Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort Playset
Samantha has been a fan of Polly Pocket since she was two yeaars old. She loves the little figurines and all Polly’s cute little peices. So of course she loved the Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort Playset.
The Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort packs all the fun and adventure of a rollercoaster into a deluxe luxury hotel. Polly and her friends have the best of both worlds as they chillax in the coolest tropical resort hotel ever, complete with a rollercoaster ride built right around it. After they check in the continuous girl-powered coaster car carries Polly and the luggage cart up the escalator, through the tunnel to a captivating vista of the entire resort. Next, Polly can drop off her bags at her luxurious hotel suite. Then, take a thrilling ride through a tropical paradise and make waves as she lands in the splash pool.
Additional water play activities include a hot tub and a slide from the hot tub to the roof top pool. And what Roller Coaster Resort would be complete without a lobby, restaurant, and of course, a disco lounge where Polly and her friends can rock the night away. Playset includes a Polly doll, pet monkey, rollercoaster car and luggage cart.
Retail: $49.99
“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”
Little Mommy Walk & Giggle Doll
Mattel has some awesome hot items this year for Christmas. Mattel has always had awesome toys and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Little Mommy Walk & Giggle Doll
Little mommies will be full of pride and joy as their Little Mommy Walk & Giggle™ Doll reaches the ultimate milestone – walking – and takes her very first steps. The doll magically senses when her “mommy” is holding her hands to help her walk with help or alone! She also responds to tummy tickles with adorable giggling sounds and motion. This interactive doll also recognizes her pacifier and bottle for realistic nurturing play. And, the Walk & Giggl Doll plays Peek-a-Boo, sings silly songs, walks her puppy on a leash and says sweet phrases like, “No, no help Mama,” “All by myself,” and “I told you…I can do it!” Caucasian and African-American dolls available.
Retail $69.99 each
Interactive Doll Makes Nurturing Fun for Your Little “Mommy”
This cheerful toddler comes dressed in a pair of brightly patterned pajamas. She has positionable arms, friendly eyes, and a hairdo that curls into ringlets at the ends. The doll comes with her own accessories, including a bottle, blanket, pacifier, and a puppy with rolling wheels and a leash for easy walking.
The doll is easily removed from the box by turning and removing two simple key locks from the back, then unfastening the clear rubber bands from the doll’s wrists. The bottle, pacifier, and blanket are also fastened by rubber bands. Parents may need to use scissors to cut the flexible wire attaching the puppet to box. To get playtime started, power up the doll with 6 “AA”/LR6 alkaline batteries (not included) — two in the back (underneath the pajamas) along with two in each foot. A small Phillips head screwdriver is required to open the battery doors.
Once the batteries are installed, simply flip the power switch on her back, which is located just above the battery door, and playtime can begin. The doll’s special “magic-touch” hands respond to touch, so your child only needs to touch a finger to get the doll talking and giggling. A button on her tummy can also be pressed to get her started. She has a set of more than 60 randomized songs, sounds, and phrases that include “Bottle, mama?” “Tickle me!” and “Let’s play peek-a-boo!”
She Walks, Talks, Giggles, and Plays
The Walk & Giggle doll can stand up and walk all by herself. When placed in a sitting position on a flat surface, this doll can get herself to a standing position, then begin walking. If she falls down, she can get up on her own. If she is lying flat and facing down, the doll will automatically get up without assistance — if she is lying flat and facing up, she cannot get up and will ask for help by saying, “Help me up, mama!”
The Walk & Giggle doll keeps her “mommy” busy. Tickle her and she wiggles and giggles. When she requests her bottle, it’s time to give her a sip from her favorite bottle with its dancing teddy bear design. She also keeps on-the-go by walking her colorful pooch, who is equipped with wheels and a leash for an easy stroll. When she asks to play Peek-a-Boo, place her hands in the corner pockets of the included blanket, then touch both hands simultaneously — she will know it’s Peek-a-Boo time and bring the blanket up to her eyes.
Pretend-and-Play Design Helps Teach Language and Social Skills
The interactive design of the Walk & Giggle doll not only entertains children, it also helps develop their language and social skills. The doll’s repertoire of phrases help children to practice speech while at play, so the experience is both entertaining and educational. And the practice of helping the doll — from feeding her to lending a hand when she falls down — encourages nurturing behavior in a child, helping lead to generosity and friendliness in social environments such as classrooms and play groups.
