Sponsored Post: TOYDOZER!

If you follow my blog, you know that I don't do reviews often. But when I do, it's always fun because I'm able to talk about something I generally like or would use. Cue the TOYDOZER.

The ToyDozer is an "innovative new product that allows parents and kids to spend less time cleaning and more time playing." As every parent knows, getting your kid to clean up is nearly impossible and getting on your hands and knees to clean up said mess of legos, cars, blocks, etc, is a pain in the you know what. This system is modeled after a bulldozer scoop and you can use a "gatherer" to hold on to it while you scoop items together. Bottom line, if my 4 year old could use it, and LIKE it, then anyone can really.

The ToyDozer comes in three vibrant colors: blue, yellow, and purple. Each one features orange Velcro tabs that attach the gatherer to the scoop when not in use for easy storage.

Here's a little video I shot to demonstrate. Use BLOGGER20 for 20% off on Toydozer.com! Please excuse the post workout disaster that is my face and hair.

For more information , please visit www.toydozer.com or follow @toydozer on twitter.

This post is part of a Toydozer blogger outreach campaign. Participating bloggers have been provided with a complimentary Toydozer to review and have been compensated for their time.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: SLINKY

I guess he didn't get the memo about these things being cool on things like stairs...

MUST HAVE TOY?

Toys. Is there really a reason to ever buy real ones? I mean... from the Raaawrr (like a bear) game, to the "I Can't Find Jonah... Here I am Mommy!" game (aka. I-haven't-quite-grasped-the-hide-and-go-seek-concept yet-game), to the Wrap-him-up-like-a-burrito-and-pretend-I-ordered-a-quesadilla-instead game, sometimes I wonder if buying a child an elaborate toy is even necessary....

I mean, when a 3 year old has as much fun cramming as many stuffed animals into his pajamas as he can, for the mere opportunity to see himself with a lumpy tush, is investing in the hottest, and probably toxic toy, worth it?

Well, fortunately for YOU, you can have the best of both worlds and not spend a dime.... Parents Ask is giving away $150 to Toys"R"Us PLUS an awesome Melissa & Doug Wooden work bench (that is most certainly NOT toxic). Simply leave a comment on the link and you will be entered to win. Good luck!

GOD KNOWS...

I can remember being about 8 years-old and carefully coloring in between the lines on a plastic sheet... minutes later I would place this delicately crafted piece of plastic on a baking sheet, shove it in the oven and wonder: How, oh, how will this plastic Barbie shrink to the size of Tom Thumb???

SHRINKY DINKS.

Do you remember them?

They were incredible. Magical. And frighteningly unsafe and probably, TOXIC.

They HAD to be toxic.

Right???

With a 3 year old, I definitely try to do my best to provide foods (minus the occasional "Old" McDonald meal we indulge on every blue moon) that aren't blatantly out to destroy organs. But to be honest, I can't say I'm as strict with toys. In fact, just this weekend, we were playing with a toy (that Jonah got to pick out after sleeping in his big boy bed for the first night) that reminded me of the (WTF-god-only-knows-what-goes-into-this-toy-to-make-it-do-this) wonderment I remember as an 8 year old playing with shrinky dinks.

Basically, he would take this yellow car, squeeze it with COLD water (has to be COLD water!) and then send it through the car wash....

The car goes down the slide, as most cars do at fancy car washes (right?), and voila, The car is now (in HOT water) and RED.

Magic and not a drop of ink or paint or lead visible on my son's chubby little fingers.

Sid the Science Kid would have a friggin' field day trying to figure this sucker out.

Do YOU monitor what kinds of chemicals go in to your children's toys?

FISHER-PRICE LAUNCHES A "TABLET FOR TODDLERS" (UM, WHAT HAPPENED TO PLAYING WITH BLOCKS?!)

I must admit, I don't even know what a Zhu Zhu is and I certainly can't fathom sitting down to a game of Mattel's Mental Mind Flex after a day like today. Granted, my son is only 2 1/2 and is easily entertained by removing every receipt and penny in my wallet and throwing it around the room, so the dire need for "the coolest" toy on the shelves isn't quite as crucial as it is in some homes. However, when I read about the new Fisher Price "Tablet for Toddlers" that was debuted this past week at the nation's largest Toy Fair in NYC, I realized I may need to stop pretending that his hand-carved puzzles and dried-out (non-toxic, of course) play dough are really fun.

To read the rest of my story, click here!

FAMILY FINDS: 50% Off at Totsy.com

$15 for $30 to Spend on Totsy.com

We love a good sale (obviously) ... and that's why we're in love with Totsy.com. Totsy offers moms on-the-go and moms-to-be access to brand-specific sales, up to 90% off retail, just for you and the kids, ages 0-7. Hand-picked by Totsy’s team of expert parents, the site features top brands for mom, baby, and child. Baby and kids clothes, shoes, gear, toys, travel accessories, bedding and bath, books, maternity clothes and even health and beauty products are just a sampling of a selection that promises only the best in quality and designer brands. But hurry ... each sale lasts only 48 to 72 hours! This voucher will double your spending cash at Totsy.com.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS VOUCHER!

Refer a friend to FamilyFINDS.com and get $10

FAMILY FINDS: $15 for $30 Worth of Toys at CreativeToyShop.com

50% Off Cardboard Toys & More at CreativeToyShop.com

As parents, we're always looking for ways to spark our kids' creativity. But so many of the toys we buy them get thrown to the wayside after a few days, and end up in a landfill soon thereafter. It's a major bummer! The toys from Creative Toyshop -- such as Calafant cardboard toys -- are different. Mother of two Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, says, "I came across the Calafant cardboard toys when I was looking for fun activities to do at our children's birthday parties. We started out building the Large Fairy Castle and really enjoyed painting, creating wallpaper and decorating. The best part was that we did it as a family and worked as a team. Each of my kids had good ideas and was free to incorporate them into the project. When we were done, they started playing with the castle with the dolls that we already had." When your child outgrows a cardboard toy, you won't have a bulky plastic structure sitting in your home that will end up in a landfill somewhere. You can either unfold the pieces and keep them or recycle them with the rest of your paper or cardboard recyclables. Good for the environment ... good for you!

Creative Toyshop is a boutique online toy store that offers unique, creative, educational and eco-friendly toys, games, and other children's items. When the Martina's two children entered preschool, she found there was a real lack of unique and creative toys. She wanted to offer families fun toys and games that encouraged children to think for themselves, express their creativity, and, at the same time, not harm the environment. She found the perfect fit in Calafant cardboard toys and Young Learners games -- both amazing lines that children adore. We also love the School Years keepsake album for recording precious milestones and accomplishments. Both parent and child can fill each expandable pocket -- there's one for every year from kindergarten to 12th grade -- with photos, report cards, art projects, and other mementos. Other unique products include Bootscoot balance bikes and Lunchskins eco-friendly lunch bags.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR VOUCHER TODAY!

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$59 for Portrait Shoot and 16 x 20 Canvas from Stuart Townsley ($700 value!)

$25 for All-Day Pass to Go Kart World

$10 for $20 at Marla's Café in Venice

$70 for 4 Fine Arts Class at Mission: Renaissance ($140 Value)