. Star Wars. It's been 30 years since George Lucas made history
with the "Star Wars," and its popularity has never waned. When I
am in the market for boy's toys, I always start with Star Wars
toys. Whether it's the Darth Vader Potato Head, a play light
saber, or the Lego Star Wars video game, you can't go wrong with
Luke and his friends.
3. Legos. What's a childhood without Legos? I love buying my
nieces and nephews sets of Lego bricks. With Duplo Legos for the
little tykes, everything from Harry Potter sets to Bionicles for
the older kids, and Technics for the serious builders, you can't
go wrong with Legos.
4. Bicycles. When I think back to my childhood, I remember the
freedom of getting together with my friends to ride our bikes
around the neighborhood. From explorations of nearby parks and
rivers to daylong expeditions to other parts of the city,
bicycles were central to our lives. When buying and giving bikes
as Christmas gifts, I feel like I'm giving a gift of joy and
independence.
5. Play-Doh. Childhood wouldn't be complete without Play-Doh.
Even the scent of Play-Doh transports me back to my youth. I
love giving Play-Doh as Christmas gifts, especially because
there are so many more options today. There are sets with
themes, such as Winnie the Pooh, Farm World, and Hairdresser,
that give kids hours of imaginative fun.
6. Jigsaw Puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles make perfect children's gifts
for kids of all ages. There are those made out of wood for
preschoolers, those with relatively few pieces for young
children, and those with several hundred pieces for those who
are experienced puzzle solvers. Plus, jigsaws are perfect rainy
day toys.
7. Roller Skates. Roller skates are great for exercise and for
increasing balance and coordination - and are a whole lot of
fun. Whether they're strap on skates for little tykes or inline
skates for tweens, roller skates are always a hit!
8. Dolls. When it comes to girl's toys, there's nothing more
classic than dolls. Of course, today's dolls are capable of
doing just about everything except going to school - but that
makes them all the more fun!
9. Magic Sets. Every boy goes through a phase where he wants to
learn magic. The magic sets I've bought over the years have
entertained and captivated boys, who love learning the skills
behind the tricks.
10. Scrabble. Perhaps because I recall spending hours and hours
playing this classic word game with my family, I love giving
Scrabble boards as Christmas gifts. Boys and girls both love the
game, which also comes in a junior edition, and I like knowing
that my gifts are both fun and educational.
It's as much fun for adults to give toys as is it for children
to receive them - especially when you can relive part of your
own childhood by giving toys that you enjoyed while you were
growing up.
About the author:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon
International, one of the worlds MOST popular
For tips/information, click here:
Toys and
Games directory.
Article:
Buying Christmas gifts for children is always a delight.
Invariably, the experience brings me back to my own childhood,
and I fondly remember the thrill and wonderment of seeing
beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts and discovering the
surprises that lay beneath the wrapping. Perhaps that's why
today, whether I'm shopping for boy's toys or girl's toys, I
almost always select the classics. Here are my top ten favorite
Christmas gift selections.
1. Monopoly. Some have called Monopoly the world's greatest
board game. I call it a classic. You can't help but become a
land baron when faced with a board full of properties waiting to
be purchased and you can't help but be delighted every time you
can collect rent or pass "Go." The classic Monopoly board game
makes a wonderful gift, as do the junior edition games and
special themed edition games.
2. Star Wars. It's been 30 years since George Lucas made history
with the "Star Wars," and its popularity has never waned. When I
am in the market for boy's toys, I always start with Star Wars
toys. Whether it's the Darth Vader Potato Head, a play light
saber, or the Lego Star Wars video game, you can't go wrong with
Luke and his friends.
3. Legos. What's a childhood without Legos? I love buying my
nieces and nephews sets of Lego bricks. With Duplo Legos for the
little tykes, everything from Harry Potter sets to Bionicles for
the older kids, and Technics for the serious builders, you can't
go wrong with Legos.
4. Bicycles. When I think back to my childhood, I remember the
freedom of getting together with my friends to ride our bikes
around the neighborhood. From explorations of nearby parks and
rivers to daylong expeditions to other parts of the city,
bicycles were central to our lives. When buying and giving bikes
as Christmas gifts, I feel like I'm giving a gift of joy and
independence.
5. Play-Doh. Childhood wouldn't be complete without Play-Doh.
Even the scent of Play-Doh transports me back to my youth. I
love giving Play-Doh as Christmas gifts, especially because
there are so many more options today. There are sets with
themes, such as Winnie the Pooh, Farm World, and Hairdresser,
that give kids hours of imaginative fun.
6. Jigsaw Puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles make perfect children's gifts
for kids of all ages. There are those made out of wood for
preschoolers, those with relatively few pieces for young
children, and those with several hundred pieces for those who
are experienced puzzle solvers. Plus, jigsaws are perfect rainy
day toys.
7. Roller Skates. Roller skates are great for exercise and for
increasing balance and coordination - and are a whole lot of
fun. Whether they're strap on skates for little tykes or inline
skates for tweens, roller skates are always a hit!
8. Dolls. When it comes to girl's toys, there's nothing more
classic than dolls. Of course, today's dolls are capable of
doing just about everything except going to school - but that
makes them all the more fun!
9. Magic Sets. Every boy goes through a phase where he wants to
learn magic. The magic sets I've bought over the years have
entertained and captivated boys, who love learning the skills
behind the tricks.
10. Scrabble. Perhaps because I recall spending hours and hours
playing this classic word game with my family, I love giving
Scrabble boards as Christmas gifts. Boys and girls both love the
game, which also comes in a junior edition, and I like knowing
that my gifts are both fun and educational.
It's as much fun for adults to give toys as is it for children
to receive them - especially when you can relive part of your
own childhood by giving toys that you enjoyed while you were
growing up.
About the author:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon
International, one of the worlds MOST popular
For tips/information, click here:
Toys and
Games directory.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Little Tikes Offering The Finest In Toys
Author: Jeff Carlisle
Article:
When you see or hear Little Tikes, what comes to mind for you?
Little Tykes has been offering the finest in baby toys, toddler
toys, and preschool toys. Little Tykes toys teach kids, and they
are rugged enough to withstand any of the damage your little
ones might be able to cause.
Little Tikes is out to bring you the best offers on the products
you want to buy when you want to offer your child only the best.
For example, Little Tikes has manufactured a great deal of the
sturdy plastic play sets for the backyard, and the sandbox
equipment that is designed for backyard, home use.
They make developmental toys for infants and toddlers; these
things help with the cognitive function in your children and can
teach them critical problem solving skills at an age where it is
needed the most. Even things like the play kitchen sets that
actually work and have buttons (although they may not really
heat up), and the Membrane Keyboard (allows kids to learns the
ins and outs of the computer without risking your precious
keyboard) are available through Little Tikes, so they are not
all about big swing sets and play cars, but about cars to grow
with and education as well. Sales run seasonally, so depending
on the time of year you may run into any of a variety of Little
Tikes toys, especially on the internet. Little Tikes toy
manufacturers have even developed ride on toys, for the hands on
type of kid. These toys are available on a seasonal basis as
well, off and on through the year. The sale of this type of toy
goes up during the spring and summer months, of course.
