Nintendo DS Game Review: Petz Nursery

We're gearing up for the Holidays here at Momma Findings with our Holiday Gift Guide debut. In the coming weeks, you'll see reviews and giveaways of several of those Gift ideas, helping all of you decide what to buy your sweet ones this year.

As a gaming family, Momma Findings has compiled an exciting list of Family Friendly Gaming options from Nintendo DS games, to game accessories, and Wii games that will thrill even the YOUNGEST in the family!

Today, I'm itching to let you guys in on one of our favorite games for the Nintendo DS:

Petz Nursery Nintendo DS Game



About the Game

In Petz Nursery, players can care for and bond with a variety of the cutest newborn animals.

Features

Take care of lots adorable baby petz. Give them milk, keep them clean and warm, and help them grow.

Build relationships with your petz as you witness their most memorable moments, and influence their personality.

As you progress, unlock more exotic baby animals, like tigers, polar bears, and pandas. Then you can watch them play together – such as a baby puppy and polar bear.

Send your baby petz from Petz Nursery to Petz Dogz Talent Show and Hamsterz Superstarz wirelessly to continue to watch them grow.

What We Liked:

• Variety of Animals: Other games give you the ability to take care of one type of pet, Petz Nursery has a variety! You start off taking care of one, however, as your learn to be a Petz caregiver, you unlock more! Our favorite is still the Lab!

• Lifelong Skills: My daughter is learning how to take care of a pet and having fun while doing it! We discuss what would happen if we didn't feed or play with our pet and how it affects his/her wellbeing. She's learning and understanding how it feels developing a reltionship where she's in the position of caregiver as she witnesses her pet grow and develop.

• Fun Activities: It's so fun to play games with your Petz, however, our favorite if feeding and preparing their food. My daughter and I got a kick out of Lab not wanting her bottle because we weren't holding it right.

• Cute Factor: It has to be said. Each Pet in Petz Nursery comes to you as a baby. Even my 2 year old was giggling when he saw how cute they are, especially when your baby isn't happy. She turns away pointing her "end" at you. Definitely makes us want to keep ALL our Petz happy!

• Works With Other Games: You have the ability to send your Petz Nursery baby to other DS games such as Hamsterz Superstarz(which we don't have yet, daughter was not happy about that) and Petz Dog Talent Show.

• Petz Give Back: New Petz games, including Petz Nursery, is part of Petz Sharing and Caring Month with ASPCA and famous pop band Honor Society. Kids and their parents can also go to the Petz Cause House on ubiworld.com,to play a variety of Petz mini-games and earn “pointz” to show their support for the ASPCA in protecting animals. From now through January 4, 2010, the total number of pointz that visitors earn will be announced weekly in the Cause House and to further support teaching kids about responsible pet care, Ubisoft’s Petz will donate funds directly to the ASPCA. How awesome is that?!

• Rated E: Petz Nursery is rated E for Everyone, which means it's family friendly! My children are young ages 7 and under so this is a perfect gaming option.

What We Didn't Like:

• Direction: As we first started there weren't clear instructions on what to do, where to go, and how to do it. For younger children, such as my 6-year-old daughter, it started off in frustration and confusion. Momma loves playing DS games, especially with my children, so I was happy to sit with her and "figure" out the game. Once she learned exactly HOW to do some of the activities and what was expected of her, she was happy to be the "sole caregiver" pushing me to watch on the sidelines. :)

In summary, we really took to playing Petz Nursery! Spending family time together and teaching our children the importance of responsibility all in a Nintendo DS game! Not only that, but it's a perfect Christmas Gift for girls 6 and up.

Buy It

Petz games are now available on store shelves in North America. They’re rated E for Everyone at a suggested retail price of $29.99 each (Nintendo DS and DSi). You know I love saving money so I've got the "budget scoop" for you guys! For $27.99 you can purchase Petz Nursery at Amazon.com! Sweet.

To learn more about Petz Games head over to Ubisoft's Parents Corner, where you'll find a list of family friendly games, where to buy, tips on ratings, and more!

WIN IT!

Thanks to our friends at Ubisoft, one lucky Momma Findings reader will win a Petz Nursery DS game just in time for Christmas!

How to Enter:

Required Entry:

Tell me, in the comment section, how you teach your child responsibility with their Pets. What feature from Petz Nursery do you think would be most beneficial when caring for the pets in YOUR home?

Extra Entry Options:

- 3 Extra Entries if you blog about Petz Sharing and Caring Month with ASPCA & UbiWorld.com. All the info you need is under Petz Give Back above. Make sure you link to both UbiWorld.com and this post. Leave a 3 separate comments with the url to your post.

- 2 Extra Entries Add the Momma Findings 2009 Holiday Gift Guide button (on your left, complete with html copy/paste code) to your blog sidebar. Leave two separate comments stating you have, along with your blog url.

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook Networked Blogs.

- Follow Momma Findings and My Sippy Cup Runneth Over (my personal blog) on Google Friends.

- Follow me on Twitter (@Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to both this contest and replying to @Sarann. Leave a comment with the URL link to your Tweet.

