A couple toy reviews...

The season is coming and I'm already trying to find toys for my daughter, niece and nephews. We all want to be able to see toys, handle them and really play with them before the kids to see if its worth our money but 99% of the time we have to rely on others and thier experience with them. So I'm hoping this helps...

First review is of the new Zhu Zhu Pets... They are cute, adorable little creatures that give us the chance to give a pet that moves and acts like a pet with out having to feed it, bath it or take it out to potty lol. Yes the connector sets are cool - there are several to choose from and tons of accessories for grandparents to help build up their stash BUT there are a couple downfalls...

The bad points...

1. the wheels on the pets - when they com in contact with a hand, face, HAIR the wheels start moving. Meaning hair gets caught up inside and needs to be carefully removed or CUT OUT! Not fun. AND this includes blankets, carpet edges (those fancy threads on the sides)... yeah those like to get wrapped up inside too.
2. Everything is plastic and expensive - the Funhouse set with Hamsters is 118!! alone its 41.00 - not really sure I want a large portion of our christmas budget to go to this.
3. I'm a lazy parent lol and just want to be entertained by our christmas gifts so when something takes 10 mins to set up each time for the kids to play with I do the normal 'sigh' and shake my head and wish I never bought it lol (Hope I'm not alone on this!)
   

The good points...

Beside what I mentioned before - cute, adorable, NO poop! lol they do run on their tracks and turn around in their cage, the car works well and the ball is cute for the kids to chase after when the hamsters are running inside it.

So what do I think - Thumbs up for the Kids - Thumbs down for the parents.
Take a peek for yourself (thanks to YouTube!)




My second review is for the Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Railway- I like this one, the colors are awesome, couple accessories you can purchase to add on - that are cheaply priced!, Easy to assemble for both the kids and parents, The kids are able to take the trains off the track and put them back on with out having to really align them on the track - what I love the most is the MOVABLE TRACK! if the kids bump the track (running the train into it like they all do) and it bends the track stays together and the train still runs on it - why haven't they made this before!! No more wooden non moving tracks that are hard to put together!
Comes with:

• motorized engine train - with auto shut off! take 4 triple A batteries has on off button and master on off button!
  
• Diego figure
• two more train cars - one with a lift attachment
  
• three cute animals - wolf, monkey and I lol don't know what to call the other but its cute!
  
• Big mountain with a side ladder
• 8.5 feet of track

I give this Thumbs UP all around!!

What do kids eat when no one is looking?

It's back to school time!! And we all know what that means... bagged lunches!

We all remember swapping what mom packed in our lunch box for something tastier (and decidedly less nutritious) than snacking even more upon arriving home from school. Now there are alternatives that encourage kids to eat better -for-you foods.

Safeway and Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes have teamed up to create Eating Right Kids(tm) to bring you meals, snacks, cereals and drinks your kids will love - and you'll feel good about. Eating Right Kids is a full line of foods that are not only tasty, but better for children; It has been formulated to standards based on the most recent dietary recommendations and regulations from several federal and state agencies.



Better yet - they feature the beloved Looney Tunes - something I know every child sees and knows - My favorite is Taz!!

The product line features more than 60 items from breakfast, produce, portable meals, dairy, snacks, beverages and frozen entrees. All available at more than 1700 Safeway locations across the US and Canada.

I got a sample in the mail: Eating Right Kids - Lunch Bag, Pasta, Juice and Chewy Bar.


Now I know Amber's 12 so we brought Amaya over from next door - she's 4 yrs old and had her try it out!

Amaya's thoughts - She loved every bit of it except the cherries in the fruit bowl - but her little sister (1 yr old) loved them. (her moms thoughts - lunchbag was too cute, was surprised they made the raviolis - couldn't wait to try it and loved it afterwards )

Tips on making foods a quicker and easier solution for mom -

I make a list of items I know Amber eats and put them on a list on the fridge - I have her pick them out the night before or two days before if its the weekend. You could even make it a spinning wheel and have it be a game - where the hand lands, is what she has for lunch.

I make things finger size or portable size. The presliced apple or fruit cup, the snack size bag of pretzels, granola bar etc...

Add something fun and a twist - like the apples - send the little caramel cups for them to dip them in or a purple spoon to eat her fruit with.

