Rambling about the grandparent question...

I am often asked, "I love natural toys, but my parents shower the kids with made-in-China junk. How can I encourage grandparents, friend, aunts and uncles to buy safe, open-ended, natural toys?"

That's a tough one. Despite the fact that they read my blog, I have a few relatives who insist on buying the glittery books with made-in-China jewelry that they find on clearance racks. I subtly say. "Oh how pretty. Do you know jewelry included with books often contains deadly amounts of lead?" (barely an exaggeration there) and, guess what - the next holiday we get more.

I know a gift is a gift, not an obligation. I do appreciate the thought; however, it is not so much fun to tell the kids, "We can look at the book with mommy, but that pretty necklace needs to stay inside". I know that the little locket will end up in someone's mouth.

Gifts should bring smiles, not tears.

So I tried a new tactic. I decided the girls wanted a Plan City collection. And, when people asked what they are into I said "Oh, they really love Plan City right now. They can play all day and there's so many pieces they'd like to have." And then I send a link to KangarooBoo with our discount code. And, some relatives really liked that. I will be posting a review of Plan City if I can ever get a picture without extra clutter. As soon as they build their city, they fill it with finger puppets and blocks and other toys....

But, I got off the subject. I was planning to tell you about Aunt Linda and Whimsmoore.

Aunt Linda is a member of the Handmade Toy Alliance. I have a button on my blog that says "Help save handmade". This is the group that is working to modify the CPSIA. And, they are continuing to do a great job of making sure that handmade toys are available.

Aunt Linda's answer to the grandparent question is "The Elf Toy of the Month" Club from Whimsmoore. Grandparents can buy 12 month subscriptions for $29.95 a month, or they can buy months individually. Each month contains an original book about the elves of Glimmer Glen and a toy or an activity. I haven't seen these and I know nothing about quality, but I do know that Aunt Linda looks for the safest options for these toys. April includes a beautiful sugar Easter Egg. (ETA check out aunt Linda's comment for more info.)



I have other friends who create Amazon wish lists for each child.

If you have a great suggestion, post a comment. I'm sure everyone wants to know.

Having one of those days?

Try Mama's Mood Lifter's Deck.

No, I'm not dealing drugs. Mama's Mood Lifter Deck is a set of cards with activities with children ages 2-5 in those moments when you just need to change the mood in your house. You know, when the kids are fighting, and you have a million things to do, and you are way too stressed to think of a fun activity?

Mama's Mood Lifter Deck ($16.95)



You can either pull out the Mary's Soft Dough or grab a card.

These arrived at the perfect time for a review because I've had that kind of week. In addition to writing the blog, I work as a freelance writer. I'm currently finishing up a few projects. My husband is also out of town, and Linnea is dropping her nap which means she is very emotional. I had ample opportunity to try the cards out (and to get some good use out of the soft dough).

When everyone is hollering, you pop a card out of the deck and read the inspirational quote.

"The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work." - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

You think about that a moment and then introduce the activity. This card suggested a game of Hide and Seek, so I got a few minutes of peace while I hid under a blanket.

The girls had a great time looking for me. They found me and jumped allover me which was a good excuse for tickles. They giggled, and then it was their turn to hide.

I pretended that I had no idea where they were. Ari was under a blanket on the couch, so I (gently) sat on her and said "My this couch is lumpy!"

After a few rounds of hide and seek, we cleaned up the play room together.

Later, we danced in order to diffuse a meltdown. "No, Linnea, you can't have chocolate chips for dinner." I am such an unreasonable mother.

Other suggestions include Simon Says, playing Bus Stop, doing simple tricks for each other and making a kiddo burrito. There are 31 fun activities that will definitely make your child smile and give her treasured happy-childhood memories.



My kids loved it, and so will yours.

The cards are inspiring. When the freezing rain let up this afternoon, I decided it was time to walk to the post office. It was cold! Linnea was refusing to walk and screaming about wearing her "fat jacket". Arielle was screaming at Linnea to stop screaming. I was trying to convince Linnea that she wanted to spare my back and walk. Half a block from home, it started snowing. I wondered if we'd survive the next block and a half and wished for an idea. Then I thought of the mood lifter cards.

I put Linnea down and said, "OK you brave Arctic explorers, tippy-toe so you don't wake up the polar bears." The mood immediately changed, and we happily braved polar bears, sea lions and frigid arctic wind as we bravely made our way to the post office igloo. Linnea was finally able to stop screaming and admire all the Christmas decorations.

There are a few blank cards, so you can include your own ideas.

The cards are made in the USA and are sold at Down to Earth Toys. So, if you've been a mostly good mommy this year, ask Santa to put these cards in your stocking. They aren't nearly as messy as soft dough and no supplies required.

Thank you, Down to Earth Toys, for making a big difference in my week! and for offering such an awesome selection of natural toys and toys made in the USA.

Five under $5 - All made in the USA or Canada

1. Stainless Steel Strainer ($4.99)



This perfectly-sized strainer is a versatile toy indoors and out. It's fun with water and sand, or it can be used to help in the real kitchen. It has a nice solid feel to it. Ours often seems to be filled with acorns. Eggs $7.99.

2. Eco-friendly Mini-Notebook ($4.50)



I have one for lists. Arielle and Linnea got them in their stockings last year. Linnea takes little scribbly "notes" and pretends hers is a checkbook. Arielle's is filled with bird drawings. Fifty pages means lots of space and I can see how their style has changed over the year.



Notebook are 3x4" and are madewith 100% FSC certified post-consumer waste recycled, acid free and processed chlorine free paper and fully biodegradable glue and vegetable based inks. Combine it with a cue, spring-topped pencil ($2.00).



3. Wooden Dice and Game Booklet ($4.95)



It's a boy thing. Boys just love carrying around little bits of useful things - and especially, dice. I don't know how many dice I've pulled out of Merlin's pockets, and I'm betting that he still carries them around. This set of three wooden dice is made in the USA and comes with a booklet with rules for seven easy-to-play games.

4. Fairy Wand ($2.95)



Who doesn't need a magic wand? These 12" wands are made in the USA and are finished with non-toxic colors. Just wave one, and "poof!" those little monsters jumping on your couch will turn into perfectly well-behaved children. LOL - only if you get the magic words right. Otherwise, the children can use them to turn each other into frogs. Linnea's favorite "Wubba wubba poof! You are in a tower with no doors!" Yes, I'm so proud, my daughter has a great future as Rapunzel's wicked witch.


5. Made by Me! kits ($3.99)



I've reviewed these before, and we still love them. I think the girls love using tools and feeling like grow-ups and of course, the result is a toy that they can play with.



Kate of Stubby Pencil Studio said that her kids make them every year resulting in a collection that grows and changes as they do. It seems we are doing the same thing. Can't you imagine saving them for your grandchildren?

Since many of us are on a budget this year, I'm going to try to do more posts about inexpensive gifts without resorting to the Big Box stores. That's just a few fabulous gift ideas under $5. Browse around the sites, there's a lot more. Next week, I'll try for 10 under $10 :o)