Here’s what we think Santa would be sure to put on his website:

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Face it, we all stress over kid gift ideas during the holidays. What’s in…what’s out? What do they have….what do they need?

And then there’s the big question, “What Can I Really Afford To Spend?”.

These NHL and NBA kids room decor products and childrens furniture fill both a need and a want!  Kids love sports stuff, and the prices on these items are much much lower than they’ve ever been before and lower than you’ll ever see them again.  Who couldn’t stand to save a few bucks this year?

If you’re still stuck on what to get but don’t want to spend a whole paycheck this Christmas,  then consider these cost cutting gifts:

• NBA and NHL Kids Table and Chairs
• NBA and NHL Kids Lamps (these are really fun)
• NBA and NHL Kids Step Stools with Storage
• NBA and NHL Kids Chairs
• NBA and NHL Toy Chest (perfect for storing all of those other gifts that will get played with once or twice, then ignored)

Happy Shopping…..Happy Savings….and Merry Merry Christmas!!!

If Santa Had A Website………. is a post from: All Child's Play

Personalized chairs for kids are one very smart gift for the 2010 holiday season.  You’ll be giving your child some really fun seating where they can  relax and enjoy themselves,  while at the same time providing furnishings for your child’s room or playroom.  What kid doesn’t enjoy seeing their name  on their things?

Take it from Ziva….

Just last week we received these darling photos of her enjoying herself on her Kidkraft Pink Personalized Child’s Chair and Ottoman that her grandma got her last Christmas.

OK, so maybe the Broncos didn’t win that week, but Ziva didn’t care! She seems to be enjoying herself none-the-less.

Apparently she also has her own unique way of using the accompanying upholstered ottoman in an upside down fashion. To Each His/Her Own.

As a grandparent I always struggle with Christmas gifts for kids.  We don’t get the opportunity to visit our grandson’s home often, so we have no idea which toys and games he does or doesn’t have.  Mom and dad aren’t a whole lot of help either.  They tend to hold their own gift ideas closely to their chests.  Can’t say I really blame them.

If you’re a parent or grandparent, aunt and uncle, or just a family friend  looking for a unique gift idea for a child… personalized kids gifts such as Ziva’s personalized chair may be something fresh and new to consider.  Chances are you’ll be giving something the child doesn’t already have and it will be a gift that will last for years to come.

Ziva Loved Her Personalized Christmas Gifts is a post from: All Child's Play

What thoughts do you conjure up  when you see the above  images?  Does something immediately look wrong to you?   Do you find it out of place and inappropriate for the little boy to be pictured with his kitchen playset ?  Are you a father or mother of a son who is offended by these photos?

If you’re Wolfgang Puck or Bobby Flay these images wouldn’t phase you at all.  These photos could very well have been taken of themselves in their youth,  as they were dreaming of the multi-million dollar empires  they would build from their cooking skills.

With that in mind, why is it that so many parents, grandparents and peers in the year 2010 still find these images wrong?  It appears that gender bias in the selection of toys remains to be a force when shopping for toys for our children.  This “toy bias” begins at infancy, when adults determine what toys they feel are appropriate for boy and girl babies.  This bias continues on through the toddler years when boys and girls are determining what their role in life will be.  

I was going to compile a list today of the top Christmas toys of 2010, but as I was putting together my list the same odd thing kept occurring to me!   It was like I was shopping back in the ’60′s.  The lists of top toys for girls were all about the nurturing, creativity and attractiveness while the boy toys were all inclusive of aggressiveness and reality (such as war).  My course of action immediately changed!

I started thinking back to a few months ago when my grandson wanted to purchase the “Barbie Toy” from Toy Story 3.  He already owned several Buzz toys, Woody toys, and most of the other characters (a little spoiled…YES!).  Daddy had promised him earlier in the day that if he was good and cooperated with all of the other boring errand running of the day, he would buy him one toy.

So, Barbie from Toy Story it was.   Or was not?  Daddy kept trying to sway him towards the more masculine, macho boy toys.  “Wouldn’t you rather have a Transformer?”.  “How about this cool race car?”  Whenever my son attempted to pull our grandson away from that Barbie, all our grandson could respond with was “WHY”?

