Nurturing Great Kids Devotional

Nurturing Great Kids Devotional – 365 practical insights for parenting with grace
Published at Zondervan

About the book

We strive to do what is best for our family, but there are many differing opinions on how to be a good parent. Truly successful parenting begins with focusing on God and making him the center of all we do. The Once-A-Day Nurturing Great Kids Devotional helps you to bring God into your parenting by providing 365 daily devotionals written specifically for parents who are seeking to build a stronger relationship with their kids and put God first in their family. These devotionals will inspire you as a parent to embrace the role that God has given you, while also equipping you with the tools you need to be a strong Christian role model for your children.

My Thoughts

I was unsure about requesting a devotional this year because I have other ones that need to be read.    But when I explore this title more and checked out some of the devotions that makes out this book, I knew that it was something that would help me to become a better parent.    Sure enough as soon as I read one devotion I knew that this would be a gem. 

You will find 365 devotions in this book (note:  why not 366 in order to cover the leap years?  I wonder…).   Each of these devotions starts the same way.; 1) Title and Scripture, 2) Devotion itself,  3) Parenting Principle (much needed trust me!), and finally 4) Points to ponder which contains three questions to make you ponder on things in your on life.   Let’s take an example…

On August 7th the title of the devotion is LEAD ON and the scripture is Proverbs 29:18.  In the devotion, we are encourage to invest time in seeing the big picture that God has for the family and share the vision with your family.     Through this process the kids will begin to feel a good sense of self-worth because they are incorporated in the higher calling of the family.   The parenting principle to grab on is that if you don’t lead, your children can’t follow.    Finally, the points to ponder are the following:  What is the revelation your family is following?   How can you develop your family in this area? and Why is this so important?

All devotions are written to fit in a one page presentation and will challenge you to build a stronger relationship with your kids and put God first in your family.    These devotions were specifically written so that you embrace this role of being a parent and equip you with the tools you need to be a role model for your own children.   I find this book to be a marvelous devotion for parents and strongly suggest it for the upcoming new year.   Transform your own parenting and put God first in your family in 2015 with Nurturing Great Kids Devotional.

Nurturing Great Kids Devotional is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

It is also available on Kindle and Kindle app.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Zondervan for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Fill your stockings with fun

Every year, I try to do something special in the stocking of my kids.   But as much as chocolate and candy canes are nice, I don’t want them to have too many….   So what are the other options for filling the stocking that we might have.   That’s where Hasbro Canada comes in.  They have numerous fun ideas to fill the stocking for kids and teens. 

I have a few items that I can present you today.  However, you can find more stocking ideas on their website.

Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man Titan Hero Series – Ultimate Spider-Man Figure

What’s more powerful than a web-slinging superhero? The Ultimate web-slinging superhero! This awesome Ultimate Spider-Man figure looks like Spider-Man and he’s even more dangerous to the bad guys!

This figure is the size of a doll and represent Spider-Man in his ultimate costume.    The figure is quite solid.  The arms and legs will move to make him walk.    It is a great stocking idea for the special fan of Spider-Man in your life.

My Little Pony Equestria Girls Neon Rainbow Rocks – Twilight Sparkle Doll

Straight from the halls of Canterlot High, the My Little Pony Equestria Girls dolls are best friends with a flair for fashion.  Your Twilight Sparkle doll comes stylishly dressed in an ultra-chic look and has her signature cutie splash, a unique design similar to the cutie mark on her pony alter ego. She comes with an interchangeable fashion skirt and shoes, and you'll love sharing styles between her and other My Little Pony Equestria Girls dolls (each sold separately).

I have seen the new generation of My Little Pony products and I must admit that I haven’t seen the Equestria Girls television show.    This doll is very colorful and represent Twilight Sparkle beautifully.    I like the fact that she comes with another skirt and shoes in the package.    I stunning stocking idea for the girl in your life.

