Holiday Guide For Kids

Kiddesign is a fantastic company that makes interactive educational toys for children.  KIDdesigns is a leading manufacturer of cutting edge, interactive electronic toys, learning aids, and real electronics for kids of all ages. We understand and respect the importance that toys play in kids’ lives. With that responsibility in mind, we combine state-of-the-art technology with old-fashioned fun to create innovative, exciting, and enjoyable products that kids will love and parents can trust.  KIDdesigns is dedicated to creating products that help boys and girls grow, learn, and have fun.

KIDdesigns has received some of the most prestigious awards and honors in the industry, including Family Fun’s “Toy of the Year” award, “Top Toy” recognition from the Great American Toy Test, and the “Best New Product Innovation” award from Toy Wishes Magazine. Our most-treasured honors, however, have always been the smiles and laughter from millions of boys and girls when they play with our toys and use our products.

They are must have on your Christmas list.  We loved playing with the following toys and highly recommend them!  You can buy them at www.kiddesigns.com and Toys R Us.   Free shipping for orders over $30.
Growing Smart Laugh With Me Botley (Isn’t he adorable!)
An Interactive Learning Friend

Botley is loaded with fun and games and he’s eager to help kids learn words, numbers, logic, and more! Watch as Botley comes to life with moving head and mouth. Join this lovable laughing robot for hours of teaching entertainment.

Logic Circuits
Logic and Reasoning skills keep young minds sharp and focused

Letter Circuits
Letter Identification and recognition is fundamental to language and reading skills

Word Circuits
Recognizing and understanding words is an important component to reading comprehension

Math Circuits
Teaches basic math skills

Game Circuits
A variety of challenging games help sharpen strategic thinking

Custom Game and Data Circuits
Customization of content creates a personalized challenge

Growing Smart Learning Laptop (Spiderman Design)
Your child will want to look just like you with his or her own laptop!  This one is the perfect size and teaches them e-mail even!  So cute and educational.  There is a Barbie laptop just for girls.

* 8 learning zones with 48 different activities, including great games like hangman, snake, word jumble, word matching, letter matching and more
* Spider-Man® speech and exciting sound effects
* S.M.A.R.T. Chip™ Technology will automatically adjust quiz levels that are appropriate for each child
* Translate button translates select words into Spanish instantly
* “My Zone” feature allows custom spelling lists, instant messages to Spider-Man, Email and more
* Backlit display

Barbie™ Pet Doctor

We have so much fun being a doctor to this adorable dog.  He makes sounds and lights up to show your child where he is hurt and where they can treat him.  A great toy to teach empathy and inspire your child to help animals.

* Interactive pet with pressure sensitive pads in head, back, and all paws to activate different exciting doggie sounds
* Dog responds to bottle and bone
* Realistic dog sounds such as barking, panting, yelping, chewing–even a heartbeat
* Includes a carrying bag to store doggie and accessories
* In store “Try Me” plays sound effects from paw
* Accessories include carrying bag, stethoscope, thermometer, milk bottle, syringe, bone, certificate, and a prescription pad

Dysfunctional Family Holiday Movies!

Why do we love movies about dysfunctional families at Holiday time?  There are tons of them and they are all basically the same, with the climatic scene at the dinner table.  Saturday Night Live even made fun of the stress of the Holidays on families, with a scene at (where else) the dinner table, last week.  Christmas is almost here, and that either means spending time with your dysfunctional family, or watching movies about dysfunctional families to escape from yours.  Here are my top five that I love to watch every year!  They aren’t a exactly warm and fuzzy Christmas movie like “It’s a Wonderful Life, but they make me laugh, make me relate to them, and even realize how much I love and appreciate my own “dysfunctional” family.  Because basically aren’t we all dysfunctional?  Spill it, what’s your favorite dysfunctional  movie or holiday story?

P.S. Wanna win a months worth of Orville Redenbachers popcorn?  I know I do!  Just visit My Friend Amys blog (one you need to bookmark too!) to enter to win.

5. One True Thing(1998)
Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger and William Hurt, what else could you ask for?   It occurs over the Holidays and deals with a daughter coming home to help take care of her dying mother and learn to heal her relationship with her father.
DYSFUNCTIONAL ASPECTS: Absentee self important father, dying perfect mother, angry daughter.
“One True Thing” is an observant, unsentimental family drama in which the tears at the end were well-earned and be prepared to shed tons of them.  P.S. Read the book first!

4.  Pieces of April
Hmm I see at theme occurring here.  But this one is a dark comedy that deals with a mother dying of cancer.  Stars Katie Holmes (pre-Tom Cruise), Patricia Clarkson( who I love!) and Oliver Platt.
DYSFUNCTIONAL ASPECTS: Sibling rivalry, estranged daughter, and an abrasive dying mother.

