Christmas Shopping - Part One: Scout!

It's absolutely no secret that I am ecstatic about Christmas. I am all but peeing my pants in anticipation for Monsters first Christmas!

We started our Christmas shopping about a month ago but yesterday and the day before we bought a few more gifts for Monster that I want to talk about.

One of my favorite March Moms is a fantastic mother and blogger (Click here for her facebook fanpage). She also knows what she is talking about when she speaks because she is well researched. For awhile now she's been talking about Scout (from Leap Frog) and how that was one of the first gift she bought her Norton.

I will admit, at first I had never seen one or even heard of it. Friday while shopping at our local big box store I found Scout and immediately fell in love him! Scout is a Leap Frog learning toy that can be programmed and updated with your home computer. Not only that but he can "learn" your childs name to make it a much more personal stuffed toy. Scout is plush and cuddly, perfect for infant hugs!





Now I just have to try and hold out until Christmas to give it to my Monster! More Christmas blogs to come folks!


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Mommy Review - Parum Pum Pum Drum

Earlier I posted photos of Monster's first reaction to his awesome new toy the Parum Pum Pum Drum from B. toys this post is my mommy review!

The drum itself is hollow so you can pack all your instruments inside and has a strap, and handle for easy carrying for your baby/toddler. It's also y clean up and storage since the drum comes with 7 pieces. Once the lid is on the drum, you use the centipede drum sticks to parum pum pum on your drum.

The first piece is the Jingle Bell Ant. The ant is on top of a soft plastic A, perfect for teething pain relief. The jingle bells provoke feels of anxious excitement because they sound just like Christmas jingle bells! The toy itself is easy for Monster to hold and use.

The second piece is the Busy Bee Maraca and Clacker. This instrument actually makes three sounds! Shaking, "raining" and clacking all which are easy to do! The letter B is the wings, I think we have found a trend. The third piece is the Cute Caterpillar Tambourine! The cute caterpillar is in the shape of the letter C, the over all circular shape is perfect for the little hands expected to hold the instrument.

Finally last but not least are the two Shaka-Shaka Eggs! When Monster and I play these are my instruments of choice for two reasons. Reason One: I absolutely love the sound that comes out of this tiny, perfectly egg shaped, amazing instrument! Reason Two: The Parum Pum Pum Drum is recommended for 18 months - 3 years and I'm sure one of the reasons is the size of these eggs. They almost fit into Monsters mouth and since he still investigates by putting everything in his mouth, the eggs are Mommy's for the time being.

Overall family consensus: The toy is well worth it's reasonable cost because it's 5 instruments in 1, literally. It's also fun to play with for more then one person making it easy to have family play time with your baby/toddler. Go on, B. You! Start your own family band! ;)

B. Curious - B. Toys Brand

A couple months ago I blogged about a toy brand that I had found by accident and absolutely fell in love with.

B.Toys. I found one by chance at Costco and knew from the first second I lied eyes on it that it was a must have.

Things to love about this toy brand: The colors are amazing. Ok, so this might not seem like an important feature, but esthetically speaking I am sick of everything baby related being bright red, blue, white, etc. Just like the fact that I am reluctant to dress Monster in day clothes that are baby blue.

Reason two: The toy makers make a distinct effort to incorporate learning. I guess if I was a good mom this reason would probably be number one.

Reason three: I can really only speak to the piece that I purchased (Times Square) but along with learning the square accents different ways of learning. One side of the square is a press and play piano. Perfect for me because I'd really like my Monster to be musically inclined. Along with the piano, it also features a clock, numbers, alphabet pieces and shapes.

I'm not doing the toy justice, click here to see Times Square.

The reason I've brought the toy brand back up in my blog is because *pauses for suspense* Zellers has started carrying them! I stumbled across them in the "learning toy" aisle and almost shrieked with delight. When I say almost I mean, I did!

I know what I'm spending some money on around Christmas time! Not only for Monster, but the other children in my life. This is the second B. Toy I'll be purchasing for Monster! Parum Pum Pum.

B. Curious Toys

(..Continued from previous post.)

The best find of the day, however, was not clothing related at all!

As the three of us were walking towards the bakery, I caught a glimpse of something bright and colorful on an end cap. I walk towards it for a closer look, knowing it must be something baby or kid related and I'm always scouting out new and exciting toys for learning.

To my great excitement, I was RIGHT! I came across a B. Curious Toy called "Times Square". It's a new rendition of a classic toy I've seen many times. It incorporates so many levels for learning, this toy will keep Monster and I busy for a long, long time.

On the packaging the toy boasts 6 sides of learning, and fun. As I examined the toy closer I couldn't contain my excitement for it. I put it in the cart without question, and couldn't wait to get it and my Monster home to try it out. Of course, at 4 months my Monster is a little young to know his letters and numbers, but he does have enough hand-eye coordination to operate the piano and the telephone (somewhat).

This toy is aimed at children ages 1-3, but with some dedication, this is a toy we and his learning can grow with starting even now. Now that my eyes are open to this toy maker, and his potential, I am saddened by the fact that it is primarily sold in Targets. An American big box store.

B. Curious Toys