Santa's Wish List

Introducing Blooming Buddies

Like a hug for the heart, Blooming Buddies is sure to spark your child’s imagination and trigger conversations between generations. Perfect for reading aloud, early readers, and the young at heart of all ages.

By: Deborah Donner and Wendy Peterson
8″ x 10″ hard bound with dust cover, 32 pps

Our Thoughts

Our kids love to read. Unfortunately because Charlie is older most of the books around the house are geared towards boys. It was nice to find a book geared towards girls that doesn’t promote an unhealthy body image. Blooming Buddies features verses relating human qualities to flowers. These flowers are magnificently illustrated in rich pastel hues. Just looking at the pictures was enough to keep Rachael entertained.

Buy It

You can purchase your Blooming Buddies book online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Lazoo Children

From Lazoo:

Originally based on a series of best-selling Japanese children’s books, Lazoo has since evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle children’s brand and media property emphasizing novel design, individual expression, creativity, and above all, FUN!

Our Thoughts

Finding high quality clothing for kids is hard to do. It’s either too expensive or not well made. I found the perfect combination of quality and washability in Lazoo’s Children wear. The entire line of merchandise exudes fun. Rachael received the Ballerina set with comfy/warm hoodie and the matching pants. The best part of this outfit was because of the fleece I was able to place a plain pink onesie underneath Rachael’s hoodie and she didn’t need a coat. One less thing for mommy to hassle with.

Lazoo was nice enough to also send a matching set in the Monkey line that we gave to my nephew. Because of his special needs we have to have clothing that is easy to maneuver on and off. The generous fit of the outfit also allowed us to buy his normal size 4T but it was roomy enough to fit over his braces. Making it the perfect outfit for going to and from school and therapy.

But clothing isn’t all. Lazoo also offers accessories (hats, mittens, tights) and books. The kids are in love with the Incredible Stickers book. It’s been fun to read with them and place stickers throughout the book. Rachael has also been reading the Colors board book. The vibrancy is unmatched by any other book I’ve found.

Find Lazoo on Facebook and Twitter

Buy It

You can purchase your Lazoo Children products online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Tonka Chuck & Friends Stunt Park

From Hasbro:

Zip, zoom, turn and even flip — this CHUCK’S STUNT PARK playset lets you perform all of these cool stunts and more with your CHUCK THE DUMP TRUCK vehicle! Press the TONKA plate to activate your vehicles motor and send him racing all over this playset. Send him down the mountain to make him do his flip flop stunt or set him up for his daring two-wheeled hanging stunt. This little daredevil just loves to show off with you. And, since he can “drive” on or off the track, you can also bring him with you to sit down and read from his storybook — and plan your next big daring feat!

Our Thoughts

Charlie and our nephew Billy love Chuck. We have two of the original Chuck the Talking Fire Truck toys at my moms. We had to search and scour to find the second one as the boys would fight over the one. This year Hasbro has expanded the Chuck line even more. Since Tonka is one of our household’s favorite toys we were excited to have the opportunity to review the Tonka Chuck & Friends Stunt Park.

You can rearrange the parts so that Chuck does different stunts which makes the toy more versatile. Charlie had a blast moving the track in different locations and seeing what new adventure he could describe for Chuck.

Find Playskool on Facebook and Twitter

Buy It

You can purchase your Tonka Chuck & Friends Stunt Park online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Alphie the Robot

From Playskool:

Who better to explore the world with than someone who’s new to it? This ALPHIE robot is on a “field trip” from his home planet and, with a kooky grin and funny faces, it’s his “mission” to explore the world! There’s practically nothing this little dynamo doesn’t want to “talk about” — from letter sounds and shape sorting to patterns, cause and effect, vocabulary development and much more, your ALPHIE robot is like a classroom in one little portable robot buddy. Educational fun on-the-go is as easy as can be, too, with this little guy’s handled noggin and storage spot for his cards in his backpack. There’s a whole lot to discover when you’re a preschooler and this ALPHIE figure shares one of the most important lessons, too: learning can be tons of fun!

Our Thoughts

As a kid we all had that toy. That one toy we always wanted but never got. Alphie was that toy for me. My sister had one and I got to play with hers but its not the same right? I was so excited to see Alphie was back on the market. Even with a few upgrades Alphie still has the same basic look after all this time and I love it.

