VTech Toys: KidiZoom Camera *Giveaway*

Since getting my own digital camera when Sam was 2 she has been fascinated with taking pictures with it. When it broke last year not only was I devastated but so was she, not to mention Sarah was 2 and starting to get fascinated with picture taking too.  I eventually replaced my camera but was very leery on letting the girls play with it and take their own pictures. I didn’t want it to break and me be stuck with out a camera.

The girls were sad they couldn’t take their own pictures anymore. Then came the KidiZoom Camera from VTech Toys.  My girls are completely in love with the KidiZoom. Now they are able to take their own pictures, and I don’t have to be worried about them breaking the camera.

This sleek and durable digital camera allows kids to take, edit and view photos, and with 64MB of built-in memory, there’s room to save lots of photos! A USB port and cable connects the Kidizoom Pink to your home PC for viewing & editing photos, or photo printing.

One feature my girls love is adding a silly frame, or picture to the scene. As you can see below Sarah added reindeer antlers to Sam’s head.

Kidizoom Pink Features:

• Easy-to-grip 0.3 mega pixel camera in new color: pink!
• Includes built-in photo editor & 2 games
• 64MB of built-in memory (stores 400+ photos)
• Built-in photo editor can add 12 silly frames and stamps, or 2 kaleidoscope effects
• Tough rubberized construction

Sarah literally has not put the camera down. Well, for about 10 minutes while I changed the batteries. The camera comes with batteries, which is a huge plus. Finally a tech toy that requires batteries comes WITH batteries! (Note: you will have to replace them as they are not long life ones).

The best part is the price! At only $39 it’s a great price and a perfect Holiday Gift. Right now you can get the Pink KidiZoon on sale for $24 dollars!!!

“I received a product for this review on behalf of VTech Toys. I am apart of the VTech group called VTech Voices. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

ONE winner a KidiZoom Camera from VTech Toys. Enter to win at http://mommymandy.com/kidizoom-camera-giveaway/

VTech Toys Present: Active Play Dates with the Jungle Gym *Giveaway*

On Sunday not only did we celebrate Sarah’s 4th Birthday, but we also had a fun Active Play Date with VTech Toys new line Jungle Gym! The kids had a blast trying out the new toys and of course begged their parents for their own set.

Now, as an adult the first thing you think of when you see the Jungle Gym is that it’s mini exercise toys for kids. But really, the Jungle Gym is more for kids to use on rainy days, or during the winter months when they can’t get outside and burn off that energy.

And trust me, where we live it snows and the kids can not get outside to play. Some days they can’t even play in the snow because A) it’s a blizzard outside or B)its so cold the kids don’t want to go out, plus toddlers can’t handle being in the snow for more than 15-20 minutes.

So VTech Toys has come up with a product for toddlers for those winter months. It’s called the Jungle Gym. The Jungle Gym is a series of toys that help your child get exercise. The more your child exercises, the more they learn!

The series include the toys below:

Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike – ERP: $49.99 – Teaches toddlers (ages 18 – 36 months) letters, objects, numbers, animals and melodies through active play – the more kids pedal and bounce, the more they learn. Featuring a choice of five modes of active play including racing, ABCs, numbers, music and animals, children can learn letters and word association by cycling on the Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike and watching the built-in LCD screen as they pedal away. The seat is adjustable, so kids can continue to enjoy active learning as they grow.

Bouncing Colors Turtle – ERP: $29.99 - There is nothing slow about this turtle. Kids will find new depths of basic skills by sitting on the Bouncing Colors Turtle and bouncing their way to developing gross motor skills and balance. Bouncing on the seat or shell of the turtle activates different colors to light up on the learning panel, teaching kids colors and shapes through its encouraging phrases, silly sounds and playful melodies. Features two modes of active play to develop cognitive and motor skills. As children bounce they develop their gross motor skills and balance, and the learning panel light-up buttons reward discovery and exploration, while also teaching different colors.

Monkey Moves Smart Seat – ERP: $29.99 – The Smart Seat is just like mom’s rowing-machine, so kids can ―monkey see, monkey do‖ as they learn. As little learners move the colorful monkey’s arms up and down, the seat’s buttons light up – helping them master colors and numbers. Features two modes of active play to develop cognitive and motor skills. Any wild child will delight in laughter as they row with the monkey to speed up the music, causing the baby monkey to pop up through the lively jack-in-the-box. The attached bouncy seat keeps kids active as they slide back and forth to the music—and has two adjustable positions to grow with the child—while the stable base with foot rests promotes balance.

Twist & Learn Gorilla Pals – ERP: $14.99 - Tots will go ape over the Twist & Learn Gorilla Pals—a set of play dumbbells small and durable enough for their little hands. Each dumbbell contains a motion sensor so babies see flashing lights and spinning rings with each shake they make, encouraging fine motor skill development. Children will hear sound effects on one dumbbell, while the other plays a variety of encouraging phrases and teaches opposites including up/down and left/right. Tots will be entertained and learning for hours as the dumbbells encourage playful movement with their sound effects and melodies. Aside from the engaging turning ring, colorful lights and motion sensors, other features include an animated gorilla-motif button that plays wacky sounds children love.

