Quite possibly the cutest baby hat ever.

My Baby Clothes Boutique offers a really large selection of unique children's clothes and accessories perfect for everyday or if your looking for that really special outfit for your Christmas cards or special occasion. We were recently given the chance to review an item from their collection and I just could not resist the Trendy Soft Navy Blue Beanie Visor. I absolutely love baby hats and I really wanted something Dylan could wear for awhile and would go with just about everything we had.

Dylan has worn the Trendy Soft Navy Blue Beanie Visor almost daily since we got it and it looks great with a dressy outfit like he has on in these pictures but just as good with just a romper as well.

My Baby Clothes Boutique has a great selection of holiday outfits as well. You can also feel pretty good about the fact that your kid's outfits from My Baby Clothes Boutique won't be the same ones on everyone else's Christmas cards!! If your looking for something super super cute for your little man, or even little girl as this outfit could go either way, the Santa Tee and Corduroy Pants will look super adorable in pictures or on Christmas day!

Check out the My Baby Clothes Boutique website if your looking for a unique gift or that special outfit!

Disclosure: I was given a Santa Tee outfit and a Blue Beanie Hat for review, we were not compensated for this post in any other way. My opinions and comments on items we review are always my own and are never influenced by sponsors.

Find the ultimate gift for kids at Maukilo!!

Maukilo is easily in my top five favorite online toy stores of all time. If I won the lottery I'd easily spend days browsing their catalog looking for those special toys to bring home. I wont even lie I do that now just drooling over the selection. They are especially great if you value toys who inspire creativity and will last a lifetime. Maukilo offers a huge selection of amazingly gorgeous wooden toys, knit dolls, arts and crafts, a super cool selection of ride on toys, not to mention a ton of others.

We recently received a BlaBla Basil Bunny MINI Knit Doll which was absolutely the perfect stocking stuffer for Dylan. Connor received his first BlaBla doll on his first Christmas and it's been that one special stuffed animal which no matter what his current "like" is I always find Spot curled up somewhere on Connor's bed. So soft and huggable these knit plush age well and actually get softer and softer. We've washed Connor's several times as well, though I do highly recommend you air dry them just to protect them. I can't wait to give Dylan his Basil and I love the mini size for babies as they are just the right size for infants and toddlers to hold and snuggle with.

If your looking for an affordable and long lasting toy for a child on your Christmas list any of the Haba block sets are a great investment. Our very first wooden toy, as well as one of the most beloved toys in the house, is our Haba Fantasy Blocks set.  Everyone that sees them has to touch them and explore all their different sides and textures. Even Dylan can't keep his hands off of them!! It's also the one toy I most enjoy playing with my boys, as the colors and unusual shapes makes building with them always new and exciting. When people ask me what to buy for baby showers or birthdays they are the one toy I recommend most often. They are just one of those toys your kids will enjoy at one as well as ten!

I think you will be very pleased with the selection of toys at Maukilo and the selection of drool worthy toys is fun to browse. Check them out on the Maukilo website!!

Maukilo was generous enough to give us a $25 gift certificate for one lucky winner!


To Enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Just check out the Maukilo website and let us know what toy you'd most like to get for someone on your holiday list!
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  
  
  • For an extra entry - Please post each extra entry in a separate post  :
  • Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add my button to your sidebar and let me know its there. (please note if you have our old button on your sidebar you'll need to update the link/image) 
  • Subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • Let people know about the giveaway on Twitter with a link to the giveaway! 
  • Join our Facebook Page!
  • BONUS - I'm allowing a fifth entry for a limited time for those of you who have previously blogged/linked to us in exchange for an entry. Update all the links you have on your site going to our old url (sevendogs) to superheroboy.com and get a extra entry. All you have to do is replace superheroboy in the link where sevendogsandababy appears. 
  • This contest will end December 15th at midnight!
  
  
  
   Disclosure: I was given a Basil Knit Bunny for review, we were not compensated for this post in any other way. My opinions and comments on items we review are always my own and are never influenced by sponsors.

Connor's favorite things 2009!

It's almost Christmas again and here we are counting down some of our favorite holiday reviews from 2009! Regardless if your still looking for the perfect holiday gift or if your looking for something as a birthday gift for the upcoming months we pick our holiday gift guide items, like items from all of our gift guides, based on our own personal experiences. Only the toys/gifts we would really love to get ourselves make it into our guides! This year I really wanted to focus on more budget friendly gift ideas so most of our gift items are under $30.

