The Exergen Temporal Scanner is changing the way we take temperatures. I still remember the old fashion way of sticking a mercury thermometer under my tongue, during a fever. As a child, I always felt it very cold, hard and uncomfortable, trying to keep still for about a minute. And to think, sometimes, I had to retake my temperature over and over again, just because it wasn’t placed properly.

Now, thanks to Exergen’s patented software, the TemporalScanner Temperature provides arterial heat balance. This unique process determines temperature by accurately measuring the balance between the tissues warming from arterial blood and tissues cooling (warming) caused by heat loss (gain) to the environment. All it needs is a gently swipe on the forehead. Yes! It’s that simple!

More about Exergen Temporal Scanner :

The TemporalScanner Thermometer is designed to measure the temperature of the skin surface over the temporal artery, a major artery of the head. The temporal artery is connected to the heart via the carotid artery, directly leading from the aorta, the main trunk of the arterial system. It offers constant blood flow. It is the only such artery positioned close enough to the skin surface to provide access needed to take an accurate measurement. It is easy to use because it is ideally located at the front portion of the forehead. The TemporalScanner is easier and gentler to use than other types of measurement devices such as oral, rectal, underarm and in-ear thermometers because it is truly non-invasive.

Here we have real-life accounts of how the Exergen TemporalScanner works, from our reviewers :

Katydid and Kid :  The thermometer is extremely easy to use, even on a wiggly toddler who was very interested in the device and wanted to hold it rather than let me use it. It takes literally a few seconds to use, and you don’t have to sit there waiting for an accurate reading while your child keeps a traditional thermometer under his tongue or arm.

Stacy Moore : We are thrilled with our new Scanner. It’s such a quick and reliable way to take our little one’s temperature! With one gentle stroke of the scanner over the forehead we were able to determine if our little one had a fever! We highly recommend this great product to everyone!

The Mom Buzz :  The Exergen is my best friend when my oldest spikes fevers to 104 and I just want to give a reading to the pediatrician ASAP. Plus, I can also get his temperature when he is sleeping – he never knows that I am checking up on him again. And those times when your kids feel “warm”, but you aren’t sure if they are feverish – well it’s a lot easier to just grab the Exergen and double check than any other thermometer in the house.

Hotomom : I’ll be honest this takes some getting used to, usually after 5 scans you’ve got it down. I would practice a bit first but then also be sure you are more gentle because the first time I made L’s forehead red. But, seriously I wouldn’t lie, it’s easy.

Reviews & Reflections : Before it even arrived in the mail, I started doing my research.  The thing that really excited me was the speed with which this scanner reads the body temperature.  With just a quick stroke over the forehead, you have a reading.  And it’s amazingly accurate – to within .2 degrees F (that’s POINT 2!)

Three Different Directions : The reason it is so accurate?  In the couple of seconds that it takes to sweep over the forehead to the temple it takes about 2000 readings and it selects the most accurate. It takes some practice to use it right, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel like you’re a medical professional.

Short Pump Preppy : Dude, I would have gotten one of these a long time ago.  Everyone in the house gets sick at the same time, and I have never liked sharing thermometers.  Now I’m not keeping up with 4 different thermometers.  (call me crazy, that’s what we did).  To me it’s like sharing toothbrushes.  *go ahead, talk behind my back*

Mom on the Rise : Nonetheless, I didn’t have to worry about changes to the temperature due to drinking, positioning,talking, or moving. An important thing to note is that if your patient is sweating, the temperature should not be taken across the forehead but rather the on the neck behind the ear lobe.

My Quest for Sanity : Honestly this review couldn’t have come at a better time. The day before I received the Exergen temporal scanner, I was diagnosed with H1N1 and 3 days after I was diagnosed my poor sweet Sophia caught it. Now, I would never wish to be as ill as we were but having this God sent product on hand made it a little easier. Like I said before, checking the temperature on a finicky 3 year old is one heck of a job but add in a nasty flu and it is just THAT much harder.

One House Schoolroom Review : We have had quite a few opportunities to test the Temporal Scanner during this flu season and we have had wonderful results.  It is so quick that my little ones didn’t even know we were taking their temperature.  We often had to hold my youngest child still while taking her temperature under her arm, causing her even more discomfort and tears.  With the Temporal Scanner this was not any issue at all.

Buy It! : This is a fantastic gift for any new and been-there-done-that parents. With its’ ease of use, during a difficult time, I’m pretty sure your name will be blessed a thousand times, for sending the perfect gift. Or, you can just get it for yourself, and bless yourself a thousand times.

Here’s where you can get them (retail and online) : ToysRUs, Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, Shoppers Drug Mart, BabyCenter.com, Sam’s Club.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/0

Nothing says CUTE like Zooni and their new line of ConFEETi  3D Socks is no exception. Since babies enjoy playing with their feet, these animal socks will serve as  delightful “feet puppets” with their three dimensional little paws, tails, heads and a fun design. Rest assured that you can start your baby off on the right foot with these cute, comfy socks as they  also feature non-skid bottoms ~ just perfect for those first steps.

BUY IT : Zooni ConFEETI 3D Socks are available in 6 designs ~ Panda Monium, Chunkee Monkee, Sock Hop, Teddy B, Tabby Toes and Puppy Love.  You can purchase them in individual pairs as well as gift sets for boys and girls. The gift set comes in an adorable circus theater package with animal paper cutouts. While you are checking out these socks, remember to feast your eyes on their super cute Mop Top Hats as well. You’ll love them just as much, if not more!

Our reviewers were totally in love with the socks! Check out their raves:

Katydid and Kid -We got to try out the Puppy Love ConFEETi socks on Sojo, and he adores them. He loves pointing out puppies whenever we see dogs on the street, and he also loves to hug stuffed animals, so these socks are a hit. The only “trouble” I have is that he likes the puppy so much that he wants to take the socks off and cuddle them.

Reviews By Heidi – Though Ian likes these socks “just because they’re cute”, I like them because they are “something different” and I appreciate the attention to detail by the folks at Zooni. These socks are 3-D! The front portion of the teddy has paws and a face (including ears) that stick out; the back portion has paws and a tail that stick out. They look cute on the picture, but they’re even cuter on a real foot (you’ll have to trust me on this!) The colors of this particular pair are blue, brown, and white; so they will go quite well with lots of the more trendy, stylish clothing that is available for boys (and girls) these days.

5 Vinez Monkeys – Parker didn’t know what to do! He’s never worn a pair of socks or shoes before, so this was all new to him. He immediately noticed the monkey, and he wouldn’t stop touching it. It was adorable! After getting used to the socks, he would walk a few steps, and then stop to point to them. He absolutely loved them. When I took them off, he grabbed them, hugged them, and carried them around with him, everywhere he went. Obviously, he was smitten. Apparently the monkey-love runs deep around our house. Now, if he sees them, I have to put them on, and he just giggles the whole time! So cute.

