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New Game for Tween Girls: Fortune Girls
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I love when game creators really go to the heart of what kids like! I have two daughters who are real girly-girls. They love dressing up, playing with dolls, looking at fashion, and doing my makeup. I haven't told them that I tried out a new game called Fortune Girls, that I know they'll absolutely fall in love with. I think I'll spring it on them this weekend when they'll have plenty of time to explore the site.

Fortune Girls is unlike any game I've seen before for girls -- and I've seen quite a few. Fortune Girls allows your daughter to create a character who then creates her own fashion line. Here's what sets the game apart, though: Your daughter must design her own fashion line choosing fabrics that fit her budget, market it, and distribute it all on a $100,000 budget.

Not only does Fortune Girls help hone girls' creativity by giving them a virtual design studio, it also teaches them the rigors and details of running their own business. Becoming a fashion diva is much more than having creative ideas, it's also about having the confidence and the business smarts to make dreams come true. That's what I love about Fortune Girls. When I allow my girls to play I also know they will be learning valuable lessons in the process. That makes me feel good as a parent.

On the Fortune Girls web site your daughters can also see what other girls are doing in their communities, send fun e-cards, and play mini-games.

On the Net: www.fortunegirls.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 7:48 AM, ,




2008 Hess Toy Truck With Front Loader
Monday, December 22, 2008

I have to admit, I didn't realize that there was such a huge Hess toy truck tradition. Hess has been making toy trucks since 1964 and each year they keep getting better and better.

Last week I received the 2008 Hess toy truck for review and cannot recommend it enough. When I took it out of the box I handed it to my seven-year-old daughter to try out. Her assessment: She loves it!

My youngest daughter, who has a firetruck she absolutely adores, came back to me after playing with the Hess truck for over an hour and declared it is much, much better than her firetruck. That is saying a lot since she cannot be parted with her beloved firetruck.

The Hess truck has 38 working lights, which incidentally are a huge hit with my daughter. It also has authentic ignition, horn and backup alerts that are amazing for a young child's vivid imagination. With the Hess truck comes a front loader with 18 working lights, a motor which moves it forward and backward, a movable bucket arm, and a working shovel.

You can purchase the Hess truck for $22.99 (a steal!) at participating Hess gas stations. Take a look at one of the 2008 Hess truck commercials.



And visit http://www.hesstoytruck.com to find participating locations near you where you can purchase the truck for the holidays. It also comes with four Energizer batteries included.
- Jennifer James, Editor

On the Net: www.hesstoytruck.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM, ,




Last Minute Shopping Tips from PresentProfessor.com
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Okay, so you're looking at the calendar and realizing you have just 1 week till Christmas--and you still have shopping to do. Where do you turn? For kids, it's all about the toys. For you, it's "How do I not have to step foot into a crowded toy store replete with frustrated parents and empty shelves?" Thankfully, Amazon allows you to order up till Thursday, December 18 and still qualify for free shipping for orders over $25.


Some great, current deals on toys:


Don't forget Best Buy's store-pickup option, available till 3 p.m. on December 24. I love DVD boxed sets--they offer your recipient hours of content to pore through and are often a great value. The complete Godfather collection ($34.99; $54.99 for Blu-Ray) is an offer that you, perhaps, cannot refuse. And complete seasons of a wide variety of TV shows (Smurfs, The Shield, Friends--just make sure you give them to the right people!) go for just $19.99.

