When I look back one year ago, I think of how much my son has developed.  His speech, his fine and gross motor skills… He wakes up singing, has gotten much better at riding his scooter, and does things that constantly amaze us.  A few weeks ago (ish) my son was playing in his room while I took a quick shower.  When I got out I went to his room. He looked up at me and stated proudly, “I made a tower for mommy!”

Last year we reviewed a Sesame Street Building Set by K’NEX.  I remember showing him how to put the pieces together.  Over the last year we’ve played with that set numerous times.  It’s incredible to see how he has developed in one year.

This year we had an opportunity to review the Neighborhood Collection Police Station Set by K’NEX.  It features 2 of my son’s favorite Sesame Street characters…Ernie and Elmo.  While the set does come with instructions on various building options, it’s definitely open-ended and left to the child to create what they wish.  It fosters creativity and imagination.  And…my son will spend a long time playing with it.  He’s actually combined some of the pieces from the first set we received with this set for even more building creations.

The set includes 44 parts which includes Elmo and Ernie.  K’NEX offers 4 Neighborhood Collection Sets that can be combined to build an entire Sesame Street neighborhood. Most children are familiar with the Sesame Street characters, which is definitely why this is an attractive toy for toddlers and preschoolers.  Along with the coordination required to build, the sets encourage the use of a child’s imagination and creativity.  Because they the set has various colors and patterns, it’s a great way to teach children how to sort and arrange the parts accordingly. One of the things we like to do is build according to color. Each set also comes with a Play & Learn activity sheet featuring educational activities that can be done during or after building.

Right now, K’NEX is holding a Make a K’NEXion contest where you have an opportunity to win over $1,000 worth of K’NEX toys and be featured on the K’NEX web site. Simply make a video with your creation making sure you include select K’NEX products. The 10 best videos will be featured on K’NEX and the winning video will receive $1,000 worth of K’NEXToys.  The contest ends on December 7, 2009.

Last fall, I wrote about Bella Sara, a very popular trading card product that was created specifically for girls.  While I don’t have a little girl (at least not YET!), I definitely want to share with you the latest.  If you’re not familiar with the company, here’s a little more information from the site:

Bella Sara features horse-themed fantasy cards with lovely works of art and positive, affirming messages. Cards can be collected, traded with friends and used to play fun card games.

Later this month Bella Sara will release the Miniatures Series 1 Collection. This brand new product line “includes 20 velvety horses from the land of North of North for girls to collect, trade, display, and cherish.”  For $1.89, your child can experience Bella Sara in a tangible way and she’ll also receive a full-color checklist and a bonus code that will reveal an animated horse statue for her cottage.  Bella Sara has expanded beyond the trading card and online/video game world and your child will enjoy the ability to see and touch her favorite horse in person.  Be sure to look for the second series in October.  The figurines are highly detailed and soft and little girls will enjoy playing with them.  The only thing I don’t like about this collection is how small they are.

Later this month Bella Sara will also release the eighth series in this line, called Treasures.  Treaures features “rare jewels, amazing natural wonders, historical artifacts and fantastic magical items to explore and cherish.”  Every pack comes with five collectible cards, a card checklist, a mini-game, Bella Sara tattoos and stickers.  Treasures will bring more printable activities to the site including coloring pages, wallpapers, and jigsaw puzzles. The artwork is beautiful and I think Bella Sara is a wonderful hobby for little girls.  It promotes sharing and interaction.  Each card pack retails for $2.99.

There are a TON of social network sites these days.  From MySpace to Facebook to Twitter …I honestly can’t keep up with all of them.  I am not the most internet-savvy gal on the block, but even I was able to figure out Qlubb…the latest web-based group utility that allows any social group (i.e. play groups, sports teams, book clubs) to connect and share information.  Some of the things you can do on Qlubb include event planning via the calendar function, photo-sharing, and file sharing.

Keeping track of our family’s events is difficult enough.  I can’t imagine how complex it will get when we’re involved in more activities with my son…or when we have another child!  Here is the lowdown on how Qlubb is making it convenient for groups to function (from the site):

Easily organize group events and activities online

Eliminate email back and forth

Eliminate reminders of events and responsibilities

Easily delegate tasks to members

Easily create a secure website for your group

The goal is that you’ll spend more time enjoying your group rather than stressing about the deets!

Signing up is free and super easy (it took less than 5 minutes!).  It’s also secure and doesn’t require user registrations!  This is THE year to get organized so hop on over and check it out!

Christmas is 1 week away and I’ve been frantically shopping at the last minute!  This year I’m buying more “toys” than anything else since all of my friends have children.  If you’ve walked into Toys R Us lately, you know that there are hundreds and hundreds of toys to choose from.  Its actually overwhelming!  