For the younger boys, race car beds and truck beds have always
been a popular item, especially during the busy holiday season.
Little Tikes manufactures car and truck toddler beds and even
bath toys and other toys for infants and toddlers. Little Tikes
specializes in the safe and constructive entertainment of kids
from birth to at least preschool age; not only do they help to
create kids who are active, imaginative, and interested but it
helps to develop the muscles in the body and create strong
healthy kids. Little Tikes is also one of the safest ways you
can give your child the time of their lives as well, and is well
worth the money in safety, value, and utility.
Speaking of value, Little Tikes is always running some type of
sale on their website, so check it out and see what you might be
able to save on. The Little Tikes website has a spot where you
can order a catalog so you have something to browse through as
your child grows older, or if you are not comfortable ordering
online but still want the convenience of choosing from home.
About the author:
Jeff Carlisle is a freelance editor for Little Tikes Coupons.
Read more and find great deals and discounts on Little Tikes
Coupons products at
w.CouponCart.com/LittleTikes/index.aspx.
Article:
When you see or hear Little Tikes, what comes to mind for you?
Little Tykes has been offering the finest in baby toys, toddler
toys, and preschool toys. Little Tykes toys teach kids, and they
are rugged enough to withstand any of the damage your little
ones might be able to cause.
Little Tikes is out to bring you the best offers on the products
you want to buy when you want to offer your child only the best.
For example, Little Tikes has manufactured a great deal of the
sturdy plastic play sets for the backyard, and the sandbox
equipment that is designed for backyard, home use.
They make developmental toys for infants and toddlers; these
things help with the cognitive function in your children and can
teach them critical problem solving skills at an age where it is
needed the most. Even things like the play kitchen sets that
actually work and have buttons (although they may not really
heat up), and the Membrane Keyboard (allows kids to learns the
ins and outs of the computer without risking your precious
keyboard) are available through Little Tikes, so they are not
all about big swing sets and play cars, but about cars to grow
with and education as well. Sales run seasonally, so depending
on the time of year you may run into any of a variety of Little
Tikes toys, especially on the internet. Little Tikes toy
manufacturers have even developed ride on toys, for the hands on
type of kid. These toys are available on a seasonal basis as
well, off and on through the year. The sale of this type of toy
goes up during the spring and summer months, of course.
For the younger boys, race car beds and truck beds have always
been a popular item, especially during the busy holiday season.
Little Tikes manufactures car and truck toddler beds and even
bath toys and other toys for infants and toddlers. Little Tikes
specializes in the safe and constructive entertainment of kids
from birth to at least preschool age; not only do they help to
create kids who are active, imaginative, and interested but it
helps to develop the muscles in the body and create strong
healthy kids. Little Tikes is also one of the safest ways you
can give your child the time of their lives as well, and is well
worth the money in safety, value, and utility.
Speaking of value, Little Tikes is always running some type of
sale on their website, so check it out and see what you might be
able to save on. The Little Tikes website has a spot where you
can order a catalog so you have something to browse through as
your child grows older, or if you are not comfortable ordering
online but still want the convenience of choosing from home.
About the author:
Jeff Carlisle is a freelance editor for Little Tikes Coupons.
Read more and find great deals and discounts on Little Tikes
Coupons products at
w.CouponCart.com/LittleTikes/index.aspx.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Declutter Ideas For Wild And Crazy Toddlers
Author: Colleen Langenfeld
Article:
There's nothing like a small tornado living in your home to turn
even the most well-organized house upside down. Toddlers are
energy in motion and causing clutter is their birthright. I have
been blessed with four toddlers throughout the years and each
one of them was adept at making messes and causing chaos. They
were also completely void of any declutter skills.
Until they were trained. But we'll talk about that more below!
If you are tired of attempting to clean your home dozens of
times each day, here are some tried-and-true strategies for
living through the toddler period with grace and calm (and a
mostly decluttered home).
-- The best defense is a good offense.
Toddlers are humans developing at an astonishing rate. They are
remarkable creatures and possess a zest for living unmatched by
any other age. All that development requires a good deal of
stimulation. Toddlers are discovering the world around them each
and every minute and the smart parent places items in their
toddler's world that are safe, enjoyable and sturdy.
You'll have less discipline problems from the get-go if you
provide toddler-approved clutter and remove temptations a
toddler is not ready to handle properly. Which brings us to the
next point.
-- A home is first of all a place to live in, not just look at.
You may have beautiful collectibles, fine furniture and elegant
decor. But you didn't decorate your lovely home to please a
toddler and that's who is spending the most time there during
this season in your life. So go with the flow and put away those
collectibles, trade out those expensive decor items that are
placed down low in your rooms and consider slipcovers for your
fine furniture.
Here's the real deal: toddlerhood goes by almost as fast as a
toddler moves, so you'll have your lovely home back in no time.
However, you can never get back the memories of this precious
time.
Knowing this, ask yourself a question: what kind of memories do
you want? Remembering how exhausted you were each day from
chasing your pint-sized darlin' out of every corner every minute
or sweet memories of enjoying your growing baby explore the
world you are lovingly providing him.
Only you can decide.
-- Provide storage that can declutter naturally.
Consider getting a large decorative basket that can accommodate
your toddler's toys and then show her how to play the pick-up
game each and every time she is done playing in a room. In fact,
get a basket for each room your toddler spends time in.
No fussing is necessary, just pick up toys alongside her and
help her learn an important skill she'll use the rest of her
life.
The key here is consistency and patience. And here's something
to think about; if you want teenagers that help out around the
house, this is how you train them. When they're toddlers.
-- Change out the fun and keep the interest level high.
It's tempting as a parent to think that more and more toys will
keep a toddler busy for longer periods of time. However, all
that strategy accomplishes is lowering your bank account and
creating clutter in your home.
Instead opt for a reasonable amount of toys (less is usually
better), and rotate through them. For instance, put a handful of
toys in your decorative basket this week and put the other toys
in a box in a closet. Then every couple of weeks, get the box
out and rotate through the toys. You can also trade toys with
other parents to leverage the fun.
This is a simple concept. When toys go 'stale' they move into
the box or into another toddler's house for a mini-vacation and
when they return, those toys look remarkably brand new in the
eyes of your toddler.
So what's the bottom line? With a toddler in your home, you may
not be able to keep a spotless house at all times, but that
misses the point, doesn't it? Instead, use these declutter tips
to maintain a reasonably easy-to-care for environment that's
high on usability and rated tops in toddler satisfaction.
About the author:
Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and
helps other moms enjoy mothering more at
http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and grab easy
er tips today.
Article:
There's nothing like a small tornado living in your home to turn
even the most well-organized house upside down. Toddlers are
energy in motion and causing clutter is their birthright. I have
been blessed with four toddlers throughout the years and each
one of them was adept at making messes and causing chaos. They
were also completely void of any declutter skills.
Until they were trained. But we'll talk about that more below!
If you are tired of attempting to clean your home dozens of
times each day, here are some tried-and-true strategies for
living through the toddler period with grace and calm (and a
mostly decluttered home).
-- The best defense is a good offense.