My 3 Wisemans – I love the cute 3D ears, feet and tails that stick out on each sock. And I really love that the tail and back feet were also 3D on the heel of the sock…so cute. The ConFEETi 3D animal socks are very soft and have rubberstamped soles so little ones learning to walk won’t slip. I also think the packaging for the gift set is too cute.

Miche Reviews – Now though, after having SO much fun with the Zooni ConFEETi 3D Socks, I had to buy a couple more pairs for the boys. I received one pair free (see the picture of JR wearing them on my main blog) that fit JR, and so I ordered 2 pairs for Little Dude and another pair for JR. The best part? The size is on the sock.

Creative Writings 101 – I was impressed with the quality and thickness of the socks-not to mention that the cute little 3D design in the front was adorable. My little grandson is about 4 months old right now, and very into his feet. When we put these on, he immediately wanted to touch them and check things out. I will say that they were a little big for him right now, so we are waiting for his feet to grow into them some more. I have never seen 3D socks before, so this definitely was something new for this old Grandma!

Plus Size Mommy – When my daughter who is 3 received these Zooni socks in the mail, she was so excited. She put them on right away. Now I have to make sure to keep them washed because she wants to wear them everyday!

Mom Start – She would not take them off. I think she wore them two or three days straight. I finally just took them off of her feet and told her we had to wash them. Now why didn’t I think to get a picture of them before I put the in the laundry where they still are. I don’t know.

Sometime last year, we had the opportunity to review a wonderful baby sling called the Sleepy Wrap, which was given the thumbs up by the majority of our parent reviewers. The same company,  NAP, Inc.  recently introduced The Sleepy Bear, their very first stuffed toy to help promote babywearing! 

Mommies and daddies will be pleased to learn that the Sleepy Bear is made from the softest organic cotton, making it the perfect toy for your little child to cuddle. Safety wise, parents can also be assured that there is no risk of choking hazards as there are no buttons, snaps or removable parts used on the Sleepy Bear.

BUY IT :  Retailing at $29.95, the Sleepy Bear is available exclusively for purchase through the retailers listed below:

Canada
Tadpoles & Butterflies Sherwood Park, Alberta CANADA info@tadpoles.ca www.tadpoles.ca 1.888.312.6554	The Extraordinary Baby Shoppe 1131 Wellington Street W, Ontario CANADA 900 King Street West, Ontario CANADA spearso@bellnet.ca http://www.extraordinarybabyshoppe.com 613.321.7249
USA
Heavenly Hold 510 Briarfield Crossing| Marietta, GA amber@heavenlyhold.com www.heavenlyhold.com 404.849.5394  Supermommy’s Superstore 2411 Ring Road, Suite 105 Elizabethtown, KY info@supermommyssuperstore.com www.SupermommysSuperstore.com 270.769.6693   Sweet Infant 1007 S. Country Club Rd. Lovington, NM support@sweetinfant.com www.sweetinfant.com 575.441.3005   Oregon Soap Shoppe 91C South Daysville Road Oregon, IL glcamling@aol.com www.OregonSoapShoppe.com 866-411-6614	Nurtured Family 8525 Jackrabbit Rd., Suite B Houston, TX support@nurturedfamily.com www.nurturedfamily.com 832.239.5140  Baby Carriers-n-More 265 W Cimmarron Way Erda, UT robyn@babycarriersnmore.com www.babycarriersnmore.com 801.671.5740   Attached to Baby Seattle, WA sara@attachedtobaby.com www.attachedtobaby.com 800.887.1461

Some of our parent reviewers were sent the Sleepy Bear to “test drive” with their children. Check out how the Sleepy Bear fared:

3 Kids And Us -The Sleepy Bear doubles as a little role model for your children. While it’s fun to play with, this plush toy also gives a great example of just how cuddly babywearing can be. The baby bear is all wrapped up next to mommy bear in a play version of the Sleepy Wrap Organic Khaki Wrap.

5 Vinez Monkeys – As I’ve already mentioned, Lucy is in love with this bear. “Suzy” now goes everywhere with her. (Suzy is what she named the Mama bear.) And when Suzy isn’t in Lucy’s arms, “Peanut” – the baby bear – is in the sling which is tied around Lucy. You see, Lucy didn’t want just Suzy to have all the fun wearing the baby bear. She wants to wear Peanut around her chest, too. The wrap is so soft, and with a little creativity, we’re able to get it on Lucy so that she can carry Peanut around with her wherever she goes – much like I do with Parker.

Come Shop With WhoIsBaby – Firstly, I really like the two colors coordination that made up the Organic Sleepy Bear. Its colors are neutral and suitable for boys and girls. The stuff animal is made of 100% softest organic cotton. This eco-friendly teddy is just the right size for my son’s age, not too small to give a big hug to. Most importantly, there is no loose material that was used in making this Organic Sleepy Bear. The eyes, nose and mouth are made of soft stitching and there is no buttons or snaps. It is the safest stuff animal you can give to your children without worrying they may accidentally choke on any removable parts. I think every child would love to be the owner of this bear.

Mom Most Traveled – Not only is the little teddy sling organic, the entire toy is 100% organic and has stitched-on features, making it devoid of choking hazards.

Besides the cuteness, I think the ability to take the baby bear in and out of Sleepy Bear’s sling is what makes this toy engaging.

Happy Healthy Families – So when Sleepy Bear arrived at our house, my kids had to wait for MOM to snuggle with this adorable toy first, and of course unwrap and re-wrap the baby bear, hehe. But then I played fair and shared. The boys, being boys, I assumed might lose interest quickly. But to my surprise, my five year old especially loves Sleepy Bear.

Moody Mama Says – The Sleepy Bear is safe for babies because there are no removable parts. The eyes, nose, and mouth are all sewn on so that curious little hands will have nothing to pull off. The Sleepy Bear is also 100% organic. It is wearing the Sleepy Wrap Organic Khaki Wrap which is available in the full size for mom’s here.

Blog Mania – The Sleepy Bear is designed to teach small children about baby-wearing. It is an excellent toy for a todder / preschooler who is already or is soon to be a new big brother or big sister. It presents the concept of mom caring for another child through play.

Sewing Mom – I love the way she is carrying her little baby bear in an all organic Sleepy Wrap, snuggled up so close for safety and security! Both bears are so super soft, made from 100% organic cotton and there are no parts to pop of that could pose potential choking hazards to our little ones. The eyes, nose and mouth are all stitched on for safe play. There is nothing that could be pulled off and put into little mouths. This wonderful little bear is perfect for play and for snuggle time.

