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You are here: Home / Archives for Gift guide

American Girl Doll & Bitty Baby Books and Toys

December 18, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

If Zoe had her choice, she would choose the American Girl Doll Sage and purchase the Sparkle Party Dress. She loves her Bitty Baby and wants to add to her collection.

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If I could, I would spoil her with as many of the American Girl dolls as I could.

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Luckily, because of my blog we have five of the different Itty Bitty books and she’s been reading them for her homework assignments. She has a favorite that she’s used in her writing journal and I love that these books have sparked a growth in her reading abilities. Her favorite book is Bitty Baby The Brave:IMG_7643

Here is Zoe’s video showing off her favorite Bitty Baby Books:

 

Other American Girl Dolls, Bitty Baby accessories, Books and Toys to Choose From:

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My American Girl® Doll

Price: $110

Create the doll that’s just right for you. With your My American Girl doll, you can choose her look, interests, and even her personality. Includes:

o An 18” doll dressed in the True Spirit Outfit: a pink tee with tone-on-tone print, a flared skirt with a double-ribbon belt, pink underwear, and tall boots

o A charm-keeper necklace to hold her collectable charms (get a charm with every My American Girl outfit.)

o Codes that give you full access to online play at InnerstarU.com—a fun, enriching, safe online world created just for girls and their My American Girl dolls

Sparkle Party Dress + Charm for Dolls

Price: $36

This fancy dress is trimmed with rosettes and rhinestones, and features a bubble-mesh skirt with a sparkle print that peeks through, plus a satin sash at the waist. Includes a rhinestone-studded headband, cream tights, and sparkly red shoes, plus a “Fair” heart charm.

(Cover) Sparkle Party Dress for Girls

Price: $68

Made to match the doll-sized version, this fancy dress is trimmed with rosettes and rhinestones. It features a bubble-mesh skirt with a sparkle print that peeks through, plus a satin sash that ties in back. Sizes 6-16.

(Cover) Sparkle Headband for Girls

Price: $12

Add sparkle to your holiday look with this rhinestone-studded satin headband. Cream. One size.

1. Bitty Baby Doll

Price: $80

Designed for girls ages 3 and up, Bitty Baby is a 15-inch soft-bodied doll available in 11 different combinations of skin tone, eye-, and hair-color, allowing girls to create a one-of-a-kind companion that’s just right for them. Each Bitty Baby doll comes dressed in her signature sleeper, along with a special “wishing star” keepsake toy and a beautifully illustrated Bitty Baby and Me hardcover picture book.

2. Twinkle Party Outfit for Dolls

Price: $28

Bitty Baby can twinkle in this party dress. It features a knit bodice with puff sleeves and a sweet bow, plus a bubble-mesh skirt with a sparkly holographic pattern that peeks through. Includes a satin headband, ivory tights, and shiny red shoes with bows at the toes.

Twinkle Party Dress for Little Girls

Price: $28

Twirl and twinkle in this party dress! Made to match the doll-sized version, it features a knit bodice with puff sleeves and a sweet bow, plus a bubble-mesh skirt with a sparkly holographic pattern that peeks through. Red. Sizes 3-7

3. Deluxe Layette Collection

Price: $180

This 15-piece deluxe collection comes with the Bitty Baby doll of your choice, dressed in a cloth diaper and Cuddly Star Pajamas, plus the Bitty Baby and Me hardcover picture book that brings her story to life. Includes lots of mix-and-match outfits for playtime fun: a gingham dress with embroidery and eyelet lace at the hem, a knit cardigan with scalloped trim and embroidered details, knit pants with a gingham sash and bow, white tights with sweet rows of eyelet ruffles, pink shoes with a trio of rosettes at the toe, a soft star rattle with rings for shaking, a bottle for feeding time, a soft bib with star-hearts that dangle from green ribbon, and two fabric-covered hangers to keep her clothes neat and tidy. Everything fits inside the satin suitcase, featuring an inner pocket for organizing and a handle for carrying.

4. Bitty Baby and Me Hardcover Book

Price: $14.99
In this first story, a little girl introduces her new doll, Bitty Baby, to her family, including her prickly big sister. At nap time, the little girl tells Bitty Baby a story about a magical mermaid adventure—but the best magic of all is the creative way the girl makes her wish come true and gets her older sister to play with her. Includes a “For Parents” section that focuses on the social and emotional experience of preschoolers and offers parenting tips.

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5. Saige Doll & Book

Price: $110

Saige, the 2013 Girl of the Year, is a spirited and imaginative girl who loves painting and horseback riding at her grandma’s ranch in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In Saige’s story, she turns her passion into persuasion to promote the arts in her community. The Saige doll is 18” tall with light skin, freckles, long auburn-colored hair, and dark turquoise eyes. She has pierced ears with earrings, and wears a Southwestern ring on her right hand. Saige comes in an indigo knit dress with cropped sleeves, geometric embroidery, and a tiered skirt. Includes tall boots with wrap straps and blue cotton underwear, plus the Saige paperback book, written by Jessie Haas.