- Tell me your thoughts about my 2009 Holiday Gift Guide by leaving a comment on that post. Once you do, come back here post a separate comment stating you did.


Contest starts today November 20th - November 30th Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. Leave each entry in separate comments. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

This post made possible by Ubisoft who sent us Petz Nursery for the Nintendo DS. Opinions here are solely my own and have not been wavered by the products I received or compensated in any other way.

So Smart! Productions Launches Baby's First-Word Stories DVDs

It's the Season of baking, shopping, organizing, wrapping, partying, traveling, and.... stressing.

With the Holidays in full bloom, Mommas can feel really overwhelmed. I know when I feel like it's all too much, I tend to be really grouchy. Sometimes, the "Go-Go-Go" makes me "Snap-Snap-Snap"! Sometimes, it EVEN makes me wish the Holidays would simply be over.

Last year, I urged Parents to take time to relax with your children, snuggle, and enjoy family togetherness. My toddler and I did just that, by enjoying quality time cuddling in front of the TV with a Baby Einstein DVD. This year, however, we have a new favorite, So Smart! Baby's First-Word Stories - House.



About the DVD:

In this DVD, So Smart! friends Edward, Iggy, Larry and Dee Dee will first introduce your little one to simple words about objects in the home, and then build sentences and stories around them. A deliberately gentle pace, engaging imagery, and soothing music make So Smart! a winner for both parents and young children 1 to 3 years old, who are just beginning to explore the rich world of language. Features 5 vocabulary adventures with your So Smart! Friends: Bathtime!, Who's Hiding in the House?, Sounds in My House, Where is Edward's House?, and Clean-up Time. BONUS: Printable Activities for each Adventure Included—10 Total! (PC and Mac Compatible)

My toddler and I were asked to review this new line of DVDs designed for 1-3 year-olds. He's two so I knew it would be a hit in our home! I love introducing him to movies that will help him engage with he world around him, giving him more understanding of the new vocabulary he learns every day.

What We Liked:

• Storyline: The events in the storyline are activities your child sees and experiences every day such as: playing outside in the mud, hearing the telephone ring, and seeing Momma vacuum the floor.

• Pictures and Quality: There is no over stimulation with graphics. The pictures are simple, gently paced, yet engaging with bright colors.

• Animals: So Smart! uses easy recognizable characters. Our favorite happens to be Iggy the Piggy. My toddler was laughing hysterically when I asked, "What's the Piggy's Name?" He says, "Iggy the Piggy" out loud and THAT's when he recognized the rhyming sound. Of course, it had me laughing just to see his discovery.

• Short Segments: With short clips, my toddler isn't easily bored or sidetracked by the sounds in OUR house. It keeps him engaged and interested with the next story. The DVD is 30 minutes long, however, it's divided into 5 different segments - Bathtime, Who's Hiding in the House, Sounds in My House, Where is Edward's House?, Clean-up Time.



• Printable Activities: What better way to continue the activity and practice your vocabulary than to COLOR! There are 11 printable activities for your child that are both PC and MAC compatible.

• Continued Series: There are additional DVDs in the Baby's First-Word Series with the same lovable characters. We reviewed the House DVD, but your child can discover - Pets, Outside, Get Dressed, We-Go, and Nighttime.

Momma Improvements & Suggestions

• Price: We loved this DVD so much and want to create a WHOLE library of Baby's First Word Stories, however, with the Holidays comes Budget Crunch time. We are a family of five and I'm a Stay-At-Home Mom. Being a One-Income family, it's a little difficult to spend $15.99 on one DVD my older children wouldn't watch. My suggested price range for DVDs my children pick out are usually $9.99, unless it's over an hour long, newly-released full length movie, or neutral for the entire family.

Simply typing the price, makes it sound like it's not worth it, but it's actually the exact opposite. We're trying to be more creative with our budget to allow our toddler more movies just for him and with the Holidays it makes a perfect Christmas present for Babies and Toddlers.

Buy It

To purchase any DVD out of the So Smart! Baby's First-Word Stories line head over to SoSmart.com. Suggested retail price is $15.99.

Become a Fan of So Smart! on Facebook. You'll find other like minded parents, hear breaking news, and learn about their new products!

Win IT!

Thanks to our friends at So Smart! Productions, three lucky readers will win one copy of Baby's First Word Stories - House

How to Enter:

Required Entry:

Tell me what you do when the Holidays have you frazzled? Do you take the time to cuddle and do activities with your children? If so, what engaging activities do you do?

Extra Entry Options:

- 3 Extra Entries Add the Momma Findings 2009 Holiday Gift Guide button (on your left, complete with html copy/paste code) to your blog sidebar. Leave three separate comments stating you have, along with your blog url.

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook Networked Blogs.

- Follow Momma Findings and My Sippy Cup Runneth Over (my personal blog) on Google Friends.

- Follow me on Twitter (@Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to both this contest and replying to @Sarann. Leave a comment with the URL link to your Tweet.

- Tell me your thoughts about my 2009 Holiday Gift Guide by leaving a comment on that post. Once you do, come back here post a separate comment stating you did.


