• Home
  • About MomStart
  • Contact Me
  • Today’s Topic
  • Savings
  • Disclosure/Terms of Use
  • Cart
  • Purchases

MomStart

Forget the Mommy Guilt, it's a new day

  • Tech The Halls Holiday Gift Guide 2020
  • Movies
  • Travel
  • Tech
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
You are here: Home / Archives for Holiday Guide 2010

Disney Holiday Book Gift Guide List

November 2, 2010 by Momstart 2 Comments

Do you have someone on your list that’s a fan of Classic Disney characters? (Who doesn’t love Mickey, Pooh, the Princesses, or Woody and Buzz?) Or you may know a video game enthusiast or an adventure-seeker anxiously awaiting our new holiday film releases Tron and Tangled.  What about a young Greek demi-god excited to return to Camp Half-Blood… or that teen obsessed with all things fanged and fabulous?

We received two books from Disney Publishing Worldwide. I’m still planning on doing a separate review for each book, but let me tell you: Rapunzel’s Amazing Hair and Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas are two winners so far. Zoe already knows all the words to Rapunzel’s Amazing Hair.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH DISNEY MAGIC!
clip_image001
Christmas in the Time of Billy Lee
by Jerdine Nolen
Disney Jump at the Sun
ISBN: 078681871; Ages: 4-7; Price: $16.99
Publication Date :September 14, 2010
In this magic-filled Christmas tale, Ellie brings joy back to her town by believing in miracles.

clip_image002

A Royal Christmas
by Lisa Ann Marsoli
Disney Press
ISBN: 1423131428; Ages: 3-7; Price: $12.99
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
These four Christmas-themed stories star Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, and Tiana.
From crackling fires and snowy sleigh rides to beachside gatherings and New Orleans feasts, each princess does Christmas her own way.

clip_image003
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
Read-Along Storybook and CD
Disney Press
ISBN: 1423134281; Ages: 3-7; Price: $6.99
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
It’s Christmastime and Belle brings some holiday cheer to the castle in this wonderful storybook and CD.
Readers can follow along with the story as Belle and the enchanted objects deck the halls, search for just the right tree, and try to give the Beast a perfect Christmas!

STORYTIME FOR YOUNG READERS!

clip_image004
The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh
A Classic Disney Treasury
Disney Press
ISBN: 1423138473; Ages: 3-6; Price: $19.99
Publication Date: September 7, 2010
Among the favorite bedtime stories of Walt Disney’s own children were A.A. Milne’s tales of a round bear named Winnie the Pooh.
The stories from all the classic movies have been collected together in this gorgeous treasury perfect for sharing.

clip_image005
Disney Princess Bedtime Stories
Disney Press
ISBN: 1423124960; Ages: 3+; Price: $15.99
Publication Date: November 9, 2010
This storybook collection is filled with eighteen delightful stories featuring the Disney Princesses.
With over 250 beautiful illustrations and gilded pages, this charming collection will have little girls drifting off to sleep with visions of their favorite princesses in their heads.

clip_image006

Terrible Terrel
by Whoopi Goldberg
Disney Jump at the Sun
ISBN: 1423120825; Ages: 8-10; Price: $16.99
Publication Date: October 5, 2010
In this fourth entry in the best-selling series, it’s the Sugar Plum Sisters versus Tiara Girl – Terrel’s ballet nemesis!
Check out the other books in Whoopi Goldberg’s Sugar Plum Ballerina series!
Plum Fantastic; Toeshoe Trouble; Perfectly Prima

 

 

 

clip_image007

Clementine, Friend of the Week
by Sara Pennypacker
Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: 1423113551; Ages: 7-10; Price: $14.99
Publication Date: July 27, 2010
Clementine learns the true meaning of friendship in this fourth entry in the bestselling series!
Check out the other books in the Clementine series!
Clementine; The Talented Clementine; Clementine’s Letter

 

 

 

clip_image008
Super Chicken Nugget Boy Vs. Dr. Ned-Grant and His Eggplant Army
by Josh Lewis
Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: 1423115295; Ages: 7-11; Price: $16.99
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
Behr Lahr Elementary is about to be thrown into chaos by a mad food scientist and an army of evil eggplants.
Villainous vegetables beware! Here comes the most formidable food fighter in history!
Check out the book that started it all!
Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Furious Fry

 

 

IDEAL PICKS FOR TEENS AND TWEENS!

clip_image009
The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 142311339X; Ages: 10+; Price: $18.99
Publication Date: October 12, 2010
Rick Riordan, the best-selling author of the Percy Jackson series, pumps up the action and suspense in The Lost Hero, the first book in The Heroes of Olympus series.
Fans of demi-gods, prophesies, and quests will be left breathless – and panting for Book Two.
Also check out Rick Riordan’s other series – Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Kane Chronicles!

