Holiday Gift Guide: The Wonder Forge Games Review and Giveaway!

Here are a few more last-minute holiday gift ideas. Games from The Wonder Forge are easy to find, include options for all ages, and most importantly, are very fun to play!

For example, my kids are loving What's in the Cat's Hat? This game has great packaging- and inside is Dr. Seuss's Cat's famous red and white hat, as well as 33 activity cards. You play by placing a household object inside the hat and using the cards to let your kids ask questions that will help them figure out what's inside. This is probably my kids' favorite game right now- They love this guessing game, and I love coming up with strange new objects to put inside the hat!

What's in the Cat's Hat is available for $29.98 right now on Amazon.com.

For older children, consider Konexi, a fun 3-D word game that's challenging in several ways. Players create words by building letters up, down or sideways. The longer the word, the higher the score- unless your word collapses. We are very word-oriented in our family as you can imagine, and we're LOVING this game!

The premium edition of Konexi is available on Amazon right now for $23.95.

Curious George fans will love this Matching Game from The Wonder Forge. It's your classic matching game featuring characters from the lovable Curious George series (which both my children adore) and it's at a nice price- just $5.99 right now on Amazon.com!

I'm always looking for stocking stuffers for the kids that aren't candy, and this I Can Do That! Card Game perfectly fits the bill. We're having a lot of fun with this game, which calls on players to do all sorts of physical activities, from crab walking to dancing, and includes some of our favorite children's characters. The I Can Do That! Card Game is $6.45 on Amazon.


Another stocking stuffer that's a guaranteed hit in this house is this Fox in Socks puzzle. My son absolutely loves doing puzzles of this size and difficulty level- and I love that it features one of my favorite children's books, which went a long way in teaching my daughter to read. The Fox in Socks Puzzle is available for $5.99 on Amazon.

And finally, for kids ages ten and up who are fans of the popular Discovery Channel series, Mythbusters, check out this Mythbusters Game, available for $18.84 from Amazon. Players who answer a trivia question correctly get to put Buster in his cannon and let him fly to see whose target he hits.

To pique your interest in The Wonder Forge's games, I'm giving away What's in the Cat's Hat? to one lucky Suburban Turmoil reader. To enter to win, leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd like to win this game between now and Friday, December 24th at 11:59pm, CST. Please include your e-mail address in the comment so that I can contact you if you've won. This giveaway is limited to residents in the continental US. Only one comment per entrant, please. The winner will be chosen at random.

Good luck!

Disclosure: I received copies of these games in order to test them and write this review. My opinions are my own.

Despicable Me Giveaway!

Despicable Me was perhaps the best children's movie of the year-- I know my family absolutely LOVED it... That's why I know that a LOT of you out there will love this giveaway. What better way to round out Christmas Break with the kids than with a great new DVD that the whole family can watch and enjoy together?

In honor of Despicable Me's release on DVD and Blu-Ray disc, one lucky Suburban Turmoil reader will win a grand prize pack consisting of:

• a DESPICABLE ME Single Disc DVD
• a DESPICABLE ME Beannie hat (one size fits most)
• DESPICABLE ME Stickers
• DESPICABLE ME Activity Sheets

Four more of you will win prize packs featuring:

• a DESPICABLE ME Beannie hat (one size fits most)
  
• DESPICABLE ME Stickers
• DESPICABLE ME Activity Sheets

To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd like to win a Despicable Me prize pack between now and Wednesday, December 22nd at 11:59pm, CST. Be sure and leave your e-mail address in the comment so that I can contact you if you've won. This giveaway is open only to US residents.

And before you go, check out this special Despicable Me video from the studio:



Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a DVD copy of this movie so that I could knowledgeably write this post. My opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: A Hickory Farms Gift Box for Every Budget

It was certainly a day of joy around here when this Hickory Farms Perfect Picnic Gift Basket arrived here at the house!

I'm sad to say that its contents soon disappeared- but my son is still using the picnic basket as a toy box. Often, he puts his toy food in the basket and has a "picnic" somewhere in the house- which cracks me up- but I digress.

