Leslie Patricelli: Author and Illustrator

Leslie Patricelli is one of our favorite authors in this house. Thanks for Team Mom, Lani and I received two books that we didn't have in our library.

Higher! Higher! and Baby Happy Baby Sad have been read over and over and over since receiving them in the mail. They were bright, colorful, and so much fun to read. Baby Happy Baby Sad is definitely our favorite. Lani is now "reading" the book to me since it repeats the same words on each page. We talk about what makes the baby sad and then what makes the baby happy. I love reading a book that involves more then just sitting back and listening.

Join the Qlubb

Awhile back I posted about Qlubb, a fabulous site to help you to keep all of your clubs, playgroups, classrooms and gatherings more organized.

The folks over at Qlubb are now offering a 30 day calendar service. You are now offered a full calendar which makes it easier to see all your groups activities in one place. It's simple to add a special event to the calendar for everyone in your group to see.

You can read more about it over on Qlubb's blog.

Thank you to Team Mom for introducing me to this new service.

Delgo

I was recently given the chance by Team Mom to preview Delgo, an animated children's movie full of fantasy and adventure.

The movie will be in theaters on December 12th, but you can head over to www.delgo.com to preview several trailers, behind the scenes, and other videos.

The people at Fathom Studios have brought you a fabulous voice cast for this one! Just check out these names: Freddie Prinze, Jr. (Delgo), Jennifer Love Hewitt (Princess Kyla), Anne Bancroft (exiled Empress Sedessa) as well as Chris Kattan (Filo), Val Kilmer (Bogardus), Lou Gossett Jr. (Nohrin King), Michael Clarke Duncan (Lockni Stonesage Council), Kelly Ripa (Kurrin), Burt Reynolds (Delgo’s Father) and Sally Kellerman (Narrator).

Delgo is rated PG and has a running time of 90 minutes. Watching the trailer definitely let me know that this is not a movie for Lani, but we will be taking Wesley. This movie is perfect for him. He'll love it!!

The Secret Mountain

Michael and I both believe in the importance of reading to your children. Wesley and Lani both have a love of books which was definitely fostered by us. Wesley reads at a 5th grade level and would much rather bring a book to read in the car then his Nintendo DS. Each night he reads and then Michael or I read to him out of a more difficult chapter book. Lani is comforted by book reading when having a rough time or just loves to curl up on our laps for some special one on one time.

We certainly are a family with a strong love of books so I was thrilled when Team Mom sent me the four books from The Secret Mountain. They create beautiful, creative, and high quality books. The books also include musical CD's with beautiful songs for the whole family to listen to. Their catalog features books in English and French. Lani's favorite has been Down at the Sea Hotel. This book is a bed time staple now and Lani must also must listen to the CD that comes with the book while she falls asleep.

The Secret Mountian books with CD's would make a perfect gift for any child on your Holiday shopping list.

Bella Sara

Bella Sara trading cards is a horse themed fantasy game. You can buy packages of cars that include a code to use on line at their website; http://www.bellasara.com. The horse then comes alive on the screen where the user is now able to take care of their horse in the stables, play games, and read horse themed stories. The Bella Sara website has more then 3.2 million registered users which didn't surprise me since I know how much most young girls LOVE horses.

Now along with the Bella Sara cards you can also purchase Baby Bella cards. These young foals are the babies of the popular Bella Sara horses that so many young girls already love. Baby Bella introduces 129 new cards to the already popular Bella Sara line, 48 of them being new foals.

I have 2 packages of Bella Sara Baby Bella cards to give away. I will choose two winners on Wednesday November 26th at noon (EST). Just leave a comment and tell me who you will give these cards to. They will make great stocking stuffers!! If you would like an extra entry please mention this on your blog or twitter (leave me the link)

Thank you to Team Mom for this review opportunity!

Sudsy Fun!!

The Bath Blizzard is an awesome bubble machine!! I thought I was going to need to have a friend review this for me since Lani hates baths. I was mistaken because Lani loved the bubbles. Especially when Daddy let her cover his arms up.

We added the hypo-allergenic and tear free bubble solution to the machine, hung it on the faucet, turned it on and watched the bubbles pour out. WOW! There was a lot of bubbles. Wesley decided to test out the "tear free" claims by sticking his head into the bubbles. He is pleased to let you all know that his eyes did not sting.

So, if this bubble machine can make Lani love the bath it can make anyone love the bath.

Aquadoodle

The Aquadoodle mat is amazing. Lani and Wesley love to lay it out and draw for hours. The best thing is that you are drawing with water. It's non-toxic, no stains on the carpet, clothes, etc. When the water runs out, just fill the magical pen back up and start drawing again.

The mat rolls up for easy storage and portability. It is also large enough to accomodate several children/adults at once. The only down side for us was that it only came with one pen. They do sell extras in the stores, but I made the mistake of taking this out when my child care kiddos were here. We had an important lesson in sharing that afternoon.

On the Aquadoodle website you can see the other products available. I know a few things that Santa will be bringing Lani this Christmas.

K'nex and Ernie!!

K'nex has partnered with our friends at Sesame Street to create and awesome product for children ages 2-5! The building sets are themed around our favorite Sesame Street characters. I love how bright, and colorful the pieces are and I especially love the storage case that makes for super easy clean up!

Lani loves the Ernie K'nex set. The first few days she was not quite able to build Ernie herself so I built him, then Lani broke him, then I built him again. She is now able to sit down and build her own version of Ernie.

Not only is Lani having fun with this set, but she is also building her fine motor skills and her hand eye coordination. Not to mention how it will improve her problem solving skills when the pieces wont fit together the right way.

You can buy these sets at most national retailers. I found a Cookie Monster at Walmart and gave it to Alex for his birthday. You can also go here to the K'nex website to purchase online. I may be ordering the Abby Cadabby one for Lani.

Cabbage Patch Kids: 25th Anniversary

When Lani received her Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Cabbage Patch Kid she became instantly obsessed with her belly button. Pearly Cathey, was born on January 2nd and is an exact replica of the very first CPK born 25 years ago in Baby Land General Hospital. She was even made with the original molds that my little ones were. WOW! I am now a Grammy to a sweet little Pearly.

You can purchase these dolls in stores for the first time since the early 80's. I am sure that most of you remember the craze that followed their release! I'll never forget my very first Cabbage Patch Kid and what my Grandmother went through to get her.

Be sure to head out to get your own, because these original Cabbage Patch Kid dolls are only available while supplies last.

Banana Splits

I am not talking about the delicious ice cream treat, but the costumed rock band from the 1960's. Yep, they are back with new music, and a new website. Fleege, Drooper, Bingo, and Snorky are going to be starring in their own comedy shorts and music videos on Cartoon Network starting September 2nd. Their songs are fun and very catchy and your child will definitely love jamming with them! Plus they are pretty darn cute!

If you want a preview of what to expect from these silly guys, as Lani calls them you should definitely head over to the Banana Splits website. You can watch videos, listen to jokes, play games, and join the fan club. There is even a down loadable membership certificate and card. The Banana Splits are ready to introduce their music to a new generation of children.