Saige’s Accessories

Price: $28

Saige adds splashes of color and style wherever she goes! Her bright canvas purse is perfect for toting art supplies on the go. She loves to mix and match her special jewelry: a pierced earring set with studs and dangles, a turquoise beaded necklace with a golden coin charm, and a red multi-strand bracelet with an adjustable closure.

6. Saige’s Painting Set

Price: $48

When Saige is feeling creative, she can bring out this art set. It includes an easel with a tray and cup for holding her supplies—it folds for easy storage when she’s done—plus five faux paint tubes and four brushes that Saige can really hold on to, a painter’s palette for blending the perfect shade, a sketch pad to plan out her paintings, a portfolio to store the finished product, and five of her paintings on real canvas.

7. Saige’s Sweater Outfit

Price: $34

When Saige paints in Grandma Mimi’s studio, she gets comfy in this artsy outfit. It includes an open-front sweater with a draped collar and a bold, geometric pattern, a printed tank top for underneath, stretch twill leggings, and faux leather sandals with a fancy fringe to finish off the look

8. Saige Book

Price: $6.95 PB

Saige’s new school year isn’t starting out well. She and her best friend, Tessa, seem to be growing apart. And because of funding cuts, Saige won’t have art—her favorite class—at school this year. Her grandma Mimi suggests that she do something about it, such as lead a “save the arts” parade and fund-raiser on Mimi’s horse Picasso. Soon Saige is training Picasso for the parade, which helps take her mind off her troubles at school. Then Mimi is injured in an accident, and Saige waits and worries, wondering what she can do. Can she ride Picasso in the parade and make her grandma proud? Can she still raise money to protect art at school? Saige is determined to try.

9. Saige Paints the Sky Book

Price: $6.95 PB

After Mimi moves into rehab to heal a broken leg, Saige misses her grandma terribly. She takes comfort in riding Mimi’s youngest horse, Georgia, and painting in her art studio. But when Saige learns that Mimi may soon sell Georgia, she’s devastated. Why does everything have to change? After making an exciting discovery at the rehab center, Saige hatches a plot to restore her art afternoons with Mimi—and maybe even jump-start the new art program at school. But she still worries about losing Georgia. Can she tap into her creativity and imagination to hang on to the horse she loves?

10. Saige Paints the Sky DVD

Price: DVD $14.95

Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack $21.95

Nine-year-old Saige Copeland is looking forward to the new school year, until she finds out that due to funding cuts, her Albuquerque school won’t have any art classes this year. Add to that, Saige’s best friend Tessa seems to be growing apart from her—and closer to a girl named Dylan. Why does everything have to change? For help, Saige turns to her Grandma Mimi, who rides her beautiful horse Picasso in the Balloon Fiesta parade every year. Mimi encourages Saige to do something to help—rally her friends to raise money for the art classes they love. But just as her ideas begin to take off, her grandma is injured in an accident. Can Saige ride Picasso in the parade and make her grandma proud? And can she still raise money for the arts? Saige will have to face stage fright—and friendship troubles—to find her voice and help save the arts at school. Stars Jane Seymour as Mimi and newcomer Sidney Fulmer as Saige. Running time: 90 minutes.

11. My American Girl Doll (see description above)

Price: $110

12. Sparkle Party Dress + Charm for Dolls (see description above)

Price: $36 image

13. Holiday Accessories for Dolls

Price: $28

This festive set includes a candy-cane holiday card, a silvery doll-sized bracelet inside a pretty gift box tied with a bow, and a “homemade” felt tree trimmed with sequin ornaments—it stands on a tiny thread spool. Everything fits inside the snowflake-embroidered stocking with beaded “icicles” at the top. Includes a furry shrug lined with satin for a fancy holiday look.

14. Brocade Holiday Dress + Charm for Dolls

Price: $36

This party dress is made of cream-and-gold brocade, featuring a velvet ribbon and mesh rosettes at the waist. Includes a flower-trimmed headband, cream tights, and golden shoes, plus a “Kind” heart charm.

15. Pretty Pink Coat Set + Charm for Dolls

Price: $34

This pale pink coat is trimmed in faux fur, and features a hood and a satin ribbon bow at the waist. Before heading outside, add the knee-high boots wrapped in pink ribbons to match. Includes a "Fair" round charm for the doll’s charm-keeper necklace.

16. Chestnut Horse

Price: $75

This beautiful horse is sure to be a true friend. She has a velvety chestnut coat, and her brown mane and tail can be brushed and styled. She comes with a maroon saddle blanket, a faux-leather saddle with adjustable stirrups, and a bridle for leading her.

17. Stable and Supplies

Price: $110

This rustic set comes with plenty of supplies to keep American Girl horses happy and healthy, including stable with doors that swing open, faux bolt details, and an attached horseshoe that doubles as a hook, four fence pieces snap together to create a cozy corral, a plaid blanket and a lead rope for the horses, a pretend water trough and two faux hay bales for mealtime, and a stable fork to keep things tidy.