I always put a napkin in that has a note from me... Hint: make a few ahead of time occording to your schedule (Mon - Love you, Tues - I know you'll be great in Dance class tonight, Friday - you'll do great on your test)

Hope this helps!!

Now for the fun part - CONTEST!! CONTEST!!
Win the same lunch you see here and try it for FREE!!

1. Join my facebook and let me know by posting below
2. Follow my blog and let me know by posting below
3. Go check out Safeway and let me know which product you like the best

Post seperate entries for each one and have fun!!

Ideas...

Some Great Ideas on displaying the Monthly Customer and Hostess (Earn them FREE with your orders!!)

Serve up some delicious treats on a Scalloped Charger that has been decorated adorably for Halloween. If you are looking for a color other than the traditional orange or black for the scariest time of year, the color purple is one that will be sure to add some fun to your décor. Worried about damaging the vinyl? Place a sheet of clear cellophane over the expression before placing food on the charger.

Supplies

· “Just treats please” expression: Sugared Plum (9008)

· Scalloped Charger (300112)

· Clear cellophane (optional)

Create a fun fall display for your wall by super gluing ribbon to the back of a Square Charger. It’s a great way to uniquely display this simple, yet charming charger and expression.

Supplies

· “Pumpkin patch” expression: Terra Cotta (9083)

· Square Charger (300139)

· Medallion (300113)

· Ribbon (300105)

· Super glue

Tips & Tricks: Vinyl Effects Spider Webs

Gently squeeze the bottle of Vinyl Effects and draw the straight spokes of the spider web first. Next, without squeezing the bottle at all, take the tip and drag an arched line between each of the spokes. The Vinyl Effects will be clear when it is dry to the touch, after about an hour.


Supplies
· “Spooktacular” expression: Lemon Chiffon (9022)
· MDF Board—Pre-Drilled (300132)
· Metal Hooks (300133)
· Toolbox Paint—Matte Black (300148)
· Sponge Brushes (300156)
· Vinyl Effects Dimensional Accent (300155)

Photo Prints Contest

Submit your photo for our photo contest!

Three categories: people, pets and places

The winner gets 1) one complimentary 2' x 2' Photo Print 2) can purchase additional sizes for a 20% discount, 3) Winning pics will be showcased on my website... and newsletter.

All applicants will receive a 10% discount on photo vinyl purchased made between September 15-25.

1 Entry Per Person All photo submissions should be emailed and received no later than September 8th. (All photos should be a min of 300 dpi) to aserpe@mchsi.com

Our idea of ours

Have you ever wanted to cheer your child on,

off the field? Show them that the time spent together means more than anything to you?

Or just display your most cherished photos?

Now you can, with

UL Photo Prints™

With our special packages you can turn a traditional picture and a bare wall into

an eye catching work of art!

Contour Cut

Size	Description	Item No.	Price
2’ x 2’	Contour Cut Photo Print	90012	$29.95
4’ x 4’	Contour Cut Photo Print	90009	$69.95
	with value pack	90010	$84.90
5’ x 4’	Contour Cut Photo Print	90006	$79.95
	With value pack	90007	$94.90
6’ x 4’	Contour Cut Photo Print	90003	$89.95
	with value pack	90004	$104.95
8’ x 4’	Contour Cut Photo Print	90000	$119.95
	with value pack	90001	$134.90

Upgrade to a Value Pack When you purchase a 4’x 4’ or larger contour cut Photo Print, you can upgrade your order with a Value Pack of the same image for only $14.95 The price includes: Two 8” silhouesttes (black only) One 10” color graphic One 18 color graphic Give these extra graphics to grandparents, teachers, and friends and hange them on any surface – lockers, refrigerators, mirrors, binders, laptops and more!

Full Photo (not available with value pack)

Size	Description	Item No.	Price
2’ x 2’	Full Photo Print	90013	$29.95
4’ x 4’	Full Photo Print	90011	$69.95
5’ x 4’	Full Photo Print	90008	$79.95
6’ x 4’	Full Photo Print	90005	$89.95
8’ x 4’	Full Photo Print	90002	$119.95

On September 15th
Design your own Photo Print visit:
http://Amy.UppercaseLiving.net
Use our MyDesign Suite to upload your image
and start creating your own masterpiece,
in just 4 simple steps!
Easy to Remove and Re-Use