For the serious procrastinator, a trip to the grocery store may be in order. There, you can pick up tins of tea, bags of Starbucks coffee, pretty bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and real maple syrup (as opposed to the Mrs. Butterworth variety, which is as close to real maple syrup as it is made by a homely woman wearing an apron). For the kids, buy a magazine--then fill out the subscription form inside, giving them a year's worth of reads. And don't forget a hunk of chocolate for yourself--you've earned it, shopper!The Present Professor


For more tips visit PresentProfessor.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 9:47 AM, ,




The Tale of Despereaux: Coming to Theaters on December 19
Monday, December 8, 2008

There are few children's books that I love more than The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. If you haven't read it yet, it is absolutely riveting, even for an adult. It's an amazingly engaging novel with a wonderful plot and magnificent characters. I cannot say more about it than that. It's absolutely fantastic.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 7:21 PM, ,




Miquel's Wonderful Life
Sunday, December 7, 2008

It's Christmas, and the Santos family is getting ready for the festivities. Maya, in her enthusiasm, manages to mess up things for Miguel: she spills juice on his book report, volunteers him to hang a piñata in class (a task which makes him take a humiliating fall), volunteers him to wear a too-big Santa suit and follow her around wishing their neighbors happy holidays (his pants fall down in front of everyone), and smudges a painting he was making as a gift to his parents.

Frustrated, Miguel angrily declares that he wishes he never had a sister. The next day, he awakens to find his wish has come true; Maya doesn't exist, and nobody's ever heard of her. Paco (who has inexplicably become incredibly articulate) follows him around, commenting as Miguel takes in how the world has changed. At first, it seems like all his Maya-made troubles are over... but then Miguel sees how the lack of Maya's influence has adversely affected the world: Maggie and Chrissy aren't friends because they had a difference of opinion (which Maya had previously helped them overcome), Mr. Nguyen isn't their teacher because he felt unappreciated (Maya had made him feel appreciated), Jimmy McCorkle became a bully, etc. Finally realizing how much worse everything is without Maya, Miguel regrets he ever made the wish, and wishes it all to be reversed. Poof! The world goes back to normal. Maya is back, Miguel's painting is still ruined, and Miguel couldn't be happier to have a twin sister.


On the Net: www.pbskids.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:33 AM, ,




Questions for Curious Kids: Table Topics to Go
Saturday, December 6, 2008

Curiosity is one of the mainstays of early childhood. Children are always interested in knowing such things as why the sky is blue or where do babies come from. As much as kids love asking you questions, the next time they're in an inquisitive mood, have your kids ask each other questions.

Table Topics, a company that has built its success on conversation starters, has created a set of 40 questions for kids to ask each other if they're on a trip, at a sleepover, or if they're just plain bored. Questions such as "Are you afraid of anything?", "What's your favorite joke", and "What's your favorite Disney character?" will get their little minds thinking and give them constructive game-play. The Table Topics to Go for Kids retails for $9.00 and comes in a plastic slipcase.

My daughters, who are 10 and 7, love it and invariably learn something new about each other even though they're around each other the vast majority of each day Table Topics to Go for Kids is a great learning and discovery tool for children.


On the Net: http://www.tabletopics.com/

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 6:06 PM, ,




Teaching Children Empathy
Sunday, November 30, 2008

There is no written rule that says children must be self-centered simply because they are children. In fact, now is the time to teach them how to care for others so they will grow into respectable, empathetic citizens of this country and of the world.

The December issue of Reader's Digest features an article, Raising Kids Who Care, which highlights five ways to teach kids to think about others. Here are two:

Start them young: A mother from Darien, Connecticut got her 3 children involved in various volunteer organizations through Kids Care Clubs when her oldest was just 10 years old (now 20). They all took different paths, but they carried those lessons throughout their adolescence and are each still involved with volunteer work.

Involve their friends: A mother from Lake Oswego, Oregon attended a mother-daughter meeting of the National Charity League in an attempt to have more quality time with her two young children. The kids didn’t go willingly, but once they knew their friends were involved, they felt more comfortable. The eldest child, now 23, is in her second year with Teach for America. She remembers that her peer involvement from when she was younger made the experience fun and cool.

You can find the complete article online: http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/raising-kids-who-care/article104653.html

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 11:35 PM, ,




Strategies for Buying Lead-Free Toys This Holiday Season

As parents, we are all more aware about toxic toys especially as concerns about foreign-manufactured toys reached a peak last summer.

ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, shares four safety strategies to make sure your holiday gifts are free of lead and other dangers:

1. Know what toys to avoid. Steer clear of no-name toys and, regardless of your child's age, don't buy toys with small magnets, even if the magnets seem safely contained within the toy. Don't buy metal jewelry, especially the cheap stuff, for young children or allow them to play with key chains or items with metal charms. If you have an infant or toddler who still puts almost everything in her mouth, don't buy squeezable soft plastic toys or books. Unless it says "no phthalates" on the package, there's no way of knowing if they contain the chemical or not.

2. Buy according to a kid's age. Look for manufacturer's recommended age ranges on toy packaging. Age grading is more than a friendly hint. It can alert you to a possible choking hazard, the presence of small parts, and other dangers. And think twice before buying a toy with small parts for a child older than 3 who has a younger sibling. Keep all small round or oval objects, including coins, balls, and marbles, away from kids under 3.

3. Check for recalls. Before shopping, go to www.cpsc.gov, a government Web site, to see whether the toys you plan to buy (and the toys already in your home) have been recalled. Also, sign up for free e-mail notices of recalls at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. And if a product you buy comes with a registration card, fill it out and send it in so you will be notified directly by the manufacturer if the item is recalled. It's up to retailers to take recalled toys off store shelves but, once a recalled toy is in your home, it's up to you to keep it away from your family or return it ASAP.

4. Watch where you shop. Be leery of drugstores, airports, and dollar stores. They've been known to carry flimsy plastic toys with dangerous sharp edges or small parts that can break off easily. Thrift stores, consignment shops, yard and garage sales, and eBay often have toys in excellent condition, but check to see that they're well made and have no small magnets or parts. Wash the toys before giving them.

On the Net: www.shopsmartmag.org

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 5:50 PM, ,




Handmade Halloween
Thursday, October 30, 2008

You will not believe the ingenuity and creativity that went into these handmade Halloween costume ideas. Parents.com has done a fabulous job highlighting costumes you can make at home with a few craft items and a dash of patience.

If you are running short on time and money this Halloween you can make fun costumes that have more character than the ones you can buy. Making costumes with your hands is so special; you can even get your kids involved and make a day of it. Handmade Halloween costumes will make the spooky day that much more fun and special.

Want to know why this moose costume is creative? The antlers are made from stuffed cotton gloves and the ears are stuffed baby brown socks. Genius!

For more do-it-yourself Halloween costume ideas like a clown, dragon, ballerina, train, and cat visit Parents.com.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 7:37 AM, ,




My First Halloween
Tuesday, October 28, 2008


Planning the perfect Halloween party for kids requires the perfect mix of sweet and gooey food, spooky decorations, and, of course, you can't forget the scary music. So often, Halloween music is a little too scary for little ears to absorb, so we have the perfect solution for you.

Parents magazine has published a kid-friendly sing-along 15 song collection of spooktacular tunes for Halloween: My First Halloween. My First Halloween boasts tunes ranging from "Monster Mash" to " Head, Shoulders, Knees & Bones." All of the lyrics have been toned down and are available for download right on the CD. All you have to do is open the CD on your computer, right click, push "open" and all of the lyrics are published in PDF for easy viewing and printing. Love that!

My First Halloween is available nationwide at Target stores for $9.99.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM, ,




THE Perfect Stocking Stuffer for Kids
Monday, October 27, 2008

We cannot be more enthusiastic about Wett Giggles soap and fingernail brushes. First, all of the characters, nine in all, are absolutely cute and adorable from Beatrice (left) to Cato (below). And all of the Wett Giggles' nail brushes (which are encased in the glycerin soap) are named after a Shakespearean character because the creator of Wett Giggles, Karen St. Clair, loved to read Shakespeare when she was in school. Nice touch.

Each Wett Giggles organic glycerin soap is fruit-scented, made with shear butter and essential oils and is lovingly hand-made one at a time and comes with its very own soap holder so as not to ruin its shape too quickly or leave colorful soap suds all over your sink.

