We spent Thanksgiving morning at my dad’s house and, aside from the food, the big activity was a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. The grandkids divided into two groups and decided it was a competition; though, I’m not sure who was crowned the winner out of the two lovelies below.
They’re both so… um, ugly different that it’s hard to pick a favorite. What do you think?
I look forward to seeing your photos.
Through the holidays, Ten Dollar Tuesday is devoted to spotlighting a worthy charity. What does this have to do with shopping for things bargains that cost less than $10, you ask? Everything – the idea is making the most of our money.
If 10 readers of The Shopping Mama give $10, that’s a $100 donation. That more of you that give, the more impact we can have. $10 can add up quickly and be incredibly meaningful to charities and the families they benefit.
Toys for Tots is probably one of the most well known charities, particularly around the holidays. Annual Toys for Tots campaigns collect unopened toys and gifts with the goal of providing a present for every child to open Christmas morning.
Over the 62 years of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U. S. Marines the unchallenged leader in looking after less fortunate children at Christmas.
But, what really touches me about Toys for Tots was looking into the way it is actually run and organized. Founded in 1947 by a group of Marine Reservists, Toys for Tots is still managed by the Marines! My local Toys for Tots is organized by Lima co 3D Battalion, 25TH Marine, a company that gained attention as the hardest hit combat unit of the Iraq war. The generosity and kindness of the Marines, and particularly Lima Company, to operate an incredibly successful toy drive for children is remarkable.
Donate! Participate in $10 Tuesday by making an online donation to Toys for Toys today. You can also search for your local Toys for Tots campaign and find a toy drop to donate a toy!
The newest addition to my son’s dress up clothing chest is not your typical costume. Rather, it’s a motorized backpack that allows him to act like the one and only Buzz Lightyear! The Buzz Lightyear Deluxe Action Wing Pack is a fun option for your Toy Story fan this holiday season.
The sky knows no limit for Space Rangers! This backpack hides a secret inside – motorized wings that pop out at the touch of a button! Join Buzz Lightyear in his mission to keep the galaxy safe from evil aliens, and earn your Space Ranger stripes!
Admittedly, my son doesn’t need a wing pack or any other costume to play make believe or act like his favorite characters, but having a little tool in his role play certainly doesn’t hurt. The Action Wing Pack goes on like a backpack, with adjustable and padded straps. It does require 4 AA batteries. The fun really begins when you push the red button on the front part of the Wing Pack. The wings extend to 31 inches across and announces that “Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!” Though there appear to be four buttons on the front of the pack, only one actually works and it operates the wings and the talking.
The only bad thing about this toy is also what makes it so cool – the giant wings. My son has a tendency to fall over himself and knock things down without a motorized 3 foot wingspan, so you can imagine how our living room fared with the wings. Oy. He knocked over everything and anything in a, well, 3 foot radius. Just make sure you have plenty of room for your Buzz to play with this toy. And, oh, if your wannabe-Lightyear Ranger is a shorty like mine, explain that he can’t sit with the wings on. Although it was rather comical to watch.
To Buy… The Buzz Lightyear Deluxe Action Wing Pack is sure to be a hit with any little Toy Story fan. Throw in a little imagination and your tot will be the best Space Ranger in no time.
Or Not to Buy… Sorry, this will not help you fly. It even says so on the toy in case you forget.
Shop! Toy Story 3 Buzz Lightyear Deluxe Action Wing Pack is $49.99 and can be purchased at the Mattel shop online or Amazon
Jack is walking (cruising) and that means that shoes have become a necessary evil or possibly a really cute accessory…I’m still deciding. What I do know is that if JEMOS made shoes in my size (and it were considered professional attire to wear giant, adult-sized, moccasins) I’d be ordering a pair right now. JEMOS footwear have everything I’ve been looking for in shoes. They are soft soled, eco-friendly, and down right cute.