Hickory Farms gift baskets are an old tradition in this house. We generally buy them for a friend or family member for Christmas each year- but we almost never get to eat Hickory Farms foods for ourselves.

That's why I was excited to be a Hickory Farms Ambassador, and receive two different gift boxes for my family and I to try out ourselves.

True to form, the cheeses, sausages, and crackers were all delicious. I served them on cheese boards to our family over Thanksgiving and they were a huge hit!

Best of all, there's a Hickory Farms gift for every budget, from $16 to over $100. And if you order a gift box of $35 or more between now and December 20th, delivery in time for Christmas is free!

Enjoy!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a two signature gift boxes from Hickory Farms to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Holiday Gift Guide: A Few Last-Minute DVD Ideas for Kids

Trying to come up with a few last stocking stuffers/presents for the kids? Here are some ideas...

Nothing satisfies both my children (ages 3 and 6) like a brand new SpongeBob DVD, and Spongebob's Legends of Bikini Bottom was no exception. Check out this synopsis:

Gather ‘round for a spine-tingling adventure (if you have a spine, that is) unlike any you’ve ever seen before! Hang on as SpongeBob, Patrick, and the rest of their Bikini Bottom friends dive into SpongeBob’s Legends of Bikini Bottom. You’ll squirm when Patrick and SpongeBob find themselves held prisoner by a backward gang, SpongeBob and pals look for a way out of the Bikini Bottom Triangle, and an evil hag curses the Krusty Krab! Then laugh when Patrick finds he has lots in common with a monster that invades town, join SpongeBob and Patrick on their search for a drain that once destroyed the city, and brace yourself for a volcanic eruption that brings an ancient warrior with dire predictions to Bikini Bottom! Six legends, one swell adventure: Legends of Bikini Bottom.

My children have watched this DVD several times now, which in kid language means: "We liked it A LOT." Legends of Bikini Bottom is on sale on Amazon right now for $13.99.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is out now on DVD and we all loved this movie! It follows the hilarious misadventures of a middle school nerd, and it will bring your junior high years rushing back- for better or worse! This really was one of those movies every one of us enjoyed watching (minus my 3-year-old, perhaps, but he enjoyed playing while we watched it!) and I definitely recommend it for your family- especially if you have older children who will be able to relate to the young protaganist. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is on sale right now on Amazon for $13.99.


Strawberry Shortcake is all the rage again with young girls and I was thrilled that my daughter loved both of her new movies: Berrywood Here We Come and The Glimmerberry Ball Movie. Both DVDs are super-cute and my 6-year-old has watched both movies multiple times.

Here's a synopsis of Berrywood Here We Come:

It’s lights, camera, action! Strawberry Shortcake and friends head off to Berrywood to visit Strawberry’s movie-star friend, Limelight. When they arrive, they’re shocked to see not everything is glitz and glamour. Strawberry must get her friends to come together and help Limelight realize that everyone can shine--because everyone is a star. Soon, Limelight’s movie is a berry big success. Next, it’s hooray for Berrywood! Strawberry and friends bring their Berrywood experience home and help re-open a local theater by pitching in and making a movie. But, trouble arises when Pie Man wants the theater for himself. After confronting Pie Man, Strawberry and the girls learn a valuable lesson--if there’s a problem, it’s best to talk about it. And, if they all work together as a team, they’re sure to make a berry good movie.

Berrywood, Here We Come is out now on Amazon for just $10.99.

And here's a synopsis of The Glimmerberry Ball Movie:

Celebrate winter with Strawberry Shortcake and friends at the Glimmerberry Ball. It’s a delightful, fun-filled time as the girls exchange presents, solve a hollow tree mystery, and set out to carve the most beautiful Glimmerberry lantern ever. Just like Strawberry says, "The whole community will come together and work together and help each other--friends helping friends--during the long months of winter. That’s the real meaning behind it!"

The Glimmerberry Ball Movie is available on Amazon for $8.99. This was probably Punky's favorite of the two.

Happy Shopping!

Disclosure: I received screeners of these DVDs in order to write my reviews.