Your kids and all the ones you know will love finding one of the Wett Giggles at the bottom of their stocking this holiday season. Wett Giggles make bathtime fun and they also help children learn the importance of maintaining clean hands and fingernails.

Each soap with the nail brush is $10. Save 15% with any order over $20.

On the Net: www.wettgiggles.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM, ,




$2 Off Global Wonders
Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Parents everywhere are talking about the new entertainment and educational children's DVD series Global Wonders (TM). Be among the first to own the series debuting at Target and Toys "R" Us on October 21! Click here to download a coupon for $2 off your purchase of any Global Wonders DVD.

Don't forget to register on www.globalwonders.com to receive updates and promotional offers on a future library of titles covering cultures from around the world. Please share the news with your friends by forwarding this email.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 1:41 AM, ,




Trick or Treating Safety Tips

We know every year you read or hear the same old Halloween safety tips, but they definitely bear repeating. Make sure to remind your older children of these rules suggested by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to keep them safe.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 1:12 AM, ,




Cold Remedies From MommyDocs.com
Monday, October 20, 2008

Below are some sound tips from the board-certified MommyDocs (www.mommydocs.com), an online pediatric duo, who have dedicated their careers to tried-and-true child healthcare.

Rachel Schreiber, M.D., FAAAAI, is a board certified physician in both Allergy / Immunology and Internal Medicine, has published numerous articles in peer reviewed scientific journals, and was recently selected as one of "America's Top Physicians" by the Consumers' Research Council of America.

 Jamie Freishtat, M.D. is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C.

Alternative Remedy Tips for Parents:

Capsules, Powders, & Potions Beware: Keep in mind that herbal supplements should not be given to children. Vitamins should only be given under the direction of the pediatrician. The FDA doesn't regulate OTC supplements. Because young bodies process drugs differently, kids may be especially vulnerable to side effects.

No Honey for Infants: Honey should not be given to children under the age of one as it may contain bacterial spores that can cause infant botulism, a rare and serious form of food poisoning. Infant botulism affects a baby's nervous system and can result in death.

H2O & You, not Babies: Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day as it flushes out toxins and serves to rehydrate the body. Keeping the body hydrated through water consumption is important so that mucus membranes are also, in turn, hydrated and thus able to effectively expelling virus particles. Babies under the age of one should not drink water unless advised by a pediatrician.

Warm vs. Cool Mist Humidifiers: Humidifiers are a solution to coughs and stuffed up noses as they hydrate mucus membranes, helping the body expel germs more effectively. Look for bacteria-eliminating features like in the Vicks GermFree Humidifier, which features a patented UV light chamber that kills up to 99.999% of bacteria, mold and spores in the water vapor that enters the air. For maximum safety in the nursery, use a Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier.

Saline Drops vs. Spray: For nasal congestion in babies, consider using nasal saline drops, which are gentler, and a bulb syringe to help loosen and clear mucus. For older children, you can use a nasal saline spray.

On the Net: www.mommydocs.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 3:25 AM, ,




Preventing the Flu
Sunday, October 19, 2008

Did you know kids miss 38 million school days from the flu and parents miss 10 million work days to take care of them? Those are astonishing statistics and they can largely be prevented.

What's even more troubling is there are 38,000 flu-related deaths each year. Richard Kanowitz lost his 4 1/2-year-old daughter in 2004 and wants to educate parents about getting their kids the flu vaccine.

Kanowitz's organization has partnered with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Novartis Vaccines called to start the Let's Fight Flu Together! program.

PTA will host vaccination clinics for students and their families, teachers and community at participating schools and community centers. A complete list of scheduled clinics can be found at www.PTA.org/flushotclinics.


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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 11:37 PM, ,




Say "Boo!" to the Flu
Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suggested children from the age of six months through 18 years should receive a flu shot each year.

