“When my kids were little, we could only find certain toys here and we came every year and we put all their toys on lay a way,” said Sondra Farley.  

“My daughter came in from Atlanta this weekend, and saw the ad that said Wyker’s was going out of business on tuesday and she said mother, please go and get me something for my future children from Wykers because I have so many good memories,” said Lola Peters.

This wasn’t just some old toy store like a Toys R Us or something like that, it was one that knew the people that came in and people really trusted. This store was known for specialty toys that you may not be able to get at other toy stores, no big box items was their big thing.

While using this machine the girls were able to make over a dozen little buttons, or SPOTZ as they are referred to on the box. One got to make a purse that held all her little gems, this purse would go everywhere with her for the first three months. You can also make little necklaces, keyholders, make one for your friend, trade them with each other and many other fun things. Mine would even do games with them.

SPOTZ Machine:

10 jazzy jotz
30 colored holders (plastic circles that holds them in)
30 pre-printed images to choose from
2 blank sheets to design their own
8 rhinestone stickers (not saying where these ended up)
30 clear protective sleeve pieces

It does need a 3 AAA batteries. On the outside of the machine there’ll be little charms to put on it and there is a drawer to hold all your items plus spots to hold your SPOTZ and one will even light up. My girls loved that feature.

The machine costs: $29.99 at Amazon and the little pics and holders cost: $11.99 for 20 spotz.  I think this is a great summer fun activity to keep them busy during the hot days.

The swingset, “Step2Play Up Gym play set” has been recalled. For those that aren’t sure this is the swing that costs around $400 over at Toys “R” Us. the reason is because the  chain on the swing can break and hurt your child.

They’ve stated there have been no injuries as of yet but would like to prevent them, if you have one of these swings (comes with a platform, slide, two swings and a climber) come in to get the replacement swingers. There were around 4,300 swingsets sold.

The model number is 797300.

Safe Kids, the first and only international nonprofit organization dedicated solely to preventing unintentional childhood injury, estimates that more than 130 children die from bicycle-related injuries, and more than 280,000 are treated in emergency rooms. And in a recent Safe Kids report, “Headed for Injury,” of those children wearing helmets, one in three children are not wearing their bike helmets properly – putting them at risk.

The first safety rule should always be your kids know the signs of the road, #2 should be that they have the proper gear. If they are riding a bike, scooter, skates, etc they should be wearing a bike helmet. But not just any helmet or one that is just on top of their heads. I’ve seen too many times where a child just wears a helmet but never buckles it up. It must be buckled correctly, tightened but not too tight or too loose and off they can go. Bells Sports has a helmet line that does not allow a child to wear it wrong and a parent can feel great about it. I got a few to review which will be coming up shortly, they have them in all sizes so there is no guessing your child’s size and instructions for those that may not know how to put them on. For the toddler that loves to unsnap things, these are slightly harder so they can’t, which means mom and dad must. A definite bonus. Reviews coming up.

IMG: The Life of a Home Mom

This month when you order your child a Happy Meal from Mc Donald’s you’ll find the Kidz Bop CD inside. Be prepared mom and dad, you are about to be begged to listen to the tiny tunes.  I must say the one thing I really like about the Happy Meals, besides my kids have a treat at the end is that we get to pick what’s in their little meals.

Instead of fries you can pick: apple dippers (with dipping sauce)

Instead of soda you can pick: apple juice, low fat milk and chocolate milk.

Have you been by McDonald’s lately? Oh the other reason I love McD’s is because they (at least in my area) have the Red Box Machine, where I rent movies every week.

Puzzles

-  count n’ match
-  build-a-dream  (This looks like the most interesting)
-  do-re-mi xylophone
-  music rainbow
The Build-a-Dream can actually be built into a drum and each block (puzzle block) is one color and their color is wrote on them. So children can learn their colors and the words that go along with it. My son just loves banging away on things so this would be his favorite toy.

My First Instruments

-  My First Harmonica
-  My First Recorder
-  My First Percussion Instruments

Active Music Learning

-  Drop N’ Play Piano (this one is busy and fun looking)
-  Shake N’ Stack Instruments
-  Crawl N’ Go Drum

Drop n- play piano, each hippo is hungry and your child needs to feed him. There’s even a door to keep them in and a piano that plays music when you push the keys. As you can see this one is definitely fun and educational.

Penny the Piano sits on her bottom and has her four paws sticking out. At the end of each paw you can push on them to do something.

Music note: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, clap to the beat
Music note with ABC: piano key sound, Penny talks to them about the piano and how she can be loud or soft. Sing in Harmony. Let’s warm up.
Foot: That’s my foot, let’s dance. Are you sleeping.

From the Little First Act Discovery site:

Penny Piano introduces baby to music learning through songs and interactive play. Teaches basic music concepts such as pitch, harmony, rhythm and more. Baby presses Penny’s arms to make authentic piano sounds, and squeezes Penny’s hands and feet for ABCs, 123s, and sing-along songs!

Two Interactive Play Modes:
Music Learning Mode - Musical activities and messages
Songs Mode – Sing-along songs and clap-along fun

She’s made from a soft, cushiony material that makes her safe to be near babies and definitely cuddly.  My son does bop to the beat though and even tries shaking his head. Or he’ll sway his head with Twinkle. I love that I can now have them listening to some form of music that isn’t loud.  My daughter has been singing in harmony with her.  For those that don’t want a pink stuffed toy they can get one of the following:

-  Parker Piano (he’s a blue horse)
-  Xander Xylophone (he’s a green gator)
-  Gilberto Guitar (yellow duck) 

What do I like about this? This toy introduces music to your child’s young ears without giving you a headache. Your child can put it in two modes, song or leaning mode. Plus, this is an item that they can cuddle with and you won’t have a fear of them choking on a piece.

From Zobmondo!! Entertainment:

-  The Ladybug Game
-  Would You Rather…?
-  You Gotta Be Kidding!

From Out of the Box Games:

-  Backseat Drawing Junior
-  Ninja VS. Ninja

From Hasbro:

-  Stratego
-  Battleship: The Tactical Combat Game
-  Clue: Harry Potter Style
-  Sorry: Spongebob Squarepants
-  Connect 4
-  Crazy Old Fish War card game
-  Scramble Card Game

She’s a hot number and this glamour doll is only selling for $49.99 at Amazon, so get your 50th Anniversary Barbie Glamour Doll.  Course this Barbie does not look a day over 30 but for all those Barbie fans she will be on their list.

Here’s what Amazon has to say about her:

50th Anniversary Barbie Glamour doll Gold Label Collection. A remake of the fashion featured on the original 1959 doll. Adds new details with a couture twist for today.Celebrating Barbie doll’s 50th Anniversary a beautiful glamour doll designed by Robert Best. From the Barbie Fashion Model Collection.

Will you be purchasing one?

Since we are talking about Barbie this week, how many of you have heard Barbie Girl by Aqua? Take a peek at the video. I first heard this song after my husband came back from Iraq with it. I must admit, it did make me laugh. Now some content (words) may not be suitable for little ears.