Great baby teethers: Sophie the Giraffe

Sophie the Giraffe

Sophie the Giraffe is one of the most popular teething toys around (for over 40 years) and for good reason!
She's made in France in the Alps from natural rubber which is phtalate-free and decorated using non-toxic food dyes, all safe for baby to chew and hold. Sophie is just the right size for little hands.
Sophie's about 7 inches tall with lots of spots to hold on for good munching. She also has a squeaker inside for aural stimulation. Over half a million Sophies are sold every year in France alone.
My four month old is enjoying this one as we speak he likes to look at her spots and chew on her nubby head. My girls (ages 2 years old and 3.5 years old) like to take Sophie from him and squeak the toy for his entertainment (and theirs).

My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure review

Shout! Factory/ Hasbro

The My Little Pony gals are back in an all new animated tale: My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure. My daughters (ages 2 and 3.5 years old) were very excited for this DVD to be released. They enjoy playing with the toys, though they've never seen a My Little Pony cartoon or anything else prior to Twinkle Wish Adventure. I, however, vaguely remember the 1980s TV series and remember enjoying it as a little girl. So I've enjoyed seeing them play with the toys and also looked forward to watching the DVD with them.

My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure follows Pinkie Pie and all her pony friends as they wait for the Winter Wishes festival where the Wishing Star grants each pony one special wish. But when the Wishing Star is stolen by a lonely dragon, they go on a journey to find it.

The story is pretty routine for a kids movie but my girls were really into watching it. They sat still, not to miss a moment. They both told me they like it because they like the ponies. In fact they got out some of their ponies to play along with the movie. But this isn't one they ask to see again. We got a sneak peak copy of it, so we've had it for over a week now and I've yet to have them ask to play it again. But when I got it out today to watch, they were happy with the idea.

Myself, I found it pretty boring and disliked the high pitched voices of the ponies. I also am not fond of the message the closing song sends to the little girls watching: "Dreams do come true if you wish for them." This isn't the message I want my girls to go for. Wishing for something doesn't get you anything in real life. I'm all for dreaming big and I do like movies that push for that. But I'd prefer a message that dreams come true if you work hard to achieve your goals, even at this young age.

The DVD also includes a new animated short “Elefun and Friends,” the “Waiting for the Winter Wishes Festival” prequel (which you can watch HERE), six sing-along songs, downloadable coloring sheets, cut-out pony ornaments and four other activities.

All in all, if your girls (or boys, though the target of this movie is clearly little girls) are really into the My Little Pony toys, then I'd recommend renting this DVD first to gauge their interest in it and see how you like it as well. This isn't one I'd rush out to buy.

Regardless of whether or not your little ones enjoy the movie, the My Little Pony toys are hard to beat for little girls. I found a coupon for $5 off $20 or more of a My Little Pony purchase HERE.

Minui's HandySitt portable high chair

Tired of a big bulky high chair taking up space in your dining room?

Then check out the Danish children's furniture maker minui's HandySitt portable high chair.

This little baby folds flat and can be stored in a closet or you can just leave it anchored to a chair at your table, like I do.

The HandySitt can be used for babies 6 month old all the way through 5 year olds who still need a little boost up to the table.

The seat is simple. It has sliding sidebars that adjust in length based on the chair back height. Those hook on the back of the chair. You anchor the seat with one strap around the bottom of the table chair. The seat part then folds down.

Maybe the best part: the seat strap that holds your tot in stays put on the seat. No having to buckle your little one up every time you sit down to eat. (You can get the optional 5 point harness if you'd rather though.) I love that feature, as does my two year old. She feels like a big girl in this chair and she acts like one too. She asks to sit in her chair now instead of crying when its time to have to buckle up in her old high chair.

Another bonus: it looks cool, sleek and eco-friendly. It comes in trendy, gender neutral colors: red, silver, or black on natural wood or metal. Minui's website says about its eco-construction: "Made with steel and FSC-certified birch, it uses only the materials it needs. All paint and varnish finishes are formaldehyde free, and the plastic guard contains no Phthalates. In other words, it can be safely licked clean by your toddler."

If you want to take it to a restaurant or grandma's house for the holidays, just fold the seat part flat and you're good to go. The HandySitt is lightweight so its easy to take wherever. But do note it doesn't fit on every table chair. Read about chair requirements to hold it HERE.

