Show Your Kids How Much You Love Them with Hallmark [Giveaway Coming!]

We generally think of Valentine’s Day as a time for romance, a chance to tell our sweethearts how much they mean to us (and vice versa!) And while that’s certainly true, love comes in many forms – none of which is greater than the love a mother has for her child.

Marlie's half birthday falls around Valentine's Day so the holiday has extra significance for me. I show and tell her how much she means to me all the time, but Valentine’s Day provides a special opportunity to give her tokens of adoration to remind her year-round.

To help moms celebrate the little loved ones in their lives, Hallmark created a special line of Valentine’s gifts and greetings just for kids:

• Until We Hug Again: Miss a special child? Record your voice into a cuddly Until We Hug Again bunny or bear and they’ll be able to hear your words each time they give the plush a hug. These also make great gifts for grandparents or aunts and uncles who want to send their voice to a beloved child across the miles. 


• Special Delivery Card Presenters for Kids: These cute critters and characters have Valentine messages tucked inside. After a child removes the valentine, he or she can keep this little friend around to store little reminders of how much they’re loved. 


• Valentine’s Day Greetings for Kids: Tell a special little one what makes him or her your Valentine with kid-friendly Valentine’s Day greetings.

I had a chance to put all three products to a kid test and they all passed with flying colors. When I gave Marlie the Until We Hug Again bunny she first asked what it did. I told her to hug it and she was surprised to hear a message I had recorded. She hugged it over and over so she could listen to it again and again. The greetings cards were a big hit too, especially the Minnie Mouse and Snoopy special delivery card presenters. The 3-D quality and furry touch make them an instant keepsake.

One of you will win a Until We Hug Again and Valentine's Greetings gift pack in the Crazy Cupid Giveaway Hop February 1st-15th. Hint: Leave a comment on this post for extra entries!

[Guest Post] Sensory Toys for Children: Top Products for Kids to Include in Your Toolbox

by Jacky G. 
www.speechbuddy.com*

Image source: Dfdsseaways.co.uk

There are countless at-home speech therapy techniques that you can do with your child to encourage his progress. You may have already invested in educational toys and games to serve as tools for speech therapy lessons, such as flashcards for target sounds or Speech Buddies for articulation practice. As well, consider the use of sensory toys for children. 

As your baby grows, he learns about the world around him with various senses. Using a multisensory approach to speech therapy can not only improve knowledge retention, but it may also boost your child’s motivation, according to Tatyana Elleseff, M.A. CCC-SLP. Sensory toys for children may also be used as prompts to encourage vocalization. The child may be asked to describe the feel of a fuzzy tennis ball, for example, or the scent of a cookie. Consult your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) for advice on using a multisensory approach to at-home speech therapy techniques. This is particularly critical if your child has sensory processing disorder (SPD). This is a neurological disorder that disrupts the way in which a person processes information. Over-stimulating a child with SPD can result in an adverse reaction. 

Auditory 
Auditory stimulation is essential for speech and language development. In your sensory toy toolbox, include a device that will allow your child to record his own voice and play it back (i.e. recorder, toy microphone, karaoke toy). CDs that have sound effects and nature sounds can also be fun for a child. You could ask your child to speculate what kind of animal made a particular sound, for example. Sing-along CDs are also helpful for encouraging vocalization. Sensory toys for children can also include cymbals, whistles, and other noisemakers.



Tactile 
If your child has an articulation disorder, engaging his tactile sense is an effective method of helping him to conquer those issues. Try placing a Speech Buddy in his mouth (use the appropriate Speech Buddy for the target sound that your child needs help with). The device provides a target so that he knows where to place his tongue for a particular sound. As well, look around your house for objects that might offer an interesting texture. I mentioned a fuzzy tennis ball already, but you can also introduce modeling clay, sand, textured fabric, Velcro, crushed cornflakes, or whatever you happen to have on hand that offers various tactile experiences. Additionally, remember that various temperatures also engage the tactile sense. As you introduce an object to your child, ask him to describe the texture, the shape, the color, etc. He could speculate on what it might be used for or even create a story about the object. 

Gustatory 
Engaging the sense of taste can be a fun way to keep your youngster engaged in his speech therapy lesson. Just remember that if he has SPD, consult his speech therapist or other medical professional before introducing a food or liquid that might produce an adverse reaction. Set up a mini tasting party. Dip a sterile cotton swab or a Toothette into lemon juice, soy sauce, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, other extracts, and any other tastes that you wish to introduce to your child. If your child responds well to a particular taste, try introducing him to a food with that taste. You might squeeze a slice of lemon into a small glass of water, for example, if he responds well to the lemon juice. Gustatory stimulation can lend itself to speech therapy when you turn it into a skill-building exercise. For example, for your tasting party, encourage your daughter or son to invite dolls, stuffed animals, G.I. Joe figures, etc. to the party. Your child can practice conversation skills by offering tastes to the stuffed animals and then discussing whether the tastes are pleasant or not.