3.  Four Christmases

Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall,

I just watched this the other day, and laughed till I cried.  This is now a classic for me, I was completely surprised at how much I liked it!  My favorite scene: When they all played a game together.

DYSFUNCTIONAL ASPECTS: Basically, after 3 years of avoiding spending time with their families on Christmas (remember, you can’t spell families without “lies”) they are forces to visit all four divorced parents.   Hilarity ensues.

2. Home For the Holidays
Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, Dylan McDermott
What can I say about this classic movie?  Fantastic acting, hilarious scenes, the aunt, the sister.  What an amazing movie.
Dysfunctional Aspects: Jodie Foster did an incredible job of showing the humor, drama, poignancy, frustration, love, loathing, fear, and comfort found in families. As exhausting as these two days were for this family, you know they’ll be back next year. Or, as Charles Durning’s character says, “There’s always Christmas”.

1.Parenthood (1989)
Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Weist,  Keanu Reeves, Jason Robards Joaquin Phoenix
I watch this movie every year and laugh so hard every time.  And then I cry.  The ending has me sobbing like a baby.  It’s the best comedic drama about the realism and heartbreak of being a parent.
Dysfunctional Aspects:  workaholics, divorce, “super”parenting, self-promotion., fathers and sons.
Best Line ever: From Grandma to (Steve Martin): she explains life to her joy of a roller-coaster over a merry-go-round… “that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited and so thrilled all together… some didn’t like it… they went on the merry-go-round… that just goes around… nothing… i like the roller-coaster… you get more out of it”. life is seen as it’s best understood… an amusement park that we all are going through. our perspective and our faith are the important factors.

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Get Angry!

Paw Paw books are a set of charming books  about a traveling dog  that are designed just for young children.  The Adventures With PawPaw series features a little dog who travels to a different country in each book, introducing young kids to other countries and cultures.  So far PawPaw has visited China, France, and Costa Rica (and is packing his bags for Kenya, Italy, Egypt, Israel, and other spots).

The books are absolutely adorable and the illustrations engaging.  Paw Paw is definitely popular in our house.  The series is educational at the young childs level.  The rhyming words will keep them entertained and open their eyes about different place and people in the world.  Plus the books are just the right size for little hands.  You can buy the PawPaw Series on the Adventures With PawPaw Website.

Here’s the best part: They will give a portion of all profits to help stop child trafficking around the world — through www.born2fly.org.  They will not only make a wonderful Christmas gift, but will help to change a child’s life.

Paw Paw books were written by Diana Scimone, a journalist who’s been to 40+ countries writing on issues of human rights.  She wrote the books to introduce kids to some of the many wonderful places she’s been and people she’s met.   Diana also launched the foundation to give back to the kids she’s met in desperate situations all over the world.  Below is more information about the Born To Fly Foundation and also at their website www.born2fly.org.

I’M ASKING YOU TO WATCH THIS POWERFUL VIDEO, GET ANGRY, AND READ THE 21 STEPS BELOW AND TAKE ACTION!    WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WE CAN CHANGE LIVES.  COME WITH ME ON THIS JOURNEY.

Can we do anything to stop child sex slavery?

YES WE CAN! Most kids get lured into the dark world of sex slavery because they don’t know the deceptive tactics of traffickers. Someone shows up in a village and offers to educate the girls. “Just sign here,” he tells the parents, who never see their daughters again.

A trafficker offers a teenage girl a job as a model, waitress, or nanny. She has no idea she’ll really be forced into sex slavery. She’ll be threatened, beaten, and raped over and over, night after night, until she dies of AIDS.

How to stop the traffic

Wherever kids receive awareness training, the rate of child sex trafficking plummets. Unfortunately there’s not enough training—nor is it available to kids who are most at risk.

That’s why we’ve launched a global campaign called the B2F Project to create awareness about child trafficking—with the ultimate goal of ending it. Our mission is to educate girls and their parents about the dangers of child sex trafficking through a strategic, far-reaching multimedia campaign. The B2F Project has the potential to reach millions of children no matter what their language or country, nor how remote their villages.

Our goal is not just to prevent kids from being trafficked, but to help them fulfill their dreams. B2F sets kids free to soar so they can dream big dreams and make a difference in the world around them.

21 WAYS YOU CAN STOP CHILD TRAFFICKING (from the born2fly website)

Want more ways to get involved? Click here and join the conversation as people all over the world share ideas about how to get involved with the effort to stop global trafficking.