Sassy Frazz -It is an adorable stuffed animal, and I love that it promotes baby wearing. The Sleepy Bear is the first stuffed toy to promote babywearing! Plus, I love that this bear is safe with material it is made and filled with. I don’t have to worry about my youngest getting his hands on a choking hazard while playing with the Sleepy Bear either, because it isn’t made with any buttons or snaps. The Sleepy Bear’s eyes, nose, and mouth are all stitched on so that my baby’s little hands won’t have anything to pull off. That is reassuring!

Red Sox Mom -This soft and cuddly bear not only is the first stuffed toy I’ve seen to promote baby wearing, but it’s 100% organic and has no small, removable parts that could be chocking hazards. The mouth, nose and eyes are all stitched on.

Crunchy Green Mom – The Sleep Bear is the first stuffed toy that promotes Babywearing. The bears, the wrap are all organic and can be purchased for a real Mommy (or toddler).

Rockin Mama -The “mama” bear has her “baby” wrapped in a Sleepy Wrap. Not only is it soft and eco-friendly, it’s a great way to introduce my son to this concept. I’ve started talking to my son about how mommies wear or carry their babies close to them. I also told him that when he was a baby, I wore him close to me, just like the mama bear is wearing her baby bear. He’s still too young to actually “wrap” the baby bear himself, but the foundation is being laid. My hope is that his exposure to babywearing (via the bear), will help prepare him for the time when baby number 2 arrives and he or she is carried close to me. I want to help my son adjust and avoid jealousy and I think this toy is an excellent way to teach my son the concept of babywearing.

Jo Jo’s Place -One of the hottest ways to wear your baby is to use the Sleepy Wrap. I have had to opportunity to try them out and just love it!

Now your little one can have his or her very own Sleepy Bear that happens to be 100% organic.

One House School Room Reviews - My daughter fell in love immediately. She has often created baby wraps for her baby dolls out of blanket and playsilks we have around the house, but now she has a friend with a “real” baby wrap! How exciting! Sleepy Bear is 100% Organic and has no removable parts that could be potential choking hazards. That makes Sleepy Bear a great toy for all children- and a great way to introduce babywearing to curious little ones.

As They Grow Up – My son immediately had to play with this bear upon its arrival to our home. Even as I type this review out he is quietly on the other couch playing with this set. I love how easy it is to take the baby bear in and out of the carrier. It is a fantastic educational toy that is designed to help teach small children about baby wearing.

She Scribes – I think the Sleepy Bear would be the perfect gift for a young child who is about to become a big brother or big sister. It teaches children about how mommies wrap their babies in slings to hold them close to their bodies to keep them safe and warm.

I’m the first to admit that I can be fussy when it comes to traveling on flights. Comfort and cleanliness are my no 1 priorities but sometimes I’d rather sacrifice comfort for the sake of hygiene. One such example is when I refrain from using the pillows which are available during the flights. I dread the thought of germs being passed around through these pillows! Ewww….

If you’re like me, you would be as delighted with these Jetheads Disposable Airplane Travel Pillowcases. These pillowcases are made of soft and comfortable, non-woven fabric and because they are lightweight, they are so easy to carry along. Just slip one over the airplane pillow and you and your love ones no longer have to worry about germs, dirt and drools from the pillow. Best of all, being disposable, you can just toss it away after you’re done using it.

BUY THEM : You can purchase them in packs of 2 for $5.95 or packs of 8 at $19.99. If you travel often, I’d recommend you to get the bigger pack which is definitely value for money. Visit www.travel-with-me.com to get them now!

Here at Travel With Me, we’ve learned that most airlines do not change the pillowcases between flights. Pillows often end up on the floor, and are loaded with dirt, germs and drool. Next time you travel, play it safe and slip a soft and comfortable JetHeads™ Disposable Pillow Case over your airplane pillow and rest easy knowing you and your children aren’t napping where the last passenger just sneezed!

Here are more reviews from other moms:

Cheeks to Cheeks – Why compromise with yours and your love ones health? When traveling, take JetHeads Disposable Pillowcases with you.  It is super light, fits into any handcarry bag and the best part of it:  Disposable! That way, you are guaranteed with no contact of germs left behind by previous passengers.

Mommy Goggles – I love the JetHeads because they are disposable pillow cases for those airline pillows. Don’t worry with laying your head on someone else’s dirty pillow – cover it up with your OWN cover and toss away when you are done. It is that easy.

Three Different Directions – I would recommend these if you are planning on airline travel with your family. This is an extremely functional travel accessory. While it may seem a little pricey at $5.95 for a package of two (available at Travel With Me), look at it as cheap insurance from a ruined vacation due to sickness or infestation or from a heyday of doctors visits when you return home.

One House Schoolroom Reviews – I was wonderfully surprised with the softness and strength of the JetHeads™ Disposable Airplane Pillowcases. I was worried that they might be stiff or scratchy, but did not find either of these to be true. I tried one of the pillowcases on a little pillow my daughter has and she was so excited that she wanted to take a nap with it. She slept well and had no problems with it at all.

Connie’s View – I’m scared of germs and lice and micro-organisms, oh my! And with being able to carry on one piece of luggage per person, I can’t take our own pillows on board. So we’ll be taking JetHeads with us. They are made of a soft, comfortable, non-woven fabric. Now we can snuggle and nap and feel comfy without fear.

Blogmania – If you are on a flight with an airline that still offers the travel pillows, are flying internationally or are flying first class, the JetHeads Pillow Cases are a great solution.

Rockin Mama – For $5.95, you can purchase a pack of two disposable pillowcases and rest assured that you and your family are germ-free. The pillowcases are made of a soft, non-woven fabric but they’re still disposable and not as comfy as your own pillowcase. Nonetheless, I like the fact that they’re compactly packaged and I don’t have to keep up with a pillowcase (I can just toss it after the flight).

Mom of 2 Dancers - The pillowcases are very nice quality for a disposable product. They almost remind me of those allergy cases you put under your pillowcase on regular pillows. You can get a 2 pack for $5.95 or 8 for $19.99. They are geared for children, but seriously if you ever use an airplane pillow, I’d use one of these regardless of being a child or adult!

The Power of Housewife Word Of Mouth – An easy way to protect you and your family when you travel this year is just to pack along your very own set of disposable pillowcases. These would be especially nice on those overseas trips. I need to let Luann know I am ready to start saving for a nice week away with her in some exotic location, and luckily I can be assured of being germ free from the airline pillows with these handy little disposable pillowcases.

Katydid and Kid – I could see stowing these in the car for a long trip, since kids often spill stuff on pillows in the car, and at if you are headed to a destination without laundry facilities, JetHeads would be helpful.

Crumley Family Blog – I would probably mention it, but with the diminishing need for the product (if airlines are phasing out their provision of pillows) it might not be needed as much. I would recommend it for camping or car trips (since I have a kid who drools in his sleep), especially if laundry facilities are not readily available.