Littlest Pet Shop Get The Pets Single Pack – Feathers Underwood

Meet one of the cutest, most adorable pets you'll ever see: Feathers Underwood, the owl.   Featuring fun bobble-head motion, he makes the perfect addition to any pet collection. And you can accessorize him with the included Deco Bits accessory for a special look.  And now you can play with your pet digitally, too, with your free LPS app* (available for a limited time). Once you've launched the app, simply hold your pet, scan with your mobile device, then play with your virtual pet! . Works with select Apple and Android devices.

We have passed the age of Littlest Pet Shop in our home.   We have graciously passed on the items we had to another little girl who plays with them.   But when I saw Feathers Underwood, I thought he was too cute not to mention it.   Knowing that owls are very popular nowadays, I wouldn’t be surprise that Feathers Underwood be found in many stockings this year at Christmas.

Playskool Mr. Potato Head Marvel Mixable Mashable Heroes as Spider-Man Set

Avengers, assemble – as potato Avengers! Little hands can mix and mash the fun of Mr. Potato Head with Marvel parts to create a Spider-Man tater. It's easy to put the potato body on the robot base and then add arms and a helmet. The parts work with other sets (sold separately), so they can build a Spider-Man tater with Captain America arms or an Iron Man base. Get them all so your little ones can create a whole mash of mixed-up Marvel heroes.

Mr. Potato as Spider-Man (or Iron Man or Captain America) was too good to pass on.    Being comic character fans and always trying to be on top of the numerous Super-Heroes movies in theatre, I know that this potato dressed as Spidey would be a cute surprise for someone in my family.   I like the fact that you can switch the parts with of Mr. Potato Head Marvel Mixable Mashable Heroes.  Hope that Mrs. Potato will follow in his footsteps soon in order to offer super-heroines for little girls.

Disney Pop-Up Magic Enchanted Mini Game Featuring Rapunzel

Be your favourite princess in this dancing Pop-Up Magic Enchanted Mini game.  The gameboard for this Disney-themed game has a pop-up ballroom in the middle. Just set your Rapunzel princess figure at Start on the board, and dance her ahead on the board as you flip over Friend Tokens.  Watch out for the Villain Token, because it sets you back a space. You can use your Friend Tokens with other Pop-Up Magic games (sold separately) for even more magical fun. If you reach the enchanted ballroom first, you win!

A miniature version of the Disney Pop-Up Games is always great to have when travelling.  This mini game will find its way in my daughter’s stocking and I know she will be delighted in it since she just love Rapunzel.   Other mini-games are available with  Ariel, Jasmine, and Merida.

As you can see, there are numerous ideas from Hasbro Canada that can be use as stocking surprises this Christmas.   There are something for any ages whether you have a toddler or a teenager in your life.   

All these stocking ideas are available at your favorite toy store.  Some are even available on amazon.ca.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Maplelea Girls outfits

Two years ago, I had the privilege to review a Maplelea Doll on my blog.   This doll has been the best doll my girl ever had.   She plays with it regularly throughout the year.  The only problem is that Léonie didn’t have a winter outfit.   So recently I approached Maplelea with the possibility to review a winter outfit for Léonie as well as possible a giveaway on my blog. 

Imagine my delight when I heard back from them….   I have received the Laurentian Winter outfit and the Summit Boots to review.  

First the outerwear outfit.  As you might know, there are lots of activities to do in the snow when you are properly dressed in Canada.    The snowsuit includes a warm jacket with hood, snowpants, mitts, an hanger as well as journal pages which you will find a quiz for you to figure out some of the many winter activities that Canadians enjoy.   I must admit that the mittens are beautifully made with two colors – beige and red.   They can be tighten on the wrist of the doll as well.  The snow pant has a snap button to hold at the west and slip well on the legs of the doll.  Finally, the red jacquet has a small zipper and snap buttons which will keep the doll warm during playtime outside in the cold weather.   

However, I must say that the boots impressed me the most.   The small boots really look like winter boots and ever shows grips under the foot.   Impressive quality!

As you can see Léonie will be warm if she goes play outside with Jasmine this winter.  And she can ever wear the outfit without the hood if she desires.

I am very impressed with the details of this outfit and at the quality of the items included in this winter outerwear.       I know that the doll will be kept warm if she goes outside with Jasmine this winter.