Contest starts today November 19th - November 29th Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. Leave each entry in separate comments. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

This post made possible by So Smart! Productions, who sent us a copy of Baby's First Word Stories - House. Opinions here are solely my own and have not been wavered by the products I received or compensated in any other way.

Momma Presents Our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Welcome to Momma Findings 2nd Annual Holiday Gift Guide. We've got our eyes on some pretty cool gifts this year from toys, video games, dolls, scooters, and MORE!

Featured below are some of our faves in each age appropriate category. Browse through the list and you'll find a little about each product, where to buy, and EVEN how much it'll cost you. Make sure to book mark this site, subscribe via email, and add our Gift Guide Button (on the left hand side) to your blog. You'll be wanting to check back in the coming weeks for full reviews of these hot Holiday Gifts along with your chance to win some!

Happy Holiday Shopping from all here at the Momma Findings Household!



Cloud B Twilight Constellation Night Light- Float away in peaceful slumber under a beautiful star-filled sky. Twilight Ladybug makes bedtime fun and helps ease children’s fear of the dark by projecting a starry night sky onto bedroom ceiling and walls. Stars and Ladybug shell illuminate in three magical colors to help children sleep easier. The perfect sleep companion for children of all ages! $34.99 at Cloud B Online Store



Corolle Large Ragdoll- This all-cloth doll with embroidered features will become your baby's first best friend! Soft and light, it's easy for little hands to grasp and to hold. Machine washable. $34.99 at Corolle.com


PaciPlushies- The perfect gift for a lovable baby girl or boy (in blue). Super soft and snuggly and sure to become baby's favorite companion. The Paci-Plushie's unique style allows pacifier to remain close at all times while teaching baby to manipulate the pacifier without any help. $13.99 at PaciPlushies.com


Smart Mom Jewelry Teething Bling- Teething Bling was inspired by babies who like to tug on our jewelry. It is the original patent-pending teething jewelry. Made from the same material as many teething toys, Teething Bling looks great on Moms, Grandmas, Aunts and Caregivers but is safe for curious babies to handle and chew. Prices for Necklaces start at $19.10 at SmartMomJewelry.com



Mega Bloks Play’n Go Table- Perfect for pint-sized preschool builders who love to build everywhere they go! The Play’n Go Table features building fun, great storage and portability, and comes with 20 Maxi Mega Bloks pieces for endless hours of fun and building excitement!With easy-to-fold legs that allow for quick clean up and storage, and an integrated handle, the Play’n Go Table is wonderful for on-the-go building. The building plates allow for multiple building configurations so preschoolers can build even bigger and higher, and the integrated tracks work with all Mega Bloks vehicles.The table also promotes discovery and imagination with four fun scenes, stickers, a figure and vehicle. $39.99 at Target


So Smart! Baby's First-Word Stories DVD- A brand-new DVD line from So Smart!, Baby’s First-Word Stories is created especially for 1 to 3 year olds who are beginning to explore the rich world of language. In these DVDs, So Smart! friends Edward, Iggy, Larry and Dee Dee will first introduce little ones to simple words, and then build sentences and stories around them. Six fun DVDs introduce words about getting dressed, being outside, nighttime and more! $15.99 at SoSmart.com and Momma Findings Approved




LeapFrog Text and Learn- Designed to let little learners play in a grown-up way! Children can exchange text messages with their puppy pal Scout with the Text and Learn, check Scout's planner to see what his week entails and more in the pretend browser mode. Other learning modes with the Text and Learn offer practice with letter matching, shape identification and QWERTY keyboard navigation through silly animations and sound effects. $21.99 at Toys R Us


Crayola Beginnings Color Me a Song- Helps build toddlers' creativity, confidence and independence through creative experiences. Helps develop fine and gross motor skills. Allows toddler to create original music with their scribbles. Music will change based on speed of coloring, the faster you scribble .. the faster the song. $19.99 at Toys R Us.


Corolle Nourrisson Doll- Adorable, just like a real baby ("nourrisson" is French for "infant") - soft, light and delightfully huggable - for endless hours of pretend play! Includes a pacifier. $74.95 at Corolle.com


UNO Moo Farm Animal Matching Game- The farm animals have come out of their barn to play UNO! Round them up by matching colors or animals. Is there a blue pig on the barn roof? Match it with any blue animal or any color pig. You can also play a farmer, he's wild and matches anything! The first player to get all of their figures back in the barn wins! $19.88 at Walmart.



Dora the Explorer Mood Camera- Made by Sakar, this easy-to-use camera is perfect for any little explorer to capture images of their daily adventures. Plus, it has fun phrases that Dora is known to say and fun interactive software so you can create picture books, stories, and much more. $24.99 at Toys R Us.



Ni Hao Kai-Lan Walkie Talkies- Fun walkie talkies, made by Sakar, that make it easy to communicate with your best friend. Features on/off switch to save battery life, a flexible safety antenna to withstand tough treatment, and a belt clip. $14.99 at Toys R Us.



V-Tech Bugsby Reading System- Join Bugsby the Book Worm on a reading adventure! Your child will love that they can read along and interact with their favorite characters in stories that build early reading skills. Children will also have fun listening to the story read aloud or by playing any of the skill building reading activities that focus on reading comprehension, phonics, sentence structure, word recognition and more. Designed with convenience in mind, the Bugsby Reading System includes the software cartridge with every book title - no additional downloads required. $29.99 at Toys R Us.