Bargain Briana - I don’t usually use the airline pillows for this reason so with this product I may do that. Plus, it doesn’t involve you hauling around anything more than what looks like a folded up paper towel. For just $5.95 for a pack of two, you can have a layer of protection between you and the um, icky airline pillow.

Every year, you will see notices of toys recall from notable toy manufacturers, and as parents, we really wonder if any toy is safe now. If we can’t trust these ‘notable’ toy manufacturers and their standard of quality, who can we trust? Really?

NMC Toys have been building up a reputation of only selecting toys that are of high quality and designed for imaginative play. They search for toys that are Not Made in China (hence the website being acronymed as NMC) and provide you, the consumers with a better selection in toys!

Here’s more on NMC Toys :

NMCtoys.com was developed by parents of two small children in 2007. We made it our mission to provide quality toys that stimulate and challenge a child’s mind.

There was much news regarding the quality and safety of toys produced in China during the summer of 2007. We walked through the toy department of big box retailers and could not find a toy produced outside of China. Gone were the wooden blocks, dolls and wooden trains we played with as children. These toys were replaced with cheap plastic toys that had character ties to movies and cereals. We then turned to the internet and were frustrated by the lack of alternatives and lack of country of origin information. We experienced first hand the frustration and angst associated with taking away our child’s favorite toy that was recalled and we routinely threw away toys within a few days or weeks of purchase due to poor quality. These experiences led to the development of NMCtoys.com.

NONE of the toys found in NMCtoys.com are Made in China. When it comes to our own home we choose to keep Chinese Made Toys out of our childrens’ hands. Many of the toys in our home wind up in our childrens’ mouth and we did not want to gamble with their future.

Our parent reviewers had the opportunity in reviewing some Plush Toys from NMC Toys, which are made of 100% organic cotton and dyed with environmentally friendly natural, metal free vegetable colors. Each plush toy gives the child an opportunity to learn about the various animals’ habitats, and how to protect them.

Buy It : These adorable Plush Toys are retailing at $16.99, and are available at NMC Toys.

Here’s what some of the parents have to say about it :

She scribes : Scout is adorable! He’s not very big (maybe a bit bigger then a large man hand) but what he lacks in size he makes up for in cuteness. He has a very happy smile and his “arms” are opened as if he’s ready to give you a hug.

My son is a huge weather buff so he was especially happy to see Scout. It reminds him real clouds. His logic is since he loves weather Scout should be his friend. We’ll see…

Coordinated Chaos : So Little Dude is enchanted with Waverly, the Water Drop and I am too because of all the learning he is inspiring in my son (and me!) But most of all I love Waverly because he is an Organic USDA certified handcrafted toy. That means I don’t have to worry about my youngest son chewing on Waverly, or wonder if it is OK for Little Dude to be sleeping with Waverly. Waverly is made with conserving nature in mind, so he is made out of organic cotton and the tag is printed in the US on recycled paper with eco friendly inks.

Jo-Jo’s Place : With the quality and safety of toys so very important since the China scare a couple of years ago I have been on the look out for toys that aren’t made in China.

Have you tried to do this?  If you go to your local big box stores it’s proven to be a hard task at hand.

I was happy to get the link to NMC Toys.  All the toys offered at NMC Toys are not from China.  But this isn’t the only plus you will find from NMC Toys.

Mom Start: Scout is extremely soft. My husband even commented on how soft he was. My kids think he’s funny. I think he would make an excellent chew toy. I mean, teething toy. Kids can suck on him as they are breaking in new teeth and I don’t have to worry about the quality of it.

It does say however that it is only for ages three and up because of small pieces. I can’t figure out what those small pieces would be unless they are taking extra precautions that the legs might fall off. Which, I don’t think will happen because it looks like a solid made toy to me.

Babies Gotta to Have It : Not to get all oogly boogly on you here, but I love that.  And these toys are sweet sweet sweet and green green green.  Lola the Flower, Waverly the Water Drop, and Scout the Cloud are made of 100% organic cotton (even the tag is printed on recyled paper with eco-friendly inks). And these toys are definitely Not Made In China — they’re made in Egypt from Egyptian cotton!

PNR Reviews : Each Idbid comes with a code that lets you access a protected part of the Idbids website. I didn’t think my 3 1/2 year old was old enough to appreciate that feature, but to my surprise he got really excited about it. In Scout’s section, we met three animals that live in the rain forest and learned a little bit about why their habitat needs protecting. My son’s favorite part was getting to name the animals and print out certificates with their pictures on them. (Thanks to Idbids from this adoptive parent, by the way, for not making it an “adoption” certificate like so many toys do.)

All Because Two People Fell In Love : Ella has really enjoyed playing with her new Flower Friend, Lola!! She has also enjoyed the online adventures that Lola has to offer! I love that each of the toys in this line come with a purpose and they are educational as well as entertaining! We highly recommend these fun friends!!

Mommy Loves It! : Lola is an adorable plush toy that is made with 100% organic cotton. Each toy in the line is handmade with love, and as Idbids say, ‘No two are alike… just like children!’ My 4-year-old daughter befriended Lola, and she just adored her sweet smile and rosy pink color. With her cute little arms and legs and soft material, she is so huggable! This is the perfect toy to use to introduce your child to earth-friendly concerns.

Mommy Mandy : Sarah is in love with her new Lola Plush Toy. Lola the Flower is here to teach your child all about the “iddy biddy” things they can do to make the world a better place.

Maria’s Space : Our kids love toys. We love giving our kids toys. These toys are safe and environmentally friendly. How many toys do you know are 100% organic? I don’t know of any. An educational, plush toy makes it easier to consider adding another stuffed toy to your collection. I don’t believe any of my daughter’s other stuffed animals teach her anything truly educational.

Happy Healthy Families : Waverly is particularly – and deeply – concerned about protecting
the Earth’s water resources and keeping them clean. His areas of expertise are Oceans, seas, rivers and lakes. My munchkin boys received Waverly in the mail a bit ago, and instantly fell in love with the guy. I have to say this plush toy is so soft–it just feels good to hold him.

Crunchy Green Mom : However… now… I’ve come up with a new plan for Ms. Lola. She is going to be my companion. I am going to start taking pictures with her in random places that I go, and start placing those photos on my blog and my Facebook. What better way to see that world than through the eyes of a Flower girl?

Shake the Salt : You can get your own Waverly or other IdBid from NMCToys(Not Made in China!).Lil Roo has several toys from NMCToys – the toys are always a high quality, a lot of fun, and I do love knowing they are NOT made in China. Waverly was provided to us by NMCToys.

