Last Minute Holiday Gifs for Kids at Lakeshore (Review)

Looking for some last minute gifts to get your children this holiday season?  Have you checked out the toy offering at Lakeshore?  If not, you definitely have to head on over to their online store to see the large selection of toys, that are not only fun, but are also educational.  

I recently was given the opportunity to review a product from Lakeshore with my daughter, and ended up picking up more gifts afterwards, as the selection and quality of the products at Lakeshore is top-notch.  Here is the item I chose to review.

Little Hands Kitchen Set -- was $29.95 -- now $19.95

 

Inspire little chefs with three cute appliances that have moving parts, lights and great sound effects! Complete with a blender that “blends” food, a teakettle that “boils” water and a toaster that “pops” toast, this set of kid-safe appliances is perfect for pretend kitchens, tea parties and more. Made of sturdy plastic; blender is 6" tall. Blender and teakettle require 3 “AA” batteries, not included. Item# XR600  

 

Out of all her toys, there are one of her favorites, as she is at the “button pushing” stage, and likes to see the toy light up and the glitter inside move about.  Now, when I am cooking in the kitchen, she brings in her toaster, coffee pot and blender, and pretends to work alongside me.  It is the cutest thing!  Not only is she learning pretend play with these 3 toys, she is also learning cause and effect.  She now knows that if she pushes the buttons, they toys will light up.

I have purchased various other so-called learning toys for my daughter, only to be disappointed with the quality of the product, as it either didn’t keep my daughter’s attention, wasn’t properly made, or didn’t do what it was supposed to do.  But, not with Lakeshore.  I was overly impressed with the toys I had ordered, and will continue to shop here from now on for birthday gifts and other learning toy needs.  And, I have begun telling me friends about this amazing store and their product selection, when they ask me where to find great educational, play toys.

With only a week before Christmas, head on over to Lakeshore to place your last-minute holiday gift order. If you are not already a fan of Lakeshore, you will be after you receive your order!

---BUY NOW---

Click here to begin browsing the wonderful gifts available from Lakeshore.  As an added bonus, you will be able to take 25% off a single, non-sale item through this link.

Disclosure:  I received a product sample from Lakeshore, in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone

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Tech Talk -- Another Great App for Kids -- Animal Spinner by ANSH Games

 

A new app Savannah is in love with is the "Animal Spinner" by ANSH GAMES -- Buy it now at iTunes for only $.99 -- Suggested Age: 2-4 yr. olds

Animal Spinner is an iPad app that you can enjoy with your child(ren).  It is fun and easy to use, and keep your children entertained.  Children will learn all about the different farm animals and how they sound.  In total, there are 12 farm animals, all with full sound and voice overs.  The images of each animal are colorful and fun, making it an eye appealing app for even babies.  Savannah, at only 7 months, is amused by the bright and whimsical colors of the animals, and laughs when she hears the sounds.  This would be a perfect app to add to your collection for on-the-go entertainment.  Who didn't love their animal spinner game when they were little?  Now, you can share that same enjoyment with your little ones.

Don't forget to follow Animal Spinner on Facebook.

Disclosure:  I was given a copy of this app to try out in order to write up an honest review.  The views/statements above are mine and mine alone.

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Little Sapling Toys -- 10% off coupon code for readers

Little Sapling Toys has set up a 10% off coupon code exclusively for my blog readers, to be used at their etsy store.  At checkout, please enter code CTMOM10 to receive the 10% off discount.  This coupon code is valid from Feb. 2 - Feb. 23rd.  What I love about their products is that they are handmade using Maple, Cherry and Walnut woods, and are environmentally friendly and non-toxic.  I was looking at their store the other day for teethers for Savannah.  In addition to baby teethers, they also offer developmental toys, rattles and block toys.  Check out their shop today.  These toys would make great baby shower gifts, too.