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18. Molly Doll & Accessories

Price: $129

Molly McIntire, one of American Girl’s three original historical dolls, is a lovable, patriotic girl growing up on the home front during World War Two. The Molly doll is 18" tall with soft gray eyes behind silver glasses and long, golden-brown hair. She arrives in an authentic 1940s outfit with the Meet Molly paperback book by Valerie Tripp. Her accessories include a red shoulder-bag purse with a snap closure, a navy blue beret, a metal, heart-shaped locket that really opens and can hold a photo, a red-trimmed hankie embroidered with her name, and a metal reproduction of a 1943 steel penny.

19. Meet Molly Book

Price: $6.95 Paperback

For Molly McIntire, life seems full of change. It’s 1944 and the world is at war. Her father is far away caring for wounded soldiers. Her mother is busy working for the Red Cross. And everyone in America is so serious and practical that glamorous Halloween costumes are hard to get. Molly’s special hula skirt is a huge success—until Ricky, her pesty big brother, plays a mean trick. Molly and her friends are determined to get back at him. One mean trick leads to another until the fighting goes too far.

20. Emily Doll & Accessories

Price: $129

The story of Emily, Molly’s English friend, comes alive in this special collection. The Emily doll is 18" tall, with deep blue eyes and gingery-red hair, and she arrives in an authentic outfit from the 1940s and the Brave Emily paperback book by Valerie Tripp. Her accessories include a cardigan sweater, her grandfather’s World War One dog tags, a pretend English three-pence coin and a ration book, and her scrapbook with a note from Mum, showing pictures of her family and the English princesses.

21. Molly’s Floral PJ’s for Dolls

Price: $24

When it’s time for bed, Molly unbraids her hair and wears these pretty PJ’s. They feature a soft cotton top with sweet flutter sleeves and patch pockets, matching pajama pants trimmed in blue ribbon, and sling-back slippers with dainty heels for a fancy touch.

22. Molly’s Floral PJ’s for Girls

Price: $42

These sweet pajamas inspired by the 1940s includes a lattice-print pajama top with flutter sleeves and patch pockets, and matching pull-on pants with an elastic waist for comfort. Print. Sizes XS (6), S (7-8), M (10-12), L (14-16).

23. Molly’s Bed & Bedding

Price: $94

A cheerful way for girls to perk up Molly and Emily’s bedroom, this set includes a bright-yellow bed that features turned-wood spindles, a style popular in 1944, a pretty yellow bedspread with a dainty lattice print, and a soft pillow and a plush mattress.

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24. Bitty Twins Dolls

Price: $115

With the on-the-go Bitty Twins, you choose skin tone, hair color, and gender to create your favorite pair. Your twins arrive in adorable argyle outfits. The 15-inch bodies feature posable arms and hair for styling. Includes the Bitty Twins Learn to Share book.

25. Fair Isle Skirt Set for Dolls

Price: $24

Your Bitty Twins doll can stay cozy in this magenta sweater with a pretty Fair Isle pattern. Add a gathered purple skirt, plus ballet-flat shoes and a rosette headband, all made of corduroy to match. Includes The Bitty Twins Bake Cookies book.

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26. Fair Isle Play Set for Dolls

Price: $24

Your Bitty Twins doll can play on wintry days in this evergreen sweater with a buttoned collar and Fair Isle pattern. Includes gray corduroy pants with embroidery at the cuff, plus matching loafer-style shoes, and The Bitty Twins Bake Cookies book.

27. Cookie Baking Set for Dolls

Price: $38

Cook up some holiday fun with the Bitty Twins. The cookie sheet is double-sided—one is filled with sugar cookie “dough” cut into six wintry shapes. Take the “cookies” out and place them on the other side to the sheet to bake. Includes a fabric chef’s hat and apron, a rolling pin, and a mixing bowl with scalloped edges.

28. The Care & Keeping of You 2 Book

Price: $12.99

This thoughtful advice book will guide girls through the next steps of growing up. Written by Dr. Cara Natterson for girls 10 and up, The Care & Keeping of You 2 follows up the original bestseller with even more in-depth details about the physical and emotional changes girls are going through. With illustrations and expert contributors, this book covers new questions about periods, her growing body, peer pressure, personal care, and more.

29. The Care & Keeping of You 2 Journal

Price: $8.99

This new journal is especially made for girls 10 and older, and is the companion title to our newest book: The Care & Keeping of You 2. Older girls now have the perfect place to write about and understand the changes that are happening to their mind, body, and emotions. Girls will also find tips for building a positive self-image, and ways to avoid the influences of media. There is a helpful section on how to talk with parents, too, about these tough topics. Designed with quizzes, questions, checklists, and drawing assignments, this new journal will help keep girls on the path to feeling their best.