To spread awareness of the flu vaccine for children, Families Fighting Flu (FFF), the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA), and The Clorox Company have teamed up to help educate families through the Say "Boo!" to the Flu program.

The program features a bus tour that will travel across the country, stopping along the way to vaccinate families in 12 cities and give them the tricks they need to fight the flu virus this flu season.

Tips for Scaring Away the Flu:

On the Net: www.sayboototheflu.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:32 AM, ,




ECHOage: Teaching Children About Giving Back
Monday, October 6, 2008

We absolutely love the simple, yet altruistic concept behind ECHOage.com. ECHOage allows parents to send electronic birthday invitations to friends and family on behalf of their children and request money for their child's birthday gift. ECHOage then divides the gift amount in half and the birthday boy or girl gets to choose one big meaningful gift and then the remaining money goes to the charity they've chosen.

Parents and children together have the opportunity to pick the invitation design as well as the charity, making the invitation process fun, exciting, and a learning experience. Most importantly, through ECHOage parents are able to teach their children the virtues of simplicity, giving, and saving the environment.

ECHOage.com will undoubtedly become a sensation among parents, especially mothers who strive to find new ways to simplify the birthday party process. ECHOage.com takes the e-invitation concept one step further by allowing friends and family to give without having to shop while also having the satisfaction of teaching a young child the virtue of giving back. One thing, though: the charity list is rather sparse at the moment at about five to choose from. We suspect, though, there will soon be a plethora of charities that children and parents can choose from that represent a wider expanse of giving options.
On the Net: www.echoage.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM, ,




All Natural Halloween Candy
Friday, October 3, 2008

These days it is very easy to buy all-natural candy for your Halloween gatherings and your kids will never know the difference, and they won't care either because they're just as good as their overly processed counterparts.

NaturalCandyStore.com offers their candy picks for the Halloween season. What we like best about NaturalCanyStore.com is that you can choose candy that fits your lifestyle. For example, if you and your family are vegans you can choose vegan candy. If you are looking specifically for organic candy, you can find that in the e-store as well. Here's what they recommend:

Surf Sweets Gummies - Look for brand new single-serving size bags of Gummy Bears and larger bags of creepy-crawly Gummy Worms or vegan Sour Gummy Worms.

Pure Fun Organic Hard Candy - Individually-wrapped favorites like Fruit Lollipops, Root Beer Float Candy, and Raspberry Chocolate-Filled Candy sparkle with clear, bright flavors.

Glee Gum - Made from natural chicle gum base harvested sustainably in Central American rainforests (instead of synthetic plastic). New kid-friendly Bubblegum and Triple Berry flavors are now available in mini packs.
On the Net: www.naturalcandystore.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 3:36 AM, ,




Are Your Kids Ready for the ACT/SAT? Here's How to Find Out
Thursday, October 2, 2008

You remember what it was like preparing for the SAT, don't you? That was a stressful time, for sure. We recall the pressure to score high like it was yesterday. If you are wondering if your child is ready to take the ACT or SAT Sylvan has devised a quiz to determine your child's test readiness.

SAT/ACT Readiness Quiz:
Please answer the following questions with a "yes" or "no." For each "yes," give yourself and your teen 2 points. At the end of the quiz, add up your points and see how prepared your teen is for SAT and ACT.

1. Do you and your teen feel confident that his classes, such as
Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry, and school have prepared him for the
SAT/ACT?
2. Have you and your teen identified her weakest subject areas and developed a strategy for those portions of the tests?
3. Is your teen familiar with the rules of the SAT vs. the ACT? (For example, is there a penalty for answering incorrectly?)
4. Have you bought, and opened, a test prep review book for your teen?
5. Have you made a SAT/ACT study schedule with your teen to set aside a minimum amount of time each day or week?
6. Has your teen made his own flashcards outside of those provided in a review packet?
7. Has your teen taken more than one practice exam for the SAT or the ACT?
8. Has your teen practiced writing an essay in 25 minutes?
9. Has your teen developed a timing strategy for the test?
10. Has your teen enrolled in or taken a test prep course?