About Little Sapling Toys:

Here at Little Sapling Toys, we are committed to quality toys and a healthy earth. We plant a tree for every toy sold, use FSC Certified hardwoods, recycled content packaging and participate in our local green power program. Each toy is handmade by our family in Boise, Idaho. Our way to reconcile modern and natural beauty is by using Maple, Cherry and Walnut woods together with our own beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish. We design our toys to help young children develop creativity, pattern recognition and fine motor skills. Our goals are to make toys that will be beautiful to look at, fun to play with and cherished for generations. We hope these toys will be passed from our children to theirs.

Disclosure:  I was not compensated in any way for this post.  The views stated are mine and mine alone.

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PetCakes Product Review and Giveaway

CLOSED

And the winner is....

Congrats, Donna.

I was excited to have the opportunity to review PetCakes, a new collectible plush pet line from the Well Made™ Toy Manufacturing Corporation.  These sweet treats are for children ages 3 and up and feature a "frosting" hat, and comes nestled in its own cupcake wrapper.  At first glance, these toys look like delicious cupcakes, but children will soon find the special pet hidden inside.  PetCakes provide hours of imaginative play.  If you are looking for the perfect birthday party favor, Valentine's Day gift or reward for a job well done, this is the ideal gift to share with your children. 

Even though Savannah Rose is too young to play with the PetCakes, she loved watching me play peek-a-book with her.  Each time the pets popped out of the cupcake wrapper, she let out a giggle.  I can't wait until she is older, as I know she will love to play with each of them.  Check out the PetCakes websites for the newest pets that are being offered.   I challenge you to try and choose just one PetCakes.  I fell in love with these new additions:

Buy Now:  PetCakes are available at specialty stores, http://www.toysrus.com/ (online only), http://www.etoys.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/.

And, now for the giveaway....

---GIVEAWAY---

One lucky reader will win 2 PetCakes, hand selected from the company (retail value: $13.99 each).  To enter, please complete the mandatory entry first, and then enter as many extra entries as you want.  

First, you must be a Public Follower of this blog.  Then, visit PetCakes and tell me which one you would choose, and who it would be for. (1 entry)

Make sure to include an email address in your comments, so I can contact you if you win.

 
Extra Entries:

 
1) Like PetCakes on Facebook, and leave a comment with giveaway link on their site saying, "Inspired by Savannah sent you.  Make sure to include your Facebook id in your comment below. (1 entry)

2)  Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

 
3)  Follow me on Facebook (1 entry) 

 
4) Enter any of my other giveaways, leaving a comment with the name of the giveaway (1entry per giveaway entered)

 
5) Blog about this giveaway. It must include a link to this specific post, as well as a link to my blog, http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/.   (In your comment, please leave a link directly to your post – 5 Entries)

 
6) Follow me on Twitter (1entry)

 
7)  Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry per tweet, per day; please include link to tweet in comment below)

Enter to #win PetCakes Giveaway @rmccoy1234  http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/ #giveaway ends 2/8
 8)  Like SoothEaze (my company website) on Facebook! Please include your Facebook name with your entry, so I can follow you back. (4 entries)

 
9) Follow my blog via Networked Blogs (3 entries)

 
10) Vote for me on picket fence blogs (See button on right side of blog -- One entry per vote, per day)

Open to US residents only.  Giveaway ends on February 8, 2011 at 11:59PM EST.  I will then use Random.org to choose a winner.  Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond to my email to claim prize.  If I don't hear back from selected winner, I will draw another winner.

Disclosure:  I was sent sample PetCakes in order to provide an honest review.  My views and comments were not swayed in any way as a result.  They are mine and mine alone.

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Feature Friday -- NiNi Baby Toy Bungee Product Review and Giveaway {Closed}

CLOSED

 And the winner is.....

Congratulations, Renee Richardson (mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com)

You have 48 hrs. to respond to my email with your shipping address.  If I don't hear back from you within 48 hrs., I will have to choose another winner.

Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway!

