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#HolidayPalooza – Funrise Toys – Tonka (review)

December 16, 2011 By Jackie

Welcome to Holiday Palooza 2011!! I have some great ideas for gifts this year! Check back often because I also have some great giveaways too! If you are looking to buy for someone in particular check the “Holiday Palooza” tab at the top and I have everything categorized for Baby, Kids, Women, Men, Pets and Other as well as a list of all the sponsors! All my current giveaways (as well as how many days are left til it ends) and most recent posts are on my sidebar as well!!

With all my boys, we’re not short on cars, trucks, airplanes, trains and whatever else may have wheels on it…so of course for Christmas they are going to get more (because what else would boys want?!?!) It’s no surprise a common name on the trucks in this house is Tonka!

Funrise Toys sent us a Tonka Road Crew Tool Truck and this thing is awesome!

Take on the toughest jobs with the toughest tools! The Tonka Tools Fire Truck features an opening rear hatch that reveals a cool motorized jaws-of-life tool! Use the tool for your rescue missions and activate the flashing lights and realistic sounds feature with the push of a button. Now you’re a real Tonka Hero!

It’s a truck that kids can really use their imaginations with! It’s 2 toys in 1, a Fire Truck and a power tool (jaws-of-life)! It’s big enough that Jaxon can easily get his hands on it and play with it (it’s for ages 3+), yet still big boy enough to where Jeffery would love to play with it too!

They have more than just the fire truck and jaws-of-life, there is also a Utility Truck with Jackhammer plus many other Tonka trucks!

I received products for the purpose of reviewing at no cost to me. All opinions expressed are of my own and not influenced by anything or anyone.

Filed Under: Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review

#HolidayPalooza – Hallmark (review/giveaway)

December 16, 2011 By Jackie

A lot of people know Hallmark for their cards, but what about their ornaments? Their recordable storybooks? I had known about their beautiful ornaments, but not the recordable storybooks…I’m so glad to know about those now.

Whether you’re far away or side-by-side, you can always share a Christmas story with loved ones, thanks to Hallmark Recordable Storybooks. This year, Hallmark Recordable Storybooks not only record a reader’s voice directly into the book; they now feature music! You can read or sing one of six holiday classics — including three new titles —and participate in holiday story time with loved ones even if distance causes them to be apart. Hallmark also offers more than 15 any day titles, such as On the Night You Were Born, Disney’s Lightning McQueen, and All the Ways I Love You, allowing your gift to keep giving any day of the year.

I was sent Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Lightning McQueen and His Winning Team recordable story books. I had an idea in my head for each of the books. Jeffery is reading (Brag moment: He’s in 1st grade…reading at a 3rd grade level) so these books would be no problem for him to read. For Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, I had recorded him reading it and sent it to my in-laws who live 4 hours away and only see the kids once or twice a year. I know they would love hearing Jeffery’s voice…not only just his voice but knowing he’s reading the story with no help! For Lightning McQueen and His Winning Team, I’m going to use that as a memory…record him reading that and we’ll always have it to remember how obsessed he was with Cars and Lightning McQueen as well as how he sounded when he was 6 (almost 7). This would also be great for families who’s loved one is away often, they can be recorded reading one of the many books and the kids (or adults) can hear it anytime they want…as a bedtime story or anytime they miss them. It’s simple to record too, you unscrew the battery cover, switch to “Unlock” then turn to the page you want to record, hit the “Record” button, wait for the prompt then start reading, when done the page press “Stop”. It’s nice you do it page by page and don’t have to do the entire book all together, so if you mess up on one page you don’t have to do the entire book over. When done the book, you open the battery cover again and switch it to “Lock” and it’s done! There are so many different ways you can do the books, have children take turns reading pages, use it to help a child learn to read by letting them look at the book and hear someone else read it as they follow along…the possibilities are endless! For $29.95 (on Hallmark.com), they are a bit pricey, but well worth it to have the memories forever (Even if the batteries have to be replaced, the memory will keep the recording!)