Toddlers are humans developing at an astonishing rate. They are
remarkable creatures and possess a zest for living unmatched by
any other age. All that development requires a good deal of
stimulation. Toddlers are discovering the world around them each
and every minute and the smart parent places items in their
toddler's world that are safe, enjoyable and sturdy.
You'll have less discipline problems from the get-go if you
provide toddler-approved clutter and remove temptations a
toddler is not ready to handle properly. Which brings us to the
next point.
-- A home is first of all a place to live in, not just look at.
You may have beautiful collectibles, fine furniture and elegant
decor. But you didn't decorate your lovely home to please a
toddler and that's who is spending the most time there during
this season in your life. So go with the flow and put away those
collectibles, trade out those expensive decor items that are
placed down low in your rooms and consider slipcovers for your
fine furniture.
Here's the real deal: toddlerhood goes by almost as fast as a
toddler moves, so you'll have your lovely home back in no time.
However, you can never get back the memories of this precious
time.
Knowing this, ask yourself a question: what kind of memories do
you want? Remembering how exhausted you were each day from
chasing your pint-sized darlin' out of every corner every minute
or sweet memories of enjoying your growing baby explore the
world you are lovingly providing him.
Only you can decide.
-- Provide storage that can declutter naturally.
Consider getting a large decorative basket that can accommodate
your toddler's toys and then show her how to play the pick-up
game each and every time she is done playing in a room. In fact,
get a basket for each room your toddler spends time in.
No fussing is necessary, just pick up toys alongside her and
help her learn an important skill she'll use the rest of her
life.
The key here is consistency and patience. And here's something
to think about; if you want teenagers that help out around the
house, this is how you train them. When they're toddlers.
-- Change out the fun and keep the interest level high.
It's tempting as a parent to think that more and more toys will
keep a toddler busy for longer periods of time. However, all
that strategy accomplishes is lowering your bank account and
creating clutter in your home.
Instead opt for a reasonable amount of toys (less is usually
better), and rotate through them. For instance, put a handful of
toys in your decorative basket this week and put the other toys
in a box in a closet. Then every couple of weeks, get the box
out and rotate through the toys. You can also trade toys with
other parents to leverage the fun.
This is a simple concept. When toys go 'stale' they move into
the box or into another toddler's house for a mini-vacation and
when they return, those toys look remarkably brand new in the
eyes of your toddler.
So what's the bottom line? With a toddler in your home, you may
not be able to keep a spotless house at all times, but that
misses the point, doesn't it? Instead, use these declutter tips
to maintain a reasonably easy-to-care for environment that's
high on usability and rated tops in toddler satisfaction.
About the author:
Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 26 years and
helps other moms enjoy mothering more at
http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and grab easy
er tips today.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Educational Infant Toys: Make Your Baby Happy and Smart
Author: Julie Peterson
Article:
Educational Infant Toys Combine Fun and Learning
All parents want the best for their child's development. They
also want their life to be as easy as possible since caring for
a baby or a toddler is one of the hardest things most people
will ever experience. Buying an educational infant toy is a
great way to incorporate fun and learning into your child's life
starting at an early age. Educational infant toys from famous
manufacturers such as Leap Frog, Fisher Price, and other infant
toy makers are very popular. When you begin with educational
infant toys and then toddler educational toys, you can make a
big impact on your child's mind while still giving them a way to
fun. Some research shows that stimulating your child as an
infant can make a difference in how well they learn later on.
Educational Infant Toys Versus Other Kinds of Toys
Toys can offer a lot more than mere entertainment; they are also
able to offer mental stimulation and education, and teach basic
motor skills. The earliest toys often consist simply of patterns
that the baby can look at. Later on, as the baby is able to
grasp and even sit up, the toys mix patterns with shapes and
textures. Later still, learning can move on to letter and number
recognition, counting, and even reading. Not only do the toys
teach the children, but they also demonstrate that learning is
an important value in your family.
Toy safety is always a concern, so make sure that all toys for
infants are large enough that they will not fit inside the tube
of a toilet paper roll.
Types of Educational Infant Toys
Patterned educational infant toys are great for babies from
newborn upwards. Some are black, white, and red, and made
specifically for the most basic form of infant stimulation. The
bright and contrasting colors and patterns provide interest for
your baby, and also create visual stimulation. In addition to
visual educational infant toys, there is also the clutching
variety, such as rattles and crib toys. Stacking rings are an
example of toys that are good for children around two years old.
When the child is older and is beginning to either walk or
crawl, toys made for this period are helpful, and have the added
benefit of rescuing items that you prefer would not be grasped.
Realistic-looking toys from pretend food to dolls, puppets, and
toy animals are often educational infant toys because your
children can learn a lot through role-playing games. Toys that
depict numbers and letters and offer brightly colored pictures
to associate with them help children get a boost on their
education. Art toys are also wonderful educational infant toys,
helping your children develop fine motor skills and perfect
their hand-eye coordination. Don't forget bath toys! Even while
getting clean, you can surround your child with educational
infant toys that keep them learning and entertained.
Educational Infant Toys Make Great Gifts
When children are constructively occupied, this is wonderful for
their parents. Consider purchasing educational infant toys for
your next friend or relative's baby shower, or as a just-because
present for all those busy mothers you know. It's a wonderful
gift to give the parents some precious time to get some
practical or desired things accomplished; and it's a wonderful
gift to help young children along on their lifetime of learning
when you give them not only fun, but educational infant toys.
About the author:
To find
Thanksgiving Educational Infant Toys, both new and used at
great prices click here
Article:
Educational Infant Toys Combine Fun and Learning
All parents want the best for their child's development. They
also want their life to be as easy as possible since caring for
a baby or a toddler is one of the hardest things most people
will ever experience. Buying an educational infant toy is a
great way to incorporate fun and learning into your child's life
starting at an early age. Educational infant toys from famous
manufacturers such as Leap Frog, Fisher Price, and other infant
toy makers are very popular. When you begin with educational
infant toys and then toddler educational toys, you can make a
big impact on your child's mind while still giving them a way to
fun. Some research shows that stimulating your child as an
infant can make a difference in how well they learn later on.
Educational Infant Toys Versus Other Kinds of Toys
Toys can offer a lot more than mere entertainment; they are also
able to offer mental stimulation and education, and teach basic
motor skills. The earliest toys often consist simply of patterns
that the baby can look at. Later on, as the baby is able to
grasp and even sit up, the toys mix patterns with shapes and
textures. Later still, learning can move on to letter and number
recognition, counting, and even reading. Not only do the toys
teach the children, but they also demonstrate that learning is
an important value in your family.
Toy safety is always a concern, so make sure that all toys for
infants are large enough that they will not fit inside the tube
of a toilet paper roll.
Types of Educational Infant Toys
Patterned educational infant toys are great for babies from
newborn upwards. Some are black, white, and red, and made
specifically for the most basic form of infant stimulation. The
bright and contrasting colors and patterns provide interest for
your baby, and also create visual stimulation. In addition to
visual educational infant toys, there is also the clutching
variety, such as rattles and crib toys. Stacking rings are an
example of toys that are good for children around two years old.