---------------

I had the opportunity to review the Toy Bungee by NiNi Baby this past week.  This product was created by another parent entrepreneur, out of necessity, which I love.  You don’t need me to explain what a headache it is dealing with children and the throwing game.  Savannah has been throwing her toys and pacifiers across the room for the past month, and then laughs and smiles as I retrieve them – only to have them thrown again and again.  Well, not anymore!  With the help of the Toy Bungee, I am able to strap her favorite toy or bottle to her high chair or car seat, keeping them from being thrown across the room or dropped on the ground. So, now I spend less time playing fetch with her, and more time watching her explore and play with her toys, while they stay securely attached to her high chair and car seat.

I especially loved the Toy Bungee today, when I attached it to her car seat with her favorite plush toy.  We then headed to the doctor’s office, and while in the waiting room, she was able to play with her toy, and I didn’t have to worry about it dropping on the dirty floor, or losing it.  It is amazing how one little product can save the day, stop unnecessary headaches and prevent a crying baby wondering where her toy went. 

What I love about this innovative and award winning product (In addition to being created by parents for parents, the Toy Bungee by NiNi has won the best baby accessory of 2010 by iParenting Media Award, and has been independently safety tested), is that it can hold a variety of toys, sippy cups and bottles with its adjustable, 6 button strap.  The Toy Bungee comes in 2 pieces – the strap itself, and the anchor.  You simply leave the anchor attached to the high chair or car seat, and remove and adjust the strap to fit the object you are looking to secure.  Total tethered length, including the anchor ranges between 11 and 19 inches.  It is easy to use, and children under 3 will not be able to figure out how to take it apart because of the button feature.  

So, if you are getting tired of playing the throwing game, pick up your Toy Bungee today.  You will be glad you did!

The Toy Bungee comes in the four vibrant colors seen above, and can be purchased for $8.98 at NiNi-Baby or Amazon.

---------

Giveaway!!!!

NiNi-Baby has kindly offered a Toy Bungee in the color of the winner’s choice, to one of my readers!

Mandatory Entry:
You must be a public follower of my blog.  Then, visit the NiNi-Baby website and tell me your favorite Toy Bungee color.  

Make sure to include an email address in your comments, so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:

1)  Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

2)  Follow me on Facebook (1 entry) 

3) Enter any of my other giveaways, leaving a comment with the name of the giveaway (1entry per giveaway entered)

4) Blog about this giveaway. It must include a link to this specific post, as well as a link to my blog, http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/.   (In your comment, please leave a link directly to your post – 5 Entries)

5) Follow me on Twitter (1entry)

6)  Follow NiNi Baby on Twitter, and copy/paste this tweet about the giveaway. Please include a link to your tweet. (You can tweet this message once daily, for one extra entry per day)

Enter to #win a NiNi-Baby Toy Bungee @rmccoy1234 @NiNiBabyProduct http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/ #giveaway ends 1/28

7)  Like SoothEaze (my company website) on Facebook! Please include your Facebook name with your entry, so I can follow you back. (4 entries)

8) Like NiNi Baby on Facebook, and leave a comment letting them know Inspired by Savannah sent you. (2 Entries)

9) Follow my blog via Networked Blogs (3 entries)

10) Vote for me on picket fence blogs (See button on right side of blog -- One entry per vote, per day)

Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends January 28th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org the following day and announced on this blog, as well as emailed. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be drawn. 

Disclosure: I was given a product sample to review.  The views/comments stated above are mine and mine alone, and I was not compensated or swayed in any way in my review of this product.

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Melissa & Doug Bird House Shape Sorter Product Review

I had the opportunity to review the Bird House Playset by Melissa and Doug from Ebeanstalk the other day with my 18 month old son, Sebastian, as well as a few of his friends at our weekly playgroup meet up. For those of you who are not aware of Ebeanstalk, please see my previous post from last week. Ebeanstalk is an educational toy store site that offers toys and products for children of all ages, from baby toys to kids toys .

