Ebay's Holiday Gift Guide - Top 10 Toys for Lil Divas

Are you a store or online shopper? I do a bit of both because it's retail therapy for me but sometimes the crowds, bustle and grumpy shoppers get to me. That's when I head to my laptop for some easy online shopping. One of my got to online shopping sites is of course eBay. I LOVE eBay! Not only do my husband and I frequently shop on eBay but I am also an eBay seller. You just can't beat great prices, the thrill of finding all kinds of fabulous deals (you have to admit those auctions are pretty addictive & thrilling!) and being able to shop from the comfort of your own home.

This holiday season eBay has really made the process of holiday shopping even easier by offering their Gift Guide to shoppers. It is broken down into easy to search categories by both recipient and price. They have made it so simple to find gift ideas for everyone on your list. Of course, If you're a mom like me, the majority of your holiday shopping consists of toys, toys and even more toys. I was super excited to find that not only does eBay have a great selection of the hottest toys around, you can even shop the Toys-R-Us store and never leave eBay. How awesome is that? You are getting the best of both worlds with lots of added convenience. Now, that's my idea of stress-free shopping.

To make my holiday shopping easier - I try to plan way ahead of time. I research prices online, searching for the best deals. I look up reviews and compare brands to ensure I am buying the best product for my money. Then I get shopping. Whenever I am shopping online, I head to eBay because it's so convenient. I can even do it right from my iPhone using their mobile app and for even more ideas I follow them on Twitter and Facebook to get all their latest updates and I even check out their fun pins on Pinterest too.

Top 10 Gifts for Lil Divas

My 2 Lil Divas have been making their Christmas lists for some time now. They have been working very hard to get each and every item listed. They drew lots of lovely pictures for Santa and even included messages for Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves as well. I think they are trying to cover all their bases to ensure the maximum gift return.

So what's on their Christmas list this year? I know you are just itching to know so I thought I would share each Lil Divas Top 5 "Wished For" Gifts this year (via eBay):

The Oldest Diva (almost 7yrs) is wishing for:

 Large Modern Dollhouse for all her Barbie & Princess Dolls
I have to say that this doll house is pretty awesome.
I would have loved something like this growing up.

 Purple Plum Fairy Furby
Good ol' Furby is really making a comeback.
I never really saw the appeal but for some reason
he is topping both my Lil Divas list this year.

 Barbie Photo Fashion Doll
The Oldest Diva is a huge Barbie fan and she
is pretty bent on having this photo Barbie doll.
Both girls do enjoy taking photos so I can see it's appeal. 

Password Journal
I find it funny that the Oldest Diva wants a journal
with a voice activated password lock.
I wonder what deep, dark secrets she has that require such protection? 

Mario Kart Game for her DS
I loved Mario growing up? Did you?
This is one game I'd like to play too.

The Littlest Diva (5 1/2 years) is wishing for:

BMX Barbie Bike

The Littlest Diva is pretty insistent 

on getting a "big girl" bike this year.

This one in pink and featuring Barbie is definitely her dream bike.

 Hello Kitty Light-Up Scooter

This pink and black Hello Kitty Light-Up Scooter

is so fun & girly - I can see why she wants it so badly.

 Creativity for Kids Fashion Headbands

The Littlest Diva loves accessories and bling.

She is our resident Fashionista so this is an ideal gift for her. 

Collector Holiday Barbie 2012
She is gorgeous. I want one too!
Do you think the Lil Divas will share with me?

Moshi Monsters:Moshling Zoo for Nintendo DS

The Littlest Diva loves playing Moshi Monsters online.

She really wants this game to keep the fun going on the road.

Of course the Lil Divas have lots more items on their lists but these are their TOP 10 Christmas Wish List Items for 2012. What toys are topping your kids list this year? 

Happy Shopping!

Bern

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of eBay. I received a product sample to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas LeapFrog Learn, Create & Share Party! #LeapFrogParty

Last weekend we hosted a Learn, Create & Share Party sponsored by Leapfrog.

The Lil Divas and I enjoyed the company of 5 Moms and their 10 children to test out some fabulous Leapfrog products including the NEW LeapPad Learning Tablet. The LeapPad was pre-loaded with some fabulous games and apps for us to try, including Roly Poly Picnic, Letter Factory Video, Pet Pad, Art Studio, Story Studio,  Cars 2 Ultra e-book and the LeapSchool Reading Cartridge game. We also received a Tag Reading System with Interactive World Map and Learn to Read Series 1 Books: Short Vowels to try, some fun coloring and activity sheets and some valuable coupons!

