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toy review

Because I Have a Little Artist.

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Sometimes, as I look around my home, I am dismayed by the clutter produced by toys, gadgets and gizmos. I often joke with my husband that we have special sight filters that allow us to ignore the mess; thicker soles due to the torture of repeatedly stepping on errant cars, and stronger ab muscles from bending over 172 times per day to pick up a stray pencil crayon, a runaway Cheerio, or the dreaded, crumpled, discarded used tissue.

For a long time, I simply allowed myself to believe that kids will take over the home and there’s nothing that can be done about it. But then I realized that as my boys grew, they began to crave a space of their own. Slowly, the basement became a place to engage in imaginative play. Ryder’s bedroom became his corner nook to enjoy a good book. And Reid always, always wanted to be in the kitchen when he was in the mood for arts and crafts. Hence, when we received the Little Tikes I’m an Artist Station for review, I knew it would quickly become a family favourite.

“This uniquely designed, multi-functional art station features a cover for the table that doubles as a portable drawing surface. It even lights up for tracing. Little Tikes smart design gives I’m An Artist Station plenty of storage cubbies and a convenient place for hanging wet artwork and displaying the finished creation.”

Features:

Splatter table spins paper and paint. Includes splatter guard to minimize any mess.
Table cover converts to portable drawing table that lights up for tracing.
Convenient clip rack where artwork can hang up to dry and then be displayed.
Multiple spaces for storing art supplies. Sturdy stool and 4 paints included….

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A Very Special Club

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One month ago, I published the following photo on Instagram:

“I’ve finally joined an exclusive club that I’ve longed to be part of. I’m an Auntie! Welcome to the world sweet baby. You are already so loved.”

It’s true! I’m an Aunt. An aunt to a baby GIRL. You know what that means – I’ve finally been awarded the opportunity to shop for pink everything. My niece is tiny, temperamental and too-cute-for-words. She is perfect.

I’ve often wondered if holding a sweet bundle of joy would kick start my own maternal longings – particularly because as the boys grow, I find myself wanting to keep them as my little babies forever. But alas, my ovaries have drawn a line in the sand and are firmly on the “no way” side; while I enjoy every moment with my niece, I’m happy with my life right now… diaper-free household included.

So, I get to cherish those newborn moments and then hand over the baby when she gets fussy. #Winning!

This afternoon, we spent an afternoon with family at Grandma’s. And of course, we all waited for the star of the show to arrive!  She was treated to a comfortable, portable place to stretch out thanks to the Fisher-Price Special Edition Rock ‘n Play Portable Bassinet. With a flat elevated sleeping surface and rocking motion to help soothe baby to sleep, it’s a great addition to your baby gear.

And with two doting older cousins, it’s no wonder our tiny angel feels safe and secure. Sweet dreams, little one!

I receive special perks as a part of my affiliation as a Fisher-Price Play Ambassador with Mom Central Canada.
The opinions in this blog are my own.

Top Toys for Tots: Put Baby in Control of the Fun!

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File this one under: Stuff I wish I had when my little guys were wee ones.

Ryder had a *small* obsession with the television remote. And when I say small, I mean that we’d often find it curled up with him in his crib. We honestly didn’t understand the fascination until we chatted with other parents who similarly noted the same affliction in their own babies.

Learn to sit. Learn to crawl. Grab the remote. Oh happy days.

To show you just how much we “drank the Kool Aid” (so to speak), for Christmas 2009 Ryder received his very own remote control. Seriously. It was a Best Buy special at $8.99 for a universal remote. BEST present ever.

However, I suppose if I really think about it, it makes perfect sense. It’s a handheld object with colourful buttons. Daddy and mommy reach for it multiple times per day, and when no one’s looking, it’s the perfect teething toy. The thing is – I actually needed my remote to perform a function, and when it’s drool-encased – or moonlighting as a sleep aid – it’s no good to anyone.