Gifts for Kids :

Step2 Lifestyle Partytime Kitchen - Actually any of the kitchen sets from Step2 would make for a fabulous gift for a boy or girl on your list! I knew this year was the perfect year to get Connor his first kitchen set as he's been bringing me make believe Diet Coke's for weeks now on little make believe platters. I can only imagine what amazing meals he is going to cook up for us on his new little kitchen. This is the actual kitchen Connor will be receiving from Santa this year and we ended up choosing it based on its size. We wanted a full kitchen set but space is at a premium and I love the compact design of this kitchen and the fact that it still includes all the features of some of the bigger sets!

Learning Resources Play Food - What kitchen set would be complete without some fabulous play food to cook in it? We went to a major toy store and was just heartbroken by the quality of some of the food sets we saw. I really like to buy toys that I feel will last and seeing as we are about to have a second little boy in the house we need them to last through at least two little ones. Learning Resources offers a awesome selection of pretend food and the quality is fabulous! We recently did a review of the Pretend and Play Sliceable Fruit and Vegetables set and fell in love.

Cabbage Patch Pop N Style - What is better, the classic charm and nostalgic value of the Cabbage Patch doll combined with a really cool and unique hair styling system. No little girl on your list will be able to resist them, or that fabulous baby powder Cabbage Patch smell! Each Cabbage Patch Pop N Style come with three interchangeable hair clips which pop in to change the look of the doll. Plus you can buy extra hair clips to make even more styles!

Olive Kids Mealtime Sets - If you spent five minutes in my house I bet you could spot at least a few personalized creations from Olive Kids. Our recent addition has been a lifesaver as not only has it helped convenience Connor to eat his dinner but it gets him excited about the whole process as well. What kid wouldn't love to eat their dinner off their own personalized plate and place mat. Wait... so would I!! Where are all the "mommy" place mats?! heh.

VTech V.Smile Motion - The ultimate affordable video game system designed just for the preschooler through school aged child. No need to spend a zillion dollars on a video game system when the V.Smile Motion is priced very reasonably at under $50! As well kids are encouraged to move, learn, and have fun and the system is totally compatible with all the other V.Smile game cartridges! For ages 3-7 it will have a very long life in your household, and we recommend you buy an extra controller and a set of rechargeable batteries as well.

Alex Toys - Monster Play All Day Set - I had been looking and looking for a board game that Connor could play on his own. Though this isn't exactly a board game it certainly fits the bill and Connor couldn't be more thrilled. Actually I almost can't remember what my living room looks like without monster cards all over the rug. The Monster Play All Day Set comes in its own cool carrying case and includes a very sturdy and cute memory game, mix and match monsters game, and card game. All of which are toddler/preschooler friendly and durable with the exception of the card game which we put aside for when Connor is just a bit older as I was afraid he would tear the cards. The best part is it all stores in its own carrying case at the end of the day!

Mighty World Play sets - I'm without a doubt a huge Mighty World fan. Actually the only problem I have with Mighty World is that I don't own the entire collection. We've shared in the past that Connor's daddy is a police officer and Connor is absolutely fascinated with anything involving police cars or even fire trucks. Mighty World gives us a opportunity to really get in the action of what Daddy does for a living and have fun in the process. Plus as he gets older he can customize his Mighty World cars as many of the pieces are interchangeable, a point that I haven't really brought up to him yet as he is still a bit young. Whatever your into, be it construction, emergency vehicles, or even just around the town play there is a Mighty World play set for you! For those with little girls check out the equestrian play set, I know I want one!

YooKiddoo - Flow N Fill Spout - YooKiddoo's line of toys from International playthings are incredibly unique and I'm determined that at some point we will own all of them. However there was one in particular that we have been waiting on since the day we saw the press release. Connor loves water, and he loves bath time, the only problem is he's heartbroken the moment you turn off the water as his favorite thing on earth is to "wash" his toys and fill up his cups under the running water. Without going broke on my water bill I can only allow this to go on for so long. The Flow N Fill Spout is a total lifesaver as it provides Connor will a constant stream of water to play with while in the bath and my water bill will not suffer. If I had to recommend only one bath toy in the entire world, this would be the one hands down.

Gifts for the Grownups :

Mimobots - I love this one so much I brought it back from last year's gift guide. Actually I'm reminded on a daily basis just how amazingly cool Mimobots are as my own little Mimobot keeps me company at my desk all the time. He's actually been my faithful companion back and forth to school all of last year and I never go anywhere without someone asking what he is! Mimobots are quite simply the coolest USB drive you will ever own and anyone on your list would be excited to have one. Though if your looking for something for the dads or men on your list you should really consider the new Star Wars Mimobots. We scored a Darth Vadar and he is quite simply the coolest thing ever. When you remove the cap, or Darth Vadar's helmet that is, you expose not only the USB adapter but Darth Vadar's face. Now that's stinking cool.