Bravo Sports Bubble Scooter- The 3-Wheeled Bubble Scooter features a unique battery powered bubble generator, which blows bubbles out of the back of the scooter while you scoot! The bubbles can be turned on or off with a button on the top of the footplate. This stable scooter also features a sturdy steel frame, PVC wheels, and a safe, textured footplate with fun in-molded graphics. Available at Major Retailers.



YoGabbaGabba Boombox- Preschoolers can now bring the colorful cast of characters of the hit preschool television series YO GABBA GABBA! to life through Mega Bloks, the #1 choice of preschool building blocks. Join friendly toy monsters Brobee, Foofa, Muno, and Toodee, and build and re-build their magical world full of music, dancing and just plain fun.Preschoolers can dance, listen, create beats and sing along with their favorite YO GABBA GABBA! characters and songs! The DJ Lance Boombox transforms into a “Dance Party” with original music from the show, and when the party is over, all the pieces fit neatly inside the boombox that doubles as storage. The 25-piece set comes with Brobee and Foofa buildable and dancing figurines, and other accessory pieces. $26.99 at Toys R Us



Barbie & The Three Musketeers Corinne Doll- Dreams come true with this inspirational doll! In Barbie™ and The Three Musketeers, Barbie as Corinne™ longs to become an elite Musketeer, and girls will love reenacting this brave heroine's amazing transformation. Corinne™ doll's gorgeous gown and tiara turn into a Musketeer outfit, so she can conceal her identity while saving the Prince from royal danger! $22.99 at the Mattel Shop.


Mattel Dora Links Doll- The Dora Links doll is the cornerstone of the entire new Dora's Explorer Girls collection, featuring an older Dora who lives in a rich online world with her new friends and attends school in the big city. At http://www.doralinks.om/, girls can explore, play games, customize and--most importantly--solve mysteries with Dora and her friends! By plugging the Dora Links doll into a computer, girls can access Dora's brand-new, exclusive interactive online world. And, through this exciting new innovation in computer-connected play, as girls are playing with Dora in her online world, they can customize their doll and watch as she magically transforms right before their eyes! $49.97 at Amazon.com



2009 Holiday Barbie- The 2009 Barbie Collector Holiday Barbie Doll is quite the vision. Barbie shines in a shimmering pale pink and golden lamé gown. Gown has an artfully wrapped bodice. Dress is also draped in sparkling tulle. Magnificent chandelier earrings will complete this 2009 Holiday Barbie Dolls look. Doll cannot stand alone. $44.99 at Toys R Us.


Corolle Les Chéries Cecile Doll- Les Chéries Cecile loves fashion, just like the young girls of today she is designed and dressed to resemble.She has an all-vinyl body, moving eyes and curly dark, rooted hair that can be combed and styled, even shampooed! $44.95 at Corolle.com


Paper Fashions Fancy- Paper fashions get glam! In the Klutz paper fashions custom, young designers get to turn colorful paper, ribbons, beads, sequins, and jewels into glamorous fashions and accessories. $21.95 at Klutz.com




Pulse Slither Scooter- The first innovative three-wheeled scooter of its kind, the Pulse Slither offers the ability to pull off tricks and maneuvers that are simply not possible on any traditional scooter. The Pulse Slither translates the fun of riding a snowboard, skiing or surfing into a street toy. It can be ridden facing forward or standing to one side and is propelled by “slithering” from side to side or by pushing with your foot, opening up even more trick possibilities and making it that much harder to put away. The two large front wheels and rudder-like rear wheel with variable tension gives the rider the freedom to drift in and out of turns, zip around corners, execute lightning-quick 180º turns and adjusts to their skill level. $59.99 at Major Retailers nationwide and Momma Findings Approved


Bakugan Battle Pack -With this Bakugan Battle Pack, kids 6 and above will enjoy the challenge of earning points by rolling their Bakugan (or shooting them from a launcher) onto magnetic cards where the plastic spheres burst open to reveal the fearsome warrior apparatus inside. Kids will also love the way the Bakugan transform suddenly into warrior mode, and fans of the show will have an especially good time with the game. $18.40 at Amazon.com


Battle Strikers Tournament- Tournament Set is the ultimate Battle Strikers battling playset...experience the turbo power of next generation battling tops with Battle Strikers Turbo Tops by MagNext. Say goodbye to spinning tops of the past and make way for Battle Strikers, the ultimate kid-controlled spinning top battling system! The Controllers give you precise fingertip control, and fit both left and right hands. Power up your Battle Strikers Turbo Launchers, load them up with Turbine and Mauler Strikers, launching them onto the arena for fast and furious battles! Accelerate your Strikers at 6300 RPM and feel the magnetic power as you use your Controllers to command the battle. 3 AA batteries required Suggested Retail Price $39.99 at Amazon.com and Momma Findings Approved


SpongeBob Underwater Camera & Case- You can use this fun digital camera out of the water or underwater (up to 30 feet). It takes up to 152 digital photos and comes with new SpongeBob image editing and video software. $29.99 at Toys R Us.



