Archive for March, 2012

Calico Critters promotion: 1/2 off family with a $20 purchase

Sale ends 4/7

We’re having a special sale this week and next on adorable Calico Critters. Spend $20 toward Critters and get half off a Calico family of your choosing (a $19.99 value). Sale ends April 7th.

Of course, we will gift wrap your purchase for free, too, so stock up for spring birthdays!

We’ve got pandas, cows, mice, and more! Calico Critters are incredibly detailed, small creatures who live in wonderful environments, which you can purchase. They encourage imagination and play with cotton outfits that come on and off and different characters that allow children to role-play. All Calico Critters are 3+, prices range from $7.99 to $139.99 (for doll house).

(For those with an eye toward materials: Calico “bodies, heads, arms, and legs are non-phthalate PVC [meaning they are non-toxic], their fur (‘flocking pile’) is nylon, and their clothes are cotton,” according to the dailygreen.com. Read more here.)

Happy spring and a challenging new game from Thinkfun

Distraction $12.99

Happy first day of spring! The weather is impeccable. We wanted to share with you this new game from Thinkfun that our family tried out at home over the weekend. Thinkfun is one of our favorite game makers because their games offer a real challenge, but are simple in structure and are addictive.

The game is called Distraction. There are two decks of cards: one (the circular cards) have numbers on them and the other (rectangular cards) have “distraction” questions. The idea is to remember as long a series of numbers as possible. So, players take turns putting down number cards, but as they put down their card they have to remember the series of numbers from before without looking at them. It’s pretty easy to remember a string of about 7–that’s the magic amount our brain can remember–that’s why phone numbers are 7 digits. But it gets tricky, because if a player puts down an orange number card they have to pick up a distraction card.

The distraction cards have questions like: “would you rather spend your vacation at the beach or in the mountains?” which the players must answer before reciting the proper sequence of numbers. Quite a challenge! If another player thinks the current player remembered the sequence incorrectly, they can challenge, and if the challenged player made a mistake, they have to pick up the pile of cards. Winner, of course, is whoever runs out of cards first. Another winning game from Thinkfun to please older kids. Ages 8+

What we’re digging in March

Duct tape, flipbooks, and more

Does the air feel unseasonably warm to you? Spring must be around the block. We thought we’d compile a list of things we like and what we’re listening to at the stores right now while we wait for the leaves to bud.

Pink and Blue Snuffles, (7 in. pictured) $13.00, 1 mo. – 5 yrs….

Just about as cute as Squishables (previous post). They come in different sizes plus as a rattle–adorable. Great gift for all the young babies you know. They eye you the same way your puppy might.

Alex Hot Duct Tape Fashion, $12.99, 7+…

Use Alex’s zany duct tape patterns and colors to make fashion accessories. Try the Duct Tape Tote Kit, $16.99 or the full kit, All Duct Out, $24.95 which includes 8 rolls of duct tape and all the parts to make glasses, jewelry, purse, a belt, headbands, and more!

Rocket Flip Book Kit from Fliptomania, $12.99, 3+…

Watch your own rocket ship zoom into outer space… over and over again! Teaches kids the essence of moving pictures. Includes book clips, markers, pre-drawn pages, and detailed instructions.

Swish, $12.99, 8+…

This artfully designed card game by Thinkfun–clear plastic cards with colorful layers printed on them–is a spatial game in which players must match the cards to create “swishes” by laying the cards on top of each other and seeing how the designs line up. Great for family game night. Swish is a meditative game. Includes a nylon bag for travel.

PLUS: we’re now streaming Pandora! Here’s what stations we’re listening to:

Aretha Franklin
Adele
Beirut
Balmorhea
Cole Porter
Ella Fitzgerald
Etta James
Louis Armstrong
Rodrigo y Gabriella
Walt Disney
New items for 2012 are still coming in.  Come check out the new offerings from Alex, Lego, and Playmobil.

“Wild about Bates” PTO Fundraiser

March 24th Auction

The “Wild About Bates” PTO fundraiser for Bates Elementary is on March 24 from 7 pm -12 am at the Knight Auditorium, Babson College. Here’s a picture of a few of the auction items (from LittleBits) that are living in the lobby of the school until they all find a proper home. For more information and ticket info go to the Bates School website and click on the PTO button. It’s sure to be a “wild” time. Grrrr!

 

Aaah! So squishy!

Squishables $20 - $42

We LOVE squishables. So soft, so round, so amazing. And just about the cutest toy we’ve seen in a while. We’ve got all different species, prices range from $20 – $42, based on size. (You can see our availability here). Here’s a great use for them: they can be used as pillows on the couch or when traveling in addition to being a soft companion! How can you resist these? Recommended for ages 3+ only.

All images courtesy of squishable.com.

The days fly by

2012 Lego Calendar $12.99 Reg - FREE w. purchase

Although it’s MARCH already, we have a special way you can keep track of the time. Watch the days fly by with the 2012 Lego calendar, which you can have FREE with a $25 purchase. (Regular, $12.99) So fun!