Little Missmatched - I don't care if the girls on your list are three or thirty three. Little Missmatched will make any girl or mom on your list feel giddy inside. We recently had the opportunity to review the Little Missmatched arm warmers and with winter in full swing down her in the south finally they couldn't have come at a better time. One size fits all and I do mean all on these arm warmers as they are very stretchy and they fit actually quite comfortably on Connor's arms (though a little baggy) and perfectly on mine. I absolutely love them and keep the min my jacket pocket at all times!

Tony Hawk Ride - For those of you that knew me in High School there was one thing I always wanted to do, and quite simply just could never master. Jump horses over fences taller than I can see over, done, but master a skate board? Noooo. Can I master a skateboarding game? Prol not, lol but seriously its far less embarrassing to bust my butt in my living room verses out in the open. Tony Hawk Ride gives those who absolutely love the new trend of what I consider "live action" video games, ie video games that you actually have to get up and move to play, a whole new experience. I couldn't be more thrilled and I know all the boys on your list will be as well. Move over rock band wannabes... I wanna be a skateboarder!

It's almost Father's Day!

It's almost Father's Day and if your still stumped on what to buy your dad, husband or boyfriend I have some great suggestions. I figured since this was a father's day gift guide I'd include videos of most of the items on my gift list as you know how guys like visual guides verses written instructions!

Slot Radio Player - Does dad have no clue what a mp3 player is? Regardless if you understand current mp3 player technology or if you just want something easy and uncomplicated to listen to great music the Slot Radio Player is an awesome choice. Slot Radio is unlike any other mp3 player we have seen. There are no songs to download no play lists to take care of just stick in your slot radio card (many available) and your ready to go. It comes out of the box with a mix card that has 1000 songs from all genres to get you started. I've listened to it for days without hearing the same song twice and all of the selections are great across the board. You can buy additional cards from the Slot Radio store! The player also picks up FM channels so you can listen to all your favorite radio stations as well. Fairly small and very sturdy its a great option for children as well. You can pick up yours at the Slot Radio store!


Duckbill Designs Money Clips - I always thought the money clips my grandfather had were super cool. I still have a few of them in my jewelry box. Chris has been complaining for years about how his wallet is just too bulky for his police uniform and I wanted to find him something really cool that would allow him to keep his money and IDs safe but cut down on the bulk. The Duckbill Money Clip is the perfect solution and it looks great. Much larger than the money clips my grandfather used it is fairly indestructible and it will hold a surprisingly large amount of bills/cards. It comes in a really cool case and we had ours hand engraved with Chris's name so I'm sure it will be a treasured keepsake for many generations. Chris loves how it really cuts down on the bulk and how he can carry only a crew cards comfortably in it without worrying about them getting lost!


Picture Keeper - Hands down the best picture taking accessory I've ever found. This small usb device plugs into your computer and with no help from you scans your computer for pictures, or if you prefer any type of file you want including documents. It stores them all in its memory and you can then stash it in your safe or a secure location and keep all of your important pictures and files safe in case the awful reality of a computer crash. If your like me all of your treasured memories are now digital and I can't even imagine loosing my son's baby pictures or the video of him walking for the first time. The best part is the Picture Keeper remembers which files it has already backed up so every time you plug it in it automatically just looks for NEW files. Available in several different sizes you can get one that will perfectly suit your needs. There is no software to install so you do not have to be computer savvy to use this device! You can buy yours at Picture Keeper's website.

Hallmark Cards - I've found that my dad if nothing else is always pleased to get a card with a nice hand written note inside. Why send him a boring card when I can send him an awesome card with a recorded greeting from Hallmark! Choose from cards that just have music, ones that you can record your own greeting, or a card that not only records your message but then plays a cool song afterwards. Shhhh don't tell Chris but I got him the Superman card for Father's Day as he truly is our policeman hero. Now I just have to get Connor to say Happy Father's Day for the recording... right now its coming out more like Bab Dad Yay. I think we may have to shorten it to me saying "Happy" and Connor saying "Dad Day" as for some reason Connor is having problems with happy. Hallmark cards are available at Hallmark stores, most drug stores, and even many grocery stores and department stores these days!

Mark West - For the wine junkie Mark West's wines are incredibly affordable and no one will ever know you spent under $20 on, not even your hubbie unless he's a wine expert. Mark West makes a really fabulous Pinot Noir which is pretty much unheard of at this price. Pinot Noirs are if you ask me the best "drinking" wine you can buy. No need for a fancy dinner this wine is fabulous just sitting outside on the porch watching the world go by. Classically I prefer a very dry red and Pinot Noirs are much more flavorful but I've learned from testing out my wines on friends and family that this particular wine got the best review overall from everything I've given them. Partially because you do not have to be a "wine drinker" to enjoy a Pinot Noir. Call it the common man's wine. Presented in a rather fancy looking bottle it looks and tastes more like a $50-60 wine compared to its $12-20 price tag. You might even get lucky and find it for less than that! Stop believing that you have to spend $60+ on a bottle of wine to get something fabulous, this winemaker alone should change your opinion all together of "table priced" wines. Mark West is widely available ask around at your local stores for availability.