Mega Bloks Streetz City Pursuit- Build the city, rule the road with Mega Bloks Streetz City Pursuit. Jump the bridge, crash into the police station, smash through the bank, drift the corner, jump the bank, hit the sign, jump and park, corkscrew around parking lot and blast through the billboard for a completely cool and radical stunt set. With the new LED radio-control technology, you can activate the Police Van (Mobile Command) with the Chopper (Sky Watch) to chase down the bad guys. $39.99 at Walmart Stores



Invastion of the BristleBots- Invasion of the Bristlebots comes with two mini-robots basically motorized toothbrush heads. These guys zoom around like caffeinated cockroaches, spinning, skittering, and bouncing off walls. Resistance is futile. The book bristles with ideas for robot games and activities: race robots against each other, use the included punch-out walls to construct a bristlebot maze, stage a robot sumo-wrestling match. You can even customize your Bots with the provided wire legs, feelers, and beady eyes. $19.95 at Klutz.com



K'NEX 400pc Tub- Loaded with 400 parts, including bricks, for lots of open-ended fun and endless building and play opportunities! Includes instructions and ideas for 20 models or use your imagination to dream up your own creations. The convenient storage tub means there is always a place to put your parts or take the fun with you wherever you go! $19.99 at Walmart




Erin Condren Designs- From the invitation to the Thank You card, and everything in between, Erin Condren offers personalized printed items for every occasion including invitations, thank you cards, table name cards, and life planners. Our personal favorite are the Personalized LifePlanners that start at $48.00 at ErinCondren.com




Label Daddy Personalized Labels- Perfect for families with small children in school, camp, and sports! Great way to keep all your belongings labeled, dishwasher safe, laundry safe. Gift Cards are available for that awesome stocking stuffer! Use coupon code: LDMOMMY for 20% off your order. Prices Vary at LabelDaddy.com


Gotta Catch Santa Claus DVD- Funky music, holiday magic and a supersonic sleigh are all wrapped up in this CGI–animated family adventure starring William Shatner as the voice of Santa! Trevor is a true believer in the holiday spirit, so his skeptical best friend, Veronica, challenges him to show the world actual proof that Santa is real. Gotta Catch Santa Claus will be broadcast nationally on ABC Family during their annual "25 Days of Christmas" programming block! $13.99 at Amazon.com


The Christmas Magic Book- Far, far North, when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa begins to prepare for his big night of giving. He gathers his reindeer, feeds them parsnips and berries, and polishes his bells and his sled. Then lovingly, he chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all, and he knows what each child at heart wants most. Then, with the thrum of magic that makes reindeers fly, he spreads the Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world--as he always has -- and always will until the end of time. By: Lauren Thompson & Jon J Muth. $16.99 at the Scholastic Online Store


Whimsical Creations Christmas Ornaments- Christmas ornaments great for gift giving: ornament exchanges, teachers gifts, or for your own tree. Polymer clay ornaments, magnets, figures, pendants and beads can be found in the entire collection. Prices vary, starting at $6.00 at Whimsical Creations.


The Nutcracker and the Mouse King- In this gorgeous telling of The Nutcracker, Gail de Marcken brings E.T.A. Hoffmann's richly enchanting world to life. With beautifully detailed illustrations, the story of THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING will become an instant classic . It's a story readers of all ages will delight in. $18.99 at the Scholastic Online Store


Sock Grams- Perfect for those stockings! Your personally chosen novelty socks - as many pairs as you'd like to send. One specially chosen greeting card, with a personal message, if you so choose. One .25 fl oz packet of Foot Balm. Your specially wrapped gift with tissue paper inside a durable, waterproof, blue metallic envelope. Prices start at $9.95 at SockGrams.com


ChicCanvas Gifts- Offers the perfect keepsake gift solution for a any family member by turning precious memories into art by taking any photo and reproducing it on to a canvas. Canvases range in sizes from 8 x10 to 40x60. Each finished product can be personalized and stylized with captions and borders. Prices start at $79.00 at ChicCanvas.com


Nescafe Tasters Choice- Now the rich, savory flavor of Original 100% Pure Coffee is available in convenient single-serve packets. Hazelnut, Vanilla, Original, Decaffeinated, and 100% Colombian. Perfect for stocking stuffers or gift baskets! $3.49 for a 22 count box at Super Markets nationwide. Momma Findings Approved.