The Laurentian Winter outfit can be found on the Maplelea website for the price of 33$ Canadian while the Summit Boots are sold for the price of 14$ Canadian.  

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GREAT NEWS!  
A GIVEAWAY FOR MY CANADIAN READERS…

Maplelea has offered a Taryn doll as a giveaway for my readers.    Taryn comes ready for outdoor adventure in her cozy cotton striped turtleneck, her khaki skirt with buckle closure, funky striped tights and her oh-so-comfortable hiking boots. Her long brown hair is held back with two tiny green hair clips.

The doll has a value of 99.99$.     The package includes Taryn Doll, Striped Turtleneck, Khaki Skirt, Striped Tights, Hiking Boots, Hair Clips, Story Journal, and Keepsake Storage Box

Taryn comes ready for outdoor adventure.  She loves painting, figure skating, and her family.   

To win, simply follow the instructions below.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Where can you find the Maplelea Girls? Maplelea Girls are not found in retail shops for the simple reason that the company keeps its costs down by selling directly to the consumer. Plus many Canadian girls do not live near retail outlets that sell high quality specialty toys. By offering a flat $9 shipping fee for any size order traveling anywhere in Canada, all girls have equal access to the product line. Orders can be placed online at www.maplelea.com or by phone at 1-800-668-4339 24 hours/7 days a week.
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Disclaimer: Thanks to MapleLea Girls for sending me the above mentioned outfit for review purposes and for offering this incredible giveaway to my readers. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Camel Up

Camel Up
By Z-Man Games

About the game

Witness the craziest camel race of all times, as things really go topsy-tuvy when camels stack up and entire pyramids turn upside down.

As members of Egyptian high society, you gather in the desert with one simple goal: to gain the most money by backing the right camel to win a leg or even the entire race. However, in this race, it’s not just the lucky ones who can beat the odds. Reading the dynamics of the race and having a good sense of timing is just as important when it comes to backing the right camels and taking the victory.

Place your bids wisely and decide when it is time to strike, and maybe – just maybe – with a little bit of timing and a lot of luck, your bid will pay off!

My Thoughts

This game is based on camels and Egypt.  The goal of the game is to win the race.    You will need to have two to eight players with a minimum age of 8 years old.   The box contains contains 1 game board, 1 dice pyramid, 5 wooden camels, 5 wooden dice, 40 race betting cards, 5 pyramid tiles, 8 desert tiles, 20 money cards, 50 coins, and 1 leg starting player marker.  And schedule 30 minutes of fun time with your family in order to complete a race.  

First, I need to highlight the fact that all the pieces of this game is very colorful and the cardboard parts of it is very of high quality.   The dice and camels are made of wood which demonstrate the high quality of the games from Z-Man games.   

The game is easy to play and the youngest player will determine the starting positions of the camels by taking five dice and rolling them together. If more than one camels ends up on the same starting position, they will have to be stack up together.  Once the starting position has been determined, five dice will be placed in the pyramid.  A race comprises several legs.  A leg ends when the last of the five dice has come out of the pyramid and the respective camel has moved.   Money is also involved in this game and you will have to deal with Egyptian pounds while betting.   Also you might have to deal with Desert tiles which can be uses as an oasis or a mirage.

I think that this game could be very fun to play with if you are studying Ancient Egypt or the country of Egypt with your kids.   Well, it is a great game to play anytime of the year but if you are homeschooler you will want to discover a game using an Egyptian theme.    It is a great way to have fun and learn at the same time.  You could talk about camels, the pyramids and the country of Egypt (past and present) with your kids before, during and after a game.  It is a fun game to play when you have visit from grand-parents as well.   And as any good game, you can expect fun time, memories made, and laughter coming out from everyone.

The game Camel Up is available for purchase at your favourite game store, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Z-Man Games for sending me the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars
Written by Lois Lowry
Published at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

About the book

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

My Thoughts

We have a few novels based on the Second World War at home.  But I was always curious to read Number the Stars.  When I received it I immediately set myself to read it.   While reading it, I could see it would make a great book to study for my oldest son.  I purchased a literature study for the book and plan to do it with him in the new year.