The doll’s realistic sounds and random, interactive phrases make an excellent stimulation for role-playing.
What’s in the Box
Fisher Price Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Walk & Giggle Doll with bottle, blanket, pacifier, and toy puppy with leash.
DISCLOSURE: “I received a product for this review on behalf of the company.”
Classic Toys Make a Comeback This Holiday with Babalu
This holiday season, are you looking for toys that don’t require batteries, aren’t branded with cartoon characters, and actually inspire creative thinking? Well, look no further than Babalu Inc., a company bringing back felt storyboards, building blocks, and other classic toys that children have loved for generations. Especially important this year, most of the company’s toys are under $25, and a large number are priced under $20.
Can you remember a time when toys were powered by imagination and problem solving, instead of batteries and computers? Babalu, Inc. does. That’s why they’re bringing back classic toys that evoke feelings of nostalgia for parents, and provide hours of enjoyment for children.
Babalu’s cornerstone product is FeltTales, felt story boards made from safe, soft and colorful felt. Story boards, which have been around for generations, inspire open-ended play as children use their imaginations to make up endless stories and situations for the characters on the board.
Each FeltTales story board has at least 19 moveable felt pieces and a different theme, varying from princesses to dinosaurs. For children who need a little extra help getting started, Babalu includes a story starter on the back of every FeltTales story board, which provides a starting point for the story.
Pretty Princess
Get ready for an enchanting night at the castle. Dress your princess in her favorite ball gown, and add a cloak as the evening approaches. Gather her handmaidens and travel by horse-drawn carriage.
Also joining the Babalu lineup are classic toys from WJ Fantasy, a company that Babalu recently acquired. WJ Fantasy has been specializing in nesting blocks, building blocks, advent calendars and books for more than 25 years. Here are some highlights for Holiday 2009:
Do-Re-Mi Musical Blocks • Ages 4+ • $24.95
Stacking blocks and a musical instrument all in one…what fun! The top of each of these 8 musical blocks is fitted with a metal bar that, when struck with the mallet provided, plays as a xylophone. Each block top also depicts a graphic of the note positioned on the staff, representing the full “C” scale. And, with the accompanying songbook, children can learn to play simple songs all by themselves! One side of the block teaches children about the instruments that comprise an orchestra, another side shows children practicing their instruments at home, the third side features children playing homemade instruments, and the fourth side teaches counting through rhymes and visuals. A medley of fun for everyone! Largest block is 6.5″ x 6 .5″ x 9.5″; 8 blocks. Includes a carrying case.
WJ Fantasy’s products are available at www.amazon.com or www.kazootoys.com. Babalu’s FeltTales can be found at specialty stores nationwide and online at www.amazon.com and www.roundtabletoys.com. For more information visit www.babaluinc.com or www.wjfantasy.com.
Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. continues to innovate the food play category with the new Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery and Girl Gourmet Sweets lines, sweet sequels to the 2008 award-winning and top-selling Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker and launching at retailers nationwide this Fall. JAKKS partners with world-renowned celebrity baker Duff Goldman of Food Network’s Ace of Cakes on the Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery product line, with which young chefs can create elaborate mini 2-tiered fondant cakes in just 30 seconds in the microwave. JAKKS will also be introducing Girl Gourmet Sweets that lets kids create-their-own edible candy jewelry line, and new accessories for the original Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker this year.
Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery
With the Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery, young bakers can whip up delicious mini 2-tiered fondant cakes that they can customize and decorate! Just add water to one of the delicious cake flavors, stir and pour into the double cavity cake molds, then place into the microwavable safe container and microwave for 30 seconds. No hot ovens involved! Next add water to one of the colorful fondant mixes, stir and roll out onto the non stick mat. Remove the cakes from their molds once they have cooled then cover the cakes with sweet colorful fondant. Finally place the mini masterpiece on the decorating turntable, and create away — just like Duff does — using the air powered gel decorator gun! Add candy garnishes included in the set for a beautifully finished 2-tiered mini fondant cake! The Cake Bakery set includes a motorized gel decorator, decorating gel, decorating utensils, 2 delectable cake mixes featuring Chocolate and Vanilla, Red, Blue and Yellow fondants, bowl, spoon, cutters, non-stick pad, candy, tool caddy, and instructions. Ages 8+, Suggested Retail Price: $34.99
Samantha loves to bake, so the Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery is perfect for her. She is able to easily mix water with the cake mix and bake her own cakes. Then decorating is fun and easy. We were surprised at how easy the Cake Bakery is to use and the cakes weren’t that bad. As long as you follow the directions you cna get some pretty decent cakes. Decorating can be tricky, but Sam had a lot of fun with it and that is all that matters.