 

 

clip_image010
Blue Bloods: Misguided Angel
by Melissa de la Cruz
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423121287; Ages: 12+; Price: $16.99
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
The fanged and fabulous fifth book in the New York Times best-selling Blue Bloods series!
Be sure to read the other books in the hit Blue Bloods series!
Blue Bloods; Masquerade; Revelations; The Van Alen Legacy; Keys to the Repository

 

 

 

clip_image011

The Ring of Solomon: A Bartimaeus Novel
by Jonathan Stroud
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423123727; Ages: 10+; Price: $17.99
Publication Date: November 2, 2010
Bartimaeus, everyone’s favorite (wise-cracking) djinni, is back in book four of this best-selling series!
Check out the other books in the best-selling Bartimaeus series!
The Amulet of Samarkand; The Golem’s Eye; Ptolemy’s Gate

 

 

 

 

clip_image012
The Exiled Queen: A Seven Realms Novel
by Cinda Williams Chima
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423118243; Ages: 12+; Price: $17.99
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
A riveting new installment in the epic Seven Realms series!
The Exiled Queen is an epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.
Also check out The Demon King, the first book in Cinda Williams Chima’s Seven Realms series!
JUST IN TIME FOR WALT DISNEY STUDIOS’ ANTICIPATED FILM TANGLED!

clip_image013
Rapunzel’s Amazing Hair
by Kiki Thorpe

Disney Press
ISBN: 1423128184; Ages: 4+; Price: $15.99
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
With fun, simple rhymes and vibrant illustrations by Claire Keane, one of the film’s animators, this jacketed picture book focuses on the funny and amazingly unexpected things Rapunzel does with her long, golden tresses.

clip_image014
Rapunzel’s Journal: Letting Down My Hair
by Calliope Glass
Disney Press
ISBN: 1423137019; Ages: 6+; Price: $12.99
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
Rapunzel gives readers a glimpse inside her world in this 32-page deluxe storybook with the call-out elements of a scrapbook.

ATTENTION COMIC LOVERS!

clip_image015
Hey, Where’s Perry?
by John Green
Disney Press
ISBN: 1423127811; Ages: 8-12; Price: $4.99
Publication Date: October 12, 2010
Thrill as Perry the Platypus faces his most dangerous nemesis yet – the rogue rabbit known only as Dennis!
As Phineas and Ferb create their own X-Ray glasses, Agent P must bring the bad bunny to justice.
Find out in this early comic reader packed with over 300 eye-popping images straight from the show!

clip_image016
The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel
By Rick Riordan and Robert Venditti
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423116968; Ages: 10+; Price: $19.99
Publication Date: October 12, 2010
You’ve read the book. You’ve seen the movie. Now submerge yourself in the thrilling, stunning, and action-packed graphic novel!
Series creator Rick Riordan joins forces with some of the biggest names in the comic book industry to tell the story of a boy who must unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

clip_image017
The Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus Graphic Novel
By Jonathan Stroud and Andrew Donkin
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 142311146X; Ages: 10+; Price: $19.99
Publication Date: November 2, 2010
Jonathan Stroud, along with acclaimed comic book writer Andrew Donkin and artists Lee Sullivan and Nicolas Chapuis, turns the beloved and internationally best-selling first book in the Bartimaeus trilogy into a spellbinding graphic novel sure to excite and delight fans across all magical planes.

clip_image018
Tron: The Betrayal Graphic Novel
by Jae Nitz
Disney Press
ISBN: 142313463X; Ages: 13+; Price: $9.99
Publication Date: November 16, 2010
This 128-page graphic novel prequel will bridge the story between the first Tron film from 1982 and the upcoming Walt Disney Studios’ film, Tron: Legacy.
The graphic novel will be a must-have for both fans of the original movie as well as people whoa re curious about the world and its characters.

BOXED SETS OF POPULAR SERIES!

clip_image019
Percy Jackson Complete Series Boxed Set
by Rick Riordan
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 142314189X; Ages: 10+; Price: $89.99
Publication Date: May 25, 2010
The complete Percy Jackson & the Olympians series in hardcover, this is a perfect gift for Percy fans, as well as readers just discovering this epic and blockbuster adventure!

clip_image020

Artemis Fowl 3-Book Boxed Set
by Eoin Colfer
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423136810; Ages: 10+; Price: $19.99
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
For holiday 2010, fans will be treated to the first three Artemis Fowl books – Artemis Fowl, The Arctic Incident, and The Eternity Code – in a paperback boxed set, featuring  stunning new covers and specially-priced.

clip_image021
Gallagher Girls 3-Book Boxed Set
by Ally Carter
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423136799; Ages: 11+; Price: $24.99
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
The first three books in the New York Times best-selling series is now available in one top-secret boxed set!
Join CIA legacy Cammie Morgan and her fellow spies-in-training as they take their covert talents from the classroom to the field.

 

 

clip_image022
Bartimaeus Trilogy Boxed Set
by Jonathan Stroud
Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423136829; Ages: 10+; Price: $24.99
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
Jonathan Stroud’s critically-acclaimed and best-selling fantasy novels are sure to become classics. For the first time, readers can collect the complete trilogy in paperback, handsomely packaged and specially priced.

GIFTS FOR DISNEY FANS OF ALL AGES!


clip_image023

The Art of Tron: Legacy
by Justin Springer
Disney Edition
ISBN: 1423131495; Ages: All; Price: $40.00
Publication Date: October 19, 2010
Just in time for the film to hit theatres, discover the sci-fi magic behind Tron: Legacy in this beautifully designed book that looks at both the production and art of the anticipated movie.

clip_image024

The Pixar Treasures
by Tim Hauser
Disney Edition
ISBN: 1423116534; Ages: All; Price: $60.00
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
From Woody to WALL*E, The Pixar Treasures showcases the best in computer animation, complete with meticulously created removable memorabilia. The Pixar Treasures is an essential collector’s item for every Pixar fan.

clip_image025

The Archive Series: Design
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Disney Edition
ISBN: 1423134206; Ages: All; Price: $50.00
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
Whether it consists of quick sketches on a lunch counter napkin, elaborate paintings in oils or watercolors, or dazzling computer renderings, the unparalleled creative process of Disney artists is lavishly showcased in Design, the third volume of The Walt Disney Animation Studios.