How cute are these Matthew in Navy and White Stripe? I love that they are cute yet still “manly” enough for my taste. I’m all for my baby not growing up too fast, but I don’t want him wearing shoes covered in bunnies or sail boats either. JEMOS shoes are the perfect balance between little boy and little man. The Blake are already on my Christmas list ordered and on the way.
JEMOS soft soled leather shoes are hand made from 100% leather remnants hand picked from upholstery scraps. All the leathers are tested for safety and durability before they are allowed to be made into shoes. Making JEMOS 100% CPSIA compliant and certified. JEMOS is also an eco-friendly, family owned and operated company and design their entire line of footwear themselves. They even host their web page on a server entirely powered by wind energy!
Jemos is on a mission…to bring your sweet kiddos simply adorable and oh so fun eco-friendly styles that are healthy for their feet and healthy for the earth!
I love that the soles of these shoes are so flexible! They are the next best thing to going barefoot for my little guy (and lets face it, bare baby feet aren’t so cute when they are turning blue from the cold). I love how I’m able to flex the sole of this shoe, but the leather is still thick enough that I know it won’t wear out quickly and it will provide cushion when he’s walking on harder surfaces.
The inside is super soft so they can be worn with or without socks and the ankle has extra cushioning for comfort. The Velcro tab makes the shoe so easy to put on. I was surprised that my little guy had no problem with me putting the shoes on him, since he doesn’t normally wear shoes. 
He was quite happy to play with them on or off his feet (but he wasn’t able to get them off his feet himself…given enough time he might figure it out, but the Velcro keeps them pretty snug). These shoes, and the cute reusable box they come in, have been the toys of choice for the last couple days. The shoes also come with a fun giraffe finger puppet, for when Jack gets bored with playing with the shoes.
Okay, I know I’m not technically reviewing, or planning to buy, any of the girl shoes, but I had to throw in this photo of Piper Plaid because they are just too cute. Seriously, how do you girl mommies handle the cuteness?
To Buy… I love the Matthew style shoes on my little guy and the selection of eco-friendly shoes offered by JEMOS. (Yes, I just ordered 2 more pairs.) I think the easy of use, quality, and low environmental impact of these shoes makes them a great choice for anyone with little ones just getting the hang of this walking thing.
Or Not to Buy… I really can’t think of a good reason not to buy these adorable shoes. If $28 seems a bit steep for children’s shoes, consider the importance of proper foot care. Plus, the toes are super roomy so I know my little guy will get plenty of use out of these before he out grows them and they can be handed down to younger siblings or friends because they will last.
Shop! Shop Jemos Footwear to find adorable shoes for boys and girls for $28 a pair. For the month of November, buy 2 or more pairs get a mystery pair FREE, plus free shipping when you buy 2 or more pairs.
How to Enter: Visit Jemos Eco-Friendly Footwear and leave a comment with the style you would like to win for your little one.
Bonus Entries - valid only after completing one form of the required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
Giveaway ends December 15. Open to US mailing addresses.
Toy: Push Car Wooden Walker with Blocks
Get It For: The eager to move but not yet walking set through toddlers.
Why We Like It: We already shared the coolest ride on car, and now here’s version for the newly toddling set. With a playful smile, headlights, black wheels and loaded with blocks, this Walker is all fun. The walker helps kids gain balance and the blocks ensure that the fun will last long before and after your little one is walking.
Shop! The Wooden Walker with Blocks available at The Land of Nod for $69.
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You can see all the best toys for the holidays by clicking here.
It has been five weeks since my husband deployed.
And I’ve hit a wall. It’s been a very rough couple of days and I feel like I can’t catch a break. My daughter is acting up like you wouldn’t believe. It’s hard to believe a girl so cute and so small can be such a terror. She’s effectively been kicked out of the child center at the gym, which means I can no longer go. The reason this is so upsetting – other than the obvious fact that she is poorly behaved and I can’t seem to correct it – is that the gym is the only time during the day that I get to myself. It’s an hour here and there through out the week that I have grown to rely on. I hate working out, but I love the break. Or loved it.