All in all, this is by far our favorite high chair for toddlers. I can't wait to try it with my younger baby to see how practical it is for him at the six months old stage of eating. I'll report back on how that goes in a few months.

Fancy little princess costumes

Little princesses are among the most popular costumes for Halloween and every other day of the year... and why not! Little girls like to dress up in pretty gowns and wear crowns on their heads. It's innate. Even before my daughters had ever seen a Disney princess movie or any other princess cartoon or book, they knew that they liked princesses. They'd spot them at the store and were immediately drawn to them. That said, here's a look at some of the best princess costumes we've tried out and put to the princess test for Halloween and "dress-up" days...

Toys R Us has a fantastic Disney Cinderella costume made by Disguise Inc. This dress has gorgeous embellishments complete with a glittery castle, fireworks and stars on the dress fabric plus a Cinderella cameo sewn to the bodice - something I thought was okay but my daughters thought was really neat. The dress is quite poofy like all good princess ball gowns should be and made with durable fabric that will stand up to Trick-or-Treating and then some! The dress comes with a silky ribbon headband and necklace to complete the look. This dress needs to be spot cleaned only to get out any royal messes, so don't eat dinner in it for ultimate use after Halloween. The costume is part of their Children Affected By AIDS Foundation collection, in which Toys R Us contributes to the charity.

PrincessTimeToys.com has the most practical yet still pretty princess costumes we've come across by Little Adventures- they're washable! We tried out the Belle Winter Dress-Up Gown, petticoat slip, gloves and red flower headband. It is really soft and made with good quality, comfortable fabric. And did I mention it's washable - so enjoy that spaghetti dinner on Halloween because you can full clean this costume and use it over and over again. This one is a good choice for a chilly evening too because it has three-quarter length sleeves. To maximize its princess-ness, you might want to add on their petticoat slip for some princess-y poofiness because the dress by itself lies pretty flat. Read about the mom behind PrincessTimeToys HERE.

The Disney Store and Disneystore.com have a fun and fanciful Sleeping Beauty aka Princess Aurora costume. This dress is in princess pink satin, crushed velvet and tulle with gold glittery embellishments, including a castle and star theme all around the bottom of the dress and an Aurora cameo near the neckline. It is soft and comfy but needs to be spot cleaned. This dress has long sleeves, really nice feature on a chilly Halloween night but your princess won't overheat in it because its not bulky by any means. Colder climates will need tights on underneath for sure. Because this one goes down to the ground you may be able to even get away with a pair of long johns under there for added warmth. Either way, this is a pretty dress for a pretty princess.

A dress with an impressively cool feature is the Crystal Princess Twinkle light-up gown from Spirit Halloween made by Rubies. This dress has tiny fiber optics woven into the fabric, so when you turn it on with the little controller sewn into the waistband - it twinkles. These are NOT super bright lights by any means - it just looks like twinkling stars and will catch the eye of all the other little trick or treaters and be met with lots of oohs and ahhs. But if you're going to a party indoors with full lighting, this dress looks super glittery and it is sort of hard to tell that it is as cool as it is in darker conditions. A bonus for wee princesses, this dress is a little shorter than other princess dresses, at least on my two year old, which means no tripping over a long costume while trying to keep up with the bigger kids at the party or on the street.

From Tinker Bell to seasonal fairies - a look at some cool fairy costumes

Tinker Bell is one of the most famous fairies
(and an easy to find costume)

Fairies rank right up there with princesses as favorite costumes for little girls, on Halloween and dress up play any other day of the year.

Tinker Bell is among the most popular fairies around, so you can find a Tink costume almost anywhere these days. We have two that my girls really enjoy. One by Creative Designs International. The other is the Tinker Bell Role Play Light Up Dress.

You can also make any costume into a fairy by adding wings. For instance: add wings to your princess costume and you're a fairy princess; add wings to a pumpkin costume and you've got a pumpkin fairy; add wings to some pjs and you're the tooth fairy; dress up in a winter outfit with a cozy hat and poof - a winter fairy; and so forth. It's one of the easiest costumes to play around with and use your imagination with, as a good fairy would.

An easy fairy is a winter fairy!
Just add wings to a warm outfit

One place to find cool specialty fairy gear is the online boutique Fairy Finery. Their costumes and accessories are hand made by moms in the USA. And they've got quite a magical collection.