 

 

We received two books in exchange for sharing this list with you.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide Tagged With: Book list, Disney Holiday Book list, Disney World Publishing, Holiday Guide 2010

The Robot Book

November 1, 2010 by Momstart 139 Comments

 

Miles received a copy of The Robot Book and just loves to look at it. I mean this is coming from the boy whose room is decorated in robot decorations from top to bottom but still he loves to look at it. He’s been pretty good at sharing it with his sister. I accepted this review purely on the fact that I know how much my son adores robots. His favorite movie is Astro Boy, He could watch it all day every day. We even watched it today. Now he’s loving this book. It’s quite fun to play with and learn how gears work. Each page is a different robot part and there are pieces that he can move and interact with. It’s not much of a story, but he can’t read anyways. The Robot Book retails for 16.99 and I think it would make a great gift, Holiday or not.

This robot has two eyes, two arms, and two legs, but what really makes him tick? Inside The Robot Book, Heather Brown answers that question with an interactive story that will enchant tinkerers of all ages. The working—and moving—gears, cogs, nuts, and bolts mounted on each beautifully illustrated spread will keep little fingers busy and imaginations engaged as the charming story reveals the secret behind what really makes the robot tick.

The Robot Book is a unique way to introduce children to one of life’s most important lessons: It’s what’s on the inside that counts. With striking artwork, interactive components, and a poignant message, it’s impossible not to fall in love with The Robot Book. Perfect for year-round gift giving!

 

 

RobotBook3D

Enter To Win:

Three (3) winners will receive:

  • a copy of THE ROBOT BOOK

To Enter:

Visit The Robot Book and share your thoughts on the book in a comment here.

Extra Entries:

RT this post and include the link to the post (make sure that the link shows up or it won’t count)

Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway)

This giveaway ends November 15th! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, giveaway Tagged With: Holiday Guide 2010, The Robot Book

Toys R Us Top Toy List and Holiday Toy Trends

November 1, 2010 by Momstart 1 Comment

As children begin to write their letters to Santa, and parents start to prepare their own plans for holiday shopping, Toys“R”Us today announced the top four toy trends expected to influence kids’ wish lists and gift-givers’ purchasing decisions this season. Representative of the trends are toys that epitomize collectible cuteness, some of the best international playthings making their U.S. debut, the ascent to18-inch dolls and a resurgence in the popularity of trains. This year’s toy trends were identified after year-long observations of the latest innovative toy introductions at the company’s stores in 34 countries and jurisdictions and an extensive review of data gathered by the Toys“R”Us team of global merchants. 

Cute, Cool, Collectible

Whether offering an adorable, endearing appeal or a “cool” factor that makes children want to share with friends, collectibles that come in various styles and characters are driving kid crazes and are sure to top holiday wish lists. The buzz surrounding toys that offer a magical combination of cute, cool and collectible and spur a “gotta have ‘em all” excitement kicked off with the popularity of Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters in 2009 and the Silly Bandz craze this summer. The trend has continued, as kids seek toys they can collect and swap with peers. The following toys are some of the best representatives of the Cute, Cool, Collectible trend:

squinkies· Squinkies™ from blip® toys: These hugely popular, new squishy mini-figures are available in hundreds of styles, ranging from cats and monkeys to princesses and puppies, and come packaged in tiny plastic bubbles mimicking the vending machine surprises that kids love.  Additional accessories and playsets are also available in the expansive Squinkies line, providing children with even more ways to play with their collectible cuties.

Singamajigs1· Sing-a-ma-jigs!™ from Mattel®: These irresistible, quirky plush characters are singing their way into the hearts of kids of all ages. With more than six characters to choose from, and several more to be released soon, anyone interested in an offbeat melody can squeeze the bellies on each of these plush creatures to hear its favorite song, including “Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone,” “When the Saints Go Marching In” and more.

Zoobles

· Zoobles! from Spin Master™: With hundreds of Zoobles from which to choose, kids are clamoring for their favorite customizable, collectible spheres that come with stickers and playsets for added play value. Curled up in little balls, Zoobles spring to life when placed in their “Happitats,” transforming into cute and vibrantly colorful characters whose eyes blink when their heads are pressed.

Zhu Zhu· ZhuZhu Pets® Hamsters from Cepia: The Zhu-niverse™ is expanding and now includes five new varieties of robotic hamsters from which to choose. Including ZhuZhu Rock Stars with their Mohawk hairstyles and funky patterns; the ZhuZhu Wild Bunch comprised of a bunny, hedgehog, skunk and more; ZhuZhu Princess™ hamsters that feature rich colors, royal insignia marks and magic keys to unlock sounds and music; and the Kung Zhu™ clan consisting of Ninja Warriors and Special Forces that come with battle armor, there are 50 different characters in all. Each of the more than three-dozen characters has a unique color and special trademark symbol on its back.

Calico Critters· Calico Critters from International Playthings: The bite-size bunnies, chipmunks, kittens and dozens more woodland critters that make up Cloverleaf Corner Community are flying off store shelves.  Kids are snapping up their favorite mini figures to construct a town in which all of their Calico Critters are joined together. With elaborate play sets such as a four-room, two-story Luxury Townhouse and more to choose from, the options for creativity are endless. 

It’s a Toy, Toy, Toy, Toy World!

No matter where children live, their interests often transcend geography. And through the growth of social media and YouTube, today’s kids are able to share those interests instantaneously with their counterparts on other continents, inspiring global excitement. The Toys“R”Us team of global merchants works year-round to identify products that are most popular among children all over the world. Below are just some of the playthings that have captured kids’ imaginations abroad that are now available in the U.S. at all Toys“R”Us stores nationwide:

Tomica Car 2Die-Cast Licensed Cars from TOMY® (Japan): For more than eight decades, TOMY has developed and manufactured highly innovative and quality die-cast cars and trains. Kids and collectors of all ages will love the broad selection of 1:64-scale, officially licensed die-cast cars now available at Toys“R”Us, from which they can choose a Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki or Toyota.