I was jumping with excitement when offered the chance to review the Kodak Theatre HD Player.  I have never considered myself an expert when it comes to tech gadgets but hey, someone values my opinion. How cool is that! Proves that mommy power rocks! Ok, I am digressing….let’s get back on track. Check out my review below:

The Kodak Theatre HD Player, powered by Hillcrest Labs‘ HOME software system and Freespace® motion-control technology, is amazingly compact, almost fooling a first-time user at the first glance with its deceptively simple appearance. The unit is compatible with a variety of input formats such as USB, SD, SF and also has the usual outputs such as RBG and USB. Here is what I used to test this device:

• LG 52” Plasma 1080i TV
• Wireless router
• Laptop

Setting up is quite easy. I elected to use wireless (secured – encrypted network) because that is the most convenient way to connect this device to any computer that is connected to the router. Setting up wirelessly requires some knowledge on your internet connection. It is not much different than setting up you laptop to the router. After the device is set up, you can view basically anything from anything connected to the router.

Before you can view the contents on the big screen, you have to go through another set up process in your PC/laptop where the contents reside. Putting your movies, pictures and music that you want is not difficult but it may be a little time consuming. The drag and drop function makes it more manageable. The software needs to be installed in each computer where you want to view contents from.

There is a selection “All Pictures & Videos” which will search your hard drive for all pictures and video contents. Contents can be transferred to the folder that has been created under your C drive during the software installations.

This device allows you to send and receive photos via the EASYSHARE software under Kodak Gallery. The menu mentioned the ability to connect to online web channels but for the few days I have to play with it, I could not find the function that was stated in the menu. It would be nice to have that feature because users would be able to watch online flicks with it.

Using the pointing device needs a little getting used to. Having said that, it is actually a very simple point and click application. From selecting photos to music stations, it provides a wide range of functionality and flexibility to the user. Since the device is wireless enabled, it allows connection to Internet radio stations and Skype.

Pros :

• Sleek and compact
• Wireless connection enabled
• Multiple inputs and outputs option
• Self explanatory device set up
• Point and click feature
• Images are very clear
• Fast response time
• Provide a point of connection for all your devices instead of dragging out your wires and connectors

Cons :

• No wireless set up instructions provided
• Had to install software and set up on each PC/laptop to share the contents
• HDMI cable was not provided

Conclusion:

The advantages of using the Kodak Theatre HD Player are many and wonderful, and easily balance out its few weaknesses. I strongly felt that when using such a device, the quality of the image is of the utmost importance. This expectation is completely upheld when using the Kodak Theatre HD Player. The pictures are perfectly displayed with no blurring or disruption.

Many thanks to Hillcrest Labs for this review opportunity. If you’re interested to WIN A KODAK THEATRE HD PLAYER, be on the lookout for this opportunity when we announce our Best Review Blog Award 2009 Contest.

A couple of weeks back, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Trebellina and Friends, via DVD. I admitted, initially I was a little skeptical about this DVD, as I wasn’t so sure if my kids would be captivated by Trebellina.

But, guess what? My kids were enthralled by these guys, and till today, they still insist on playing it. Despite the countless of times, they’ve seen it, they never seem to be bored by it. They love singing together with Trebellina and Friends, and they love it when they start teaching all the various musical instruments.

About Trebellina and Friends

The Trebellina DVD occupies a special place in a modern baby’s musical development.  Trebellina fills the gap between the mommy-and-me music classes currently offered to young children and the formal music lessons that young children typically wait years before they can begin.   Trebellina also helps round out the musical experience for young children who study Suzuki through its emphasis on reading written music. Moreover, with Trebellina, parents jumpstart their children’s music education at a fraction of the cost of just one typical music lesson!

Some very lucky reviewers were given the opportunity to review Trebellina and Friends, and here’s what they have to say:

As They Grow Up – When we first received Trebellina, I wasn’t sure how my son would feel about it. He watches a little television, but not alot. It always looses his attention. From the time I started this wonderful DVD, his eyes never left the screen. He feel in love with Trebellina, Mr. Bassy and Da Notes right away. Oops, I almost forgot Rythmo. He is just as important as all the others.

Home School Blogger – The combination of familiar music, fun toys, and small children are enough to hold any child’s interest.  While the rest of us viewed this dvd as boring and redundant, Ian was (and is) mesmerized by it.  He calls it the “plano moomie” (translation: piano movie) and asks for it over and over again.

Contests and Giveaways – All in all, this is a really cute and fun DVD. Kids will enjoy the music, parents will enjoy the thought that it is teaching their kids music. We will continue to have her watch this as she gets older, and I think it will help her read music along the way-at least she’ll have fun!

Babies Gotta Have It – Without becoming too complex, the video sets out to introduce the treble staff, the notes on the staff, and the letter names of those notes.  It then goes on to show in a very clever way how those written notes correspond to notes on the piano.  In between the introduction of the notes, several instruments are introduced, accompanied by a brief sample of the sounds that they make. There is also a segment in which the little purple tornado-shaped character, Rhythmo, urges kids to get up and dance while counting 1-2-3-4 to the music.  The soundtrack is simple but effective–basic melodies (some of which I recognized) played on real instruments, not synthesizers.

5 Vinez Monkeys – The first time I put Trebellina in, none of the kids moved. They were completely enthralled. Then, the next thing I knew, they were up dancing in front of the tv and singing right along. We’ve watched it a dozen times in the last week and Lucy still stands right in front of the tv, laughing, dancing, and singing right along. She can now name the instruments, say all of the notes in order, counts rhythm, and can even sing most of the notes completely on key! I’m amazed at what she has learned in the short time we’ve had Trebellina.

Lotsa Cheeks – The DVD captivated them for a good mere 20 minutes (the DVD is about 30 minutes long). I thought to myself, “Oh no! They are not interested in this DVD. I will have to find another method to teach them music.” Needless to say I was quite disappointed. But my disappointment dissipates the next day. My three year old (who insists she is four) was playing in a corner with her toy instruments and started to name out each one of them. She had never done that before. Imagine the joy! It was like hearing Christmas bells in the air.

Ember Patch – For the past month E has been wearing out the DVD player. She got a few new DVD’s and by far her favorite has been Trebellina. She has watched it so many times that I personally am sick of it. Despite my annoyance at having to watch the same DVD’s over and over, the DVD is a great learning tool. She is actually learning a little music.

Mom Most Travelled – I hope that one day Jojo will play the violin, like I did when I was 6. I think Trebellina (a cartoon treble clef), Rock Bassey (bass clef, of course) and Rhythmo (a curly thingy) will help pave the way for Jojo to be a successful music student as they equip him with valuable musical theory long before he ever takes a formal lesson.

Sassy Frazz – My kids liked singing (matching the note) with Trebellina. My kids liked this DVD and request watching it. I think it is an easy way to introduce the basics at an early age. The graphics aren’t high quality, but the lessons and teachings are of great quality.