Enter the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote. Finally! I’ve seen toy telephones, toy computers and toy tablets. And now, introducing baby’s very own remote, with realistic styling, buttons to press, lively songs and light-up learning fun! Baby can click away to learn about numbers, opposites, colours, greetings and first words, and sing along to four songs, too.

Develop & Learn:

Light-up musical rewards
• Fun responses help baby understand cause & effect

Realistic styling
• Like a real remote control—inspiring early role play!

Lots of buttons to press
• Promotes development of fine motor skills

“Turn on the smiles and playtime joy with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote! Volume control and “channel surfing” are a big part of the role play experience, inspired by the Click n’ Learn Remote’s realistic styling.

With more than 25 sing-along songs, tunes and phrases – each controlled by baby – there’s a new lesson with each push of a button. Smiles will fill up the room as baby learns numbers, opposites, colors, greetings and much more. Turn the volume up and down or switch channels to hear a new station and lots of realistic sound effects, too. Baby will love being in control of his very own learning experience!

Pressing a variety of the Click ‘n Learn Remote buttons promotes the development of baby’s fine motor skills. Fun sounds and phrases teach baby colors, numbers, shapes and more! There are light-up musical rewards, too, as pressing buttons for fun responses helps baby understand cause and effect relationships. Learning couldn’t be more fun!”

The BEST part – the Click ‘n Learn Remote retails for just $11.99! So, hours of fun and learning is incredibly affordable too. Put this one on your holiday list as a must-have!

 

I receive perks as a part of my affiliation with the Fisher-Price Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada.
The opinions in this blog are my own.

Public Service Announcement: Hot Toys Ahead

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It’s rare that I make Public Service Announcements (PSAs), but sometimes, a girl’s just gotta tell it like it is.

So here’s the deal: in the past few weeks, I’ve posted reviews for super popular toys and shared information about new toy characters. And then it occurred to me: this is only scratching the surface. Because as a Fisher-Price Mom, I tend to go through their lineup of toys from time to time. Okay, obsessively. And you know what? They’ve got a TON of new toys available that really, y’all should know about. Toys that your kiddos will recognize from popular television shows. Toys that mimic real-life and encourage pretend play.

Hence, my PSA.

Hear ye, hear ye! The following toys are just a sampling of the amazing new products available from Fisher-Price:

Mike the Knight Glendragon Castle Playset

Full of adventure and excitement, Glendragon Castle is home to Mike the Knight. Now kids can help their favourite knight-in-training, Mike, protect the Kingdom of Glendragon and be the best knight he can be! With surprises around every corner, the Glendragon Castle playset features three levels of two-sided play. Flip Mike’s bed to reveal his armor and a secret chute leading down to his trusty horse, Galahad, just like the show! Use the ladder to access the second level, where Evie’s Potion Room contains a revolving door that spins to the outside of the castle. Mike can also slide down the included zip line, open the drawbridge, and begin his next knightly quest! For even more excitement, kids can press the red shield on the inside of the castle wall to lower the drawbridge and hear over 20 sounds and phrases.

With 10 play pieces (including Mike and Galahad figures), surprise features, fun sounds, and three levels of play, the Glendragon Castle Playset brings medieval excitement to life! Requires 3 AAA batteries.

Octonauts Octopod Playset

Sound the Octo-Alert! It’s time for Barnacles and Kwazii to set off on a new mission! Send the figures sliding down from the pods and into the Launch Bay where they can report for duty and ready the Gup-A for their rescue mission! Place Kwazii or Barnacles inside the Gup and turn the lever to launch the vehicle down the escape hatch and out of the Octopod! Lift and lower the rescue tools to bring creatures back to safety.

The Octopod includes over 10 play pieces including: Removable Octo-Alert plays phrases and sounds; Launch the Gup-A out of the Octopod; Lift and lower the rescue tools to bring the sick creatures back to the Octopod; Includes Octopod, Barnacles, Kwazii, mini Gup-A, removable Octo-Alert, fiddler crab, sea turtle, stretcher, anchor, barrel and net….