Today I kept going back to that day in that toy aisle and asking myself the same thing.  Why wasn’t it okay for him to get the Toy Story Barbie.  That’s what he wanted.  So why was it so important to my son that his son NOT get that Barbie?

That question took me back to these photos of very very happy little boys pictured with their kitchen playsets, and asking myself the question:  “what had I as a parent done to instill such toy gender bias into my own son”.

My list of the top 10 toys for Christmas 2010 has been put aside for the moment, however I have something more important to now share with parents, and anyone else who is purchasing toys for children this Christmas.  This article about gender bias in toys is a must must read.  It’ll open your eyes to how we are influencing who our children will become just by the toys we decide to purchase for them.  Ya just gotta’ read it!!!

And yes…we did purchase a play kitchen for our grandson 2 years ago and it’s still one of the best toy investments we’ve made.  While other toys get ignored after a week or two of play, the play kitchen still gets used over and over again…time after time.   And when it runs out of playtime, well….hopefully we’ll have more grandchildren to share it with by then.

As parents and educators it’s important that we influence our children the right way and choose toys that promote creativity, can be played with in many ways, and will stay interesting over a long long long period of time.

Read the article here and then tell us what you think by leaving your comments below.

Are Kitchen Toys For Boys? is a post from: All Child's Play

You can add your own variations and interpretations.  My friend Kim said she even added some left-over gumbo into it one time and it turned out great!  I myself add chopped onions and chopped garlic to the chicken while it’s cooking and my family likes it that way.  Here’s the basic recipe, and you can just use your own variations to make this a whole new “recycled recipe” of your own.

Tortilla Soup

6 chicken breasts

2-3 cans of your favorite black beans

2-3 cans of whole kernel corn or Mexicorn

3-4 chicken bouillon cubes

2-3 cans “Rotel” (hot or mild-your choice)

1 can chicken broth (or more depending on how thick or thin you like it)

2 cans diced green chilles or jalepenos

2 cans of Green Chille (Stokes works just fine but use whatever you like)

Garnishments:  flour tortillas, blue corn tortilla chips, regular tortilla chips, sour cream, cheddar cheese, whatever you like to serve it with.

Night before: place chicken breasts in bottom of crockpot.  Cover with water.  Add bouillon cubes and 1 can of the Rotel.  Cook overnight (I’ve personally done this for almost 12 hours starting off on low and upping to medium or high in the morning).

Next morning:  shred the chicken and put it back into the crock pot along with the black beans (sauce included), corn (drained), additional Rotel, diced green chillies (or jalapenos) and the 2 cans of Stokes Green Chille (or whatever brand you like).  Let it cook in the crock pot all day on low.

There you have it.  Add whatever you like, spice it up as much or as little as you want and enjoy!

Eezy Peezy Tortilla Soup is a post from: All Child's Play

We thought it would be fun to start featuring some of our favorite Christmas gift ideas.  Maybe we’ll hit upon just the right one to help you make those difficult gift giving decisions.

Wooden Doll Houses continue to be one of the most popular gifts to give your children for Christmas.  They are timeless!  One dollhouse that is sure to be a quick sell-out this season is the Kidkraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse.

Kidkraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse

This wood dollhouse has features that are sure to thrill any youngster.  There’s an elevator that glides back and fourth between the 2nd and 3rd floors.   The garage has doors that swing open and closed making this an adorable interactive toy.

No need to purchase extra dollhouse furniture.  This little beauty comes fully furnished with 34 pieces including a grandfather clock and even a pet kitten.  It’s 4 feet wide by almost 4 1/2 feet tall so there’s plenty of space for multiple children to play at the same time.  Dolls are not included, however it’s big enough that even “Barbie” can live and play in this house.

Dad, be prepared to stay up late Christmas eve, because there is assembly required with this dollhouse.  But it’ll all be worth it when you see the look on your child’s face Christmas morning.

Get more details her———->Kidkraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse

A word of caution….don’t delay if you’re considering purchasing the Majestic Mansion for Christmas.  Kidkraft wooden doll houses are extremely popular for the holidays and most tend to sell out very early.

Kidkraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse is a post from: All Child's Play

Tasty Treats: 125 Piece Pretend Play Food

This Kidkraft 125 Piece pretend food set is the perfect accessory to our kitchen playsets. This adorable toy food is sure to keep your child’s imagination busy for hours. Watch the video here.