30. Day at American Girl Store

American Girl stores celebrate girls’ interests with engaging products and experiences designed just for them. Located at fifteen premier shopping and entertainment destinations nationwide, American Girl stores have been praised as leading models for experiential retail and provide a special place for girls to make lasting memories with their families and friends. For more information, call 877-247-5223 or visit americangirl.com

31. Personality Patterns Quiz Book

Price: $9.99

Filled with creative and unique quizzes like nothing girls have seen or done before. They’ll color in grids to find out how independent they can be. Draw a dog to show if they’re silly or serious at heart. A word scramble search will reveal inner secret emotions. This is a quiz book that follows its own pattern, and lets girls create one of their own.

32. Go with the Flow Quiz Book

Price: $9.99

Girls have never seen a quiz book quite like this before. They can fold out the pages to reveal fun-filled flowcharts to follow along. As girls answer the questions, they’ll discover a path that is unique to each of them. Instead of typical personality quizzes that have girls choosing and counting up As, Bs, and Cs, the answers in this book will take them on all kinds of twists and turns.

33. American Girl Magazine

Price: $22.95 1-Year Subscription (6 issues)

American Girl is the largest magazine in the country published exclusively for girls. The popular mom-endorsed, daughter-approved magazine is packed with fiction, games, puzzles, and party plans. American Girl magazine is a hit with readers and parents alike. Ages 8 and up.

34. Stitch and Send Book

Price: $21.99 Hardcover Kit

Girls can create personalized embroidery greeting cards with this crafty kit. Includes a step-by-step instruction book, stitch practice cards for perfecting their technique, 12 pre-punched greeting cards, 4 blank cards to let imaginations run wild, plus stickers, envelopes, and lots of other supplies to create one-of-a-kind messages.

35. Doll at Work Book

Price: $24.99 Hardcover Kit

Girls can put their dolls to work with this fun do-it-yourself kit. It includes a 32-page how-to book, plus supplies to start all kinds of businesses: doll sized posters, receipts, file folders, party invitations, T-shirt logo stickers, a 12-page business legal pad, business cards, and more. With every job from dog walking to party planning, a doll’s work is never done.

36. Design by Me: Treats Book

Price: $14.95 Paperback

Girls will love designing their own detailed desserts, sensational sweets, and complex confections. Large fold-out posters, special foil- and flock-art pages, and intricate art designs promise hours and hours of coloring fun. When girls are finished with an art piece, this book offers creative ways to make a craft from their work to decorate their bedroom or share with a friend. Includes coloring tips, display ideas, a portfolio, and a frame to help girls showcase their art.

American Girl products are available through the American Girl catalogue at 1-800-845-0005, at americangirl.com, and at our American Girl retail stores.

Filed Under: 2013 Gift Guide Tagged With: American Girl, bitty baby, Gift guide, holiday gift guide

Still Time to Get Cyber Monday Deals on Frozen Merchandise on Amazon #DisneyFrozenEvent #CyberMonday

December 2, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Frozen is out in theaters and I know your kids are going to want the merchandise for Christmas. I saw first hand what types of products are going to be out there, some will be at Target, some at Walmart, and others on Amazon or the Disney Store. Here are some pictures I took while I was at the Disney Animation Building for the Disney Frozen Event Press Day. And down below you’ll find some Deals.

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I love the Olaf blanket and the Frozen ice Castle doll house.

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The Frozen dolls Elsa and Anna are Magical and Musical as they  sing to each other.

 

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Today is CYBER MONDAY so stock up on these HOT Frozen toys just in time for Christmas!! The little princess in your life will say thank you! Make sure you shop around to get the best deals!

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Frozen Anna & Elsa Animators’ Collection Toddler Dolls
Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen are brought to life as wide-eyed young girls with these toddler dolls from the Disney Animators’ Collection exclusive to Disney Store. $24.95 each

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Disney Frozen Pull Apart and Talkin’ Olaf
Everyone’s favorite snowman comes to life in this adorable pull-apart plush. Olaf’s nose, head and torso all temporarily come apart and safely rejoin, recreating memorable moments from the film. Olaf also speaks, with funny phrases from the movie. Available at Amazon, Toys ‘R’ Us and Walmart. MSRP: $17.99

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Disney Frozen Castle and Ice Palace Playset
This expandable set is double the storytelling fun with two gorgeous homes — Anna’s castle and Elsa’s Ice Palace. Children can enjoy all the movie-inspired furniture and play pieces, including a throne, bed, chaise, vanities, mountain slide, and an Olaf figure. Available at Amazon, Disney Store, and Mass Retailers. MSRP: $99.99

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Anna Costume Collection for Girls
Send her imagination off to a wintry Frozen world of wonder in this Anna Costume Collection, including finely detailed costume with colorful layers of satin and organza covering a black velvet ”bodice” decorated in flowers, matching boots and golden tiara, each sold separately. Available at Amazon, Disney Store, and Mass Retailers. SRP: $14.95 – $49.95

 

Elsa Costume Costume for Girls
She’ll be the icy enchantress of any masquerade ball in our Elsa Costume Collection , inspired by Disney’s Frozen. Including beautifully detailed, glittering costume, matching light-up shoes and silvery tiara, plus wig featuring glittering iridescent highlights and flashing light-up accents, each sold separately. Available at Amazon, Disney Store, and Mass Retailers. SRP: $14.95 – $49.95