Charlie was over the moon to see he had a robot. Mommy was excited that the robot wasn’t just a “toy” but also an educational item. I showed Charlie how to insert a card and off we went. Every day Rachael takes a nap and every day Charlie has to practice his letters, numbers, colors. While he gets a good dose of this in PreK, I need some quiet time to get work done and this is the time. Alphie comes with 30 cards and you can purchase additional cards. The cards that are included cover the entire alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes and even music. The music card is one of Charlie’s favorites. You can actually compose a song on Alphie!

Find Playskool on Facebook and Twitter

Buy It

You can purchase your Alphie online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Weebles Musical Treehouse

From Playskool:

Whee! When your WEEBLES figures want to play, where can you send them? Let them have tons of teetering, tottering fun in their very own playhouse, this WEEBLES Musical Treehouse playset! There are all kinds of levels of wobbly fun for you and your two friendly-faced WEEBLES figures to explore. Let them look around “far and wide” and send your topsy-turvy little figures up to the treetop by turning the crank. Then, send them gliding back down again on the curvy slide. Up and down — and still more fun is coming! Is it the 4 songs or 8 different sound this playset plays that have your WEEBLES figures rocking? No, it’s the lilting and tilting of the fun wobbly deck! Make some of your wobbly friends play hide and seek, but it’s hard for them to stay hidden for long — they always end up wobbling around and giving up their spot! It’s a busy day for your little friends, but even when they “want a rest”, they never stay down for long!

Our Thoughts

We love Weebles. I have a friend who to this date loves Weebles. It’s our inside joke. The kids have enjoyed the Weebles as well. When Charlie was younger we had a treehouse set for him. Now Rachael has her own set. Playskool has gone back to the more original design of the Weebles which I love. Charlie’s were chunkier and took up more space.

We pulled out the Treehouse and got it all set up. I thought since we had the older version the kids wouldn’t be as interested but you add in the music and different characters and they were all for it. I know they sat for a good 30 minutes turning the crank and watching the Weebles flow down the slide. I can’t wait to buy a few more Weebles to add to our collection for Christmas.

Find Playskool on Facebook and Twitter

Buy It

You can purchase your Playskool Weebles Musical Treehouse online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Baby Alive Bouncin’ Babbles Doll

From Hasbro:

Your BOUNCIN’ BABBLES doll is so happy to spend time with you that you can see it in everything she does! Hold your little one’s hands and she’ll bounce up and down, just like a real baby. But this bouncing bundle of joy wants to “tell” you how excited she is, too — as she bounces she’ll make happy baby sounds! Let your baby doll bounce to her heart’s delight and then cuddle her close with lots of love!

Our Thoughts

Like many little girls Rachael loves baby dolls. We have enough in the house to have a whole nursery going. But there is always a new, better, more active doll around the corner right. The Baby Alive Bouncin’ Babbles doll is one doll that Rachael has been eyeing in the stores for some time.  With the bright eyes and laughing smile this doll is sure to make anyone smile. Turn her on and watch the fun even more as she bounces up and down and giggles. As the baby does a ton of actions and without prompting (motion activated) we have had to replace the batteries already. I also found that the baby has a hard time standing after you take her out of the box. I’m hoping it’s just a situation of a crinkle in her PJs causing her to not stand straight.

Buy It

You can purchase your Baby Alive Bouncin’ Babbles doll online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Androidz

As the Mom of a 7 year old boy, we have many, many cars, trucks, trains, legos, and Transformers. I was excited to hear about the new line of toys from Toy Quest called Andriodz. The story begins as an alien race sends probes to a lifeless planet to refuel and picks up radio and TV signals from Earth. The probe begins to replicate life forms on Earth. The robots are divided into two groups, the Defendbots, who will protect this new planet and the Strikebots, who were build to defend the planet.

My son loved the back story for the Androidz and I loved how imaginative and creative his play was centered on the story. We enjoyed the online planet world together which allowed my son even more creativity.  He also like the idea that the robots were based on everyday themes such as police, fire, military, and construction heroes. I was impressed with how well the vehicles were constructed and that the parts were easy to keep together. No little pieces! My son enjoyed the Andriodzs toys so much that we purchased several for a birthday party my son was attending. That is the ultimate “thumbs-up!”

