Price : $19.99

Features

• BEST SELLER! Deluxe 24-Piece Pretend Play Play Food Set for Children *Great Gift Idea!*
• This popular best-selling fruit and vegetables set will provide lots of pretend-play fun for your little ones!
• Set includes pineapple, bananas, oranges. watermelon, grampes, strawberry, and much more!
• Total package measures 11" x 9" x 6".
• Great gift idea, presented in a nice basket as pictured!

Product Description

Best Seller! Kids will love this 24-Piece Pretend Play Food Set which includes some of the most popular (and healthy) food groups incl. pineapple, bananas, oranges. watermelon, grampes, strawberry, and much more! If you love healthy foods, than there’s a good chance it is included in this set! Perfect gift idea for holidays, birthdays or just because you can’t resist to make them happy! Recommended ages: 3 & up. Presented in plastic basket as pictured.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-03-10
I got this item for my son who is 4 and half and my daughter who is 1 and half. both loved it. my daughter is able to name a few veggies now.
they look good and colorful but are not very strong. so time will tell how long they will last but for now, it is worth the purchase

Review date : 2008-01-09
My 19 mos. old loves this play food and basket–really nice stuff (my 4 year old likes it too)

To recap the movie, Willy Wonka is a famous candy maker who opens his doors to the five lucky children who have found his Golden Tickets inside chocolate bars. When Charlie and the other children go inside the secluded factory, they see many amazing things. However, one by one, the children’s bad behavior and personality flaws (caused by a lack of boundaries) gets them into trouble.

A boundary is nothing more than a limit. Boundaries force children to develop self-control, abide by rules, and conduct themselves in an orderly way. We tell our children not to touch the hot stovetop or electrical outlets. These are safety rules. We should also confront our children when they?re being rude, disrespectful, selfish, or angry?before things get out of hand. When there are no boundaries, children do whatever they want, whenever they please. It is a downward spiral, as ?Charlie in the Chocolate Factory? shows.

In the movie, the children with winning tickets (except Charlie) were raised by permissive parents who didn?t have the heart to set boundaries. Veruca gets whatever she wants by yelling. Mike is addicted to TV, and his parents don?t have the guts to turn it off. Augustus is addicted to food, and has a double chin to prove it. Rounding up the bunch is Violet, who is cut-throat competitive about everything from karate-kicking to gum smacking,. Yes it?s fictional, but ?Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? a telling tale about the consequences of not setting boundaries for children

As a parent, it isn?t easy being the disciplinarian. It?s no fun constantly reprimanding our children. Yet this is exactly what is needed for our children to develop emotional hygiene. As a parent, you are in a position of authority. Take authority over your child?s temper tantrums, refusal to cooperate, eating too much junk food, and other misbehavior. Clearly explain what is appropriate and what isn?t. Set boundaries and enforce them.

Ultimately, boundaries make children feel safe. From a child?s perspective, life is unpredictable and sometimes overwhelming. When we set limits, children understand what is expected of them socially, emotionally and physically. When children are conditioned to behave properly, this behavior eventually becomes automatic and natural. In the long run, parental discipline will pay off. Your children will learn what is expected of them and act accordingly.

The best time to start setting boundaries is when children are at least two, three or four years old. Your boundaries should include simple instructions about safety (such as ?look both ways before you cross the street?) and guidelines for proper behavior. As toddlers, children can be taught to control their temper, not to throw things, to share their toys, take turns, and so forth.

All children yearn to feel safe. They want to know what?s expected of them. When we set boundaries, we enable our children to be happy, emotionally stable and well adjusted. Like Charlie in the movie, our children will have the best possible start in life when we set boundaries and enforce them.

