If I had....$50 - Good for the Kids Giveaway

During one of our latest giveaways (don't worry, winners to be announced from last week's giveaways on Monday), I asked what you would like to see more of on my site. One of the overwhelming responses was ALL THINGS NATURAL AND ORGANIC. So, I thought what better way to kick it off than with yet ANOTHER giveaway AND something GREEN AND ORGANIC?

We are giving away a $50 gift certificate from Good For The Kids, a brilliant online store featuring some of the best toys EVER. From Melissa and Doug wooden toys to soft cuddlies, you can rest assured that your little one will be playing with toys that will not only be safe for them, but will also nurture their creativity and imaginations.

In order to enter, please visit Good For The Kids website and visit their website. Come back here and leave a comment, telling us what you would buy from their store if you won the $50 gift certificate (along with your name and email, please). This contest ends August 9 at 11: 59 EST, and a winner will be chosen randomly. If you are the randomly chosen winner and your comment does not include the necessary criteria (name of favorite products from Good for the Kids store, your name, your email), you will automatically be disqualified and a new winner will be chosen.

**Please note: All entrants are limited to one entry per day, but are invited to enter their name each day during the week that the contest is open (please choose a different products for each entry).

Good luck!

Save with TAG

Let your child's first banking experience be a good one with these wooden banks. The banks come in a variety of animals: Choose between a wooden bear, cat, dinosaur, elephant, pig, or snail bank!

Not only are these banks virtually unbreakable, but they also feature a mirror backing, so the child's money seems to be growing faster, encouraging them to save! These 2 inch thick solid hardwood banks would make a great statement in any child's room!

Click HERE to check them out!

Toot Scoot

It's no secret that toddlers and kids of all ages love pushing around on anything with wheels. Traditionally, we as parents have bought our children 3-and-4-wheeled miniature cars and trikes to zoom around in/on. Today, we have yet another option: the Toot Scoot.

The Toot Scoot, made for ages 2-5 boasts thick plastic-rubber wheels that not only help your child balance, but will also never need to be aired. Both the seat and handlebars are adjustable, ensuring a great fit for your child. And, unlike many riding toys - this "bike" comes without training wheels or pedals. Instead, it encourages your child to push off the ground with their feet, learning how to balance (as well as coordination and motor skills) - which means your child will be ready for a traditional bike even sooner!

The original Toot Scoot was made by Buck Hale, a BMX bike rider and motorcross racer, for his son as a Christmas present. He wanted to share his love of bikes with his one-year old son, Seth. By 18 months, Seth could balance with his feet off the ground, and shortly afterwards he was buzzing around like a pro. Friends and passer bys were constantly stopping Buck, asking him if he would make them a Toot Scoot, or where they could find them - and, so Toot Scoots were born.

You can get your very own Toot Scoot at www.tootscoot.com.

Available in Black, Blue, Red, and White. $79.95

Our Favorite Things - Age One

Struggling to figure out what to buy for your one year old?

Lorelei loves:Braincandy DVDs!! I can't tell you enough how much I LOVE these DVDs (and L too). We have the Baby Einstein and a TON of other DVDs...but these. She. loves. them. Usually, she'll watch an educational dvd for 10 minutes tops. These hold her attention for 45 minutes STRAIGHT (if we let her). -And, a quick disclaimer...while I don't recommend letting DVDs and the such being the only way your child learns or acting as a babysitter 24/7, they really are OKAY if used sparingly and as learning AIDS (meaning they have hands on learning too). Anyway. These rock.



Board books and cloth books. We technically don't have the one pictured...but I'm sure she'd love that one too! Books are one of her favorite things!
Little People. She loves these things!! She received 2 of these and 2 mini backyardigans from her Granny for Easter and she'll carry them to and fro in her hands EVERYWHERE.
Fisher Price "walker". It's a walker, interactive toy (with music! - and the buttons make lights flash and all sorts of things), has compartments to put toys in and take toys out, ride-on toy, and roll-y toy all in one! She can spend a good hour playing with this thing - and it will grow with her! (It also helps barricade the stairs - haha)



And, this one...well...technically, it's my pick. Although....Lorelei DOES love turning the pages (and trying to rip them out) and will try to carry it around. But, it's up here for YOU. By now you are totally used to and have probably identified most of the child-raising how-to books that are mostly all the same. But, this one is different: It looks beyond the physical differences and stages your child will be experiencing and focuses on the psychological and behavioral stages and development. VERY GREAT book. Focuses on Birth to 3.