Just like Girl Gourmet cupcakes, Cake Bakery ingredients are gluten and wheat-free, trans-fat free, and are produced in nut-free facility in the U.S. Many children who suffer from Celiac and nut allergies are now able to safely participate in the art of baking.
The Girl Gourmet Cake Baker and Sweets product line are expected to be available at retailers nationwide for Fall 2009. For more information on the entire Girl Gourmet product line, please visit www.mygirlgourmet.com.
“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Audiences around the globe re-discovered and fell in
love with one of the world’s most iconic characters, as Walt Disney Pictures launched the breathtaking origin story of a beloved character in the fantastic all-new animated adventure — Tinker Bell, the debut film in the exciting new “Disney Fairies” movie series. The delightful tale thrilled audiences of all ages, soaring to reach the year’s number one spot as the biggest Direct- To-DVD release of 2008.* Releasing on October 27, 2009, the enchanting pixie-dusted tale continues in an even more action-packed adventure, as Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure delightfully expands the world of fairies and takes Tink far beyond Pixie Hollow in an original full-
length CG animated film that flies to Blu-ray (“Combo Pack” Blu-ray +DVD) and standard def DVD.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) also announced today that the wondrous
adventures will continue in a fifth installment beyond the previously announced four films with
Tinker Bell: Race Through the Seasons (working title), which is currently in development by
DisneyToons Studios and is directed by Bobs Gannaway.
In the original Tinker Bell, for the first time ever, fans heard Tink’s voice, met her fabulous fairy
friends, got a glimpse into the world of Pixie Hollow and learned about her true origins and the
unexplainable, mystical wonders of nature. Produced by DisneyToon Studios, Tinker Bell and
the Lost Treasure is the highly anticipated second film in the continuing Disney Fairies
Franchise and a captivating story that continues the overwhelmingly popular adventures through
breathtaking animation, spectacular music and an all-star cast of voice talents.
In Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Tinker Bell’s greatest adventure yet takes place in
Autumn, as the fairies are on the mainland changing the colors of the leaves, tending to
pumpkin patches, and helping geese fly south for the winter. The rare Blue Moon will rise, and
when its light passes through the magical Fall Scepter that Tinker Bell has been summoned to
create, Pixie Hollow’s supply of pixie dust will be restored. But when Tinker Bell accidentally
puts all of Pixie Hollow in jeopardy, she must venture out across the sea on a secret quest to set
things right.
Along her journey Tink meets new friends, including Blaze, a cute and courageous firefly that
helps Tinker Bell complete her mission. It’s a long and dangerous journey, full of astonishing
encounters, a few narrow escapes and a daring rescue by Tink’s friend Terence. Tinker Bell
and the Lost Treasure is an exciting adventure and a once-in-a-blue-moon experience for the
entire family.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has created an interactive meet and greet at Walt Disney World
and Disneyland Resort with walkaround characters of Tinker Bell, Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta, and
Silvermist, producing a popular environment for park visitors to meet their favorite fairies.
The story of Tinker Bell comes to life in the spectacular production of Disney On Ice presents
Worlds of Fantasy. Currently in the second year of its US tour, this Disney On Ice show reveals
the mystical world of Pixie Hollow and the arrival of Tinker Bell, as well as three other classic
Disney stories: Disney/Pixar’s Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.
Disney Online recently introduced Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow (www.PixieHollow.com), an
online destination where fans can experience the wonder and magic of Tinker Bell’s world. In
Pixie Hollow, guests can create their very own personalized Fairy and help bring about the
change of seasons by making friends, playing games and embarking on quests. To date, more
than 16 million Fairies have been created.
Slated for release the same day as Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Disney Fairies: Tinker
Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS from Disney Interactive Studios follows last year’s
release of Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS. According to NPD data, Disney Fairies:
Tinker Bell continuously ranked in the top five adventure genre DS games from October –
December of 2008.The new video game mirrors the upcoming movie’s storyline and also lets
players create and customize up to five of their own Fairies. The game also allows players to
experience new levels of integration with the www.PixieHollow.com virtual world from Disney Online,
including the ability to upload a Fairy avatar and various gatherables from the DS game to the
virtual world.
