It’s so much fun to be a grandmom! Like my own mom, my kids were born while I was in my early 30’s, so I always figured it would quite awhile before I became a grandmother. When my oldest daughter and her husband presented me with my first grandchild, ‘Lil Moomete, two years ago, I was delighted.
Imagine my delight when my new grandson Slugger was born this past August! I couldn’t contain myself!
Having a grandson is a little different than having a granddaughter. Being of the female persuasion, I’m used to shopping for frilly things ~for my own girls as well as my nieces. It’s taking a little getting used-to picking out clothing and accessories for the (so-far) male heir to the family dynasty that would be acceptable to his fashionista mama.
Bumkins Finer Baby Products was founded by Jakki Liberman in 1989. Initially conceived as a means to provide her own young family with an alternative to disposable diapers, Jakki began the company with a single prototype, the All in One cloth diaper. This inventive design, which rivaled disposables in convenience, became the foundation of Bumkins product offerings.
In 2005 Bumkins became a Dr. Seuss licensee and entered into the world of infant and toddler apparel.
I received the most adorable Dr. Seuss Coverall Seuss Suit to review from Bumkins Finer Baby Products. Dr. Seuss was one of Slugger’s mom’s favorite characters when growing up.
The Coverall is adorned with the whimsical characters Thing One and Thing Two as well as the classic Cat-In-The-Hat stripe print. Seuss logo snaps for easy dressing complete the outfit, which also features adorable back pocket details!
The Dr. Seuss line also features coordinating accessories! Complimenting the outfit I received was a Dr. Seuss Waterproof SuperBib:
* Made of Bumkins’ proprietary waterproof fabric
* Stain and odor resistant
* Adjustable Velcro closure
* Features catch-all pocket
* Machine washable, hang dry
* Measures 10″ across, 9″ from neck down
* Sized to fit 3 months - 2+ years
* PVC, BPA, Phthalate & Vinyl Free
* Made in the USA, with American made fabrics
If you’ll be shopping for a little one this Holiday Season, or looking for a superb children’s line for Baby Showers, Newborns, Birthdays or your own children, visit Bumkins Finer Baby Products at http://www.bumkins.com for more information.
I’m delighted to let my readers know about a new toy just in time for the start of Holiday Shopping and Gift-Giving Season!
This year has proved a challenge to me when trying to figure out gifts to get ‘Lil Moomette. My granddaughter just turned 2 in October, and is at that wonderful exploratory age where she investigates everything! I must say that even when my own daughters were two years old, that was probably one of my favorite stages. Everything you try to expose them two, they soak up like a sponge!
When I shopped for gifts, I always tried to choose a toy that was interactive, and challenged their little minds.
The Toddler Tote by Lauri is just the toy I would choose for ‘Lil Moomette.
Complete in it’s own 9-inch square carrying case that’s ideal for travel and storage, the Toddler Tote is ideal for quiet-time (and what parent or Baby Boomer grandparent can’t use a little of that every now and then?) Children are challenged by colors, shapes, puzzles and pegging.
Shapes are made from Lauri Crepe Rubber, and include large and small geometric shape puzzles.
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.
When my youngest daughter who’s now 21 was a toddler, the only way we could get her to go to sleep at night was by listening to music. Several of her favorite storybooks came with accompanying music tapes.
Back then, she had a tape player ~ you may or may not remember them ~ the kind where if the thin tape got twisted or stuck that was the end of everything? Can you imagine what it was like trying to get my toddler to sleep at that point?
We actually still have the special tape player and many of the same books, which will probably be passed down to my daughter’s children if she ever has any.
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to review some absolutely stunning illustrated storybooks from the publishing group, The Secret Mountain.
Dream Songs Night Songs: From Belgium to Brazil A Duck in New York City Down at the Sea Hotel
Each storybook came with an accompanying CD filled with music that compliments the story and is attached to a pocket on the back cover.
My granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette just recently turned two. Our favorite out of the collection is the Down at the Sea Hotel. The CD includes 14 performances and additional printable files, along with lyrics and illustrations.
I recognized several of the songs immediately ~ “Goodnight, My Angel” , written by songwriter Billy Joel; as well as other songwriters including Neil Young.
These would make perfect Holiday, Birthday or anytime gifts for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, family friend or home schooled children.
Much like her auntie’s favorite books and tapes, these delightful story time books and CDs from The Secret Mountain are destined to become cherished favorites of ‘Lil Moomette.
Please share with me your child’s favorite bedtime ritual ~ I’d love to know if any other children listened to music like my youngest daughter did!
It’s hard to believe, but even though I have one daughter who’s 21, I still get slipped little notes to “Santa” about what’s on her Christmas List. When she was little, I always used to save her lists and put them in her baby book. Its fun to drag out the baby books and reminisce every now and then.
