Our Elf on the Shelf is BACK!!!!

Ginger, our The Elf on the Shelf made her first appearance right after Thanksgiving and the girls couldn't have been more excited.  She was waiting for them on top of the front door where Juliette spotted her the second we went downstairs for breakfast.

Throughout the day Juliette kept telling us that she cant wait to see where Ginger is tomorrow and I wonder what she is going to do tomorrow.  I love their excitement over her and the anticipation of what she will do next.

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf?  Where have you found your elf playing?

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Mixed Media Family Turkey Project

For school Emily had to create a turkey with her family.  We all worked together to decorate this turkey.  It was so much fun to get out our collection of collage materials and decide what would make a really cool looking turkey. 

A few weeks ago we had made some spin art in fall colors which worked perfectly for the turkey's feathers.  Then we used different dried beans and feathers as well as crayons, a band-aid, some felt, glitter glue and of course a googly eye!

Neighborhood Toy Store Day 2013!!!

                                                     

I Heart My Neighborhood Toy Store and I personally love finding quality unique toys that my children enjoy playing with that also stimulates their mind and imagination.  Big box stores do not always carry these high quality toys and I feel they often cater to "fad" toys that children outgrow quickly and are usually cheaply made.  At your local toy store you can find a wide selection of the best toys on the market that your children will really enjoy playing with.  In addition, shopping locally offers better customer service and is a great way to support your community!

November 9, 2013 is the 4th annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day.  Participating local stores will host in-store events for families (such as activities, craft projects, live performances and/or special discounts) to help kick off the holiday shopping season and celebrate the joy of shopping for toys!  This annual event is coordinated by the non-profit organization ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.

You can find a participating toy store at Your Neighborhood Toy Store.

 Here are some of the quality toys you could find for sale at your neighborhood toy stores, that are all winners of ASTRA's Best Toy for Kids 2013:
 
Clara absolutly loves her Skwish Classic by Manhattan Toy.  This is an innovative wooden rattle that truly provides her with entertainment.  I have seen her push it, squish it, drop it toss it, shake it and reach for it when it gets away from her.  It definitely holds her attention and encourages grasping and reaching skills which is very important for a 6 month old!! 

 
 Bunny Peek A Boo by Smart Toys and Games, Inc. is a 3D puzzle made up of sturdy wooden blocks and a cute rabbit character.  Juliette and Emily loved solving these puzzles by choosing one of the cards and recreating the picture they see with the wooden pieces.  This game helps develop spatial perception skills.



 
RingStix Lite byRingStix System Enterprises LLC is variation of the game of catch.  Players pass the ring back and forth using two sticks that are available in a variety of colors.  this game can even be played independently.  The girls are really looking forward to testing this out once the weather is warmer. 

                                                       

www.yourneighborhoodtoystore.org

You can find ASTRA/ The Woohoo Factor on Facebook HERE

   and on Twitter (@TheWoohooFactor)

 

Disclosure: I was asked by Child's Play Communications to help spread the word of Neighborhood Toy Store day. I was not paid for this post but I was compensated with the toys I reviewed.