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Disclosure: This site contains sponsored posts, affiliate links (which means I earn a percentage of the sale) and is part of the Amazon affiliate program, but all opinions are strictly my own.

MOTORWORKS from Manhattan Toy {Giveaway} – CLOSED

November 25, 2013 by
Disclosure: This could be a sponsored post or contain affiliate links (which means I earn a percentage of the sale), but all opinions are strictly my own.

I have this burning desire to have Christmas gifts bought and all gift projects at least started by mid-October.  November just gets so busy and trying to get things done in December can be a joke!  If you’re looking for some holiday gift ideas and you’re anxious to cross some things off your list, please visit Manhattan Toy and check out all their awesome toys!  They have dozens of great ideas for all ages, many of them award-winning toys!

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My toddler really hit the jackpot when Manhattan Toy sent him the Motorworks Race Pace Power Pack 2.0 to enjoy.  I simply took these cars out of the box to get a few pictures, and “Rocket” swooped in with glee and delight at these new cars.  There is nothing better than cars for little boys, am I right?!  He went crazy with these things!

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This pack contains these two wooden-frame cars and four shiny add-ons that help them go from street cars to sports cars by pressing the decals into the front, back, and side holes.

IMG_8300I love the natural wood look.  It makes these toys look a little more environmentally friendly and oh so sturdy.  The slick design and smooth edges are great for kids.  “Rocket” played all morning with these, and even after I put them away (in hopes of re-giving them to him for Christmas), he kept asking for his race cars all afternoon.

car1The add-ons are easy to plug in, and when inserted, don’t easily fall out.  They are made of plastic, but they seem strong enough to not chunk off if stepped on.

car2Even though these are designed for ages 3+, the baby loved them just as much!  I loved watching the two of them race these around the couch all morning together!

IMG_8315I think these would be great Christmas gifts for your son, grandson, nephew, neighbor.  They can be found at Manhattan Toy (www.manhattantoy.com) or other online toy stores.

Thanks, Manhattan Toy!  We’re your new biggest fans!

t233_a49cd5c9b1b0a32d941a0057d7ab27edEnter to win the Motorworks Race Pace Power Pack 2.0 ($30) below!

Online Store / Facebook

*This giveaway is open to US entries only
*The winner of this giveaway will be drawn no later than the evening of Dec 6th and will be emailed.  If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.
*The product(s) in this review was provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own are not influenced by monetary compensation.  

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WOW Toys {Giveaway} – CLOSED

May 22, 2013 by
Disclosure: This could be a sponsored post or contain affiliate links (which means I earn a percentage of the sale), but all opinions are strictly my own.

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Ever since we got our Ernie the Firetruck from WOW Toys, its been the hottest item around here.  7 months later and there is still a battle between the boys whenever its out.  My opinion of WOW toys has only improved above an already 100% pleased review, as the firetruck has held up to a lot of hours and playtime and tossing down the stairs, and nothing has broken, chipped, scratched or malfunctioned.
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Another opportunity to review a WOW toy?  Jackpot!  We were sent the Police Chase Charlie and Police Patrol Riders, and its basically felt like Christmas morning around here.
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These are not just run-of-the-mill toys, people!  Not just plastic and parts.  This vehicles have inner gears that rev up and go, creating a toy that can move on its own without the need for batteries, and no obnoxious sirens or sounds.  Holla.  They each embody moving parts, several places to put toy people, vibrant paint, and friendly characterization.
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They played like this for over an hour!  These toys were definitely well-thought out.  They are designed to work alone, or with other WOW toys, which all embody developmental benefits.  They encourage social development, fine motor skills, problem solving, and the use of ideas & imagination!  They really are developmentally appropriate for ages 1 1/2 to 5, so everyone’s happy…
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…even the little guy, who is completely preoccupied with putting things inside other things.
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Rocket spent the morning figuring all the parts and possibilities, and on his own discovered how to get the top of the car to lift by pushing in the gas button.
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With so many parts and so many play scenarios, both boys can happily play together!  Clearly, these toys can keep a 1-yr-old thoroughly engrossed, though the box does say ages 1.5-5 yrs old.
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In my opinion, THESE are the toys I want to keep around.  No way are these every being traded or sold at a yard sale, even 20 years from now.  I don’t doubt they will still be as good as new for the grandkids.  I know you’ll fall in love with these toys like we have!
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One lucky winner is going to receive a Police Chase Charlie and Police Patrol Riders!  Who hoo!