Mom Start – It’s not a miracle teaching device. There is no miracle teaching device in my opinion. Teaching your children takes work from the parent and the ability from your child to pay attention. All children learn differently. I do believe though you can teach toddlers at a very young age how to play the piano, how to sing, or even how to read. The Trebellina DVD even tells you that you should reinforce this learning with sheet music, singing, or your own musical instrument. We’re learning with our own keyboard with the help of Trebellina, C D E F G A B.

Makiko – One time, we watched the DVD with Matt’s cousin Ryx and his mom (an elementary student teacher). My SIL, Ryx’s mom, said that the lessons from the Trebellina DVD are the same lessons they teach in their music class. It’s just amazing. So my final say: As a mom, I believe Trebellina is the perfect choice in introducing musical concepts, not only to my kid, but to babies and toddlers. And can I just add (in a whisper), I’m telling you I’m also learning from it. *wink*

De Moments – I had a chance to sit down in front of the TV and watch how it introduce different types of musical instruments, it’s sound, simple introduction of the piano key and notes. There are even some common and catchy children tunes like Old Mac Donald and Row Row Row A Boat which QQ can sing together and roughly gets an idea on how the tune is being played on a piano through the video shown.

The Mom Buzz – The images and video are simple. But overall it’s a great way of introducing musical concepts to little ones. Trebellina has won many awards and accolades from “noteworthy” organizations, including Dr. Toy, iParenting Media, Aegis, Dove and The National Parenting Center. Plus, my 2 year old LOVED it. He asks for the DVD by name! And he follows along with the notes, repeating them.

Ponderings From My Heart – My son is 4 and he was so excited to watch the DVD as soon as it came in the mail. Amazingly enough, the DVD actually kept his attention throughout the entire running time of the movie! Trebellina introduced him to a variety of different instruments, rhythm, as well as tones and pitch. The part that I found to be most fantastic, was that my son was interacting with the characters in the DVD by repeating different letters of the notes aloud as well as counting aloud along with the DVD.

Quiver Full Family – The child approval rating for the disc runs high in our home. All of our children from age six down to our ten-month-old baby are fascinated by the bright, fun-filled antics of Trebellina. They are learning the names of a variety of instruments, singing note names along with Trebellina, dancing to the live action sequences, and clapping along with Rhythmo. I might be imagining things, but I believe I heard our wee baby sing “F” after I echoed Trebellina’s introduction to the note.

Crumley Blog – I popped the DVD in and watched Fuller watch the DVD. Fuller seemed interested and watched almost the entire 32 minutes. What I saw of the DVD was reminiscent of a Baby Einstein DVD and kind of hokey. But then again, Baby Einstein is hokey and we had plenty of Baby Einstein when Fuller was smaller, so I don’t view hokey as a reason to dislike Trebellina. Just consider it a warning to parents: hokey DVD interesting and captivating to the four year old, Mom was rolling her eyes.

One House School Room Reviews – I was so impressed with this DVD from the start to the end. Within minutes of the beginning, both of my children were singing the scale and beating out rhythms on the couch. The DVD kept the attention of both my preschooler, my 1st grader, and our 2 year old niece.

Crunchy Green Mom – I got the Trebellina DVD in the mail the other day and popped it into the player when I wanted to get some magazines out of my pile. I did not even get halfway through the video before I realized that I was watching it just as intently as my daughters were.

Julian and Morin’s Photoblog – Trebellina is revolutionary music teaching series for children as young as one year old. When we first played the DVD, Raelynne including her brother Raelan was glued to the TV. Trebellina designed the music learning as easy as possible for kids. In fact, for me who have less interest in musical notes and instruments find it easy to understand. Maybe because its visually enriching.

Moomette’s Magnificents Reviews - Already I can tell that ‘Lil Moomette, who’s 2-1/2 has inherited some musical talent!  It’s so fun to watch her reaction and interpretation when she hears a sound that’s pleasing or unusual to her!  Every day is an adventure when she’s learning something new & Trebellina makes it so enjoyable, both for the kids, parents and grandparents!

Sassy Irish Lassie – Initially he liked trying to mimic Trebellina singing the notes. Trebellina would say the name of the note and then demonstrate it by singing it. Sounds simple enough. Then they introduce two of the other characters as well a variety of musical instruments. Sadly, after about 10 minutes of the program, my son lost interest and walked out of the room.  I tried a few day later to get him to watch it again to no avail. 

The Mud Bug -My 5yo loved it more then my 4yo did. I keep the DVD in our minivan. I figured that if I wanted them to learn anything make them sit still. An impossible feat at home. My 5yo asks for it all time. She says ‘Can we want the trebel movie?’. So cute. I would say that Trebellina is a big hit in my house as far as the girls are concerned and that I am happy with. I do have to say that the music can be a bit tinny at times but otherwise I would label Trebellina as a definite purchase for your kids. 

Mom On The Rise -  My daughter has always liked music, a preference that she inherits from me. I play piano by ear and while I also read music, I have always believe that learning the notes was the most difficult part of learning the piano. However, Trebellina tries to teach the notes of the treble cliff as well as attempting to teach pitch. Each note sings its name and my daughter sings in reply. for her, Trebellina is a fun way to sing and make noise.

I did a review of Piano For Preschooler’s Basic Course a couple of months back and cannot tell you how thrilled I was with this course. Coming from a person with absolutely no musical background, this fantastic course has work wonders for me and my daughter. We’re both looking forward to progressing to the Holiday Songbook during her kindy’s next semester break.

Here’s an overview of Piano For Preschooler’s Basic Course:

The Basic Course includes a 17-song music book, a 17-track CD, a 19-lesson parent/teacher handbook, and two keyboard color strip guides (one for full-sized piano, and one for mini-key keyboard).  Ideal for ages 3-8.

The Piano for Preschoolers beginning piano lessons teach what a child would learn in 6-12 months of a group piano class or private piano lessons.  With this method, a child learns rhythm, counting aloud, finger numbers, finger position, and reading music (including the names of the notes).  The familiar songs in the beginner piano book give a child the opportunity to practice these musical concepts. The 17 songs include Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Old MacDonald, Ten Little Indians, etc.  A seven or eight-year-old child will move much quicker through the preschool piano lessons than a three-year-old.  An older child will be very familiar with the songs in the music book.  A caring parent or grandparent is the best judge whether these beginning piano songs will motivate an older child.  

A Blog Tour was recently organized for Piano for Preschooler’s Basic Course and here’s what our panel of parent reviewers had to say:

Amanda – What I have noticed with Sam is that since she already knows the keys on the keyboard, so for her Piano For Preschoolers is so much fun. We even took it to her Piano teacher,and she said it was a great book for Sam to use as “free time”.

From Melissa’s Desk – I used this curriculum with my 10 year old son. Okay, I know that is much older than a preschooler, but he has a very short attention span and will not sit still for long if he’s not interested. Because of the immediate results of this program, he loved it. He played every song in the book within the first week.

