MumsTheWurdUnique finds for hip parents and cool kids

As a mother of a toddler, and another little one following close behind, I’m   always on the lookout for a safe, fun, inspired toys for them. I’ve found just that in the Bugabike. Made from wood it’s right up my alley. I love that down the road, even if it were to end up in a landfill it’s not a huge lump of plastic to sit for all of eternity. I love eco-friendly pieces for my family. I think that this bike could very well end up as a family heirloom.
I could go on about how great this bike is. It’s so sturdy and my boy will be able to use it once my girl has outgrown it. I haven’t mentioned yet that it doens’t have pedals! Yes, you read that right, no pedals! This bike is for little ones to learn balance. No bulky training wheels that stick out and make early bike riding even more difficult. With this balancing system they move the bike with their feet while building confindence.
Besides all of it’s other qualities, the Bugabike is just so darn cute! We can easily bring it into our apartment in the evening, where she gladly sits on it all evening!
Since the year 2000 they have sold about 72,000 Bugabikes throughout the world. The Bugabike has received several awards, and has been tested by specialists.
Check out their website here

We have a long standing love affair with Boon.  It started with the Potty Bench and the Frog Pod, but they’ve expanded their line quite extensively since then!  Now they’ve got a sweet little Layette line for the wee ones.  Lennon has this DNA Bodysuit, which was perfect for Summer.  Now that we’re into the colder months, how about a Coverall & Hat set in Pacifier?

You might have noticed on Boon’s website, that they now offer a complete line of ergonomic cups, cutlery, and dishware, ALL of which are BpA, Phthalate, and PVC free.  Does your baby need a place to sit while dining, while using all of this state-of-the-art dishware?  Very soon, you will see my guest post on one of  ZRecommends awesome network of blogs, Polliwogged, discussing our newest love, and excellent addition to the Boon family of products, the Flair Highchair.  I’ll let you know as soon as it’s posted…and until then, help yourself to ALL of Boon’s products!

P.S. This would look pretty great next to the Frog Pod.  Do I need a little girl to go with it though?

Sugarplum Dreams is a very lovely online boutique offering everything you could think of for your little one. From Lotions and Potions to Baby and Children’s furniture they’re bound to be a boutique that you have bookmarked. At Sugarplum Dreams you’ll be able to outfit and decorate your baby and your nursery. But don’t stop there! Have older children? Sugarplum Dreams hasn’t left them out. There are tons of imagination building, educational and just plain fun toys!

Not only do they have an extremely wide selection of items for your baby, but they are all about building relationships. They Strive for excellent customer service and welcome all inquiries, from questions about your purchase to potty training, they want to be there to support you in your motherhood journey.

Don’t miss out! Right now through December 31st get 15% off all purchases $50 or more using the code: MUMS15.

When you have kids all you want to do is protect them. It’s not always easy within this techy-filled world we live in. Children by the age of 2 are learning how to play online. I’m always on the hunt for safe, child friendly websites.

Well, two amazing Mama’s have come up with a website that you can let your children play on without worry! That’s right parents, you can breathe freely when your kids are playing on the All Star Buddies website. There are seven different Buddies to choose from. Once you purchase a plush Buddy [$14.95], you’ll have the code to access the “Locker Room” where you sign in and customize their features such as eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth, the possibilities are endless! Once they have their Buddy all ready to go, He/She can enter Varsity Heights where it’s game-playing galore. Your child can play games that rack up points, in which they can then buy virtual items for their Buddy. It’s not all games in Varsity Heights though, there are several brain challenging games because being an All-Star isn’t only about playing, it’s about learning too!

Mothers Caryn Burns and Cindy Prince created All Star Buddies from the two things they knew best, kids and sports. Each comes from different career backgrounds: Caryn, the buyer and merchandiser of a family-run pharmacy; and Cindy, a CSW specializing in counseling adolescents and families. Together, they combined their knowledge and enthusiasm to create All Star Buddies, a series of interactive based plush toys that teach kids real-life lessons and healthy living in a fun and imaginative way.

Win it! Enter here and tell us which Buddy is your favorite! Winner will be selected randomly, and contacted via email. Contest ends October 23rd at 10pm (CST).

We are sad to announce that Fooey USA will be closing it’s virtual doors.  However, they are having a closeout sale that you won’t want to miss!  It’s all rad stuff, and it’s super cheap!  My mom got these shorts for Noel & Lennon (they won’t fit Noel next summer) for $8.99!  They are SOOOOO CUTE.  Fooey’s also got the best collection of shirts for kids and infants.  Some are as low as $3.99, people, but they won’t last!  Get over there, and say goodbye to one of the best stores out there.  Fooey, we are sorry to see you go!