So, I’ve been feeling sorry for myself today. And I plan to drown my sorrows in some Jeni’s ice cream tonight.
Sigh.
After taking a minute to catch my breath and just…. breathe… I recognize that while my current situation is anything but ideal I am truly lucky and have much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful that my husband is the hardest working person I know, and that we get to have some “family time” on Skype.
I am thankful that my mom, grandmother, dad, stepmom, brother, nephew and more family live so close this year. It’s the first time I’ve lived near family since I was in law school over 6 years ago. It’s been wonderful to celebrate my daughter’s birthday with family, to have family over to dinner on a random weeknight, to watch football on the weekends while the kids color with their cousins, to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with family, and to see all the cousins compete in a gingerbread house decorating competition. (Holy mess!)
As hard as this year is, I am thankful for the experience because it means I get to spend time with family. Watching the kids play with their cousins, grandparents and great grandmother is priceless. As discouraged as I am today, I know I need to appreciate each moment because, before you know it, the year will be over and we’ll move away.
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This post is part of the SHOUT! Go Play program. And while I was supposed to write about how we Go Play as a family, I started writing (and crying) and this post happened instead. But, you know what? My kids don’t need to be outside playing some organized family activity to make a total mess of their clothes. They eat eat, color and and act crazy every day and make a total mess of themselves while just being. And every night I am thankful that SHOUT! works so I can spray my kids’ clothes and put off doing another load of laundry for a day or two.
As promised, we are following up on Malia’s Teacher Gift Giving Dilemma Post with some fun personalized or handmade gift ideas. These ideas are great not only for teachers, but are affordable options for friends, neighbors and, well, you.
Give your teacher the gift of organization with a set of the new Chalkboard Labels from Cherry Hill Designs. These labels are as fun as they are functional and versatile, and come in small, extra large or variety packs. Write on the labels with traditional chalk or a chalk pen
A set of 40 small labels (2 x 1 rectangles and ovals) is $8, 5 extra large labels (4 x 6) is $10 and a variety pack of 18 labels is $8. Cherry Hill Designs is offering you an exclusive discount dubbed The Shopping Mama Special! Save $1 off any set of chalkboard labels - as many or as few as you want – you get $1 off each through the end of December with code tsm1210. You can only use this coupon code one time so make sure you get all the labels you want on your first purchase!
I’m fairly certain there’s no such thing as too many books in a classroom, so donating a few books to your child’s room is a gift that benefits everyone. Make the classroom donation more personal and in honor of your child’s teacher with an adorable Personalized Bookplates from Sarah + Abraham. The bookplates feature a playful silhouette image in the color of your choice and are sold in sets of 16 for $18.
Shop now and get a free gift with purchase of $10 or more. This is an exclusive offer for Sarah + Abraham Facebook fans and subscribers so we appreciate her extending the offer to all of you! Check out the free gift with purchase options and add your selection to your cart.
PS. My son’s teachers are getting the Desk Calendar as part of their gift because I just LOVE it.
If you want to give your favorite teacher a little “aaaaaaah” and peacefulness in the form of a gift to enjoy outside the classroom, we like the handmade candles from Handmade by Hoyt. They’ve even taken the trouble out of wrapping and are offering gift wrap options on all pillar candles.
And, you can’t go wrong with homemade candy, especially homemade candy you don’t have to make. Have It Sweet caramels and marshmallows are nothing short of divine. My mouth waters just looking at this photo, let alone reading the variety of flavors available. Bourbon Pecan Caramel? Yes, please.
Happy Shopping!
