Tag Archives: 2012 Holiday Gift Guide

November 3, 2012 · 10:05 pm

Storybook Treasures, My First Collection Volume 4 Featuring Robot Zot, 3 DVD Collection Review & Giveaway!!!

ROBOTS, TOYS AND A CURIOUS GARDEN FILL THE

SMALL SCREEN IN THE FOURTH VOLUME OF THE

AWARD-WINNING “MY FIRST COLLECTION” DVD SERIES

MY FIRST COLLECTION VOL. 4 is an engaging collection of stories certain to foster creativity and learning in toddlers. Children ages 2 and up will rhyme along with RobotZot!, learn the value of appreciation in Too Many Toys, and be inspired to take small steps that can make big changes in the world with The Curious Garden. Together, the three DVDs feature 12 engaging stories with narration by Zach Braff and others.

ROBOT ZOT!…AND MORE RHYMING STORIES

Also includes: This is the House that Jack Built, Trashy Town and Stars! Stars! Stars!

TOO MANY TOYS…AND MORE STORIES ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING

Also includes: I Lost My Bear, Wallace’s List and Inch by Inch.

THE CURIOUS GARDEN…AND MORE STORIES ABOUT NATURE

Also includes: The Lion and the Mouse, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves and Planting a Rainbow

DVD FEATURES

Bonus Author interviews: with Too Many Toys Author/Illustrator and Robot Zot!Illustrator David Shannon; The Curious Garden Author/Illustrator Peter Brown; and The Lion and the Mouse Author/Illustrator Jerry Pinkney;
Read-Along function on all stories.

Aside from being part of the MY FIRST COLLECTION VOLUME 4 set, each of the single DVDs will also be available individually for $12.95 srp. For more information on this title or any other Scholastic Storybook Treasures release, visit www.newkideo.com. Also, visit New Kideo, the online home for the DVD line, at their Facebook page.

We were thrilled to be able to review this great collection. My kids love Storybook Treasure’s DVDs and these were no exception. The first one we watched was Too Many Toys and they just loved it. These problem solving stories are perfect for my kids and their favorite was; I Lost My Bear. Robot Zot provided a lot of entertainment with rhyming stories that are very appropriate to skills they are learning to read. The Curious Garden is full of nature stories and a favorite on their was the classic tale of The Lion and the Mouse. You really can’t go wrong with this collection. Mommy Ramblings thinks it is such a great selection that we are putting it on our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide!

New Kideo is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own My First Collection Volume 4 Featuring Robot Zot, 3 DVD Collection. Thank you New Kideo for the review collection and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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· 1:34 am

Laurent Doll,18″ Doll Bunk Bed Review and Giveaway!!!

My nieces just love playing with their dolls, and what makes dolls more fun? Furniture! So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I was asked to review a Laurent Doll bunk bed! I was so excited, I didn’t want to wait for my husband to get home from work to help me put it together. After making sure everything was there, locating my screwdriver, and with the help of my big, strapping assistant (my 5-year-old son) I was ready to assemble it. The instructions were simple and easy to follow, even for me! The whole thing only took about fifteen minutes, and I had no problems. The bed is gorgeous, with fancy headboards and footboards and a built-in ladder. The construction feels solid and skillfully crafted. The finish is polished white which will go with pretty much any décor. It even came with little pillows and mattresses that fit perfectly on the beds. I also received the pink stripe bunk bed linen set featuring a sweet pink and white striped design on the pillowcases and blankets, and crisp white sheets for the mattresses. The bedding really gives the bed a finished look and can encourage little girls to make their own beds after they learn how to make their doll beds!

My nieces had a delightful time playing sleepover with their dolls. They had them climbing the ladder to get to the top bunk, and tucked them in with the cozy blankets over and over! I can see this bed being used every day, my nieces tucking in their dolls every night at bedtime. It is sturdy and should last a lifetime with light use. This bed measuring at 22” x 23” x 12” was big enough for my niece’s 18 inch doll, still fit my other niece’s smaller doll, and my 15 inch cabbage patch doll without looking silly. So this bed is virtually a one size fits all!

Mommy Ramblings loves this bunk bed so much we are adding it to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide because it will make the perfect gift for that special little girl on your list this season!!!

