The Perfect Gift…

All over the blogosphere you’ll find gift guides with fabulous recommendations for young and old alike.  Mom Central has just launched it’s first annual Holiday Gift Guide after evaluating hundreds of products guys, gals, babies and toddlers, tweens, teens, and pets.  They went above and beyond to assess the quality, availability, and the details each advertises to give you the most comprehensive guide out there.  What’s great about the guide is that the products listed are affordable and come from reputable companies such as Sony, Philips, Nautilus, Casio, Playskool, Baby Einstein, Netflix, Hasbro, Razor, A&E, and more.

Each day Mom Central will hold a special giveaway along with that day’s guide.  In order to be eligible to win, register on Mom Central, log in, and leave a comment on the post.  If you tweet or email friends about the Gift Guide and giveaways you’ll get an extra entry!  Be sure to enter daily.

By the way, if you haven’t signed up with Mom Central…what are you waiting for?  : )  They rock!

Holiday Gift Idea & Giveaway: Toobeez

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Reva Skie.  Congrats!

It’s so hard to believe that Christmas is less than one month away!  We’ve been doing some shopping for my son but nothing we buy him is going to top the Toobeez set he received!  Christmas came early for all three of us because we’ve literally been playing with these awesome tinkertoys nonstop!

Toobeez are a life-sized construction building system with a multitude of uses.  Young and old will have fun using them as a toy, an educational tool, a teambuilding prop or even a therapeutic aid.  When I opened the box in front of my son he exclaimed, “Oh wow!” and that’s how I felt too!  My husband and I both were impressed by this open-ended, educational, innovative toy!

The building sets include interlocking tubes and spheres that can be put together to create an endless number of projects.  From simple cube shapes to something as complex as a super jet fighter you’re only limited by your imagination.  I always prefer open-ended toys that foster creativity and encourage learning and skill development.  This is the type of toy that a child can play with for years and still find new ways to play.

We received the 57 piece set which includes 32 tubes, 20 connector hubs, 4 slide-on curtains, a multimedia training CD, and 2 Project Connect Activity Workbooks in a portable carrying bag.  Here are a couple of projects we built together.  We’ve barely skimmed the surface of endless play possibilities!

 

Playing with Toobeez encourages creative thought, promotes critical thinking, develops coordination and motor skills, enhances problem solving and promotes social play.  I don’t often purchase large, expensive toys for my son because he’ll outgrow them or boredom will drive him to the next most popular toy on the market.  I don’t imagine my son will ever tire of these…and if he does…daddy and I will have fun playing with them!

There are several different kits available for purchase on the site.  Now through December 5 when you purchase the 57 piece kit which retails for $99.99, you’ll receive an extra 15 piece kit (valued at $24.99), the Big Idea Book, and free shipping!

Win It!  I am reluctantly departing with my 15 piece set (it’s still sealed in the box!) because I want one of you to experience Toobeez with your children.  Head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment telling me the first project you will build if you win.  Comments will close on December 23, 2008 at 10 pm PST.  The winner will be chosen on December 24, 2008.  One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter.

Blog about this giveaway.  It doesn’t have to be a separate post.  Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site.  If you have difficulty, please let me know.

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Holiday Gift Idea: You Can Call Me Hoppa!

Grandparents hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.  ~Author Unknown

My son is the very first grandchild for both my parents and my husband’s parents.  The very first grandchild is special. There was much anticipation and excitement.  I remember all of the things we talked about…visits, roles, etc.  One memorable conversation was that which detailed what my son would call each of his four grandparents.

I don’t remember much about the conversation.  What I do remember is that each of them wanted their own special name.  My parents struggled to come up with something fitting and descriptive of their personalities.  In the end they settled for the generic “grandma” and “grandpa” because nothing else “fit.” That left my husband’s parents at a loss for a suitable descriptor of the important role they were to play in my son’s life.  Eventually they chose “nana” and “papa” to avoid confusing my son, particularly since he would not be seeing them as often.

You Can Call Me Hoppa! The Grandparents’ Guide to Choosing a Name That Fits, is an adorable little book that will warm the hearts of grandparents.  When parents choose their child’s name, it is with thoughtful reflection.  Why shouldn’t the same be true of grandparents?  There are literally hundreds of names that can be chosen to reflect a grandparent’s unique personality and the special relationship he/she has with his/her grandchild(ren).  Authored by Lauren Charpio, the book explores names and stories from grandparents around the world.  From tradition and culture to modern trends and personal preference, the book explores more names than I could ever imagine for grandparents.  My favorite section is those names that evolved from children’s attempts to pronounce their grandparent’s names.  The book also features funny, endearing quotes on how grandparents’ names were chosen.  

You Can Call Me Hoppa! retails for $24.95 and can be purchased on Amazon.com!

Profuse thanks to the  Family Review Network for this review opportunity! 

 

Holiday Gift Idea: Littlest Pet Shop

Children just love pets.  Every time my son sees a furry canine he chimes “dog, dog,dog…”  What do you do when your child asks for a pet that he/she obviously cannot take care of independently?  How do you begin to sow the seeds of pet ownership and responsibility within your child?  

This Christmas, why not explore The Littlest Pet Shop’s new fall line of mini pets.  Even my son had a great time playing with them (don’t tell daddy!).  

Ok, so they’re obviously for little girls and therefore one of my best friend’s little girls will have an adorably fun Christmas gift this holiday season!  But check out how cute the LITTLEST PET SHOP Bumblebee with House is complete with her little honeypot! Her head is super soft and fuzzy and she comes with her own house!  At $3.99 this would make a perfect stocking stuffer.

