Spark Your Child’s Imagination with Goofy Grin Monsters Plush Toys-Giveaway

These days, so many of the toys that my boys have are based on characters from their favourite TV shows and video games. I want them to have toys that they like but often when I listen to them play, they are re-enacting scenarios they have seen rather than creating their own stories. My boys have fabulous imaginations; so even under those circumstances they tend to come up with some pretty fabulous twists. But I wanted to find some toys that let my boys use their imaginations more and external prompts less.

boy with goofy grin monsters

That’s why I loved the concept of Goofy Grin Monsters. These loveable monsters are brightly coloured, whimsically designed and feature big, irresistible grins. The monsters live in a fictional place called Goofy Grin Village and while each monster has a name and a brief biography, the characters are purposely left open to a child’s interpretation beyond that. Imagination can take off when a child plays with a Goofy Grin Monster! [Read more...]

Let Your Kids Get Goofy with Humerus the Funny Bone

humerus the funny boneMy boys love silly novelty products. Whether it’s a dancing holiday snowman or a singing sunglass-wearing dog, the cheesier the toy, the higher the likelihood that I’ll find both my sons laughing hysterically as they play with it. Humerus the Funny Bone looked like just the type of toy that they’d love and so when I received one to review, it went straight to the boys.

This toy is goofy; there’s really no other way to say it. Humerus responds to clapping noises by telling jokes related to skeletons and bones. Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road? Because he didn’t have the guts of course! And if you don’t appreciate the toy’s sense of humour, he pleasantly reminds you that it’s “no skin off his back.” [Read more...]

Let Your Children Build Some Fun Christmas Morning with Meccano

If you have a child that loves to build, let them create something amazing with the construction toy that’s been a favourite of children since 1901, Meccano! Over the years, Meccano has changed a lot and this year the company has some great choices for the holiday season. I recently received a few of them to check out for myself and I couldn’t wait to see what the updated Meccano building sets were like.

meccano sonicWhen I saw the Meccano Sonic the Hedgehog sets, I knew at once that my oldest son would love them. Not only has he recently developed a passion for construction, he also adores Sonic the Hedgehog! I liked that the sets were available in different styles for various fun experiences.

I received both a 15 and a 35-piece set. The 15-piece Sonic & Speed Star set contained Sonic in his Speed Star racer featuring pull-back action and the Sonic & Green Hill Ramp 35-piece set contained a fun stunt track in addition to another Sonic car so that both of my boys could have a car to race down the stunt track! With a suggested age of five years and up, it was the perfect skill level for my boys. [Read more...]

Surprise Your Little One with the Little Tikes Big Adventures Action Fliers Play Set

little tikes big adventures action fliersIt’s almost Christmas and if you have a toddler or preschooler on your shopping list, Little Tikes has a gift that’s full of high-flying fun! The Big Adventures High Fliers track is an interactive play set that’s quickly become one of the hottest toys of the holiday season. I was thrilled when I got the chance to check it out for myself.

What I immediately loved about the Big Adventures Action Fliers set was that it included both street vehicles and air transportation. Benjamin has had a fascination with toy airplanes over the last little while and I knew he would absolutely love this unique set that combined trucks, airplanes and even a helicopter for tons of transportation fun. [Read more...]

Treasuring Memorable Holiday Moments with Mattel

The holidays are perfect for making memories that will last a lifetime and for me, the most treasured memories are the ones I’ve made with my boys each Christmas. While I enjoyed my own childhood holiday adventures, those days just can’t compare to the joy of seeing my boys experience the magic of the holiday season.

While a baby’s first Christmas is always a special experience, it’s even more memorable when a child reaches that precious toddler stage. Once my boys were walking and talking, the holidays carried new meaning for the entire family. Personally, my most memorable holiday milestone was the Christmas when my youngest son Benjamin was 15-months-old.

benjamin on christmas morning

That year was the one that really represented our first family Christmas. The boys tried their very best to stay up late but they were both young enough that they fell asleep fairly early. [Read more...]

Give a Special Child a Cuddly Companion with Holiday Plush Toys from Build-a-Bear Workshop-Giveaway

Looking for a great gift for a darling little boy or girl this Christmas? To really make a child feel special, you can’t go wrong with one of the adorable Christmas plush toys from Build-A-Bear Workshop! From popular characters like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Grinch to original friends like Christmas Cookie Bear and Merry Mint Pup, there is something for everyone in this holiday collection!

My personal favourite is the Snowboardin’ Happy Husky. Featuring snow pants, black boots and his very own snowboard, this plush puppy is incredibly cuddly and sure to delight a lucky child. I especially loved the puppy’s cute silver sunglasses!

build-a-bear happy husky [Read more...]

Dollies! Plush Toys are the Perfect Unique Christmas Gift for a Child-Giveaway

There’s something special about a handmade toy. With so many mass-produced playthings available, having something that’s one-of-a-kind really means a lot. When I was a child, my siblings and I each received a hobbyhorse that my aunt and uncle had made. Those horses provided us with hours of fun and to this day, I still have mine carefully set aside. The fact that it’s the only one like that and that it was made especially for me makes it so important to me.

dollies plush monsterThat’s why I was so excited when Clara Lieu, a professional artist and the owner and creator of Dollies! asked me if I would be interested in featuring a review and giveaway of one of her fanciful creations. Dollies! is an online store that is packed with adorable and original plush toys ranging from people to animals to monsters. I loved the cuddly look and great variety of these toys and I eagerly waited to see what plush friend I would receive. [Read more...]

Giving Back During the Holidays with LEGO DUPLO-Giveaway #LEGODUPLOPlay

Christmas is a time of giving, but it’s also a time of giving back. While I love the fun and excitement of finding great gifts for my family, my friends and my boys, I also want to make sure that I raise my boys knowing that what really make Christmas special is helping others. That’s why every year I make sure that we’re thinking about the people outside of our family as well as our loved ones.

I have a strong belief in community and that’s why my number one cause to support is the local food bank. Every year food banks provide needy families with special Christmas hampers containing the food to make a Christmas dinner and a present for each child in the house. While food donations are a huge help to our Regina Food Bank during most of the year, Christmas is different. The items for the hampers are purchased fresh and so monetary donations are incredibly important when the holiday season arrives.
food [Read more...]