Frozen Rolling Luggage

Anna & Elsa Rolling Luggage
Gear-up for fantastic adventures and faraway journeys carrying Anna and Elsa’s shimmering, gem-covered travel case equipped with retractable handles and rolling wheels. vailable at Disney Store SRP: $34.95

Olaf Singing Plush

Olaf Singing Plush
Our animated talking Olaf plush toy will surely melt your heart when you press his foot to hear him speak and sing In Summer from Disney’s comedy-adventure Frozen. Available at Amazon, Disney Store, and Mass Retailers. SRP: $24.95

Frozen Soundtrack

Frozen Soundtrack
Bring back warm memories of Disney’s Frozen with the soundtrack CD, featuring memorable music performed by Kristin Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and more! Available at Amazon, Disney Store, and Mass Retailers. SRP: $14.95

Filed Under: 2013 Gift Guide, toy review Tagged With: cybermonday, Frozen, Gift guide, merchandise, Toys

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Kids: Is it on your List?

November 11, 2013 by Momstart 1 Comment

The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids comes equipped with parental controls, educational and entertainment apps, and unique content just for kids in a fun, interactive and secure family tablet. The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids will be available for pre-order beginning Nov. 1, launching in stores Nov. 10 for $229.99, and comes with a protective bumper case.

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“Today’s kids are incredibly tech-savvy and regularly use technology at home, at school and on-the-go,” said Nanda Ramachandran, vice president of emerging business, Samsung Mobile.  “Studies* show that 70 percent of tablet owners share their tablets with their children.  The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids is engaging, encourages learning and fosters creativity in a safe environment that parents can easily manage.”

The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids features a bright, colorful display and an intuitive Kids mode that children can easily navigate.  The new 7-inch Wi-Fi tablet’s content-rich features create a dynamic, interactive and fun experience for kids while keeping them safe and secure.

“Samsung is committed to offering products that fit the needs of all consumers and the addition of the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids offers a safe introduction to mobile technology,” said Travis Merrill, vice president of tablet marketing, Samsung Electronics America.  “The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids provides a tablet experience that can grow and adapt with the whole family.”

The tablet is packed with free pre-loaded content and entertainment specifically for kids, including game applications. The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids lets users browse apps in the Samsung Apps store, with an added level of protection through the Applications Manager.  The Applications Manager allows parents to review and manage the apps their kids can access, giving full control over what apps are purchased and explored. Kids can also discover and request new content by creating a wish list within the new Kids Store.  Parents can then review and purchase the apps they think are appropriate for their child.

Pre-loaded content and features include:

– Special Kid’s Interface:  Easily access kid-specific content through the easy to navigate user interface, including kid-friendly apps and games.

– Kid-Friendly Games: Toca Train, Wipeout, Fruit Ninja, Disney’s Toy Story: Smash It! and Where’s My Perry£¿ and more.


– Educational Apps:
Learn ABCs and 123s with educational apps including I Learn With Ocean, Dolphin Reader, Inventions 2 and Kids Planet Discovery


– Built-In Camera:
Capture moments or create movies with the 3-megapixel rear-facing camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.  In Kids mode, the camera features fun and interactive settings that let kids add stickers or costumes to photos.


– Parental Controls:
Manage a child’s tablet experience, including what content kids can access, as well as when and how long they use the tablet at one time.  In addition, you can control the transition between Standard mode and Kids mode with PIN-based access.


– Built-For-Kids Case:
Protect the lightweight, portable tablet from bumps and bruises with the colorful, easy-to-hold case available in orange.

The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids comes with access to additional content and services through Galaxy Perks, including a $10 credit for the purchase of applications, books, movies and music in Google Play; free 12-months of Boingo Mobile Wi-Fi access; 3-Month Hulu Plus Membership for new users; two years of up to 50GB of DropBox storage; and more.  Learn more about Galaxy Perks at http://www.samsung.com/us/galaxyperks.

The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids will be available for pre-order beginning Nov. 1 and in stores Nov. 10 for $229.99 at Samsung.com, Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, Office Depot, Sam’s Club, Tiger Direct and Toys “R” Us. In addition, a Galaxy Tab 3 Kids hard case bundle will be offered starting at $249.99.

Filed Under: 2013 Gift Guide Tagged With: galaxy tab, Gift guide, holiday, kids, Samsung

Stocking Stuffer Giveaway: Mutant Pollutants

October 30, 2013 by Momstart 49 Comments

I got these Mutant Pollutants to review and all I can say is that they are perfect for little boys. I’m sure little girls will like them too as some of them are pink and purple. I think they are a new collectable toy made by ZURU. It’s one of those things that Miles wouldn’t be able to live without if he saw one. Then he would take it everywhere with him and try to stick it to the wall or any surface he could find.