The novel tells the story of two friends living during the Denmark occupation.   The Danish Resistance is trying to help the Jew population to save them.  The book is easy to read and brings life in the resistance more realistic.   Though it is an history novel, the book is based on what a friend of the author has experienced during the long years of the German occupation in Copenhagen.  In the afterword, you will get more information at what happened during the occupation of Denmark in 1940.

I find this book to be a good fit when studying the Second World War period in history.   It will give the reader a better understand of the risk taken by the Resistance throughout Europe to protect people in need.

Number the Stars is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

The book is also available on Kindle.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

52 Little Lessons from Les Misérables

52 Little Lessons from Les Misérables
Written by Bob Welch
Published at Thomas Nelson

About the book

Gold Medallion Award-winner Bob Welch crafts 52 nuggets of Bible-based wisdom from one of the most popular novels, musicals, and films of all time: Les Misérables.

In 52 Little Lessons from Les Misérables, Bob Welch walks readers through Hugo’s masterpiece, extracting dozens of uniquely spiritual reflections from this enduring portrait of poverty, social injustice, mercy, and redemption. Welch reminds us that Jean Valjean’s life provides the truest example of why real love is found in the grittiest places, and that hearts are made whole beneath the crush of mercy. Most important, though, Welch keeps returning to the intersections of faith and reality throughout Hugo’s writing—those places where mercy becomes an inroad to the heart, and where love is only truly received when it is given without condition.

Discover again why life’s purpose is found not in attending to personal needs and desires, but in responding to the hearts of others.

My Thoughts

Once you have read and heard Les Misérables you can appreciate the story from Victor Hugo.    I have read the book, seen the play at the theater and even watch the more recent movie.   Since its publications more than 150 years ago, Les Misérables has been fashioned in theatrical productions, movies and many have written commentaries on it.   This book is different in many ways as the author extracts unique spiritual reflections from the book and its portryal of poverty, social injustice, mercy, and redemption. 

I find that the book is perfect for a weekly devotion.  It will guide you in discovering why life’s purpose is found in responding to the hearts of others and not by attending your own personal needs.  In each lesson the author highlights the spiritual themes that are woven inside Les Misérables.  These themes, like anguish, mercy, suffering and forgiveness in the face of adversity, are presented using the individual plights of the bishop, Valjean, Fantine, Cosette, Javert, Marius and Éponine.   You experience the transformation of Valjean, the bishop’s compassion, and the redemption that comes afterward in a different way while going through this little book.

To be honest, the more I read 52 Little Lessons from Les Misérables the more it stirs me to read the book again.   In one of the lessons you read about the transformation of Monseigneur Charles François-Bienvenu Myriel (the bishop) and realize that Les Misérables has numerous pages about his past which I never realize or paid attention of.    Reading the book of Bob Welch gives me a newfound interest in reading the popular book of Victor Hugo with a different thinking process that I had when I first read it in my teenage years.   There are lessons to be gleaned through the pages of Les Misérables and the book by Bob Welch helps us to see them.   

So why not bless the fan of Les Misérables in your life this Christmas so the book can allow him/her to explore the story through a different angle with spiritual lessons.   

52 Little Lessons from Les Misérables is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

The book is also available for Kindle.

  

Star Wars Origami

Star Wars Origami
Published at Workman

About the book

Kids love origami—and what could be cooler than transforming a piece of paper into Boba Fett, Princess Leia, Yoda, or R2-D2? And not just any paper, but custom-designed paper illustrated with art from the movies. Star Wars® Origami marries the fun of paper folding with the obsession of Star Wars. Like The Joy of Origami and Origami on the Go, this book puts an original spin on an ancient art. And like Star Wars® Scanimation®and Star Wars® Fandex®, it’s a fresh take on Star Warsmania.

