Santa Loves Talking to Children

What would you say? Post your caption in our comments section.
Image Source: Photobucket.com

What would you say? Post your caption in our comments section.
Image Source: Photobucket.com
I’ve found some awesome holiday/Christmas craft ideas that I would like to share with you all. People are getting more and more creative…I love it! Arts and crafts are a great way to spend time with the kids when they are on their winter break from school. It beats having them staring zombie-eyed at the TV while playing video games.
Poinsettia Clothespin Ornament from Kaboose.com

Beaded Angel from Craftbits.com

Santa’s Helper - Clay Pot Elf from AllFreeCrafts.com

Friendly Sock Snowmen from BHG.com

Christmas Choir from FamilyFun.com

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for kids’ arts and crafts supplies.
MSNBC.com featured “The best toy trends for all budgets.” Check out some popular toys for kids’ today for affordable prices. Click on the toy name to find out where you can get them (sometimes for cheaper prices than what is quoted in the article):
Games and Puzzles:

Eric Carle Brown Bear Floor Puzzle: $15.95

Eeboo Travel Games: $9-$15

Create Your Own Pop-Up Book: $13.94

Go Nuts! Dice Game: $6.98

Sorry! Sliders: $29.99

Fundomino: $15.98
Arts and Crafts:

Elmer’s 3D Pant Pens: $25.99-$4.49

Crayola Color Surge: $5.36-$24.99
Active Play:

Schylling Color Roller: $23.95

Jungle Bell Skirt: $38.99
Green Toys:

Sprig Sidekick Vehicle Rally Racer and Baja Scout: $27.45

Playmobil Recycling Truck: $28.95

Cheekeyes Wooden Toys: $15.99-$29.99

Plan Toys Parking Garage: $79.99
Toy Dinosaurs:

My First RC Dino: $22.95

LEGO Stegosaurus: $44.99

Fisher-Price Imaginext Spike the Ultra Dinosaur: $129.88

Kota the Triceratops: $145.95
Find at Smarter.com: Shop through all games and puzzles.
Discounts on kids’ arts and crafts.
Buy eco-friendly toys and toy dinosaurs.
Mom Most Traveled shows us an awesome recipe for Chocolate Lavender Bathtub Cookies.
Crunchy Domestic Goddess wants you to ask president-elect Obama to make breastfeeding a priory.
5 Minutes for Going Green helps us “think outside the box” when gift giving this year to help keep on budget.
This week on Smarter Babies and Kids:
Get to shopping already! Check out Smarter.com’s Holiday Shopping Guide for affordable gift ideas.
Check out a news video on how come companies are sneakily downsizing their products.
Tis’ the season for eating lots of yummy treats! Check out some great Christmas recipes for kids!
Kids will love spending time cooking and baking imaginary dishes on one of Pottery Barn Kids’ cute play kitchen sets on sale!
Answer this week’s Freebie Friday question for a change to win another baby toy: Where Did the Christmas Tree Originate?
It’s Freebie Friday!

You could win this Selecta Bako Wooden Pull Toy which is part of PetitBaby.com’s selection of wooden pull toys and toys made in Europe. (Also, check out more of the Selecta toys they carry. Super cute!) Answer the following question in the comments section:
Where Did the Christmas Tree Originate?
You don’t have to give an exact country and I will except the exact continent. Everyone who answers correctly will be entered into the drawing. We will pick a winner on Thursday, December 18th, 2008.
The rules: Please make sure to include your email address in the appropriate field so we can contact you if you are the winner. You must be able to provide a U.S. address for shipment.
Good Luck!
Pottery Barn Kids marked down their prices on some of their charming play kitchen sets. This wooden countertop stove set is small, simple and sweet . It has a spice rack and comes with cute wooden kitchen accessories.

Play Countertop Stoves: $79.00 Now: $49.00 - Save $30!
This set is perfect for your girlie girl. The refrigerator has a magnetic door so you can post notes and pictures on it.

PBK Classic Kitchen Set: $140-$429
Now: $129 for just the pie cabinet and $399 for the refrigerator, stove and pie cabinet set.
This cute vintage style play kitchen comes with a stainless steel sink that can really hold water.

Little Prep Kitchen: $149-447
Now: $109 for just the fridge and $299 for the stove, sink and fridge
This play kitchen set is the cream of the crop! It is the most modern of kitchen sets I’ve ever seen. The refrigerator has an ice machine with wooden ice cubes.

Gourmet Kitchen Collection: $299-$897
Now: $299 for just the gourmet sink and $779 for the fridge, sink and stove
You can also purchase a gourmet kitchen island on sale for $379 (Was: $479)
Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more kitchen playsets.
Yes, people. Today there will be TWO winners!
Winner #1 of the Capebags Handmade Purple Bouquet Child’s Apron:

Veronica L.!
Winner #2 of the Kaloo 123 Small Sleeping Bag:

Kathy Conley!
Thanks to everyone who participated. Veronica and Kathy won these fabulous prizes by answering last week’s Freebie Friday question: What are your favorite Christmas movies?
Come back tomorrow for another chance to win free baby products!
Next to Thanksgiving gatherings, when you attend Christmas dinners and parties, pigging out is almost required! Here are some links to some fun Christmas recipes the kids will definitely enjoy making and eating:

Ice Cream Trees from FamilyFun.Go.com: It requires edible glitter for a more frosty look!

Clause Cupcakes from FamilyFun.Go.com

Reindeer Faces from Kaboose.com

This is really fun! You could help them make a gingerbread house with the directions found on ForkandBottle.com.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Mouse from Parents.com. Tell the story as you are making these delicious treats.
Find at Smarter.com: Shop for baking supplies.

What would you say? Post your caption in our comments section.
Image Source: funnyphotos.net.au
I saw this on NBC’s Today Show this morning and I thought I should definitely share. You really need to check out the labels when you purchase items. Companies are downsizing their products in ways that are not obvious to consumers. Supposedly, its because of transportation costs, but gas prices have gone down a lot. Click on the image below to link to the video.
Check out MousePrint.org which is mentioned in the video. The webmaster shows what companies are doing this. Every company is having somewhat of a hard time right now, but it’s very hard not to feel cheated.