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Mutant Pollutants Description

Imagine this… a factory bursting with pollution suddenly contaminates innocent creatures turning them into the Mutant Pollutants.  Some are metallic, some glow and some change color with heat – but all of them have unique suction cups that attach to just about any smooth surface.  Stick them to your cup, window, lunchbox or computer.  Stick them together to wrap around your pen, bike spokes or even your backpack.  Encourages a green message, too!

We have the Toxic Waste edition.

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These crazy Pollutant’s toxic levels are off the charts and the toxins have scrambled their brains into psycho sludge! After crawling through the damp, eerie Sucker Factory sewers toxic slime, they radiate a poisonous glow-in-the-dark light!

They make the perfect stocking stuffer.

Enter to Win:

Mutant Pollutants Stocking Stuffer

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me which one is your favorite

Extra Entries:

Please use the rafflecopter and leave a way for us to verify your entry

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: 2013 Gift Guide, giveaway Tagged With: Gift guide, giveaway, stocking stuffer

Good Cook Cupcakes Carrier & Pumpkin Cupcake with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

October 26, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

I decided to spend the day making some last minute Halloween goodies and at the top of my list was a pumpkin cupcake with Pumpkin cream cheese frosting.

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Here is another Pumpkin cupcakes recipe including our Cream Cheese Frosting and we’ve included a photo of the GoodCook Cupcake carrier we received from GoodCook.

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This recipe is found at GoodCook.com.

Pumpkin Thor Dark World Cupcakes Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp Ground allspice
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Pecans, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. Tools needed: Good Cook Nonstick Muffin Pan, 12 cup

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.

3. Place flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and allspice in a large bowl, whisking to combine.

4. Place butter in the large bowl of an electric mixer. Add sugars and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add pumpkin puree, buttermilk and vanilla, beating to combine.

5. Gradually add flour, beating until batter is smooth. Add pecans and stir just to combine.

6. Spoon into prepared muffin pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 16-20 minutes.

7. Remove from heat and let cool on wire racks to room temperature before glazing.

Recipe created by Food Fanatics exclusively for Good Cook

The Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

Ingredients:

8 ounce cream cheese (room temperature)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spices

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together.

Filed Under: 2013 Gift Guide, recipe Tagged With: Christmas gift idea, cupcake carrier, Gift guide, Good Cook, Halloween, holiday gift guide, pumpkin, recipe

Why We Like The World of Eric Carle™ My First Smart Pad Library

August 31, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

We received samples our opinions are our own.

We received the World of Eric Carle™ My First Smart Pad Library and it combines eight great interactive books with a two-sided, hand-held electronic activity pad that’s perfectly sized for little hands. The eight books feature much-loved Eric Carle artwork, and focus on early learning concepts including alphabet, spelling, opposites, and rhymes, as well as animal names, behaviors, habitats, and sizes. The two-sided electronic activity pad features 51 padded letter and picture buttons that play letter names, alphabet games, animal sounds, and music. The books prompt children to press buttons while they read to bring the pages to life. The Smart Pad Library is recommended for children ages 3 to 6 and retails for $29.95 at retailers including Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, Kohl’s and Barnes & Noble. 

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Looking at the Eric Carle™ My First Smart Pad Library I was thinking about my son and daughter and what they would get out of the book. Of course there is letter recognition for Miles, you can even play games where it asks you to find the first letter of a word like dolphin. For Zoe, she can easily read all of the books already so it would help her with spelling, so I like the spelling games. If you’re children are younger closer to age three, this is a fantastic buy because they have so much to learn from it. They can learn animal sounds, opposites, colors, letters, whatever you work on with them they can learn it.

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I love the size and the feel of the buttons, I also love how it isn’t just another electronic game you also get eight books for the kids to read and spell with. Zoe’s favorite activity is to read, she could read every night. Here is a quick little video I made showing you the kids of games you can play and the sounds that it makes as you spell words with it.

 

Also, be sure to check out The World of Eric Carle on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, where they offer additional free downloadable activities, family-friendly creative projects,inspiring ideas, as well as the latest and greatest from their line of products.

Filed Under: 2013 Gift Guide, review, toy review Tagged With: Eric Carle, Gift guide, holiday, my first smart pad library

Popular British Doll & A Fabulous Girl Gift: A Girl For All Time Doll

December 22, 2012 by Momstart 11 Comments

Zoe’s going to love her birthday present this year. She already loves to play with dolls and loves fancy dresses on them and this popular British doll a Girl For All Time is all about fancy and intellect. The popular British Girl for all Time Dolls are so beautiful and stylish they’ve been featured in British Vogue! And now Amelia and Matilda have made the leap across the pond to delight American girls. I love these amazing girl dolls.

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Designed by a British boutique toy company, A Girl for All Time® is an authentic, intelligent collection of dolls and books unlike any other on the market today. The costumes are designed by trendy London fashion designer Katya Wildman and Emmy nominated costume designer, Caroline Harris (A Knight’s Tale, An Ideal Husband). The dolls are crafted using a combination of traditional hand-sculpting methods and the latest in computer technology to create a doll that looks like fine porcelain, but is in fact durable vinyl, ready for many hours of active play.