On a sunnier note, Ashlee has come up with a new name for her store!  Nonny & Boo, formerly Nest Baby Sling, now offers even more great items, like wraps (that are the coolest EVER), hoodies, and plushies!  As usual, Ashlee’s wares are quite simply the coolest!  Pictured here, are Steph and Ivy in nonny & boo’s bamboo sling.  We have this sling, and Elliott and I share it.  We love it.  The fabric is light, but very strong, and it works well going out in the Texas heat.  We just heart the lady over at nonny & boo, and you will too.

K’nex weren’t something I was familiar with before I had kids, but I always thought they’d be something I’d want to get for our boys…in the future.  They definitely seemed like an “older kids” toy, with their models of vehicles and thrill rides.  Well, now K’nex are finally available for smaller children!  You don’t have to wait too long to help your little one learn building skills.  We’ve also been excited to have the opportunity to share one of our favorite childhood shows with our kids-Sesame Street!  

Noel has been having a great time building “Oska“.  He puts him together every day.  I was amazed that he was able to do it so easily, with a little help.  He knew where to put the arms and legs, and how to make his “body”.  We love Oscar!  

If your kids are fans of Sesame Street, you’re sure to find the perfect K’nex Sesame Street Character for them.  With seven to choose from, including Ernie, Bert, Abby, and Super Grover, there’s one for everyone!  

Want one of your own??

WIN IT!

Sesame Street K’nex

Click HERE to enter and tell us which Sesame Street character is your favorite. Contest ends Friday, October 10rd at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!

Thanks, TeamMom, for another great find!

We’ve been Noggin addicts since Roo was about Jasper’s age and we know most of its programming by heart. We were really excited when Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! came on the air. Its simple storylines and drawing style are charming and the episodes wrap up with a catchy song that showcases the moral of the story. When we received a package of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! items to review, I assumed Roo would be the one to go ga-ga over it.

She did immediately latch on to the new DVD (A Tale of Tails) but Jasper claimed the stuffed Wubbzy and electronic board book for himself. I am slightly embarrassed to report that his first recognizable utterance is very clearly “Wow! Wow!”

Roo suggested “maybe Jasper and I can share Wubbzy!” Uh, yeah, you try to wrench the little yellow guy from your baby brother. Let me know how that works for you… I think we might be better off just getting a second Wubbzy doll! Laura informs me that Noel is crazy about Wubbzy and his friends, too! You can enter to win a giant Wubbzy prize pack on YouTube in the Wubbzy Dance Contest. Just film your child’s stylin’ dance moves and upload it for your chance to win a Disco Dancing Wubbzy Doll, Wubbzy, Walden and Widget plush dolls, a collection of 6 Wubbzy books and A Tale of Tails DVD!

Feeling camera shy? Scroll down to win a Wubbzy gift pack, including DVD, books, Kooky Kollectible toy and plush Wubbzy doll!

WIN IT!

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Prize Pack

Click HERE to enter and tell us which Wubbzy! character is your favorite. Contest ends Friday, October 3rd at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!

This review is also posted at superdumb supervillain! Enter over there for a separate chance to win!

Yes, I remember the mania.  I was deeply immersed in it.  In 1983, the one and only thing my little heart desired was my very own Cabbage Patch Kid.  I don’t know what it was about these chubby little dolls that made my heart go all aflutter, but I was desparate to adopt one of my very own.  I COVETED this doll with everything in me.  

Before Christmas of that year, I spent the night with a friend who had FOUR CPKs.  Yes, I was jealous, and yes, we got in a fight over them.  The fight involved who was going to be “mom” to which doll, and it ended with my friend taking them all and saying, “I bet you’ll never even HAVE your own!”  Yes, my heart crumbled into a million pieces at that second.

Well, wouldn’t you know…Santa came through like a champ, and delivered Elisha Jaqueline to my house on Christmas night, 1983.  I loved her with all my might.  Thanks to a grandma that liked to indulge her granddaughters, Elisha had her own stroller, high chair, and swing, and eventually even had her own sibling, Lily Jean (I opted to change her name from Eugenie Lillian).