SCORING

0-5 Points
It's never too late for your teen to begin preparing for either test! Here are tips that your teen can use to begin preparing now. And remember, there are always multiple test dates!
- Buy a test preparation book.
- Make flash cards.
- Enroll in a test preparation class.
- Take a practice SAT/ACT test.

5-10 Points
Congratulate your teen on beginning to practice for the SAT/ACT. Now is a perfect time for your teen to concentrate on creating a "SAT/ACT study guide." Here are some tips you can give your teen to get started.
- Divide the study guide into three sections: math, critical reading
and writing.
- For each section, write down your weak areas.
- Under the weak areas, write down any formulas, vocabulary words or
grammar rules that you need to learn.
- Flip through the quick guide once a day.

10-15 Points
Practice makes perfect. Give your teen these testing tips to consider while he continues to map out his strategy for the big day.
- Skip an answer. If you are unsure of an answer, skip the question and
go back if time permits.
- Share your time. Don't spend too much time on any single question.
- Read, read, read. Read the questions and answers critically.
- End each section by reviewing. Revisit the questions that you either
circled or marked with a question mark.
- Stop and check. After every few questions, stop and check to make
sure the question number on the answer sheet corresponds with the question
being answered in the test booklet.

15-20 Points
Your teen is on her way to achieving a great score on the SAT or the ACT! Give her these last minute tips to top off her test preparation.
- Enter the exam with confidence. Know the instructions for each
section before you enter the exam room -- don't waste time reading the
instruction the day of the exam.
- The night before, read a book or a magazine. This is a good way to
work your mind with a non-stressful subject.
- Get a good night sleep before the exam.
- Always eat breakfast.
- Relax! You're prepared. Go in confident.

To find out more about SAT/ACT test preparation opportunities at Sylvan
Learning, visit
http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/test-preparation/index.cfm.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:06 AM, ,




Help Your Children With Dental Health
Tuesday, September 30, 2008

I don't know about you, but my kids have always been envious that I can use mouthwash and they can't. At ten and seven there is no way their tiny mouths could handle the burning sensation of mouthwash no matter how much they really, really want to try it.

My girls will be ecstatic when I bring home Listerine's Agent Cool Blue. It's not a mouthwash, instead it's a mouth rinse for children age six and older that temporarily tints their teeth blue helping them pay attention to brushing their teeth thoroughly. This alcohol-free rinse comes in two flavors: Glacier Mint and Bubble Blast.

Listerine's Agent Cool Blue is in stores now and retails for $5.29.

On the Net: www.ListerineKids.com. Learn more about your children's dental health at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Web site at www.aapd.org.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 7:57 AM, ,




It's PLAYSKOOL's 8O Year Anniversary
Monday, September 29, 2008

It's hard to believe PLAYSKOOL is 80 years old, but it's true. This year PLAYSKOOL has developed great new toys to celebrate their momentous occasion like their Playskool Mr. Potato Head Celebration Spud.

The PLAYSKOOL Celebration Spud comes with 80 special parts and pieces including a festive party hat, birthday cake and fire extinguisher to put out all those candles this potato is ready to party.

(PLAYSKOOL/Ages 2 years and up/Approximate Retail Price: $24.99)

BUY Playskool Mr. Potato Head Celebration Spud

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:00 AM, ,




Have Twins? Must-Have Tee for Halloween
Thursday, September 25, 2008

Twin wear is so cute, isn't it! We had never heard of TrendyTwinShop.com before, but were pleasantly surprised by what we saw. If you have two peas in a pod you'll definitely love this mom-owned e-boutique.

Two moms, Jodi Firestone and Karen Denker, decided to start TrendyTwinShop.com to cater to moms of twins who are having difficulty finding trendy matching and coordinated outfits for their twins.

