Magical Molding Dough

My granddaughter will be turning four in October, and being the practical grandmom that I am, I’m taking the same approach with seeking out educational toys for my grandkids that I took when looking for creative toddler toys that stir the imagination with my own two daughters when younger. I have the secret recipe for keeping kids entertained!

I found that Moon Dough by Spin Master is an out-of-this-world new molding dough that never dries out!

Moon Dough is Hypo-allergenic and wheat-free, soft and marshmallow-like. Because Moon Dough never dries out, kids can use it over and over again.  The latest and new molding compound for kids ages 2-4, Moon Dough can be used to sculpt fun creations and the kiddos will never tire playing with it.

Even though I have a “Secret” stain remover home recipe, what I like most about this product is Moon Dough doesn’t stick to or stain material or clothing!

There are a number of out-of-this world Moon Dough of enjoyable play sets to choose from, including:

• Moon Dough Barnyard
• Moon Dough Pizza Shop
• Magic Molding Doghouse
• Moon Dough Burger Shop
• Moon Dough Refill Packs are also available

The product comes in eight great colors:  Blue, Green, White, Orange, Purple, Red, Pink and Yellow!

All toddlers like animals, so we were happy to try out the Moon Dough Barnyard

Moon Dough Barnyard

Bring all the fun of the farm right into your ow home.  Bale some Hay, put it in the barn silo, and turn the crank to make fun 3D Moon Dough animals.  Create fences, pastures and more.

The package includes:

Magical molding barnyard, fence and hay bale molds
Themed play mat
Four unique animal molds – cow, pig, sheep and horse
Three colors of Moon Dough (white; yellow and blue)

Toddlers can improve fine motor skills while easily mastering using the Moon Dough magical molding dough playset. By placing the Moon Dough in and turning the handle they get the satisfaction of making a a creation! Easy!

Put Moon Dough on your Holiday Shopping List or for educational toys for toddler Birthday Party Gifts!

Moon Dough is available at Toys “R” Us, Target, Walmart, Kmart, A.C. Moore, Michaels, eToys and Amazon

For More Information Visit: Moon Dough

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Kids Dress-Up Costumes

Your toddlers Halloween costumes should be memorable, yet that doesn’t mean they have to bankrupt you!  CDI offers cute and inexpensive costumes for your toddler so you don’t have to go looney and drop the next month’s rent or mortgage payment for a Halloween getup for baby.

Now Toddlers can dress-up as their favorite characters such as Disney Princesses, Marvel Superheroes, Toy Story characters, Dora the Explorer and more.

I was contacted by Jakks Pacific, and would like to let my readers know the many Halloween costumes for children offered by CDI Toys.   ‘Lil Moomette who is turning 4 in October, and Slugger, who just had his 2nd birthday, are going to be dressed in the fairy Halloween costume,  Tinker Bell and the Buzz Light Year toddler boy Halloween costumes.

Tinker Bell’s Dress is inspired by Disney Fairies Tinker Bell Lost Treasure.  All coordinating accessories are available.

The Buzz Lighyear Suit is inspired by Disney Pixar Toy Story, and is always a hit with any young tot!

Whether you’re a mom or a grandmom choosing Halloween costumes for toddlers this year, here’s some  Safety Tips to keep your pride and joy safe and sound:

• Pass On Inhibiting Costume Items

Babies don’t like to wear masks and many will fight back and holler in discomfort if you stick them in costumes that curtail their movements.

• Avoid frightening Masks and Costumes

Don’t be surprised if the older children are scared by masks that other people may wear. This isn’t a time to instill fear into your child. Oftentimes grownups and older youngsters find it laughable to teach babies “the ropes” without understanding they can unknowingly frighten toddlers.

• Keep Weather Conditions in Mind

When picking out Halloween costumes for toddlers, bear in mind what your weather will most likely be that season. In the northerly part of the U.S., it isn’t strange for children to wear coats over their costumes. The more to the south you travel, you might find kids dressed up in 80 degree weather. That adorable fur bear or lion outfit might not be the comfiest outfit for kiddo if you live in an area that’s still a tad warm on Halloween. Don’t over or undress baby.