Fairy Finery flower dress & hairband (not wings)

Among their cutest - and multi-purposeful- the fairy flower tulle dress. My two year old has been sporting this costume around all week. It has a velvety soft bodice and the skirt is light, airy and poofy and it is filled with flower petals. She loves twirling around in it. Add the handmade flower ribbon headband and some wings and you've got a sweet little flower fairy or spring fairy.

Sisters can have fun dressing as seasonal fairies with a costume like this. Add a long cape and get it in blue for winter fairy. Opt for the green for summer fairy or magenta with leaves in her hair for a fall fairy. The dresses are well made so they can also be used as flower girl dresses or fancy party dresses too. Another fun one would be to add a birthday crown and be a birthday fairy on your little girl's special day!

Fairy Flower Tulle Dresses from FairyFinery.com

How to get free tickets for your whole family to Disneyland and Disneyworld in 2010

Courtesy: Disney Parks/David Roark, photographer

Give a little of yourself... and get a free ticket to Disneyland or Disney World.. and your whole family can take part!
That's the deal Disney Parks announced today. The new program celebrates the spirit of volunteer service with a simple proposition: “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”

One million people who perform volunteer service for a participating organization will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.

Starting January 1, 2010, you can go to www.DisneyParks.com for the United States and Puerto Rico or www.DisneyParks.ca for Canada to search for volunteer opportunities through the HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service. Many of the opportunities will be for projects that entire families can participate in together.
(2nd photo courtesy: Disney Parks/Gene Duncan, photographer)

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day details:

• Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at www.DisneyParks.com.
• Ticket quantities for this program are limited.
• Must be at least age 6 to participate.
• Other terms and conditions apply. For details, see disneyparks.com in the United States and Puerto Rico. In Canada, see disneyparks.ca.

Review: Munchkin's Jelly Bean Reversible Sling

Munchkin's Jelly Bean Reversible Sling is a good one to try if you want a sling-style carrier. It is reversible, so it's like getting too cool loking slings in one. Slings are among the simplist of all carriers. There are no buckes or hooks or any kind to figure out or strap on. Just slide across your body and insert baby. The downside for the Jelly Bean and all other slings, they're pretty much for one person and not for mom or dad to share the wearing - unless mom and dad are the same height and weight. The Jelly Bean is made of soft fabric in cool designs and works for babies newborn -who would lay down cuddled up in the sling- on up to 35 pounds who would sit up in the sling, like in the photo right.

Review: Baby Bjorn Synergy carrier

Baby Bjorn's Synergy carrier is an an upgraded version to the classic Baby Bjorn original carrier. I used the original caririer for a good year or two, almost daily and it still looks new. I love that kind of quality. The Synergy has that same quality plus is more comfortable on the back and is made of a breathable mesh material, which is great for hot summer days. The Synergy can be used for a newborn a minimum size of 8 pounds and 21 inches on up. It adjusts size as your baby grows, which makes for a great fit. This is the favorite carrier of my 1 month old baby.

Review: Ball Baby Carriers

A great wrap-type carrier that's Mom-made in the USA is Ball Baby Carriers. This kind is known as a mei tei style carrier. It's very comfortable and easy to use. I love to use this one while doing chores and both my girls enjoy being in it. Read more about Ball Baby Carriers and the mom who makes them in my story HERE.

Review: Sidekick Diaper Bag with baby carrier by Kemby

Sidekick Diaper Bag by Kemby is the most unique diaper bag I've ever come across. It is fantastic for shopping! It is a little odd to put on at first but once you get the hang of it, goes on super fast. Among the reasons I like the Sidekick: it's a diaper bag and a carrier in one, complete with a matching changing pad, wipes case, and insulated snack/bottle bag; it has lots of pockets for cell phones, keys, a wallet, and anything else you could need but it's not big and bulky! The Kemby website says its carriers are best for children who can sit up unaided with good head control through 35 pounds.

Review: Scootababy

Scootababy is the most comfortable side carrier I've worn. I was actually surprised by its softness and cushiness on my shoulder. The Scootababy is made with microfiber lining and a polar fleece shoulder strap. It is really easy to put on and both my girls liked being carried in it. This is a great carrier for getting stuff done around the house or shopping trips because you tot isn't right in front of you. That makes it easier to type on the computer and hold baby as I'm doing right now. Scootababys are recommended for babies five months old and up with a maximum weight limit of 40 pounds.