CicciobelloCicciobello Doll from Giochi Preziosi (Italy): After years of success in Italy, this huggable baby doll is debuting in the U.S. for the first time this fall at Toys“R”Us and requests the love and care of nurturing little ones who want to mimic mom and dad. SmartTrike1

Ladybug Smart Trike from SmarTrike (Israel): Whether going on a stroll or learning how to ride a tricycle, little ones will love this red and black-themed three-in-one tricycle that first made its mark in Israel before finding a new home at Toys“R”Us stores in the U.S. Featuring a full metal frame, adjustable handle for parents’ convenience and a built-in clutch to switch control of the vehicle between the parent and child, the Smart Trike is the perfect ride-along item for any growing boy or girl.

Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey from WOW! Stuff™ (UK): This December, stateside kids will have tons of fun with this shoulder-sitting robotic monkey – one of Great Britain’s hottest toys and a YouTube favorite – when it becomes available exclusively at all Toys“R”Us stores in the U.S. This cute and interactive crowd-pleaser has a gesture or sound for every occasion, which can be controlled by a pocket-sized remote.

Dolls Ascending to New Heights

Dolls featuring 18-inch frames, and with captivating stories to tell, have been earning the affection of little girls seeking to bring home a new “friend.” Much of the appeal behind these larger-scale dolls can be attributed to the way children are able to relate to the backgrounds and characteristics each of them possesses. From dolls that are royal and regal, to others that travel the world, each represents a type of young lady that little girls “dream” to become, and with whom they can create and share adventures of their own. Following are just a few of the doll collections that are ascending to new heights this season:

Princess & Me· Disney® Princess & Me™ dolls from JAKKS Pacific®: Disney Princess fans can now share royal adventures with these five 18-inch dolls, selecting the princess with whom they identify most – choosing from Ariel, Tiana, Belle, Cinderella and Aurora. Introduced earlier this month, these dolls feature sweet faces, silky hair, tiaras and detailed, signature gowns. Girls can even purchase replicas of each ball gown to match their favorite Princess.

JourneyGirl_18inDoll_group4 1· Journey Girls from Toys“R”Us®: Featuring fresh faces, stylish apparel and trendy accessories, these four 18-inch soft-bodied dolls offer kids a “friend” to bring home that they can relate to. Little girls can select the doll that most inspires them, choosing from Alana who has traveled to Rome to explore the arts; Meredith who is always looking for exciting new places to ski and hopes to vacation in the Alps; Callie whose dream is a shopping spree in London’s West End; and Taryn who aspires to someday perform at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Best Friends Club1· Best Friends Club, Ink. Dolls from MGA Entertainment®: Kids can join the Best Friends Club Ink. to share secrets, fun and friendship. Each of the five 18-inch dolls features cool outfits and highly detailed characteristics that will have little girls intrigued by their unique personalities. Selecting from Addison, the sporty and bubbly BFC, Ink. event coordinator; Calista, the math wiz and club treasurer who gives great advice; Kaitlin, the club’s earth-friendly, artsy designer and newest member; Aliesha, the club chair person and confident, natural leader; and Noelle, Aliesha’s shy, sweet twin sister who dreams of becoming a veterinarian, kids can explore each of the dolls’ backgrounds by logging online to BFCInk.com. The dolls come complete with a fashion-forward wardrobe, BFC Membership Card, BFC, Ink. Journal Book and more.

FAO Doll - Dancer· Classic Doll Collection from FAO Schwarz: Boasting exquisite craftsmanship, each of the four 18-inch dolls in this collection represent the characteristics of unique young ladies – Tess, a ballerina; Nina, a pop star; Avery, an equestrian; and Claudia, a school girl. Whether girls choose Tess with her detailed white swan lake dress with headpiece and bouquet, Nina who dons a fashionable sparkly top, leggings, flats, sunglasses and microphone, Avery with her horse-riding outfit (jeans and plaid top), boots and helmet, or Claudia who is dressed in a plaid skirt, sweater, knee-socks, Mary Jane shoes and backpack, they’re sure to enjoy hours of role play.

Trains on Track to Make a Comeback

Trains have been a mainstay plaything for generations of kids and kids at heart, but this year, they’re experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Spanning various levels of intricacy, many of the train sets available for the 2010 holiday season are already chugging off store shelves. Even Warren Buffett bought himself a brand-new train set – actually, three. The industrialist investor recently snapped up multiple U.S. rail systems for $4 billion. For young train enthusiasts, below is a selection of train sets that can be found at Toys“R”Us for a much more affordable price tag:

· Road and Rails Train Set from TOMY®: The trains in the Tomica line that are making their U.S. debut this fall at Toys“R”Us are direct decedents of TOMY’s iconic Pla-Rail toy train system, which was introduced in Japan in 1959. This particular Road and Rails set is sure to get kids started on their very own train conductor adventures.

Chuggington· Chuggington™ Roundhouse Playset from Learning Curve®: Based on the fun, animated television series for preschoolers, this lights and sounds playset is the perfect Chuggington trainees’ “home.” Featuring four engine bays and a rotating launcher with turntable, kids can rotate the launcher and eject the die-cast train engines – including everyone’s favorite character, Koko – onto the circle of track when adventure calls.