Holiday Gift Guide: Jada Battle Machines

Looking for an impressive last-minute gift for a favorite little boy in your life?

My son is loving his Jada Battle Machines, two remote-controlled cars that actually battle each other in an infrared game of Laser Tag!

Of course, my son is young so he just enjoys driving the cars around the house- but the Laser Tag capabilities sure do make it more fun for the rest of us to play with him, and he's thrilled that we're joining in and "racing" each other.

Basically, to play an opponent, you try and "tag" the other car three times- Do that and you win! The infrared sensors on the cars allow them to tag each other when controlled by the remotes. It's great fun and comes in a very impressive, large package. Your little one will FREAK OUT when he sees the box if he's anything like ours!

Battle Machines are available at Walmart, Target, and Toys R Us for around $64.99. For more information, check out the Jada Toys website or watch this Battle Machines video...




Disclosure: I received a Battle Machines set in order to write this review. My opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: Tangled for Wii

My daughter love, love, LOVED the movie Tangled-- and so did I! We agreed it was our favorite Disney Princess of all time.

So I was thrilled to give her a chance to review Tangled for Wii- a fantastic game she can play alone or better yet, with her father, myself or her brother, so that she can have her own Tangled adventures!

Tangled for Wii is fantastic because it's easy enough for my six-year-old to play, yet engaging enough for her father and I to enjoy it as well. Boys, too, are included in the fun- They're able to be the character of "Flynn" in the game. Truly, there's something for everyone!

I highly recommend this game for Wii families with kids who enjoyed the movie. It would make a fantastic Christmas present- and the price is nice as well ($36.54 on Amazon). Tangled is also available on Nintendo DS for $49.99.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this game in order to write this review. My opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: Soma Intimates Personality PJs

Still looking for that perfect gift for a girlfriend, sister or other female relative?

Here's a great idea that will suit every personality.

Soma Intimates has a new line out called Personality PJs, with pajamas suited for just about every woman you can think of. You can even take a personality quiz, either for yourself or on behalf of your potential giftee, and Soma Intimates will tell you which pajamas are best suited for you.

I took the quiz and ended up with these glam pearl pajamas, which I'm actually wearing right now!

They are totally luxe and comfortable yet stylish. Love.

Other personality options include "Fun," "Wild," "Classic," "Romantic," and "Chic." Go check them out for yourself! Truthfully, I would like almost all of the pajamas offered. I guess I have multiple personalities!

Personality PJs are available in supremely soft jersey and satin fabrics in an array of prints and colors in sizes XS-XL. They blend style with comfort, making these pajamas too good to just wear to bed- which is why I'm wearing them while I'm working.

And right now for a limited time, you can get 2 pairs for $59! One for yourself and one as a gift!

PERFECTION.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Soma Intimates and received a pair of Personality PJs to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Holiday Gift Guide: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Zombies, as everyone knows, are the new vampires-- and that's probably why Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has been a runaway cult hit.

The book is essentially a mash-up of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and a horror story about zombies. Combine the two and hilarity ensues. It also makes for a great read.

I love that a hardcover edition of this book has been made- It has all the trappings of a fusty literary classic novel- except that there's a zombie on the cover. This is a perfect gift for your hipster friends, your Jane Austen-loving friends, and your teen daughters, who will totally appreciate the irony, not to mention the zombie aspect.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is available at major bookstores and on Amazon for just $14.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to write my review. My opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: Fantasia & Fantasia 2000

I have to admit that I was a little worried when I agreed to review the new Blu-Ray/DVD combo release of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000.

We've all seen Fantasia as kids, right? And while I loved that movie growing up, it was definitely the driest and slowest of the Disney lot. With The Incredibles and Toy Story and Tangled out now, I worried my kids wouldn't be fans of Fantasia at. all.

And when I started it up for them, it looked for a moment like I was right. Fantasia, if you remember, begins with the shots of the symphony playing the music. Then it transitions to animated shapes and colors that fit the mood of the music, and then we start seeing actual cartoons set to classical music.

Slowly but surely, the kids became entranced. And it has since become one of the few films they've watched over and over again, either requesting specific segments or watching the entire movie at once.