When I received my 25th Anniversary Kid, I turned into that little 7 year-old girl once again.  The oddly shaped box!  The Adoption Certificate!  The DOLL!  I hesitated before opening it…This could be a collectible, afterall.  Then Noel came in and saw “the baby”.  Well, when it was clear that tears would come if we didn’t get that baby out of the box, I came to my senses and took Raquel Mercedes out of her box.  The first thing that hit me was The Smell.  If you had a CPK, you know what I’m talking about.  That powdery baby smell.  I immediately checked her bottom for The Signature: Xavier Roberts was a genius.  There it was, his signature, with a “25″ included.  

Noel thinks she is pretty cool.  I have found him feeding her sippy cups several times, and I think he might like her better than he likes his little brother.  SHE doesn’t cry, afterall…

Many thanks to Team Mom for the opportunity to review the 25th Anniversary Cabbage Patch Kid!

Whenever I think about all of the recent toy recalls and the safety of my toddler, Natural Pod always comes to mind. I never have to blink an eye or worry when I see her playing with something from this conscientious boutique out of Vancouver BC. Bridgitte (Natural Pod founder) has got something really good going here and we’re lucky to have them around.

Natural Pod has quite a few new products to offer. It’s hard to just pick a few of them to feature here but here are some of my favorites:

Farm yard knob puzzle - Help your children learn to recognize shapes.

Organic Play Dough - Contains 100% certified organic ingredients.

Natural barn - Excellent for imaginative play!

We have such a fantastic relationship with the folks at Natural Pod and that is because we both have the same goal in mind for our children: letting them play with safe, quality products. This company is by far one of the best natural product companies out there.

Natural Pod would like to offer one lucky MumsTheWurd reader a $200 gift certificate to their eBoutique! You can choose from a huge variety of safe and unique products from their online boutique.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

• First name
• Email address

The comment section is located at the bottom of this post, just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it). (For those of you who are receiving this post in your inbox or via RSS feed, you must visit this post on our site to leave your giveaway entry comment).

*YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. I can’t stress that enough. Even if you have a blog, please leave your first name and email address in your comment. We always feel bad if we pick a winner that ends up being unreachable. We need to be able to reach you via email if you win. You can even type your email address in this fashion: name at yahoo dot com, in case you’re worried about the spam robots. We hate them too.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules (don’t let the words “official” and “rules” scare you. We’re really nice people, I swear). New prizes have been added, even a couple of “mystery” prizes!

GOOD LUCK!

I’m a picky mom when it comes to toy storage in my house. I don’t want too many storage bins or toy boxes lying around with toys hanging out of them. One little predicament we managed to get ourselves into was too many of those furry friends piling up, also known as “stuffed animals”. The more we weed out, the more we accumulate. I know that we will have a never-ending supply of stuffed animals for years to come.

A unique manufacturer of baby, kid and parenting products by the name of Boon has a sensible solution to your stuffed friend pile-up. It’s called the Animal Bag. The Animal Bag is a Godsend. I have freed up so many shelves and toy boxes because of this fabulous invention.

Animal Bags are available in different sizes and colors. Not only are they a perfect storage solution, they are a great option for extra seating. Your child’s precious softies are easy to get in and out of the bag thanks to the over sized zippers and mesh windows.

As a part of our First Anniversary Bash, Boon is giving our readers a chance to win an Oval Animal Bag (a $60 retail value)! The winner may choose from two colors, pink or green.

TO ENTER THE BOON ANIMAL BAG GIVEAWAY:

Leave a COMMENT on this post INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

• First name
• Email address
• Your Animal Bag color choice (pink or green)

The comment section is located just under the three little buttons (sk*rt this/vote for me/digg it) at the bottom of this post.

YOU MUST LEAVE CONTACT INFO IN YOUR COMMENT. I can’t stress that enough. Even if you have a blog, please leave your first name and email address in your comment. We always feel bad if we pick a winner that ends up being unreachable. We need to be able to reach you via email if you win. You can even type your email address in this fashion: name at yahoo dot com, in case you’re worried about the spam robots. We hate them too.

Check out THIS post for more official anniversary bash news and rules (don’t let the words “official” and “rules” scare you. We’re really nice people, I swear).

GOOD LUCK!

..and don’t forget, there are going to be MORE prizes offered each day this week. Visit THIS POST to find the links to enter them all! A new, active giveaway will be announced each day.

Check out all that Boon has to offer related to feeding, storage, bath/potty, newborn/toddler jewelry and their newest product, Boon Layette (coming Spring 2008!

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