2009 November | 3 Boys And A Dog

Under 10 Dollars: Teens 13 to 15 Holiday Gift Guide

November 25, 2009 By Kelli Leave a Comment

Good morning! Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Would you totally freak out if I told you that I haven’t even been grocery shopping yet? Yes, I admit it… I am completely behind the times! But, we will be going today. Plus, if it makes you feel better, I don’t do it at my house. That means I only have a couple dishes to make.

Games, Games, Games! We have lots of “take anywhere”, stocking stuffer games in this guide! Are you as excited as I am?

Pictureka Card Game: Play four great card games that’ll get your creative juices flowing! First, can you find a picture of something beginning with the letter “A”? Point out that Apple before the other players spot it! In the second game, race to get rid of your cards by finding “mission” pics. Third, test your matching skills and pick out pairs before your peers do! And finally, get creative and combine cards to complete missions. All four ways provide PICTUREKA fun in a play-anywhere card game!

Available for: $6.99

Monopoly Deal, Card Game: Get ready for a fast-paced, addictive card game where your luck can change in the play of a card! Collect 3 property sets, but beware Debt Collectors, Forced Deals, and the dreaded Deal Breakers, which could change your fortunes at any time! MONOPOLY DEAL is the card game where anything can happen!

Includes 110 Deal Cards and instructions.

For 2 to 6 players.

Available for $6.99

Crazy Old Fish War Card Game: Four card games you know and love are shuffled into one simple, fast exciting game. Be the first to get rid of all your cards in this crazy game! Match, Go Fish, or declare War on each turn—your Crazy 8s will help you along the way. And don’t forget the Old Mermaid’s special powers, but play her at a price! CRAZY OLD FISH WAR combines the best parts of your favorite card games!

Includes 58 cards and instructions.

For 2 to 6 players.

Available for $5.99

Would You Rather: Classic Travel Game

Ages 12 to Adult This Classic Pocket Tin is a fantastic TRAVEL GAME and has a different set of questions in each box. WOULD YOU RATHER have five bottles stuck on the fingers of one hand for a year OR- a bucket stuck on your foot for a year? “Neither” is not an option here! No matter how challenging the dilemma is, it’s up to the group to reach a consensus. Read the “would you rather” question, then let the conversation and laughter rip. Discuss and debate the mind-boggling options and see just how long it takes you all to agree on the absurd! To win, you must outlast your opponents by correctly predicting the group consensus to each of your questions and successfully performing your challenges. In this version, you’ll find questions that are ethical, bizarre and mind-bending, but each is a field-tested conversation starter that is guaranteed to provoke ridiculous fun, break the ice at any party, and – if played correctly – open a unique window into the wild imaginations of friends and family!

Available at Zobmondo.com

Mom Says: Lots of options, which would you choose? I would say it depends on the ages of the people you are buying for. My 7 and 10 year olds prefer Crazy Old Fish War.. it has the most simplistic instructions.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: hasbro, Zobmondo

Global Influence Holiday Gift Guide

November 25, 2009 By Kelli Leave a Comment

I am a member of Global Influence (formerly Momfluence) and we were able to add our gift guides to their Annual Holiday Guide in exchange for telling out readers about it. So, here it is!

Holiday shopping season is here again and the Global Influence network has some great gift ideas for you, tried and tested by real moms. Click on the links to check out what our team of reviewers had to say about each of these gift ideas, and then take a moment to enter our fun giveaway and take a chance at winning some of these fabulous products. Featured Reviews Pouchees -

Busy moms need all the help they can get to stay organized and keep life as simple as possible. The Pouchee is the perfect solution to keeping all those little things together, putting everything you need, right at your fingertips.

Duck Hunter -

Duck Hunter turns the excitement of the hunt into an activity the whole family can enjoy. Launch the duck in the air and try to hunt it down with the toy shooter as it flies freely in the air. A fun choice for those who love outdoor sporting.

CardStore cards

-Personalized holiday cards are an important item on everyone’s to-do list and often a hassle to create and print. Cardstore.com has everything from family photo cards to invitations for your big holiday party, simplifying your holiday season.

Great Holiday Gift Ideas:

Things Remembered Custom Couture Jewelry Just Elfin’ Around Card Cubby Harumika By Bandai Harumika Runway Showstopper Harumika Style Starter Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo Strawberry Shortcake Playset Kota Monty Rex Wall to Wall Basketball Nerf Pocket Vortex Busy Ball Popper Talking Chuck Truck Leapfrog My Pal Scout Leapfrog Tag Jr Leapfrog Scribble and Write Animal Planet Polar Land Playset Animal Planet Dinosaur Playmat Onionhead Adult/Teen Feelings Pack OnionHead Children’s Feelings Pack Onionhead A-Z Feelings Magnet Set FotoboxPlus MeTime Tees

Fun Holiday Giveaway! For this holiday guide, we want to share the love with the blogosphere! Some of our generous sponsors have donated prizes to be given away to lucky readers! To enter to win one of the following fabulous prizes, simply fill out the form here: http://tinyurl.com/y8t92rw

Prizes include: Things Remembered Custom Couture Jewelry Pouchee Elfin Around Harumika Onionhead Feelings Pack Nerf Wall to Wall Basketball Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo MeTime T-shirt Entries will close on December 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be contacted by email after the close of the contest.

Global Influence Member Guides Need more ideas for this holiday season? Check out the guides that some of our Global Influence members have put together on their own sites!