1. Learn about what’s happening. Child sex trafficking feeds not just on lust and greed, but also on silence and ignorance. One of the most effective things you can do is what you’re doing now—get informed. The stories aren’t pretty, but they must be told if we’re ever going to stop the epidemic.

2. Read about modern-day abolitionists and learn what they’re doing to rescue children, counsel them, and prevent others from being enslaved.

3. Find out what’s happening in your own community. Research if your state or county has a human trafficking task force.

4. Host a house meeting or dorm meeting to watch a documentary such as “Sex Slaves in America,” “Born into Brothels,” “China’s Stolen Children,” or “How to Buy a Child in 10 Hours.” Talk about ways you can stop child trafficking in your community.

5. Start a book club and have everyone read Terrify No More or Good News About Injustice both by Gary Haugen, Not For Sale by David Batstone, or Beyond the Soiled Curtain by David and Beth Grant. Brainstorm how you can become further involved.

6. Pick a country and take an immersion trip to acquaint yourself with what’s happening in the child trafficking industry. Make appointments to meet with community organizations working to stop the traffic.

7. Set aside part of your vacation to volunteer with an organization that works to stop trafficking or helps victims. Whatever your skills—medical, counseling, administration, legal, or education—they’re needed somewhere.

8. Organize a fundraising party for the Born to Fly Project and invite your friends, family, and co-workers.

9. Forgo birthday, Christmas, holiday, or wedding presents. Instead, ask guests to give gifts in your name to the Born to Fly Project.

10. Flex your political muscles. When you learn about proposed legislation, such as the annual bill in the US Congress to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, contact your congressional representatives. (Click here to find email and phone numbers for US senators and representatives.)

11. Donate to organizations that work to stop child trafficking, such as Born to Fly.

12. Introduce Born to Fly to a foundation or corporation that might like to support our work.

13. Educate yourself on what’s happening in countries where you travel, study, or do business. The U.S. State Department TIPS (Trafficking in Persons) List ranks 150 countries according to their efforts to end trafficking.

14. Display an anti-trafficking poster in your school, church, or office. Download posters (in English, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Chinese, and Korean) here.

15. Blog about child trafficking.

16.  Forward the “Get Angry. Please” video to your friends.

17. Write about the realities of child sex slavery in an article or letter to the editor for your local newspaper (print or web edition).

18. Email your state or federal legislators asking what they’re doing to stop child trafficking. Click here for senators and representatives.

19. Post instances of human slavery around the world—including child sex slavery—on the Slavery Map.

20. Talk to your school, university, church, or community organization about sponsoring a Born to Fly day, and invite a local child advocate to speak.

21. Pray. Never underestimate the power of one person’s prayer. You are the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13 NKJV). Just as salt changes what’s around it, God gave you the power to change what’s around you.

Want more ways to get involved?  Click here — and join the conversation as people all over the world share ideas about how to get involved with the effort to stop global trafficking.

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The Longshots DVD Giveaway!

The Weinstein Company and Genius Products score a touchdown with the DVD release of the hilarious and heartwarming comedy, THE LONGSHOTS, rushing into stores December 2^nd.

Based on the real life story of Pop Warner’s first female quarterback, THE LONGSHOTS follows Jasmine Plummer’s journey from misfit to football hero under the coaching of her uncle, former high school football star Curtis Plummer.  Blowing away the skeptics and the competition alike with her skills on the gridiron, Jasmine takes control and leads her team to the league’s Super Bowl.

With Ice Cube (Are We There Yet?, Barbershop) starring as Curtis Plummer and rising star Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee, Madea’s Family Renunion ) as Jasmine Plummer, the cast makes this film a must-see.  An entertaining film for the entire family, directed by former Limp Bizkit front-man Fred Durst, THE LONGSHOTS is sure to score this holiday season. You can purchase THE LONGSHOTS on Amazon.

You can also read a review and WIN a copy of THE LONGSHOTS on my movie reviews partner site Movie Room Reviews through December 20th!

Holiday Gifts of Childrens Books

Rutherford B. Hayes Middle School will never be the same. Danika is in deep trouble for hitting Mrs. Hefty’s right temple with her brown bag lunch. Toni is trying out for the boy’s football league…against her dad’s wishes and the school rules. Kaitlyn is completely boy-crazy and will stop at nothing to express her love for her older brother’s best friend. Yuzi is the new kid at school whose name nobody can pronounce, and in a valiant effort to fit in she is traumatized by being invited to dress up like a stalk of corn at the town’s annual Popcorn Festival. Their worlds collide one afternoon when they all end up in after-school detention and the Secret Keeper Girl Club is formed to save the day. Full of comedy, action, emotion, and life-transforming lessons, each book includes a mother/daughter Girl Gab assignment in an appendix.