Valentines Day... one of my favorite days of the year.

Valentine's Day holds pretty special meaning to me. I think every girl loves Valentines Day its just a matter of convincing the opposite sex that it is actually important.

I remember elementary school and making our little valentine boxes. I was so excited to see who would send me valentines but I always seemed to be a little disappointed as that's the fate of the girl who is always the "new" girl. Though over the years I've had my share of awesome Valentine's Days and not so great ones usually what makes or breaks a Valentine in my eyes is really the thought put into it. Possibly two of the best gifts I ever got growing up were from two male friends, not boyfriends, who really put some effort into picking out gifts for me. The first of which was a GIANT plush Elmo that my friend Joey to me, he stuffed it into a tiny tiny box and when I opened it it virtually jumped out at me. I screamed and then fell over laughing but still to this day I giggle every time I think about it. The most memorable however was a unicorn statue that my friend Charlie gave me... I wanted it SO bad but it was just one of those things I could have never bought for myself, on a whim he saved up the money and got it for me to put it out of my misery and it still sits on my bedside table today. The most impressive Valentines Day gift I ever got though was four dozen roses shortly after my sixteenth birthday delivered in a HUGE vase.. The whole arrangement almost as tall as I was, now that's a way to wow a girl.

The moral to this story is if your looking for a Valentines Day gift for a special person in your life it really makes no difference if its a $10 Elmo or a $200+ dollar flower arrangement what matters is the fact that you took the time to think of a gift that is perfect for the person your buying it for. Even just a handmade card and a handmade dinner can be just the right thing, just take the time to think about it. So with that said lets get this party started! I have some great Valentine's Day gift ideas and I tried to think a little outside the box as the perfect gift for your special someone might not be candy or jewelry though when it comes to girls you can never rule out the jewelry. heh.

So here they are full reviews will come during the upcoming week.

Dads :

• Calisto Pro Phone - Have a work at home dad, or work at home mom? Or find yourself walking out of the house with the cordless phone and making it out of the driveway before you realize your not talking on your cell phone? heh. The Calisto may not be the type of thing you think about when it comes to Valentines Day but its a lifesaver for the parent on the go. The phone comes with a standard but tiny cordless phone and a bluetooth headset that works with the cordless phone or seamlessly works with your cellphone as well so if you walk out of the house with it no fear you can just switch over to your cell phone like nothing ever happened. Its brilliant I can't believe we never had one before now!!
  
• Jaqk Wines - If wine could be considered sexy Jaqk wines certainly are so pretty you will hate to open them. If your looking to take a bottle to a party and really want to wow the crowd Jaqk's eye catching labels are something to behold and their Black Clover wine has a beautiful and masculine bottle followed by a full body that even the most refined wine lover can appreciate.
  
• Simple Shoes - For the eco-conscious man on your list a pair of Carload Sneakers are as attractive and comfortable as they are earth friendly. Though they are made from recycled car tires, organic cottons, and other eco friendly bits you would never guess that they were ecofabulous from their cool fashion forward exterior. The pictures just do not do them justice.
  

Moms :

• Spice Stack - Ok, I have to admit I really didn't consider adding a cooking/organizing item to my valentines day list. Something a simple as organizing your spice shelf in the cabinet seems boring but when you realize just how amazing this product really is and the amount of clutter it hides it will make you smile every time you open the cabinet. I only wish I had one or two more!
  
• Avon Mark Fragrances - Fragrances are always top on my list of Valentines Day wishes. I think I honestly have an addiction to perfume. However I really do not like anything that smells like traditional perfumes. I prefer clean scents that are not overwhelming as I really just want to smell fresh and nice not like I've just stepped out of a department store perfume counter. Mark's line of fragrances are a refreshing treat that smell great if your just bumbing around the house or if you have a dinner party.
  
• Liebling Designs - Jewelry is always a top pick for every woman's wish list but why buy her the same thing 10 of her friends will be wearing? Liebling creates handmade, modern, vintage inspired jewelry that will look as good today as they will 20 years from now and beyond. If your looking for something that will really set you apart you have to check them out.
  