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Not only are they beautiful, they are intelligent, too! A Girl for All Time® draws on important events throughout British history, which are explored and beautifully recreated within the series by following the eldest girls in the fictional Marchmont family through 500 years of history, intrigue and adventures. The novels are written by twice-BAFTA nominated screenwriter/director, Sandra Goldbacher, and the Director of the Royal College of Art, Pete Salmi, has crafted the beautifully illustrated Keepsake books.

We received Matilda:

She’s so beautiful and had drawn eye lashes and some real ones. Her dress has beautiful details and so do her shoes. She has accessories that you can buy along with the books and diaries.

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IMG_2436She has a story of the secrets she learned while she was at court with Queen Katherine of King Henry VIII. All I can picture in my head is all the stories from The Tudors so I’m going to have to read the book that we received as well to make sure it’s ok for little girls to read. I’m sure it is, but I still want to make sure.

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Winner ‘Best Doll’ 2011 & 2012, Oppenheim ToyPortfolio ‘Platinum‘ winner,  and ‘100 of the Best Educational Toys‘, this uniquely British brand encourages intelligent, creative play for girls 6 and older. You can see Matilda and Amelia, the first two dolls in the collection, here: http://www.agirlforalltime.com/.

If it’s too late for Christmas there’s still time for Valentine’s day. What little girl doesn’t have Daddy wrapped around her little finger? This Valentine’s Day celebrate your special bond with the leading little lady in your life with a gift of the next big doll craze: A Girl for All Time.

 

We received a sample.

Filed Under: 2012 Gift Guide Tagged With: a girl for all time, british doll, Gift guide, girl's doll, holiday gift idea

Why We Do A Holiday Gift Guide

December 21, 2012 by Momstart 7 Comments

We do a holiday gift guide for charity, plain and simple. I’m not sure if those of you who read blogs understand how much work and time really goes into a review guide. Some bloggers sell the items they receive, and I could do that but I don’t need to. I’ve been blessed by God, I have a healthy family and my husband has a secure job. So I use all my energy doing a gift guide of this magnitude to benefit others. I just really get a kick out of making a difference for someone else. Take this photo for instance.

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This is a photo of a student that is learning to speak English on a tablet that I gave to my church, and they handed to a teacher they knew that was using tablet devices to teach students. I usually participate in the Tweet Drive in Seattle every year but instead this year, I donated all my toys to the YMCA. They are going to spread the toys out amongst their tree wish list and use some of them throughout the community in different projects they have going on next year. Our family picked one of the families on the tree and we had Zoe and Miles help pick out things to give to the children while my husband and I found things for the adults. It was a great project that helped encourage our children to give. Ashley also donated all the toys she received in our holiday gift guide.

We also love surprising people with gift baskets and door drops. We hope as the year goes on and into next year to continue to surprise families with gifts. It’s so exciting to see the gift of giving grow as more and more people to decide to share what they have with others. I have a friend who received pumpkins for pumpkin pie. She made two pies and gave one of the pies to someone else. It’s a gift that keeps on going. We hope as a family that we encourage others to have that attitude of giving.

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If you’re looking for a way to teach this lesson to your children I just recently came across a really cute book. It’s the The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas. The boy in the book, Sam, really wanted to open the sparkle box to see what was in it. And I laughed because as soon as we put our box together Zoe wanted to open it and find out what was in it. Like most young children, Sam is so excited about Christmas. He’s busy thinking about his Christmas list, anticipating holiday parties and puzzling over the sparkly box sitting on the mantel above the fireplace. Throughout the Christmas season, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness and service to others.  On Christmas morning, Sam finally gets to open the Sparkle Box, where he finds slips of paper recording the family’s good deeds during the holiday season.  Sam’s parents explain that the things that they’ve been doing for others are, in fact, a gift for God. This uplifting story will inspire readers to adopt this new tradition in their homes. It was a great lesson and we were able to write things down as a family to put in our sparkly box.

We did receive a copy of the book to review.

Filed Under: charity, personal Tagged With: charity, Gift guide, gifts, personal

Nerf Vortex Pyragon – The Ultimate High Capacity Foam Disc Launcher

December 8, 2012 by Momstart 6 Comments

Nerf Vortex Pyragon – The Ultimate High Capacity Foam Disc Launcher

By: Ashley

When I was little, we used to have some pretty epic Nerf wars at my house. My cousins and I would use Nerf darts, blasters, and bows to battle each other. Sometimes, my parents would even join in. Years later, my brother and his high school friends did the same thing. Even my husband kept a small Nerf supply at his desk at one of his first office jobs. Why do I share all of this? It just goes to show that Nerf blasters are fun and well loved for children (and adults) of all ages. Not to mention, Nerf blasters can create some seriously fun memories.