"Baby's First Christmas" Keepsake Ornament

I also got a “Baby’s First Christmas” keepsake ornament. It’s perfect for Justin’s first christmas! A beautiful little porcelain stroller with a little star shaped crystal hanging from the hood, it has the year on the back and on the ribbon is “Baby’s First Christmas” It’s all gender neutral in yellow so it can be for a boy or girl! It’s made to stand up to time so we’ll have it forever to remember his first Christmas! Hallmark’s Keepsake Ornaments range in price but the “Baby’s First Christmas” is priced at $19.95 on Hallmark.com.

If you would like to get 20% off your order of $20 or more on Hallmark.com you can use the code SOCIAL20 (valid until 1/1/12)

The Giveaway: One of my readers will win a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament (Winner’s choice of what’s in stock, a list will be provided to winner when selected.) AND 2 recordable storybooks (Santa Claus is Coming To Town and On The Night You Were Born)

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Filed Under: Anyone/Everyone, Giveaways Closed, Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review

#HolidayPalooza – Trash Can Kidz (review)

December 14, 2011 By Jackie

It isn’t often you can buy a toy and make a donation with the same purchase…but that is exactly what you do when you buy an adorable Trash Can Kidz.

Founded with a passion to make a real and lasting difference, TrashCanKidz is a commercial enterprise with a strong social conscience. Driven by creative innovation and through playful virtual reality, TrashCanKidz will bring about change in the lives of millions of orphaned, vulnerable and street children world-wide. Together with EarthKidz International, TrashCanKidz has a solution.

TrashCanKidz.com is committed to allocating 20% of its net income to improving the lives of some of the abandoned generation of children in the world.

Through EarthKidz International and in partnership with World Vision and other recognized charities, TrashCanKidz will play an active role in ensuring sustainable contribution and involvement in upliftment projects across the globe. With every TrashCanKidz transaction made YOU become a partner in this bold undertaking together, we will light up the world and Free the Luv!

Trash Can Kidz Rose

I picked out Rose for Jaylin. The packaging for these cute dolls is very imaginative…they come in a little “Trash Can” that can double as a backpack to carry the doll!!! The doll itself is all plush and so soft! She come with a little teddy that attaches to her hand and a little blanket too! Her dress and bear are both “tattered and patched” which adds to the uniqueness of these dolls.

There are 4 other Trash Can Kidz to choose from, Samson, Calypso, Slam, and Solo…all are cute and unique! You can buy a Trash Can Kidz doll for $49.99 and the only way you can buy a Trash Can Kidz is to get a code from an Ambassador (like myself )

If you would like to purchase a Trash Can Kidz, you can use my Ambassador Code (there is no limit of how many can use it, so feel free to share with others!) 323919945

Also, when you buy a Trash Can Kidz, you can sign up to be an Ambassador yourself and for every 15 people to use your Ambassador Code, you get a FREE Trash Can Kidz (you just pay for shipping)!

I received products for the purpose of reviewing at no cost to me. All opinions expressed are of my own and not influenced by anything or anyone.

Filed Under: Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review

#HolidayPalooza – Hasbro (review)

December 14, 2011 By Jackie

Hasbro is a company that is all over this house…Jaylin loves My Little Pony and has a TON of their stuff as well as a ton of random other Hasbro toys. This year, she’ll be getting 2 more Hasbro toys that are perfect for my little animal lover!

As I’ve said a million times, Jaylin is my animal lover…she has a ton of stuffed animals she calls her “babies” that she sleeps with (she has so many, there is barely enough room for her on the bed!) So a perfect gift for her is a FurReal Friend!!! She’ll be opening a Newborn Penguin on Christmas morning and I can’t wait to see her face! This cute furry little guy makes drinking sounds and chirps when you feed him. It opens it’s beak and flaps it’s wings too!

