Holiday Bows…Check. *Pink Bowtique Giveaway*

Ruffles, Ribbons & Roses Bow

We recently had an all-out debate at my workplace regarding the merits of “holiday outfits.” Specifically, the men (boys) in the group thought the idea of separate outfits for Christmas Eve and Christmas absurd. As a mom of two and author of this cool picks blog since 2007, I heartily disagree. Christmas outfits, PJs and even hair accessories mark the beginning of the holiday season. (For the record, holiday outfits were purchased this year on Zulily and Nonnie just ordered Christmas PJs on Gymboree.com this week.)

When it comes to hair accessories, I don’t mess around heading straight to Pink Bowtique. This year I grabbed the black and red Ruffles, Ribbons and Roses bow (pictured) for Christmas Eve and Lavish Red & Black Girls Hair Bow for Christmas Day. Each is customizable allowing you to choose alligator clip or barrette as well as size (small, medium, large.) Some bows offer the capability to choose colors such as the Made to Match Marabou Girls Hair Bow. Check out the entire holiday bow collection or the Holiday Baby and Girls hats. Unfortunately I already ordered my daughter’s outfits or I may have snapped up a Holiday Tutu as well.

Whether you agree with the guys that  holiday outfits are extravagant or with the cool kids that this special time of year necessitates special duds for the kids, hair accessories for mini-divas are a must and Pink Bowtique a top pick.

Disclaimer:A product sample were provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% our own.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a Christmas Dreams Made to Match Headband and Velveteen Christmas Rose Headband by commenting on this post with your favorite Pink Bowtique Holiday style.

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. Read the prize claim information; we announce winners on Prizey.net. Contest ends 12/1/11.

YBike Extreme: Promotes Balance and Fun *Giveaway*

The new YBike Extreme is a promising find for promoting balance.  After spending the summer with my three and five year old progressing beyond their big wheels and moving onto their first two wheel bikes, of course with training wheels.  I witnessed their hesitation and fear of falling even with training wheels and often wondered, “How can I possibly remove the training wheels?”  I now have hope thanks to YBike that a safe orderly transition to a two wheel bike may be possible.  The YBike is designed for 3 to 5 year olds and works perfectly on our carpeted basement and although our carpet is plush, the YBike Extreme easily moves across it. We chose the extreme model because our kids are a little older and also because the extreme works well off road.

 The standard model has a wider rear wheel and therefore seems to be a little easier to balance. Assembly was very easy and only took about 15 minutes; no tools required.  Both kids have been experimenting riding back and forth across the basement and are truly enjoying their new YBike.  In a week’s time I have seen their balance improve with longer and faster movements.  I am confident that by next year, they will be able to balance, and I’ll be able to remove their training wheels. My only job will be to teach them to peddle.  Thanks YBike for putting my mind at ease.

Written by Mr. Cool Baby Kid

Disclaimer: Product samples were provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% our own.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a YBike by commenting on this post telling us about your favorite bike riding experience.

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. Read the prize claim information; we announce winners on Prizey.net. Contest ends 11/21/11.

Playskool Poppin’ Park Eelefun Busy Ball Popper *Giveaway*

This new Eelefun Busy Ball Popper character from Playskool is a great addition to the ball popping fun from the popular Busy Ball Popper! We love the Elephant character. Your child can relate to the toy as a pal. They can drop the colorful balls into the Elefun character’s ears, and it’s anybody’s guess which way they’ll roll into the belly for put-and-take play, roll across the room for baby to crawl after, or back through the trunk for more poppin’ surprises. The young ones loved that element of surprise and giggled with anticipation throughout their play. The elephant’s trunk also rotates 360 degrees so you can control the ball popping action and change it up on occasion. While playing, the Elefun also has music for your little ones’ ears; we especially loved the ten different tunes.

Have you tried the original Busy Ball Popper? What do you think of the new elephant character?

Written by Debby, Cool Baby Kid Review Team

Disclaimer: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% our own.

 Cool Giveaway:  Enter to win a Poppin’ Park Eelefun Busy Ball Popper by commenting on this post. For additional entries:

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. Read the prize claim information; we announce winners on Prizey.net. Contest ends 11/10/11.

Dressing for the Holidays: Save on Zulily

Cool Tip: Use our friend share link to join ZUlily, our favorite discount site for moms, babies and kids with unique picks deeply discounted. Right now a host of holiday outfits including this Red & White “Merry” Bodysuit from Rub a Dub Dub.

Top Ten Hot Holiday Toy Picks *2011*

Lite Sprites *Wow Wee Toys*

Recommended Age: 6M-4Y
Retail Price: Various
Comments: We absolutely love these color-capturing Lite Sprites. Build a Lite-Topia world with Sprites, Pods, Playsets and even Lite Pets.

LeapPad Explorer *LeapFrog*

Recommended Age: 4-9Y
Retail Price: $139.97
Comments: This starter bundle includes a $40 app card and is the perfect way to get started with our #1 toy pick.

Squinkies *Blip Toys*

Recommended Age: 4Y and up
Retail Price: Various
Review: Though a hot holiday pick from 2010, Squinkies with an all new boy line, Disney, Marvel and more, are as hot ever!

Hearts for Hearts Dolls *Playmates Toys*

Recommended Age: 6Y and up
Retail Price: $29.99
Review: A standout toy from Time to Play, i was immediately drawn to Hearts for Hearts Girks, beautiful dolls from six countries with a portion of proceeds to WorldVision helping empower girls around the world.