This movie also has incredible value as a homeschooling/music appreciation tool. Based on the Fantasia concept, I now plan to start playing classical music for the kids and have them draw the way the music makes them feel.

Another cool aspect of this release is that it also includes Fantasia 2000, a sequel concept originally dreamed up by Walt Disney and later carried out by Disney animators. It includes seven completely new segments, and was designed to pick up where Fantasia left off.

A cool addition adults in particular will appreciate is the inclusion of Destino, a seven-minute film that was originally a collaboration between Disney and Salvador Dali and wasn't completed until 2003.

Plus, check out all these other extras...

Fantasia DVD Bonus Features:

• New Audio Commentary with Disney historian Brian Sibley
• Disney Family Museum (running time: approx. 5 minutes) – Walt’s daughter Diane Disney-Miller takes viewers on a tour of the new Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California featuring a very large exhibit on Fantasia and most importantly, the Schultheis notebook with long lost Fantasia production notes found in more recent years in the walls of a convent.

Fantasia Blu-ray Bonus Features: Everything on the DVD plus:

• Disney View – This viewing mode maximizes the Blu-ray viewing experience with a 16 x 9 aspect ratio. Original artwork created by a Disney artist, in a style that complements the beauty of the film.
• The Shultheis Notebook: A Disney Treasure (running time: approx. 14 minutes) –An in depth look at the recently discovered Schultheis Notebook. The detailed log was created by Herman Schultheis, an effects man on Fantasia, and intricately breaks down the film from a technical view. Many of the special effects used in Fantasia were a mystery to modern day animators until this notebook was recovered.
• Interactive Art Gallery and Screensavers – Viewers can explore the artwork of Fantasia as never before, in HD resolution with unique Blu-ray interactivity and programming.
• Audio Commentaries from Fantasia Legacy Collection o With executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine, animation historian
John Canemaker, and Scott McQueen, manager of film restoration.
Audio commentary with interviews and story note recreations by Walt Disney, hosted by John Canemaker.

Fantasia 2000 DVD Bonus Features:

• Musicana – Walt’s Inspiration for a Sequel (running time: approx. 10 minutes) – This documentary reveals rarely-seen art created for Musicana, a late 1970’s project intended as a Fantasia sequel with a focus on exploring other cultures via their greatest musical compositions. Viewers are offered a look at the origins of pieces that were started by Walt, such as “The Emperor and the Nightingale” which was then taken over by a very young John Lasseter. Ultimately, Musicana was stopped to begin production on “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” but the memories of this piece still live on with the animators who conceived it.

Fantasia 2000 Blu-ray Bonus Features: Everything on the DVD plus:

• Dali & Disney: A Date With Destino (running time: 82 minutes) – This feature length documentary explores the collaborative relationship between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali, revealing how and why the Destino short came to fruition under the lead of Roy E. Disney in 2003 so many years after its inception in 1946.
• Destino (running time: approx. 7 minutes) – The legacy of Walt Disney and Salvador Dali lives on in this highly anticipated short film.
• Disney’s Virtual Vault -- BD-Live Feature Original DVD Bonus Features from Legacy Collection
• Audio Commentaries from Fantasia Legacy Collection (total running time: 84 minutes) With executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine, and producer Don Ernst. Audio commentary with the directors and art directors for each segment.

All this is available for a limited time as a 4-disc set for $27.99 on Amazon.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this movie in order to write my review.

Holiday Gift Guide: The YBIKE Balance Bike Review and GIVEAWAY

In the category of best-ever ideas, check out the YBIKE Balance Bike, which is a revolutionary new way to teach your toddler how to ride a big-kid bike-- without resorting to training wheels!

Bruiser has been testing out his new YBIKE and he loves it- He feels like he's got a big kid bike of his own, in his own 3-year-old size. Meanwhile, I'm assured of his safety because the bike is so low to the ground that Bruiser can keep his feet down on either side. However, little does he know he's also learning to balance naturally, without even realizing it!

