Views From the Ville

See Why the Barbie Bubble-tastic Mermaid is #ChosenByKids

Dec 172014

Choosing gifts for little kids can be harder than you might think. I mean, yes, there are plenty of toys around. And there are no shortage of commercials causing kiddos to shout “I want that!”. But how much is hype and how much is true interest?

Checking out the Barbie Bubble-tastic Mermaid at the Walmart Toyland Chosen By Kids event
This Barbie Bubble-tastic Mermaid post is brought to you by Sverve. All words and opinions are my own.

A couple of weeks ago I shared that I was heading to the Walmart Toyland event at our local Walmart. They had some of this year’s hot toys available for hands-on play. Bubbles was excited to try her hand at a few different products, and as a Mom I appreciated being able to judge her reaction and see which ones she gravitated towards. Continue reading »

Music Lovers There’s a New T-Mobile Plan for You!

Tech No Responses »

Dec 172014

The technology that has gone into smartphones over the last few years really can make your head spin a little. They do everything! In one device you can talk, text, watch movies, stream music, play games, surf the web, create videos, take pictures – even use it as a remote control.

Much of that takes data, though, and as anyone who has paid a cellphone bill knows – data can get expensive. That’s why in this post sponsored by Lunchbox (all opinions are my own) you’ll be excited to learn that there is an awesome T-Mobile plan available from Walmart. It has unlimited talk, text and web plus free music streaming that doesn’t use your data all that for just $50 a month. Continue reading »

Use the CASHFLOW Game to Teach Money Management to Teens

Entertainment No Responses »

Dec 162014

This CASHFLOW game post is sponsored by Rich Dad. All words and opinions are my own.

I think one of the most important things we can teach our kids before they leave our homes is money management and how to be financially responsible. When I left home to attend college I ran into a number of kids who clearly didn’t have these lessons growing up and it was a little painful watching some of the decisions they made. (College tip: running up a pizza tab on your credit cards is probably not smart.)

I had lessons both at home and in school. In the fifth grade we were given “checkbooks” that we managed for the entire year, had ways to earn “income” and were given the opportunity to write out “checks” for prizes and other items. It made learning the concept a lot of fun, which is really helpful for a topic like money. Continue reading »

Never Fear Procrastinators! Hot Hasbro Toys Still Available

For the Kids No Responses »

Dec 152014

For those of you who love to wait until the last minute to do your shopping, never fear! While there certainly has been a scramble this year for certain toys, the hot Hasbro toys are still available. Here are a few of my favorites that will be under our tree this year.

Easy-Bake Oven

Hot Hasbro Toys: Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven

Did you know that it’s the 50th Anniversary of the Easy-Bake Oven? When I was little I remember playing with the really old school one at my Gram’s house. It had been my Mom’s and my Aunt’s when they were young (so definitely old school!). Continue reading »

Proclaim “I Believe!” and Make Wishes Come True

Giving Back No Responses »

Dec 152014

Growing up we didn’t have a Macy’s near where we lived. If we had, I’m sure that I would have loved taking my letter to Santa and mailing it to him in the big red mailboxes they have each year.

Writing a letter to Santa was a big deal in and of itself. It represented all your seasonal dreams and was one of the few chances you had to communicate with the Big Guy. If there had been the opportunity to follow that up by delivering your letter in such a special way, that would have been the icing on the cake.

I Believe! Merry Christmas! Meeting Santa in 2014.

Older Entries Newer Entries