Review: Kokopax

Kokopax is the ultimate in framed backpack carriers. Pregnancy magazine named the Kokopax the best all around carrier in their March 2009 issue. And for good reason. While it's a framed carrier - it is uber lightweight and comfy. It is easy to load baby into and out of this carrier and comfy no matter if you're going on walks through the forest or downtown. It's so cool looking that people always ask me about this one. The Kokopax has a great pocket for storing keys and such and a cool toy ring so baby can play and be happy as a clam in his private chariot. This one accomadates babies for a long time too - 6 months to two years (or 35 pounds). The other big thing that stands out and seperates Kokopax from the pack - the easy loading kick stand feature. No need to juggle baby about trying to manuever everything just right. You put your little one in before loading this pack on your back. It's not recommended, but this feature allows you to take baby off and allow him to play happily in the pack as you, say, wait to be seated at a restaurant or wait at the airport. Total bonus!

Review: ERGO Baby Carriers

ERGO Baby Carriers are so versatile. You can wear your baby on your back, side or front. Once you figure out how to put the straps on with baby on your back by yourself (or if you have an assistant), it's so easy to use and even easy to turn baby from the back to the front and vice versa. It only takes a few tries to get comfortable with holding your baby with one hand while putting the straps on your shoulders for back carriers. In the front, baby can snuggle right in. You can even use the ERGO with a newborn baby in the front position!
ERGOs can be used as long as you want to carry your baby. They're recommended for up to 40 pounds, but their website says they've been tested to hold up to 90 pounds. I have worn my 31 pound toddler on my back in it with no problems (pre-preggo, of course). There's a ton of padding on the straps and waist of this carrier. It's really comfortable and I love the special tuck away sun shade -slash- sleeping hood to cover baby while she's sleeping... and she will sleep in this easily. ERGO's drawback, in the front position, baby can't face forward.

Review: Belle Baby Carriers

Belle Baby Carriers are among the very best of any type of baby wearing device for everything from hiking to running errands. My husband actually likes this one so much that he offered to wear our one year old all around Disneyland in this carrier last year. He said it actually made his back feel BETTER. I love it too. The Belle folds up really small adding to its greatness for on the go families. The drawbacks... this is a front-only carrier and is made for babies under 25 pounds. Read about the dad who invented the Belle HERE.

DisneyStore.com new couponcode for 20% off tees

DisneyStore.com has a new sale for an EXTRA 20% off Fall Sale Graphic Tees.
Use the coupon code GRAPHIC20 in the Special Offers and Discounts field of your cart, then click Submit.
I just bought several cute shirts on sale at the site earlier this week for $4!

Energizing vitamins

Just started taking One A Day Energy daily vitamins. I was doubtful but hopeful to feel some energy boost taking these. The good news - they work. I have felt more energy all day long. Chasing around 3 kids under 4 years old is still tiring but I'm no longer spent at the end of the day, which encourages working out more.

5 new DVDs for Halloween 2009

 

Halloween may be over a month away, but already new DVDs are making their way onto store shelves to get you ready. If you love Halloween like my children and I do - this is a great thing! Here's a look at five new Halloween-themed DVDs that we got a sneak peak at that you and your children will enjoy leading up to the big day - October 31st!
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
This is a re-release DVD of this endearing movie that comes with all the original bonus features plus has the added bonus of coming packaged with a super cute Pooh Bear dressed as Tigger for Halloween. It's really soft and may be the source of arguments in your house over which kid gets it.
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie features Pooh and his friends
as they weave unconditional friendship with spooky adventures and warm-hearted moments. Set in the Hundred Acre Woods, Roo is ready to accompany his new friend, Lumpy the Heffalump on his first trick-or-treat adventure until they quickly discover Pooh has eaten all the candy. The adorable duo decide to be “brave together, brave forever” and embark on an adventure to catch the mythical, wish-granting Goboloon that Tigger has told them about so they can wish for more candy and save Halloween.
I enjoy watching this one as much as my girls - ages 3.5 and 2 years old. I missed it on the first release in 2005 (when I had no children). If you didn't know, this Halloween movie is the sequel to the theatrical movie, Pooh’s Heffalump Movie.
The DVD bonus features include Halloween party activities and games, printable party invitations and Halloween-themed recipes.
A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids

This is the perfect DVD for little book lovers- or little ones you want to magically turn into book lovers. The DVD features a not so scary collection of Scholastic Storybook Treasures books turned into animated shorts. I found with my girls that the books they know they love seeing turned into a TV show and it has the same effect when we go into the library and see a book from the DVD. Nice added bonus on top of the enjoyment.

