Mega Bloks Skylanders Swap Force

December 19, 2013 by 9 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate the review. All opinions are my own and honest.

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Mega Bloks are at it again with their newest video game tie in for Skylanders :Swap Force.  Mega Bloks are the makes of brick based construction sets for little ones much like other block building sets, but the key difference is the figures are a bit different.  They are less block y and more movable.  Each figure has multiple points of articulation, they can move any which way you want.  Arms and legs have ball joints making more realistic motion available.  So Flynn can break dance, bust a move or just fight some bad guys.  Each set sports at least one figure which is nice.  The one we are looking at today is: Flynn’s Rescue Ship.

skylanders blocks

Flynn’s ship sports 3 figures, the main ship itself as well as a separate flying mast which can be used to transport characters back and forth to and from various other sets or just the living room table.  The ship itself has two levels of play available, above and below deck.  Above deck has a working crane, and landing area.  Below deck has a firing launcher from a hide away spot and an intricate looking engine.  Along with the figures and vehicles, there are also a ton of accessories to complete the setting, like wenches, hammers, chests to plunder, barrels to break while looking for loot and even a stand for one of the figures, Magna Charge.  The stand helps keep the wheeled figure from falling over while also looking like he/she is ripping up the ground getting ready to speed off.  Also since Magna Charge is a Swap Force character he can easily be separated in two and swapped with other Mega Bloks Swap Force figures to further extend play time.
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Peppa Pig is Here to Bring Holiday Cheer

December 18, 2013 by 5 Comments

Disclosure- I received some of these products in order to complete this review. All opinions are my own and honest.

My son loves Peppa Pig.  The TV show is one of his favorites, and he can tune in on Nick Jr. daily.  When the first Peppa Pig toys came out, he was psyched.  Nothing is better then playing with your favorite characters and acting out the mischief they get into (and making up some of your own).  Truth be told, as much as he likes Peppa, he likes Daddy Pig more- he snorts WAY louder.  He also likes her baby brother George, because he throws toys, spaghetti, and hides from Peppa (which really peeves her).  So, the boys have it, according to my son.

Bedtime Peppa ($26.99, available at Toys R Us) This soft and cuddly plush doll from Fisher-Price sings a sweet lullaby and lights up as she counts sheep.  Bedtime Peppa Pig has cheeks that light up red, as well as she will sing lullaby songs, snort, and talk to you when you press her tummy.  She even has her own blankie (which is sewn to her so it can’t be lost, thus avoiding bedtime tantrums).

 peppa pig

 Muddy Puddles Bathtime Peppa ($12.99, available at Toys R Us) Kiddos can clean up in the tub alongside Peppa and George with this fun new bath toy from Fisher Price. Includes a bathtub caddy that sticks on tub walls.

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 If your child is familiar with Peppa, you know the “Muddy Puddles” theme.  There are plenty of shows about jumping in them, making muddy messes, and the toys, books, DVDs, and now new bath toys run the same gamut.  Kids like mud? Who would have thought.   The Muddy Puddles Bathtime Peppa Pig toys are cute- Peppa and George are covered in mud, and need a bath.  When you put them in warm water, the mud “disappears”.  The bathtub has suction cups on the side to stick to the bathtub wall, and a hole in the bottom to drain the water out.

pic1Peek N Surprise Playhouse ($34.99 available at Toys R US) Come over to Peppa’s house for a playdate full of sweet surprises.  This portable, four-room playhouse opens to reveal a home filled with fun transforming furniture – switch the sink from messy to clean, fill the tub for a bubble bath, set the family table for dinner time and much more! The playhouse includes over 15 play pieces and folds closed for easy clean up. Peppa and George figures are included for playtime fun. It comes with 2 piggies, and you can get extra characters to go with it as well. It opens up into a house, but everything (furniture, characters, etc) fits neatly inside and folds shut for easy on-the-go carrying. Yes, it even has a handle to make it extra easy to take along.
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Hot Toys for Christmas

December 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

 

Disclosure- I have received the below in order to review.  All opinions are my own and honest.  Please feel free to see the “I Disclose” tab for more info.

Getting ready for Christmas? It can be hard to wade through all the noise to find the best Christmas items.  Now that “Black Friday” is over, we can focus on what’s fantastic for the season vs how much can be saved at 3am.  A few of my current favorites are;

North Pole Communicator Microphone- This is super cute and fun for kids, and lets them “talk” with Santa every night before bedtime. Beginning  December 1, get the family together daily and dial up the North Pole to have “real” back-and-forth conversations with the “big man”, elves, and more.  The communicator is quite a lot of fun, will amuse adults as well, really psychs kids up and gets them excited, and and is a great way to get the family involved in a nightly activity.

talk to santa

Hallmark’s Keepsake Ornaments are a tradition for many, and giving a treasured ornament (or building a collection for your children) is something that so many people enjoy doing.   Keepsake Ornaments has a variety of ornaments that commemorate milestones and nurture memories, as well as scenes from your favorites movies, TV shows, or cartoon characters. Our favorite this year is “Lions and Tigers and Bears”, a Wizard of Oz ornament that moves and talks.  All the characters move and speak lines from this scene in the movie.  There is an amazing variety of Keepsake Ornaments, so finding the perfect gift for your child or loved one is easy.