Years (and years) ago in college, one of my best friends had a summer job working at “the puzzle company” in her town. She worked in customer service getting replacement puzzle pieces for parents. Fast forward almost ten years when I was playing with my young son, surrounded by Melissa & Doug toys and puzzles. I looked on the bottom of one and noticed they were made in Westport, CT – the same town where my college friend lived. I called her immediately and asked, “Remember when you worked for that ‘puzzle company‘… Was it Melissa & Doug?!?” She seemed puzzled (she didn’t have any children yet) but said “Yes.” I was thrilled. You see, I am so into Melissa & Doug products and think they are so prolific in the children’s market that I felt very cool knowing someone who worked there ten years ago. That story tells you that while I may be lame, Melissa & Doug is anything but.
Our philosophy has remained the same over the years–to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family, while offering products with tremendous value, quality and design. We’ve always welcomed customer suggestions, and we continually strive to make improvements to our products. We’re honored by the faith you place in us and view it as our responsibility to continue to earn your trust in the years to come!
With plenty of Melissa & Doug puzzle experience (and stacking train and play food and grocery cart) under our belt, I was eager to play with one of the newer toys in the Melissa & Doug toy chest – the Fold & Go Princess Castle. Folded, the Castle measures about 13.5 inches by 10.5 inches by 7 inches. One end of the castle is hinged so when you open the castle to get into the fun, it extends to 27 inches long. The house has three floors including the roof and separate rooms just like a “real” or full-size doll house. There are lots of windows, a door that opens to lay flat and an interior door to create a private little room. The Castle also comes with a princess and prince (though my children insist they’re both princesses), two horses and four pieces of furniture (two chairs, bed and chest).
The Castle arrived on my daughter’s birthday and I asked my son if we should surprise my daughter with it when she woke from her nap. He was not a fan of waiting for anyone – even the birthday girl - so we opened it immediately and started playing. What struck me first is how this has the feeling and pretend play potential of a big doll house in a compact and easy to move size. Later that day when we celebrated my daughter’s birthday and after she opened her gifts, guess what the kids and their cousin spent the whole night playing with? Yep, this Fold & Go Princess Castle.
Since playing with it that first night, my both of my kids have continued to go back to this toy. It’s fun to see them act out little stories and try to get the “princesses” to ride the horses and hide in the closed room and whatever else they come up with.
The awesome Fold & Go concept is available in several different play sets, and all are great options for the holidays.
Fold & Go Barn, Fold & Go Dollhouse, Fold & Go Woodland Treehouse, Fold & Go Castle
To Buy… The Fold & Go Princess Castle is a great toy with a lot of fun and hours of play packed into a relatively small package. I love the concept of the toy – and the flexibility to play with it downstairs or fold it and take it upstairs or even to grandma’s house. The construction of the castle and furniture is exceptional, and I love that it comes with all the toys you need to make it playable immediately.
Or Not to Buy… The prince and princess are not really up to the same quality as the other pieces of this play set. The photo to the right was taken the first day we played with the toy and the picture below was taken yesterday. The crowns are fraying and falling off, and they haven’t held up as well as other Melissa & Doug products we’ve played with. Obviously my kids haven’t noticed and probably don’t care, but I thought it was worth pointing out. They’re still pretty darn cute.
Shop! The Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Princess Castle is $49.99, as are the other Fold & Go play sets. Right now, get Free Shipping from Melissa & Doug on orders over $30 with code FREESHIP30. The Fold & Go play sets are really the tip of the iceberg – the Melissa & Doug collection of puzzles and educational toys is incredible.
How to Enter: Visit Melissa & Doug and take a look around. Leave a comment here with your favorite Fold & Go toy or another product that catches your eye.
Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
Giveaway ends December 12. Open to US mailing addresses only.
If you are looking for information about partnering with The Shopping Mama™ blog, please email for a current Media Kit. The Shopping Mama™ was founded by Kate Marsh Lord in January of 2009 to share the latest and greatest in gear, clothes and toys for kids. After graduating law school and moving around the world with her Air Force husband, Kate settled down and had two beautiful little ones. The children changed her online motivation from researching legal issues to tracking down the
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