When the child is older and is beginning to either walk or
crawl, toys made for this period are helpful, and have the added
benefit of rescuing items that you prefer would not be grasped.
Realistic-looking toys from pretend food to dolls, puppets, and
toy animals are often educational infant toys because your
children can learn a lot through role-playing games. Toys that
depict numbers and letters and offer brightly colored pictures
to associate with them help children get a boost on their
education. Art toys are also wonderful educational infant toys,
helping your children develop fine motor skills and perfect
their hand-eye coordination. Don't forget bath toys! Even while
getting clean, you can surround your child with educational
infant toys that keep them learning and entertained.
Educational Infant Toys Make Great Gifts
When children are constructively occupied, this is wonderful for
their parents. Consider purchasing educational infant toys for
your next friend or relative's baby shower, or as a just-because
present for all those busy mothers you know. It's a wonderful
gift to give the parents some precious time to get some
practical or desired things accomplished; and it's a wonderful
gift to help young children along on their lifetime of learning
when you give them not only fun, but educational infant toys.
About the author:
To find
Thanksgiving Educational Infant Toys, both new and used at
great prices click here
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A cute Website
I just happened to find this accidentally, but it is soooo cute, I thought i would share it. You can play games here based around the movie and watch clips from the movie, there are several movie trailers you can watch, there are other activities you can download, they have wallpaper, you name it. Your kids will love it here. check it out, of course it's free. It's at the official site of the movie: www.beemovie.com
Friday, October 19, 2007
What type of bed should your child graduate to?
Our son has been begging us for a new bed for quite some time now. We started him out as a baby in a crib, then when he was old enough not to roll out of a todder bed, we bought him one of those with the railing. Now, he has outgrown the todder bed and we looked everywhere trying to decide, "what would be the best bed for him?" We looked at twin beds, we looked at full size beds, we looked here, there, and everywhere, and finally decided on a futon.
I got the idea from my brother. His son slept on a futonever since he was little and loved it. When they opted for bunk beds, they were able to keep the futon and use it as a couch by day, and a visitors bed when we came over. Plus, its roomy and my son likes to sleep on it the wrong way and he has lots of room to flop around. You can get a sheet and/or cover to go on it. Ours came with a coverbut we bought full size sheets for it. It's just perfect, because he will never grow out of this bed, and it was a really inexpensive way to go if you are on a budget like us.
Remember, every child is different. Listen to what he (or she) would like in a new bed, and do the best that you can. Chances are, they will love whatever you pick out for them, or if time permits, you can take them shopping for a bed with you. I can tell you my boy was more than exited when he came home from school and he had a new, humongous bed to sleep in.
You can compare prices and options for futon beds by clicking here.
I got the idea from my brother. His son slept on a futonever since he was little and loved it. When they opted for bunk beds, they were able to keep the futon and use it as a couch by day, and a visitors bed when we came over. Plus, its roomy and my son likes to sleep on it the wrong way and he has lots of room to flop around. You can get a sheet and/or cover to go on it. Ours came with a coverbut we bought full size sheets for it. It's just perfect, because he will never grow out of this bed, and it was a really inexpensive way to go if you are on a budget like us.
Remember, every child is different. Listen to what he (or she) would like in a new bed, and do the best that you can. Chances are, they will love whatever you pick out for them, or if time permits, you can take them shopping for a bed with you. I can tell you my boy was more than exited when he came home from school and he had a new, humongous bed to sleep in.
You can compare prices and options for futon beds by clicking here.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Ribbit King on Game Cube
This is a really cute and simple game even your 3 year old can appreciate. You basically just need them to learn to hit one button. You play a game called Frolf. It is kinda like a fun version of golf. I used to play this game myself against my husband and it was really fun and competitive, but if you just want it for your kids, it is nice because they can take their time and it really doesn't matter whether they win or not, it's just plain fun! 1-4 players can play at a time, taking turns, you can unlock cute movie clips. They can chose what frog they want (the frog is used as the golf ball)
We have had this game for about 2 years and we are still not tired of it. I am really happy with the gamecube. They made a lot of good games for kids and the kids in us!
Choosing the right toys
Author: Mark Jackson
Article:
With so many toys and games on the market, it can be confusing
which ones are the best for your children. While you want your
children to have fun when playing with their toys, you also want
them to play with toys that teach as well. Common educational
toys include books, board games, and certain computer games.
Choose educational toys that also look fun. These games usually
include fun characters and incorporate story-telling along with
challenges and tests that children need to pass in order to
advance. Buy toys that are age appropriate so your children will
be able to get the most out of them. Helping them play these
games is a fun activity.
As technology continues to advance, web sites like etoys, now
sell video games for children. When choosing video games, it is
important to read reviews so you can buy games that suit your
child's education and emotional levels. Etoys sells a wide
variety of video games for Playstation, Xbox, GameCube, and
other gaming systems. Read reviews online so you can purchase
games your children will enjoy. Along with these hot toys, you
will also be able to find children's dvds.
Along with learning toys, etoys offers other types of kids toys
including outdoor toys, baby toys, arts and crafts, and
plug'n'play games. You will be able to shop for your children
and other children quickly and easily. Online toys can be
returned if you are not satisfied with them. Regardless of
whether you are shopping for Christmas toys, or birthday toys,
finding toys online will save you time and money.
Toys are a great way to help children develop their imagination
and creativity. Girls toys include chdolls, books, electronic
games, and computer games that can help them learn while they
play. Most girls enjoy playing with their dolls or drawing
pictures that you can hang on the refrigerator. Boys toys are
also available that include remote control toys, robot toys, and
computer games. Other toys include baseball bats, balls, action
figures, and video games.
Before you buy toys for your children, you should find out their
interests. This is important as they age because they will
develop preferences and play with certain toys more than others.
Before spending a lot of money on toys, ask your children when
they are interested in and what they would like for their
birthday or the holidays. If your child likes to play with
robotic toys, then look into buying a roboraptor or other type
of robotic toy.
Even if your children don't ask for developmental toys, you
should still consider buying a few. Once children begin playing
with their new toys, they won't be able to tell the difference
between entertaining toys and developmental toys. Kids toys
should be inspected daily to prevent injury to themselves or
others.
About the author:
Mark Jackson is a freelance editor for EToys Coupons. Read more
and find great deals and discounts on EToys Coupons products at
onCart.com/EToys/index.aspx.
Article:
With so many toys and games on the market, it can be confusing
which ones are the best for your children. While you want your
children to have fun when playing with their toys, you also want
them to play with toys that teach as well. Common educational
toys include books, board games, and certain computer games.
Choose educational toys that also look fun. These games usually
include fun characters and incorporate story-telling along with
challenges and tests that children need to pass in order to
advance. Buy toys that are age appropriate so your children will
be able to get the most out of them. Helping them play these
games is a fun activity.
As technology continues to advance, web sites like etoys, now
sell video games for children. When choosing video games, it is
important to read reviews so you can buy games that suit your
child's education and emotional levels. Etoys sells a wide
variety of video games for Playstation, Xbox, GameCube, and
other gaming systems. Read reviews online so you can purchase
games your children will enjoy. Along with these hot toys, you
will also be able to find children's dvds.