Newborns need lots of love and attention and this newborn penguin figure is no different! Cuddle up close with this fuzzy little fellow and “feed” him from his bottle accessory — he’ll open his beak and make “eating” sounds! Then, it’s back to playtime and lots of snuggling until he’s “hungry” again. How will you know? He’ll flap his wings and “ask” for his bottle. This little one just can’t get enough of spending time with you!

You can get the Newborn Penguin FurReal Friend from Hasbro.com for $14.99! They have a ton of other FurReal Friends to choose from too!

Just about anything little is adorable, that is so true for Littlest Pet Shop!! How could they make Littlest Pet Shop pets any more cute? Make them move of course…they now have Littlest Pet Shop Walkables!!!! We got the Dragonfly and it’s so cute! It’s pink head and purple body is going to thrill Jaylin (her favorite colors!)

This adorable pet can’t wait to play with you! You’ll love your beautiful dragonfly pet, and the best part is that he really moves! Put your pet on a smooth surface and push the button to see him move his wings just like a real dragonfly. With this amazing “critter” in your collection, you’ll love being a pet owner more than ever!

You can buy a Littlest Pet Shop Walkables on Hasbro.com for $6.99! They have a variety to choose from as well as a play set to go with them!

I received products for the purpose of reviewing at no cost to me. All opinions expressed are of my own and not influenced by anything or anyone.

Filed Under: Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review, Stocking Stuffer

#HolidayPalooza – Pressman Toys (review/giveaway)

December 14, 2011 By Jackie

My kids love playing games and so do I…it’s a great way to have family time. There are plenty of video games for us to play together, but there’s nothing like a good old fashioned board game! Some of my greatest memories with my Dad are of us playing board games together (he still picks on me about how much I would bug him to play Trouble with me lol) Pressman Toy has a lot of great games to pick from…and they sent us 2 to check out!

One of the newest kids’ movies is Happy Feet 2…I have yet to see it, but it looks cute. We got Happy Feet Two: Freezing Frenzy Game, and it’s completely ADORABLE! Each player (for 2-4 players…ages 5 and up) chooses a color and tries to be the first to collect all six matching ice cubes. But you have to be fast! Erik moves and shakes, tossing ice cubes everywhere! When your color pops off the game base, try to grab it. But if another player gets to it first, they’ll put it back…and keep you waiting for it. Be the first to collect your 6 ice cubes to win! You can get Happy Freet 2: Freezing Frenzy Game for $24.99 from Pressman Toy.

There are many reasons I love having a little girl, and one of those reasons is all the princess stuff she enjoys! So for Jaylin we got Who’s The Princess.

Get an invitation, dress, tiara and glass slippers into your coach and be the first player to get to the castle! Landing on Coach spaces will help you get the things you need for the ball and landing on Wicked Queen spaces can keep your opponent’s from winning. It’s a fairytale and a game all in one.

Contents: Fairytale castle, enchanted forest game board, 4 princess movers, 4 coaches, Wicked Queen, 2 dice,
16 princess cards, rules.

For 2 to 4 players
Ages 3 and up

Who’s The Princess is a Chimp and Zee game, their games are easy for parents to set up and fun for kids to play. You have fun, even when it’s not your turn, only takes 10 minutes to play (I can see this game being played over and over and over and well, you get the picture lol) and everyone has a chance to win! Their games make kids laugh and help them learn through play…which is something I LOVE!

You can get Who’s The Princess for only $15 from Pressman Toy!

The Giveaway: Pressman Toy would like to giveaway one (1) Happy Feet Two: Feeding Frenzy Game and one (1) Who’s The Princess? (2 different winners…there are 2 separate Rafflecopters, one for each game since one game is for girls)

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Filed Under: Giveaways Closed, Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review

#HolidayPalooza – Noodle Head – Snuggle Paws (review/giveaway)

December 10, 2011 By Jackie

Each year it seems to get easier and easier to buy for the kids. Especially Jaylin, she’s more vocal on what she likes and it’s only a few things she likes…Tinkerbell, any type of animal and her favorite colors are pink and purple. Well, Noodle Head has combined her favorite colors and one of her favorite things and has a pink and purple Snuggle Paws Cat!!!