• Touchstone Crystal - Touchstone Crystal's jewelry is absolutely gorgeous and affordable to add to your jewelry wardrobe. The collection features Swarovski crystals and crystal pearls set in gorgeous sterling silver. Beautiful with a pair of jeans or with your little black dress. The best part is you can add "touchestones" to personalize your jewelry just for you. You can also buy "touchstones" to add to the pieces your gifting to add a special meaning for person your giving to.
  
• Domaine Carneros Cuvée de la Pompadour Brut Rosé - Nothing is more romantic than the look of a rose wine, the pale red or pink coloring is the perfect accompaniment to your Valentine's Day meal, however usually they are just plainly to sweet for me. The Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée is a sparkling rose wine and yes it does have more fruit tones than a red wine but this is a Brut! Until now I had no clue what a brut was... I've been a red wine drinker from the beginning and I prefer dry dry wines so coming across a brut rose gives me a whole new appreciation for sparkling wines. This particular wine has sort of a smooth dry strawberry feel to it. I may just have to add rose wines to my list after this one.
  
• My Earth Too - If your looking for an ecofriendly item for any girl on your list the sleepwear over at My Earth Too is not only made of 100% organic cotton but its incredibly comfortable. My favorite item of clothing for lounging around the house is a pink My Earth Too sleep shirt. It reminds me a bit of those baggy huge XL tshirts girls love to wear to bed but its a bit tailored to give a more feminine look and its totally adorable. My Earth Too also carries clothing for kids, babies, and even dads!
• Hoover - Platinum Collection - Stick Vac - I can honestly without 100% of a shadow of a doubt say for sure that I have never called a vacuum cleaner sexy but this one takes the cake. I've had a stick vacuum on my mind for some time now as though I have a pretty awesome vacuum cleaner it would not be a like to say that I hate cleaning. Dragging out my big vacuum cleaner is a hastle I just don't want to face daily and toddlers make messes hourly. The Platinum Collection Stick Vac is not only so light Connor could use it but its so pretty I don't mind looking at it every day in the living room. With that said I normally never recommend cleaning products as Valentines Day gifts as it sort of implys you want someone to clean, but this is one vacuum that even the ones that hate to vacuum will do a happy dance over!
  

Kids :

• Boon Bug Pod - Boon's new Bug Pod is their adorable new addition to the Frog Pod legacy. Bug Pod attaches to the tile or wall above your bath tub and stores all of the bath toys in style. We have been using a Frog Pod for almost a year now and its high on my list of items I could not live without when it comes to kids. The body of the Bug Pod removes from the base which allows you to scoop and drain the toys right out of the bath water. I have to say I never thought there would be anything better than the Frog Pod but the Bug Pod is actually cuter!
  
• Pediped Shoes - A new pair of shoes is always high on my wish list why should it not be for your kids? Pediped makes gorgeous and foot healthy shoes for babies to kindergartners. Best of all the Flex Collection includes one of the most unusual and useful features I have ever seen in preschool footwear - the flex system - an insert that allows you to actually adjust the shoe to your child.
  
• Child to Cherish - With a vintage inspired feel the toys and gifts at Child to Cherish are a beautiful edition to any gift. The Buttermilk Farm crayon aprons are an elegant edition to any child's craft drawer. If your looking for a very special plush that may just end up being your child's most cherished friend Daisy Bunny is so soft you will not want to put her down.
  
• Elmo Live - Elmo was supposed to be included in our holiday edition but he sadly made a detour when he met his demise by being run over by the UPS truck, no seriously it really happened. I'm almost glad it did as with the rush of the holiday season I wouldn't have had as much time to truly marvel at how amazing this toy is. Tickle Me Elmo has been a crowd pleaser for some time but Tickle me Elmo has NOTHING on Elmo Live. Elmo Live is one of the most interactive robotic toys I have ever scene and the price point is insanely low compared to what this guy does. He dances, he tells stories, he is totally interactive. Soemone pinch me now.
  
• Kushies - Zolo - Kushies's toys have enchanted us from the moment we saw our beloved Stacrobats. Their unusual designs and eye catching colors leave you wanting more. The Fuzzi's a line of very odd looking clip on toys will leave any infant in a state of awe. Their unusual designs, bright colors, great textures, and unusual features are eye candy for adults and babies alike. You really just have to touch one to fully appreciate it.

The whole family :

• Canvas on Demand - Want to make some instant art? Canvas on Demand allows you to transfer your most treasured pictures onto beautiful canvas art works. You can turn an ordinary picture into something that looks like a piece from an expensive gallery. You can choose between framed canvas pieces to stretched canvas like you would see in high end galleries. Personally black and white images on stretched canvas are our personal favorite!
• Hallmark Card Studio - Love handmade greeting cards and want to make them for yourself? Hallmark Card Studio allows you to customize and print your own hallmark cards from home. No need to rush out last minute to pick up your valentines day cards you can just pick a design, customize it however you wish, and print from your home printer. I can't even tell you how much time and money it will save us, not to mention its additively fun.
• Petz Series - No matter if you like dogs, cats, hamsters or even horses, the Petz series from Ubisoft will entertain the entire family. I'm obviously a dog person but my real love lies with horses and usually I'm not a huge fan of horse games but this one has me hooked!
  