Check out their adorable Trick or Treat Twin Tee for Halloween. Sold as a pair. $38.95/ short sleeve and $42.95/ long sleeve
On the Net: www.trendytwinshop.com

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 9:35 AM, ,




New Fall Arrivals at Little MissMatched
Wednesday, September 24, 2008

We love Little MissMatched! As moms of girls we know how keen girls are with their wardrobe, but when they're really young they could care less about being perfectly matched; in fact plaid and stripes seems like a pretty good combination to them.

Little MissMatched exudes a style our girls love and they have brand-new fall arrvials.

LittleMissMatched is offering Free Shipping on all orders over $75 (except for furniture).

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 9:33 AM, ,




Everybody Wins: Bridging the Literacy Gap
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

If you caught the Democratic National Convention and saw the tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy you probably heard him speak of an organization close to his heart called Everyone Wins. It is an amazing organization that strives to bridge the literacy gap between low-income elementary school children and their higher income counterparts.

Everybody Wins pairs these children with reading mentors who volunteer their time during school hours to read one-on-one with children who have had a slower start in life.

To help this worthy cause, you can either donate money or volunteer your time to read to a child. To learn more, visit http://www.everybodywins.org/.

Here's the Convention Tribute to Ted Kennedy where you can see how Everybody Wins has impacted the lives of children.



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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 8:27 AM, ,




Introducing Maru: New Doll With Ethnic Appeal
Monday, September 22, 2008

It's great that doll makers are now taking into consideration the ethnic diversity of the nation's children when making toys. Maru, a Hispanic doll, is based on the story of an 8-year-old girl who is new to the country and her friends, Tanya and Jaime, who help her adjust. Maritza Gutierrez, who has been in the marketing business in Miami for the last 25 years, wanted to create a doll that reflects the lives of young girls like Maru.

"In writing this book and creating these dolls, I want to bring to life a Latin girl's journey to the United States," said Maru and Friends(TM) creator Maritza Gutierrez. "I hope to help create a better sense of understanding and unity among young girls."

Chronicling Maru's journey to America and her life here is a storybook that comes with the doll. Maru and Friends(TM) dolls are already available for purchase at http://www.maruandfriends.com/ . Each doll comes complete with outfit and storybook and is made from the finest materials. These dolls are recommended for girls 3 years and up.

Source: Maru (TM)

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 7:03 AM, ,




Japanese House Building Blocks by Haba
Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Saw this amazing Japanese House Building Block set on Asianmommy.com. Love it! Toys that allow children's imaginations to soar are tops in our book.

Haba, we have discovered, is an amazing wood and textiles manufacturing company whose mission is to create inventive toys for children. In addition to this play set, they also have architectural building blocks for major landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Roman Colosseum, among others.

On the Net: www.haba.de or you can conveniently find their products on Amazon.com.

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 12:18 AM, ,




My Little Pony Live
Friday, August 29, 2008

On September 16th Paramount Home Entertainment will release the very cute My Little Pony Live! The World's Biggest Tea Party on DVD! Pinkie Pie and her friends are planning the best tea party ever! When Pinkie arrives she realizes she forgot the tea. Now it is up to the ponies to save the party! Get ready for some sing-a-long fun as MY LITTLE PONY LIVE! THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TEA PARTY comes to DVD on September 16th, 2008!

Synopsis:
Pinkie Pie and her friends are planning "The World's Biggest Tea Party" and every pony has promised to bring something special to make the celebration positively perfect. As Pinkie Pie arrives at the party, she realizes that she forgot something very important - the tea! Will the ponies be able to save The World's Biggest Tea Party? Join Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity the Unicorn and all your pony friends as they learn that teamwork and true friendship always come to the rescue!

Special Features:

* Sing-A-Longs
o "Where Do Rainbows Come From"
o "Make A New Friend Everyday"
o "Positively Pink"
o "Friendship & Flowers"
o "We're The Lady Bugs"

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posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 11:48 AM, ,