Did you ever notice how hard it is to find boys dress up clothes? Every little girl has a billion outfits, and tons of accessories to match (and not match, LOL) but for boys? Not so much. Here at the Pre-K, the girls have 2 bins full of outfits. The boys? NOT ONE THING. A few months ago, I decided to change that. As liberal as I am- I try not to have a heart attack when my 2-3 year boy old puts on a Snow White dress and plastic high heels, I know it is just a “thing”, a phase that he will quickly grow out of- it got my goat that there is almost nothing in the way of boys dress up to be found. I found a few cowboy type things- a hat, some boots (and I have posted pictures of Little in those boots, LOL) and a few fireman hats- but, that’s really it! Then I thought- costumes! Just get costumes. I found a few that I brought in, and then I got this Green Lantern one from Anytime Costumes. He is the super hero of the moment, and the boys here just love playing with it. Here is a picture of Little Man in the costume-

As you can see, he is having fun! The costume comes with a ring and the mask, as well. The shoes are built on- they go over your child’s shoes, so they pretty much cover them up. There are a few velcro strips on the back, and it is a thin material- so it is good for all sorts of weather. The mask has nice, large eyes, so the children can see well.
The boys are fighting over it, of course, LOL. I got it a little big, so all the boys can fit into it. This is the favorite dress-up outfit for the boys at the Pre-K, and it is also Little Man’s current favorite. With the cowboy boots, of course! He has his own outfits at home, this one is to share with everyone.
Boys need to have fun, too! And not for nothing, but they should not have to resort to wearing their sister’s (or whomever’s) princess dresses when they want to play, or be left out entirely. Think about how many outfits your little princess has- and maybe think about picking one up for your little prince, as well 🙂
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What says “summer” more then bubbles?  A Buzzillion Bubbles, that’s what!  This is such a fun toy- a new twist on a basic summer classic.  I was not prepared for the big reaction to such a little toy, and you know how they say a picture is worth a thousand words?  Let me show you these….

Look at these kids!  Sorry I have to blur them, slightly, but I can’t show faces of kids that are not my own, you understand. How happy are they?! 
I was taking photos between trying to blow -or perhaps shoot, or spray?- the bubbles, so they are not as great of photos as they could be- but I think they really show how happy they were, and how much they enjoyed this toy. 
The Blastos Bubbles were easy to use, the bubbles DO NOT spill out of the container, and after a few tries, they kids were able to use it themselves.  It was a little tricky figuring how to load the bubbles on to the blower- you kind of have to rock it back and forth in the little try you pour the bubble solution itno to get the solution on both holes of the blower- but after that, easy breezy!  Batteries not included- so make sure you have some on hand!!!

See it in action! Watch Video >

Ever play a game of Monopoly and wish you could just cut your opponent’s thimble in half?  How about a game where just that is allowed and expected.  This game is called Play Doh Smashed Potatoes.  The story goes, that you are a potato who is in a kitchen- and can you guess what happens to potatoes in the kitchen.  Well, it can be kind of brutal for a potato.  French fried, sliced cut, mashed, and chopped- oh my!  
First of all a word of warning- if your little one is sensitive, then you might want to think twice about playing this game with them.  Little Man can be a rough and tough boy like the rest, but sometimes he is a “delicate” little guy.  He loved mashing Kamikaze’s potatoes, BUT when it came to having his potatoes diced and chopped he was not a happy camper in the slightest.  Kamikaze and the husband on the other hand had a blast.  Even yelping and screaming as the potatoes were prepared for dinner.  🙂  I can’t wait until the next time those two make dinner.  It’s going to be an interesting dinner.  lol
I like how this game stimulates creativity and might even get the kids into helping out next time there is something going on in the kitchen.  Or if you are not so lucky you will have a pet potato….
Oh well can’t win them all.
A little more info for you- 
“Uh oh! Your little spud pals are in big trouble — they’re in the kitchen and they could be made into “food”! Mold potato pal pawns out of PLAY-DOH modeling compound and then use the spinner to move them across the board. But be careful of where you land, or else your spud buddy could get snipped, sliced, pressed into “fries” or cranked into “chips!” Help your pal get out of the kitchen and back to the farm first and you’re the winner!
Includes gameboard, 4 two-ounce cans of PLAY-DOH Brand Modeling Compound, spinner (with plastic arrow and arrow base), 8 Mash Machine parts, 2 potato molds, 2 gameboard pegs and instructions.”

You can buy this game here, and you can enter to win below!

Alright ladies and gentlemen-When was the last time you thought of hitting your boss (or spouse, maybe?) in the head with a Styrofoam dart?  You have, haven’t you?  Well, if not picture it now.  Commence giggling!  Even better- imagine a giant game of dart-tag breaking out in your place of work or home.  Dart guns, goggles, jerseys- and oh, did I mention they are of course Nerf guns– the best kind!  A whole office full of seemingly ‘professional’ people having a ‘blast’ firing Nerf darts left and right diving and dodging, people flayed out yelping in the agony of defeat.  Sounds good doesn’t it?  I know I would love that.   OK, soooo, I don’t get the whole “office” thing happening- but I DO like the idea of shooting neft darts at the Pre-K LOL.  (Don’t worry, I didn’t do it!)  But I am having fun with the visual of my husband and his ho-workers going nuts….LOL.  Ah, but I digress.  Nerf has just released a new series of Dart Tag toys.  These launchers, along with the goggles and jerseys to match, make a very interesting game of dart – “laser-ish” tag and capture the flag.  This new game is called Nerf Dart Tag Sharp Shot, and there is even a championship in Orlando you can register for.  In case I wasn’t very clear here is also some instructions on how to play.  It looks easy to learn, but is difficult to master.  Do you have a video game player at home?  One who spends all day in front of their xbox of playstation?  This is the ultimate game of capture the flag.  This game is fun for kids of all ages.  Little Man needed some help reloading but he’ s a great shot- I was impressed,  lol.

“Take your DART TAG game to the next level! This air-powered blaster lets you take down your opponents in next to no time! The quick-release belt clip lets you make your move fast, so you’re aiming and firing as quickly as you can. When your opponent is in sight, grab your blaster and send your DART TAG darts flying — they’ll even whistle as they fly. Blast your way to victory!

Blaster comes with quick-release belt clip and 4 DART TAG darts.”

OK, so you can buy these at Toys R Us or so many other great retailers, or order on Amazon.com.  You can also enter to win them here- and here is how!