Here's a peek at the goodies we received in our box:

Can you see why we were so EXCITED?!

I was THRILLED to be able to share these goodies with our friends. We are a LeapFrog household so we brought out a few of our other fab toys for everyone to play with as well including Scribble & Write, Fridge Words Magnetic Word Builder, Letter Discoveries and Text & Learn. 

The kids took turns playing with all the Leapfrog products. Some read books with the tag Reader (luckily we had already our own so we had 3 total for kids to play with & share!) My Littlest Diva adores her tag reader. She loves hearing the books come to life in the characters voices and she enjoys trying to sound out the words and using the tag reader to see if she as correct - it is instant feedback. I like the added bonus games and questions which are great for comprehension, practicing phonics skills o just having a little fun. 

The kids had fun playing with the Interactive World Map where they had the chance to "meet" kids from around the world and learn how to say hello in various languages. My Oldest Diva loves this feature of the World Map. She is very aware of different languages right now and has been enjoying practicing saying hello in various languages since we received the World Map. How fabulous is that?!

By far the most sought after toy of the party was the NEW LeapPad. From our youngest (3 yr old) to our Oldest - 5/6 yr olds. - all the kids enjoyed the LeapPad. The size, easy to use buttons and touch screen made it easy for all of them to manipulate. What I found fabulous was that they needed very little instruction. In my opinion, it is very user friendly for children. The kids simply explored, created, shared & learned! Isn't that what it was all about? PERFECT! 

The kids were playing games, watching videos, creating works of art, taking pictures and recording videos - all on their own! I know a few lil ones who will be getting a LealPad this holiday season. 

I found the LeapPad easy to start-up and download. I LOVE the access to track their playing/learning on the Learning Path and that there are easily downloadable apps as well as cartridges. The apps make this an easy on-the go choice for kids since all you need is your LeapPad. There are various apps that are very affordable and games/cartridges are about $24. There is lots of learning fun to be had with the LeapPad - kids can enjoy fun games that practice phonics, spelling, reading, writing, math and more. My only con in regards to the LeapPad is that it uses up batteries fairly quickly but the Lil Divas have been using it quite a bit since it's new and so appealing.

Of course a party just isn't a party without some food and snacks to accompany all the fun & games. So I whipped up these adorable frog cupcakes in honor of our Froggy friends Leap, Lily & Tad at LeapFrog.

I'd say the kids enjoyed them - here's a little proof! :) 

Ah, nothing beats enjoying a yummy frog cupcake after a fun afternoon of games with friends.

It was a fabulous afternoon of learning, creating and sharing
thanks to Leapfrog! 

Disclosure: I received LeapFrog products in order to host a Learn, Create & Share Party. This party was sponsored by Leapfrog and Mom Select . That being said - all opinions expressed are my own and reflect my  100% honest opinion of these products. I am not paid for my reviews or optinions! They are 100% mine! Please remember that your opinions and tastes might differ from mine. 

Bern

Educational Insights Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set Review & Giveaway

Summer is over & it's officially Back to School in our household! Even though the Lil Divas are both in school (PreK & K) - the learning never stops in our house. I am always looking for fun ways to enrich, reinforce and review what the Lil Divas are learning in school. So I was beyond excited to be able to share Educational Insight's Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set with them.

The Lil Divas are very familiar with Ace (the Talking Dog Pen) since we had the opportunity to previously review Ace and Hot Dots Jr. Phonics Cards so they were excited to try the new set right away.


What's in the Box?
The Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set comes with 1 Ace Talking, Teaching Dog Pen, a Lesson Guide and 80 two-sided interactive lesson cards.

There are 5 card sets in the box-
Set 1 - Shapes
Set 2 - Colors & Patterns
Set 3 - Let's Learn Numbers
Set 4 - Learning the Alphabet
Set 5 - Uppercase & Lowercase Letters

Our Thoughts & Experience w/ the Getting Ready for School Set:
Educational Insight's Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set is geared for ages 3-6 and grades PreK thru 1st. The Lil Divas are in PreK & K/ages 4 &5 and the set really is perfect for them. It reviews and reinforces letter recognition, counting, number and number word recognition, shapes, patterns and colors.