I love the fact that girls can read about such a wonderful character as Danika and the other girls to identify with.  Told with Christian values about how to be a true friend and make wise choices, the Secret Keeper books are much more valuable for young tweens then those other books that stress looks and boyfriends.   Packed with quotes about friendship, the girls’ insights into what true friends are, and “secret” keywords you can plug into the Secret Keeper Girl website www.for recipes and fun tips, this is a book that will be a blast for girls to sit down with. Secret Keeper Books are available at book stores everywhere and Amazon.

I LOVE Barefoot Books!  They have such a terrific selection of unique and beautiful books for children.  The drawings and imagary in them is incredible.  They would make great gifts for any occasion.  And they have made it easy for Christmas, they have many wonderful gift collections available right now.  You can purchase their books at BAREFOOT BOOKS WEBSITE. Below are some of my favorites.

Alligator Alphabet - Hardcover
“A is for Alligator! B is for bear! C is for Camel!
Chase us if you dare!”

Can you think of an animal for every letter of the alphabet? In this delightful ABC book, young children will learn the upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet as they meet a parade of exotic and familiar creatures – from alligators to zebras, and impalas to quails.

Colorful drawings and cute words will make your little one giggle and love reading about all the animals.

Counting Cockatoos - Hardcover
Count all kinds of creatures as they tumble, rumble, slink and flap across the pages of this playful book!  Count to twelve with help from tumbling tigers, winking owls and more, while you search for the two cockatoos hidden on every page.  This clever counting adventure makes the perfect gift when paired with Alligator Alphabet.

My four year old loves to count and learn about numbers and Counting Cockatoos makes it even more enjoyable.  I love the illustrations too!

Little Leap Forward - Hardcover
As featured in the New York Times Sunday Book Review!

The first in Barefoot Books’ Young Fiction line, this sensitively written, real-life story focuses on growing up in Beijing in the 1960s, at the time of the Cultural Revolution. Little Leap Forward offers children an intimate and immediate account of a child’s experiences as Mao Tse Tung’s Great Leap Forward policy tightens its grip on China.

Yoga Pretzels

50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids & Grownups

What a fun and healthy activity to do with your kids!  We love the cards and feel great after we practice them.  Our four year old is so good at the poses!

Practice bending, twisting, breathing, relaxing and more with Yoga Pretzels, a vibrant and colorful set of illustrated cards that provide a healthy dose of fun and education while teaching all the basics of yoga to help your head and heart.

My Daddy is a Pretzel – Hardcover
Yoga for Parents and Kids

Daddy actually did this with our four year old, and they had so much fun.  It is great to read a book and have it be so interactive and educational at the same time. The pictures are fabulous!

Limber up with this unique, child-friendly yoga book! Created for parents and children to share together, but also suitable for adults and older children to use alone, My Daddy is a Pretzel not only introduces a range of postures, it also connects the practices to everyday life, showing how families can integrate their yoga with their activities in the world. A light-hearted look at yoga, yet one with a lasting message, My Daddy is a Pretzel is a wonderful introduction to yoga for readers of all shapes and sizes.

Whole World – Hardcover & CD
Featured in Oprah’s “O List”!

“Printed on forest-friendly paper, this sweet children’s book includes a sing-along CD and eco-tips for preserving the planet”—The O List
I would agree with Oprah!  This was our four year olds favorite!  The music and song was so fun to sing along to and read the book as we sang.  We sang over and over!
Share the message, hear the song, and see Whole World come to life! We are donating ten percent of sales from Whole World to benefit global conservation. To learn more about our environmental partners, please click here.
Sing around the planet, from high in the mountains to low in the valleys, in every town and every city, and with all the fish and birds, trees and flowers! Includes eco-tips on how to live green and a catchy singalong CD, sung by Fred Penner.

Learning a new language used to require tedious  translation, mindles memorization and grueling grammar drills. But learners want faster, easier and more effective language programs as they increasingly intermingle with other cultures both at home and abroad. Rosetta Stone Inc., creator of the world’s No.1 language-learning software, has introduced Rosetta Stone® Version 3 Personal Edition, the next generation of an interactive software program that uses technology to create an environment of complete immersion in the language — the fastest, most effective way to learn a new language. Rosetta Stone Version 3 is now available for U.S. consumers in the 10 most popular languages offered by Rosetta Stone. An additional 20 languages are available in Rosetta Stone Version 2. The Rosetta Stone product is backed by an unconditional six-month money-back guarantee for all purchases made directly from the company.  The website is www.rosettastone.com

This complete software package, enhanced with Audio Companion™ CDs, includes everything you need to learn Spanish at home and on the go.