Geotrax Christmas Train· Geotrax™ Transportation System Christmas in Toy Town RC Set from Fisher-Price®: All aboard for a Christmas of WOWs with this Toys“R”Us exclusive radio-controlled train set, designed for the smallest engineers. Featuring more than 20 pieces of interchangeable Snap-Lock™ track, children can create a traditional cityscape or add holiday cheer to Toy Town by making the train travel around the Christmas tree. Kids can even display miniature wreaths and trees around town while Christmas music plays from both the train and controller.

Thomas Mountain Adventure· Thomas & Friends® Thomas’ Mountain Adventure by MEGA Bloks®: Even the tiniest engineers can join Thomas and Percy on an adventure on the Island of Sodor with this 160-piece, Toys“R”Us exclusive construction set. Kids can build Sodor Island to their liking while Thomas and Percy carry passengers and supplies, traveling through tunnels, passing by the water tower and going over the bridge. Children can even use an elevator to bring Thomas to new heights or hit the track switch to move Thomas or Percy into Tidmouth Shed for a relaxing break. All of the pieces can fit into the included storage table.

Tomica Hyper City· Tomica Hypercity Mega Station Set from TOMY®: Kids can ride the rails around Hypercity with this fully automated, Toys“R”Us exclusive train set that mimics the action of a bustling station, as they outfit their city with paved roads, trees, parking spaces and lampposts, as well as a convenience store, or the Tomikid figure, all included. As the train pulls into the terminal, cars yield at the railroad crossing to wait for the train to stop. Once the train resumes speed, traffic automatically begins to move again. Children can even switch the station into manual mode to control the action.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide Tagged With: Christmas Suggestions, Disney, Geotrax, Holiday Guide 2010, Priness, Thomas and Friends, Toy Guide, Toys R Us

The Walmart Top Toy List Shop and Save

November 1, 2010 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Later this week, Walmart is launching the ultimate in-store and online resource for toys, with a toy catalog that identifies a wide assortment of some of this year’s favored toys and brand.  For the 71%* of moms relying on websites to find the “perfect” gift, Walmart will launch a dedicated section online for Top Toys at www.walmart.com/toptoys featuring toy demos and customer ratings and reviews.

Walmart worked with parents and suppliers throughout the year to identify its final list of Top Toys. The selection delivers on current toy trends highlighting educational and aspirational toys, toys based on popular licenses, and board games for fun-packed family nights. Savings and Rollbacks on Walmart’s Top Toys include: 

image· Zhu Zhu Pet or Kung Zhu Hamsters ($8; Was $9)

· U-Build Monopoly ($15; Was $18)

· Baby Alive Baby All Gone ($19; Was $24.88)

· Paper Jamz Guitar ($19.87; Was $23.87)

· Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory ($25; Was $29.96)

· Loopz Game ($25; Was $29.98)

· LEGO Games Creationary ($29; Was $34.97)

· Toy Story 3 Talking Woody, Jessie or Blast Off Buzz Lightyear Dolls ($29 each; Was $34.97)

· Holiday Barbie Doll ($35; Was $39.98)

· Hide-and-Seek JoJo Interactive Bunny ($39.96; Was $44.88)

· Nerf N-Strike Stampede ($44; $49.97)

· FurReal Friends GoGo My Walkin’ Pup ($49; Was $54)

· Matchbox Stinky the Garbage Truck ($49; Was $54.97)

· Air Hogs Hawk Eye Radio Control Camera Helicopter ($49; Was $59.97)

· Spy Net Video Watch ($49.97)

· Barbie Video Girl Doll ($49.98)

· VTech V.Reader Animated E-Book System ($54; $59.96)

· Leapster Explorer Learning Experience ($59; Was $69.97)

· BigFoot The Monster ($88; Was $97)

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide Tagged With: Holiday Guide 2010, Paper Jamz, Top Toy list, Walmart

Holiday Gift Idea Rokenbok Blocks Rok Works Construction and Action Toy

October 28, 2010 by Momstart 277 Comments

imageLong time readers will know that I used to manage a boutique before I had children. In that store we sold upscale toys and clothing, along with all kinds of baby and children’s items. I learned a lot about products before I had children myself so I felt pretty prepared on what we needed and didn’t need. Yeah, I learned even more once we actually had kids. Anyways, Rokenbok is one of the brands that I had quite a bit of experience with. We had a set in the store that was for the kids to play with. Just to make sure that pieces didn’t walk off it was behind a glass and the kids could play with the remote controls to move the balls around with the trucks. Once you purchase it, imagethen at home you get to build the set, the conveyer belt and then  use the truck to move the balls around.

What is new to me is the Rokenbok Blocks. These Blocks are for kids that are a bit younger than the ones using the Rokenbok Advanced RC Sets. In fact, even Miles age 2 greatly enjoyed playing with the Rokenbok Rok Blocks. This smaller set is geared to ages 3 – 6 and the age range is perfect. Miles was just a bit too young but he still loves trying and playing with his sister. They spent a few days making airplanes cars and houses, before we even opened the other set Rokenbok sent us to review.

image

Rokenbok Blocks are made for kids just learning how to put building blocks together. The cone shaped tops guide the pieces into alignment and lock them into place. The building blocks are also very easy for the children to take apart and rebuild. Rokenbok Blocks keep Zoe and Miles’s attention for a longer period of time because after the building is done they can have imaginative play with what they created. The set we received included a person to sit in the house, car or airplane.

Rokenbok contacted me and asked if we wanted to do this review. I didn’t have to think about it for very long because having a husband that loves imagebuilding things with the kids I knew it would be loved by everyone! You can even see me in the photo to the left building some kind of car with Miles.

