Educational & Fun - Music and Books for Kids

I have been combining my children's Christmas lists with things that I think might actually last in the entertainment department.  I don't like spending money, only to find that it took my kids longer to unwrap it than it did for them to lose interest in it.  I am looking for a few good gifts that give them big smiles.

My six-year-old is a beginning reader.  Her vocabulary is just taking off!  What better way to keep her interest in reading than giving her a personalized book that makes her part of the story?  Music and Books 4 Kids offers personalized books like Scooby-Doo, Garfield, Three Little Pigs, Ballerina Princess, Batman, Sesame Street, Mother Goose & School is Fun.  These are actually licensed books!  For instance, Scooby-Doo is licensed by Hanna-Barbera.  Their prices are very reasonable - $12.95  for a personalized, licensed book!  I think this would be great for a child just beginning their love of reading, a child who would benefit by a book that would hold their interest and also great for those bedtime stories with your child.  Imagine the look on their face when you read their name as part of the story!

I am also looking for entertainment in the car for my youngest as well.  Music and Books 4 Kids offers personalized CD's with children's favorite characters - VeggieTales, Barney, Mickey Mouse, Elmo, The Wiggles, Disney Princesses and Elmo.  My six-year-old would love the Disney Princesses and The Wiggles!

Personalize it with their name and you'll get big smiles!  Two of my girls do not have the more common names or spelling and I found those on their list!  I can't believe it.  My daughter NEVER finds anything with the correct spelling of her name and Music and Books 4 Kids has personalized music and books for her too.

These would make great gifts as well for nieces, nephews, grandchildren, siblings or your godchildren for all occasions - birthdays, Christmas, good grades, etc.  Who needs an occasion? How about personalized music and books for kids just because they're special?

For the new parent, the personalized baby book for only $16.95 is a great idea for a gift! There is also space for you, or the new parent, to add photos and other personal items to the personalized baby book.

Shipping is by U. S. First Class Mail for $2.00 shipping and handling. Of course, if you prefer other shipping, they will accommodate you.

Now get Christmas shopping!

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First Teen Love Christmas Gifts

My teenager is in teen love.  Last week, she had her first kiss after the boy told her he was falling in love with her. Remember those really early years where you couldn't wait to go to school to see that boy in the halls?  She is living it right now.  I understand those teenage feelings (I can remember back that far) but as a mom, I dread the heartbreak that she will eventually go through.

He already knows what he is getting her for Christmas (I think jewelry). My daughter is still looking for a perfect gift for him.  Perhaps something personal from Personal Creations?  He says he wants a funny t-shirt for Christmas.  I would imagine she will do that, since he said it is what he wants, plus something more personal for him but age appropriate.

She asked me a few weeks ago if I thought she would be stupid if she thought she loved this boy.  Of course I don't think she is stupid.  I can remember writing "I love so and so" over and over when I was her age.  Gift buying in 2011 for a teen boy?  I have no clue.  While I remember the feelings of teen love, I have no idea what teen boys today want.  My son isn't a teenager yet.  I hope she doesn't need my help finding a personal gift for her boyfriend because I feel useless for this part.

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Happy Dance for Four Months!

Woot! Woot!  Four months until graduation!  Yes, I am counting the days until my stepdaughter graduates.  When you've been waiting as long as I have, the last few months seem like a dream.  She's growing up.  She's picked her college (to the tune of $62,000/year).  Wow!

I know it doesn't mean the end of dealing with the ex.  It just means the end of "having" to deal with the ex where it concerns my stepdaughter's needs/care as a minor (still have my stepson left to turn 18 though).  We'll see the ex at graduation (where we'll probably disagree on who is giving my stepdaughter what gift), weddings (where we'll probably disagree, again, on who will give what), baby showers (where we won't because we'll go for our own major gift - let's face it, there's a lot for a new mom - plus personalized baby gift baskets for keepsakes), and the petty bickering over where my stepdaughter will spend breaks from college (it'll be her mother's most likely but we'll still ask as usual - the difference is, we'll be asking my stepdaughter and not her mother!).  Woot!  Woot!

Yes, I am pretty geeked over this whole graduation thing.

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Holiday Personalized Gift Ideas for Baby

If you are gearing up for the holidays and planning your shopping, I have a great coupon code for you from Baby Stuff Gifts for those personalized baby and sibling gifts!  You can give personalized clothing, blankets, towels, dolls, gift baskets, diaper covers, and more!  There is even a personalized Santa plate to leave cookies out for Santa!  My kids love the tradition of leaving cookies out for Santa so I just LOVE the Santa plate!!

Here are the sale details:

The sale is to enjoy 15% off your entire order...for 4 days only (11/4-11/7)...offer expires on Sunday at midnight. Shop now and save! 

COUPON CODE:  holiday2010

Available at Baby Stuff Gifts

If you have a shower coming up in your future (and seriously, we all do!), you'll want to check out Baby Stuff Gifts for their keepsake items that every mom would love to receive (and treasure for years after).  These are items of great quality you can put away after they're done wearing or playing with it to save to give to your child when they're older.  What a great idea!! 

If you know of a new mom or dad who hasn't registered yet for the baby shower, tell them about the Gift Registry at Baby Stuff Gifts for her baby shower.  Gift registries are the way to go!

Don't forget to check out the nursery decor and the free shipping on orders over $50!

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FREE Pancake Crinkle Bear for Babies - Baby Stuff Gifts

Girls, there is a deal going on right now at Baby Stuff Gifts to get a FREE Pancake Crinkle Bear with all orders over $30.00 until August 15th for all orders shipping to the same address.  The Pancake Crinkle Bear is from North American Bear Company.  They crinkle when they are hugged - great feedback for babies! 

This is a great company for personalized baby gifts for your own children or somebody else's.  I know the personalized gifts my kids have been given get stored away when they outgrow them to give back to them as adults.  Regular toys in our home get given away or thrown out.  They're keepsakes when they are personalized.  I could never bear to throw them out.

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Too Chicken to Buy Pregnancy Test

Yikes, I still don't know if I'm pregnant or not.  I figured if I still didn't know by today, that I would buy a test.  I haven't bought one yet.  I'm a chicken.

If I am and when it is all said and done, I'd be thrilled and love a new little one into the family.  However, right now, I am worried (because of the medication I was on) and thinking about the possibility of starting all over with diapers, high chairs, breastfeeding, personalized baby gifts, and not sleeping for the first few months with a baby. 

Hubby is afraid of vasectomies.  He doesn't want anything sharp "down there" - ugh.  I've given birth to four of his children and have had "sharp" down there, among other things.  I think, in cases like this, the man should be the one stepping up to get the snip snip.

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Great Grandmother Gifts

If you're looking for great gifts for grandma, you really should consider personalized gifts. We do this every year for my husband's mother and she loves and appreciates anything that has her grandchildren on it. We've given her pillows, blankets, plates, computer mouse pads, etc. with our children's faces on it.  You can even get a deck of playing cards made with photos on them!

We are now halfway through 2010 which means we're on the downhill for another Christmas.  Can you believe how fast 2010 is going by?  Wow!

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