CDI has an excellent selection of Halloween costumes for toddlers that can also be used as Dress-Up for playtime once Halloween is over!

SRP: $19.99

Age: Ages 2-4

Available at: Toy ‘R Us, Walmart and Amazon

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Discover Your Community

The Savvy Source is a wonderful resource for parents looking to save some money on family activities.  If you aren’t familiar with this site yet, you should be!

The Savings

Each week, Savvy Source offer parents and/or grandparents an opportunity experienced editors.

Once enough people have signed up to purchase, the Savings and Scholarships offer becomes active. We store your receipt of purchase in your online Savvy Savings account, where you can easily find it to print now or save for later. Check out today’s offers now!

The Scholarship

Beyond giving parents in their communities a great deal on a fun activity, they donate 5% of each purchase to a preschool of the purchaser’s choice. Savvy Source also will donate 5% of each purchase to a scholarship fund created to help parents afford preschool for their children.

Helping schools, helping kids, helping parents and grandparents, helping communities — this program is a win for all.

Find out what’s all about and how it works -  and tell your friends about Savvy Source Local Savings.

Everyone benefits!

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Toddler Vacation Fashion

Summer’s just around the corner and that means swimming season!  Many families will be packing the family car and heading to the beach, lake or taking a staycation poolside or at the local swimming hole.

When my girls were toddlers and potty training we spent our family summer vacations at Cape Code at the National Seashore.  Although there were bathhouses for diaper changing and restroom facilities – it was quite a long walk up on hot sand and up the stairs at Marconi and Coast Guard Beach to get there “in time.”

Once we reached our destination – the struggle began to remove wet bathing suits and sand, while watching the girls do the “potty dance.”

Recently I received a new bathing suit from Snap Me Swimwear for ‘Lil Moomette that’s the answer to a mom’s as well as grandmom’s struggles!

Snap Me Swimwear are bathing suits for infant and toddler girls that have a double row of snaps on the bottom to make diaper changes and bathroom breaks a snap!

With all the staffing cutbacks because of the economy, you won’t have to cringe when you see the wet suit fall to the floor in a public restroom that’s isn’t up to your cleaning standards!

Snap me Swimwear has been featured on Parenting and Celebrity Baby Scoop.

Check out all the cutest designs!  Sizes are available in 6 mo to 4T.  Pick up several now for your daughters or grandkids!

Fabric: 84% Polyester & 16% Spandex
UVP 30 Fabric, 2 rows of snaps, adjustment loop around head strap.

MSRP: $27.99

For More Information Visit: Snap Me Swimwear

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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In Memoriam of Bryson Ross – December 14, 2009

Visit MomDot or A Cowboy’s Wife for more photos In Memory of Bryson.

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Joy Berry:  Pioneering Educator, Author and Child Development Expert

My granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette is a frequent visitor here after daycare.  I often babysit for her at night when here parents have social commitments.

I like to keep her routine the same as when she’s home, so if I have to put her to bed, we’ll ready a story book together.

Recently I received a wonderful set of books to review from the childrens book author, Joy Berry.

As a teacher, mother, stepmother, adoptive parent and grandparent, Joy Berry understands the struggles children and parents face. You may not be familiar with the writings Joy Berry, however you may be familiar with her classic books.  She also shares her knowledge on her blog.

For over 30 years, these books have been helping parents and children deal with childhood issues. Joy Berry has sold over 85 million books and influenced generations of children.

Joy Berry Classics are broken down into six  series, starting with Teach Me About for toddlers and going up to Winning Skills for tweens.

• Teach Me About, for Ages 1-3

• Let’s Talk About, for Ages 4-5

• Help Me Be Good, for Ages 5-7

• A Fun and Easy Way, for Ages 7-10

• Winning Skills, for Ages 11-12

• Good Answers to Tough Questions, for Ages 6-12

One evening we read the book “Help Me Be Good About Being Rude” from the series “Let’s Talk About.” ‘Lil Moomette who’s turning 3 in October, attends daycare with another little girl her age.  Having had two girls of my own, girls will of course be girls, and Moomette has had her share of experience in “time out.”