Along with learning toys, etoys offers other types of kids toys
including outdoor toys, baby toys, arts and crafts, and
plug'n'play games. You will be able to shop for your children
and other children quickly and easily. Online toys can be
returned if you are not satisfied with them. Regardless of
whether you are shopping for Christmas toys, or birthday toys,
finding toys online will save you time and money.
Toys are a great way to help children develop their imagination
and creativity. Girls toys include chdolls, books, electronic
games, and computer games that can help them learn while they
play. Most girls enjoy playing with their dolls or drawing
pictures that you can hang on the refrigerator. Boys toys are
also available that include remote control toys, robot toys, and
computer games. Other toys include baseball bats, balls, action
figures, and video games.
Before you buy toys for your children, you should find out their
interests. This is important as they age because they will
develop preferences and play with certain toys more than others.
Before spending a lot of money on toys, ask your children when
they are interested in and what they would like for their
birthday or the holidays. If your child likes to play with
robotic toys, then look into buying a roboraptor or other type
of robotic toy.
Even if your children don't ask for developmental toys, you
should still consider buying a few. Once children begin playing
with their new toys, they won't be able to tell the difference
between entertaining toys and developmental toys. Kids toys
should be inspected daily to prevent injury to themselves or
others.
About the author:
Mark Jackson is a freelance editor for EToys Coupons. Read more
and find great deals and discounts on EToys Coupons products at
onCart.com/EToys/index.aspx.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Educate and Entertain Toddlers with fun Developmental Games and Educational Toys
Author: Marina Neiman
Article:
Educational toys and developmental games are excellent for
strengthening the parent/child relationships. These games and
toys are great source of fun and are wonderful way to enhance
your toddler's learning. In addition, manipulative games enhance
dexterity and eye-hand coordination and provide numerous
learning opportunities. In this brief article, we'll discuss the
benefits of toddler games, some popular developmental games, and
how you can make the most of your toddler's playing time.
First of all, you should keep in mind that education games and
toys include board games, puzzles, dominoes and memory games.
Here are some popular choices: Board Games: With board games,
toddlers are able to learn their colors, shapes, and sounds, and
move pieces which also enhance their dexterity skills. Puzzles:
With puzzles, toddlers are able to solve problems. Some great
examples are wooden and jigsaw puzzles. You can even purchase
floor jigsaw puzzles and involve the entire family. Creative
Mind Games: With creative mind games, toddlers are encouraged to
learn shapes, colors, and sounds with the use of songs and other
activities.
Second, when choosing developmental games for your toddler, use
variety and choose age appropriate toys and games. For instance,
a 6 month won't like the same toy as a 12 and 24 month old. You
see, 6 month old baby are just discovering the world and tend to
put things in their mouths whereas 12-24 month-olds enjoy
prodding and discovering. To choose the best age appropriate toy
that suits child unique needs, try out various types and see
which one interests the most. You'll soon discover that your
child is not only enjoying himself but learning and developing
skills as well.
Third, take your time and don't schedule too many activities at
once. Toddlers are notorious for not being able to focus for
long periods of time and tend to getting bored easily.
Therefore, it is important that you keep playing sessions short
and do not force toys upon him. Instead, use a variety of
different developmental games and
ory=49">toddler educational toys, and switch gears, or move
to something else, when he seems bored. This will encourage him
to have fun, enjoy the moment and not get bored.
Fourth, have a wonderful time and enjoy the moment. Although it
is tempting to do so, you don't have to have structured play
time all time and you don't have to see the educational value in
everything you do. After all, toddlers learn so much by just
doing and being with you. So, have fun and don't rush the
educational process. It will happen!
In conclusion, playing developmental games with your toddler is
a great way to relax and spend quality time with children as
they improve their skills and improve their dexterity skills. So
regardless of whether you play puzzle game, memory, dominoes, or
snap cards games, you'll have a fun and so will your toddler!
About the author:
Marina Neiman, author and mother of two, writes for
Store, featuring classic learning toys, developmental games
and selection of
ory=49">educational toys for toddlers.
Article:
Educational toys and developmental games are excellent for
strengthening the parent/child relationships. These games and
toys are great source of fun and are wonderful way to enhance
your toddler's learning. In addition, manipulative games enhance
dexterity and eye-hand coordination and provide numerous
learning opportunities. In this brief article, we'll discuss the
benefits of toddler games, some popular developmental games, and
how you can make the most of your toddler's playing time.
First of all, you should keep in mind that education games and
toys include board games, puzzles, dominoes and memory games.
Here are some popular choices: Board Games: With board games,
toddlers are able to learn their colors, shapes, and sounds, and
move pieces which also enhance their dexterity skills. Puzzles:
With puzzles, toddlers are able to solve problems. Some great
examples are wooden and jigsaw puzzles. You can even purchase
floor jigsaw puzzles and involve the entire family. Creative
Mind Games: With creative mind games, toddlers are encouraged to
learn shapes, colors, and sounds with the use of songs and other
activities.
Second, when choosing developmental games for your toddler, use
variety and choose age appropriate toys and games. For instance,
a 6 month won't like the same toy as a 12 and 24 month old. You
see, 6 month old baby are just discovering the world and tend to
put things in their mouths whereas 12-24 month-olds enjoy
prodding and discovering. To choose the best age appropriate toy
that suits child unique needs, try out various types and see
which one interests the most. You'll soon discover that your
child is not only enjoying himself but learning and developing
skills as well.
Third, take your time and don't schedule too many activities at
once. Toddlers are notorious for not being able to focus for
long periods of time and tend to getting bored easily.
Therefore, it is important that you keep playing sessions short
and do not force toys upon him. Instead, use a variety of
different developmental games and
ory=49">toddler educational toys, and switch gears, or move
to something else, when he seems bored. This will encourage him
to have fun, enjoy the moment and not get bored.
Fourth, have a wonderful time and enjoy the moment. Although it
is tempting to do so, you don't have to have structured play
time all time and you don't have to see the educational value in
everything you do. After all, toddlers learn so much by just
doing and being with you. So, have fun and don't rush the
educational process. It will happen!
In conclusion, playing developmental games with your toddler is
a great way to relax and spend quality time with children as
they improve their skills and improve their dexterity skills. So
regardless of whether you play puzzle game, memory, dominoes, or
snap cards games, you'll have a fun and so will your toddler!
About the author:
Marina Neiman, author and mother of two, writes for
Store, featuring classic learning toys, developmental games
and selection of
ory=49">educational toys for toddlers.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Video Game Systems Review
We own several game consoles. (my husband is the big gamer, with my 5 year old coming in 2nd). I play them on occasion, more often if it is a game where you can't really die because otherwise, I can't make it past level 2.
We have a PSP, Gameboy advance, Nintendo DS, Playstation 2, XBox, Nintendo (original), PS One... and maybe something else that I am forgetting. Bottom line, we have plenty.
The PSP can play movies on it and has a beautiful picture. It is pricy and they have a lot of good role playing games, which is why my husband bought it. He loves those kind of games, and the graphics are great. They may have easy enough games for your kids, but I cannot confirm that. The ones I have seen are hard.