The lead story is adapted from the New York Times best-selling book by Alison McGee, illustrated by Harry Bliss. In this lively story, narrated by Elle Fanning, a little witch decides she'd finally like to see what Halloween is all about, even though she is deathly afraid of humans. As soon as she makes a new friend, she discovers how much fun trick-or-treating with humans can be.

The DVD includes seven other spooky tales. Among them:

• By the Light of the Halloween Moon  --  A brave girl would rather play a trick than be gobbled up as a treat.
• A Dark, Dark Tale --Take a spooky journey up dark stairs and through hidden passages. 
• Georgie -- A friendly ghost looks for a new house to haunt when he feels unwanted by the Whittaker family.
• The Witch in the Cherry Tree -- David and his mother must find a way to protect their freshly baked cakes from the tricky witch in the cherry tree.
• The Three-Legged Cat --  Tom, the pegged-legged cat is mistaken for a hat in this hilarious tale of mistaken identity.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition
I was so excited for this favorite from my childhood to make it to DVD to share with my girls! Bedknobs and Broomsticks has been fully restored and remastered and comes with several bonus features.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks was quite revolutionary for its time and won the 1971 Academy Award for special effects, though by today's standards they seem kind of cheesy. Still that didn't stop my girls from enjoying the musical numbers and story.
More than just a Halloween movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is about an apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) who ends up on a magical journey with three children. It is fun for anytime of the year. Bonus features include:

• "The Wizards of Special Effects" feature hosted By Jennifer Stone From Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place
• Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers - Take a look behind the scenes from a musical point of view of Bedknobs and Broomsticks with The Sherman Brothers, Angela Lansbury and Scott MacQueen.  This featurettes explores the origins of the songs, including what was deleted and what made it into the final version of the film.
• Deleted Song: “A Step in the Right Direction”
• “Portobello Road” Recording Session - A rare clip of David Tomlinson’s recording of the song “Portobello Road”

Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors
I absolutely adore Shaun the Sheep, so it is no surprise that I've been enjoying watching this Halloween-themed collection of Shaun the Sheep episodes with my girls.
The episodes on this DVD are far from scary so they're perfect for the littlest Halloween fans. Plus, as with all Shaun the Sheep episodes, there's no dialog so its easy for little ones to follow and brings lots of laughs.
Shaun as he leads his fearless flock through six adventures that mix the spooky, the kooky, and the just plain funny. A troublesome tractor, freaky farm noises and sleepwalking sheep are only a few of the weird and wonderful surprises waiting for Shaun and his barnyard pals as they creep, sneak and make mayhem in this laugh-filled collection.
By the way - Shaun the Sheep recently won an International Emmy Award for Children & Young People.
HIT Favorites: Trick or Treat Tales
Boys and ghouls - gather ‘round for not-so-spooky tales of adventure, learning and friendship with your favorite preschool pals Thomas & Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Fifi and the Flowertots and Fireman Sam. If your tots like these shows, then they'll love this DVD where each episode has a Halloween theme. It is very much like last year's release of HIT Favorites: Halloween Spooktacular with other Halloween episodes of these same shows.

Best Fall jackets for babies and toddlers

 

Today is the first day of Fall! With the cool, crispy, delightful weather moving in, your tot is going to need something to keep the chill off. Here's a look at some of the coolest fall jackets for babies and toddlers...

Ambajam Yummy Latte Hoodie Jacket - The name really says it all about this jacket. It's deliciously snuggly. Perfect for hugging your little bear. The color makes it versatile so it goes with everything, which is good cause your tot's gonna wanna wear it all of the time and you'll want one in mommy-size! I do! It comes in sizes 6 months up to 2T.

Hand Picked Pumpkin'sreversible cotton hoodie jackets are customizable down to the buttons. The process itself is really fun. You pick colors, patterns, even button colors for the inside and outside of the little jacket. I did a blue and brown combo with cowboy and horses retro accent print. It is so cute and a fun item in my baby's wardrobe. Best yet, it is reversible so it's like having two cute jackets in one and you get to design both sides. Comes in sizes 3 months up to 4T.

Kushies snap front baby jacket - Snap front for easy ons and offs, this quilted jacket has a corduroy trim and comes in several gender neutral color options so you can use it for all your future kiddos too. It is lightweight yet keeps the cool air and wind out. Perfect for all your outdoor Autumn needs! Available in size 3 months up to 24 months.