I was really impressed with the examples that were giving in this book, and Moomette definitely understood as we read the book together that being rude … is not a good thing.

Now when I pick her up from daycare, I’ll ask her if she was rude to anybody that day.  She understands and will tell me either yes, or no. Joy Berry’s books empower children to help them learn for themselves.

The books are of a high-quality weight paper stock, and each comes accompanied by an entertaining CD.

The author states:

“Children need to be taught from the beginning of their lives that the more responsibility a person assumes for his or her life, the more control he or she will have over his or her life. In order for children to acquire the control they so desperately want and need, they need to learn the information and skills that will allow them to become more responsible.”

This is a well written and beautifully illustrated series for any parent, grandparent or daycare provider to have on hand and makes magnificent gift ideas for grandchildren.  The wonderful thing about these materials is that they really work.

For More Information Visit: Joy Berry Books

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a set of Joy Berry Books from the “Help Me Be Good” series.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Joy Berry Books and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until October 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Holiday Shopping Online

Who else wouldn’t want a toy that tells jokes and stories, and also sings and dances? For good reason, Elmo Live, based on the Sesame Street Character Elmo, was one of the hottest toys in past years. Like past years when the Tickle Me Elmo’s took the world by storm, this toy was supposed to be an item your kids will want desperately.

Elmo Live was marketed by Fisher-Price, and it was being dubbed as having the most advanced movement for an Elmo toy. The previous Elmo item that could compare with this one was the “extreme edition”. A few reasons that people loved Elmo Live is because it featured excellent animatronics showcases, he is a known and loved character, he is fun to watch, the price was actually quite affordable, and it proved to be a great toy for children over 18 months old.

This Christmas holiday shopping season, the new kid on the block is Elmo Tickle Hands from Fisher-Price.  The recommended ages is 18 months to 4 years.  Elmo Tickle Hands fit over your own children’s hands.  As soon as the hands touch a surface, they begin to vibrate and the kids will hear Elmo’s signature giggle!  It also comes with a DVD where the kids will be able to dance to the song, “The Tickle Hand Groove.” This is a toy that encourages hours of creative fun for any toddler or pre-schooler!

Be diligent about looking for it, as it may be hard to come by.   Like other items that have been hard to find in the past, you can find them if you are willing to put in the extra efforts.

One of the places that will that will be carrying the Elmo Tickle Hands is Shop.com.  The key to obtaining one is to start shopping now as you have some time before Christmas. By being persistent, you may be able to find one somewhere.

The price point on the Elmo Tickle Hands glove is around $29.99 which doesn’t put it out of reach for too many people this Christmas season. For a toy that will be so popular the price isn’t bad at all. Make sure you don’t miss out on the toy of the year! Purchase your Elmo Tickle Hands online at Shop.com today. You can still find it.

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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WordWorld, Where Words Come Alive!

I live in an historic town in Connecticut.  In New England there’s never a shortage of colonial homes with some kind of “history” or aura of days gone by.  I can tell you stories about babysitting in homes with front and back stairways, beehive ovens, missing floorboards – but that’s best left for another post.

Trick or Treating at homes which date to the 1600, 1700 and 1800s was certainly an experience when I was a kid!

Now, just in time for fall Halloween fun- Thanks to NCircle Entertainment we have a chance to let you know about WorldWorld – Kooky Spooky Halloween.

Word World can currently be seen daily on PBS Kids, and features the vibrant, personable characters Duck, Shark, Sheep, Ant and Robot.

In WordWorld’s Halloween special A Kooky Spooky Halloween the WordFriends get their share of scares the night before Halloween and Sheep is busy making herself a super special fairy costume to wear for the big Halloween party. It’s Kooky, it’s Spooky, and it’s so much fun!