Other safety features include a larger front wheel, which makes for big turns that need lots of space so that he's less likely to fall down. Double back wheels make it sturdier, and they're covered so that he won't get his feet caught up in it. And it's made so that he can ride on pavement, grass, or even sand. Cool!

According to the company: "Kids who tested the YBike for 20 to 30 minutes twice a week showed substantial improvements in both static and dynamic balance and bilateral coordination. Children as young as 1.5 years also showed observable improvements in physical self-confidence. "

I know Bruiser feels confident on his YBIKE when he's out on our street with the big kids. Now he feels like he's one of the group, as opposed to being the only one on a big wheel or tricycle.

I'm sold! You can get a YBike Balance Bike right now on Amazon for $69.45. And learn more about YBike Balance Bikes on the YBike website.

Want to enter to win an orange YBike Balance Bike for your child for Christmas? Just leave a comment on this post between now and December 13th at 11:59pm, CST with an answer to the question "What is YBike's School Program?" (You can find an answer to that question on YBike's website.) Be sure and leave your e-mail address in the comment so that I can contact you if you've won! This giveaway is open to US residents only.

Good luck!

Holiday Gift Guide: Xbox 360 and Kinect Sensor

Like so many of you out there, I have a family of gamers. From my 3-year-old son to my *cough*-year-old husband, every single one of us has fond family memories of playing video games together- and for us, it truly is a family affair.

We have a Nintendo Wii, an Xbox 360 AND a Playstation 2, and we use all of them for different reasons. We just got the Wii and have been enjoying the fact that we can use it to get active as a family, particularly in the winter time when it's tough to get outside and run around. We use our Playstation 2 for many of our kids games, which we can buy used cheaply. (We got a "refurbished" Playstation, too, so it's truly our bargain console!) And we have traditionally used Xbox 360 most noably for all of the LEGO games, which my kids LOVE playing with my husband and with each other.

Now, though, Xbox has introduced the new Kinect sensor so that we can also jump up and move around with our Xbox and frankly, I love it. As a mom, I love any game that encourages movement and the Kinect definitely fits the bill.

I know many of you are wondering what the Kinect is and how it works- Well basically, it does A LOT- more than you probably ever imagined was possible.

Your Kinect actually detects your body shape and all of your movements, and is able to put a realistic version of you right on the TV screen. With Kinect, you can kick a ball, learn to dance, get a workout, and even take care of a virtual exotic pet! There are so many ways to use it and there's truly something for the whole family.

But even beyond games, you can also use Kinect to control your Xbox 360 in entirely new ways. With an Xbox LIVE GOLD membership, you can watch television, movies, and sporting events and use your Xbox to download them. You can get a subscription to Zune and have unlimited, on-demand streaming of millions of songs that you can choose from using your voice or a wave of your hand. And you can redeem Microsoft points to customize your Avatar and add characters, props and levels to some of your favorite games.

One of my favorite aspects of the Xbox 360 is its Family Settings, which let mom and dad monitor which games the kids can play, what they can see, what they can browse, and even how long they're allowed to play. We've made liberal use of these features on our Xbox 360, but there are even more aspects of family play that we're still discovering, like the Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack feature. Take a look:

For $US 99.99, you get four Xbox LIVE Gold Memberships for the price of two. The Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack includes:

· Family Center, an easy to use destination for Family Settings and account management, which will be accessible to you on the Xbox dashboard. While Family Settings are available to all users, you must have an Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack Membership to access Family Center. · Simplified billing that applies all purchase charges to the primary account holder’s billing account and the ability to authorize purchases, helping to manage the family’s entertainment budget.
· The primary account member has the ability to purchase and dispense Microsoft Points allowances to secondary Xbox LIVE Gold Family Pack members on the account.
· Activity monitoring reports viewable on Xbox.com to help encourage discussions about safer more balanced gaming and entertainment habits.
· Exclusive discounts on family-friendly games and other content on Xbox.com. Xbox 360 Family Settings are being taken to the next level this November. It's Microsoft's goal to provide parents and caregivers with tools and resources to manage their children's gaming and entertainment experiences, and these features are available to all Xbox LIVE members:
· Family Programming that removes all mature games, movies, and content from the dashboard, based on ESRB, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings and the TV Parental Guidelines system . Family Programming is password protected, and easy to turn on and off for each member. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
· Title exceptions – the ability to allow your family members to play specific games above the console’s designated ESRB rating if you deem appropriate. (Compatible with international ratings systems.)
· Intelligent default settings for Child, Teen, and Adult profiles. Xbox will automatically assign default privacy and activity settings for each member that can later be individually customized.
· Family Settings are displayed prominently in the My Xbox channel. Current tools include the Family Timer, which allows you to control the amount of time - either daily or weekly - your children may use the console.