****If you are family/friends reading this (for Lorelei's birthday), we already have this entire list - so, I'm not hinting around. ;) HOWEVER, check HERE for the major hints for things she'd love (or, if you want some more ideas for your own little one).

Bumbo Seats. Recall.

There are two well known seats on the market, both claiming to help babies learn to sit faster (or at least allowing them to enjoy sitting before they are able to hold themselves up). The Bumbo and BebePod have been a favorite among parents.

Until recently.

A little while back, Bumbo did a voluntary recall. In today's world, the term "recall" sparks panic in the minds of parents. Lead in the paint. Chemical Burns. Toxins. Unsafe. But, with Bumbo, that wasn't the case at all. The recall was actually to replace the sticker on the back of the seat. The sticker contained a warning - to parents, that they should not put their child in a Bumbo seat (or any other seat) on a counter-top or other high surface alone. Common sense, right? - Apparently not so much. So, basically...some kids fall and Bumbo decides to do a voluntary recall.

What does it mean for you?: Bumbo printed up some new stickers. The stickers are bigger and bolder. The actual bumbo seats? Nothing has changed - they were never UNSAFE. So, you can continue to use your old Bumbo Seats. In fact, Bumbo sent the new stickers out to retailers with the instructions to add the new stickers.

Tatutina

Achoo-Boo-Boo Tissue Box Cover

Little Box (Boy)

Little Box (Girl)

ABC Frame

Add a touch of whimsy to your little one's room with Tatutina. Bright, colorful designs from picture frames to precious boxes to creative organizers.

Tatutina's Achoo - Boo - Boo Box is the perfect tissue box with a great place to put essentials for the common boo - boos, all displayed neatly and ready to use.

The beautiful boxes by Tatutina make wonderful gifts for any little girl or boy on your list. Sweet boxes that can be used for anything, from extra storage to being a focal point in the nursery.

Insert a picture of your angel into the Tatutina ABC Frame, making the perfect gift to give to loved ones...

Check out Tatutina and tell us what your favorite is!

Oh, rubber ducky!

We love rubber ducks. But, what do you do when you just can't get that extra water out? If you let it sit, it will mold, creating a nasty little problem.

I looked it up and all I could find for suggestions was bleach. Lots of bleach. That - and boiling or using the dishwasher.

Right. But really, how does adding MORE water (hot water) get rid of the water that is already a problem? It doesn't. So, this morning: I made it my task to figure out a way to get the water out so Baby L can continue playing with her beloved duckies.

Option 1: Poke an extra hole in it. I recommend using an ice pick or nail (or the corn cob holders) to poke a hole in its beak. It'll give an extra hole to squeeze water out AND provide a squirter!

Option 2: Squeeze it out. If the hole is in the middle on the bottom, as it is with ours, fold up the body so the hole is the lowest point. Now press the little bugger down until it can't be pressed anymore. Don't worry, ducky will get over it and will puff back out after a while.

Option 3: Try getting out most of the water and then either set it into a little puddle of rubbing alcohol OR use something to squeeze it into the ducky (like the medicine syringe for animals OR something similar).

Option 4: Try all of the above...together!

But, whatever you do...don't use bleach. Soapy warm water is plenty to get all the nasties off of the inside. They rubbing alcohol will take care of the germs on the inside and help dry it out (you can also use tea tree oil if it starts getting moldy). But bleach and other cleaners are a BAD idea. Because it will come out in your child's bathtime water and they will be taking a bath in tilex, bleach, or oxy water. Yuck. And, they may even try drinking that water (from the duck)...or get the water in their eyes.

My Traveling ABCs

Baby L loves her Traveling ABCs... all 26 of them! Each letter is specially designed with different textures for baby to explore, as well as a velcro loop on each one - perfect to use with the Babe Ease Clean Shopper and Clean Diner.

Younger babies can play with the letters and attach them to their infant car seats. Older babies and toddlers can have fun trying to find items in the store that start with the letters they've attached to their Clean Shopper, helping to make that shopping trip go a little bit smoother!

Check them out HERE!

block party.

Check these out! Each set of blocks come with 2 wedges (24"X12"X28"/each), Large cube ( 12" X 12" X 12"), and a Cylinder (12" X 12"). This set is recommended for ages 6 months and up and retails at 129.99-179.99. They can be found at Target and here.

These blocks would be perfect to build magic castles, or even as room decor and a place to sit in a child's playroom. Can you think of a better way for a little one to learn shapes and colors?