Laurent Doll is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! One lucky blog reader will win a bunk bed like the one reviewed! Thank you Laurent Doll for this gorgeous review bed and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway!!! Open to US residents.

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October 29, 2012 · 12:26 pm

EPSON Expression Home XP-400 Small-in-One™ All-in-One Printer Review!!!

You know what they say about good things coming in small packages right? Well, the Epson Expression Home XP-400 Small-In-One, All-in-One Printer is a great example of that. This compact machine will let you print, scan and copy and is filled with great features. Insert your memory card and print pictures without using a PC, you can edit them and then print them in high quality. The control panel is easy to read and the touch panel is so handy. This unit is also compatible for printing from your iPad or smart phone. Wireless network will keep your entire family connected to this printer and let everyone print from multiple devices.

Setting this printer up is super easy right out of the box. All you need to do is remove the packaging, insert the ink cartridges and just install the printer on your devices via the CD or Apple AirPrint or Google Cloud Print. If you are looking for a compact printer, scanner and copier that does not have you compromising on features; you should check out the Epson XP-400. This unit makes a great family gift at a great price this holiday season. Mommy Ramblings is adding it to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide. For product videos click HERE. You can follow Epson on Twitter.

One-sided ISO print speeds of 8.7 ISO ppm (black) and 4.5 ISO ppm (color)
Use the 2.5″ LCD to preview, edit and print photos, without turning on your computer.
Conveniently print from smartphones, tablets and more; also supports AirPrint and Google Cloud Print
Print from any room in the house, using a wireless network.
Print borderless in multiple sizes directly from a memory card or camera and without the use of a computer.
Four individual ink cartridges are available in different capacities, so you can replace only the color you need.

Print photos, PC-free — built-in card slots, intuitive touch panel and large 2.5″ color LCD
Small-in-One printer — space-saving design; great performance
Wireless printing and scanning — share one printer at home; now with Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ n¹ – connect to your wireless network in seconds
Quiet operation — focus on what’s important
Easy setup and control — intuitive touch panel gives you everything you need
Brilliant results, smart value — individual ink cartridges, available in different sizes to suit your needs
Better images automatically — red-eye removal, photo restoration and correction of over / underexposed images
Truly touchable photos and documents — instant-dry ink for smudge, fade and water resistant prints
EPSON Connect™ — print and share from anywhere – convenient mobile printing from smartphones, tablets and more²; also supports Apple® AirPrint™ and Google Cloud Print™; visit www.epsonconnect.com

Eco Features

ENERGY STAR® qualified
RoHS compliant
Recyclable product¹
Save paper with manual two-sided printing¹
Epson America, Inc. is a SmartWay^SM Transport Partner¹

Boogie Board 8.5 LCD eWriter Review & Giveaway!!!

If you have never heard of or used a Boogie Board LCD eWriter, you really don’t know what you are missing. They are kind of addictive to say the least and oh so practical. They save paper, and are just a great little tablet that you write on with the included stylus and with the touch of a button and a quick flash everything is erased and you can start with a clean slate, I mean clean eWriter. They come in great colors and kids love them, they were recently listed among the top 10 most wanted toys of the year. They are great for adults or kids, keep one on your desk or in the kitchen to leave each other notes, great by the phone or pop in your purse or diaper bag to keep kids entertained in waiting rooms, restaurants, and when traveling. My kids love their Boogie Boards. Mommy Ramblings things the Boogie Board 8.5 LCD eWriter makes a great gift for anyone on your gift list this holiday season and we are adding it to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

Erase your image with the touch of a button – and a friendly flash from the liquid crystal display.
Sealed 3V watch battery never needs replacing.
The Boogie Board LCD eWriter is an ultra 1/8″ thin and is easy to take with you in a purse, scheduler, briefcase or backpack.
The case and LCD are made from durable plastic materials. Safe for school use and all around the house, office and car.
The Boogie Board LCD eWriter’s pressure-sensitive LCD writing surface creates lines of different thickness based on how hard you push – just like paper and pen!
Write or draw with the included stainless steel stylus or any other suitable instrument – even your finger! You’ll never need to search for a pen or pencil again!

Would you like to win a Boogie Board? If so, you will be happy to learn Improv Electronics is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a 8.5 LCD Boogie Board eWriter!!! Thank you to Improv Electronics for the review eWriter and for sponsoring this great giveaway. Open to US residents.