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Both the Blu-ray and DVD have magical bonus features including animated “scenes you never
saw,” a guide to Pixie Hollow, and much more, offering viewers an extraordinary trip deep inside
the enchanted world of Pixie Hollow.
Bonus Materials:
• Scenes You Never Saw – These fairy funny alternate scenes did not make it into the
movie.
• Magical Guide to Pixie Hollow – Tinker Bell and Terence are your guides as you explore
the autumn area of Pixie Hollow.
• Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions – Play deleted scenes with optional intros
by Director Klay Hall and Producer Sean Lurie.
• Pixie Hollow Comes To Florida – Discover how the filmmakers helped transform Epcot
into Pixie Hollow.
“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company above. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”
TWO (2) winners will each receive the Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Combo pack, and each winner will receive a pair of Tink wings!
You can enter at MommyMandy
LeapFrog Zippity
We recently received the new Zippity Learning System from LeapFrog. Right away the girls wanted to play with it. So today we broke it out and I have to say that both of them had a blast with it.
Sarah loved the toy and was able to figure out how to use it right away. Zippityis a new high-energy learning system that gets preschoolers dancing, jumping, playing and learning with Disney characters they love! The Zippity system introduces preschool curriculum through full-body play and learning. Using the interactive bopper and mat, children can stomp, swing, bop and march, driving the learning with their arms and legs!
The Zippity system comes with eight built-in games featuring the popular Playhouse Disney characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Little Einsteins and Handy Manny. All eight built-in learning activities bring the characters to life on your TV through high-quality animations and feature two levels of play for hours of active learning fun.
One feature I love is the fact that the system turns off after a period of no play. This saves the batteries! I do wish that it didn’t take batteries though. Batteries cna get expensive and the Zippity takes 6 C!!!
Sam setting up the profile:
Sam Playing:
Sarah Playing:
“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company above. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”
ONE winner will receive a Zippity Learning System,enter at MommyMandy
Perfect Holiday Movies (Combo Packs)
October 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under $1-$25, Stocking Stuffers
I am officially in love with DVD Combo Packs! If you don’t know what Combo Packs are, they are DVDs that include both a Blu Ray Disc, a regular DVD disc and sometimes a bonus disc (extra features or movie download).
I have three new DVD Combo Packs that are perfect stocking stuffers this year!
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!
Warner Home Video brings some of your all-time favorite animated holiday television specials on Blu-ray hi-def format for the first time! On October 6, 2009, WHV released “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!” as combo packs that will also include a bonus DVD with the standard definition version of the special and a bonus digital copy.
The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without Charlie Brown’s bittersweet story about his trying to find the true meaning of Christmas. First broadcast in 1965, the timeless A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special instantly became a critical and commercial success. The Emmy® and Peabody Award winning classic follows Charlie Brown as he suffers from a case of the holiday blues after he realizes how commercial Christmas has become. While visiting Lucy at her psychiatric booth, she advises he direct the school’s Nativity play as a means to cope with his frustration.
When he arrives at rehearsals, he’s further aggravated when all the kids want to do is modernize the play. Charlie Brown remains steadfast in keeping the play traditional. His remedy is to include a Christmas tree as a way to capture the proper mood, however, all Charlie Brown is able to find is a short, spindly tree, prompting criticism from his classmates. As he begins to second guess himself, Linus saves the moment when he takes the spotlight, recites verses describing the Nativity and effortlessly manages to capture the true essence of the holiday.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Blu-ray bonus material:
* A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A Charlie Brown Chris tmas – An in-depth look at how the producers brought a newspaper comic strip to animated life in a new medium. Under tense pressure and with many doubters, the show creators were able to create Peanuts in a new medium and make the show a smash success.
* It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown – Bonus episode which is the second Christmas-themed Peanuts episode since A Charlie Brown Christmas. Originally airing in 1992, this special is comprised of several Christmas-themed story lines involving the Peanuts gang.
Originally adapted from the 1957 children’s book, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! tells the story of how the Grinch, a bitter, cave-dwelling creature, attempts to sabotage Christmas for all the merry and warm-hearted denizens of Whoville.