I really like that the card sets target multi-levels. Both of Lil Divas were able to use different cards in the set to review and reinforce things appropriate for their age/level. For example, while the Littlest Diva counted items pictured and identified the correct number the Oldest Diva worked on number words. While the Littlest Diva focused on color matching the Oldest Diva worked with color words.  This offered wonderful reading practice/sight word recognition for the Oldest Diva and she had lots of fun while practicing.

As a busy mom I really appreciate that the set is self-correcting and child directed. This would be a wonderful addition to a classroom, homeschool or any home with young children. This is definitely something that children can work on independently, one-on-one with a teacher or parent or in a small group (i.e. class center activity). The card sets would be great to reinforce things being taught, review skills learned and check mastery. They can be incorporated into themes and units at school, be used as games or simply be a fun learning toy.

Ace the Talking, Teaching Dog Pen is a fun interactive tool. He lights up, barks in excitement and provides lots of positive reinforcement. When an incorrect answer has been chosen he encourages the user to try again. Both Lil divas LOVE Ace and they get so excited when he tells them they are correct!

Overall, as both a mom and an educator I was very pleased with this set. The only thing I would change is that there should be additional sets sold with supplemental material. I can see this getting too easy after repeated use since the material would be familiar. I would love to see additional sets sold. I know there are additional boxed sets for Hot Dots Jr. but I really like these larger cards with more questions on them.

The Lil Divas are enjoying Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set and this is definitely something that will be used a lot in our home. The Littlest Diva even takes her Ace pen and cards in the car for play/work on the go.

*******************

Buy It: 

Purchase Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set 

at Educational Insight's website. (Retail Price = $39.99)

Win It: 

Educational Insights has graciously agreed to giveaway

One (1) Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set

to One (1) lucky Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Reader!

How to Enter:

**Contest ends on 9/8/11**

 One (1) lucky Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas reader

(US Residents Only!) is going to receive:

a Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set kit

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Educational Insights website & tell me what you would like to review and/or learn with the  Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set and who you would like to win it for. 

Please include your email w/your comment so I can find you if you're our winner!

**Mandatory Entry must be completed for extra entries to count**

Extra Entries (Optional)

Please leave a separate comment

for each entry &

please include your e-mail

so I can get back to you if you win! 

*If you are already a follower leave a comment that counts as an entry*

1. Follow Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Publicly via Google Friend Connect  (+2) leave 2 comments
2. Follow Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas on Facebook (+3) leave 3 comments
3. "Like" Educational Insights on Facebook - I'd love for you tell them I sent you!
4. Follow Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas on Twitter  (+2) leave 2 comments
5. Subscribe to Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas emails  (+2) leave 2 comments
6. Subscribe to Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Newsletter  (+2) leave 2 comment
7. Vote for me on Parents (Best Craft for Kids Blog)
8. Make a comment on any non-giveaway post on Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Blog and leave a link.  You can do this for up to 5 posts but please note that comment must be dated after the start date of this post - not valid on previous comments. (+2) leave 2 comments
9. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link - can be done once a day
10. Tweet: #Win @ed_insights Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set w/@Momto2PoshDivas end 9/8 http://goo.gl/f #giveaways #homeschool #preschool

Giveaway Rules:

Giveaway ends 9/8/2011 at 11:59 (PDT)

Winner will be chosen via random.org. 

& contacted via email if an email is given .

Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Please note any entries that can not be verified will be disqualified.

*****************

Disclaimer: I received The Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set for free for the purposes of trying it out for this review. That being said, this review is my 100% honest opinion of this product - I  am not paid for my reviews or optinions! They are 100% mine! Please remember that your opinions and tastes might differ from mine. 

Good Luck,

Bern

Toybox Thursday: Educational Insights GeoSafari Dino Dig Kit Review & Giveaway



Welcome back to another exciting Toybox Thursday!

This week it's been all about dinosaurs here at the Lil Diva house and we had the fabulous fortune to review the perfect dino activity from Educational Insights -

The GeoSafari Dino Dig Velociraptors Set.

This awesome paleontolgy inspired kit provides children with a realistic archaeological dinosaur digging experience on a manageable at home/school scale.

The Lil Divas (and I) were excited to dig in and uncover our dinosaur bones.

Here's what came in the box:

1 "fossilized" clay brick w/bones

1 excavation tool

1 dust brush

1 small bar of wax adhesive

1 32 pg. guide (includes directions & dino facts)

1 gold sticker

1 black showcase platform



The purpose of this kit is to give an archaeological experience so you have to use the tools to excavate the bones. Once all the pieces have been uncovered you assemble the 2 velociraptor skeltons using the bones and the wax adhesive.