The Rokenbok line of toys is broken into 4 levels of play with increasing levels of challenge. The first level is the Rokenbok Rok Blocks and Deluxe Rock Blocks See ROK Blocks and  Deluxe ROK Blocks for details

The second level is also for ages 3 plus it is called the Preschool RC. The goal of playing with Rokenbok is to have children learn how to invent their own real, working buildings.  That’s why the remote control vehicles are so important; they are tough, precise real working equipment that give children reasons to create.  As your Rokenbok collection grows, your child can invent a bridge to drive across, a custom trailer to be towed, a loading dock where truck and monorail exchange Rokenbokcargo, even an entire factory that receives, sorts, stores, and dispenses. Their remote control (retails for 34.99) for their RC products was created with the ability to control multiple cars. There is a switch on the remote allowing you to go between vehicles saving parents a bit of money when they make the jump from Preschool to Full Featured (stage 3) and Advanced (stage 4) easy.

imageWe also received the Rokenbok Construction and Action Set from Rokenbok. This set is geared towards age six and up and retails for about 129.99. We opened it and let the kids play with it. Andrew and I helped them build the  factory where the balls can be loaded and then unloaded.

I would say the only negative to Rokenbok in general is the price point. It is a bit high in my opinion but it is a hearty toy with a lifetime warranty. Letting Miles play with the RC Truck and the remote made me quite nervous buy my husband and I both quickly noticed that it was going to take a lot more than Miles misusing the truck for it to break. So I would say they are an investment that will last your child’s entire childhood. image

What has two microprocessors, three motors, working headlights and four-wheel drive? The Rokenbok Loader, of course! Rokenbok remote control machines are tough, real working equipment.  They are built for rough play, crashes, and spills. This is is not an ordinary remote control toy, but a precise and very rugged ROK Star controlled robot. ROK Star machines are smart too. They won’t interfere with each other so that you can add as many ROK Star machines and controllers as you want to your Rokenbok world.

Check Rokenbok Special Deals for money saving specials throughout the year.

Enter To Win:

The same two sets!

To Enter:

Visit Rokenbok and tell me which set would be most valuable to your family and tell me why.

Extra Entries:

RT this post and include the link to the post and Follow me on twitter
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Comment on any other non-giveaway post
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar.

This giveaway ends November 15th, I received a product as compensation! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, giveaway Tagged With: Holiday Guide 2010, Rok Works Construction and Action, Rokenbok Blocks, Toy giveaway

This Christmas Enjoy Disney’s The Search For Santa Paws Nov 23rd.

October 28, 2010 by Momstart Leave a Comment

SearchFor_SantaPawsBlurayCombo sm

On November 23rd, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment kicks off the holiday season with the release of THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS on Blu-ray & DVD! A heartwarming prequel to 2009’s Santa Buddies, this film reveals how the legendary friendship between Santa Claus and Santa Paws began. Bonus material includes a Sing-a-Long mode, deleted scenes, and more!

The film follows in the tradition of Disney’s classic holiday tales with a heartwarming story about the power of giving and the true meaning of Christmas.  An exciting prequel, the movie allows kids of all ages to discover how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began – as it is the inspiring original film (in a timeline it precedes 2009’s Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws).
In the movie, when Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City.  But after Santa loses his memory, it’s up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn (America’s Got Talent’s Kaitlyn Maher), her new friend Will (The Game Plan’s Madison Pettis) and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about.  Do you believe in Santa Paws?  Experiencing this sure-to-be holiday classic, full of fun, adventure and a carrying the timeless messages of the holidays, with surely delight the entire family!

Filed Under: Announcement Tagged With: Gift guide, Holiday Guide 2010, movie announcement, Santa Paws

Miles Laughs and Loves Stinky the Matchbox Garbage Truck

October 27, 2010 by Momstart 6 Comments

IMG_5545

Matchbox® is set to put the jolly into gift-giving this season with Stinky The Garbage Truck™ — the newest addition to the renowned collection of adventurous, innovative toys that capture boys’ heroic imaginations.

Stinky the Garbage Truck retails for 59.99 and at first I’m thinking that’s expensive for a toy for a little boy. Well, when you consider Christmas it’s not so expensive. But also, check out what all Stinky The Garbage Truck and do and he comes with a cartoon series on DVD.

On the heels of last season’s award-winning Rocky the Robot Truck is the new larger-than-life interactive truck that breaks new ground in vehicle play, Stinky The Garbage Truck™! Packed with loads of personality, Stinky is sure to be every boy’s best friend, providing hours of talking, singing and joke-telling entertainment. 

Features of Matchbox Stinky the Garbage Truck:

  • Sound Activation
  • Motion Sensor
  • Direction Sensor
  • Container Sensor
  • Belly Sensor
  • Speakers and Motorized Movement

IMG_5546Stinky the Garbage Truck delights Miles. He could hardly wait for us to get him out of the package. Then when we did he set to playing with him right away. He didn’t need any help figuring out that his other cars could fit inside of Stinky. Stinky is part of the Big Rig Buddies and there is a Stinky and Pals DVD included with Stinky the Garbage Truck. Zoe and Miles both liked the DVD. There were a few different episodes. In one there was a lesson about telling the truth, and I got a kick out of it because it actually taught a lesson. So many cartoons now don’t even teach right from wrong, what is wrong with the world? Cartoons aren’t teaching anymore, so I’m happy that Matchbox had the decency to put in a life lesson there. The other lesson the kids seemed to pick up on was cooperation. We’re teaching Miles the meaning of Cooperating with Mommy and Daddy during the bed time routine and this was a great reiteration for him.