Buy It

You can purchase your Androidz online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing

From Amy Michelle:

Features of the Rodeo Drive Bag:

Baby’s section

• Changing pad (21″ x 14″) – Remove padding to wash lining
• 2 Internal & 2 external bottle pockets (baby or water bottles)
• Quick release pacifier holder
• Stroller attachments included
• Top zipper closure
• Adjustable shoulder strap (can convert to quick backpack)
• 5 pockets for maximum organization
• Compartments for diapers, wipes, and bottles
• Slip pocket on back for changing pad/Travel mat or files

Parent’s section

• Zip closure outside front pocket with cell phone pocket
• Easy to find key ring
• Bright lining inside

Our Thoughts

I have a huge problem with diaper bags. For the past 5 years I have carried one and for the past 5 years I’ve tried to find one that was stylish and still held all I needed it too. I tried the ones with the cutesy cartoon characters on it. Just not great for me. I tried one that was outrageously expensive because It was supposed to be easier to clean. I tried one that was supposed to have special features that would help organizing. It did but it also didn’t hold up well after time. On Mother’s day this year Steve took me to Macy’s where I purchased a rather nice purse. It was big enough to hold the kids stuff and still be fashionable. The problem was that it only came in white. As you can imagine it now looks horrible because it’s been stepped on, spilled on/in and more.

Enter Amy Michelle Bags. They have some of the most fashionably designed bags ever. The Gladiola is just stunning with its pockets and designer look while also be functional. We received a Broadway Grafitti in chocolate/turquoise. After using the bag for a few weeks I can tell you I can’t find anything I don’t like. The shoulder strap is adjustable so it fits Steve and I with just a quick movement. I can easily pack 10 diapers, wipes, a change of clothes and a few toys and still have room.

The best part of all is each of the Amy Michelle bags can be purchased in 3 different forms. There is the Go Bebe with more pockets and special section for the baby, the Go Travel and the Go work which forgo the baby section but add in special features for traveling/working.

Find Amy Michelle on Facebook and Twitter

Buy It

You can purchase your Amy Michelle Bags online or in stores nationwide.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Scholastic Reading for the Holidays

From Scholastic:

Give the gift of reading to your child this holiday season! Scholastic books make the perfect stocking stuffer for any child on your list.

We have a HUGE prize pack filled with the most popular children’s books in the marketplace to offer one lucky reader! Titles include CAPTAIN SKY BLUE, IT’S CHRISTMAS DAVID, OOK and GLUK as well as TONY BALONEY, ODIOUS OGRE and I SPY CHRISTMAS A CHRISTMAS TREE!

Our Thoughts

There are two things that are continuously going  on in our house. We’re either listening to music or reading books. Books are a great way to expand our vocabulary and learn new concepts. With Charlie’s speech problems, we have to come up with new ways to expand his word base and practice his repetitive sounds. I can’t wait to try reading the new titles from Scholastic with the kids.

Buy It

You can purchase your Scholastic Books online.

Win It

You can win your very own Scholastic Reading prize pack:

One (1) Winner will receive a HUGE gift pack:

• CAPTAIN SKY BLUE
• IT’S CHRISTMAS DAVID
• OOK and GLUK
• as well as TONY BALONEY, ODIOUS OGRE and I SPY A CHRISTMAS TREE!

Prize Pack Valued at $89.75.

Mandatory Entry

Let me know what child in your life needs some new books.

Extra Entries

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Giveaway Rules

*Winners are chosen by Random.Org, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!
*winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.
*contest ends December 1. Winner will be posted shortly afterwards.
*open to US Bloggers only.
*rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.

Introducing Printable Santa Letters

From Printable Santa Letters:

Help St. Nick create a customized letter that you can print at home in just minutes. So even if it’s Christmas Day, Santa won’t forget your Child!

Our Thoughts

Charlie is finally at the age where he really believes in Santa Claus. It’s not just a concept but a real person that will bring him presents as long as he’s good. I was excited to hear about Printable Santa Letters. For as little as $3.99 you can design and develop your own letter from Santa.

The first step in designing your letter is choosing one of several letter types. There’s a little something for everyone including Baby’s first Christmas and one for a new sibling. On that same page you chose one of 6 backgrounds for your letter. Add in a few bits of information for your child and you get to preview the letter before your print it.

As part of the Gold package we received:

- Santa letter and envelope
- autographed 4×6 photo of Santa
- personalized letter from Rudolph Preview
- personalized Nice List Certificate Preview
- 2nd envelope design for a 9×12 envelope

Buy It

You can purchase your Printable Santa Letter online.

I was sent a sample of this product to review. All opinions are my own and are not swayed by the company.