Here are some images from the party:

“I received a product for this review on behalf of VTech Toys. I am apart of the VTech group called VTech Voices. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

ONE winner will receive a Vtech Jungle Gym Bundle from VTech Toys. Enter to win at http://mommymandy.com/vtech-toys-jungle-gym-giveaway/

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.”

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

Hasbro’s PROJECT ZAMBI Debuts at Toy Fair

ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT will be available for purchase in the fall of 2009 in general and toy retail stores and is available to purchase now on Hasbrotoyshop.com. For more information on PROJECT ZAMBI visit, www.projectzambi.com.

We received our own Zambi a few weeks ago and the girls have been loving “her” so much. I can not get them to leave Zambi alone.

About ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT
ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT (Ages 4 years & up) features soft and cuddly ears and feet that are covered in a special fabric pattern designed by boys and girls from one of the African communities dedicated to caring for children orphaned by AIDS. ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT will blow kisses, raise his trunk, and trumpet his elephant call. He also has a sensor on his trunk, so he can hold onto your finger and “shake” your hand.

About PROJECT ZAMBI
The PROJECT ZAMBI initiative is dedicated to raising awareness of the estimated 12 million children who have lost parents and relatives to the AIDS epidemic in Africa . Hasbro has established the PROJECT ZAMBI Fund within the Hasbro Children’s Fund, which will support organizations that benefit AIDS orphans in Africa .

PROJECT ZAMBI began following Hasbro visits to communities in Zambia that are working to support the widows and children of the AIDS epidemic. A passionate group of Hasbro employees came up with the idea for the global campaign and product to raise funds and awareness of the needs of these children.

To help bring PROJECT ZAMBI to life, Hasbro has introduced ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT, a special edition FURREAL FRIENDS animatronic plush toy. Hasbro has committed to donate 50 percent of the net profits –a minimum of $500,000 (in U.S. dollars) to the PROJECT ZAMBI Fund, part of the Hasbro Children’s Fund, beginning in 2009, and hopes to expand this global campaign to include additional Hasbro products and brands in the years to come. By purchasing ZAMBI THE BABY ELEPHANT, consumers will be supporting programs that work directly with children orphaned by AIDS in Africa .

Pawparazzi Pets

Sarah is in love with baby dolls and stuffed animals. She loves to carry a tiny stuffed pig around everywhere she goes. yes a stuffed pig! The tinier the stuffed animal the better.

So of course when I showed her the Pawparazzi she was instantly in love. She received the adorable Toby Celebrity Style Set and has not put it down!

Set includes Pet and Purse, Leash, Collar, Blanket, Name Charm, Celebrity Magazine, Silver Dish, Dining Mat, Chew Toy AND a Pearl Necklace for girls and Matching Collar for their pets.

All pets need outfits too right? Of course they do! We also received the cute Flower Fairy. Set includes Fairy Dress, Flower Headband, and Dragonfly Purse.

Pawparazzi are little pets living big lives of glamour, fashion and travel! Their unique celebrity personalities (artists, writers, actors, and more!) encourage young girls to use their imaginations to explore the exciting world of these tiny superstar pets. Fashionable, fun accessories like Celebrity Pet Dress Up Sets, Plush Pet Beds, and the Hotel Pawparazzi expand the play experience and create hours of fun!

Pawparazzi Pets are the celebrities that we wish all celebrities could be. They have talent and class, they approach the world with open hearts, and they support causes that make their world better. And, they’re not just friends, they’re fashion accessories!

Strider Sports

For the past few months the girls have been riding around on Strider Sports Bikes. What I have noced is the girls balance has improved greatly. Plus they both love ridng around on the bikes.

The Strider running bike teaches kids age 1-5 years old how to balance and steer a two-wheeler. The simple, thoughtful design offers them easy control and helps build their confidence. They will never need a tricycle and never need training wheels when they start out on a Strider.

• One of the LOWEST seat heights in the industry… just 11″ from the ground.
• One of the LIGHTEST running bikes on the market at just 6.9 pounds… less than 1/2 the weight of a tricycle.
• The ONLY running bike with frame-integrated Launch Pad™ footrests ergonomically located below the saddle. (U.S. Patent Pending). Launch your child’s skills to the next level: gliding with feet up, riding while standing up, jumping & bunnyhopping.
• Kid and parent-friendly EVA polymer tires are light weight, airless and super durable.
  One of the most ADJUSTABLE running bikes on the market with 3″ of handlebar height adjustment and 5″ of seat height adjustment (plus additional 2″ adjustment available with optional seatpost).
• User-specific Progression™ headset is lighter than a typical bearing headset, has no grease, and requires no adjustment. It also offeres a steering speed damping effect during break-in which is helpful to young riders who are still learning to keep both hands on the bars. As their skills speed up, so will the steering.
• Optional foot brake adds even more fun and learning for the advanced rider… can you say skidmark?!!
  100% Satisfaction Guarantee we’re sure your child will thrive on the Strider™ running bike. If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, we’ll refund your purchase price.

The Strider brand running bike gets kids started younger, adjusts with them as they grow, and keeps them riding longer and learning more through the unique frame design with integrated footrests and optional brake. Please take a moment to view our video gallery to get a full understanding of all that these bikes can offer to your little rider.