Begin by building a foundation of essential language skills. Gain confidence and learn to share your ideas, opinions and feelings when you immerse yourself in Spanish with Rosetta Stone.    *  Version 3 Personal Edition CD-ROM software for Levels 1, 2 & 3 (Windows/Mac)
* Headset microphone
* User’s guide
* Audio Companion, a multiple-CD set to play or download to your MP3 player

This set will help you:

* Build your vocabulary and language abilities.
* Spell and write accurately.
* Speak without a script.
* Retain what you’ve learned.
* Read and understand your new language.
* Share ideas and opinions, express feelings and talk about everyday life.

Sample topics include:

* The basics, such as age and family relations
* Questions, greetings, introductions
* Times of day, calendar terms, the weather
* Directions, locations, telling time
* Present, past and future tense
* Apologies and polite requests
* How to order at a restaurant and give and receive directions
* Emotions, opinions and ideas
* Political, media, business and religious terms

Childrens DVD Holiday Pack Giveaway!

Follow The Blue Elephant on a breathtaking journey, complete with endearing characters, belly laughs, and an uplifting message about the power of courage. Khan is a little elephant with big dreams of becoming a hero. When he gets separated from his herd, he’ll need the help of his new friends and a whole lot of bravery to find his family and fulfill his royal destiny.

From the Jim Henson Company and Genius Products comes the inspiring tale of a The Blue Elephant, Khan, who has a tenacious spirit that is bigger than his stature.  Khan grows up without his father around because his father, Prahn, had disappeared during the war between Thailand and the Burmese army.  Prahn had been serving as the royal elephant to the king of Thailand when he vanished.

Khan, the little blue elephant, constantly questioned his mother about what had happened to his father.  Recognizing the fighting spirit of her little one, Khan’s mother did not tell him the story until he pressured her by suggesting his father had abandoned them.  Instead, she explained to Khan, Prahn was a hero to his country and had sacrificed for Thailand and the king.

Inspired by his father’s courage, Khan decides to find out for himself what had happened by training with some of his good “natured” friends to become part of the royal elephant army, and serve the king of Thailand as his new royal elephant.  After training for some time to learn how to fight and survive as part of the royal elephant army, Khan goes to see the king and to ‘audition’ for the role as his royal elephant.

Read the rest of the movie review from my movie reviews partner site Movie Room Reviews and you can purchase The Blue Elephant on Amazon.

Fifteen years after their famous race, the tortoise and the hare are at it again, bringing their unwilling kids along for the ride on a wild and hilarious adventure race. This time around, they learn a whole new lesson – that some things are more important than competition.

From the Jim Henson Company and Genius Products comes “The Rematch of the Century” which pits Tortoise vs. Hare in the great nature race to determine once and for all, who truly is the best racer.  Fifteen years after their initial rivalry began, Tortoise and Hare are back and this time they are bringing their little ones.  The hare wants a rematch and the two agree to a team race between the hare and his daughter and the tortoise and his son.

As the race begins, the tortoises and the hares are joined by a few other animal teams.  One of the more clever elements of Tortoise vs. Hare is the ironic humor incorporated that makes light of the pigs and the moles, and the other ‘supporting’ players.  When the race begins, the tension is hot between Murray Hare (Jay Leno) and Walter Tortoise (Danny Glover).  The two are so competitive they have frustrated their children who do not understand the bitterness in their relationship.

The rematch of Tortoise vs. Hare is a beautiful developed and animated story.  It features an all-star voice crew that includes Jay Leno, Danny Glover, Vivica A. Fox, and Drake Bell.  The nature race forces the characters to maneuver through the prairie, the mountains, and the toughest parts of the nature’s terrain.  As the race develops, Tortoise, Hare and their children face tough times and turmoil.  You can read the rest of the review on my movie reviews partner site Movie Room Reviews and purchase The Tortoise and The Hair on Amazon.

In this newest Unstable Fable from the Jim Henson Company, we are given an updated twist on the Goldilocks and the 3 Bears story. For this movie, Goldilocks (Jamie Lynn Spears) is a celebutante (imagine Paris Hilton) whose latest reality venture called Fab Rehab (imagine Extreme Home Makeover) introduces her to the three bears Mac (Tom Arnold), Ruby (Brooke Shields) and Junior (Colton Parsons).

