Family Fun | Walking down memory lane ...

Needing a break one day, I decided to go across the street to the PEZ Museum.  The museum/store has been around for 15 years and I have never yet stepped into it.  I am so glad I finally did ... it was definitely a walk down memory lane ... saw some quirky original pez dispensers but more importantly, they had original Colorforms on display.  Remember those?  I had forgotten all about them but now, am excited to introduce them to my girls.

Design | Not just any old blocks ... these are modern, eco-friendly version.

I stumbled upon this great toy as I was searching for gift ideas for a birthday present.

Traditional block set + precision cut = endless opened ended possibilities = FUN!!!

These blocks can be stacked just like traditional blocks, but there's more ... with the hollowed out middle, it adds a whole new dimension to "just" blocks.  These areblocks and tinker toys combined!!

What kids wouldn't want to receive these?  And since these blocks are made using sustainably-harvested woods, non-toxic coloring and come in recycled packaging ... what parents wouldn't want to gift these?

Design | Hoot! Hoot!

I love owls -- anything with owls, really.  I am always on the lookout for cool owl items.  With Valentine's Day right around the corner I'd thought I'd share with fellow owl lovers two of my favorite items.
Butter cup bloom:  beautiful, whimsical plush owls with a pocket in the back for special messages.  I think I'm going to get one for my daughter to use as a tooth fairy pillow.
sweet tooth designs: very cool eco-friendly jewelry - my favorite is the owl collection.  I got one and my daughter who shares my quirky obsession with owls got one of the smaller ones as a graduation gift last June.

Anyone else have any cool owl items/sites to share?

Design | Move over play dough, here comes BUBBER

When the sales person at our local toy store mentioned the name to me, I just had to take a closer look.  Upon closer inspection, my conclusion is that this product is not only incredible, but the name is ingenius.  Bubber is this amazing non-toxic, gluten free modeling compound with a light, dry texture you can shape, roll, imprint, and cut just as you would with play dough.  With Bubber, kids still get all the benefits of playing with play dough -- open ended play, creativity, and fine motor skills development, but without any of the mess, smell, or residue.  Plus, Bubber never dries out so you can play with it over and over again.  This is my new go-to eco-gift for the 10 and under crowd.

Kid Reads | Judging a book by it's cover

I love giving books and getting books. Given the time of year, I've been on the hunt for chapter books to read to my own voracious beginner reader and am thrilled to discover two great books. The first is NICOLAS by Rene Goscinny, a collection of 19 escapades of a mischievous schoolboy and his friends.  It was originally published in French in 1959 and is now available in English with wonderful illustrations by Sempe.  The second is MY FATHER'S DRAGON by Ruth Stiles Gannet, adventures of Elmer Elevator on Island of Tangerina and Wild Island.  Both these books caught my eye at my daughter's schools book fair because of the feel of their heirloom quality cloth cover and illustrations.  I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but with these two, I just couldn't help myself ... it also helps that both these stories are classics that never get old.  I can't wait to give these to my daughter and to starting reading them to her.