Maria’s Space – This is a great idea for homeschoolers, preschool parents, kids who want to learn an instrument without a parent putting loads of money into lessons to find out that the child isn’t that interested.

My kids loved playing the songs. I kept the keyboard and book on the table for the kids to play with whenever they wanted them. They went to them often and loved that they could actually play the song.

Sassy Frazz – To help preschoolers learn how to play, they use the two keyboard color strip guides. You just place the color guides onto your keys, and kids can learn from color rather than notes on a staff. What is nice about the color strips included in the kit, one fits a piano, and one fits a mini keyboard. That is a special bonus, because you can get your child practicing piano while on the road. They don’t even know they are practicing that way!

Ponderings From My Heart – Because of the color coding, my son was able to sit down to the piano and begin playing instantly. He caught on right away and was so thrilled to be able to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by himself. And we couldn’t be more proud of him! The songs in the book were familiar to him so he can even tell if he is not playing the right note.

5 Vinez Monkeys – The best part is, the parents don’t have to be musical genuises to teach their children how to play the piano. The lessons in Piano for Preschoolers are really easy to understand, the concept is a breeze to pick up, and the cd they include really helps you understand the timing and rhythm of the songs.

3 Ps In A Pod – I thought this sounded great but might be a little too good to be true.  I was wrong.  Piano for Preschoolers uses color-coded notes written on a traditional musical staff to teach beginning piano. You place a durable color strip behind the keys and it guides the child to the correct key for each note. Since the songs were songs they knew, both P1 and P2 were really interested in trying it out. Piano for Preschoolers teaches the children to read actual notes and play them right on the piano from the very start.  You cannot believe how happy they were when they each picked out the notes and played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!

SAHM Reviews – Both the girls have been playing with it since we set it up and you can probably hear me swearing at the creators of “Piano for Preschoolers” each night around 7:45 pm when the girls insist on playing it before going to bed.  (This is usually when I’m trying to get the girls to get their pajamas on and brush their teeth.)

The crash course in learning to play piano made me smile and it’s going to be a great lesson for my kids.

Lille Punkin’ Reviews – We are now on our 3^rd lesson. I can’t wait to keep showing my son how to play! (Note: You do not have to know how to play piano to teach your children with this program. It tells you exactly how to give the lesson, and you may even learn something new yourself!)

A Little Bliss – I am so glad we discovered this course! It is comprehensive, simple and fun and gives that wonderful head start that only an early education in music can provide. This program is economical, costing less than one month of private lessons, and is a true value once you see the excitement on your child’s face when they begin to play music all by themselves! We love Piano For Preschoolers!

Bragain Briana Buzz – The system is a great introduction to the very basics and gives children the confidence to encourage them to continue. It is fun and easy and requires no musical background on behalf of the parents. Even though I used to play as a child, I’ve forgotten many simple things so it was easy for me to help them.

Little Kiwi - My suggestion is if you want your little ones to learn piano and have fun while doing it head over to Piano for Preschoolers and get your kit today! I am glad to have tried this product because it was fun and it brought the Kiwi and I closer

Atomic Mama – My son has hardly any attention span – but for some reason when music is involved he is all ears (pardon the pun!). The lessons are short and actually kept his attention. I can’t say he’s “mastered” any songs in the couple weeks we’ve been using the system but it amazes me how far he’s come. We have been using the system pretty loosely – and not everyday – but he’s still learning. I know that if I had started him out as “usual” learning scales he would’ve been incredibly bored!

The Mud Bug – My girls are always playing on their big brother’s keyboard and now I was able turn that awful pounding into some beautiful music. My 5.5yo was able to pick it up a little easier then her little 4yo sister. You should have seen their faces when they did a little concert for their family. They were thrilled (to say the least). This program is a great introduction to the very basics and gives children the confidence to encourage them to continue. The best part is that it is fun and easy and requires no musical background on behalf of the parents.

Mommy Brain Reports – We worked on the lessons for a few minutes about every other day. Now my little Mozart wanna be’s are loving it! The first song they played was amazing. Their faces just lit up and their smiles were so huge! Now we all can’t wait until we can go through the lessons all over again!

One House Schoolroom – We had such amazing results with Piano for Preschoolers- in fact my little princess is sitting at the piano right now, tinkering out “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” all by herself. I think the reason that we enjoyed this systems so much is that it gave my children immediate results. They were playing a song that they recognized in the first lesson.

Finally, we have a Vlog from PlusSizeMommy here and here.

• ISBN-10: 0761149724
• ISBN-13: 978-0761149729

The Potty Caddy, recommended for baby to pre-schooler actually comes in a carry along box. It takes a fun, lighthearted approach to potty training by including other cool items like  a 32 pages colour book, super cute toddler-size “magazines” for bathroom reading, toilet targets (probably for the boys), reward stickers, a potty chart and would you believe it, even a child’s very own roll of toilet paper on a refillable holder!

As much as the Potty Caddy will help children develop a positive, excited attitude about being potty trained, I personally believe that the Potty Humour incorporated into this product is meant more to help the “stressed out” parent who is perhaps guiding her toddler in this challenging journey

Interested to know what other Parent Reviewers think of The Potty Caddy? Check out the reviews below:

Momma Findings – I saved my favorite part for the end though, 4 really funny miniature magazines that your tot would love reading while he’s sitting, just like Dad. Titles include:

Vanity Fairy
BQ (Babies Quarterly)
Rolling Stroller
Sports Animated

So, as a Momma to three I can really relate to Rachel Gordon, the author. We both have extensive potty training experience and have been long time toilet users. The Potty Caddy is a must for your journey through potty training.

Sassy Frazz -  The best part of the Potty Caddy, in my parenting opinion, is the kid-themed/kid-sized magazines. Here are the fun titles: Vanity Fairy (Being Free the bearable dryness of being), Rolling Stroller (Rock on, Baby! Ten great songs to listen to while peeing or pooping on the potty), Tots Illustrated (Oops! Don’t get embarrassed: It even happens to the Pros!) and BQ (Babies Quarterly: Dress for success: Great looks for the Newly diaperless).

Loving Heart Mommy -The Potty Caddy is truly everything your child needs to make Potty training fun and easy!Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to have my son Gabriel , 22 months old personally review this as planned. He is away for Holiday, left a bit earlier than expected with his Grandmother/Father. So as soon as he gets back I’m going to pop out this box so we can get ready for some potty training fun! As much as he loves books I’m sure this will be a big hit for him and it will make potty training fun and not a scary experience!

Three P’s In A Pod - The Potty Caddy Book really does a pretty standard job of explaining the how-to part of using the toilet. It is basically factual and gets the point across in simple terms that kids can understand. The toddler magazines are adorable and little kids will feel like they’re reading magazines just like a grown up. There are questions inside each of them that are great for passing the time while you try to get kids to stay put on the toilet, something that is not always easy.