They are a family of slobs living in a run down house. Theirs is the last home made over before the show is canceled. The audience was so enamored of the bears, however, that Goldilocks is invited to do a new reality show where she and her dog Doodie move in with the bears and are filmed 24/7. At first, the bears shun stardom, but soon let it get to their heads, all the while Goldilocks realizes how important normalcy and family are and starts to change her spoiled way.  You can read the rest of the review on my movie reviews partner site Movie Room Reviews and purchase Godlilocks and the Three Bears on Amazon

The Flight Before Christmas, directed by Michael Hegner and Kari Juusonen, is a heartwarming new animated movie from The Weinstein Company and Genius Products.  The tale begins with Niko, a young reindeer, who suffers from vertigo and is determined to improve his flying skills to be just as great as his father.  He enlists the help of his clumsy friend, a flying squirrel named Julius.

After wandering from Home Valley to practice, Niko is noticed by the infamous Black Wolf.  The Black Wolf tracks Niko back.  Niko now realizes he must protect Santa and his reindeer friends from the claws of the relentless Black Wolf.  Niko’s determination and personality win over the other forest animals that join forces with him to help prevent the Black Wolf from harming anyone.

The Flight Before Christmas features the voice-over talents of Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew, Aquamarine) and comedian Norm MacDonald (The Norm Show, Saturday Night Live).  This duo helps give a great personality to this inspirational and touching family-friendly animation.

You can read the rest of the review on my partner site MOVIEROOMREVIEWS and purchase The Flight Before Christmas on Amazon

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  ONE PERSON CAN WIN ALL FOUR OF THESE GREAT DVDS!  ONE PERSON WILL WIN THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS, THE TORTOISE AND THE HAIR AND THE BLUE ELEPHANT.

TO ENTER:  LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING ME YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE AND WHY!  i WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR SUGGESTIONS

FOR SECOND ENTRY:  SUBCRIBE , TWITTER OR STUMBLE THIS POST OR MY WEBSITE AND LINK IT BACK HERE IN A SEPARATE ENTRY.

THIS CONTEST WILL END AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 28th AND I WILL E-MAIL THE RANDOM.ORG WINNER.  GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!  DON’T FORGET MY OTHER DVD GIVEAWAY!

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Give Kids the World Village

This holiday season, consider a Gift that Gives Back as the best gift to buy!   The Give Kids The World Village Special Edition of Candy Land will be a treasured favorite for any child – and will help children battling life-threatening illnesses.

Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre Village that provides children with life-threatening illnesses and their families a week-long, cost free vacation to Florida to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando. Families stay at the one-of-a-kind Village and experience a vacation unlike any other.  The Village truly is a child’s fantasy come to live. Complete with an Ice Cream Palace that serves ice cream even for breakfast, a Gingerbread House Restaurant, and a Castle with a carousel that is shaped like a mushroom, children and their families receive the vacation of a lifetime at Give Kids The World.   Give Kids The World is a magical respite from a daily routine of doctors visits and hospital stays. A week at Give Kids The World is all about time together as a family, the chance to reconnect and to experience the happiness that inspires hope for children who need it most

Hasbro, Inc. created this special version of Candy Land, depicting all of the magical places that can be found only at Give Kids The World Village. For several decades, Candy Land has been a tradition for families – often a child’s first game. It teaches how to read colors, how to take turns, and the Give Kids The World version now also helps teach children how to make friends with children of all abilities. The Give Kids The World Candy Land version is the only board game available that depicts children with disabilities. Two children in wheelchairs are seen on the board – helping parents teach their children that everyone can have fun together and that everyone is special – no matter what their physical limitations may be.  My son and I love playing Candyland, and this special version is such a wonderful  learning experience for him and all children.

This new version of Candy Land is special in so many ways – and 100% of the sales generated from the sale of this game goes directly to benefit the children who visits Give Kids The World Village.  It is only $10 plus shipping and handling.  Give Kids The World Candy Land can be bought online at the Give Kids The World Website. Please consider this special gift this year.  They also have many other wonderful gifts to purchase.

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Gift Guide for Boys

Hot new toys that boys would love to see under the tree this year!

My older son was a K’NEX fanatic when he was younger.  They make the BEST gifts for boys   The kits keep them busy for hours and I think they learn so much from building them.  This year they have the coolest kits just in time for the holidays.  You can buy them at the K’NEX website and retail stores everywhere.

K’NEX® fans can now build a fleet of trucks or a sprawling amusement park with the new Collect & Build product line. K’NEX offers the Road Rig Series (for ages 5+) and Amusement Park Series (for ages 7+) to satisfy the desire in kid-builders everywhere for expanded creativity and new challenges.