Nicky VanValkenburgh is a stay-at-home mother with two children. For help coping with the stress of parenting, check out her website at: http://www.20minutestolessstress.com/

Price : $28.64

Features

• Realistic looking instrument panel and guages
• Fun for in the house or the pool
• Intended for boys and girls

Product Description

Now kids can climb aboard for a journey to wherever their mind wants to take them. Bay doors open and close to show genuine looking instrument panel and gauges for added play value. Joystick handle makes for realistic look and feel. Great fun in the house or for the big splash down in the pool. For both boys & girls ages 2-6. Max weight 60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-04-05
Roger CapCom, we are now in orbit. My two year old son got this thing for his birthday, and he plays with it every day. His older brothers and sister pull him around the room on it and he squeals in delight. He also pushes the "buttons" on the control panel as he is flying it.

The only minor problem was the blow up cell on one side of the fold out control panel had a whole in it, but never fear, Highlights sent a new one the next day, and didn’t require us to send the old one back. So now we have a shuttle for grandma’s, too!

Review date : 2008-02-01
I bought this from eBay and it arrived today(Aeromax won’t deliver APO/FPO) and I have to say it’s fantastic.I love it and my son loves it.
There is no cardboard in this product except for the controls area, it feels like there is some there but that is it.
It’s a great toy and I would buy it again if something would happen to this one.

Review date : 2008-01-18
my 2 1/2 year old boy just loves this item. he runs around telling everyone that he has a space shuttle. this is a strong toy that i first thought would just not hold up to my household. my son plays on it all day. my dog (huskey) also plays with him on it. my son not only acts like he is flying off to space on it, he flips it over and jumps on it. this toy is great and durable.

Review date : 2007-11-25
My two-year-old son enjoys climbing aboard this shuttle. It is durable vinyl, but we are seeing some wear and tear along the seams that hold the control panel to the ship– those are starting to tear but sure we can repair with some electrical tape. I wouldn’t recommend this for much older/heavier children as it tends to go a little limp after his older cousins come over and jump on it. Inflating is a bit cumbersome, as there are several inflation points. An electric pump is a must have for this, although we did have some trouble with our pump fitting the nozzles and ended up being a bit frustrated. We use this ship in the house, so I can’t comment if it stands up to outdoor/pool use. Overall, I wouldn’t pay a fortune for this but it has been enjoyed by our son and we are going to buy the similar inflatable race car as a gift.

Review date : 2007-07-24
My son the astronaut absolutely loves this toy. When I gave it to him (along with the helmet) he played on it about 24 hours straight, except for sleeping. It reinforces his knowledge of the solar system as he gets to "visit" all the planets and the sun and the moon while on his shuttle.

Only issue is that he’s already torn it within the first day, but it patched up OK.

All in all, a great buy.

It will take more then one person to plan and execute this party game mystery. To begin the party game, the guests arrive to find a ?victim? (Stuff clothes, or use a doll, and add ?blood? and injuries to your victim). In the victim?s hand, will be a clue, which will point these amateur sleuths to yet another clue. You can make this as complex, or as simple, as you want, moving throughout your neighborhood (or building)or simply keeping all the clues within your house and/or yard. Guests will divide up into teams, with the hosts being the ?detectives? who present the clues, and guide the amateur sleuths in solving the mystery to find out ?who done it.?

Occasionally, a particular party game participant will be required to act out a scene, or be confronted with evidence against them. They can prove their innocence, dispute the charges against them, or be temporarily jailed; if the other sleuths are convinced the evidence against their fellow partygoer is compelling. There can be jail breaks, and subterfuge according to how your guests react to the prompts you give them. Half the fun is seeing how each guest improvises to cast blame, and convince everyone which person committed the crime.

The real fun of this party game is the imagination of, not just the hosts who orchestrate the mystery, but the sleuths who solve it. One thing is certain, this game is sure to always be a success, and though the ?who done it? party game takes effort, imagination, and planning, it is a party that will be enjoyed by all, and is sure to be remembered as the best party game of all!

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.

Price : $19.99

Features

• BEST SELLER! Deluxe 24-Piece Pretend Play Play Food Set for Children *Great Gift Idea!*
• This popular best-selling fruit and vegetables set will provide lots of pretend-play fun for your little ones!
• Set includes pineapple, bananas, oranges. watermelon, grampes, strawberry, and much more!
• Total package measures 11" x 9" x 6".
• Great gift idea, presented in a nice basket as pictured!