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October 28, 2012 · 1:14 am

Quercetti, Skyrail Suspension Rollercoaster with Elevator Review & Giveaway!!!

I was thrilled to be asked by International Playthings LLC to pick something on their site I would like to review. It was so hard to choose among all the great brands they carry. I finally decided on the Skyrail Suspension Rollercoaster with Elevator by Quercetti. I knew my husband would love doing this with the boys because he could use it to help them see and understand the effects of gravity, speed, inertia, centrifugal force and other principles of mechanics and physics. See my husband is a big math guy and with a masters in mathematical sciences this is the kind of stuff he loves to explain and show the kids. Since they are so young, this is a wonderful way they can easily absorb it. I know they are younger than the recommended age but with two math oriented parents our kids are pretty into this kind of stuff already.

It took some time to set up and did take a certain bit of calibrating the cables to make it go just right but that is the purpose and it was not long before my five-year old really got the idea of how to adjust the suspension to create the inclines needed to give the balls the speed they needed. They could just sit and watch it for a long time when it was all together, the elevator the transports the balls from the bottom back to the top so they can complete the track again was a favorite for them. If you are looking for something that is educational and fun the Quercetti Skyrail Suspension Rollercoaster with Elevator is a great choice. Mommy Ramblings thinks it is such a great toy that we are adding it to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

Construct a suspension system then send marbles racing around the course. It takes just the right amount of tension to race all the way to the bottom without falling off or rolling back. As marbles reach the bottom of the coaster, the battery-operated elevator lifts them to the top in an endless stream of gravity-powered excitement Includes 15 feet of track, 4 marbles and a detailed instruction booklet Perfect for demonstrating gravity, speed, inertia, centrifugal force and other principles of mechanics and physics.

International Playthings LLC is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Rambling. One lucky blog reader will win their own Quercetti Skyrail Suspension Rollercoaster with Elevator. Thank you International Playthings for the review toy and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

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October 24, 2012 · 12:42 am

ThinkFun, Zingo Sight Words Game Review & Giveaway!!!

My five-year-old just started kindergarten and is learning to read. We were recently asked to review Zingo Sight Words from ThinkFun Games, and they could not have picked a better game for us. This is a great game that you play like bingo but with a chip dispenser that you slide forward to reveal 2 sight words. Every player gets a card, they are two-sided for 2 levels of competition. My husband and I played with our 3 and 5-year-old and it was a lot of fun. We could not believe the way our three-year old was jumping into play and recognizing the words. Our 5-year-old won 3 or 4 games straight in a row. Zingo Sight Words is a great game for kids learning how to read and it is fun even for the adults playing along. The kids love taking turns to work the dispenser and everyone had a great time. Mommy Ramblings thinks this fun and educational game would make a wonderful holiday gift this season so you will find Zingo Sight Words on our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

ThinkFun is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a ThinkFun Zingo Sight Words Game! Thank you ThinkFun for the review game and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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October 20, 2012 · 12:07 am

Alert Works, Emergency Alert Weather Radio (EAR) Review & Giveaway!!!

Alert Works® is a leading manufacturer of safety devices that ALERT you to impending danger, designs and produce high quality safety products with the purpose of protecting your family and home, as well as your piece of mind. I was recently chosen to review the Alert Works, Emergency Alert Radio. My husband and I like to be prepared for an emergency and have experienced many storms living in the mountains that have caused us to lose electricity and so we have a generator and a large stash of emergency supplies to keep ourselves safe and as connected as we can with what is going on. An emergency radio is an essential part of any emergency kit. The EAR will alert you of threatening civil emergencies and weather emergencies. The information comes directly and immediately from the source of the warning at your local National Weather Service office. Information can be tailored so that you receive only the warnings that are important to you and your family.