My 5 year old has a gameboy advance that he loves. There are any number of games you can buy for this that your child will be able to play, just depends on his preference. Some popular games your children will probably beg for and may be too difficult for around this age(5) would be Pokemon and things like that. The rating will give you a good idea as to whether it will be easy enough for you child. My boy likes playing the hulk. He gets to smash down walls and stuff. There is also a game where he rides a bike around that he likes, but it took him a while of frustratino to get the hang of that one.
You can also watch episodes of your childs favorite cartoons on it. Dora, Spongebob, Dexters Labratory, the Fairly odd parents, etc. We have Dora and they have watched that thing about 1,000 times. I guess it's just funner to watch on a little handheld screen.
I have a pink Nintendo DS. I love that thing to death, but recently, my 3 year old has repossesed it and she likes to play the Cats game. You can pet the cat, play with the cat, even clean out it's little box. Really fun. And I like to play Brain Age on it and can't wait to get Brainage 2. It has really sharpened me up. When I first started I was like 80 years old (oh my) I am really 27. I eventually got my brain age down to 20: the best score you can get. Now I average at about 25 but that still makes me happy.
You can get games for the Playstation 2 really cheap now, so that is mainly why I like this one. They do have a wide variety of games to chose from since they have been out a while. My son really likes playing the Superman game. You get to fly and save people, and it is pretty awesome!
I bought the XBox for my husband a couple christmas' ago. I always wait to buy these consoles when they are on sale because the next best thing has come out. Who cares? As long as it has plenty of games and interesting graphics, I don't care. My husband loves playing halo on it. I have played him a few times in frustration because I am not good with all the 100's of buttons a XBox has, and I never know where he is hiding. Often times, he is standing on my head and I don't even know it and when he tells me to look up, he shoots me.... how cruel. But I like that you can watch movies on the XBox. You can even get a remote for it so you don't have to use a controller. Pretty cool.
We keep the original Nintendo around because...well it's old I guess. An antique? and my husband says he likes playing it, but he never does. This is a great starter thought for kids since you don't need to know which way to go, there is only one way to go...towards the right of the screen (for most games anyway) Final fantasy was sort of free roaming I think.
The PS One ... we bought recently. We don't play it as we are having a hard time finding gamesfor it at a store. I'm sure you can get them herethough.
Ahah! Apparently I did miss one. One of my favorites... the GameCube. If you like cutesy games, this console has a lot... plenty to chose from and there are a lot of games that are simple for your children which I will discuss in greater detail in later posts.
Well, that's about it! Thanks for reading!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Duke and the Great Pie War
This is a veggie tales movie from Big Idea productions and is a Lesson in Loving Your Family.
In this movie, the armies of Rhubarb go to battle against the Kingdom of Scone and the Great Pie War breaks out and things get really messy. Sweet Sweet Petunia, a charming young rhubarb, is forced to flee her homeland and live in a tree stump in a foreign land. When the Duke (played by larry the cucumber) learns of the Princess's plight, he risks his life to help her and learns that true love means thinking of others first.
Also, there is a story called Baby sitter in DeNile-a cute retelling of the story of Miriam and Moses.
I am a fan of veggie tales myself and enjoy watching this movie with my kids. And it gives you a chance to talk about important things, in language they can understand. I give it a 10 in family friendliness and fun.
We got this for christmas a year ago for the kids and they always do love those movies. It is 45 minutes long and has lots of bonus features which include trivia, karaoke, interactive storybook obstacle course game, how to draw the characters of the movie, and more.
I found a site where they are practically GIVING this movie away. To see what I mean, click here.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The best potty seats
This one was chosen from my personal experiences with potty training. I have 2 kids and they both preferred these free standing seats that are just their size. My daughter is doing great on hers and as you can see from the picture is decorated in her success stickers.
They need motivation, and kids love stickers in fact, it often seems as if they can never have enough. Grandma sends my kids stickers all the time, and they use them up in a matter of minutes, sticking them everywhere.
So I bought a package of like over 300 stickers so I would have plenty, and everytime she went potty, or at least sat on it, she got a sticker. And if you think that is a bad habit to break (expecting something everytime you use the potty) I just stopped giving them to her when she just picked up on it and started going on her own and she never missed it. She still gets stickers unrelated to using the potty now, she just knows that she is a big girl.
Now I know they sell those potty seats that go over an adult toilet. I bought a dora one for my girl and guess what? she never uses it. She is too afraid she is going to fall in. So then, what do you do when you are out shopping, etc?
It has been a challenge. The top of the potty seat in the picture comes off. It is bulky, but I put it in a sporty bag and take it everywhere with me, or she will explode, because she refused to use those big potty's without it! I have seen her on the verge of exploding...not pretty. now that I bring a seat she can fit on, I don't have as much problem getting her to go when we are out.
I am however, looking for a new alternative. I just didn't know where I could find one until I found one this morning. It is a portable (it folds up to fit in your purse!) potty seat. Fits on an adult seat and it comes in different designs. I am bidding on one as we speak because it would be way more convenient than carrying her big seat around everywhere. If you wanna check them out too and see what I'm talking about, click here.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Leap Frog For learning
My brother got this for my daughter when she was about 1 year old. I think of this more as a baby toy, and I think he did too, but she didn't really play with it much until she was a little older.
At 1 year old, she was too young to sufficiently press the buttons to hear the songs and do all the different musical lessons.
It can teach your child the alphabet, their numbers, colors, and songs. If you have a one year old, you would just have to press the buttons for them, unless they are very strong.
It does, however have rattles hanging from it, and different things that make noises, and if they play with some of them, it will make that crinkly paper noise.
It also has straps so that you can strap it to a carseat. What is funny is that she really didn't pick up on the toy until she was 2 and now she plays with it all time, and even though she is 3 now, she still plays with it and now even sings along with it.
So in my opinion, this toy may be better for a 2-3 year old. They can appreciate it a little better at this age. I can tell by the way my daughter plays with it it's a great learning tool. You can find toys very similar to this by clicking here. My daughter also has these leapfrog toys as well.
Little Tikes Desk
Every child should have a spot where they can go and express themselves. The one in the picture is my daughters, and she likes to sit in the chair, color her pictures, and look at herself in the mirror.
When you lift up the top, you will see some storage compartments. Your kids will probably enjoy hiding little things in there like mine do.
She also likes to put her dolls in the chair and pretend like they are working too. Either way, I am very happy with the desk. It will last you for years and give your child opportunity to be creative.
They don't only come in pink, they come in every shape, size, and price. You can compare prices and styles by clicking here.
Little Tyke Piano
I think children like anything that makes noise really. I did not even buy this. I try to stay away from noisy toys. However, Grandma bought this one for my 3 year old and she loves it.
Just remember that this is a loud toy, so this one will probably be played with in your childs room... and maybe some earplugs for you.
I am glad that she likes it though. I hear her all the time in her room singing as she presses on the keys and it is soooo cute! I am planning on writing out her lyrics that she is making up so we can always remember what she was singing about. It is so cute and funny.
So if you don't mind listening to your little meistro, I think this is a great toy to find if they have musical talents. Just from my daughter playing with it, I do believe that she will be very musically inclined. My whole family is, amateurly anyway. I found a good deal for one here.