Construction Toy Enthusiasts can expect a wild ride this holiday season with new roller coaster and other thrill-seeking building sets. K’NEX is introducing four new products to the Thrill Rides Series (for ages 9+), each one guaranteed to provide a rewarding building challenge to even the most experienced construction toy enthusiast

If you’re unfamiliar with K’NEX, think of it as an upgrade from traditional block building sets. The core of almost every K’NEX construction toy rests with a series of rods and connectors, but with the addition of wheels, pulleys and gears almost anything becomes possible. While looking at the finished product on the box can be a bit intimidating, the color-coded instructions make construction totally do-able. Just pay close attention to the age recommendations, because they vary by set.

The Amusement Park series is designed for children ages 7 and up, and includes four designs — Ferris Wheel, Speed Coaster, Octopus Whirl and Drop-N-Swing ($20 each). They are fairly involved — the ferris wheel set alone involves 478 rods, connectors and bricks, including micro parts, and measures over 18-inches tall when fully constructed. This series is great for a school-aged child who loves fairs and carnivals, and is looking for a way to kill some time during the cold winter months ahead. Each requires 2 ‘AA’ batteries, which are not included, to power the ride.

If 478 pieces is too much for your child to handle, consider the Road Rig series. Designed for children ages 5 and up, Road Rigs have roughly half the number of pieces as their Amusement Park series counterparts. There are four kits — Semi-Truck, Pick-up Truck, Dump Truck and Tow Truck ($20 each) — and they’re also powered by 2 ‘AA’ batteries. A K’NEX figure is included to ‘drive’ the truck.

.Getting excited about Science for the holidays? So is Elmer’s Product Inc. Science kits allow for both fun and educational experiences. Elmer’s is introducing the following science activity kits and arts/crafts activity kits for the holidays:

Young scientists everywhere prepare to be amazed  Elmer’s Products, Inc. is partnering with Bill Nye, the popular TV “Science Guy,” for a new line of science-based activity kits. Designed for kids ages 8 to 11 years, the science-based kits focus on hands-on activities leveraging various science principles, such as physical, electrical, and robotic science.  The Paper Recycling Kit is a great educational toy that teaches you how to make your own paper and care about the environment.  How cool is that?  Buy it here on Amazon or major retailers everywhere.

The Sour Candy and Bubble Gum activity kits are great for learning, birthday parties and family fun  Kids ages 8+ can have as much fun chewing on their experiments as they have making it, and can create over 8 different recipes with their own unique flavors.  Yum, this was so much fun to play with and the candy was great tasting and sour.  My teen even enjoyed participating in testing this kit out!  Kids will loBuy it here on Amazon or major retailers.

Boys, love Scooters, however, the NextSport Fuzion Electron isn’t just an ordinary scooter. What makes it unique?

Safety:
4 wheels, instead of the traditional 2, allow for greater stability.
Fusion Steering Technology (FST) stabilizes the rider by forcing the wheels flushed to the ground when in motion.
“Breaks” are based on the momentum of the rider, similar to skateboards, as opposed to reliance upon an actual mechanism.
Ages 7 and up.

Performance:
360-degree rotation for maximum trick execution – allows riders to perform deep carving turns, controlled slides, skatepark transition flows and maximum air.
High-performance features trigger kids’ imagination and challenge their technical limits.

Design:

Compact and lightweight aluminum frame and comes in cool eye-catching silver, blue, black and bright green colors.
First-of-its-kind innovative folding mechanism for usage versatility.

You can buy the FUZION SCOOTER AT AMAZON, Walmart and major retailers.  For more information go to the NEXTSPORT WEBSITE

Unwrap your kids’ happiness this holiday season by giving them what they really want: super powers to fight against evil, a variety of powerful aliens and a virtual pet without the mess. Bandai America Incorporated knows how to fulfill your kids’ holiday wish list and make their eyes light up over the most sought after action figures, vehicles, role-play and tech toys this December. Here’s the busy parent’s shopping list to make this a holiday to remember for the kids:  You can buy these toys at any major retailer and Amazon.

POWER RANGERS: For the Hero at Heart
Battling evil has never been so much fun! Get your kids moving in the cold winter months with the innovative Power Rangers Jungle Fury Mega Mission Helmet that connects online to download more than 40 role-playing audio missions. Kids can also create one of the turbo-charged Deluxe Megazords as seen on the TV show – each with its own unique battle action.

DRAGON BALL Z: For the Kid Who Wants to Save the World
The popular Dragon Ball Z franchise has returned with a reinvigorated lineup of collectible action figures and electronic role-play toys, like the Dragon Ball Z Energy Battle Set.