Voice Rockrz Mic & First Act Musical Instruments

Recommended Age: 3 and up
Retail Price: $24.99
Review: Between voice altering microphone Voice Rockrz and other musical instruments including cool kids' guitars, First Act Discovery is music to little ones' ears.

Playskool Heroes *Hasbro*

Recommended Age: 3 and up
Retail Price: $29.99 (pictured)
Review: Action figures and playsets for the young boys' age group such as Marvel Super Heroes (pictured) were hard to come by before the advent of Playskool Heroes and Transformers Rescue Bots which are chunkier for little hands.

Appmates *Spinmaster & Disney Consumer Products*

Recommended Age: 4+
Retail Price$12.99 (single)
Review: If your kids have taken over the iPad like mine, why not harness their inner Lightening McQueen with Appmates, an innovative, interactive toy/tech gadget which revolutionizes iPad play.

Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case *Fisher-Price*

Recommended Age: 6M and up
Retail Price: $14.99
Review: Genius! Encase your iPhone or iPod Touch so the little one stays on a chosen app without the ability to call your contacts. This was another Time to Play Holiday Showcase standout that I fell in love with instantly.

Chuggington Wooden Railway Trainee Roundhouse

Recommended Age: 3Y an up
Retail Price: $119.00
Review: The Trainee Roundhouse Set is a perfect starter for what promises to be years of Chuggington Wooden Railway fun. The Over & Under Start Set at $59.99 is a great lower price point starter as well.

Cool Tip: If you’re visiting from our segment on WBRE PA Live! thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to subscribe/follow Cool Baby Kid for more cool picks, tips and giveaways!

 

P’kolino Chalk Table from Maukilo *Toys & Gifts for Kids*

Want to provide your kids a platform to work on their letters, try the P’kolino Chalk Table.  The Chalk Table is sized for small kids at 24″ squared and doesn’t take up unnecessary space.  The bench style chairs easily store beneath the table when not in use and are relatively low and easy to sit on for young kids.  The table has a reversible top with a chalk board side for writing and coloring and a white painted side for hiding any chalk mess or working on crafts.  A storage area beneath the top can be used to store your writing and craft supplies.  The hole in the center allows quick removal of the top for turning or storage.  Table is very easy to assemble with pre-drilled holes and lock screws used to secure the legs of the table and bench.  After that you’re ready to go, assembly time is definitely less than an hour. In summary, if you are on a budget and are looking for a small stylish table the P’kolino Chalk Table may fit the bill.

Written by Mr. Cool Baby Kid

Disclaimer: A product sample was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% our own.

About Maukilo (http://www.maukilo.com/)

Maukilo is the leading supplier of quality, timeless toys and gifts. We provide innovative, safe and eco-friendly playthings for all ages. From infant toys to kids toys, they’re fun, educational and last a lifetime. Inspired by European toys and owned and operated by the German based HABA, we’re your best source for baby toys, building blocks (from our wooden toys collection), educational toddler toys and everything in between. With Maukilo you Buy Once, Play Forever.

Cool Tip: Maukilo is a fantastic source for unique gift ideas with free shipping on orders over $65 where you can shop by category such as pretend play. And it’s adorable too! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid for more cool picks.

Pampers Hello World Baby Memories App *Plus iPod Touch Giveaway*

Pampers Hello Parenting Apps include Hello Baby Pregnancy Calendar (iPad only) and now Hello World Baby Memories which is compatible with iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. The Pregnancy Calendar shares life-size images of baby’s development from week 4-40 and even includes a womb translator–record your voice and play it back as the baby would hear it! For after the baby is born Hello World Baby Memories is for after baby is born is one app I wish we could have used when our little ones were babies. Growing Baby allows users to take daily pictures (the app will even remind you) and create a time lapse video watching them grow. You can then easily share with family and friends through social media. With Making Memories special milestones and memories are easy to capture, organize and share in a clean, easy to use format perfect for busy new parents.  The free apps are available in the iTunes app store.

Check out Hello World Baby Memories in action and be sure to enter to win an iPod Touch so you can use the app for yourself:

Disclaimer: As a Pampers Baby Board member, I periodically receive incentives and products to review.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win an iPod Touch by viewing the video above and commenting on this post with your thoughts. For extra entries:

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. Read the prize claim information as we announce winners on Prizey.net. Expires 10/20/11.

Confections by Shara’s Paperie Personalized Products *Giveaway*

How cute is it to pull out a bowl from your cabinet and not only have an adorable design, but your child’s name inscribed as well? These personalized melamine bowls from Confections by Shara’s Paperie are the cutest products-both adorable and functional. We all know that mom’s love functional products. Confections by Shara’s Paperie create personalized, unique, custom hand drawn designs that appeal to all with many different colors and styles. The web site has a plethora of bowl designs from infant to toddler and beyond . The bowls are bigger than the average little bowls you can purchase in a store and are kid friendly, whereas they do not slide easily and are very sturdy. These are qualities that will come in handy during those first few independent feedings. They are deep and dishwasher safe as well and also come with matching plates if you so desire. Confections by Shara’s Paperie also offers personalized invitations, gifts and stationary. My melamine bowl will be a keepsake for my daughter for the rest of her life. I feel that is the greatest gift of a parent; to give your child something to remember their childhood and use throughout their life.

Written by Debby, Cool Baby Kid Review Team

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% mine.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win personalized bowl (winner’s choice) by commenting on this post. For extra entries:

Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. Read the prize claim information as we announce winners on Prizey.net. Expires 10/19/11.

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