Olfactory 
Sensory toys for children should include objects that stimulate the sense of smell. Present scents with your child’s mouth closed. Begin with familiar scents, such as the brand of soap your family always uses, your perfume, etc. Have your child close his eyes and ask him to identify the scent. Prompt him to vocalize by asking which room in the house he might smell the scent, whether he associates the scent with a particular person, etc. Progress to other scents such as essential oils or food scents and ask your youngster to speculate about them. Avoid presenting too many new scents at once; you don’t want to overwhelm your child. 



Visual 
Combine speech therapy techniques with visual cues. A study from Purdue University found that children with speech delays were able to improve intelligibility and build their vocabularies when stimulated with visual cues in combination with other speech therapy techniques. Use gestures or sign language to prompt vocalizations. If your child struggles with the word “milk,” for example, enunciate the word clearly several times while raising your hand to mimic drinking. As well, point to your mouth while you pronounce a target sound or word so that your child can see how your lips move. When you do flashcard drills with your child, use cards that have relevant pictures to help prompt vocalizations. 

*Speech Buddies offers tools for parents and speech therapists to help children overcome speech disorders. Consider using Speech Buddies to make articulation practice fun and engaging for your child.

Plan Toys $99 Tori Rocking Horse Giveaway Event!

Did you hear that Black Friday is going to start on Thanksgiving evening?! The holiday shopping season starts earlier and earlier every year. If you are looking for a great gift for a toddler look no farther than Plan Toys. Plan Toys has an amazing selection of Eco-friendly wooden toys and today we would like to introduce you to one of them - Tori, a little horse that rocks! Not only will your toddler love rocking on it, your worries about large toys taking over the house can be eased because it is compact and easily folds for storage.

The Plan Toys Tori Rocking Horse is a high quality wooden toy that is designed to last for generations. The genius design makes it really easy to hide when you have company over or when your children outgrow it, then grandchildren can discover it all over again! The gender neutral design blends in seamlessly in any decor. An open ended toy like Tori will have your kids' imagination running wild through castles, battle fields, circuses, and far away lands. You can read the full review of the Plan Toys Tori Rocking Horse over at Eco-Babyz and see detailed photos as well as a short video!

Our Favorite Features: 

• Compact fold
• Made from Eco-friendly rubberwood
• Gender neutral
• Smooth, splinter free finish
• Non-toxic

Purchase: The Plan Toys Tori Rocking Horse retails for $99.99, you can purchase it on Amazon ($89.95 with free shipping). You may also purchase on the Plan Toys website. 

Win One! Plan Toys is blessing one of you with a folding Tori Rocking Horse for your little one.

Special thanks to Eco-Babyz and So Easy Being Green for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends December 11th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you!

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Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this publication. Eco-Babyz, So Easy Being Green, and Plan Toys Tori Rocking Horse Giveaway Event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. 

Win a Tactile Tote! [It's in the Bag Giveaway Hop]

The #1 rule in parenting on-the-go is to pack enough toys in your bag to keep a small daycare occupied.

Welcome to the It's in the Bag Giveaway Hop hosted by Life With Two Boys and With Our Best! This is a "what's in your purse?" themed giveaway hop and will feature a variety of products that women find in their purse. Each of the participating blogs has an awesome prize worth at least $25 so after you enter my giveaway be sure to hop around to the rest of the blogs on the linky below.

I'm giving away a Tactile Tote, brand of children's touchable bags that provide kids with a stylish and safe way to meet their sensory needs. It is the perfect for sensory toy for kids ages 3 and up that also functions as an accessory! Read my review.

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Thanks to our amazing sponsor, Maggie Bags, we also have a fun Grand Prize for one lucky winner... A stylish Campus Tote and coordinating Key Chain (ARV $104)! Maggie Bags offers fashionable and eco-conscious handbags and accessories that are constructed from genuine automotive seat belt webbing. Ready to make a purchase? Use code: InTheBag for 25% off any Premier Collection purchase.

Enter the Grand Prize!

Please note that the It's in the Bag hosts and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prize. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation that they will fulfill their prize in a timely manner. While we are not responsible, we will make every effort to assist the winner in obtaining their prize.

Tactile Tote Sensory Toy Review

Every now an then I come across a children's product that makes me go, wow, why didn't I think of that! That's how impressed I am with the Tactile Tote. Tactile Tote is a brand of children's touchable bags that provides kids with a fun and safe way to meet their tactile needs - wherever they go or play! At home, in the car or at the store, children can find comfort at their fingertips!