Chris Alexander is a master folder and founder of the popular website StarWarsOrigami.com, and here are 36 models, clearly explained, that range in difficulty from Youngling (easy) to Padawan (medium), Jedi Knight (difficult), and Jedi Master (tricky!). A front section introduces origami definitions and basic folds. Bound in the back is the book’s unique folding paper, two sheets for each figure. Illustrated with original art, it makes each creation—the essential lightsabers, the Death Star, and much more—true to the movies.

Star Wars Origami includes a foreword by Tom Angleberger, author of the New York Times bestsellersThe Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back, and is scheduled to be published at the same time as Angleberger’s upcoming book, The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee.

My Thoughts

This book is fabulous and will make a Star Wars fan really happy – particularly the crafty kind of fan.  In this out-of-the-ordinary book, you will have the opportunity to do origami but making projects based on Star Wars whether it is characters, spacecrafts, droids, weapons and more.   Each projects have a level of difficulty associated to them which will be easy to discover with a special index at the end of the book.  The levels of difficulty are the following:  easy, medium, difficult, and very tricky.  So wisdom suggest that you start at the beginning and slowly get more difficult items as you advance in your skills of origami.  The book also contains an alphabetical list of projects.  

The book starts by introducing the basics of origami in a special section.  In this section, the reader will discover the definitions, symbols and basic folds in origami as well as learn important origami bases.  Once this is mastered, the person can immediately dig into the projects covered in this book.  And the best part is that inside this book you will found unique folding paper (72 sheets) which were specifically designed in order to make your creations even more realistic.  The pages are somewhat perforated in order to detach them from the book.  However, I suggest that you go slowly in removing these from the book. 

Now you must be wondering what are the projects included in this book… well there is something for everyone in there.   Here’s a list of the projects:  lightsabers, Trade Federation Battleship, Naboo Royal Starship, R2-D2, Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine), Anakin Skywalker’s podracer, Jabba the Hutt, Yoda,  armored assault tank, Naboo starfighter, vulture droid starfighter, Jango Fett and Boba Fett, Slave I, Taun We, C-3PO, republic clone trooper, Eta-2 Jedi starfighter, droid tri-fighter, General Grievous, Naboo Star Skiff, Imperial Star Destroyer, Darth Vader, Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Jawa, sandcrawler, landspeeder, Bantha, The Death Star, Millennium Falcon, TIE fighter, X-wing starfighter, Darth Vader’s TIE advanced fighter X1, and Imperial shuttle.

Each project details the steps very clearly and will guide the child in making beautiful origami based on Star Wars.   See below for an example.

This book contains 36 amazing paper-folding projects from a Galaxy far, far away…   It is a perfect gift for the Star Wars fan in your life who also likes origami.  

Star Wars Origami is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Gifts for the fan of Star Wars

Star Wars…  I have a family who enjoys these movies/tv shows.   And I am pretty that you know someone in your close entourage who is passionate about Star Wars.  Who doesn’t really?   Since the 70s this franchise has bloom in various market from movies, television shows, comics, books, toys and more.    And we are not done with it because new movies are being made for the few years coming.

While we have to wait for Episode VII to come in theaters, there are many fun books that you can get for the Star Wars fan in your life.   DK Canada has numerous books about Star Wars for any ages – whether the fan in your life is a child, a teenager or an adult.

LEGO Star Wars The Dark Side

In this specific book, your child will journey to the dark side of a galaxy far, far away and meet the LEGO® Star Wars minifigure members of the ruthless Imperial Army in LEGO Star Wars: The Dark Side.  As you read this book you will witness Darth Vader battling Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker, meet the Sith and all of Darth Vader's minifigure subjects, and explore the Death Star and all of the Sith starships.  Fun facts and information about your favorite LEGO Star Wars minifigures and vehicles from the dark side are also included within the pages of this book.   Bottom line, with this book the young fan in your life will discover everything there is to know about the legendary Darth Vader.

And that’s not all!  Included in this book you will obtain an exclusive minifigure – Emperor Palpatine!   Not only the young Star Wars fan will meet the most villainous minifigures in the galaxy but it will also allow him/her to explore galactic battles and uncover the secrets of the Sith. 