Oooh I can't wait it will be a fun week! I also have a TON of giveaways planned for this week!!

Connor's favorite things!

I figured today would be the perfect day for me to announce my top holiday picks for the year. All the items listed are separated by category and are in no particular order. These items come from my reviews from throughout the year and as well as items we have in testing now that may not have a review in yet. Every item selected either Connor or myself have personally tested and we give them our complete thumbs up! Most if the items included have links to review there are still just a few we still need to present to you in a full review but I wanted to get the list to you guys now. Check back as we finish up the reviews and offer a few giveaways to boot! The picture to the left is of Connor last Christmas in front of our tree!

Babies - New Parents :

• Polka Dot Papoose Slings - beautiful, comfortable my favorite pouch sling hands down.
• Sleepy Wrap - if your looking for a wrap this one is like wearing your favorite tee shirt its so soft and stretchy you'll be tempted to keep wearing it even when the baby is asleep.
• KozyPal - every mom needs a shopping cart cover, I got mine after Connor was older and I seriously had one of those "How did I ever live without this?" moments not even a week later.
• DadGear - The coolest diaper bags for the men in your life or really hip moms!
• Lycheeline - Beautiful simple diaper bags that are as gorgeous as purses as they are diaper bags. I don't go anywhere without mine as I use it as my purse and diaper bag and I can't even tell you how many girls track me down to ask me where I got it.
  
• Baby Star - Affordable, beautiful, and modern children's bedding and supplies. I'd still kill to own one of their crib sets.
• Tripp Trapp - You wont be able to decide if its furniture or a high chair and it converts to a full sized adult chair as well.
• Baby Legs - no baby should grow up without at least one pair. I'm not sure how we survived without them!
• Evenflo Babysuite - The smallest folding pack in play I have seen yet, a necessity for road trips as you will thank me later when your Babysuite doesn't take up the entire trunk.
• Blessed Nest Pillow - The perfect nursing pillow as it will be your best friend while your nursing or even if your not as people have the misconception that nursing pillows are good just for breast feeding. Believe me everyone wanted to use mine just as a comfortable place to hold the baby or even feed him a bottle. This one however will find a use in your home far past the baby years.
• A fabulous stroller - Ok I had the hardest time deciding on which stroller to include so let me say this, a stroller is a extension of your daily life. If your a mom on the go who values space saving and wants a full featured stroller that is still compact the Microlite Toro is absolutely your stroller. However if your a mom that needs all the bells and whistles and luxury and comfort is your goal and you want something just grand the Bumbleride Indie is by far the Cadillac of strollers. If you are going to splurge on any baby purchase I'd hands down say the item to splurge on is most certainly your stroller. Even if that means you have to cut back somewhere else you won't regret it.
  

Toddlers :

• Art and Activity Backpack by Piggy Story - I've seen some creative ways to store crayons but this cute little backpack will store all of your art supplies and markers for toddlers on the go. Great for entertaining a toddler anywhere. Comes in great boy and girl friendly patterns.
• Olive Kids - Ok Olive Kids is not just for toddlers but if your looking for a bedding set to get your child excited about moving to a big boy bed or just a cool floor pillow for watching TV seriously Olive Kids should be your first place anytime your looking for something cool for your kids bedroom. It's incredibly affordable as well!
• Plan Toys - I'm not sure I can pick a favorite from plan toys but if I was hard pressed to decide what would be the perfect gift for any toddler it would have to be the dancing alligator!
• Kettler Trike - Seriously if your thinking of investing in a Trike for Christmas I am still shouting from the treetops how amazingly beautiful and awesome my Kettler Trike is! Built for a lifetime it will be the treasured companion to your toddler and is durable enough to be passed down to several children.
• Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse - The coolest little play tent that will keep your toddlers busy for hours. I was sold the first day we took it out of the box as Connor played with it without a peep from noon till his three pm nap time and I pretty much had to drag him out of it.
• Wowwee Alive Cubs - Connor is convinced his Wowwee alive cub is real and spends hours "talking" talking to him and dragging him from room to room. Beyond cute and really a good introduction to a child's first pet its part interactive robot part cuddly plush. I'm classifying this one as toddler as Connor adores it but older kids will like them as well! Review and giveaway coming!
• Jack and Lily - Connor just about ripped the packaging to shred when he saw his new shoes from Jack and Lily. Ever since its been a struggle to take them off his feet. I'm still beyond impressed with these incredibly well made and sturdy toddler shoes! Review coming!
• Haba Blocks - I once told the press rep for Haba that I would scream like a little girl if a box of Haba blocks came in for review. Needless to say I still feel the urge to lick them every time I see them. Haba makes the most delicious blocks and toys you could ever imagine. Trust me looking through the Haba catalog is the equivalent of being a guest at Willy Wonkas factory as far as I'm concerned. Sign me up for the entire collection please.
• Bumblebird - If your looking for some adorable artwork for your child's room or a special friend for them to call their own head on over and check out Stanley and his friends. Connor's friend Stanley has been one of his favorite bedmates since the moment he arrived.
  