Thrifty Jinxy,
Happy Healthy Hip
And Twins Make Five
Because Two People Fell In Love
Mommy Musings
Lipstick to Crayons
Bargain Briana
Mommy PR
Shop With Me Mama
Santa Picks
Rave and Review
Connected 2 Christ
3 Boys and a Dog <—Yep, that’s me!
The Classy Closet
Contest Corner
Lisa Reviews
A Giveaway Every Day
HulaHoopinMom
Spalibrations
High Impact Mom
From Cribs to Car Keys

All reviews listed in the Global Influence gift guide were product provided. Featured positions were purchased by sponsors. Member gift guides are not affiliated with Global Influence.

Filed Under: Holidays / Seasons Tagged With: global influence

Under 10 Dollars: Tweens 8 to 12 Holiday Gift Guide

November 24, 2009 By Kelli Leave a Comment

Good morning! Zack (the one in public school) has a half day of school today, so that means I need to really work hard this morning! I have posts to write, giveaways to shut down, winners to notify, and so much more.

Mark My Time Digital Bookmark

Sized like a traditional bookmark to fit neatly between the pages of any book, the Mark-My-Time digital bookmark is made of polyethylene plastic for added durability. At the top is a digital clock that’s powered by an inexpensive, replaceable watch battery.

Parents will appreciate the fact that the digital bookmark has been tested and approved by a variety of parenting and academic organizations. The Mark-My-Time digital bookmark has received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, as well as the Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. It has also been named Creative Child Kids’ Product of the Year and has won The Family Review Center gold award and the Fat Brain Toy Award in the category of teaching toys and tools.

In addition to serving as a useful tool during reading sessions, the Mark-My-Time digital bookmark is ideal for timing music practice sessions, timed math fact activities and homework study sessions. Ideal for children five years and older, the Mark-My-Time digital bookmark is available nationwide at leading bookstores, discount drug chains and wholesale clubs at an average retail price of $8.95.

Mom Says: I am very impressed with this Digital Bookmark! As a homeschooling mom, we have to record how long Tripp reads. This is so much easier than setting a timer and making him stop when it goes off. LOVE IT! A+ in my book!

DISCLAIMER: The Mark My Time Digital Bookmark were supplied at no cost to me and my post was not reviewed by either company prior to posting.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: mark my time

REVIEW: Monkey Business Toys: SkyRocket Mini

November 24, 2009 By Kelli 3 Comments

Ready for an out-of-sight flight? Launch a SkyRocket™ Mini, the smallest of the bunch with the biggest boast; these little guys fly higher than the rest!

Collect all four cool characters to complete the set!

Set includes:

1 SkyRocket™ Mini
1 launcher

Patented. Ages 8 and up.

Ultra high-altitude mini rockets with big performance!

» Flies over 300 feet high
» 4 cool characters with stellar styling

Available at Monkey Business Toys for $6.00

Mom Says: The boys had a good time playing with this Rocket, but it is very tiny at just a few inches tall. This item was sent to me in the hopes of being included in my gift guide. Unfortunately, it didn’t make the cut. It is a very cheaply made toy (think Dollar Tree). It is great for a stocking, but don’t expect it to last very long. You know the type… a toy that they play with pretty hard, laughing and cutting up, then it tears up. I didn’t even have a chance to take a picture before one of the rudders broke. Are my kids rough on toys? Probably, but I expect a toy to hold up to them and this one just didn’t. I would be upset had I paid 6 dollars for this toy just to have it tear up within minutes.

Filed Under: Just for Kids, Reviews Tagged With: monkey business sports

REVIEW: K’NEX 400 piece tub & Sesame Street

November 23, 2009 By Kelli 1 Comment

It’s time to start building! K’NEX, the next generation of construction sets, is giving kids the chance to imagine, build and play! K’NEX inspires creativity, builds self-confidence and encourages interaction among children and parents. The possibilities are endless!

400 PCS Tub

For ages 7 and above, K’NEX has created the 400 PCS Tub that comes with building ideas for 20 different models and a convenient storage tub. Kids can also use their imagination to build whatever they are inspired to create. Available for $21.99.

Mom Says: Tripp (10) is a building FREAK! He loves blocks, bricks, etc. Now that he is a bit older, he is more interested in K’Nex. In fact, he received the motorized Ferris Wheel for his birthday. Tripp loves the options in the 400 pc tub!

Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection Building Sets

For ages 2-5, K’NEX has created the Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection Building Sets. These sets let children build and then play with their favorite Sesame Street friends, including Elmo, Cookie Monster and Ernie. Available for $20.99.

Mom Says: Thomas (3) is so much like his oldest brother, it is scary! I have spent a couple hours playing Sesame Street K’nex with Tank already and we haven’t had them for very long! More details here.

There’s more: K’NEX is also holding a Make a K’NEXion contest. Now you have the chance to win over $1,000 worth of K’NEX Toys and be featured on the KNEX.com web site. How? Make a video and include select K’NEX products. The possibilities are endless. Construct your own story or showcase your child’s K’NEX building skills – use your imagination!

Disclosure

The K’Nex 400 piece bucket and K’Nex Sesame Street play sets were supplied by Team Mom and K’Nex at no cost to me and my post was not reviewed by either company prior to posting.

Filed Under: Just for Kids, Reviews Tagged With: k'nex