Product Description

Best Seller! Kids will love this 24-Piece Pretend Play Food Set which includes some of the most popular (and healthy) food groups incl. pineapple, bananas, oranges. watermelon, grampes, strawberry, and much more! If you love healthy foods, than there’s a good chance it is included in this set! Perfect gift idea for holidays, birthdays or just because you can’t resist to make them happy! Recommended ages: 3 & up. Presented in plastic basket as pictured.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-03-10
I got this item for my son who is 4 and half and my daughter who is 1 and half. both loved it. my daughter is able to name a few veggies now.
they look good and colorful but are not very strong. so time will tell how long they will last but for now, it is worth the purchase

Review date : 2008-01-09
My 19 mos. old loves this play food and basket–really nice stuff (my 4 year old likes it too)

They’re not doctors or nurses. They are ordinary people in communities all over America. What makes them special are their hearts of compassion. These caring men and women adopt and encourage children who are battling killer diseases like cancer.

They mail hundreds of cheery cards and small gifts to help put happy smiles on the faces of suffering kids. This happy mail helps kids forget, for just a little while, that they are fighting for their lives.

Seven-year-old Connor loves watching Scooby Doo with his dad and playing computer games. Connor has had radiation therapy, chemo therapy, and seven surgeries in his battle to beat a rare form of cancer. His experience has been made a little easier because of the happy mail he receives from the Hugs and Hope volunteers. The group’s Hug-givers and Hope-builders (as the 2900 volunteers are called) are committed to delivering joy — along with fun surprises; but they also reap many rewards as a result. Hugs and Hope Club founder, Marsha Jordan, says, Happiness is like peanut butter. When you spread it around to others, you can’t help but get some on yourself too.

HUGS and HOPE is sponsoring a special program for the holidays called the ELF project. Hundreds of children will be paired up with volunteer sponsors who provide not only Christmas gifts for their adopted child, but a little more love, joy, and hope in their lives as well.

The Hugs and Hope Foundation invites you to experience for yourself the joy of helping children who might not have a merry Christmas, if not for the kindness of strangers. Visit the website at http://www.hugsandhope.org Read the stories and sign up to sponsor one or more children. Give them — and yourself — a reason to smile this holiday season.

Information:

Company Name: HUGS AND HOPE Foundation

Company Contact: Marsha Jordan

Address: P.O. Box 56; harshaw, WI 54529

Email: hugsandhope@gmail.com

the Hugs and Hope Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity serving children with cancer and other life threatening conditions. Visit their web site at http://www.hugsandhope.org

Price : $34.99

Features

• Relive the excitement of your favorite lightsaber battles with this awesome two-pack
• Choose to fight as a Jedi -in-training or a dark sith lord
• Press down on the button and flick your wrist to extend the blade
• Includes 1 Jedi lightsaber and 1 sith lightsaber
• A great 2 pack allows you to battle your friends

Product Description

Star Wars Basic Lightsaber Classic Battle Luke Vs Vader

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2009-01-02
This is very economical in that there are two light sabers for a very reasonable price. Both of my sons (6 & 7 year olds) love Star Wars. This was a combo Christmas gift for them from their sister. They have played with these continually. The sabers are well made and are perfect for Star Wars lovers.

Review date : 2008-12-31
My 3 year old and 7 year old like these to "duel" each other, but these lightsabers are very basic… no lights or sounds. Also, one of them seems to stick and is hard to come out and go back in all the way. Also, watch the little fingers when putting the lightsaber back in. Best to use the floor to push the lightsaber in, so fingers don’t get smashed. All in all, for the price, my children enjoy these and use their imagination to have lots of fun. If you want more perks, check out the ultimate lightsaber… my son LOVES this one!

