I know, my Little Man is a boy- but I thought it would be nice to include a few girls things in the Birthday Bash  🙂   So, for you mommies of girls- here you go!  Strawberry Shortcake– but this is not “our” Strawberry Shortcake, mommies!  She has been redone for the new generation.  Sigh.  All things must change, I guess?
Strawberry still has her trademark scent, though!

This is the Strawberry Shortcake Twirling Flower Fashions Doll Playset.  
It’s a great summer toy, because it also involves water play.  So it is fun for outdoors, or for the kitchen if you are worried about a mess  🙂  I’m not- I could care less about water, LOL.  I just put it on a towel.
My Little Man and Kamikaze had fun playing with it, as did the girls at the Pre-K.  One of the girls, if fact, “borrowed” it, and has yet to bring it back, haha.  Kids!  What can you do.
Here is a little more information for you-

“Create fashion “magic” with your sweet-smelling Strawberry Shortcake figure! Put your stylish red-haired friend on her flower stage and start the spinning action. While she’s twirling, spray water from her flower spritzer and a design will “magically” appear on her skirt! Are you two ready to create a new look? Put on her other color-change skirt or just wait for the first one to dry and then use your flower spritzer to create another new design!

Scented figure comes with 2 color-change skirts, dress, flower stage, flower spritzer, splash guard and instructions.

Ages 4 and up.”

You can buy this cute toy here for $19.99, and you can also enter to win below.  Here is how to enter!

Mandatory entry

Every child needs to learn how to ride a bike at some point of his or her life.  It is just a part of childhood!  We all remember when it was our turn, the excitement, the fear, the crashes, the boo-boos, the joy once we finally figured it out!  It is one of those “moments”, a coming of age.  And something we will always remember doing.  I don’t know what it is about our first bike– but it’s a magic thing, and it will always stay with you.
Teaching our kids to ride a bike can be a little different, because there is a new bike in town.  It’s called “Glide Bike“, and it uses a relatively new concept for us here in North America.  No pedals.
I know, I know- I bike with no pedals?  What?  and Why?   Well- it may seem really strange, but there is a motive.  Children will learn to balance on the bike, without having to rely on the training wheels, or third wheel of a bike.  After all, balance is key for riding a two-wheeler, or “big kid” bike, isn’t it?  Once your child has that mastered- it will be nothing at all to switch to a pedaled bike and ride like the wind!

notice how they are not using the pedals?  they can’t do it- or they don’t feel steady enough to

see again- the girl in the back, not using her pedals?  Little Man is ZOOMING by, LOL

As a Pre-K teacher, i LOVE to see something that helps kids learn and builds confidence!  If it also gives them exercise, and fun to boot?  I’m IN!  

One other thing I have noticed- small kids, many times, won’t use the pedals, anyway.  They just use their feet and push along the ground, and the pedals are unused at all.  Perhaps they are not ready for the pedals, perhaps they don’t know how to use them- I’m not sure.  But at least half of the kids here at the Pre-K don’t use the pedals on the trikes that we have.  And they ALL want the Glide Bike whenever I bring it!  It is easier, and more fun for them.  Plus, they feel like big kids.

Here is a little more information on Glide Bikes-
“A balance bike, or glide bike is a training bike that helps kids learn to balance and steer a bike safely. Balance bikes do not have pedals, crank set, and chain or training wheels. Glide Bikes are built for small children and special needs kids who are ready to learn how to ride a bike. Glide bikes utilize Downhill mountain bike geometry to achieve a very low speed balance point of less than 2mph and are light weight 8lbs for the Mini Glider and 10 for the Go Glider. “

Mandatory entry

My little boy is SUCH a fan of all things train-related.  They are easily some of his favorite toys.  He is not unique in this, I think most boys, and many girls as well, in the 2-6 year old age range are just super-into trains.  And Thomas?  Who can not love Thomas?  He may be the most well known of all the children’s trains, and certainly one of the most collected.  I don’t think I know a single boy who doesn’t have at least one Thomas the Tank Engine toy, of one sort or another.

Thomas is kind of like potato chips- you can’t have just one!  Thomas has so many friends, fun playsets, and accessories, that if your son is like mine, it is hard to keep up with what the latest Thomas toy is!
So let me help you out a little bit, LOL.  This is the new Thomas & Friends Crane & Cargo Figure 8 Set!
This playset has wooden tracks,and will fit with all your other Thomas sets.
“Little engineers will admire this unique and diverse Wooden Railway Crane and Cargo Figure 8 Set from Thomas & Friends. Thomas can use the crane to pick up and drop off cargo at his favorite destinations.” 
The Thomas & Friends Crane and Cargo Figure 8 Set comes with 20 pieces to make the set photoed below, and includes:

• Thomas;
• Cargo Car;
• Cargo;
• Crane; and
• an easy-to-assemble wooden track.

You can buy your own set at Toys “R” Us, Amazon, or by clicking HERE– and you can also enter to win one below.  Here is how to enter!