Visit www.GetGameSmart.com for a new video and simple guide on safer gaming with Xbox 360 and Kinect, or download step-by-step guides for how to set up Xbox 360 Family Settings on the console.

Got any questions about Xbox 360 or Xbox Kinect before you buy it? Leave a comment and I'll do my best to get you a quick answer!

Holiday Gift Guide: Three Great Books for Girls Who are Emerging Readers

Looking for a few good books for your emerging reader? Here are three that should fit the bill for any child who loves Disney Princesses!

A Royal Christmas includes four Christmas-themed stories staring Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella and Tiana. Each princess celebrates Christmas in her own way, whether she's on the beach, in New Orleans, or on a snowy sleigh ride! My daughter is loving this book, and at six is able to read it on her own. A Royal Christmas is available on Amazon for $7.79.


Disney Princess Bedtime Stories is a large keepsake volume filled with eighteen princess stories to read to your daughter.It's a GREAT holiday gift option, and has more than 250 illustrations and gilded pages. How majestic! Disney Princess Bedtime Stories is available on Amazon for just $10.87.


Last but certainly not least, there's Rapunzel's Amazing Hair, a beautiful hardcover storybook that has fun, simple rhymes all about the amazing things Rapunzel does with her long hair. If your daughter loved Tangled as much as mine did, this will make an excellent present! My daughter is also able to read this one alone! Rapunzel's Amazing Hair is available on Amazon for $10.23.

Read, read, read!

Holiday Gift Guide: Lands' End Coats for Kids

If you haven't experienced Lands' End clothing for your children, well girlfriend, you are missing out!

I've been lucky to have a working relationship with Lands' End for several years now and have tried out everything from Lands' End jewelry to school uniforms to their men's and women's clothing, and every single thing we've ever owned from Lands' End has been absolutely top-of-the-line. I shop there all the time, both for myself and the rest of my family, and the quality just can't be beat.

That said, I was elated to get the chance to review a winter coat for my daughter, Punky. I chose the 3-in-1 Squall Parka in pink (pictured in purple above), which retails at Lands' End for $99.50. And not surprisingly, both my daughter and I LOVE it.

It's such a smart buy because it combines an all-weather parka with a removable fleece, so she can wear both pieces together for ultimate warmth and dryness, wear the parka alone for wet, warmer weather days, or wear the fleece alone for a little added warmth. The coat really came in handy Saturday night when we went to an outdoor night time Christmas event. The wind was blowing hard and the rest of us were freezing, but Punky was snug as a bug in her coat and didn't mind the cold weather at all!

For frugal-minded moms like me, I love that the sleeves have velcro wrist bands that I can adjust around her wrists. I bought the coat two sizes up so that she'd be able to wear it for several years, and by adjusting the wristbands, it fits her even now just fine. I also love the hood because it means I don't have to search for a hat every time the weather's extra cold. The hood works great to keep her warm, particularly because I can zip up the jacket so that there's only a tiny opening for her nose and eyes to peek out of.

I also love that the front of the coat has both velcro and zipper closure. If it's extra cold or we're going to be outside for a while, I zip her up, but if she's only headed outside to go to school or it's not too cold outside, she can velcro close her coat all by herself.

If this particular coat is a bit too much for your budget, Lands' End has all sorts of other, similar coats to choose from at lower prices. Lands' End also has both little girls (toddler to 6x) and big girls sizes, so you have lots of sizing options to choose from.

Visit Lands' End's website to see the full selection of coats for the whole family!