Since I’m a huge fan of open-ended toys that entertain AND educate, I was delighted to receive ABC Artchitect Blocks by Parents Toys.  This year it was rated as one of the best toys of 2008.  We actually own a few toys from this line and my son has really enjoyed playing with them.  My son loves blocks…throwing them, chewing on them, stacking them…  Now we don’t have to worry that he’ll break the TV (or a tooth) with these soft, squishy, phthalate-free blocks.  These blocks are safe, durable, and most of all fun!  The set features 9 different shapes in 5 vibrant colors.  Unlike square, wooden blocks (which also have a place in a child’s toy box) the ABC Artchitect Blocks are beautifully molded as animals and ABCs.  I like the fluid shapes (arches, pedestals, etc.) and capacity for open-ended play.

The entire line of Parents toys is available at Target (and the prices are very affordable).  You can purchase the ABC Artchitect Blocks set for $19.99.  

Profuse thanks to Team Mom for this review opportunity!

My son and I have this nightly reading ritual.  It’s our special time to get in a snuggle and wind down before bed.  I believe that reading is crucial at this stage of his development when his language skills are literally exploding on a daily basis.  It seems like from one day to the next he started saying three and four word phrases like “What is that” and “I don’t want that!”  I strive to read to him for twenty minutes so when the time comes for formal academics, he’ll already be accustomed to sitting quietly to learn.  

I have noticed that my son is particularly drawn to books with vibrant colors and varying textures.  Thanks to Team Mom we were able to try out a few of the most lovely illustrated storybooks I’ve yet to come across, by a company called The Secret Mountain.  This Canadian-based company creates artistic children’s books, videos, and audio recordings and utilizes the talents of songwriters, storytellers, singers, illustrators and animation artists.

Of the three we received (Dream Songs, Night Songs, A Duck in New York City, and Down at the Sea Hotel), A Duck in New York City turned out to be our favorite.  This inspirational little book about realizing one’s dreams features upbeat, broadway-like music by Connie Kaldor.  

Each book is accompanied by a music CD, designed to compliment the story.  Music and literature, two of the most imaginative arts, come together in uniquely illustrated keepsakes.  Each storybook retails for 22.95 and would make a lovely Christmas gift for that special child in your life.  

Profuse thanks to The Secret Mountain and Team Mom for this review opportunity!

Contrary to popular belief, girls enjoy trading cards just like boys.  I can attest to this since I was an avid collector of a trading card so digustingly popular, I almost cringe.  I collected the oh-so-popular Garbage Pail Kids (although I have no idea why my mother would let me).  Thankfully, parents now have a sweeter, more magical option with Bella Sara trading cards for girls.

Bella Sara trading cards feature beautiful pictures of horses and positive, inspirational messages like “be the first to say you’re sorry.”  Girls will love collecting, trading, and playing games in the online land of North of North.  Each card features it’s own unique activation code that can be used to place each horse in it’s own stable.  I really like the fact that it teaches young girls responsibility since they are then able to care for their horses by feeding, brushing, and cleaning their stalls.

Later this month Bella Sara is expanding it’s family of horses to include the adorable Baby Bella foals (how cute is that?).  There will be 10-day kick-off celebration on the site starting November 6 where girls can win daily prizes, print off birth certificates for their baby foals, read stories and access special codes.

The website is nicely designed and would keep a child occupied for quite some time.  Bella Sara trading cards are targeted towards girls ages five and older.  Each pack of seven retails for $2.99 and can be purchased at big-name retailers like Target and Toys R Us.  You can also download a Target-exclusive coupon directly from the site.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRxSSV9uwV8&hl=en&fs=1]

My son has this on again off again relationship with the bathtub.  Somedays he wants to play all day.  Most days he starts crying as soon as he hears the water.  I was so excited when Team Mom gave us the 411 on Bath Blizzard, an innovative way to create a bubble bath for kids.  My son is very intrigued with bubbles (we have bubble time at his play group) so I had a feeling this was going to be fun for him.  With a couple of batteries (well, 4 to be exact), a capful of bubble solution, and some water, you have more bubbles that I thought possible.  I was very tempted to jump right in there with him!  I’ve tried over-the-counter bubble baths…the bubble are pretty much nil by the time my son is actually in the bathtub.  Not only will you have more bubbles than baby…the bubble solution is non-toxic, wheat-free, tears-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and hypoallergenic.  My son actually cried when his skin started to prune it was time to get out of the bath. 

Bath Blizzard is one of three Kid Kleen products that are being introduced this fall.  This new line of bath activity toys strive to make getting clean fun.  Be sure to look for the Mold M Play Soap and Activity Kit for more bath time fun!

I find myself scrutinizing toys closely these days.  More and more I’m wanting creative, educational toys that don’t require an evening of assembly.  I also like toys that don’t involve a mess (I have enough cleaning up to do after my two boys!).  I love artistic, crafty toys that inspire creativity.  Aquadoodle’s Draw N Doodle Mat allows children to do just what it says without the mess.  Just fill the aqua pen with water and your child can draw to his/her heart’s content.  In a couple of minutes, your child’s designs disappear and the canvas is set for new creations.  Did I mention that there is absolutely no mess whatsoever?  I love it!  When your child is done, just roll it up and store it away.  

Spinmaster is the brain behind Kid Kleen and Aquadoodle.  They have an entire line of must-have toys that you simply must check out!  The above-mentioned products retail for $19.99 and $24.99, respectively.