*This giveaway is open to WORLDWIDE entries
*The winner of this giveaway will be drawn no later than the evening of June 10th and will be emailed.  If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.
*This posting and giveaway were sponsored by WOW Toys, but all opinions are strictly my own

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Marshall Publishing Trucks DVDs {Review}

February 19, 2013 by 2 Comments
Disclosure: This could be a sponsored post or contain affiliate links (which means I earn a percentage of the sale), but all opinions are strictly my own.

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He fought it.  It wasn’t Blue’s Clues, so he was skeptical of it being anything good, but within 5 seconds, he was hooked.  Line and sinker.  “Rocket” was completely entranced by a DVD of all sorts of trucks doing fantastic things.  This DVD, appropriately called “Lots and Lots of Trucks” has since become the favorite movie of choice around here, thank you Marshall Publishing!
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The moment you turn on one of these DVD’s, you are greeted with catchy music that instantly captures the attention of any toddler.  They are quick paced, spending only a few seconds on each frame.  Each DVD is just as friendly and happy as the last!
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The first DVD we watched was Lots and Lots of Trucks, and just like the title says, it was filled with lots and lots and LOTS of trucks!  What an extensive amount of never-repeating footage of trucks doing all sorts of things, in a huge variety of different locations.  It is such a buffet of visuals, and very entrancing!
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And just as I thought no video would replace the awesomeness of the Trucks DVD, “Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks” was just as fantastic.  These movies have just the right amount of dialogue–not too much talking to bore little kids.  We really liked the friendly fireman on the fire trucks DVD.  There is sure an extensive collection of footage!  These clips were not filmed in a single day.  They span thousands of miles and easily over a hundred different vehicles doing all sorts of things.  There are great sound affects and fun slide transitions from video clip to video clip. I tell you, these are so entertaining!
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Last, we enjoyed some Lots and Lots of Monster trucks.  Pretty exciting stuff!  Very impressive monsters.  The Monster Truck Classics DVD is probably suited for ages 3 or 4+, as there is more dialogue throughout, and not the same catchy tunes in the background as the other DVDs.  The feature includes history about how monster trucks came to be and interviews with the truck drivers/builders.  It is evident that it was filmed within the last 25 years, but the title is “classics”, after all, which make them timeless!  My boy was still enthralled, even with the host commentators narrating the show instead of catchy songs in the background.  Most of the action takes place in superdomes and stadiums across North America and Australia.  The mud run races were pretty great, and I must say I’ve never seen something quite like it!  Near the end is a visit to see the world’s biggest truck at the time, and the car show at the end was fun.  It concludes with some impressive drag racing, for a total of appox. 3 hours among the three programs.
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The real cherry on top was the two CDs included in this set of videos.  My boy squealed in delight when it turned it on in the car after he had watched the videos inside.  He clapped to the music of “Lots and lots of fire trucks”, and I am just SO relieved to be listening to something other than animal songs!  Great sound, the words are clear, and the voices are fun to sing along with.
So what do I think?  I think you have a little boy who is at all into trucks, fire trucks, monster cars, jets, planes, trains, or moving things in general, these are terrific DVDs for your child’s collection.  They are eye-candy for a busy little mind who love to watch things that go!  And a two-DVD set for $19.95 is pretty dandy.  Especially because these are not available in stores.  These would make great birthday gifts!
And I just got a sweet tip to keep checking their website for new arrivals this summer – Lots of Roaring Rockets and Alphabet and Counting Songs!  How fun!
Connect with Marshall Publishing!
*This posting was sponsored by Marshall Publishing, but all opinions are strictly my own
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WOW Toys {Giveaway} – CLOSED

November 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Disclosure: This could be a sponsored post or contain affiliate links (which means I earn a percentage of the sale), but all opinions are strictly my own.

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I have so many great things to say about this adorable toy store called WOW Toys!  First of all, my cute Grandma always tells me to “Be WOW!”, so I love the name of this shop and these toys because they remind me of Gramdma 🙂

These toys are more than just toys.  These are just as they say, “Toys that don’t break their promises”.  These little guys are super tough and functional, colorful, child-friendly, and not at all obnoxious!

We were delighted to receive Ernie Fire Engine in the mail on “Rocket’s” birthday!  As you can see, by the time I ran to get the camera, he had already torn his way through the box, he was so excited to get it out!