Zutano makes several tot jackets that are perfect for fall for different occasions and/or style attitudes. Their classic baby peacoat (aka Zutano's Primary Terry Jacket) moves with your tot and made from soft terry. It comes in sizes 0-24 months and fits roomily. It can be used as both a dress coat and for everyday.
For a more casual look with extra warmth, check out Zutano's Cozie Reverse Barn Jacket with coordinating Fleece Jester Hat. The 18-24 month size in this one is way over-sized and easily fits my 3T daughter. The reversible nature adds to its practicality. Sizes are from 0-24 months.

Hatley's rain jackets are a fun choice for keeping the cool, wet Autumn weather at bay. They're lined with a soft cotton terry towel like material that gives them extra warmth. Several styles, like the new stars rain jacket, glow in the dark, making them extra fun to wear. Hatley's jackets all coordinate with boots and umbrellas too. They come in lots of boys, girls and gender neutral designs in size 2 to 7.

OrganicallyHatched.com's I Play raincoat is PVC-free, waterproof and lightweight. Added bonus, it fits over a backpack so make going to preschool on Fall's rainy days a breeze. If the weather clears up, it smooshes up to keep in the bottom of her little backpack. Or just keep it in the car for those sudden showers. They come in sizes for kids 18 months through 4 years old.

Delicious and healthy snack for kids (and adults too)

Looking for an easy way to get your kids to eat more fruit or a healthy treat to replace candy this Halloween? Check out Crispy Green's line of freeze dried snacks. These are so incredibly delicious it is not to be believed.
They come in individual serving packets with roughly the equivalent of one piece of fruit per bag. The perfect size for a Halloween tick-or-treat goodie. Good thing the bags aren't bigger or my girls (and myself) would eat a whole week's worth of fruit at one sitting. Best yet, there's nothing added at all. It is just freeze dried fruit and is mmm mmm good.

Crispy Fruit snacks come in Crispy Apples, Crispy Bananas, Crispy Pears and Crispy Pineapples. We tried the apples and pears. They taste like candy but are light and fluffy with a great crunch that makes them a fulfilling treat.
Crispy Green also makes mouth-watering Strawberry FruitziO snacks. These are made with freeze-dried strawberries plus a touch of cane sugar. One bag has 100 calories and provides 110% of the daily-recommended amount of vitamin C.

There's no preservatives, fat, cholesterol or sodium in any of these treats. Plus they're peanut/tree nut free, gluten-free, dairy free and certified kosher.
The only downside: they're a bit pricey. I'd eat them all day everyday otherwise. But they are portable, mess-free and last a lot longer than fruit so at least you won't waste any. You can find them at grocers, amazon.com and at crispygreen.com.

The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit DVD hit stores this week. It was a movie both my 2 and 3.5 year old girls were excited to see. They enjoy watching other Strawberry DVDs, as do I. She's always a sweet girl that teaches little ones good lessons. This new movie is the same, but it brings a whole new look to the series.
This new take on Strawberry and her friends updates their looks to be more trendy and cool. She goes from the old Raggedy Anne-ish style of dress to a more modern Bratz-ish look. She's still berry sweet but she's much less unique. My girls, however, didn't even notice. They recognized her as Strawberry right away.
The plot reminds me (alot) of one of the sequels to Land Before Time (another series we've watched a ton of) - rain causes their water supply to be dammed up and the characters go on an adventure to save their homes. This one of course takes place in the colorful and cheery Berry Bitty City as opposed to the dark and dreary 'land before time' of the dinosaurs. But it is a plot that works for kids and they learn important lessons like the value of friendship and teamwork.
Missing from the movie, sadly, is the old Strawberry Shortcake song. My 3.5 year old was disappointed by that. But the new theme song is catchy, though we don't get much of it. For my girls who both like music, it would have been nice to have a more musical intro like the other DVDs have.
Bonus extras on the disk include a brand new music video “Café Cabaret Sing-A-Long” and printable coloring pages. In the box you'll also find a coupon for a free photo book from American Greetings. That's a nice bonus for moms!

New Strawberry Shortcake dolls are 'berry' cute

Strawberry Shortcake is back with a new look and new toys for her new movie -'The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit'- that came out today on DVD. 
Strawberry's look has changed through the years. In the photos here you can see the old school Strawberry (right) that you may remember from your childhood and (left) her new look from the new movie. She went from a Raggedy Anne type character to more of a Bratz look, but her disposition remains as sweet as ever.
Parents who remember the original Strawberry Shortcake toys will be glad the new toys smell as sweet as ever. My favorite (and the favorite of my daughters - 3.5 and 2 years old) - the Sweet Surprise Strawberry Shortcake Doll. That girl's so sweet, just like her name! This doll is so cute and literally smells so berry sweet. She's just the right size for toddlers to lug around from their rooms to the car for lots of fun adventures.