Review date : 2008-12-26
WoW…after I gave this to my nephew he played with it all day….it was what he wanted for X-mas…and the department stores had one for the price of this one..so I though it was an excellent deal. THanks!

Review date : 2008-12-23
Great toy! Would be better if it lit up. I liked how they packaged the two together.

Review date : 2008-09-17
My husband bought this item for our six-year-old son’s birthday. I was reluctant to actually allow him to open them, knowing I was in for a day of Good versus Evil; but I was glad there were TWO of them! He gave one to his four-year-old brother and they have enjoyed pretending with them for a week now. They are potentially hurtful as they are made of rigid plastic, but far less dangerous than the real thing. ;>) It’s pretty funny to hear my son say, "Luke, I am your father" to his big brother.

These were left out in the back yard overnight, and of course it rained quite a lot that night, yet they survived intact and without any water damage whatsoever (yay for no cheap stickers that fade or peel off). They’ve since been in the bath tub, sand, you name it…and they endure.

I also like that there are no little pieces involved in these toys for our tiny, one-year-old Princess Leia to choke on or eat.

USE THE FORCE!

Having the surroundings decorated for Halloween both inside and outside is the best way to keep the guest in the haunting sprit throughout Halloween night. Decorating for Halloween is exciting and so much fun. You can let you imagination go wild and try things you would never dare to try at any other time of the year. It is the time to let your creativity take control. If you have the space then putting together a haunted house is also great entertainment for Halloween.

Fun Halloween games are very important and are a must at any Halloween party. They help to keep the guest amused and give them something to do besides walk around. If it is a party that includes children you can set up simple games for them where they can win small prizes and candy. This helps to keep them happy and satisfied throughout the night. Although adults have a great time watching their children having a safe happy Halloween, there are many games that can be set up for them also. Games that allow adults to enjoy a little competition will keep them entertained.

Halloween music helps everyone to keep the sprit of this haunted holiday alive throughout the whole evening. Make sure you have a wide variety of music so there will be a little something for everyone. Be sure and include music that is scary and some that is funny to add humor to your party. By keeping your guest entertained they will not have time to get bored and you will have presented the best Halloween party ever.

Nicola always enjoys Halloween parties with her family. Visit her Halloween site for tips and information about Couples Halloween Costumes at http://Couples-Halloween-Costumes.Best-Halloween.com

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Best-Halloween.com

Price : $34.00

Features

• Real working aromatherapy fountain
• Create your own lip gloss, perfumes, bath balms and fizzies
• Includes 6 to 7 different flavors and scents to allow endless combinations for your favorite spa items
• Everything you need to make share your own spa treats
• Comes with recipes cards

Product Description

The Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain is the centerpiece of the Spa Factory line. It allows you to create everything in the line plus has a real, working aromatherapy fountain! Create your own lip gloss, perfumes, bath balms and fizzies. Includes 6 to 7 different flavors and scents to allow endless combinations for your favorite spa items. Everything you need to make share your own spa treats. Also includes recipe cards. Requires 2 AA batteries, not included.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2009-01-01
I got this for my 3 grandaughters ages 8 and 12 .The bath fizzies are really bombs. My 12 year old made hers, had it in the bathroom and it exploded everywhere.The other one is in the jar and we can not get the top off.It is going to explode also.we threw it in the field.This is not a safe item for anyone.Jakks Pacific Spa Factory Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain

Review date : 2008-12-30
The mixing of the lipgloss, face mask, etc. was very fun for my daughter, but the fountain didn’t work. We tried several sets of batteries, but still could not get it to work. You don’t need the fountain for the mixtures, but being as I paid for it, I would have liked for it to work!

Review date : 2008-12-29
I purchased the spa factory spa aromatherapy fountain for my 8 year old daughter for Christmas. On Sunday, December 28, 2008, my child and I was following the directions for the bath balm and once we were done mixing and put it away for storage it exploded and went everywhere in my bedroom. Thank God, my child was not injured; however, she was very disappointed in the product because it was not safe for children or anyone.