Kidkraft Tasty Treats Pretend Play Food is a post from: All Child's Play

Take a break, relax and get revitalized and inspired with our solution to Mommy time-outs.  An hour or so by yourself on these great pool loungers and swimming pool floats will put your summertime “mental health” back on track.  Put up your NO KIDS ALLOWED signs and enjoy.

Cabriolet Pool Lounger

Just Restocked-Get ‘Em While They Last!

OH…MY….GOSH!!  Picture yourself in her shoes right about when you can’t take one more “MOMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….”.

Lose your guilt Moms and give yourself a little “you time” with this relaxing pool float.  It’s okay to take yourself to the pool once in a while without the kids and care for yourself rather than always caring for everyone else.

Noodler 1 Swimming Pool Float

Take The Heat Off Of Yourself

It’s hot, the kids are hot, the house is hot, the kitchen is hot…you’re getting very very hot too (in more ways than one).  So take a break and cool down with one of our favorite inflatable water toys for moms.  In the winter-time my favorite mommy-time is taking a nice hot bath surrounded by candles and music, but in the summertime it’s all about cooling down.

Ahh-Qua Pool Lounger

Invite Another Mommy To Take A Break With You…

Sometimes we moms need to spend a little time out with other mommies who understand.  The Ahh-Qua Pool Lounger gives you and your friends the perfect opportunity to relax, cool down and chat it all out.

Ahh-Qua Bar Pool Float

…invite dad and another mom and dad to join you in your “Mommy-Time”

If you’re in the mood for a mom/dad time-out, then this ahh-qua bar pool float my be just the thing.  Invite some friends, pack up the cocktails…and take a well deserved break away from the kids.

“Mom, I’m bored..can we go to…….”?  “Mom, I don’t have anything to do because all of my friends are gone”.  Welcome to the world of summer.  Moms all over America are hearing the whines and moans of their kiddos, and school has only been out for a short perior of time.  It’s going to be a long long summer!

Of course everything seems to be more fun if Mom joins in on the fun…and that’s all well and good.  But doesn’t mom deserve a little “me time”.  Get a babysitter, ask your hubby to take the kids for an hour or two, and spend a little time in the pool with some of our favorite for moms only inflatable pool toys!

Face it moms, we often forget to take care of ourselves.  And when summer rolls around it gets even more difficult because we spend all of our time arranging schedules and playdates, planning activities, keeping the kids healthy and happy, etc. etc.  It’s important to sometimes give yourself a break too!

Swimming Pool Floats And Pool Loungers For “BIG Kids” is a post from: All Child's Play

Actually, I don’t have a baby.  But I do have a 3 year old grandson who can’t read.  He can write and spell his name, and he “thinks” he can read as we’re going through his books that he’s read a million, kazillion times.  But the fact is, he cannot read and he’s still a very intelligent, healthy, happy little boy.

Personally I find this whole concept ridiculous.  The infomercials show these little babies, who are barely starting to eat solid foods,  whipping through these flash cards with their parents who think they are raising the next Einstein.  Who cares if your baby can read?

Wouldn’t you rather be spending that time with them on normal childhood activities.  There are plenty of learning activities and games that moms-dads-and babies can participate in together that don’t involve drilling and grilling them over and over again with flashcards.  Enjoy their early years doing things that are fun, yet they are still learning.

I remember when my son first started Kindergarten we were told that he was behind in his fine motor skills.  He couldn’t use scissors worth a darn.  I felt like a horrible parent for not teaching him that skill.  But he could write his own name.

Fortunately for us, he had a very good teacher who explained to us that almost all kids enter kindergarten with different skill levels.  Some have great motor skills, some can write and do a little “reading”, and some can’t do either.  She explained to us that studies have proven by the third grade all children catch up to each other in their skill levels.

That’s not to say that they all perform the same.  Obviously they don’t, as noted in their report cards (do they still call them that?).  But their level of learning is on an even platform by the time they reach the third grade no matter how much they knew when they first started school.

Frankly I realize I may tick off and rile up a few parents with these bold statements.  But every time I see those infomercials with the parents holding up those flashcards and clapping and cheering their babies on, I have to laugh.    Are these babies really enjoying this monotonous activity or would they rather be playing with their blocks and shape sorters or wire and bead manipulators where they’re having a whole lot more fun, yet learning without it being force fed to them.