If you haven’t started your holiday shopping yet and are looking for some neat stocking stuffers, Bella Sara is a trading card game that’s complimented by the magical online land of North of North ~ home to the beautiful horses pictured on Bella Sara trading cards. Bell Sara has captured the hearts of young girls across the country, offering positive, inspirational messages.
The Bella Sara family of horses is expanding as they welcome Baby Bella foals, complete with new trading cards featuring gall of the brand-new babies. On November 6th, the website is kicking off a 10-day celebration where kids can qualify for daily prizes, print of babies’ birth certificates, read stories, and get access to special codes and more.
Each card is approximately the size of a playing card, and features an inspiration quote and comes with a checklist.
Whether you’re looking for something unique for your own daughters, nieces or granddaughters, these cute cards are worth checking out!
Baby Bella Card Packs will retail for $2.99 each, and are available at major retail outlets, booksellers and toy, hobby and equestrian shops in North America.
I’m fortunate that I get to see my grandchildren almost every day. ‘Lil Moomette is at such a terrific age ~ her little mind soaks up everything like a sponge. What’s fun now is that she’s learning to express her creativity with crayons, coloring books and paper.
Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat is no mess magic ~ the pictures children draw on the mat magically disappear without any mess to clean up (which usually, is left to Grandma.) With the Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat, you just add water to the Aqua Pen and voila ~ watch as the kids have fun drawing pictures that magically appear on the doodle mat!
This unique toy inspires their young imaginations and artistic talents whether they kiddos are playing on their own, or with their friends.
The Draw ‘N Doodle is a large, soft, fabric mat that is great for either individual or group play. Additionally, it’s durable and re-usable ~ the fabric mat can be used over and over again for hours of no-mess magical fun ~ which is great for Grandma too!
What I particularly like about it is that it’s non-toxic, rolls up and is easy to store!
The Aquadoodle Draw N’ Doodle Mat is the perfect creative playtime activity to keep on hand for when the grandchildren come to visit, home schooling, travel, or as a gift for the upcoming holidays!
Age Range 2+ years.
Suggested Price: $24.99
Available at all leading toy retailers.
Anyone with a 3-year old knows how much they luv to take a “tubby” bath. I remember those days well. Either they fight you to no end, or they enjoy it so much that they don’t want to get out!
As a grandmom, I babysit quite often for the little darlings, and get to relive the experience all over again with ‘Lil Moomette!
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to review Bath Blizzard, by Spin Master.
The Bath Blizzard, a bubble machine,
…creates fun by releasing a waterfall of bubbly foam fun for the tub that your children can actually clean with.
Bath Blizzard can be securely hung on the faucet using the adjustable strap for a clutter-free bath.
This fun, compact bath bubble-maker hangs securely onthe side of the tub via suction cups, with just the turn of a knob, a waterfal of soapy bubles goes spilling into the tub. It’s sure to make bath time a blast for evn the most water-averse little tyke!
Now where with this ingenious idea when my children were little?
The Bath Blizzard consists of a tears-free formula that is
HypoAllergenic
Pediatrician and Opthalmologist Approved
Hypo-Allergenic for Sensitive Skin
Wheat-Free
Fragrance-Free
Paraben-Free
Additionally, Bath Blizzard comes complete with a Battery-operated Foaming Machine; with strap for stability on the side of tub, 2.54 fl.Oz. Bubble Bath Concentrate (which is enough for 10 baths) and is Refillable.
Ages 3+
Available at Target,Toys R Us and Walmart.
If you’re looking for a unique Birthday Gift or present for Holiday gift-giving this season and for more information, visit Kid Kleen at http://www.kidkleen.com/
As a Baby Boomer Gram, I always seem to have an opinion on everything. One of the things I enjoy most is grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to and from my office commute. It never fails to amaze me how many clerks at the coffee shop can’t seem to make change without the help of the computer cash register.
Likewise, many young children today are so digitally connected, that something as elementary as telling time by looking at a clock with hands ~ the old fashion way ~ simply stumps them.
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to review a quality product from Olive Kids.
‘Lil Moomette, my 2 year old granddaughter, loves to be held up by her Grandpa to our pendulum clock in the living room, and hear it go “tic toc.”
I received a beautiful Blossoms And Butterflies Personalized Clock with her name on it. The clock face is a light pink with a pretty pink flower arrangement in a purple pot. The personalized name is centered around the base of the pot. Butterflies replace numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9. The clock measures 12 in. across, and uses one AA battery (not included). There’s even coordinating bedding available to match!
Something as simple as a clock with moving hands can truly help even a toddler get a head-start on number recognition, sequencing, identification and counting skills, prior to Pre-School.
If you’re a mom who home schools your children or a Grandparent, Aunt or family friend looking for a unique gift ~ Olive Kids has it all.
Olive Kids is a delightful online shopping experience offering just about anything for kids that you can imagine ~ kids bedding; infant bedding; personalized clocks; rugs; wall art; plush & floor pillows; growth charts & more!
Best of all, Olive Kids has received many Mom-Tested and Mom-Site Awards.
The Blossoms and Butterflies Personalized Clock is definitely a winner. Many other styles for both Girls and Boys are available. Visit at http://olivekids.com
Now that Holiday Selling Season is getting into full swing, here’s a tip I’d like to pass along to help your sales and get some FREE ADVERTISING. Online Shopping is going to be very popular this year, given the exhorbitant cost of gas, and many people are going to be looking for ways to stretch their hard-earned dollars.
When you go to post, most bump sites require the following:
1. The picture of your Auction or Fixed Price or Store Inventory item that is in your computer.
2. Your title of your auction (just copy and paste the title of your auction that you created in eBay)
a. with the mystery auction site, the last word of your title can be “mystery”
b. when you cut and paste your title from eBay, just delete the last couple of words & type in mystery.
3. The item # of your auction (usually found on the right hand side of your auction)
When my daughters were younger and birthdays or holidays were approaching, I can always remember scratching my head to try to find the perfect gift.
Whether a gift for my girls, or gifts for a birthday party for their friends or my niece, it was challenging to come up with something that would stimulate creative play and their young minds.
‘Lil Moomette is just at that age now where she likes to emulate her Mom ~ carrying small purses and a miniature play cell-phone that she tries to call everyone on (stimulating her vocabulary too!)
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to review My Mommy’s Tote. This is a compact, take-along bag that will keep any toddler or pre-schooler entertained for hours! It’s jam-packed inside with enough activities to keep any child 3 and up busy!
My Mommy’s Tote is also a great activity toy for home schoolers or as a special activity toy for Grandparents to keep around when the grandchildren come to visit.
From the Back Cover “My mommy is so busy, just like me!”
Cuter than a button, My Mommy’s Tote is a delicious interactive gift for mothers and kids, a die-cut cornucopia stuffed with marvelous adventures and surprises, endearingly written.
* There’s the clock with hands that move
* A maze to navigate
* A spin wheel for learning the alphabet and numbers
* A special pen to draw on the write-on, wipe-off board
* Mommy’s laptop, cell phone, and wallet with a removable credit card
In all, there are more than 75 objects and 30 activities where things lift up, slide out, unfold, flip open and beguile. The magic and discovery go one and on.
P.H. Hanson Has Three Children and Lives in New York City.
We’re coming into the 2008 Holiday Selling season now on eBay ~ my favorite time of year, as sales in my eBay Store, Moomette’s Magnificents, really start to jump! As a Grandma, I’m always on the lookout for that special toy that’s sure to be a big hit with the kiddie set. I’m going to rely on my copy of the2008 Holiday Toy Guide.
The 2008 Holiday Toy Selling Guide is a resource for eBay sellers that provides a list of the toys expected to be the most popular this holiday season. This list is compiled from industry experts and compares the retail prices to performance on eBay and then this information is provided in a weekly report.
Want to get a heads-up? Here’s 9 Tips For Finding Those Hard To Find Toys:
Just because you may not see a toy on the shelf in a store, doesn’t mean it is out of stock. Use these nine tips to find even the toys that are the most difficult to get your hands on.
1. Communicate with your local stores to learn stocking patterns
2. Talk with store stockers just to learn how they run their store
3. Store employees are more likely to talk with collectors than dealers - Be very careful of your wording ~ They will figure out that you are a dealer/reseller when you visit buying the same things over and over.
4. Talk with customer service folks - Don’t assume all employees have the same level of information. Sometimes they have information the stockers don’t have. Where a stocker may not know when they are getting a shipment of a specific toy, the customer service folks may be able to tell you.
5. Avoid the big stores - check out drug stores, grocery stores - even smaller online toy stores
6. Visit grocery stores/drug stores in less affluent areas
7. Visit out-of-the-way cities
8. Look behind other toys on the shelves
9. Look under shelves in hidden storage areas - and places employees would hide toys.
The 2008 Holiday Toy Guide provides you with a list of the most popular toys - many of these toys are going to get harder and harder to find as we get closer to the Holiday Season. Be sure to use these tips to find these great selling toys.
Hurry! Weekly updates to the Holiday Toy Guide start the first week of November… and joining before November 4th will ensure that all 8 updates are received.
* Made of Bumkins’ proprietary waterproof fabric
I received three different storybooks from 