As all the Whos in Whoville prepare to celebrate Christmas, the Grinch schemes to halt all noisy holiday celebrations by stealing Christmas trees and presents, presuming this will sadden all the Whos in Whoville. However, when Christmas morning finally arrives, all the Whos in Whoville are glad and sing in spite of not having a tree, presents or holiday feast. This leads the Grinch to think of something he hadn’t before, that perhaps “Christmas doesn’t come from a store — maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is narrated by Boris Karloff (Frankenstein, The Mummy) and directed by animation legend Chuck Jones (Looney Tunes, What’s Opera, Doc?). The story was originally adapted to television as an animated TV special and was highly praised by audiences and film animation fans alike. It has been re-broadcast numerous times since its debut, with annual airings continuing to the present day. The original book was considered among one of Dr. Seuss’ finest works for children.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Blu-ray bonus material:
* From Whoville to Hollywood – A rapping, rhyming chronical of the original book and this beloved animated adaptation.
* Songs in the Key of Grinch – Interviews with composer Albert Hague and vocalist Thurl Ravenscroft.
* Who’s Who in Whoville – Biography Gallery.
* Grinch Song Selections – Go right to your favorite songs. Includes: Opening Song, Trim Up the Tree, Welcome, Christmas and You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.
* TNT’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas Featurette – With Phil Hartman.
* Grinch Pencil Test
* Making Animation and Bringing it to Life – audio commentary with animator Phil Roman and June Foray.
Messages of peace, love and goodwill, are also imparted in the captivating, Peabody Award-winning animated television special Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! Also adapted from the published work of Dr. Seuss, this enchanting special was also produced by renowned animator Chuck Jones.
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! tells the story of a charming elephant named Horton who while frolicking in the jungle one day, hears a plea for help from Dr. Hoovey, resident professor of science of Whoville, a tiny planet no bigger than a speck of dust, which is inhabited by the microscopic Whos.
Horton happily obliges to take care of the tiny Whos proclaiming “after all, a person is a person, no matter how small” and lays the teeny speck of dust on a clover blossom. Horton’s jungle companions, however, claim he’s “flipped his lid.” They steal the clover and drop it into a great big patch of clovers over 100 miles wide! Horton, keeping his promise to protect the little Whos, laboriously searches the entire field in order to prevent their demise.
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! Blu-ray bonus material:
* Two More Delightful Dr. Seuss Animated Stories: Dr. Seuss’ Butter Battle Book and Daisy-Head Mayzie.
* In Search of Dr. Seuss Documentary – The story of Seuss’s life is told via celebrity skits, music and animated clips from many of his best-loved stories. Hosted by Kathy Najimy.
* Singalong Music Video – You Can Hear Horton, Horton Can Hear You!
“For many, the holidays would not be the same without these timeless classics. They’ve grown to become true masterpieces of American pop culture and we feel it’s important they are preserved so that future generations can enjoy them. That is why we’ve taken steps to re-master and transfer these classics to high definition format,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Partner Brands Mark eting. He added, “We think consumers will be really pleased with the outcome. The picture quality is remarkable, and consumers will truly feel like they’re watching a traditional classic through a new set of eyes.”
“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Cookbook
October 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Holiday Decor
When Jane Doiron the author of Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Moms contacted me to check out her new cookbook I was very excited to try it out!
The fact that the recipes are simple and cna be prepared in advance is such a life saver for me. I want to prepare home cooked, and healthy meals for my family, but with our busy schedule sometimes it’s easier to throw something in the microwave.
Make-ahead meals are a healthy and economical alternative to take-out and preservative filled, pre-packaged foods. With make ahead meal planning, you are making fewer trips to the grocery store, and saving money otherwise spent on unhealthy, take-out and fast foods. It’s simple. Give yourself a break during the hectic weeknights with Jane’s make-ahead meal recipes. Spend the time that you save outside of the kitchen doing something that you enjoy.
So what’s in the cookbook?
Yep, it has it all! What I love is that for each recipe it tells you what you can do ahead of time. A lot of the recipes you cna freeze so you can make a whole weeks worth of meals in one day and then all you have to do take it out of the freezer and heat it up. Nice home cooked meal!
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Cookbook is also perfect for the Holidays. With many different recipes to choose from your bound o find perfect ones for your Holiday Party.
You can buy Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms on Amazon for $16.15. If you don’t want to wait you can purchase the Ebook and download it after purchase.
“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”
Enter to win a copy at MommyMandy
This giveaway will end on Oct 29th