He first pulled out the fire engine and started playing with the moving ladder, and delightfully we discovered that there were lots of magic features.  Doors that opened, more places for the little man to fit, a crank that rotated the ladder, etc.  More things for a kid to discover.  And I’m a huuuuuge fan of toys and “go” with no expensive batteries required.  You just push it a few inches and the wheels are revved up with power to drive across the floor.  Happy toddler:

These toys were definitely well-thought out.  They are designed to work alone, or with other WOW toys.  I was so impressed with what I read on the side of the box, about all the developmental benefits of these toys.  They encourage social development, fine motor skills, problem solving, and the use of ideas & imagination!  They really are developmentally appropriate for ages 1 1/2 to 5, so it will entertain all the kids at home 🙂

Don’t have a little boy?  Don’t worry, they also have toys for girls!  Here is Pippa’s Princess Carriage:

These toys have won AWARDS, people.  You can read HERE about all of their Top Toy Awards.  (Our very own Ernie Fire Engine won gold for 2010!)

Would your little boy/grandson love a Ernie Fire Engine of their very own!?  That’s exactly what one lucky winner will receive!  Merry Christmas, right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway is open to US entries only
*The winner of this giveaway will be posted no later than the evening of Thursday, November 8th and emailed within 24 hours.  If the winner does not respond within a week, a new winner will be drawn.
*This posting and giveaway were sponsored by Wow Toys, but all opinions are strictly my own

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Shirts That Go {Review}

October 1, 2012 by 1 Comment
Disclosure: This could be a sponsored post or contain affiliate links (which means I earn a percentage of the sale), but all opinions are strictly my own.

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Living in downtown Boston, you can imagine we see a lot of fascinating kinds of motored vehicles around here!  In any given day, we see boats, ferries, cruise liners, semis, buses, ambulances, fire trucks, subways, city buses, airplanes, dump trucks, motorcycles, police cars, you name it.  A little boy’s heaven, right?  A little child’s fascination with “things that go” amazes me!

The moment I came across Shirts That Go, I knew it would be a huge hit with my toddler!  A store of shirts for kids and toddlers with the most detailed and exciting prints of anything with wheels, wings, or sails!  They currently carry over 30 designs!  Here are some of my favorites:

           

“Rocket” got excited about nearly every shirt I showed him online, but I knew his favorite would be the Diesel Train shirt!  We ride the subway all the time around here, and this train shirt is the new favorite!

Perhaps the thing I love most about Shirts That Go is that Nick, the owner and founder, created the company with his own little boys in mind as far as what they might like, but wasn’t available in stores.  Cute, huh!

Wouldn’t these be adorable Christmas gifts for your own little guy!?

And I just came across a Shirts that Go bonus: coloring pages!

You can find Shirts that Go on Facebook HERE, and on Twitter HERE!

*This posting was sponsored by Shirts that Go, but all opinions are strictly my own

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Klutz {Giveaway} – CLOSED

September 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Disclosure: This could be a sponsored post or contain affiliate links (which means I earn a percentage of the sale), but all opinions are strictly my own.

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What little boy isn’t into cars, right?!  Have you ever met a toddler boy who ISN’T a little car crazy?  If you are a mother/aunt/grandma/friend of just such a toddler, you have got to see this darling activity book by Klutz.  It’s a Disney Lightning McQueen Build & Race!

Within the pages of the book are 12 sturdy cars (including Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Sally) you can punch out, as well as reusable stickers to decorate with.  When they’re ready, you snap on the included wheels, unfold this giant racetrack, and ta-da!  A little play mat perfect for a little rugrat to enjoy for hours!  I can’t WAIT to give this to “Rocket” for his birthday coming up!

 

Klutz has such a fabulous array of books geared towards boys and girls of many ages.  How great are these?!  For around $20, what a creative way to give a book, an activity, and a personalized gift at the same time!  I remember eyeing these as a little girl and just dreaming and longing about owning one!  I was a pretty crafty, hands-on kind of pre-teen, and these type of book kits were totally up my alley of what I thought was great entertainment.

              

When I excitedly showed my husband the Klutz book we got in the mail, he told me how he remembered enjoying Klutz books as a kid!  He was really into magic, like magic tricks and games, and tried out a few of Klutz’s magic books.  How great that our kids can enjoy Klutz books too!

    

One lucky winner will receive this same Disney Lightning McQueen Build & Race book!  Ka Chow!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway is open to US entries only
*The winner of this giveaway will be posted no later than the evening of Friday, October 12th and emailed within 24 hours.  If the winner does not respond within a week, a new winner will be drawn.
*This posting and giveaway were sponsored by Klutz, but all opinions are strictly my own

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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