 

First and foremost, Stinky is a real working garbage truck that boys can drive around, load and unload. Stinky keeps boys engaged by asking questions, initiating sing-a-longs, exercising, playing games and he even has a couple of silly surprises that are sure to make kids laugh out loud. With more than 80 phrases, various movements and sounds Stinky™ offers the ultimate in open-ended play.

Miles Took Stinky with him everywhere for a day. I didn’t let him take it outside into the neighborhood for fear that he would get broken but I think he’s heartier than I give him credit for, Stinky The Garbage truck that is. Miles really likes this truck and I recommend it as a Holiday Gift for a child. I’m not going to limit it to a boy because Zoe loves playing with Stinky as well.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, review Tagged With: Christmas Gift Guide, Holiday Guide 2010, Matchbox, Stinky, toy review

Holiday Gift Idea Use BookSmart to create a Blurb Bookify Giveaway (10 Winners)

October 22, 2010 by Momstart 171 Comments

Bookify - A Mothers Album bookWhen Zoe was born in 2007 I knew that Christmas that the best gift I could give would be lasting memories to the whole family. So I created a book on-line and sent one to all of the parents and grand parents I have. I still feel that photo books make excellent gifts and am happy to bring you Bookify. Blurb created Bookify to meet the needs of the parents like me, because creating books can also be a great way to save all of those school projects over the year. Winking smile I’ll be making a book this year at Blurb!

BookSmart® is Blurb’s award-winning software that’s perfect for richer projects. The free, downloadable bookmaking app delivers the ideal mix of pre-designed layouts and text support with the ability to fully customize your book.

Blurb’s PDF to Book tool gives professional users full creative control over the bookmaking process by enabling them to use Adobe® InDesign® or their preferred design software. Blurb offers blank Adobe® InDesign® templates tailored for use with all of the company’s book sizes, papers, and cover types.

Blurb Bookify - A Day with Dad bookAll Blurb customers have access to Blurb’s free suite of tools to share and sell their books, including Blurb BookShow®, which enables bookmakers to let friends and fans flip through their book on their blog, website, or Facebook page.

Bookify offers users a streamlined experience by presenting a selection of Blurb’s most popular layouts, themes, and fonts in an online bookmaking tool that requires no download.

Online Ease and Portability

  • No need to download anything
  • Work on your book from more than one computer
  • Use images stored on Flickr® or on your computer

A Range of the Most Popular Book Styles and Layouts

  • Pre-designed layouts to edit and personalize – or just drag and drop images onto the page and it will design itself
  • Elegant, fun, or classic themes – you choose the look you like
  • Multiple background colors and borders
  • Make books up to 160 pages

Creative Options

  • More than 20 fonts to choose from
  • Autofit, zoom, crop, or rotate images; supports JPEG images up to 10MB
  • Full-bleed and multi-image layouts
  • Five trim sizes available

AutoCreate Your Book

  • By selecting the AutoCreate feature, your book will be created automatically from your selected set of images. You can then order as is, or add, move or delete images as you see fit.

Professional Quality

  • Superb image quality and highest quality printing
  • Three bindery types available: Softcover, Hardcover with dust jacket, or ImageWrap
  • Premium and Standard papers available

Save:

Be sure to enter BOOKIFY at checkout to receive 25% off your product total. Discount offer valid through November 2, 2010 (11:59 p.m. PST). A 25% discount is applied toward the product total of one order with minimum amount of US $12.95. Maximum discount is US $200.00 off product total. This offer is good for one-time use and cannot be combined with other promotional codes, offers, gift cards, or used for adjustments on previous codes.

Enter to Win:

1 of 10 25.00 Gift Cards to create your own book.

To Enter:

Tell me who you would make the book for in the comments.

Extra Entries:

RT this post and include the link to the post (make sure that the link shows up or it won’t count)

Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar.

This giveaway ends November 8th, I received a product as compensation! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Blurb, Bookify, BookSmart, Christmas gift idea, Gift guide, Holiday Guide 2010, photo book

Madeline’s Christmas & Other Wintery Tales #Giveaway

October 22, 2010 by Momstart 147 Comments

The newest addition to the beloved Madeline arrived in stores just this week. Madeline is celebrating Christmas in her newest DVD lineup,Madeline’s Christmas And Other Wintery Tales . We haven’t had a chance to review this one and I’m not sure we’re actually going to. So I wanted to share it with all of you. You guys like to enter giveaways. Shout Factory Kids sent us a copy and you can enter to win!

imageSnow! Santa! And holidays galore! From Ludwig Bemelmans’ best-selling children’s books comes little Madeline and her wintery adventures with her dog Genevieve, her loyal friends from Miss Clavel’s class and next-door neighbor Pepito!

On October 19, 2010, Shout! Factory will release Madeline’s Christmas & Other Wintery Tales.  The DVD contains five animated episodes, all making their DVD debut: Madeline’s Winter Vacation, Madeline and Santa, Madeline at the North Pole, Madeline and the Ice Skates and Madeline’s Holiday with Mr. Grump.

 

 

 

 

 

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me about your favorite Christmas tradition.

Extra Entries:

RT this post and include the link to the post (make sure that the link shows up or it won’t count)

Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar.

