Going Christmas shopping? Let the TIA help you find SAFE toys!

What is one of the main things parents want for their kids? Safety! I am happy that companies are getting smarter about wanting better quality and safer toys for our children!
The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is our industry's trade organization: the one that hosts Toy Fair in February in New York, and the one who has led American toy makers through the new toy safety testing laws and standards they must meet. The TIA is reaching out to moms to help us understand how to buy safe, and great, toys. I think this is important to share with you as you are considering toys for your Christmas shopping lists.
The TIA have created two websites for consumers: Toyinfo.org (provides you with all the information you need to choose the right toys for your family. From toy safety facts to free downloadable play guides, this exciting new site is a one-stop resource for caregivers and parents to discover everything about toys and play) , and Toyawards.org. ToyAwards.org showcases the top toys in 11 product categories that have been nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), recognized as the “Oscars” of the toy industry. Not only will you discover which toys the experts think are best, but for the first time, kids and parents can register for one (or more) of 12 prize packages, and can also vote for their favorite toys.
Celebrating it's 10th Anniversary, the TIA wants to share the finalists with us! Here is some of the TIA's holiday gift ideas/suggestions:
Trio Building Set from Fisher Price $30.00
This is a great set of pieces to encourage kids to use their imaginations, and creativity while building. This set is made easy with clicking bricks, sticks and panels, where the pieces just snap together. The kits come with suggested designs, but kids can make their own creations, too. That is what makes this kit so fun, because kids can make it their own. Includes 100 pieces in a convenient storage tub. I love that I can bring our tub to Grandma and Grandpa's house, or to a friend's house who doesn't have toys for my kids to play with. The top of the storage container makes for a great base to build upon. I like that the Trio building sets all work together so kids can collect all of them and mix them up a bit.
Mythbusters Weird Water World from Elmer’s Products, Inc. SRP $19.99
SCRABBLE SLAM Card Game from Hasbro Games SRP $6.99
UNO Moo! from Mattel SRP $19.99
This is an adorable and fun game from Mattel, UNO but with farm animals. Kids match the colors or animals in this fun game of UNO Moo! If you get a farmer, you are in luck, because he is wild. The first player to get all of their figures back in the barn wins.
Be sure to watch out for the skunk, because he will "skunk you." I think this is a great game for toddlers and preschoolers, because it teaches colors and numbers.
Laugh & Learn Learning Farm from Fisher-Price SRP $79.99
Plus other great toys: Check them out here.
TIA wants families to feel confident in the toys they buy, and they'd like to be a reliable resource for us when we need the latest in toy safety tips and news from the toy world. I am so thankful for this list, and it is very helpful when searching for a gift for my kids, or for gifts for others on our lists. I urge you to share this information with others needing ideas for the Christmas shopping. Let this Christmas be a "safer" one for our kids.

This review was provided from Team Mom and the TIA, which provided me with the information to share with my readers. I was given the information for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Fun "girly" toys now available!

Madelyn had her 2nd birthday party this weekend (with the Grandparents) and she was very curious about one of her gifts. Every time she walked near the gift, it moved and babbled. Her brother, Caleb was quite curious as well, and almost opened it up himself!
Here are some pictures of her opening her gift:

Caleb wanted to "help" her out. He wanted to open all of her gifts.
She was really excited to see the little baby inside her gift!
She couldn't figure out how the baby was crawling and making baby sounds.
I think she was trying to get the baby to look at her.
She was having her new little baby kissing her new little puppy. She is really getting into pretend play at her age, and the Little Mommy Scoot so Cute doll from Fisher Price is fun for her to "be the mommy" to. The Scoot so Cute dolls are perfect for ages 2 and up, and retail for $27.00 from Fisher Price. She crawls, coos, giggles, and makes a spitting sound. She is pretty quick across the floor, and starts crawling from a motion sensor. Scoot so Cute doll is a fun toy for your little girl to play with and pretend to be mommy to.

Are you looking for a gift for your daughter's birthday, or for her to give to her friend?Polly Pocket Designables Perfect Party Bag makes the perfect present for the birthday girl! Polly Pockets are a popular hit for girls ages 4 and up. Madelyn is a little young for Polly Pockets yet, due to the small parts, but I am sure she will enjoy them in a few years. The new set of Polly's: Designables Perfect Party Bag has 25 pieces, including a birthday cake, invitations, decorations, and more! The packaging is a fun on-the-go tote with a floral handle. There are two different totes containing either Polly or Lila (dolls). Available for $17.99, ages 4+ You can find them online, or at a local retailer like Target or Walmart.
Polly Pockets also have other fun sets available! Polly Pocket Designable Doll Packs would be a fun gift to put in the Easter basket! Polly Pocket and her friends Chrissy, Lea, Lila, Shani and Kerstie bring the trendy, stylish and polly-tastic fashions to every girls Easter basket! Each doll pack includes a doll and super-chic interchangeable outfits and, at only $5.99 each, they’re a perfect, affordable alternative to all those sugar-laden sweets! Available for ages 4+.
Polly and friends will love to shop and play in the new, multi-level Polly Pocket Designables Courtyard. The girls can dance the night away in the disco, visit the glam shopping boutique and shop til they drop or visit the scrumptious café – the possibilities are endless! To make it ever more Polly-fabulous, the Courtyard glows with a light up feature! The Polly Pocket Designables Mall Stores lets girls build their own Polly world, their way, and features shopping at its best to include the Glamour Shop with Polly, Candy Shop with Crissy, Electronics Shop with Lea, Fashion Boutique with Lila, Sports Shop with Shani and Music Shop with Kerstie. When attached to the Designables Courtyard, the individual Mall Stores will each light up. The Desingables Courtyard is available for $25.99 and the Designables Mall Stores are available for $13.99, both are ages 4+.