A Snuggle Paws is a blanket and pillow set, the pillow is in the shape of a cat (or dog) and the legs hold the rolled up blanket! Both the animal and blanket are so soft.

Our Snuggle Paws travel pillows and blankets are made with a super soft, cuddly plush fabric that will lull tired travelers to sleep. Hook and loop tabs hold blanket in place and plush handle is easy for little hands to grasp. Can be attached to luggage and strollers too. Cozy friends for sleepy travelers. Soft, snuggle blankets with tag-along pillow pals. Machine washable. Hypo-allergenic.

This is going to be great for Jaylin when we go on one of our long trips to see Jeff’s parents…or even a trip to the city (a nice 30min drive) not to mention I know she’ll be playing with the cat at home with her tons of other stuffed animals!

You can get a Snuggle Paws Cat (pink and purple) or Dog (blue) on Amazon.com for $24.99.

The Giveaway: One reader will win a Noodle Head Snuggle Paws of their choice (cat or dog)!

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Filed Under: Giveaways Closed, Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review

#HolidayPalooza – Pawparazzi (review/giveaway)

December 10, 2011 By Jackie

Every year, Jaylin gets a Pawparazzi….they are THAT awesome and she loves them THAT much!!! She’s getting quite the collection and this Christmas is no exception!!!

This year she’ll be getting Lexi, the Fashion Designer Poodle. She’s one of Pawparazzi’s newest animal! A cute pink poodle with a pink and brown bag and a pink blanket. She also has a leopard print hat and scarf! She’s just one of the new Pawparazzi’s out…there is Cocoa, Ditto, and Mindy! Each with their own personality and “occupation”. You can also buy clothes for your Pawparazzi pet and play sets for them!

Pawparazzi pet sets are $22.00 and you can get acessories starting at $6.00 and clothes starting at $8.00! So much stuff for cute little pets!!!!

The Giveaway: I’m giving away one the new Pawparazzi pets of your choice (Woofgang, Cooper, Karma, Salsa, Lexi, Ditto, Mindy or Cocoa)

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Filed Under: Giveaways Closed, Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review

#HolidayPalooza – Stainless Steel Time Teacher Watch (review)

December 1, 2011 By Jackie

Jeffery started to learn to tell time last year in kindergarten and he’s still learning. He knows what time is on the hour or at the half, but he’s still learning everything in between. I don’t remember when I got my first watch, honestly, I still don’t tell time on a analog clock very well so most of my watches have been digital. Well, Jeffery has his first watch now and it’s analog!! He was sent an Iron Man Stainless Steel Kid’s Time Teacher Watch…it’s his favorite color….ORANGE!

I like the Time Teacher Watch because not only does it have all the numbers inside, it also has the minutes by 5′s along the outside! The hour and minute hands are actually labeled with “hour” and “minute” so he can easily tell which is which! The numbers are bold and easy to see and is not too small yet not too big for his 6 year old arm

Round white dial with orange Arabic numerals makes telling time a breeze.

Details:

Quartz movement

Battery operated

Stainless steel case & caseback

Adjustable orange band with Iron Man graphics

There are a lot of other characters you could get. LOTS of Disney characters like the princesses, Tinkerbell (I have my eye on one for Jaylin!) as well as Cars (I wish I had known this, I would have gotten him one of them!), Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pooh Bear and many others!!!

The watches vary in price from $24.95-$38.50 and you can buy them on Amazon.com! They would make the perfect socking stuffer!!!!

I received products for the purpose of reviewing at no cost to me. All opinions expressed are of my own and not influenced by anything or anyone.