Theatre Gifts: How Does the Show Go On? Interactive Book- An exciting interactive guide that lifts the curtain on everything that's involved in putting a theatre production on the stage. Perfect for your budding actor or for Disney loving family! $22.95 at the Disney on Broadway Store


Chic Buds iPod Inspired Designer Series- Why settle for plain-looking earbuds when you can have chicBuds Designer Series! Inspired by Apple iPod, the stylish built-in retractor on these buds match the new nano and shuffle colors... with Swarovski crystal accents on the earpieces. The built-in retractable device is not only stylish, but serves a functional purpose too! The retractor allows the cord length to expand and retract to 5 stopping points while the clip prevents cords from bouncing around. This compact retractable device also keeps cords from tangling when not in use. Listening never looked (and felt) so good! Available in 4 Designs: Blue-Raspberry Swirl White, Blue-Raspberry Swirl Black, Grape Sorbet White, Grape Sorbet Black Compatible with: iPods, iPhones, MP3 Player, Walkmen, Computers, Airplane Connectors... Basically any listening device! $29.00 at ChicBlvd.com



Nintendo DS Game: Style Lab Jewelry- The art of jewelry design brought to the Nintendo DSi! Create beautiful designer jewelry with your own unique designs. Innovative game-to-web feature allows you to make jewelry that fits your style, then order, own, and wear your own creations! (this functionality only available through the DSi) $27.99 at Amazon.com


My Baby First Steps Wii Game- Your baby has grown so fast! Can you believe that a year has already gone by? Take care of your baby from their 1st birthday until they’re 3 years old. Your baby will discover its entire environment and learn from it, they’ll walk, babble and speak, try to catch every object they can, and put everything in their mouth... Your baby will be the apple of your eye! In My Baby Next Steps, the companion to the bestselling My Baby Girl and Boy on Nintendo DS, you can experience the magic of caring for a toddler and experience the joy of seeing your baby grow up right before your eyes! $29.99 at Amazon.com


Wii Sports Resort- In Wii Sports Resort, you'll use your Wii Remote to literally swing into action. Perform realistic sports moves to take on the competition in activities that include Sword Play, Power Cruising (racing a water scooter) and Disc Dog, in which you'll toss a disc to an adorable, Mii-like dog. Become even more immersed in the action courtesy of the included Wii MotionPlus accessory, which attaches to your Wii Remote to provide even greater responsiveness and precision. With the game's easy-to-use controls, anyone can pick up a Wii Remote and leap into the game to experience all the heated competition and hilarity. $46.99 at Amazon.com


NERF Sports Pack- Hit one out of the park with official NERF attachments for your favorite Wii Sports games. The Wii Sports Pack includes fun add-ons for Baseball, Golf, and Tennis$19.99 at the PDP online store


NERF Resort Swords- Sword fighting is the premier mini-game in Nintendo's biggest summer release, Wii Sports Resort, and there's no better way to put the new MotionPlus add-on to use than with a pair of NERF Resort Swords. Fully compatible with the MotionPlus and Nintendo silicone Jacket, the NERF Resort Swords will let players challenge each other with safe foam blades. $19.99 at the PDP Online Store


Family Fun Football Wii Game- In this arcade-style casual sports game for everyone to enjoy, play against friends and family in vibrant themed football stadiums, or perhaps even in space! Choose to be one of the game's quirky characters, featuring animals, aliens and robots, or unlock the mode to play as your own Mii. The ability to coach teams with a simple offensive and defensive playbook coupled with intuitive Wii Remote controls makes the game appealing to all ages for a fun pick-up and play party experience. Mascot Mode - Players can play as their default character or their team's mascot in Mascot Mode! Mascots include animals, aliens and robots and additional, unlockable mascot heads Mii Compatibility - Unlock the ability to play as your Mii and load in your own caricatures and play against your friends' and family's Miis for a more personal experience. $29.99 at Amazon.com


NERF Racing Wheel- This is your ultimate racing wheel for all your Wii racing games! With a thick layer of authentic Nerf foam, it offers unmatched comfort for hours of play. Available in assorted colors, this is a must-have for Wii drivers. $9.99 at the PDP Online Store


Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Friends Asian Elephants Nintendo DS Game- A Baby animal simulation game. In it players take on the duties of caring for a baby Asian elephant. Not only will players train their new friend, but they will also tend to his/her medical, feeding, cleanliness and even its mental well-being as they establish a bond with their pachyderm through more than 15 play activities. $29.49 at Amazon.com


Petz Nursery Nintendo DS Game- Learn how to take care of adorable baby petz - Give them milk, keep them clean and warm, help them grow. Unlock more exotic baby animals such as polar bears, pandas and tigers as you prove your nurturing abilities. Play fun games with your baby petz and watch them react in surprising ways - Play pick-a-boo and watch them make faces at you. Inter-connectivity - Send your baby petz from Petz Nursery to other Petz games (Petz Dogz Talent Show and Hamsterz Superstarz) wirelessly to continue watching them grow. $29.99 at Amazon.com and Momma Findings Approved


Pirates: Duel on the High Seas DS Game- Adventure across the seas in search of a legendary treasure, recruiting crewmen, exploring uncharted waters, and battling myriad foes.$19.99 at Amazon.com


NERF DSi Armor- The official NERF Armor for Nintendo's DSi protects your valuable system from bumps and bruises. Authentic, soft, NERF material on the Armor gives you additional grip and comfort while playing. $14.99 at PDP Online Store.



Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Wii Game- Packed with more than 40 mini-games, including eight containing multiplayer support for up to four players. This list of games also contains limited Wii Balance Board compatibility, adding to the game's interactive nature. If you’re ready to soar through the air as a human cannonball, perform with magnificent Bengal tigers, defy gravity on a motorcycle in the Spherical Miracle, dazzle the crowd with aerial acrobatics, clown around in a juggling jamboree and dance with an exotic Asian elephant, then you’re ready for the fun and thrill of the Greatest Show on Earth that can only be experienced at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. $39.49 at Amazon.com


Winter's Tail Nintendo DS Game- The ONLY Nintendo DS game that combines the amazing true story of Winter with Engaging mini games and heartwarming life lessons. Immersive Interactive Story - Based on Real Life Events. Play Fun Mini-Games that reinforce the meaning of each chapter. Discover Fun Fish Facts. Interact with Whale Words - pronunciation and definitions. Customize with the Storybook Editor, Paint and Color Mode and More! $29.99 at Amazon.com


Jumpstart Escape from Adventure Islane Wii Game- Take off on an island adventure packed with excitement! Designed for kids ages 5-9, JumpStart Escape from Adventure Island is the second title in the JumpStart series of adventure-based learning games for the Wii. This action-packed game invites players to use their explorer skills and brain power to find a way to escape a mysterious island after a crash landing strands them there! As players race to collect the pieces needed to repair their blimp, they’ll need to ward off the pesky fur balls known as Punk Punks and navigate 3D worlds both above and below the water. Along the way, players can practice over 150 math, reading and critical thinking skills—the fun way! Wii Remote technology that allows players to run, jump, fly, swim, roll and dance across a virtual island. The chance for players to express themselves while selecting the perfect avatar outfit, hair, features and more! $29.99 at Amazon.com


PDC Championship Darts Wii Game- Create your own player mode and play in 7 major tournaments in the PDS. Features the following PDC Champions: Phil Taylor, Peter Manley, Adrian Lewis, amd many more. Play in either Quick Match, Custom Tournament, or Party Games Mode $22.56 at Amazon.com


My Secret Diary Nintendo DS Game- Store your secrets, keep a journal and have fun with mini-games, or send secret messages and event invitations to keep in touch with your friends. Store and set reminders of special events for you and your friends, and update your calendar with friend's birthdays and details. Customize your profile and keep up to date with your daily mood monitor. Play games; have fun with personality tests to discover what kind of friend you are, or what flower you would be, play with fortune cookies, and friend matcher mini-games to see who is most compatible. Check your aura ring to test your mood or consult your crystal ball for a look into the future! All password protected you won't have to worry about somebody finding your key. Send secret messages and event invitations to your friends, or sit back and chat with all of your My Secret Diary, My Dress-Up and My Make-Up friends with exclusive MyGames Chat over DS Wireless Communication. $19.99 at Amazon.com


Wii Squeeballs Party- Squeeballs are toys made on a secret island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Before they can be sold, they must be tested: Only the best Squeeballs make it off the island. You are the tester - slice them, dice them, inflate them! Test them to destruction! $29.99 at the PDP Online Store. Also available for Nintendo DS and iPhone.


This Gift Guide made possible by all the above brands, who sent us units of each products, excluding Dora Links, Wii Sports Resort, Bakugan Battle Pack, and Holiday Barbie. Opinion and decision to include items in the Holiday Gift Guide are solely my own and have not been wavered by the products I've received or compensated in any other way.

Review: Harmony Juvenile LiteRider Booster

As a Mom to three young children, I know the importance of car seat safety, however, it can be really confusing for first-time Moms.

- What type of car seat is right for us?
- Rear facing or forward facing?
- How do I use the vehicle latch system?
- High back or no back booster?
- What is the law in my state?
- Is my child EVER going to be out of a car seat?

There are so many questions and options out there, no wonder new Mothers are confused. Texas has a new law regarding older children, which directly affects my family. Both my 7 and 6-year-old must still use booster car seats. So, we've decided to forgo the High Back seats due to limited space in our vehicle and opted for the convenience of the No-Back booster for my older two.

Momma Findings has the scoop on two new Car Seats hitting the market for families this year. This weekend we'll let you guys know how we like Safety 1st's Air Protect seat for my toddler, but today I want to let you guys in on the LiteRider Booster Seat made by Harmony Juvenile.


About LiteRider

The ideal solution for transporting your child. This lightweight car seat exceeds the most stringent safety impact testing in the world, and is exceptionally comfortable and easy-to-use.

Features:

• Exceeds US FMVSS 213 standards.

• Fits children 30 - 100 lbs.

• Extended weight range ready for new ASTM standard.

• Ultra-plush, durable fabrics made with comfort foam throughout seat for maximum comfort.

• Full-wrap premium seat pad is removable for machine washing.

• Seat-saver design.

• Visually pronounced belt guides promote correct installment of the seat belt.

• Belt path design prevents child from sliding under the lap belt on impact.

• Belt guide included.

• 3-month (limited) warranty.

My kids are constantly switching transportation, from the school bus, to our SUV, to Ganee's car, to Aunt Mona's SUV, to Papi's truck, ..... you get the picture. I have to move one big car seat for my toddler (thank goodness for the easy latch system on that one), so I don't want to spend more time and energy towing heavy, bulky, booster seats for my other two children. In fact, I'd like for them to carry their OWN booster with ease so my hands can carry all the essentials. You know, Nintendo DS, Barbies, and Blankies (just kidding). Let's get down to business, shall we?

