A Cultural Christmas

Looking for a few more stocking stuffers to finish up your holidays and jam those stockings while also teaching your kids a thing or two?

Here are a few picks from Little Man:

Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important is a book and cd set which tells the story of Joe, who is a cat who in this book goes on a mystery adventure to figure out what he forgot and in the process we meet lots of Chicken Joe’s friends who are planning something big for Joe. The book comes with a cd which has twelve tracks of music on it. He loved the music and the story, in fact he enjoyed the entire Chicken Joe experience. It is his current favorite “jam”, lol.

Songs from the Baobob is an illustrated nursery rhyme/lullabies book and cd. The book is gorgeously illustrated and has an authentic African look to the art. Each rhyme is spoken/written in its native tongue so there are 29 songs from 10 countries in 11 languages. It is quite a compilation. I like how after each song there is a short description of the cultural significance of the song in its culture. The book….there was not much to the book, honestly. Sorry.

Next up is a cd [Read more…]

THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Volumes 3 & 4

THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Volumes 3 & 4 was just recently released on DVD. Little Man and the hubs are Super Hero fanatics, so they are lovin’ it! Like Daddy like Little! Haha. These action packed DVDs are sure to entrall your super hero fans.

Containing 13 action-packed episodes, “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!” Vol. 3 and Vol. 4 feature all your favorite [Read more…]

Looking for Holiday Games? Check these out!

Winners of many 2011 honors for new games that feature beloved characters from classic brands such as Dr. Seuss and Richard Scarry and newer family favorites Angelina Ballerina and Chuggington- if you are looking for fun and educational games both you and the kids will love this year, Wonder Forge is the place for you!

Here’s our Wonder Forge Awards News – http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20111219006394/en/game-awards/toy-industry-awards/wonder-forge
This game may be aimed at girls, but my son, who is in dance classes, also loves it. Your child can learn the dance moves right along with Angelina and her buddies- one of whom is a boy, yes, LOL. Help your child learn coordination, patience, repetition, and a love of dance, rhythm, and movement with Angelina Ballerina!

Angelina Ballerina Dance with Me Game
Angelina Ballerina is the star of the show – and guess who she wants on stage, too? YOU! Practice the dance moves, step by step. Every time you play, it’s a new ballet routine! When showtime arrives, turn on the music and take center stage!
Age: 3+
Number of Players: 2 or more
MSRP: $19.99
Richard Scarry’s Busytown™ Busy, Busy Airport Game
It’s a busy, busy day at the airport – and you’re the pilot! Set up “destination” game boards around the room. Load your plane with your favorite Busytown characters and wait for the “all clear” for take-off. Then fly to faraway places – the beach, mountains, the city, and more. Collect souvenirs wherever you go.
Age: 3+
Number of Players: 2 to 4
MSRP: $19.99
Chuggington Let’s Ride the Rails! Game
Help the Chuggington trainees Wilson, Brewster and Koko bring the farm animals to the County Fair – but there’s a mystery animal who is already there! Which is it? Players work together to move the beautifully sculpted chugger figurines along the gigantic game-board, picking up farm animals and discovering who the mystery animal might be. When all the trains arrive at the fair, see if you can guess the mystery animal. If your guess is correct, you’re a winner!
Age: 3+
Number of Players: 1 or more
MSRP: $19.99
To purchase: [Read more…]

Taggarts Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant In Canton, Ohio

My Son and Meema had a great time in this old fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant. The food was good, the waitress was sweet, and did I mention the ice cream? This may be one of those times when a picture is worth more then anything I can say to you.

Established in 1926, Taggarts is a Canton landmark. Wrought-iron “ice cream parlor” chairs and high-backedbooths, combined with the old wood and tile floors, take you back to the charm of the twenties.

The furnishings and decor take you back to another time- and so will the sundaes. Yes, there is food there- but the real star (I think) is the assortment of ice creams and floats you [Read more…]

Voice Rockrz- Do your kids like to sing?

How do you make kids more annoying then they already are? (Yeah, I SAID IT! LOL)
Perhaps with loud flashy gun toys you say? Oh nay- nay.
How about a microphone that makes their voice change AND makes them louder. Ah yes, enjoy getting this ‘gift’ from the people who truly make you crazy. Christmas IS the time for giving, after all. 😛

Do your kids run around the house all day singing popular songs? Maybe even popular songs from yester-years. We recently found Little Man has taken a liking to classic rock- as long as it has a catchy chorus, he will sing it all day, or at least until he hears another song to replace it.

If your children are as into music as mine are, then this next toy is for you. Voice Rockrz is a microphone which also has voice changing and special effects. The voice change has three different settings, robot, echo and hi-pitch. There are some issues with the hi-pitch where it doesn’t sound quite right, work properly, or work with the corresponding bracelet.

The feature of the Voice Rockrz my kids like best, after the fact that it is a microphone PLUS it changes your voice. With a click [Read more…]

Hearts for Hearts Girls Dolls Review and G!VEAWAY

The authentically dressed and lifelike dolls of Hearts For Hearts Girls, a charitable doll line and fashion collection from Playmates Toys, features six dolls from around the world who are authentically dressed and who each represent a girl who is working to change her community in ways unique to her home country.

Included with each doll are a friendship bracelet and a story booklet that explains how these multicultural girls live and contribute to their families, communities, and culture. Each doll also comes with a special code that unlocks a free membership to the kid-safe Hearts For Hearts Girls website, which features:

  • Additional information about each of the Hearts For Hearts Girls and the countries in which they live
  • Educational activities and lively games that are fun and rich in culture
  • Intriguing stories about real girls who are making a difference
  • While all girls are welcome to visit the site, the code unlocks access to additional features, including a larger array of games and a “myHeart” page

Additionally, through a partnership with World Vision3, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Hearts For Hearts Girls doll is donated to programs that support girls in that doll

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party- a Special Event at Magic Kingdom

Nothing compares to Disney- one of the greatest of all American Icons, and one of the most recognizable faces in all the world. This year for Christmas, celebrate with Mickey and all his friends at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a special event at Magic Kindom Park at Disney World.

We had the pleasure of attending last week, and the kids had an amazing time- they had more fun at the Christmas Party then they did during the day if you can believe that!
The park closes early for this event, but don’t worry- if you have tickets, you can go right back in! As soon as you get there, Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade begins- complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself. While he comes up the rear- I can’t say that he was the main attraction for many- it was still Micky and Minnie!

It was magic! The dancers and Disney characters never fell out of step or character- they were the person who they were stepping into! Real magic for your child- and you too. So many adults just love Disney- there were as many adults as children online to see the Princesses and characters for photos!

There were so many grown-ups, Disney Magic is for everyone! Some of the other wonderful attractions for the Very Merry Christmas Party include-

  • The enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle
  • Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself
  • An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of [Read more…]

Christmas Comes to Choo Choo Barn

Celebrate the season as the Choo Choo Barn transforms Traintown USA