The new interactive storybook “Santa and the Christmas Eve Flight” is adorable and will make bonding over reading with you kids fun for both of you.  Santa responds with questions or choices as you read key words and phrases. how your child answers will shape this story, which can change each time you read it.  There are more then 30 responses from Santa, which makes the possibilities for the storyline pretty diverse.
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Elf Magic- Fun Holiday Traditions

December 3, 2013 by 5 Comments

My son loves his Elf Magic Elf, Burke.  Burke was hard to get back to Santa last year, and my little dude was NOT a happy camper.  He made an early return this year, with my son finding him inside of his Trick or Treat pumpkin.

Burke, like us, likes to travel. When we sent our letter to Santa last year, we let him know how much we move around, and asked him to send an elf that would like to see the world as well.  We can’t have an elf that gets car-sick or won’t get on an airplane now, can we?  LOL.  Burke, luckily, is a hardy elf, and enjoys all the new places and spaces we tote him to.

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With Burke in Philly

Last year he joined us for many trips and daily outings, even really exciting things like the supermarket.  I know.  Mind. Blown. Try to contain yourself.  You are a grown up, act like it.

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My son was so taken with his Elf Magic elf that he even took him to our Christmas photo session last year.  Yes, that’s us, and Burke.  I’m not telling my then-5-year-old that the elf isn’t part of the family, that’s just mean.
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Pinypon Snow Ski Lodge and Car

November 25, 2013 by 1 Comment

Disclosure: The Snow Ski Lodge and the Snow Adventure Car & Tow were provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.
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With Christmas just around the corner, I am always on the lookout for new great products for my kids. Pinypon definitely did not disappoint this year.

About Pinypon Products:

Pinypon products stand out for all the other products out there like them because they have many mix and match possibilites. With these toys, you can swap their heads, mid-sections, or feet. You can go from a mermaid to an ice skater and even more.

Pinypon Snow Ski Lodge:We all know that this time of year is all about the snow. You can ice skate, ski, ride a snow mobile, and build a snowman and get warm in the Lodge. There are many accessories available with this product, as well as the other Pinypon products. Just inside the Ski Lodge alone are 50 accessories for great imaginative play. You get to decorate the snowman, dress your kids. This imaginative playset includes 3 Pinypon friends that are dressed up in their winter gear, 1 pet, and winter sporting equipement from skis, skates, and snow mobile to sled and snowboard. There is even a real skating rink included.

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Glow Pets- Perfect for Gifting

November 23, 2013 by 1 Comment
Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.
glo pets
Having a child that is afraid of the dark can make bedtime an ordeal. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an alternative to a traditional night light that would help your child by giving them confidence and companionship while helping them fall asleep safely? Let me tell you about Glow Pets. With a simple push of a button, your child can illuminate their room with safe LED lights that never get hot and drift of to dreamland peacefully.
 

Glow Pets are adorable, they are furry and fun companions in the daytime and they make night time activities extra special. Camping, watching movies, going to sleepovers, and even bedtime is enhanced with the soft glow that is emitted when the button on a glow pet is pushed. Children will enjoy soft glowing light while parents enjoy the 20 minute auto shut off feature. I thought that was the perfect amount of time for comfort and battery preservation.
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WIN Pajanimals Submarine Flashlight

November 14, 2013 by 4 Comments

 

Disclosure- I will be provided with one of the same toys. All info was provided by sponsor.  Have fun with the giveaway.

Here is your chance to win a  Pajanimals Submarine Flashlight ($12.99 SRP, available on Amazon.com and Walmart.com) to light up the night.

The flashlight (featuring a glow-in-the-dark base) can be used to help give your child comfort when bedtime rolls around as well…just press the submarine periscope for lights and sounds. This fun flashlight features all of your child’s favorite Pajanimals characters. Recommended for ages: 12 months and up.

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Every night is a good night for a Pajanimals Pajama Party, including watching Pajanimals on Sprout (nightly at 8pm ET) and NBC Kids (Saturdays at 10:30am ET). Sprout will also be running special on-air promos for Pajanimals throughout the month of November, as well as on  SproutOnline.com, in the Sprout newsletter, Facebook and on Shop Sprout.  Visit Shop Sprout to browse the colorful Pajanimals toys, apparel and fun accessories.
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Brilliant Sky Toys And Books

November 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by Brilliant Sky Toys & Books. I was sent a toy to review as compensation, however, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

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With the busy holiday season on it’s way, Brilliant Sky Toys & Books might be the answer to your gift giving.  Brilliant Sky Toys & Books is a toy store with 15 locations that not only sells top of the line toys, books and games to delight youngsters, but also offers a concierge-type service that allows gift-givers the opportunity to buy a toy and have it gift wrapped for free.

You will know you are getting a great toy that will not only be fun to play with, but can enhance learning as well, because each toy is hand-picked by staff utilizing the exceptional standards of Brilliant Sky Toys & Books. Brilliant Sky Toys & Books features toys from Lego and Melissa & Doug as well as other top manufactures.
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