Star Wars Blueprints – The Ultimate Collection

This item is not a book per say but I think many fans of Star Wars would enjoy this special item.   This product contains a collection of blueprint posters that shows Star Wars locations like you’ve never seen them before!   Featuring Darth Vader, C3-PO and R2-D2, the Millennium Falcon, the Death Star as well as blasters and lightsabers, these double-sided poster-sized plans will highlight the particular designs of popular characters, spacecrafts and weaponss seen in Star Wars.    Each poster will have full-color plans, readout screens which contain statistical analysis, and unfold what lies beneath each hi-tech surface.  Whether it’s a breakdown of the hyper drive system in the Millennium Falcon, or the complete floor plan of the Deathstar, these blueprints will impress and amaze any Star Wars fan young or old.

Star Wars Blueprints – Rebel Edition

Going hand-in-hand with the previous title, you can’t miss the extra blueprints offered in this product.   In this specific item you will obtain the detailed plans of the Rebel Alliance.  It highlights the super high-tech vehicles, weapons, armor, and droids of the Rebel Alliance .   Also included in it you will obtain five fantastic, single-sided, full-color poster-sized blueprints.  This product also include a 32-page book.   Both the book and the posters contain technical drawings, history, movie tidbits, and more. This book- poster combo is definitively an absolute must-have for every Star Wars fan.

I think all these books would be great for any fans of Star Wars.   DK Canada also have numerous other titles on Star Wars that could be interesting for fans of any age.  

These fabulous books are available at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

  

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned books for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

PomTree Creative Craft Kits

As a mom of a beautiful almost seven years old girl, I know she loves things that are different than her three brothers – crafts being one of them.

But I will be honest with you – I dislike the mess of glue, glitters and paint.   So I was pleasantly surprise to learn about craft kits the reduce the mess when you want your child to create something new.    PomTree offers numerous fun crafts for your child to bloom the creative side.     Their kids contains quality materials like foam, felt and mixed media stickers all offered in bright colors and interesting shapes.   Each package encourages self-expression and offer a great opportunity to bond with you while having fun.

I have received three items from their more recent products which I am presenting to you today. Note that each kits are geared for kids ages 5 and up.

Pom Jewelry Activity Tub

This activity tub will allow your child to create soft and colorful necklaces, bracelets, hair bands, and more bu stringing poms, shapes, and beads together.   This Pom Jewelry kit is packed with pom beads, felt shapes, foam charms, satin cord, lanyard hooks, and pony beads.   In all it contains over 405 pieces which will allow to create a dozen of fun accessories.

The kit contains 50 acrylic pom heads, 8 acrylic poms, 64 felt shapes, 42 foam charms, 12 non-woven strips, 1 108inches satin cord, 10 plastic “o” rings, 10 plastic lanyard hooks, 200 pony heads, 6 foam rings, as well as 6 grams of spangles.  The creativity to be unleashed could be endless since you can make keychains, rings, bracelets, hair bands,  and much more.  

PomTree Mommy & Baby Owl Pom Pals Kit

I love birds of all kinds and this fun kit will allow your child to create owls.   The kit allows you to make a Momma owl from a soft, bright pink mega size plush pompom and huge googly eyes.  But Momma wouldn’t be complete with a cute baby owl who also has big googly eyes.   The kit contains 21 pieces and all the embellishments have their own sticky backing, so there's no glue needed and no mess to pick up after you have completed your project.

The kit contains everything you need to create this fun craft.   The finished Mommy owl will be 11.3 inches x 13.6 inches while baby owl is 2.3 inches x 3.3 inches.  The only thing that is required from you is to spend time with your child in order to create this fun project together. 

Another Pom Pals Kit available is the Momma Bird & Chick.

 

PomTree Felt Kitty & Mouse Pillow Puff Kit

The Pillow Puff Kit will allow your child to make a cute and cuddly kitty pillow.   The best part is that it is super easy to assemble.  No sewing is needed since all the materials have their own sticky backing.   The colors are cheerfull and the pillow is made of soft felt.    It also includes a little blue mouse for kitty to play with. 