As we were cleaning up the mess that the bath balm made on my TV, laptop, walls, comforter, pillows, ceiling fan, artwork, carpet, daughter’s hair, and face, I noticed that the bath balm would not come out of my new carpet. We are still finding this mess in places that we did not think it could reach. Jakks Pacific needs to recall this product NOW!!!!

Review date : 2008-12-29
We bought this for our daughter for Christmas and the bath bombs blew up on her too. One in my husband’s hand, the others on the kitchen counter. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt, but we are still cleaning stuff off the ceiling, my carpet, everywhere. We contacted the company concerning this matter and have yet to hear back from them.

Review date : 2008-12-28
Please do not use this product unless you want to risk you or your children losing an eye! This product is knowingly unsafe by the company and yet was never recalled with the Christmas season–wouldn’t want them to miss out on the profits! The bath fizzies will explode if you put them into the designated containers like the instructions tell you to do! One exploded and the cap hit me less than an inch above my eye and now I am left with a huge gash and bruised lump on my forehead. Imagine if it had hit one of my kids or been a little farther- down I could be blind! Please, if you already have this product, throw away the bath fizzy ingredients immediately! If you don’t own it, do not risk your children’s safety! Do you really want to give your money to a company who knowingly had a dangerous product on the shelf, yet did not take the proper steps to recall the item before Christmas? I bought this item from ToysRus less than a few weeks before Christmas. The company website states it started manufacturing units with new caps (vented to release the pressure)in November, yet they never recalled the old units and let consumers buy these dangerous units over the Christmas season, when they would be making massive profits!

1. Create a box of goodies. Find a small leftover container and fill it with things you find around your house or at a craft store such as paper clips, foam pieces that come in different colors and shapes, shiny things, dull things, cotton balls, etc. Keep this container in your car so you are always prepared, and the children don?t get tired of playing with it. (If you are really creative, you can decorate the container).

Take it into the restaurant and pull it out after you decide what you want to order. Show them the contents and begin to ask questions. Can you find the round things? How many blue objects can you find? Which things go on a Christmas tree? Which things are soft? How many squares can you find? Your imagination is your only limit. Kids love digging through the container and exploring the objects.

2. Play a guessing game. Lay out a few different objects on the table. These can be objects from the above container, or simple things from your purse. You can even use the sugar packets, salt and pepper shakers or whatever is on the table. Have your children study the objects, and then close their eyes. When their eyes are shut, quickly slip one of the objects away. Then see if they can figure out which one is missing. This game not only entertains but helps children develop memory and thinking skills.

3. Play I spy or other games. Many restaurants have interesting decorations hanging around. A round of I spy a cowboy hat, or I spy a picture of someone riding a horse can keep little ones entertained for a few minutes. To help with math skills, practice counting that cereal you carry around in a bag. Or help your children to begin recognizing patterns by drawing a pattern of square, circle, square, circle, and then have them figure out what shape comes next. For older children, you can create longer, more difficult patterns. Of course, there?s always the perennial hangman and tic-tac-toe games that work for older children as well.

4. Play with magnets. It?s amazing how much fun a small magnet can be to a young child. If you carry some paperclips along with it, the children will be entertained for a long time. Have them experiment with what the magnet sticks to. You can also use this with your goody container above. Ask them to see what objects in your container the magnet will pick up. Twist ties and clothes-pins usually work well.

5. Keep a book bag ready to go. If all else fails, usually a bag of books, sticker books or other activity books will keep children occupied for quite a few minutes. Keep it in your truck or in the back of your van. That way each time you bring it out, it?s new again.

With a little thought and preparation, meals out can be a fun family experience.

Diane Samson is a writer with The Lieurance Group, a freelance writers cooperative in Kansas City, Missouri. Samson can provide writing, reporting and editing services for magazines, newspapers, corporate communications and especially animal publications. Find out more about her writing services at http://www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com. A mother of three children ages 3, 6 and 8, Samson also offers tips to moms. Email her at dianesamson@birch.net