There are two delightful enchanting episodes:

• A Kooky Spooky Halloween

• Sheep’s Halloween Costume

• Bonus – “Monster Maker” Music Video
  

A Department of Education funded study demonstrates that WordWorld works to improve children’s early literacy skills, including oral vocabulary and their ability to read and recognize words featured in WordWorld.

WordWorld helps to support skills such as phonics, spelling, letter knowledge, language development, cognitive, vocabularly building and more.

Kooky Spooky Halloween DVD hit the store shelves in August.

Length: 30 Minutes
Suggested Price: $6.99
UPC: 843501007099

Available at Toys R Us, Amazon or online at: NCircleEntertainment

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Sid The Science Kid and Dive Olly Dive DVDs

When ‘Lil Moomette arrives here after daycare, I often like to keep her entertained while I get dinner ready.  Preferably, I like to entertain her with something that’s also educational.

One of the top new shows for kids to premiere this past year is “Sid the Science Kid” the hit, Emmy-nominated PBS series that is produced by The Jim Henson Company and KCET-LA.

I recently had the opportunity to review the first two “Sid the Science Kid” DVDs, titled “Change Happens” and “The Bug Club”, which released nationwide on August 4th.  Each DVD contains four episodes from the TV show.

Both of the DVDs celebrate and explore the great outdoors, tackling such questions as why bees live in hives and ants live in anthills, and observing such phenomena as how the heat from the sun can change matter.

Change Happens DVD Episodes include:

• Change Happens

• My Mushy Banana

• My Shrinking Shoes

• My Ice Pops

• The Perfect Pancake

The Bug Club DVD Episodes include:

• The Bug Club

• Hello Doggie

• Home Tweet Home

• The Dirt on Dirt

• Don’t Forget the Leaves

Five all-new episodes of “Sid the Science Kid” will debut on PBS stations nationwide!

I also had the opportunity to review the  DVD from “Dive Olly Dive: Ship Shape Sub” which was also released on August 4th.  The Emmy-nominated, 3D-animated underwater series that airs on PBS Sprout.

Not only will preschoolers have fun under the sea with Olly and Beth, two young submarines-in-training – this DVD also teaches kids fascinating facts about ocean life and some important life lessons, too.

This 3D-animated DVD for preschoolers features five episodes from the Dive Olly Dive! series, which explores the many interesting facets of ocean life in an entertaining and educational way.  With exciting underwater adventures featured throughout, this lively DVD is a perfect way to cap off a fun-filled day at the beach!

Episodes include:

• Haunted Ship Prank

• Less is More

• Navigation Consternation

• Follow that Lobster

• Don’t Tell Beth

Suggested Retail: $12.99

These DVDs would be a great addition to your home or Grandmom’s collection for rainy day entertainment, or if you run a daycare or home-school.

For More Information Visit: Ncircle Entertainment

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of one (1) set of these 3 DVDs.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit NCircleEntertainment and leave a comment about other products you would like to try and why you’d like to win this DVD set.

This contest will run until September 16, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Kobold Toys

Most children love to play dress-up and ‘Lil Moomette is no exception.

Labor Day weekend is the start of many county and local fairs here in New England. Our family visited a small local agricultural fair today and I picked up some colorful Mardi-Gras type beads for Moomette that matched her dress. She loved them!

Halloween will be here soon enough and my daughter is trying to come up with some unique costume ideas for the kids.

I recently had the opportunity to review the Purple Princess Goody Bag from Kobold Toys.

This stylish purse is just the perfect tote for pretend dress-up days or will compliment a Halloween costume for any little girlie-girl.  It has a fully lined center compartment, along with a tricot handle that closes at the top of the purse with velcro.  So, cute, and you can match other bags to the hair color of your own little gal!

Since it’s under $10 it makes them perfect for gifts!

The name of a rascal goblin in German mythology, Kobold  was started by Carmina Valdizan, and only carries toys that are “… condusive to a child’s emotional, physical and mental development.”

Besides toys, Kobold offers, room décor, arts, crafts, books, science, fashion and accessories, along with gift certificates.

For more information visit: Kobold Toys

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a Butterfly Goody Bag!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Kobold Toys and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until September 13, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

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Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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