She's got really pretty hair that your little ladies will enjoy styling. Plus she comes with a "magic" marker that reveals a strawberry beauty mark and turns her lips red. My two year old likes this because she's really into coloring everything with markers right now and this little feature lets her do so without ruining the toy (which I like too).
This Strawberry doll comes with lots of little accessories, so if you are looking to give it to a child under three or one who still likes to munch on toys, be sure to confiscate those small parts until a later date when she's old enough.

Top 10 stuffed toys of the year

If your little ones got some Christmas cash to spend on something they'll love, consider one of these top 10 stuffed toys of the year.

Curly Q Cuties makes THE cutest, coolest made-to-order monsters. They can be boy monsters, girly monsters, even silly monsters. They're all cute and custom to your child's liking. Part of the fun is sitting down with your little one and picking out the design, from body type, eyes, mouth, colors and more. It's so cool. Plus it's made in the USA and really soft.

Say bye-bye to regular old teddy bears and meet the line of cool Teddes. Tedde's Tiki bear is so cool, as are their other unique bears. He's handmade in New York City too.

The Smart-e-Cat by Intellitoys is not your average stuffed toy. It plays songs, tells stories and plays games. Just connect it to the computer and pick out the programs you want the toy to play in English or Spanish and have fun. It works with both Macs and PCs. Also available the Smart-e-Bear and Smart-e-Dog. All versions upgrade as your child grows up. Recommended for kids two and up. This one just won the NAPPA Gold award and was listed as part of Dr. Toy's Best 10 Technology Toys too.

Foundlings by Peace Toys are made with USA grown pesticide free unbleached cotton inside and out. The eyes are embroidered so there’s no danger of chocking hazards either. These are very friendly looking and especially great for young babies. They come in bunnies, bears, whales, elephants, puppies and turtles. My one year old particularly enjoys snuggling with her Foundling elephant.

Bring the classic children's book Peter Rabbit to life in an earth-friendly way with the Peter Rabbit Naturally Better. This line of bunnies are all made from certified organic cotton, eco-friendly materials and are Phthalate free. They come in recyclable, reusable, PVC free packaging and are produced in socially responsible factories. Plus they're really huggable!

When you're getting ready to welcome baby number two or three or more into the world, parents often stress over making the adjustment easier for their other child(ren). One thing you want toddlers and older children to understand is why mommy needs to breastfeed the new little baby and why it is happening. An easy way to do that is with the help of a toy, like the nursing animal toys by Manhattan Toy. They make Nursing Nina the cat, Nursing Nana the dog and Nursing Nuna the pig.

Dolly's Cupcakes Tea & Me is perfect for girly girls of all ages (though recommended for kids three and up). The soft, stuffed toy tea pot, cups, saucers and foods are handmade in the USA. These are very nice quality toys and much better than the plastic and metal sets on the market.

This hand knitted cat & monkey set from Elegant Roots is sure to delight and you can feel good about buying it. They're handmade by women artisans in Kenya, employed under fair trade principles and made from sustainable earth-friendly materials. Like all of the products at Elegant Roots, you can find out very specific details about their construction on the website before you buy them. They also come very nicely wrapped. My girls split a set of these and they've been carting them around the house since I gave it to them. The long floppy arms and legs make them extra fun.

Soothing Sounds Lullaby Puppy by Russ is sound activated. When baby cries he turns on and plays soothing lullabies as it twinkles soft multi-colored lights. It comes with a Velcro strip to attach it to a crib rail too. Plus he’s really soft and friendly.

WALL-E and EVE plush toys are a must have for the little ones who love the Disney-Pixar movie WALL-E, which has been named movie of the year by Time magazine, is up for a Golden Globe and is also #1 on my top 10 movies for kids of 2008. My daughters (15 months old and almost 3 years old) got these for Christmas and they are favorites for sure. They like to hold them while they watch the movie as well as play with them throughout the day.

For more info: Check out more cool stuff for babies, toddlers, young children, moms, dads, and grandparents in my gift guide. Lots of ideas for presents for any occasion.