The kit contains 3 felt shapes, 13 felt stickers, 3 foam stickers, 1 polyfill quilt batting, 2 adhesive back wiggle eye, and 1 pom pom.  The only thing required for this project is that mom or dad spend some time with their child to put it together.   No glue is needed which means no mess will be made when putting the pillow together.   In the end, your child will have a cute pillow to snuggle with.   When finished the cat will be 7 inches by 12 inches.

Another Pillow Puff Kit available is the Puppy & Bone.

In conclusion, I think these kids are great for you to spend time with your child doing something creative (especially if you dislike the mess and the glue projects).  Maybe some will say it removes the fun out of a craft but if you have a down day and feel particularly low, having these projects in stock would allow you to spend quality time with your child even though you might be a bit sick.    That way you won’t have to clean afterwards and your child will be delighted to have spent time with you even if you had a difficult day.    Spending time with your kids is important and your child need to be able to develop his/her creativity side.    The kits are about 10-15$ so it is a small expense for some great memories.

GIVEAWAY!

One of my reader will get one of the kits mentioned below.  The winner can choose ONE kit from those mentioned in this post.

Winners must reside in the US.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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These kits would make a fun gift under the tree this Christmas.   All kits from PomTree are available at ToysRUs.

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the game for review purposes from KidStuff PR and PomTree. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Furreal Panda

Furreal Friends Pom Pom My Baby Panda Pet
From Hasbro Canada

About the Toy

Not everybody can have their own little baby panda! This Pom Pom My Baby Panda pet wants to belong to you, and she looks and feels like a real panda! When you talk to her, she responds to you with more than 45 responses, and she walks to you every time you shake her rattle. When it’s snack time, she’s got a bottle you can feed her with, and she wiggles and giggles when it’s playtime! She even talks to your Get Up & GoGo Walkin’ Pup pet (sold separately). There’s no end to the cuddly fun when you’ve got a baby panda pal!

My Thoughts

Hasbro Canada has new Furreal Friends and one of them is simply as irresistible as the real life animal it represents – the panda!

Pom Pom My Baby Panda Pet is soft and cuddly to hold.   I was quite surprised by the size of the toy because I was expecting a smaller version of a Furreal Friends toys but this panda is about 25 cm high (about 10”)!  A button is hidden on the top of its back which the child can press on it in order to get a response from the toy.   In all about 45 responses are programmed in it.  

Also included in the box, you will find a rattle as well as a bottle in order to feed the baby panda.   The baby panda will also walk if you pet it.    If you shake the rattle the baby panda will walk.  If you talk to it, it would react and respond to you.   And if your child also has the My Walkin’ Pup the two can talk to each other.

I primarily requested this item to review because as part of our homeschool coop in the new year, we will be studying China.  Knowing that pandas are from that country, I thought it would be a great toy for my daughter.    Again, I was surprised by the size of it but it is a very cute toy for a little girl.  It is easy to carry around and play with wherever you go.

Four AA batteries are required in order to keep the animal responding to you.    An app can also be downloaded on the App Store.

This Furreal Friends Pom Pom My Baby Panda Pet will bring joy in your child this Christmas when she unwraps it on Christmas Day.

Furreal Friends Pom Pom My Baby Panda Pet is available at your favorite toy store, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

The LEGO Neighborhood Book

The LEGO Neighborhood Book – Build Your Own Town!
By Brian Lyles and Jason Lyles
Published at no starch press

About the Book

In The LEGO Neighborhood Book, you’ll create buildings with real-world details like cornices and facades, and try your hand at interior design by filling your buildings with furniture and light fixtures. Then add the finishing touches to your models with plants, traffic lights, scaffolding, and park benches. Snap together a few houses, shops, and apartment buildings to create your own neighborhood!

Inside you’ll find:

• Complete, step-by-step instructions for four multistory buildings
• Dozens of inspiring ideas to use in your own models
• Mini builds for a recliner, old-time lamp post, traffic light, and more
• A gallery of the authors’ designs

My Thoughts

My kids love to build with LEGO and whenever they have a new book to provide ideas for them it is a blessing because I know they will go through it with attention.  LEGO for our house is synonym to CREATIVITY.   The designs that my own kids have come up with are ingenious at times.  So I was very excited to receive the LEGO Neighborhood Book which would help them to better understand architecture and design at the same time. 