“Must-Have for Boys” – Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber
Just like when Ben’s Omnitrix malfunctions on the show, kids can discover all-new alien creatures with the one of a kind, never-before-seen Alien Creation Chamber.  This playset allows kids to place five different alien parts inside the chamber, and with the twist of a knob, create their personalized never before seen alien creations.  Each set includes four 3” figures as well as alien recipe cards to create new alien combinations.  The set also includes a special key to unlock each alien separately.  Even more possibilities are available with the purchase of additional 3” figure booster packs, which are sold separately in sets of two, allowing for the creation of more than 100,000 aliens! As an added bonus, kids can use their Alien Chamber as a carrying case and use it to showcase all of their new alien creations to their friends.  (SRP: $34.99; Ages: 4+; Available at major retailers nationwide)

Readeez DVD Giveaway!

I love this DVD!  It is educational and fun for kids, . Readeez are a new concept in children’s entertainment. They combine the written word with the spoken word in a way that gives kids the unique experience of being read to while reading for themselves. More than cartoons, they’re learning disguised as smiling.  Large, clear text appears at the exact moment the character says the word, syllable by syllable. My son loves to write and learn about letters, so The Readeez DVD fascinated him and the educational aspects delighted me.  You should have seen him watching, he was so fascinated!  The best part are the narrators of the DVD, Isabel and her dad.  They are adorable to watch, and I love the fact Readeez shows the loving relationship of a father and daughter.

Readeez are also jam-packed with music! A dozen or so original songs,  are sprinkled throughout the disc, along with old standards like “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” and “Ten Little Indians” (which is upgraded to “Ten Little Isabels”).

Right now when you buy a DVD, Readeez will donate another DVD to a library, day care, or school!   And on top of that, they will give you 15% off!  Go to www.readeez.com to buy Volume One!  Also I am so excited, they are coming out with a Bible Readeez soon!

They also want to give one of you a copy of The Volume One DVD!  Happy Holidays!

TO ENTER: VISIT READEEZ WEBSITE AND WATCH ONE OF THE SHORT SAMPLE VIDEOS FROM THE DVD, AND COME BACK AND TELL ME WHICH VIDEO YOU LIKE.  THEY ARE SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH!

FOR SECOND ENTRY: STUMBLE, TWITTER OR SUBSCRIBE ( NEW ONLY) AND LINK IT BACK HERE IN A SECOND COMMENT

THIS CONTEST WILL END AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 17TH AND I WILL E-MAIL THE RANDOM WINNER! GOOD LUCK AND I STILL HAVE SOME MORE GIVEAWAYS THIS WEEK, SO CHECK BACK!

Indiana Jones Toys Giveaway! Ten Winners!

I love all the Indiana Jones movies growing up and with the new one out this year, a whole new generation of children have found the movie.  Uncle Milton has a great line of toys based on the Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull movie.  Boys, especially would have fun with these cool toys!  They encourage exploration of Science and Adventure.  We really enjoyed the Remote Control Ant, he’s creepy, and my teenager enjoyed chasing the younger one with it!  These would make great presents for kids age 6 and older.  You can purchase them at www.unclemilton.com and toy stores everywhere.

In Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull , Indy faces many dangers, not the least of which is a swarm of huge, deadly ants. Now you can control a giant ant complete with jaw chomping mandibles!   Use the Crystal Skull remote to send your ant scurrying across the floor.   It’s ultra-creepy and sure to scare family and friends.

* Includes:
* Giant radio controlled Ant
* Crystal Skull Remote Control
* Ant Field Notebook/Instructions

Watch as the Crystal Skull projects amazing images from its glowing eye.   Professor Jones will be your tour guide as you visit exciting archeological discoveries of the world and famous scenes from the Indiana Jones  movies.

* Includes:
* Crystal Skull Adventure Projector
* Audio CD
* 3 Film strips (24 images)

UNCLE MILTON WANT TO GIVE TEN OF MY READERS THEIR INDIANA JONES TOYS!  FIVE WINNERS WILL WILL THE REMOTE CONTROL ANT AND FIVE MORE WINNERS WILL WIN THE CRYSTAL SKULL PROJECTOR!   HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

TO ENTER:  VISIT UNCLEMILTON.COM AND COMMENT HERE WHAT OTHER TOYS YOU LIKE FROM THEIR WEBSITE.

FOR SECOND ENTRY: STUMBLE, TWITTER, SUBSCRIBE (NEW ONLY) AND LINK IT BACK HERE IN A SECOND ENTRY

U.S. AND CANADA ONLY.  THIS CONTEST WILL END AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 17TH.  I WILL E-MAIL THE TEN RANDOM WINNERS!  GOOD LUCK!  I HAVE A COUPLE MORE GIVEAWAYS NEXT WEEK AND TOMORROW SO COME BACK!

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