Rocking Horses
I don't know a kid who doesn't like rocking horses. The one in the picture I bought for my daughter's 2nd Christmas, she is 3 now as you probably already figured out by now and she still plays with it.
The one I bought for her makes sounds like a horse and that is a feature that she really loves. I found all different kinds of rocking horses and some really adorable ones that I wish I would have know about here.
Game Cube Power Rangers Review
I am one of those mothers who does not allow my children to watch power rangers. It has been a problem for my child in preschool where the kids will try to act like them by...well...kicking each other. But I was surprised when daddy let my 5 year old purchase this Dinothunder game. I was expecting... powerrangers. Which it is, but the whole game seems to be just about the "dino" part of power rangers, which couldn't be more awesome. I was actually really impressed. This game has good graphics and your kids get to walk a dinosaur around, and they have different dinosaurs they can chose to play. It is actually really neat.
Kids love dinosaurs so I thought this was a great idea. My 3 year old loves to watch too and I have no problem with it. It's a cute game and I got it for next to nothing. You can find it by clicking here.
Perfect blocks for little hands
Both of my children love these blocks. They are bigger than the legos that you are accustom to which is great for your younger ones that like to put everything in their mouths.
No chance they are gonna swallow these! These blocks are very inexpensive, a classic toy that never gets old, and will give your child hours of play time. If you worry, like most parents do about sharp corners, well they have that covered too. as you can see in the comparison above, these thicker blocks have rounded edges.
I purchased these blocks a year ago and my kids have never had any incidents with them. Maybe just a little bit of arguing about who gets to play with them.
I found a really cute set of legos that comes in a set at a phenominal price, just click here.
Her Favorite Disney Shirt
This is my 3 year olds favorite Disney shirt. They are all adorable in my opinion, but this one seems to go really well with her. If you need some help figuring out what size you should get, my daughter (pictured above) is 24 pounds, and the shirt is a size xxsmall, or a size 3T.
I couldn't find this exact shirt anywhere, but you can find shirts similar to this one by clicking here.
The Toy Recalls
Title: It's The Year Of The Pig For The Consumer
Author: James William Smith
Article:
I opened my local newspaper on Saturday, September 22, 2007 and
saw the picture of my wife's bracelet on the front page. The
bracelet, purchased for her birthday by a friend to benefit a
local charity, was highlighted in color at the top of the page.
The story indicated that the bracelet, made in China, was being
recalled due to a high lead content. Her bracelet is just one
example of a large number of consumer products that have been
recalled from Chinese manufacturers in 2007.
The list of 2007 product recalls from China is not only large in
number, but includes a wide variety of consumer products as
well. The recall list includes the following items: Toxic lead
paint is the problem in products that include jackets and
overalls, bracelets, key chains, children's rings, easels,
paint, lunch boxes, necklaces, and wooden toys. However,
recalled products extend beyond toxic lead paint to overheating
ceramic heaters, flammable lamps and oil heaters, and remote
controls. The extensive list of recalled products also includes
breakable bike frames, faulty extension cords, poison pet food,
hair dryers, faulty wall sconces and candles, flammable baby
clothes, cribs, toxic fish, tires, seafood, toothpaste,
glassware, hammocks, and even recliners.
The recalled products from China come from many major United
States companies; such as, Mattel, Target, Family Dollar Stores,
Holmes Group, Best Buy, Currey and Company, Kidsite Jewelry sold
at Kmart, Toys R Us, Disney, Sears, Cracker Barrel Old Country
Stores and many others.
The stories of tainted Chinese manufactured products are
everywhere. Consider the following:
A California official discovered in July that 350,000 lunchboxes
distributed as part of a promotion to encourage healthy eating
in children contained significant amounts of lead. These
lunchboxes were imported from China through a company called T-A
Creations.
Earlier this year, more than 100 brands of cat and dog food were
pulled from the shelves in the U.S. after pets died from eating
food contaminated with the chemical melamine, traced back to
wheat gluten from China.
In Panama, the deaths of some 51 people have been blamed on
cough syrup tainted with Chinese-made diethylene glycol,
commonly used in antifreeze. The same chemical has been found in
toothpastes from China sold in the US and Canada.
Mattel has had three recalls of toys made in China in 2007. In
total, Mattel has recalled nearly twenty million toys including
Chinese-made Sarge die-cast toys from the Pixar film Cars which
have lead paint. In fact an executive in charge at one Mattel
supplier was reported as having killed himself last month after
toys his firm made were among those recalled. Chinese media
reported that Zhang Shuhong, co-owner of the Lee Der Toy
Company, had been found hanged in one of his factories.
The US imports about one-fifth of its seafood from China. Some
shipments were found to have traces of antibiotics and
disinfectants that are banned in U.S. fish production. Other
inspections uncovered fish products that were tainted with
salmonella and pesticides. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) recently imposed a nationwide hold on the import of five
types of farmed fish and seafood from China.
China is taking the problem seriously. Recently, the former head
of China's State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xiaoyu was
executed for corruption. However, China does not appear
confident that their drug safety situation will be resolved
anytime soon. Here is a recent quote from spokeswomen Yan
Jiangying : "As a developing country, China's food and drug
supervision work began late and its foundations are weak.
Therefore, the food and drug safety situation is not something
we can be optimistic about."
With Chinese imports totaling $288 billion per year, President
George W. Bush has set up a panel to look at the safety of food
and other products imported into the United States. He stated
after the first meeting of the panel that, "the American people
expect their government to work tirelessly to make sure consumer
products are safe." Others in Congress are calling for an
"import czar" to oversee all products brought into the United
States.
My wife is puzzled in deciding what to do with her colorful
bracelet high in lead content. Since the charity is absorbing
the cost of the recall, returning the bracelet would only hurt
the good work of the charity and its foundation. The bracelet
will probably remain in its box for now awaiting an uncertain
future.
In China, this is the year of the Pig, which is an appropriate
animal to highlight the quality of many of China's manufactured
products. In fact, the large number of Chinese product recalls
are making 2007 the Year of the Pig for the consumer as well.
http://www.eworldvu.com
About the author:
James William Smith has worked in senior management positions
for some of the largest financial services firms in the United
States for the last twenty five years. He has also provided
business consulting support for insurance organizations and
start up businesses. Mr. Smith has a Bachelor of Science Degree
from Boston College. He enjoys writing articles on political,
national, and world events. Please visit his website at
http://www.eworldvu.com
Author: James William Smith
Article:
I opened my local newspaper on Saturday, September 22, 2007 and
saw the picture of my wife's bracelet on the front page. The
bracelet, purchased for her birthday by a friend to benefit a
local charity, was highlighted in color at the top of the page.
The story indicated that the bracelet, made in China, was being
recalled due to a high lead content. Her bracelet is just one
example of a large number of consumer products that have been
recalled from Chinese manufacturers in 2007.