Who knew you that you could pair a bunny with a cat?  The LITTLEST PET SHOP Bunny and Cat are perfect winter friends and come adorned with a scarf and a hat.

 With over 100 pets to choose from your child will have hours of fun playing with these adorable little collectible pets. 

One of the toys that is sure to be on your child’s Christmas list is the LITTLEST PET SHOP Digital Planner.  The company has just taken digital pets to a whole new level!  I was really impressed with this electronic organizer, complete with touch screen and stylus, that is sure to make your child feel all grown up!  Gone are the days of keychain virtual pets. Now your child can feed, bathe, and brush her pet with the touch of a screen.  Your child can shop for accessories to dress her pet, plan pet activities, snap a purrty picture, and play over 25 onscreen games and activities.  And because this is a digital planner, your child can store addresses, special dates, or use the calculator function.  The LITTLEST PET SHOP Digital Planner is available in three colors and retails for $29.99.  

Profuse thanks to Foghorn PR for this review opportunity!  

Green Me Holiday Gift Ideas: Natural Pod

I love shopping for my son.  The look of pure wonderment as he says “wow” when I open up a box (usually a toy) is the most precious, priceless experience.  With my love for all things green, I’m always looking for products that are good for my son and good for the environment (it must be green week here on Rockin’ Mama).

Natural Pod was grown out of a desire for quality, open-ended, natural toys for children.  The selection of toys offered on the site is truly the most unique and creative on the market.  Not only are they beautiful, they support creative, imaginative play.

Natural Pod offers a wide range of products and toys including organic clothing.  I’m sure my little boy would love to see this Hardwood Choo Choo under the tree (he absolutely adores trains!).  It’s made from maple, cherry, and walnut wood right here in the US.

Wouldn’t this Chef’s Kitchen look adorable in my kitchen?  It’s comprised of Europly, Birch, Oak, Fir and Purple Heart and finished in natural beeswax.

The company has an entire Imaginative Play section complete with dress-ups for boys and girls.  For the older child, be sure to check out their Arts and Crafts and Activities and Games sections.  Perhaps I should get my son a set of Organic Playdough since he loves eating playing with it!

Natural Pod has just launched their very own blog.  They have a great article on cleaning out your child’s playroom (something I desperately need to do!).

Get It Now!  Now through December 31, 2008 you’ll receive 10% off your order with the code “GCM08.”

Featured Holiday Giveaway: Back to Basics Toys

*Update*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Beth Shepherd.  Congratulations!

The Halloween candy hasn’t even disappeared yet and already our neighbors have put wreaths on their front doors.  Retailers have started stocking the shelves with stockings and gift wrap.  It’s Christmas!  My absolute favorite time of year.

This year my husband and I have decided to focus most of our gift giving on my son (as opposed to ourselves).  I always feel like a kid myself when I shop for toys. Some of my most favorite toys are those from my own childhood.  Toys from a time when batteries were the exception rather than the norm.  I hold to the fact that toys don’t have to be high-tech with flashy lights and sing-song music for children to benefit from the learning that comes through play. Back to Basics Toys was grown out of the desire parents have for toys that will stand the test of time…quality toys that stimulate creativity and foster the imagination.  One of the things I like about the company is their recognition of the importance of open-ended toys…those toys that children can play with in multiple ways.  Those are the toys that turn play into a learning experience.

When we received the Pull Along Alphabet Blocks from Back to Basics Toys, I immediately became nostalgic for those wooden toys I used to play with.  My mother still has some of my old toys packed away and they’ve withstood years of play.  When I opened the package, I was greeted with that familiar wooden smell.  I have to admit that it was a nice change.  It’s hard to believe that these were first introduced as spelling blocks in 1858! The set includes 28 wooden blocks with 4 sets of the alphabet, 3 sets of numbers (1-9), basic math symbols, and 28 different animal pictures arranged in a classic-looking wagon. I can envision my son playing with this for years as he learns the names of animals, how to count, his ABC’s and more.  I’ve spent some time showing him the different animals (right now he knows dog and duck) and he loves arranging them in the wagon.

Many of the toys offered at Back to Basics Toys have received awards from various organizations as the best play products for children.  While the site may appear to be a bit overwhelming because of the sheer number of toys available, it is arranged in such a way that you’ll find it easy to navigate and pick out that perfect age-appropriate toy.  You can also search by category, price, best-sellers, award-winners and more. If you’re looking for creative, durable toys this season, check out Back to Basics Toys!

Win It!  Now through December 25, 2008, Back to Basics Toys is hosting a “Toys of Our Lives” sweepstakes.  Every week one person will win a $100 shopping spree just for uploading a photo of his/her favorite toy from childhood.  Take a look a the entries!

Win It!  One very lucky reader will have their choice of either the Lincoln Logs Commemorative Edition or a Raggedy Ann & Andy Box Set courtesy of Back to Basics Toys.  Both of these toys are among the 20 bestselling classic toys.  Head on over to the site and take a look around.  You might want to allow time for this since there are SO MANY TOYS!  : )  Come back here and leave me a comment indicating which toy you’re nostalgic for.  You’ll have the entire month to enter so get those entries in before November 30, 2008 at 10 pm PST.  The winner will be chosen on December 1, 2008.  One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Enter the “Toys of Our Lives” sweepstakes AND post a link to your entry.

Follow me on Twitter.

Blog about this giveaway.  It doesn’t have to be a separate post.  Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site.  If you have difficulty, please let me know.

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