Preschool :

• Eeboo Matching Game - I'm still taken back by how gorgeous this matching game is, its certainly not the same cheap looking flimsy cardboard game I had when I was growing up.
• Animal Scrabble - I've been recommending this game to parents everywhere. Animal Scrabble is sort of a modified tag game that can be played with one to multiple players and is a perfect activity for those rainy days when the kids are climbing the walls. Trust me.
• Baby Leo Cape - My crime fighter wears diapers, enough said! Connor's alternate identity is Super Captain Diapey Pants and he would wear his Baby Leo Cape to bed if we let him. The perfect toy for ages 2+ any child that ever dreamed that they were a super hero will totally flip when they see their new Baby Leo Cape.
• Vtech KidiJamz Studio - The perfect companion for any future rock star, you can play your own music and record it directly to the kid friendly MP3 player that is included. Talk about cool Connor can't leave it alone. Full Review Coming!
  
• Delingos - My favorite plush friends, unique, eye catching, they spark the imagination and are sure to be a big hit. I mean what kid can claim they have a lobster as a best friend?
• Aardvark Books - Customizable books made with your own kid's pictures staring them! Connor absolutely loves his and it was the first book he really took a lot of interest in.
• Bambolletta Dolls - If your looking for something very special for a little girl in your life consider getting her a custom made doll all her own. They are truly little works of art!
• Wibbly Woo - Speaking of dolls every little boy deserves a special friend all his own. I can think one that really would make any little one feel safe.
• Thomas the Train Pirates Cove - Got a train lover on your Christmas list? The Thomas The Train Pirates Cove is my favorite train set thus far. Lots to do and totally compatible with most other wooden train systems it will win the hearts of all your little conductors!
• SmarteBear - In my opinion this is the one toy that should have been on the tops of everyone's Christmas wish list that you may have never even heard of. Smartebear is one of the most intelligent preschool toys I have ever seen. He plays games, tells stories, and even works as a mp3 player. Parents can load whatever programming you want on him via a USB port. The child then interacts with him by squeezing his paws. Simply brilliant.
  
• Eleven and See Kai Run Shoes - Ok I know we are all on a budget this year and clothing is not usually my first choice of Christmas gifts but trust me when I say a pair of shoes from Eleven or See Kai Run will make your child the envy of the playground. Gorgeous and from what my testers have told me they are incredibly comfortable as well. I seriously want a pair in my size.
• Radioflyer Wagon - I can not even tell you how many adult men have told me that their favorite toy growing up was their wooden Radioflyer wagon. Hands down we recommend the Radioflyer All Terrain Cargo Wagon!
  

Kids :

• Rhino Rampage - This has been a total hit among my testers and was one of the easiest games to teach a group of kids between the ages of five and nine which I might add they all enjoyed equally. Perfect for a group or just two players.
• Tribot - Only the coolest robot on the market right now. He will guard your room, tell jokes, and seriously impress the neighbor kids. Full Review Coming!
  
• Laser Tag - One of my favorite toys growing up its back and better than ever. The whole family will enjoy this one even mom if you get her to play! Full Review Coming!
  
• Discovery FRS Walkie Talkie - Might I add that I am still upset that they did not make these when I was a kid? Perfect for any adventure and a great way to stay in touch if you plan on doing any camping over the summer. They are as good as the big ones just smaller.
• Room Tech Beingz - The Room Tech Beingz series from Hasbro has to be one of the coolest things I have seen. Made up of an alarm clock and a lamp they both talk to each other wirelessly and come alive. The Alarm opens his mouth and bashes his hands and the clock raises his head and glows by command of the alarm. Cool on their own as well its a fun way to wake up!
  