The Tactile Tote is a colorful, playful pouch that sits in the middle of a child's waist. With either an over-the-shoulder or around-the-waist adjustable strap, the tote is easily accessible to a child's curious hands. Kids can enjoy at least seven touchable materials on each tote. Collect "tots" to add more touchable materials! Each Tactile Tote is designed with a furry and colorful front and an "alligator" back. A zipper runs down the middle of the bag for added activity. The Tactile Tote is 6" x 9," fully lined and can hold cherished toys and treasures.

The Tactile Tote we received for this review is an over-the-shoulder bag in a pretty orange and pink color scheme. I wanted to keep it for myself! What makes the Tactile Tote extra special is the "tots!" A “tot” is a 3-inch square with a fun pattern and texture on each side. Each Tactile Tote comes with 2 tots, and you can collect and attach additional tots for even more tactile stimulation.


I gave it to Marlie after I stopped playing with it myself (because mommies need a little soothing sensory relief too). She became so animated and exclaimed, "wow, it has furry on it! And a flower! Feel this part mommy!" Then she started to put stuff in it. She is really into playing dress up, so this is a great fashion accessory that also functions as a sensory toy!


When we go out Marlie makes sure to grab her purse too. I soon discovered the Tactile tote is great for long care rides because it engages her in sensory play that is both comforting and entertaining.

Connect: Facebook  Twitter
 
Buy It: Visit www.tactiletote.com to purchase the Tactile Tote ($35) and additional Tots (3 for $10)

Win It: Come back November 5-18 for your chance to win a Tactile Tote for your special boy or girl! Hint: leave a comment for extra entries!

Keeping Kids Creative Giveaway: Rollors Backyard Game

The last week of September has been Nationally designated as "Keep Kids Creative Week". While this week is often celebrated in schools with many fun activities to help stimulate kid's creativeness, parents can also take advantage of this week to do some really fun things at home. Many parents struggle with finding time to fit creativity in but there are lots of products out there to help us with getting those creative juices flowing. Mama-Nibbles and Life With Two Boys created this event to help you find some fun products to keep your family creative not only during "Keep Kids Creative Week" but any time of the year!

Keeping Kids Creative begins on September 17th at 12:01am EST and ends on September 30th at 11:59pm EST. Along with the awesome prizes that each of the participating blogs are offering we also have 3 Grand Prizes thanks to our sponsors BabbaCo, Green Kid Crafts, Kelly Kits, PowerCapes, Bannor Toys, We Can Too, and Kat and Company.

Enter to win the Grand Prizes here!

My Giveaway

Do you remember the days when kids played outdoors and not in front of a video game console? Do you remember when family time was spent engaging with each other instead of in front of a TV screen?

Rollors is a new game that is helping to bring families back together for quality time outdoors.  Rollors is like playing bocce, bowling and horseshoes all in one! Players "roll" disks at the goal and points are awarded to the player/team that positions their disks closest to the goal. It's a great game of skill with the element of chance! You can set up Rollors in seconds in your backyard or take it with you to the park or beack thanks to its convenient carry bag. Watch this official video for a demonstration of how the game is played:

Pretty neat, right? But what is even cooler is the story behind Rollors. The game was invented by Matt Butler, an active duty officer in the Air Force while he was deployed in the Middle East. The idea came to him while he was reminiscing about his childhood visits to a lake house cabin in Minnesota and spending time outside playing bocce ball and horseshoes with his family.

Matt successfully took several old-fashioned games and gave them a modern twist! He has sold more than 25,000 games and won several prestigious awards from Creative Child, Dr. Toy top 100 games for 2010, Dr. Toy top 10 active toys, Major Fun in several categories and Mr. Dad. And judging by the reviews by bloggers such as Dad Does, the game is fun for the entire family!

Buy It: Retail Value: $39.99. Available in stores at Meijer and REI and many online retailers like Amazon (on sale now for $29.99!). Visit rollors.net for a full list of retail locations.

Win It: One lucky ready is going to win a Rollors game kit right here on Marlie and Me!

I did not receive product to review or compensation to host this giveaway.
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#Win $100 Family Prize Package to Ring in the New Year (US/CAN)! #ToastTo2012 Giveaway Hop Jan 10-17

Happy New Year Internet Friends! New Year's is generally an adult holiday what with the resolution-making and midnight-kissing and the alcohol-drinking. But the kiddos can have fun too! Imagine their delight if you win my awesome Toast to 2012 Giveaway Hop family prize package filled with cool stuff they will enjoy!