This giveaway ends November 8th, m80 contacted me on behalf of Macy’s and they are supplying the prize! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Christmas Gift Guide, holiday gift ideas, Holiday Guide 2010, Madeline, Madeline's Christmas & Other Wintery Tales

Sid The Science Kid Home Party and Science Kit Giveaway

October 2, 2010 by Momstart 161 Comments

Sid the Science Kid is a FAMILY favorite. Yes, the whole family likes watching Sid, not just Zoe and Miles. In fact I would say that it is their dad’s favorite cartoon to watch with them. We love watching Sid and he’s helped us with things like wearing sunscreen and discovering bugs. We had the privelage of throwing a Sid The Science Kid Party and sharing some new toys from Sid The Science Kid. The Sid The Science Kid Party was thrown in honor of Sid the Science Kid, the award-winning, educational television series from the Jim Henson Studios returning for its second season with 12 new episodes on October 4th! That’s Monday People! Tune into PBS to watch the new series and check imageyour local listings for times!

At PBS they believe that introducing preschoolers to the basics of science through the eyes of a young science reporter named Sid, is a fun way to educate.  Each episode begins with a new question and Sid embarks on a fun day of adventures filled with singing and dancing. The singing and dancing is not annoying in anyway and we find that the information is really presented in a way that a child would actually understand and do themselves.

imageWe were provided with the supplies, plates, napkins, and cups, a Sid the Science Kid Microphone, and the Sid The Science Kid Kit Why Are Wheels Round. The Microphone we shared and it was a huge hit. I was asked where you can purchase one because a special birthday is coming up! I believe you can find them at Amazon, and Target. I know if you search for them on-line you will find plenty of places to purchase them.

Sid seems to be quite a favorite in other families too, or at least that is what I gathered from the party. We had a lot of fun that day, so much that I didn’t get any other pictures captured other than the party supplies. OOPS!

The next day, when daddy was home we did the science kit, Why are wheels round? My husband had them do it just like Sid would have. They explored every aspect of it. They used the square wheels, the oval wheels and the round wheels. They talked about friction and when the friction was the best and worst. It was quite fun to watch them all do it together. Then they had to write down their discoveries in their journals. Which was also fun to watch them draw!

After they made all of their discoveries inside the house they had to see how it would do outside on the sidewalk. So we had quite a fun day with our experiment.

Sid Science Kit

Enter To Win:

Sid the Science Science Kit Why Are Wheels Round.

To Enter:

Tell me what your favorite Sid the Science Kid Product is.

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

Sid the Science Kid Science Kit Why Are Wheels Round #Giveaway http://bit.ly/9yVwsz

Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to my blog
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (5 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar.

This giveaway ends October 18th, I was provided a sample in exchange for this post! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Holiday Guide 2010, PBS, PBS Kids, Science Kit, Sid the Science Kid, Sid the Science Kid microphone, toy review, Why are Wheels Round

Next Page »

Find Kids Auditions


Kids Auditions

Featured Video

Recently On MomStart

Don't let back pain ruin your anniversary plans!

Visiting a Doctor – on my Smartphone! #GetWellWithAmwell

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Amwell via Momtrends. The opinions … [Read More...]

Tech The Halls Gift Guide 2020

Tech The Halls Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Thank you to our partners who have sponsored our 2020 Tech The Halls Gift Guide! … [Read More...]

Recovering files from a failed hard drive

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: How to Restore Lost Files in Minutes

Thank you to our partner EaseUS for sponsoring this post! Now that so much of … [Read More...]

Skoove

Learn to Play Piano With the Skoove App!

Thank you to our partner Skoove for sponsoring this post! My husband is a … [Read More...]

How to Make Memories with Your Kids that Last Forever

This is a sponsored guest post. As moms, for sure, many of you can relate to … [Read More...]

Our Living Room Makeover With VIZIO

VIZIO M-Series Quantum 65” Class 4K HDR Smart TV: The Perfect Gift (Especially Now)

Thanks to VIZIO for providing their M-Series 65” SmartCast TV for review! Our … [Read More...]

Crucial® X8 Portable SSD

Five Ways to Boost Computer Literacy in Your Kids While Schools Are Closed

Product sample provided. This is a guest post by Natasha Hendrix, Customer … [Read More...]

Modern Mother’s Day & Futuristic Father’s Day Gift Guide For Techies

Modern Mother’s Day & Futuristic Father’s Day Gift Guide For Techies: Online Shopping 2020

Product samples provided; this page contains our Amazon Associates … [Read More...]

Vintage Weddings: Make Your Day a Blast From the Past

This is a sponsored guest post. As we move into a more digital age, we find … [Read More...]

  • Visiting a Doctor – on my Smartphone! #GetWellWithAmwell
  • Is It Time For Us To Start Embracing The Esports Revolution?
  • 4 AirFryer Desserts to Make For Valentine’s Day
  • Augmented Reality Craft: Create DIY Valentine’s Day Cards That Come to Life!
  • Valen-Tech Gift Guide 2020

Recipes

4 AirFryer Desserts to Make For Valentine’s Day

Keto Lemon Garlic Turkey

Keto Lemon Garlic Turkey: Your Best Thanksgiving Bird Ever Thanks to Topsy Turkey (Plus Giveaway!)

Hotel Transylvania 3

Hotel Transylvania 3: Plan a Spook-Tacular Sleepover!

Double Crusted Sausage Pixxa

Ghostly Pumpkins Double Crusted Halloween Pizza Recipe

Fancy Italian Coffee Recipe

Funfetti Stuffed Cotton Candy Cookies Recipe @Smuckers #HolidayTips

  • 26 Out-of-This World Star Wars Recipes
  • Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Cocktails
  • Keto Ricotta Pancake Recipe

More Recipes

We Work With

Louise Bishop: influencer & brand ambassador
dealspotr.com

Archives