First off, I was impressed with how Ebeanstalk sends their toy purchases to customers. Inside the box, they include an informational card that details the developmental milestones and how this toy would benefit each, as reviewed by child specialists. I have never received something like this with a product/toy I bought for my child. The developmental milestones included: imagination, education, language, dexterity, locomotion, social and emotion aspects of learning, and how this toy would benefit each. The only question/concern I had in regards to the information presented on the informational card was that it specified that this toy, the Bird House Playset by Melissa and Doug, was for children ages 3 months-6 months, but on the outside of the toy package itself, it stated it was for children 9+ months. Confused, I began to search online at various stores and noted the same discrepancy. I decided to go with the boxes age range and offered the toy to Sebastian to play with. Even though he is 18 months old, he enjoyed playing with the bird house and the 4 birds that came with it. He understood the concept of fitting each bird into their respective peek-a-boo holes, and was able to tell the colors apart. I don’t think a child 3 months-6 months would get the same enjoyment that my son had with the toy. After my son was done playing with the toy, I offered it to a few children, ages 6 months and 12 months at our weekly playgroup. The 6 month old could not figure out that he was supposed to put the birds in a specific hole. Instead, he tried to cram each bird into different holes and then when they wouldn’t fit, gave up and just played with the birds themselves. The best feature of this product is that the birds come in different shapes and colors and each offers their own unique sound, either jingling, rattling, squeaking or crinkling. The unique sound feature of each bird kept both the 6 month old and the 12 month old content. With the help of mom, the 12 month old was able to fit some of the birds into their respective holes, but again, chose to play with the birds, rather than fit them nicely into the bird’s nest.

Overall, the product was crafted nicely, with the exception of the eyes of the birds. The eyes were made out of black plastic pieces, which the 6 month old began to chew on after awhile. His mother had to take the bird away, as she was afraid he would break the plastic piece off and choke on it. Because of this, I would suggest this toy for older children, 9+ months. The bird house has vibrant colors that caught the eyes of my son and the other children playing with the toy, and with the handy loop on the top of the house, my son was able to carry the toy around when we went out. Overall, based on the how my son interacted with the toy and my own personal review of it, I would give the Bird House Playset by Melissa and Doug a 4 out of 5 rating.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for your son or daughter, why not check out this bird house set on Ebeanstalk, or any of their other toys shown on their site, and broken down by age. I can say firsthand that the quality of their products and product selection is suburb and I will continue to purchase my children’s toys/gifts from them.

Coupon Deal: Check out Ebeanstalk today and don’t forget to use the offer code: THANKYOU15%, for 15% off your order.

Happy shopping!

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Ebeanstalk--Your One-Stop Educational Toy Site

Today, I wanted to share a site I stumbled upon, which offers fun learning toys for children of all ages, ranging from birth to age 12.

I know that when it comes to choosing toys for my children, I want to make sure that they are not only fun and enjoyable to play with, but will also assist in the developmental aspect of their growth. What I love about Ebeanstalk is that they categorize their toys based on your child's level of development stage and age range. Many toy store online don't offer this, and I find myself having to read through the entire toy description or doing an internet search to see if the toy is appropriate for my child's specific age. Ebeanstalk takes the guessing out of this and makes it enjoyable to shop for toys.

With a new daughter on the way, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Ebeanstalk offers a wide array of toys and baby gifts for expectant parents like myself. And, the best part of all....the prices are reasonable and you are bound to find something for your little one. From my own experience, I know that my children like brightly colored, soft toys that they can hold and play with. In addition, many of these baby toys will fit nicely in a diaper bag or your purse, so you will have toys on the go when you child becomes fussy.

So, what are you waiting for? Stop by Ebeanstalk today and take a look at their selection of educational toys for your child(ren) today. You will not be disappointed.

Moms, don’t forget to use their current codes for free shipping. Use ECON$49 for orders over $49 and PREM$75 for orders over $75.

Enjoy!

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