Toast to 2012 is hosted by Sweep Tight and Just Married with Coupons and the Grand Prize is sponsored by Likeographers.com. Likeographers.com is a website where users from all over the world can enter awesome giveaways where they can win items such as gift cards and makeup by simply signing up and uploading a candid photo. Likeographers.com is dedicated to providing a place where users can upload a picture of their likes, share them with the world and win awesome prizes.

Here's what ONE lucky Marlie and Me reader will win! Even if you don't win, I encourage you to visit all of my sponsors in this prize package because each has a charitable focus, so you can shop for cool gifts and contribute to some good causes by making a purchase:

• Go! Go! Sports Girls Doll of choice ($19.99 value): Dream Big Toy Company™ created Go! Go! Sports Girls™ as a fun and educational way to promote self-appreciation and the benefits of daily exercise, healthy eating and sleeping habits, self-esteem and overall healthy life-skills for girls ages 3-12. A portion of their profits is donated to organizations that encourage girls to participate in physical activity and develop healthy lifestyles. Read my REVIEW.

• Lovable Labels Friendship Pack ($24.99 value): Lovable Labels was launched in 2003 by a mom to fill the need for durable, personalized labels to identify our children's belongings. The collections includes Regular and Slimline Stickers, Shoe Labels, Iron-ons and Bag Tags in bright, fun, and colorful designs. Lovable Labels has generously supplied us with a "Friendship Pack" of 120 labels for one lucky winner! Thanks, Lovable Labels! They are also generous supporters of breast cancer research. Read my REVIEW.

• Cooper and Me and the Winter Adventure book ($12.99 value): Cooper and his doggie pal Bella get lost in a snowstorm and must find their way back home. This book provides a wonderful opportunity to teach children the importance of making good decisions and the gentle lesson of how to be prepared in case they get lost. $1 of every Winter Adventure book sold will go to advance research and treatment of pancreatic cancer via the Lustgarten Foundation. Read my REVIEW.

• S2S Nation t-shirt of choice ($35 value): S2S Nation makes Eco-Fashion hip with their limited-edition bamboo/organic cotton apparel that is designed by the People for the People. 10% of each purchase will go to the charity of your choice based on the acronym N.A.T.I.O.N (Nature and Environment, Artists; Town and Community; Imagination and Happiness; Orphanages and Children; Nurture and Health. Take 25% off your next purchase with discount code: S2SM2M25

• A shopping trip to Target on me with a $10 gift card (self-sponsored)! That can buy you 10 items at the Dollar Spot!

This family prize package is worth $103! Open to US and Canada. After entering my giveaway, scroll to the bottom of the post a the list of all the blogs in this hop. And don't forget to ENTER TO WIN the Toast to 2012 Grand Prize 1 of 5 $100 PayPal or Visa gift cards!

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now  have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

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Nursery Rhymes Floor Puzzle With Music CD: Review + Giveaway

We are big on music, reading, and educational games in our house.

That's why I am a big fan of Twin Sisters Productions. They carry the most amazing selection of book and CD sets with songs that teach. They've just released new product: giant floor puzzles! These beautiful 2 ft.x3 ft. puzzle sets are made up of 48 sturdy laminate pieces. Each piece is designed to be picked up and put into place by little fingers.

Marlie and Me received a Nursery Rhymes Floor Puzzle to put together. It is wonderfully illustrated with scenes from traditional nursery rhymes such as Humpty Dumpty, Hey Diddle Diddle, and Baa Baa Black Sheep. Since Marlie is under 4 years old I had to line up the pieces for her, but she got a kick out of pressing them into place. She totally gets the concept of puzzles even if she can't put them together by herself yet. The Nursery Rhymes music CD is the icing on the cake. It even includes a printable activity book in PDF. Marlie and me had a blast singing along to the songs and pointing to the corresponding pictures on the puzzle.

This floor puzzle was a joy to play with, and I can tell it will provide Marlie hours of fun while she learns for a long time to come!

Buy It: Get your own Giant Floor Puzzle for just $12.99...what a deal!

Win It: Thanks to Twin Sisters one lucky reader is going to win a $10 gift code to spend at their online store!

How to Enter: Use the Rafflecopter Form below to enter this giveaway. You may leave a comments on this post to as a reminder that you entered or to leave feedback, but they will not count as entries.

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72-hour Flash Giveaway! $10 Code to GrowingTreeToys.com

I have a $10 off code redeemable at www.growingtreetoys.com.

I am going to make this giveaway short and sweet. As the mandatory first entry, just visit the website then leave a comment on this post stating what toy you'd use the $10 code to buy. Simple!

As always, extra entries are available (but optional). Use the Rafflecopter form below to record entries (click on "Read More" to load the form). Giveaway ends 6/27/11 at 12:01 am EST

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