Moms :

• Little Giraffe Robe - I am not even a robe person but I feel like a princess in my Little Giraffe Robe. I can't even decide if the outside or inside is softer with a satin exterior and a deliciously soft interior you'll want to wear it to bed.
• Baby Emi - Simple Customizable jewelry pieces for you, your babies, and your little princesses.
• Le Creuset - The ultimate in cookware, built to last a lifetime every cook would jump for joy to own a piece.
• Vado - My favorite portable video camera. Its light, its cute, and its easy to use. Nothing is better to quickly take out of your purse and shoot videos of the kids doing something cute!
• Ice.com - There are so many options at Ice.com it will make your head spin but personally my current favorite is the sky blue topaz tennis bracelet!
• 2LittleStars Adult Throw - I have an obsession with blankets and the 2LittleStars adult throw is hands down my new favorite. You will want to snuggle under it all day and it rivals the most luxurious baby blankets I have ever seen just in an adult size. The only problem is everyone in the house will want it!
  
• Julian & Co - I had a particularly rough labor with some complications so Connor's birthday is a victory as far as I am concerned and I love to share it with the world. Julian & Co keeps me connected to him with the beautiful customizable jewelry pieces. I most certainly have a Julian & Co Galleria Circle Pendant on my own holiday wish list!
  

Family :

• Uno Flash - Uno has been one of our favorite party games as long as I can remember, this new edition will challenge even the best Uno players. Great for a game night with the kids or perfect for an adult party. You can set the difficulty level accordingly.
• Briarpatch Games - I can not pick a favorite over at Briarpatch. They publish great and unusual board games that will keep the entire family entertained. As Connor grows I have promised myself that we will have two traditions one will be to have a nightly dinner at the table and the other will be to have a weekly game night. Family's that play together stay together after all right? heh.
  

Grandparents :

• Casio EZ-Z80 - I see to many grandparents walking around with clunky old cameras. Suprise the grandparents with a great camera at a reasonable price that is super easy to use!
• Busybodybook - If your parents are as busy as mine are they will highly appreciate a great planner to keep track of all the grandkid's events, doctors appointments, and birthdays!
• Little Windows - For the crafty grandmother, she can make her own picture necklaces of her grandchildren for herself or for gifts. Its addicting!
  

Dads :

• Space Pen - For every guy who appreciates a great pen, the Space Pen is no ordinary pen it will write upside down, in the rain, and in space. It was the feature of an entire Seinfield episode!
• Mimobot - Every guy I know has completely freaked out when they saw my Domo USB drive from Mimobots. Get one that fits his personality and all the guys at the office will be jealous.
• Chumby - The ultimate gadget as far as I'm concerned. This little friendly looking gadget moonlights as a alarm clock but it hides a secret. Chumby is truly an internet device, read the news, listen to music, play games, see your pictures of facebook. Something is being added every day. Totally affordable and beyond cool, Chumby has to be the coolest invention since the internet itself.
• Road Mice - Is the man in your life a total car nut? Give him a Road Mice which is quite literally a wireless usb mouse that is shaped like their favorite cars. They even have working head lights. Now if I can only convince Connor to keep his hands off of it! heh.
  

Stocking Stuffers - Inexpensive Gifts :

• Vilac Cars - far prettier in person than in pictures the Vilac series of hand held cars are eye catching, affordable, and portable. I keep one of Connor's in my purse for him to play anywhere we go. Review coming!
• My Mommy Tote - The coolest board book known to man, what does your child always want to get into? Your purse!! This book simulates what kids love about Mommy's purse in a kid friendly book that even mom's will want to play with. Review coming!
• Imagiplay Puzzle Playsets - These puzzles are part blocks and each piece is its own little plaything but put them together and you have a fabulous puzzle!
  
• Meebas - Fun little electronic pets that hide a cool plush surprise! You will want all of them!

If your like many of us that are hurting this holiday season make a list of toys and items that are most important to you to have. Consider buying gifts that will last such as wooden toys, books, board games. These items have a longer lifespan and can be repurposed to a new child later. About 90% of the toys Connor will be recieving this year are wooden, do not take batteries, and come from sustainable sources. Though he will be getting a few important battery operated items as well I'm a huge believer in fostering creativity so toys that encourage creative play have always been at the top of my list. Every item I choose for our gift guides have been tested personally and I recommend fully from my own personal experiences and the reactions I've seen from Connor and our other testers.

I'd love to hear from you guys what you will be giving your kids for Christmas this year and what toys you think should be at the top of everyone's wish list. As a special treat I am putting together a little gift basket of items from our review closet to help out one lucky family this holiday season!!

To enter :

• Leave a comment on this post. Review my holiday gift guide and tell me which item on the gift guide is your favorite and why, as well as what you plan on buying for your kids this holiday season.
• Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
• Please US entries only.
• To get extra credit :
  • For an extra entry :
  • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
  • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
  • One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
  • This contest will end Dec 30th at midnight!