The radio was very easy to set up right out of the box and whenever there is a weather alert it comes right through. It is easy to read with the large backlit display and just having this in the house makes me feel better with how unpredictable the weather has been all over the country. We think the Alert Works Emergency Alert Weather Radio is such a great gift to get someone you care about this holiday season that we are adding it to Mommy Rambling’s 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

Emergency Alert Radio® Weather Radio
with S.A.M.E. Localized Programmability

Alert Feature
Radio automatically activates to warn of pending danger from weather or civil emergencies.
7 NOAA Channels
Listen to the latest weather forecast with the touch of a button, directly from the National Weather Service.
S.A.M.E. Reception
Localize reception for only the alerts you want to hear. Select your county only or multiple counties in your area.
Time and Alarm Clock
Multi-function and large backlit display make it ideal for any room in the house.
User Selectable Warning System
Select from voice or siren alerts.
90 Decibel Alert Siren
Loud enough to be heard from any room in the house or to awaken the soundest of sleepers.
LED Alert Level Indicators
3 lights indicate the alert level (Watch, Warning, or Statement) and remain on for the duration of the alert.
Emergency Battery Back-up*
The monitor will stay on even during a power outage.
*Requires (4) “AA” batteries (not included)

Alert Works is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky reader will win their own Alert Works Emergency Alert Weather Radio. Thank you Alert Works for the review radio and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

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· 1:55 am

Breadman Convection Bread Machine with Handles TR2700 Review!!!

I was thrilled to be asked to do a review of the Breadman Convention Bread Machine TR2700 with Handles. This bread machine is super easy to set up and use right out of the box. All you need to do is wash out the bread pan and attach the paddle, decide on a recipe and set the bread maker with your preferences. This bread machine is great because it has 16 baking functions as well as three loaf size options and 3 crust browning options. If you love the settings and want to be sure to get the same results you can save them for the next time. Lots of flexibility like a 24 hour delay bake timer, power failure protection and a 10 minute pause timer will help you get the most out of this bread machine. The recipe book that is included has loads of recipes and you can use the machine to make doughs and then shape and finish baking in the oven for pretzels, rolls, shaped breads and more. Great additional functions like low-carb, gluten-free and Rapid Bake. Automatic Fruit & Nut Dispenser adds extras automatically, so you can have fresh-baked fruit & nut breads without waiting around for a signal.

The first recipe we tried was a french bread with a crispy dark crust. Well, let me tell you this bread was cut before I could even take a picture of the loaf. Supposedly my husband “forgot” we were reviewing it. Anyway I did get there in time to take a few pictures before it was devoured. It was delicious with a very nice, crispy crust. The machine lets you choose 3 loaf sizes from 1 lb to 2 lb loaves.

The second bread we made was a buttermilk white and we programmed a dark crust. It came out wonderful and so unbelievably delicious. It is my new favorite. It is so simple and fast to put just a few ingredients in, set the machine and you are done. You put the liquid ingredients in the bottom then the dry ingredients on top and on yeast breads make a well and put the yeast on top. I love the handles make the machine so easy to move and carry.

If you are in the market for a bread machine, please take a good look at the Breadman Convection Bread Machine with Handles TR2700. It is such a great idea for a holiday gift so we are putting it on our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide.

The Orb Factory Sticky Mosaics Dragons Review and Giveaway!!!

I was delighted when I found that I was going to be reviewing another Orb Factory product! Their Sticky Mosaics sets are so much fun for kids to put together! This time we got the Dragons Mosaic to try out! My 5-year-old and his 7-year-old cousin enjoyed this stick by number set, and the girls even joined in this time. They had no problem interpreting the legend that shows which number each brilliant, textured sticker tile goes on. The finished product looks amazing, each iridescent lizard-skin tile compliments the ones around it. The large Flipmotion accent stickers add movement to each mosaic and make them more lifelike! You can hang up your masterpiece on the wall or stand them up on a shelf with the 4 hangers and stands that come with the set.

The Orb Factory has numerous other mosaic products, like a treasure box and jewelry boxes to decorate, many different styles of collages, licensed products, notebooks and diaries and 3D mosaics!! An Orb Factory Mosaic is a great project you can do with your kids, they can feel satisfied with the work they did, and they get an awesome product result to hang on the wall, or decorate their room with!

Mommy Ramblings has added The Orb Factory Dragons Sticky Mosaics Set to our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide!!!

The Orb Factory is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Dragons Sticky Mosaics Set of their own! Thank you Orb Factory for this awesome review Mosaic and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway!!! Open to US residents!!!

The Orb Factory is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Dragons Sticky Mosaic set of their own! Thank you Orb Factory for this awesome review Mosaic and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway!!! Open to US residents!!!