 

Nerf blasters have come a long way since I was a kid. When I was checking out the Nerf Vortex Pyragon, I was pretty impressed. This blaster shoots out small, circular discs. The Pyragon actually has the largest capacity of the Nerf blasters. Your massive supply of discs will keep you armed and ready to hit all of your targets.

Product Description

Shock your targets with an unstoppable swarm of rapid-fire discs! With a huge 40-disc capacity and SLAM FIRE technology that gives you total control over your rate of fire, the PYRAGON blaster is the ultimate blaster for an all-out assault! Load up and blast your way to victory with the ultimate high-capacity disc blaster!

SLAM FIRE Handle!
Slide SLAM FIRE Handle repeatedly while holding down the trigger to unleash a storm of discs.

40-Disc Drum Magazine!
40-disc drum magazine works with any magazine-fed VORTEX blaster (other blasters sold separately).

40-disc rapid SLAM FIRE!
Blast your targets with an overwhelming rapid-fire flood of long-range discs! The PYRAGON blaster features an innovative 40-disc drum that ensures you’ll have enough ammo to see almost any mission through to the end. Plus, the SLAM FIRE Handle gives you total control over your rate of fire – aim and blast one disc at a time for precision placement, or hold the trigger down and slide the handle repeatedly to unleash an unstoppable swarm of discs. You can also equip your other magazine-fed VORTEX blasters with the drum for high-capacity blasting!

Unleash a storm of discs!
VORTEX disc blasters are the cutting edge in long-range, high-powered technology. Revolutionary XLR Disc Tech hurls ultra-distance discs for the ultimate battle experience. Do you have what it takes to handle the VORTEX blasters? And now you can add high capacity to your VORTEX arsenal with the PYRAGON blaster and its 40-disc drum. This SLAM FIRE blaster lets you unleash a rapid-fire flood of discs on your target. Or you can equip your other magazine-fed VORTEX blasters (sold separately) with the high-capacity drum.

Do you have what it takes?
The PYRAGON blaster features 40-disc rapid SLAM FIRE action. Load up 40 discs in the drum, then attach it to the blaster. To activate SLAM FIRE, just hold down the trigger, and slide the SLAM FIRE Handle repeatedly to unleash a nonstop stream of discs. The 40-disc drum also works with any magazine-fed VORTEX blaster (other blasters sold separately). The PYRAGON blaster also includes 40 bright-orange discs.

What’s In The Box?
PYRAGON blaster, 40-disc drum magazine, 40 bright-orange discs and instructions.

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When I took the Pyragon out of the box, I really like how sturdy it felt. Sometimes you feel like your toy is going to break if you accidentally push the wrong button, but that’s not the case. Even better, the 40 disc magazine is super easy to load. If you’re doing a lot of running and jumping while you’re playing, the Pyragon might be a little big. Even though it’s a pretty large toy though, it’s not very heavy which is definitely a good thing.

Any kid, and many adults, would be thrilled to have a Nerf Vortex of their own. Who knows? Maybe you need a Nerf blaster of your own!

About Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010

Disclosure – A product was provided to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: 2012 Gift Guide Tagged With: Gift guide, nerf, nerf vortex pyragon, ultimate high capacity foam disc launcher

Playskool Heroes: Spider-Man Flip-Out Stunt Buggy

December 7, 2012 by Momstart 5 Comments

Playskool Heroes Spider-Man Flip-Out Stunt Buggy

By: Ashley

There really is something innate about most boys that draws them to the trucks, tractors, and cars. When you add a cool looking superhero to the mix, it just makes it even better. Atticus actually got a Spider-Man Flip-Out Stunt Buggy for his birthday back in June, so when I saw another one in the box of toys to donate, I knew I had to make sure I featured it.

clip_image002My boy is one of those boys who loves anything with wheels and this Spider-Man “truck” (as he calls it), is no exception. To be honest, when he first got it on his second birthday, it didn’t make his list of top toys. I think that’s really because he was still a little young for it. He didn’t quite have the motor skills to get Spider-Man on the buggy (he can stand on the outside thanks to a magnetic foot hold) and couldn’t really get the hang of flipping the car to make it go. That makes sense though, especially since the recommended age bracket for this toy is 3-6 years old. Now, not even six months later, he could play with this for a long time and not get bored.

 

So what are the great things about the Spider-Man Flip-Out Stunt Buggy? I like the flip and roll concept. It may sound unrealistic, but they have done a great job designing this buggy to be an acrobatic stunt car. Even with Spider-Man inside, it can do a nice flip on the road and then keep on going. I also love the Spider-Man can actually stand on the outside of the car. I can’t forget to mention that with a suggested retail price of just $12.99 it’s a super cool toy that won’t break the bank.

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With the popularity of comic book characters these days, and the unavoidable love of things that go, the Spider-Man Stunt Buggy is definitely a good option for preschool and young school age kids.

About Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010

Disclosure – A product was provided to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: 2012 Gift Guide Tagged With: Gift guide, Hasbro, heroes, holiday toys, Playskool, Spider-man, stunt buggy, toy review

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