My son has this on again off again relationship with the bathtub.  Somedays he wants to play all day.  Most days he starts crying as soon as he hears the water.  I was so excited when Team Mom gave us the 411 on Bath Blizzard, an innovative way to create a bubble bath for kids.  My son is very intrigued with bubbles (we have bubble time at his play group) so I had a feeling this was going to be fun for him.  With a couple of batteries (well, 4 to be exact), a capful of bubble solution, and some water, you have more bubbles that I thought possible.  I was very tempted to jump right in there with him!  I’ve tried over-the-counter bubble baths…the bubble are pretty much nil by the time my son is actually in the bathtub.  Not only will you have more bubbles than baby…the bubble solution is non-toxic, wheat-free, tears-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and hypoallergenic.  My son actually cried when his skin started to prune it was time to get out of the bath. 

Bath Blizzard is one of three Kid Kleen products that are being introduced this fall.  This new line of bath activity toys strive to make getting clean fun.  Be sure to look for the Mold M Play Soap and Activity Kit for more bath time fun!

I find myself scrutinizing toys closely these days.  More and more I’m wanting creative, educational toys that don’t require an evening of assembly.  I also like toys that don’t involve a mess (I have enough cleaning up to do after my two boys!).  I love artistic, crafty toys that inspire creativity.  Aquadoodle’s Draw N Doodle Mat allows children to do just what it says without the mess.  Just fill the aqua pen with water and your child can draw to his/her heart’s content.  In a couple of minutes, your child’s designs disappear and the canvas is set for new creations.  Did I mention that there is absolutely no mess whatsoever?  I love it!  When your child is done, just roll it up and store it away.  

Spinmaster is the brain behind Kid Kleen and Aquadoodle.  They have an entire line of must-have toys that you simply must check out!  The above-mentioned products retail for $19.99 and $24.99, respectively.

It is in playing, and perhaps only in playing, that the child is free to be creative.

Donald Winnicott

You don’t understand how excited I was when Team Mom notified me of the opportunity to review the all-new Sesame Street Building Sets by K’NEX!  First off, my son absolutely adores Sesame Street…particularly Play With Me Sesame.  Secondly, my son loves to take things apart and try to put them back together…yes…even at his young age!  So when I opened the package and pulled out the Ernie Building Set, it was out of my hands before I could give it a second look (toddlers are grabby that way and everything is “mine”).  We have had a lot of fun over the past week playing with the building set…me putting it together…him taking it apart and then trying to put it back together again.  

As my son gets older, I find him getting bored easily with toys and gravitating towards books more and more.  He’ll take a book, place it in my hand, and sit in my lap, expectantly waiting for me to read to him. I have had to be creative about the types of toys I buy for him.  I wholeheartedly believe that toys should be fun and educational and the Sesame Street Building Sets do both very well.  The sets come in characters that children are familiar with and that is what sparks their interest and curiousity.

The Sesame Street Building Sets promote physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. The sets can be played by your child alone or with someone else and it’s actually encouraged that he/she do both.  The sets are designed for preschoolers ages 2 and up.  

Our set came with 15 pieces, a set of stickers, and an activity sheet detailing ways to engage in active play. The Ernie storage canister is handy for keeping the pieces from getting lost behind the couch in one place.  The Sesame Street Building Sets retail from $10.99-$31.99 and can be purchased directly on the site or a local retailer in your area.  

Thank you Team Mom and K’NEX for this review opportunity!

It is in playing, and perhaps only in playing, that the child is free to be creative.

Donald Winnicott

You don’t understand how excited I was when Team Mom notified me of the opportunity to review the all-new Sesame Street Building Sets by K’NEX!  First off, my son absolutely adores Sesame Street…particularly Play With Me Sesame.  Secondly, my son loves to take things apart and try to put them back together…yes…even at his young age!  So when I opened the package and pulled out the Ernie Building Set, it was out of my hands before I could give it a second look (toddlers are grabby that way and everything is “mine”).  We have had a lot of fun over the past week playing with the building set…me putting it together…him taking it apart and then trying to put it back together again.  

As my son gets older, I find him getting bored easily with toys and gravitating towards books more and more.  He’ll take a book, place it in my hand, and sit in my lap, expectantly waiting for me to read to him. I have had to be creative about the types of toys I buy for him.  I wholeheartedly believe that toys should be fun and educational and the Sesame Street Building Sets do both very well.  The sets come in characters that children are familiar with and that is what sparks their interest and curiousity.

The Sesame Street Building Sets promote physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. The sets can be played by your child alone or with someone else and it’s actually encouraged that he/she do both.  The sets are designed for preschoolers ages 2 and up.  

Our set came with 15 pieces, a set of stickers, and an activity sheet detailing ways to engage in active play. The Ernie storage canister is handy for keeping the pieces from getting lost behind the couch in one place.  The Sesame Street Building Sets retail from $10.99-$31.99 and can be purchased directly on the site or a local retailer in your area.  

Thank you Team Mom and K’NEX for this review opportunity!