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ROAR! Imaginext Monsters University Scare Factory

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Attention Scarers…. there’s a new monster in town: Monster Reid. And he’s here to collect screams from little kids all ’round the world. Better watch out! He packs quite a roar. After all, he’s learned from the best – the scariest monster ever – the one and only Sulley. Introducing the Imaginext Monsters University Scare Factory.

Do your kiddos love Monsters Inc. and Monsters University? Then they’ll adore this playset, which includes Mike, Sulley, 3 doors, 2 canisters, 3 pieces of mail, mail cart, garbage can and broom – essentially, everything you need to recreate the scare floor! Fisher-Price, you’ve done it again :)

Experience what a day with Mike and Sulley would be like at the Scare Factory. Visit the mail room and help sort packages; go to the Scare floor to operate the doors moving through the factory. Place a scare canister on the holder, rotate the disk and watch it fill…

The boys love their playset and have an amazing time immersing themselves in pretend play. If I had but one complaint – there are a LOT of little pieces (mail, canisters, etc) and they tend to get lost and show up in the strangest places. Hence, don’t be surprised if you find a small, plastic broom between your couch cushions.

The set retails for $44.97 and can be purchased at popular toy retailers across Canada.

Now if you’ll excuse me – I’m off to collect the little children’s screams. ROAR!

 

I receive perks as a part of my affiliation with the Fisher-Price Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada.
The opinions in this blog are my own.

Two Boys, One Toy. Endless Possibilities.

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This is the toy:

Imaginext DC Super Friends The Joker’s Fun House.

This is the toy’s description:

Imagine… a showdown between Batman and The Joker! There are plenty of traps and surprises around every corner of The Joker’s Fun House—Batman better watch out! The giant hammer slams down, the cannon fires, and there’s even a secret jail behind the moving hand! Will Batman end up The Joker’s captive, or will he be able to have it the other way around? Includes The Joker figure and getaway car; Batman figure not included.

Seems simple enough? Agreed. We’ll keep going. This is the toy’s suggested age range:

Age Scale: 3-8 years.

Whoa! Back up a second. THIS is where we need to spend a moment or two. Because if you’re like me, you’ve often wondered how toy manufacturers can attribute a suggested age range that spans five (5) years. I mean, really? Are you honestly telling me that a 3-year-old will love this playset just as much as an 8-year-old? And, that they’d both find amusement and enjoyment… even though they’re eons apart – maturity and skill-wise?

Fisher-Price’s Answer: YES.

So, I decided to test that theory. Of course, I don’t actually have an 8-year-old on hand, but I do have a very meticulous, calculating and curious 5-year-old, who has been playing with toys out of his age range since he was born. In fact, we only had a handful of toys to pass down to Reid, because Ryder has been taking toys apart to understand their underlying mechanisms since he was born.

First, I gave Reid some alone time with the Fun House. Not having been previously exposed to Batman (I think he’s a little young for the violence and mature themes), he immediately identified The Joker as a “Boogeyman” whose “Mouth is dirty. Clean his mouth.”

Then, he proceeded to bang away at the playset; laughing like a maniac when the giant hammer slammed down, speeding the getaway car back and forth, and having a conversation with the toy when its voicebox was activated and The Joker cackled with delight. (It was a struggle to put the toy away after play time as Reid insisted on bringing it to bed with him – a good sign that it was thoroughly enjoyed. Did you spot the “Peek-a-Boo” moment above?)…

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The Best of the Best Children’s Toys

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Last month, I shared with you The Best of the Best Baby Gear from Fisher-Price.

(Readers chimed in that they treasured Fisher-Price swings, the Ocean Wonders Aquarium and Little People Sets! It’s so wonderful that you all have such great memories associated with Fisher-Price’s baby gear and toys.)

Today, it’s on to Children’s Toys… the Best of the Best, that is.

So what makes one product better than another – and good enough to outrank hundreds – sometimes thousands – of other products? Here’s the list:

Brilliant Basics Rock a Stack
Laugh & Learn Love to Play Puppy
Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set
Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote
Brilliant Basics Stroll-Along Walker
Little People Wheelies Stand ‘ n Play Rampway
Little People Animal Sounds Farm

And WHY they’re favourites:

– The toys have been tried & tested through the years, and year over year have been favourites of moms, not just in Canada, but globally.