The book I geared specifically for kids ages ten and up, this book will offer plenty of ideas for your child to create buildings with details like cornices and facades.  But that’s not all, the child will be able to include finishing touches in order to make the neighborhood more alive and thriving.

The book will give you steps-by-steps instructions in order to build various items that can be found in a neighborhood – park benches, traffic lights, street lights, fire hydrants, parking meters, newspaper racks, plants, buildings of all sorts, interiors of an house with living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms and more.  It also contains numerous photos of ideas that the child interested in expanding his/her skills in building with LEGO.  This book is truly an inspiring one and I expect my kids to design something using the bricks that we have at home.

The parts list for the models in this book as well as free bonus instructions are available on the site of no starch press.

This book would make a wonderful gift for Christmas for the child in your life who likes to build with LEGO.

The LEGO Neighborhood Book is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to no starch press for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Idiot’s Guide Crochet

Complete Idiot’s Guide Crochet
By DK Canada

About the book

Idiot's Guides: Crochet will show you how to make lovely crochet projects, from decorative bunting to a colourful cushion cover or a lace shawl.

If you're hooked on learning to crochet cute projects, this is the book for you. Easy-to-follow instructions accompanied by clear colour photos explain each stitch step-by-step and show you how to execute each finger movement and yarn movement. You'll be able to make 16 simple, stylish and fun projects, helping you try out your new crochet skills on designs like a crochet headband or coaster. Handy guides teach you how to decipher a chart, read a pattern and buy the right yarn for your project, plus the book includes nearly 2 dozen patterns, and stitch galleries for decorative stitches, such as moss, rib and chevron. Combination stitches will allow you to create puffs, popcorn and clusters, making your projects even more beautiful.

Pick up your needles and make crocheting stunning pieces your new hobby with Idiot's Guides: Crochet.

My Thoughts

As I was growing up, I observed my grand-mother knitting and crocheting various things.    Part of me wish that I would be gifted like her but I never really took the time to ask her to show me how to do it.   Today, I am blessed to have mittens and socks knitted by her hands as well as quilts and crochet items. 

On of the few things I have from her that she crocheted for me was the red dress that even my own daughter has worn when she was a baby.   She even had made a similar one for my mom.

In this picture below you can have an idea of the bedspread she had crocheted when I was younger.

Nevertheless, since I became a mother, I wish I would be able to crochet like she did so I can do things for my daughter and her doll.    So when I was offered to review one of the Idiot’s Guides from DK Canada, I immediately selected the crochet one.   I have seen marvellous crochet items on pinterest and dream of making some of my own.  So now I do not have any excuses with this book in hand apart for time to learn.

This book is packed with hundreds of inspirational color photos and easy-to-follow instructions.  you will get advices on choosing your hook, yarn and other helpful tools, you will follow lessons in learning how to make pretty and practical stitches, you will learn to increase and decrease, you will have at the tip of your finger to guidance necessary to read crochet patterns and decoding crochet charts as well as you will have fifteen projects and patterns to build.

With step-by-steps instructions and the color photos included in this book, I feel a little bit more at peace in my ability in learning to crochet.   All I have to do now is to get a crochet hooks and yarn and follow the instructions in order to learn.  And knowing that practice makes perfect, I need to remind myself to continue to persevere and try again and again.  My grand-mother was quick while she did things on crochet but I suspect that she would have been a bit slower while she learned it.   Bottom line is that anything can be accomplished if we take the time to learn it. 

If you want to learn something new this Fall, why not check the books in the Idiot’s Guides series.  You might find something that would interest you and learn a new skill at the same time. All Idiot’s Guide are on sale at 30% off on the DK Canada Website for a limited time.

The Idiot’s Guide Crochet is also available at your favourite bookstore as well as amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned books for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.