Filed Under: Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, Stocking Stuffer

#HolidayPalooza – Steve Spangler Science – Insta-Snow Day (review/giveaway)

December 1, 2011 By Jackie

Welcome to Holiday Palooza 2011!! I have some great ideas for gifts this year! Check back often because I also have some great giveaways too! If you are looking to buy for someone in particular check the “Holiday Palooza” tap at the top and I have everything categorized for Baby, Kids, Women, Men, Pets and Other as well as a list of all the sponsors! All my current giveaways (as well as how many days are left til it ends) and most recent posts are on my sidebar as well!!

Winter around here we don’t lack snow, heck we got snow before Halloween this year!! But there are times we wish we had snow, I would love to have a white Christmas…and now I sort of can and have fun with my kids at the same time! Steve Spangler Science sells a product called Insta-Snow Day and it’s a container of “snow” that you just add water to and it fluffs up and you can play with it!

Creating your Instant Snow Day is simple and fun. Just use the included blue scoop to get the perfect amount of powder in a small cup or in someone’s hands and then pour 2 oz. of water over it. One! You can see the powder begin to polymerize. Two! The powder is starting to expand more and more. Three! The powder over flows and you’ve got a brilliant start to your own Insta-Snow Day. The clear quart-sized pail has everything you need including mixing instructions, scientific explanation and the measuring blue scoop to make sure that you mix-up a perfect batch every time!

My dad loves science projects, so I know he’d love to check out the Steve Spangler Science website. I actually just requested a free catalog because that’s how my dad likes to shop and I’m going to give it to him when I get it Insta-Snow Day is just up my Dad’s alley (one year we saved snow in the freezer, he’s so goofy and fun!) It don’t take much of the “snow” and water to make a lot to play with either! Plus, you don’t have to be out in the freezing cold to play with it!

You can get Insta-Snow Day from Steve Spangler Science for only $19.99 which is a great price for as much as it makes (even though the container don’t look like a lot…it expands a LOT!) You can use the code TOYS11-MM to get 10% off your purchase of $50 or more!!!!

Make sure you Like Steve Spangler on Facebook, follow them on Twitter @SpanglerScience, and check out the Steve Spangler Blog!

The Giveaway: One lucky reader will win their very own Insta-Snow Day!

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Filed Under: Anyone/Everyone, Giveaways Closed, Holiday Palooza 2011, Kids, review

#HolidayPalooza – Zhu-Fari Pets (review/giveaway)

November 21, 2011 By Jackie

Welcome to Holiday Palooza 2011!! I have some great ideas for gifts this year! Check back often because I also have some great giveaways too! If you are looking to buy for someone in particular check the “Holiday Palooza” tap at the top and I have everything categorized for Baby, Kids, Women, Men, Pets and Other as well as a list of all the sponsors! All my current giveaways (as well as how many days are left til it ends) and most recent posts are on my sidebar as well!!

Jaylin is my animal lover…anything to do with any animal, she will fall in love with it! That’s why I knew she would love Zhu Zhu Pets’ latest creation, the Zhu-Fari Pets!!!! We were sent a Zhu-Fari Pet and a couple of playsets and they are all so adorable! We got the lion Jack and his baby Wilder (some of the Zhu Fari Pets come with a baby, the Giraffe, Monkey and Lion) along with The Lion’s Park playset, the Zippity Zip-Line playset and the Jiggle-Bug Jungle playset! We also got the Fun Rover which comes with 1 baby and the adult Zhu-Fari (or I’m sure any Zhu Zhu Pet) can push the baby around that’s hidden in the front! I really fell in love with Monkeys Ozzy and Banana…my favorite animal and my favorite color!!!!

The Zhu-Fari Pets would make a great stocking stuffer and the playsets would be great under the tree (I let the kids do the stockings first, so whatever they get in the stocking, they can get stuff for under the tree )