Our Experience:

This kit is recommended for ages 7-12 (or 2nd grade & up) so I knew the Lil Divas would require my assistance during this activity. I welcomed the opportunity to help them as this was my first time doing this type of activity as well and I was excited to get my hands on it myself! :)

We added a few drops of water to the top of the clay so that it was easy to start to dig for lil hands. I also kept a cup of water nearby so we could dip the excavation tool ever now and then and help the clay get moist if it got too hard for the Lil Divas to manage.

They did great and pretty soon we had uncovered our first bone. They were so excited! I showed them how to brush off the excess clay and to dig around the bone, being careful not to break the bone we were trying to excavate.

Check out these determined, hard at work faces! The project did take team work because it took us quite a while to get all the bones free. This would be a great small group project at home or in the classroom.

With a few people taking turns - no one got too tired of digging and everything stayed exciting and anticipatory as we watched new bones being uncovered.

The Lil Divas loved getting a hands-on look at each of the dinosaur bones as they came out of the clay. One bit of advice/caution - make sure you have a good work space. With little hands involved - things got quite messy with clay debris flying all around even though we were working on a tray. It was easy enough to clean up but in their zeal to dig & brush the clay away from the bones - things got messy! Of course where kids are concerned Messy = FUN!

Once all 14 pieces had been found, we washed them and laid them out to begin assembling the skeletons.

The assembly was the trickiest part of doing this with little ones. It works like a puzzle. You try the pieces out until you find what fits/works. I did quite a bit of helping with this part of the activity because in order for the pieces to stay together you must use the wax adhezive and they had trouble with that. They either took out a large piece or too little wax so I was mostly in charge of adding the wax and they would connect the pieces together.

We were all so excited when our 2 velociraptor skeletons were complete! It felt like such an accomplishment after our time and effort!

These kits are a fabulous addition to any Dinosaur unit study - I really think it would be great for a small group project. This would also definitely be a hit for any dinosaur enthusiast. 

I really enjoyed working with the Lil Divas on this project so I am excited that we get share the fun with our readers because Educational Insights if offering 1 GeoSafari Dino Dig kit to one lucky Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas follower!

*******************

Buy It: 

Purchase a GeoSafari Dino Dig Activity Kit

at Educational Insight's website. (Retail Price = $19.99)

Win It: 

Educational Insights has graciously agreed to giveaway

One (1) GeoSafari Dino Dig Kit

to One (1) lucky Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Reader!

How to Enter:

**Contest ends on 9/1/11**

 One (1) lucky Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas reader

(US Residents Only!) is going to receive:

a GeoSafari Dino Dig kit

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Educational Insights website &

tell me which  GeoSafari Dino Dig kit you would like to win. 

Please include your email with your comment so that I can find you if you're our winner!

**Mandatory Entry must be completed for extra entries to count**

Extra Entries (Optional)

Please leave a seperate comment

for each entry &

please include your e-mail

so I can get back to you if you win! 

*If you are already a follower leave a comment that counts as an entry*

1. Follow Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Publicly via Google Friend Connect  (+2) leave 2 comments
2. Follow Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas on Facebook (+2) leave 2 comment
3. "Like" Educational Insights on Facebook - I'd love for you tell them I sent you!
4. Follow Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas on Twitter  (+2) leave 2 comments
5. Subscribe to Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas emails  (+2) leave 2 comments
6. Subscribe to Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Newsletter  (+2) leave 2 comment
7. Vote for me on Parents (Best Craft for Kids Blog)
8. Make a comment on any non-giveaway post on Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Blog and leave a link.  You can do this for up to 5 posts but please note that comment must be dated after the start date of this post - not valid on previous comments. (+2) leave 2 comments
9. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link - can be done once a day
   Tweet: #Win @ed_insights GeoSafari Dino Dig Kit
10.  w/@Momto2PoshDivas ends 9/1 http://t.co/tGpCsPA #giveaways #homeschool #science #teachers

Giveaway Rules:

Giveaway ends 9/1/2011 at 11:59 (PDT)

Winner will be chosen via random.org. 

& contacted via email if an email is given .

Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Please note any entries that can not be verified will be disqualified.

*****************

Disclaimer: I received The GeoSafari Dino Dig Velociraptor Kit for free for the purposes of trying it out for this review. That being said, this review is my 100% honest opinion of this product - I  am not paid for my reviews or optinions! They are 100% mine! Please remember that your opinions and tastes might differ from mine. 

Good Luck,

Bern