Hallmark Valentine’s Gifts for Kids

When you hear Valentine’s Day it’s natural to think about a spouse or significant other and the flowers, chocolates, and dinners out that may come with the day. But let’s not forget about the kiddos! We tell our children every day that we love them but Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to go just a little further and do something extra-special for them.

What’s more special for your child than to be able to hear your voice whenever they want? That’s exactly the concept behind the “Until We Hug Again” bear and bunny. They’re also great for family members that live in other parts of the country, need to travel over the holiday, or for moms and dads that are currently deployed. The bear and bunny are incredibly sweet and soft and make the perfect vessel for your personal greeting. As soon as Bubbles saw it she squealed “Teddy!” and decided he was her new best friend. I managed to hold on to it long enough to record her a little message and she’s been fascinated to hear my voice every time she hugs him. Continue reading »

Family Dollar Kidgets Wipes & Diapers

Kidgets Diapers and Wipes at Family Dollar

Like most baby showers, our showers when Bubbles was born presented us with a number of diapers. Most of them were for a specific national brand and they worked well, so we stuck with them. Along the way we did try a few other store brands but just didn’t get the performance from them that the other diaper brand provided. We also purchased the brand’s matching wipes as they had a gentle variety that I thought would benefit a tiny baby’s bottom.

Buying diapers and wipes month after month, however, can really add up and you start looking for ways to reduce those costs: coupons, buying in bulk, subscribe and save. One thing I didn’t look for, though, was another store brand to try. Recently, though, I discovered that our town has a Family Dollar which I hadn’t shopped in since I lived in Maine years ago. They have their own line of diapers – the Kidgets brand – and also just recently added wipes. At $6.50 for 31 diapers (size 4) and $2 for a 72-count package of wipes I thought it might be worth it to give them a try – especially considering we had recently been experience some leaking issues with Bubbles’ regular brand. Continue reading »

Smoobee No Cry Brush

Before Bubbles turned one she loved bath time. Toys, splashing – what’s not to love? But as she got older and her hair grew longer she started to like bath time less and less. She did not enjoy the process of washing her hair, but she really did not like what came after – brushing. Bath time quickly turned into me trying to wrestle her into the tub long enough to wash her and her hair, while trying to keep her from clawing her way out. Fun, right?

At ABC Kids earlier this year, however, I learned about a new product called the Smoobee. It claimed to be a “magic, No Cry Brush”. I’m a bit of a skeptic – especially when items call themselves magic – and thought the brush was probably for polite, well-mannered children that loved to sit like Rapunzel and have her hair brushed. During every hair wash adventure, though, it kept popping into my head. I wondered if the claims were true and decided the only way to know for sure was to try it. Continue reading »

Reverse Charades Board Game

If you’re looking for some family fun this holiday season you’ve found it! A new game called Reverse Charades by RETROPlay will have the entire family laughing and on the edge of their seats. There aren’t many games that everyone from your tweens to their grandparents can play at the same time and have so much fun. And if your kids are elementary school-aged they don’t have to miss out; Reverse Charades Junior is perfect for them.

2012 Holiday Gift Guide - RETROPlay's Reverse Charades

Reverse Charades is a new take on an old classic. Instead of one person acting out the charades clues for their team to guess – the entire team acts out the clues for one person to guess. This keeps the game play moving quickly and also engages more people at one time. No more waiting for a bunch of people to go each time before you get another turn acting. Both Reverse Charades and Reverse Charades Junior come with 720 words so your group can play for hours without missing a beat. Continue reading »

Sprinkling Disney Princess Magic Under The Christmas Tree

Bubbles is in love with Disney and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve mentioned two or twenty times how much I love Disney and seeing her get excited over the characters makes me smile. I can’t wait until we can take her to Florida so she can meet them in person!

She loves all the Disney characters (Minnie and Mickey were some of her first words) but lately she has really been taken with the Disney Princesses. If we see them on TV or in a magazine she points, squeals and yells “Princess!”. We’ve watched Cinderella, the new Sofia the First, and Tangled a number of times and she’s always entranced.

Our own little Disney Princess gets to look like one with the Royal Ball app

During the flurry of Black Friday sales promotions I saw an ad for the Fisher-Price Disney Princess Songs Palace and thought it would be the perfect introductory Princess playset for her. She has a few Little People that she likes and the Little People Princesses that coordinate with the Palace will say their name and play their theme song. In addition to the two Princesses that come with the set there are a bunch of other Princesses – plus Prince Charming and the Beast – that you can buy that go with it.

Views From the Ville

Celebrate Your Little Loved One This Valentine’s Day With Hallmark

Hallmark Valentine’s Gifts for Kids

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Family Dollar Kidgets Wipes & Diapers

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Smoobee No Cry Brush

2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Enjoy Some Family Fun This Holiday With Reverse Charades

Reverse Charades Board Game

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Sprinkling Disney Princess Magic Under The Christmas Tree