What We Liked:

• Base: Ganee, my Mother-in-Law, mentioned immediately that she liked the bottom of the seat. It doesn't have a rough/ragged bottom like others, saving her leather seats from getting worn out. The LiteRider is on the left and another (we'll leave the brand out) seat is on the right. Notice the difference?



• Cushion: The seat is very well padded making my daughters little tush, a little more comfortable.

• Easy-to-Clean Cover: The seat's cover comes off REALLY easy, no loops, no bands, just slips on and off, almost like a very snug pillow case. Throw it in the washer, dry it, and you've got a clean cover for your next car ride.



• Color: Need I say more? When my daughter FIRST moved to a booster seat we searched high and low for a "girly" seat. She wanted flowers, hearts, princess, SOMETHING to embrace her sweet personality, but options were very limited. We ended up with a black seat. Imagine her excitement when her LiteRider in PINK showed up on our doorstep, thanks to Harmony Juvenile. It also comes in Tan.

• Weight: The LiteRider is SUPER light. Remember how I said, I'd rather my children carry it so I can help my toddler with his "essentials"? Well, she can carry this with ease, being that it weighs just under 3 lbs (2.86 lbs. or 1.3 kg to be exact).

• Belt Guide: It's, often, too easy to buckle your child wrong. My children are old enough to buckle themselves in, but sometimes they need a little help. The Belt Guide promotes correct installment of the belt buckle, making sure children are safely buckled for the ride.



• Price: Harmony Juvenile has your pocketbooks in mind when they priced this baby! You can buy it for less than $15.00, giving you the option to purchase an extra for Grandma's car.

Momma Improvements & Suggestions

• Armrests: My daughter mastered buckling her into her old booster, however, this one she had trouble with due to the armrests being so close to the base. I can see if she had one more inch to work with, in the height from the base to the armrest, she'd buckle with ease.

• No Cup Holder: This is a luxury we've gotten used to. My children, often times, have drinks with them and can't reach most of the drink holders in our SUV. The LiteRider does not have any cup holders, making it easy for them to drop their drink onto the floor of our vehicle.

• Absent knee protectors: I've researched and used quite a few booster seats and noticed there isn't a lot of lower body protection. There are no raised knee protectors on the LiteRider, however, it DOES pass safety impact testing. Knowing this makes me feel comfortable with my daughter in it.

All in all, the Harmony Juvenile LiteRider has been a great addition to our family of car seats. With three children, neighborhood friends, nieces & nephews, it's always great to have an extra booster seat for play dates and carpools.

Buy It

The Harmony Juvenile LiteRider can be purchased at your local Walmart store or by visiting www.harmonyjuvenile.com, for the suggested retail price of $13.50.

This post made possible by Harmony Juvenile, who sent us a pink LiteRider Booster Seat. Opinions here are solely my own and have not been wavered by the products I received or compensated in any other way.

Come Join the Parents Corner Twitter Party!

Momma Findings has partnered with Ubisoft to bring you a Twitter Party like no other. We want to talk to Parents and your children about Gaming, specifically focusing on Ubisoft's line of games for Nintendo DS and DSI.

Do you know about Parents Corner?

Ubisoft recently launched a new Parent’s Corner Web site that provides parents with resourceful information about video games to help promote healthy gaming in their homes (e.g. video game ratings, age appropriate game recommendations, etc).

That's right, join us to learn more about Ubisoft, their Parents Corner website, ideas for Mom & Daughter time, Holiday gift ideas, Nintendo DS vs. DSI, and all the cool games such as: IMAGINE, PETZ, and Style Lab

Date: Friday, November 13th 2009
Time: 8:00-9:00 PM Central Time
Host: @Sarann (Momma Findings)
Sponsor: Ubisoft
Location: #parentscorner
Prizes: We have lots of awesome prizes in store for all of you that join in. How many of you are dying to check out the NEW Nintendo DSI?!



What about a HUGE prize pack for all of you guys who already have a DS or DSI?!


Includes: Style Lab Makeover, Style Lab Jewelry Design, IMAGINE Babyz Fashion, IMAGINE Fashion World Tour, IMAGINE Zookeeper, PETZ Nursery, Petz t-shirt and a Petz backpack.

How about small prize packs that include:



How to RSVP:

Simply enter the link to your Twitter ID (not your blog) so we can follow you. This will be your RSVP to the party!

At the moment, Ubisoft is creating a social media team and will not be able to join in on this party, however, we are planning lots more where we'll be able to talk to the brains behind the games and, of course, win some more cool prizes.

Remember to follow me, @Sarann for updates, contest details, and prize information. On the day of the party, feel free to tweet out the details of the party for extra entries. For example an awesome Tweet would be:

"Getting ready for the #ParentsCorner Twitter party! I Want to win a Nintendo DSI, don't you?! 8:00PM Central http://tinyurl.com/yegkrsa"

**Small Print** Contest is open to US residents only. Never attended a Twitter party? It's EASY! Create an account at Twitter.com then join us at Tweetchat.com (or you can use Tweet Grid or Tweet Deck) with the hashtag #ParentsCorner.

RSVP with your Twitter Handle URL: