In Memory of Bryson Ross – Candles in the Wind

The Angels Were Listening

In Memoriam of Bryson Ross – December 14, 2009

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

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Joy Berry Books: Classics For Children – Review and Giveaway

Let’s Talk About

Joy Berry:  Pioneering Educator, Author and Child Development Expert

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Teach Me About, for Ages 1-3

• Let’s Talk About, for Ages 4-5

• Help Me Be Good, for Ages 5-7

• A Fun and Easy Way, for Ages 7-10

• Winning Skills, for Ages 11-12

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

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

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

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

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

The author states:

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

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

For More Information Visit: Joy Berry Books

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

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

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

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

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

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Fisher-Price Elmo’s Tickle Hands Glove

Tickle Hand Groove

Holiday Shopping Online

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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WordWorld: Kooky Spooky Halloween Childrens DVD

Kooky Spooky Halloween

WordWorld, Where Words Come Alive!

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

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

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

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

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

There are two delightful enchanting episodes:

• A Kooky Spooky Halloween

• Sheep’s Halloween Costume

• Bonus – “Monster Maker” Music Video
  

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

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

Kooky Spooky Halloween DVD hit the store shelves in August.

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

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

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Sid The Science Kid and Dive Olly Dive DVD – Review and Giveaway

NCircleEntertainment

Sid The Science Kid and Dive Olly Dive DVDs

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

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

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

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

Change Happens DVD Episodes include:

• Change Happens

• My Mushy Banana

• My Shrinking Shoes

• My Ice Pops

• The Perfect Pancake

The Bug Club DVD Episodes include:

• The Bug Club

• Hello Doggie

• Home Tweet Home

• The Dirt on Dirt

• Don’t Forget the Leaves

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

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

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

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

Episodes include:

• Haunted Ship Prank

• Less is More

• Navigation Consternation

• Follow that Lobster

• Don’t Tell Beth

Suggested Retail: $12.99

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

For More Information Visit: Ncircle Entertainment

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

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

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

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

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

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Purple Princess Goody Bag from Kobold Toys – Review and Giveaway

Girlie Girl

Kobold Toys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information visit: Kobold Toys

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

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

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

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

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

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Iconic Geek Halloween Costume: The Princess Leia Gold Bikini (geeksugar.com)

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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VTech Bugsby Reading System – Review

VTech

Bugsby Reading System

My 3-year old granddaughter started speaking quite early and has an excellent vocabulary.  Whereas her mom used a pacifier that we threw away when she was two, ‘Lil Moomette sucks her thumb.  I think it’s a harder habit to break than the pacifier.  We’ve noticed, however, that due to her thumb-sucking, ‘Lil Moomette has difficulty pronouncing certain words.

My granddaughter enjoys being read to, whether she’s visiting at my house, or at home before bedtime.

I recently had the opportunity to review Bugsby the Book Worm Reading System by VTech, along with two additional books.

Save The Chimp (3-5) – Teaches Letters;  Phonics;  Rhyming; Alphabetical Order; Reading Comprehension

Bugsby and the Magical Museum (5-7)  – Teaches Adjectives; Spelling; Consonants; Punctuation; Reading Comprehension

The Bugsby Reading System by Vtech is recommended by  certified Reading Specialist Dr. Deborah Sharp Libby, Ph.D, and has received the Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award for 2009 for Excellence in Design.

Children are able to read along and interact with their favorite characters while at the same time building early reading skills. Bugsby enables the kids to build reading skills through play while developing reading comprehension, phonics, sentence structure, word recognition and more.

What we liked about the Bugsby Reading System for ‘Lil Moomette is that it reinforces the pronunciation of words that we encourage my granddaughter to repeat.  I grew up learning to read by “see it – say it – spell it.”

The Bugsby Reading System includes a software cartridge with every story book title

Bugsby Reading System Pen & Starter Book Bundle Features:

• Interactive reading system featuring pen touch technology

• Curriculum focuses on reading and language arts

• Story reading and interactive activities

• Cute bookworm character shaped pen

• Comes with bundled title featuring a story about Bugsby

This is a great item for any pre-school, daycare or home-schooling household to have!

Recommended Age Group: 3 – 7

Available at Major Retailers: Walmart, Toys R Us, Target, Sears and Kmart

Become a Fan of VTech on Facebook

Follow VTech on Twitter

Enroll in Club VTech to learn more about VTech’s products and get important updates on new toys and offerings.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Back-To-School: SmartKnitKIDS Sensitivity Socks – Review and Giveaway

Back-To-School

SmartKnitKIDS

Now that it’s August, the Labor Day holiday weekend is almost around the corner, and that means it’ll be Back-To-School!

This is the first time in 17 years that I won’t be sending one of my girls off to school – they’ve both graduated college!

It won’t be too long though before ‘Lil Moomette will be off to kindergarten.  I’m sure I’ll be right there when her mom is taking that first school picture.

I actually have quite a collection of pictures and even continued the tradition right up to the time we packed up the mini-van or car and sent them both off to college!

Both of my girls went to private all-girls schools, and had to wear uniforms.  The oldest couldn’t stand to wear tights or socks, because they would always bother her feet.

I’ve recently had the opportunity to review SmartKnitKIDS seamless socks.

SmartKnitKIDS seamless crew socks are perfect for kids with sensory processing disorder, or for those who just won’t wear socks with seams.

The patented form-fitting design ensures that these socks fit like a second skin – they won’t wrinkle or bunch. The tops of SmartKnitKIDS socks are also elastic band-free, which assures that the kids won’t have any annoying and sometimes painful indentations on their legs.

SmartKnitKIDS socks are available in white, pink, purple, navy & black.
A size chart makes finding the right size easy.

For more information visit: SmartKnitKIDS

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of three pairs (3 pairs) SmartKnitKIDS seamless socks.

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

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

b) Visit SmartKnitKIDS and leave a comment about another fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until August 9, 2009 at 11:00 pm. EDT

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

Thomas & Friends Preschool Play Pack – Review and Giveaway

Thomas & Friends

Thomas & Friends Preschool Play Pack

It’s really amazing how time passes so quickly!  My first and only grandson, Slugger will be turning one in another week!

As the mom of two daughters and grandmom of one granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette, I really hadn’t been paying that much attention to anything remotely having to do with boy toys.

But all that’s changed now that Slugger is in the picture.

Sure, I have a slew of nephews, but I also have many nieces.  The boys just mostly kept to themselves and did well, whatever it was that boys do when they play.  My daughters were always busy playing with dress-up, arts and crafts and sometimes, dolls with their girl cousins.

So, walking into a toy store and having to look for boy toys was like landing on another planet for me.  Of course, I’d ask my husband to come along for his expert advice.

Already I can tell that Slugger is “all boy” – he bulldozes over anything and everything in his way!

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to review some really exciting toys from Thomas & Friends TrackMaster line of engines for little engineers. The Hit Toy Company is known for creating rugged yet detailed engines, track and accessories of the Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Railway System.
As a special treat, the folks at Hit Toy Company have gathered some of their favorite toddler and preschool toys for younger children into this Preschool Play Pack and is offering a special Giveaway to my readers.

Thomas Rock ‘n Roll Guitar

The Thomas Rock ‘n Roll Guitar proved to definitely be a hit with Slugger. As a little musician, he really gets his “groove” on, even at one, with a rockin’ guitar that’s just the right size for him. It plays six tunes, and has a signal whammy bar and Percy slide that creates really cool sound effects. Plus, there’s flashing lights adding to the fun, and really captures and holds his attention!

*Recommended for Ages 18 mos. and up

Another cute preschool toy that’s sure to become a favorite, also part of the Preschool Play Pack is

Remote Control Thomas

Children ages 24 months and up can send Thomas on really useful adventures with this kid-friendly remote control engine. A push of a button moves Thomas forward and backward with fun sound effects and the Thomas & Friends theme song.

I can see how easily Mom, Dad or older sibling can get carried away trying to help the wee ones get the concept of pusing the buttons on this one!

Finally,

Musical Pop-Up Pals

Oftentimes it’s the simplest actions that yield the biggest results.   When children press, spin, switch and pull the chunky, brightly colored buttons and handles they’ll get special musical surprises from Thomas, Percy, Harold or Toby! *Ages 12 mos. and up

As a grandmom, I think these are great activity toys to have on-hand to keep the grandkids busy and stimulated.

Whether you have upcoming birthdays, are starting your holiday shopping list, homeschool or operate a daycare, look into Thomas & Friends.

For More Information Visit: Thomas & Friends Trackmaster

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the Thomas & Friends Preschool Play Pack! (total MSRP $55)

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

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)

a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Thomas & Friends Trackmaster and leave a comment about another fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until August 3, 2009 at approximately 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

Sesame Street Bubble Bath and Fizzy Tub Colors – Review and Giveaway

The Village Company

Sesame Street Bath Products

Bath time has certainly evolved since I was a kid – I barely remember bubble bath, if at all, and if I was fortunate enough to use the sudsy stuff, it probably belonged to my mom.

When my daughters were younger, I did use some bubble bath for them on occasion, but mostly since they were 4 years apart, just got them in and out of the tub along with some tub toys in a hurry.

Recently I’ve had the opportunity to review Sesame Street® Wet Wild Watermelon Bubble Bath and Sesame Street Fizzy Tub Colors from The Village Company.

My grandkids love to take “tubbies” every night, and as most kids do, love to play in water. ‘Lil Moomette absolutely loves to play in the water, and Slugger, at 11 months, is just getting used to the idea that maybe, just maybe, this water business might be fun!  If my daughter is pressed for time, sometimes the two grandkids are put in the tub together.

Sesame Street Bubble Bath

The Sesame Street Wet Wild Watermelon Bubble Bath provides plenty of long lasting bubbles.  What I liked best is that it has natural ingredients, such as wheat protein, which provides gentle cleansing and moisture for their soft skin.

• No animal testing/ ingredients
• 16 fl oz (473 ml)
• Made in the USA

Sesame Street Fizzy Tub Colors

The Sesame Street Fizzy Tub Colors turn the water into bright colors and make bath time extra fun!  While multi-tasking, the kids not only get clean, but also can learn to mix colors!  It’s easy to use, just add 1 to 2 tablets while tub is filling.

The formula is child-friendly, mild and contains Bitterguard, in order to discourage consumption by the kiddies.

I just might try this out myself for a home spa-treatment!

• 24 tablets | 2.5 oz (73 g)

• No animal testing/ ingredients

• For use under adult supervision

For More Information Visit: The Village Company

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of Sesame Street Bubble Bath and Fizzy Tub Colors from The Village Company.

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

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)

a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

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

Now for extra entries (each task will get you 1 extra entry):

~One Extra Entry: Add my banner button to your sidebar or add me to your blogroll, and come back here and leave the link (I will be checking)

~ One Extra Entry: Become a Fan of Moomettesgram on Facebook and let me know your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Google Friend Connect (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Networked Blogs (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow Me on Twitter and let me know your Twitter name in a separate comment.

~One Extra Entry: Tweet about this contest (Retweet button at bottom of post), and come back to this post and leave the URL link to the Tweet so I can check. You may Retweet once per day until the end of the contest, but please leave a separate comment for each Retweet, along with the permalink

~One Extra Entry: Blog about the contest on your blog linking to my blog and the site

~One Extra Entry: Favorite Moomette’s Magnificents in Technorati and leave your name (I will be checking) in a separate comment  (the link is on my right sidebar).

Make sure you comment separately for each task after the required entry task so you will get credit for each one ~ and leave your e-mail where you can be contacted.

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

Winners are chosen by Random.Org, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

*Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

*Include your email if it’s not enabled.
*Open to USA and Canada Only
*Rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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