Lille Punkin’ Reviews – When this arrived in the mail, my son was wide-eyed. The little gift box can be reused, and contains a roll of toilet paper (mounted inside the box for use), some miniature “kids” magazines (with pictures of babies and young children in mock magazine layouts), a book to read to the kiddo, and a book to guide the parents. When I showed my son everything included in the Potty Caddy, and I had a chance to explain that it was just for him, he looked at me and whispered, “I think I need to use the potty.”

Reviews By Heidi – I have placed our Potty Caddy in a strategic place – right by the potty! I must admit I found myself reading the Potty Caddy book and laughing out loud. I told my oldest daughter (15) that she had to read it and she said “I already did!” LOL.

This product is definitely not a potty training necessity but it sure will make your potty training effort more fun.

A Mom Speaks – My daughter loved the toddler size magazines. They really made her feel grown up, especially since mama is know to read magazines on the toilet as well. While my daughter is still not fully potty trained she loves going to potty because of the Potty Caddy.

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy – You’ll also find a really cute illustrated book inside the caddy to help your child learn more about their new adventure by helping to answer questions they may have about the new potty/toilet and the process to make it a little less scary. There’s also some really cute kid friendly mini magazines so your little one can be just like daddy sitting on the toilet reading. It’s pretty darn cute!

I wish I had this around with my girls when they were training, it would have really helped encourage them and kept the training fun at the same time.

Crunchy Green Loving Mom – It is also great for daycare and visits to Grandma’s! It has a handle on it so your little one can take it with them. I like that I can fold up the “reward chart” and put it back in the box for her to take to the babysitters, and then to her daddy’s house! That way she has the consistency that is needed for potty training.

This would make a GREAT gift for any parent who’s child is getting up to that point in the next year. Help out a poor stressed parent and the potty training fight!

Busy Mommy Product Review – It is super cute. And Sara Rose seemed to really get a kick out of it and the fact that it was all her’s for sitting on the potty like a big girl.

• 3 animal puzzles
• 7 colourful pegs
• 1 geometric shape puzzle
• 4 basic shape mini-puzzles
• 2 vehicle stackers/pegs

Shop With Baby – It introduces color, shapes, puzzles and pegging to a child. The recommended age for this toy is from two to five. But I would give this toy to my child even if he/she is younger than two as it is soft, has texture on the puzzle and will help my child with an early start off with the motor development.

Amanda – I was really surprised at how Sarah became completely engrossed with the shapes, and playing with each one. I do think her favorite is the animals, particularly the dog. I keep seeing her walking around with the dog cut out.

Sassy Frazz – The carrying case makes this a great activity for my kids to bring anywhere. My kids have a fun time putting the pegs in the holes, and stacking the pegs as high as they can. We also like to find the cat, dog and bear…among the other shapes. This product is great for early childhood development and is geared toward ages 2-5 years old. What a great home school resource for pre-school!

Ponderings From My Heart – At 3 1/2 my son loves puzzles but it’s not long before the ordinary cardboard puzzles become bent, ripped, and no longer fit together. The best thing about the Toddler Tote is that these puzzles hold up to the rough handling of children. They are perfect sized puzzles for little hands and very easy to pop shapes in and out.

Moomette’s Magnificents – The Toddler Tote is compact enough to bring when dining out! Additionally, this education-packed toy is also a great idea for daycare providers and home schooling. Best of all, Lauri replaces lost pieces!

Living In A Charmed Moment – My son had loads of fun with the toy. It kept him playing while focusing on his shapes and colors. He loved the “peg” toys. We also recently went on a 2 1/2 hour car-ride, the Lauri Toddler Tote was able to keep my son entertained for over an hour!!

Mom On The Rise – My daughter has been playing with this non-Made-in-China toy for hours on end. She names all of the shapes, colors, and animals. She pretends to fly a plane or swim with fish and has even counted all of the pieces. Her favorite activity and the one that makes her concentrate the most is trying to put the puzzle pieces back together. It has been amazing to watch.

My Trendy Tykes – My 3 year old and 5 year old loved piecing together the shapes and adding the plastic pegs to each puzzle piece. It’s a huge hit! Plus a great learning tool for my 3 year old as she is learning about all the shapes and colors.

Red Sox Mommy – You’d like it too because it’s perfect for keeping them busy and happy while you get things done around the house.

We opened ours up tonight and let the girls play. They both had fun and didn’t want to put it away when it was time for bed. I have a feeling they have lots of fun times ahead of them with this Toddler Tote.

Just My Rambling - If you are looking for a gift for toddlers this Christmas, this is a great gift. It helps to develop their fine motor skills while teaching them about colors and shapes. The best part is that if any of the pieces are missing which happens very often with toddlers, Lauri will replace them!! The Toddler Tote is currently available at MNC toys.
Book Room Reviews – Educational toys that are fun are my favorite buys for Christmas. The Toddler Tote is one of those toys. It encourages children to work on their eye and hand coordination, learn colors and shapes, and increasing fine motor development. The Toddler Tote includes large and small geometric shape puzzles with a 9? square carrying case. The carrying case is an added bonus so you can take the toys anywhere to keep the kids busy.

Chick N Monkey – As I was unwrapping the package, Ashlyn and Alex were excited. Both of them were curious about the “toys”. Before I had a chance to explain to them the activities, they already started to explore. Alex grabbed the yellow airplane and raised his hand up high and started flying. As for Ashlyn, she popped out all the animals from the squares, hugging them and pretended they were stuffed animals.

Rockin Mama – Not only is this toy entertaining, it’s educational.  This portable, geometric-shaped assortment of Lauri Crepe Rubber shapes and animals can help your child learn his/her colors, animals, shapes, and numbers.  It’s versatile and as your child gets older, you can use it to teach him/her broader concepts such as matching, sorting, and creative storytelling. The primary colors used are bold and vibrant and the shapes are perfect for enhancing the development of fine motor and eye-hand coordination.

Chefdruck Reviews - The Toddler Tote is so clever. The tote is actually a sturdy cardboard suitcase which my kids would have been thrilled with, even if it had been empty. But it was not empty, it was full of activities that have kept my three kids entertained with weeks of meals out. All the shapes are made of Lauri Crepe Rubber which feels interesting and pleasant to the touch. There are three simple one-shape animal puzzles, geometric pieces, and transportation shapes with stackable inserts.

Shake The Salt - I have been wondering how I am going to keep Lil’ Roo occupied & content during the long flights and I have found a cute activity set that I’ll be sure to stash in his carry-on bag.

You already know I love NMC Toys (say it with me: Not. Made. In. China. Gotta love that!!) – they are not a stranger to Shake The Salt. One of my Lil’ Roo’s favorite toys is from NMC Toys.