– They have lasted through generations of kids, and continually pass the “kid test”!

– They encourage child development and support children in achieving important milestones.

For my boys, it’s all about the cars. It’s always about the cars. That’s why they loved the Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway. 

On the Stand ’n Play Rampway, they zipped and zoomed up and down and all around! It’s over two feet tall, so the Wheelies really would zoom down each of the two spiral ramps. Ryder and Reid adored the lights and sounds as the cars “drove” around, with a mechanic’s lift, a place to fill ’er up, a sign that spins when a car drives through. Bonus: it was one of the few toys they could enjoy together, as they each took turns launching their Wheelies down the ramp.

They played with the Stand ’n Play Rampway for months before they decided to move on to another toy. It was definitely a “favourite” in our household too!

View the full list of Fisher-Price Favourites here. Is your Fisher-Price favourite listed above?

 

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation.
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Reid and Ariel Sitting in a Tree…

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Six months ago, Disney’s The Little Mermaid was not on my radar.

I mean, why should it be? I have two young BOYS. Boys who like cars, and colouring pictures of cars, and making car engine noises, and sleeping with their cars… in car pajamas, of course. So while we are well equipped with Disney Cars movies, figurines and basically anything with a Lightning McQueen image emblazoned across the front, we did not own anything princess-y. At all.

Of course, that was before THIS happened – From my post “The Most Magical Place on Earth…”

As we walked along Fantasyland, little Reid kept telling us that he wanted to see the “beautiful fish”. Confused, we tried to find Dory from Finding Nemo, and then showed him pictures of Flounder. “No, no, no!” he cried. “I want the Bootiful Fish!” he said, pointing at Ariel’s Grotto. Ah! The Little Mermaid! We journeyed under the sea and stood in a short line to meet Reid’s new favourite character. Once inside, he became bashful; putting his head down and hiding behind me. It was so enduring! His first crush – on a Princess, no less! After a little coaxing he gave her a huge hug and then sat down beside her, grinning from ear to ear. (Ryder, who’s too cool for school, was also convinced to get in the picture, though he was decidedly less impressed.) Watching Reid blush, smile and flirt was definitely a tear-jerking moment – but can you blame me? My little boy is growing up!

Well, that was that. He fell hard for Princess Ariel and wanted everything to do with the world of The Little Mermaid. (I didn’t have the heart to tell him she was already taken.) In fact, at the Art of Animation’s gift shop, my husband and I were both surprised when he walked straight to the Ariel figurine and pointed – “Her.”

And that’s when it happened. The colossally bad move on my husband’s part….

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The Best of the Best Baby Gear

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It seems like every day that passes by, someone puts out a new “Best of” or “Favourites” list for baby items. “Top 5” this and “Top 10” that. The trouble is, whom do you trust? What makes one product better than another – and good enough to outrank hundreds – sometimes thousands – of other products?

So here’s what you do. Step 1: Take a trusted brand such as Fisher-Price.

Step 2: Find their recommendations for babies. For instance, Fisher-Price Favourites include:

Ocean Wonders Aquarium
My Little Snugabunny Cradle N Swing
Infant to Toddler Rocker
SpaceSaver High Chair
Discover’n Grow Jumperoo

Step 3: Find out WHY they’re favourites. Too many times companies arbitrarily list products that are best sellers, or products they’d like to promote. Not the case here. These particular items are Fisher-Price favourites because:

– The toys have been tried & tested through the years, and year over year have been favourites of moms, not just in Canada, but globally.

– They have lasted through generations of kids, and continually pass, not only the “Dr. Alfano test”, but also the “kid test”!

– They encourage child development and support children in achieving important milestones.

I am proud to stand behind Fisher-Price’s Favourites and can vouch that many of the products were passed between both my boys, especially the beloved Jumperoo.