Tell me what you think.  I’d love to hear what other moms and dads think about this concept.

My Baby Can’t Read! Can Yours? is a post from: All Child's Play

We have fond memories of those times, but there were also some not so fond memories of uninvited guests visiting the old wooden sandbox daily.  The neighborhood cats!  It became a ritual every morning to go out and clean up the “presents” that the cats had left behind.  Even after we had cleaned it up, we were always worried that one of the kids might get sick from whatever else the cats had done in there (urinating).

Hubby made all kinds of homemade covers to keep out the cats, but they were either very bulky and hard to store, or difficult to get on and off all the time.  That old homemade wooden sandbox has been gone for years, but the cats still remain in the neighborhood.  We wanted to get a new backyard sandbox for the grandkids and determined not to go through the whole cat issue again.

Now there are all kinds of sandbox covers to help parents eliminate this problem.  For the grandkids we’ve decided upon a childrens sandbox that comes with it’s own cover.

This kidkraft sandbox comes with it’s own mesh cover.  The mesh cover is great because it’s porous enough that rain won’t puddle on top of it.   It’s also really easy to store and take on and off.

Kidkraft carries another childrens sandbox with it’s own mesh cover, but this sandbox is a little smaller than we wanted.

The thing we did like about this other one though is the great storage bins underneath the side seats to store all of those fun sandbox toys (which include half of my kithen utensils and bowls?).

Here’s a little tip I learned years ago for those of you who have cat problems in your uncovered sandboxes.  Sprinkle all of the sand with good old white vinegar.  Not only does it sanitize anything the cats may have left behind on previous visits, but it also helps to keep them away from the sand because they don’t like the smell of it.

Another serious safety concern with backyard sandboxes is too much sun!  Like I said, our kids used to spend hours and hours in their sandbox, and too much sun is always a concern.  You can lather them up every couple of hours with lots of sunblock, but a covered sandbox provides one more big layer of protection from the sun.  Of course you can always place your sandbox in a location under a tree where the kiddos won’t get as much sun, but then you have the problem of leaves and birds to deal with.  These covered sandboxes will assure you that the kids are having a healthy and happy playtime out of the sun.

Every sunburn a child gets is harmful and raises their chances of skin cancer.  For more information on protecting your kids from summer sun dangers, go here.

Have a fun, happy and healthy summer with your kids and their backyard sandbox.

Backyard Sandbox – Summertime Safety Tips is a post from: All Child's Play

"My Plasma Car's Faster Than Yours Is"

On a recent visit to our son Ryan’s house, they got out the Plasma Cars and we all had a lot of fun tooling around the house.  Of course Colton had to show us how fast he was, but he wouldn’t relinquish his new stuffed whale so the whale got to go for a little spin too.  That darned old whale probably cost him the race!

Last September Ryan started telling us we just “had” to get these Plasma Cars for Colton for Christmas (here’s a little research I did on them at the time:  “Some Kids Toys Are So Much Fun Parents Can’t Wait To Play With Them”). It’s not often you find a ride on toy that both the parents and kids can share, but these Plasma Cars are just that.

I gotta tell ya, now I understand all of the videos of adults on these ride on toys that I posted  in that entry.  Keep in mind, our son is over 6 feet tall and he was able to easily manipulate these things around tables and chairs, corners and hallways, and everything else in the house.   Here they are coming down a very narrow hallway.

Don’t ask me how these things work, because I have no clue about the dynamics of them, but even in this very narrow hallway they can turn these little ride on toys around without having to get off of the car. By simply jiggling and moving the steering wheel they turn any way you want them to.

Hubby and I even took them for a few spins around the house.  Fortunately they didn’t capture any pictures of that action, but let me tell you, hubby is not a small guy.  He’s 235 and even he was able to ride them and manipulate them around very easily.

If you’re looking for a fun ride on toy for your kids that you can really enjoy with them (rather than chasing them and following them down the street), then these Plasma Cars fit the bill.

I still think that we were really buying these as a gift to Ryan because he really wanted one himself, but no matter!  They are really enjoying them together and that’s what counts when you’re purchasing gifts for your kids and grandkids.

My orginal post when I was researching these has a few good videos, so go check it out!

Plasma Car Phun Photo Phinish is a post from: All Child's Play