The list of 2007 product recalls from China is not only large in
number, but includes a wide variety of consumer products as
well. The recall list includes the following items: Toxic lead
paint is the problem in products that include jackets and
overalls, bracelets, key chains, children's rings, easels,
paint, lunch boxes, necklaces, and wooden toys. However,
recalled products extend beyond toxic lead paint to overheating
ceramic heaters, flammable lamps and oil heaters, and remote
controls. The extensive list of recalled products also includes
breakable bike frames, faulty extension cords, poison pet food,
hair dryers, faulty wall sconces and candles, flammable baby
clothes, cribs, toxic fish, tires, seafood, toothpaste,
glassware, hammocks, and even recliners.
The recalled products from China come from many major United
States companies; such as, Mattel, Target, Family Dollar Stores,
Holmes Group, Best Buy, Currey and Company, Kidsite Jewelry sold
at Kmart, Toys R Us, Disney, Sears, Cracker Barrel Old Country
Stores and many others.
The stories of tainted Chinese manufactured products are
everywhere. Consider the following:
A California official discovered in July that 350,000 lunchboxes
distributed as part of a promotion to encourage healthy eating
in children contained significant amounts of lead. These
lunchboxes were imported from China through a company called T-A
Creations.
Earlier this year, more than 100 brands of cat and dog food were
pulled from the shelves in the U.S. after pets died from eating
food contaminated with the chemical melamine, traced back to
wheat gluten from China.
In Panama, the deaths of some 51 people have been blamed on
cough syrup tainted with Chinese-made diethylene glycol,
commonly used in antifreeze. The same chemical has been found in
toothpastes from China sold in the US and Canada.
Mattel has had three recalls of toys made in China in 2007. In
total, Mattel has recalled nearly twenty million toys including
Chinese-made Sarge die-cast toys from the Pixar film Cars which
have lead paint. In fact an executive in charge at one Mattel
supplier was reported as having killed himself last month after
toys his firm made were among those recalled. Chinese media
reported that Zhang Shuhong, co-owner of the Lee Der Toy
Company, had been found hanged in one of his factories.
The US imports about one-fifth of its seafood from China. Some
shipments were found to have traces of antibiotics and
disinfectants that are banned in U.S. fish production. Other
inspections uncovered fish products that were tainted with
salmonella and pesticides. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) recently imposed a nationwide hold on the import of five
types of farmed fish and seafood from China.
China is taking the problem seriously. Recently, the former head
of China's State Food and Drug Administration, Zheng Xiaoyu was
executed for corruption. However, China does not appear
confident that their drug safety situation will be resolved
anytime soon. Here is a recent quote from spokeswomen Yan
Jiangying : "As a developing country, China's food and drug
supervision work began late and its foundations are weak.
Therefore, the food and drug safety situation is not something
we can be optimistic about."
With Chinese imports totaling $288 billion per year, President
George W. Bush has set up a panel to look at the safety of food
and other products imported into the United States. He stated
after the first meeting of the panel that, "the American people
expect their government to work tirelessly to make sure consumer
products are safe." Others in Congress are calling for an
"import czar" to oversee all products brought into the United
States.
My wife is puzzled in deciding what to do with her colorful
bracelet high in lead content. Since the charity is absorbing
the cost of the recall, returning the bracelet would only hurt
the good work of the charity and its foundation. The bracelet
will probably remain in its box for now awaiting an uncertain
future.
In China, this is the year of the Pig, which is an appropriate
animal to highlight the quality of many of China's manufactured
products. In fact, the large number of Chinese product recalls
are making 2007 the Year of the Pig for the consumer as well.
http://www.eworldvu.com
About the author:
James William Smith has worked in senior management positions
for some of the largest financial services firms in the United
States for the last twenty five years. He has also provided
business consulting support for insurance organizations and
start up businesses. Mr. Smith has a Bachelor of Science Degree
from Boston College. He enjoys writing articles on political,
national, and world events. Please visit his website at
http://www.eworldvu.com
Friday, October 5, 2007
Ball Mania Play Arena
This fun ball pit toy thing will give you hours of quiet while your child plays happily. We bought this one about a week ago for my 3 year old. My 5 year old plays in it too. It usually comes with balls (ours did) and the net. You blow it up, throw the balls in, and let the kids have at it!
if you buy the one that I got, it comes with 50 balls, which sounds like a lot but its more fun if you buy more. (see in reference the picture of ours above, there are 50 balls in there!) So if you are having trouble finding balls for 'refills' just click here.
and there are other options in finding a ball pit that look really cool, and kids love these things... and that means more sanity for you. :) just click here to see a good selection of ball pits.
Potty Training
I have recently successfully potty trained my 3 year old, so I thought I would put up a few things that I learned.
I started potty training my little girl when she was 2, and started showing the signs that she was interested, and ready. (ex: interested in using the potty, being in the bathroom, telling you she needs to go). She did not seem to have real bladder control yet, but as she started training it was a learned thing for her. Once she thought it was fun to go potty, she would hold it in so she could use the potty chair.
For both of my kids (I have a boy too) I had to buy them their own potty chairs that sit on the floor. Even though I bought seats to go on the adult toilet, they both thought that they would fall in.
My girl did really great, everything was going swell... then one day she decided she didn't want to go anymore. I was confused, but since experts say that can happen and not to push the issue, I let her start wearing pull ups and diapers again.
Almost a year past and I noticed she would tell me "mom I need my diaper" so possessive and so demanding. I think she knew exactly what she was doing. She was being lazy. I finally told her one day, "The diapers are all gone. You have to go in the potty." I said it nicely and kinda acted like it wasn't my fault but that somehow the diapers went missing... indefinitely ;) She believed it, cried a little at the loss, and proceeded to use the potty.
From that day on things got better and she hasn't worn diapers since then. I did a lot of laundry in that time, but it was worth it because no pull up in the world (I tried them all) were a match for my girl. She was smart. All those diapers that claim they can feel wetness, etc, she could have cared less. So she is 3 years old now, and fully potty trained.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Candles
Ok, ok, I guess I learned my lesson on this one. If you are a parent like me, you probably have a lot of candles, and a lot of air fresheners, and a lot of... well you get the point. So to save some money, I opted for the country air apple cinnamon candle. I bought it for a modest $.70 and bought 3 of them... but I hate them! I had all three of them burning and I couldn't smell it at all!
I just thought...It doesn't look generic. It was in a nice package, but nope, you can't smell it. I do however like the 4 hour room freshener sprays from bath and body works. They are wonderful. I am using the flavor called creamy nutmeg. If you wanna compare prices, just click here.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Little Tykes Toy Review
Looking for toys for your toddler? It can be confusing, especially these days trying to find the best toys with so many to chose from.
We have been investigating the toys for toddlers market for some time now, and after careful research, we have chosen Little Tykes as the best value in toddler toys today.
Why do we like Little tykes? First, it is the best value in its price range. We also think the workmanship is second to none.
In addition, we are extremely impressed with the reputation of Little Tykes. Where can you find Little Tykes toys? You can find many Little Tykes toys by clicking here.
We have been investigating the toys for toddlers market for some time now, and after careful research, we have chosen Little Tykes as the best value in toddler toys today.
Why do we like Little tykes? First, it is the best value in its price range. We also think the workmanship is second to none.
In addition, we are extremely impressed with the reputation of Little Tykes. Where can you find Little Tykes toys? You can find many Little Tykes toys by clicking here.
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