(We had the “Rainforest” version – and I must admit that Ryder was a little territorial when we first handed it down to baby brother Reid, pictured right.

It was one of the first baby items he had a sense “belonged” to him, and he became a little green with envy every time Reid bounced away happily. Sigh, the good old days!)

View the full list of Fisher-Price Favourites here. Do you have a Fisher-Price Favourite?

 

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation. 
The opinions on this blog are my own.

2012: A Fisher-Price Toy Year in Review

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Picture it: There are 5 shopping days left until Christmas. And, you’ve got a few toddlers left on your shopping list. Now you could run to the stores and just pull toys off the shelf – or Google “Top Toys 2012” until you find a doable option. But in the end, chances are you’ll be no closer to making a decision on that perfect gift. Well, I’m here to help.

(Technically, my assistance here today is only relevant for those shopping for toddler boys. Because really, that’s all I know. But don’t fear! Simply head on over to the Fisher-Price Moms website, where you’ll find top picks for boys and girls of all ages from my fellow Play Ambassadors.)

So what do I recommend this Christmas? Easy peasy – let’s just revisit some of Ryder and Reid’s favourite Fisher-Price toys from 2012! (Clicking on the links below will take you to my full review – you’re welcome!)

Little People Wheelies Stand ’n Play Rampway – $45.00

Looking for a “wheelie” fun way to play with Little People Wheelies? On the Stand ’n Play Rampway, they zip and zoom up and down and all around! It’s over two feet tall, so the “wheelies” really zoom down each of the two spiral ramps. Plenty of lights and sounds as kids “drive” around, with a mechanic’s lift, a place to fill ’er up, a sign that spins when a car drives through and more!

…

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That Moment of Pure JOY…

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It happens a lot when children are young. Often, it brings a smile to your face and warms your heart. And, if you happen to catch it, it’s the BEST THING EVER.

It’s that moment of pure joy when a child discovers a toy for the very first time.

Oh yeah – it’s THAT moment right there ->->->

Then, it’s the little moments of anticipation while the toy is unpacked. It’s the squeals of delight and laughter and the rapid succession of “Thank you Mommy!”s and flying kisses.

We surprised Ryder and Reid with the Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle – just one of the very awesome toys from our latest press drop. Ryder is just a sweet, innocent little guy and he never really believes that something is for him unless we assure him that it’s his to play with and keep. The picture on the right was taken just seconds after I placed the box in front of him.

“Who’s this for?” he asked.
“It’s for Ryder and Reid!” I replied.
“For me?!! Promise me Mommy?”
“I promise!”
“I’m much too happy!” he exclaimed.

Fun times ensued, and it was such a joy to see him and his little brother “decode” the toy – that is, figure out where all the pieces go, understand the juxtaposition between the guards and the castle, and of course, make a few rowdy canon noises. BOOM!…

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Hey Girls, Wanna Ride with Me?

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Hey there girls, my name is Ryder. I’m a 4-year-old, totally single dude from Ontario, Canada – who just happens to be tall, dark and handsome.

(Oh, and that’s Reid, my brother. He’s only two and Mommy makes me take him everywhere. To tell the truth, sometimes he cramps my style – but I can’t deny Reid’s a fabulous wingman. He’s a ton of fun on playdates and has been known to make girls “ooh” and “ahh” cause he’s so funny looking cute.)

I like chocolate milk, splashing in my kiddie pool and playing with die cast cars. In fact, I normally spend a lot of time making car engine noises and am seeking a playdate who can emulate the sounds effects of a car speeding around a racetrack. Of course, I’m open to suggestions and enjoy a variety of activities: I am quite the artist; have a heavenly voice like Adam Levine, and even dig a good doll.

You may have also noticed that I have my own ride. Yup, it’s pretty sweet. It’s a Signature Cadillac Escalade loaded with luxury features! Fisher-Price sent it to us because Mommy is part of their Play Panel (which is funny because she doesn’t play at all – we do! It’s REALLY awesome)….

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