Tuesday Hops!

Follow Me Back Tuesday is another day of the week that you can gain more followers and find other great blogs to follow on a weekly basis. Follow Me Back Tuesday is hosted by Survey Junkie, Little Yaya's, and Boobies, Babies & A Blog.

My Holiday Memories with Shutterfly

I love Shutterfly!  I have used it and loved it since before my first child was born almost 5 years ago, so when I had the opportunity to blog about Shutterfly and share my experiences, I was happy to do it!  Shutterfly is easy to use and a wonderful place to store and print those precious family memories.  I have gone to Shutterfly for so many occasions:  photo books, birth announcements, birthday invitations, thank you cards, calendars, photo gifts, and of course picture prints.  Every year at this time, I start examining every picture I am taking…will this one be cute enough for my Shutterfly Christmas cards?  Can I use this one in my personalized calendar?  Part of the joy of using Shutterfly is that you can be so creative with so little effort…and it looks so good! 

Shutterfly has so much more than just holiday cards.  One thing I am known for within my family is the family calendar I do every year as a gift for family members.  I compile pictures from my kids and also from my sister’s children and dump them into Shutterfly’s calendar program.  I do spend some time arranging the photos, but not nearly as much time as it looks like it took!  I love it because I can have several projects going at once, for different family members.  When complete, I can have them shipped directly to the recipient with a gift note…done!  And it is a very personal gift for each person.  Of course, I have to order one for myself as well! 

This year I am excited about our Christmas cards.  I can’t always decide which design to use, so sometimes I experiment with different options.  I am often torn between traditional colors and funky mod holiday designs.  In the past, I have gravitated toward the flat holiday photo cards, but this year I am excited to try the folded stationery cards!

With Love Chartreuse Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Since I am a procrastinator, it is good to know that even though it is first week of December (can you believe it?), I still have plenty of time to get those cards, calendars and gifts finished.  They have a handy shipping chart that tells you exactly when you need to place your order to have your various products or gifts shipped in time for the holidays.   If I am really pressed for time, I can have Shutterfly address my cards and mail them directly!  Check that off the to-do list!  Wahoo!  Thank you, Shutterfly!

This week Shutterfly has some AMAZING discount offers on photo books, holiday cards, calendars and more!  Plus free shippiing on orders of $25 or more (code: SHIP25).

Custom Made for Kids Books – Giveaway! {CLOSED}

Custom Made for Kids has a unique personalized book that would make a perfect gift for the children on your list!  Reading is such a wonderful family activity, and this book, The First Adventures of Incredible You, makes your child the star! This award winning book was developed by two Moms and has bright, whimsical illustrations and rhyming text that seamlessly includes your child’s personal information. With a little background from you about the people and places that are special to your child, the book is off on a wonderful personalized adventure.

The First Adventures of Incredible You follows your child from the day they arrive on Earth through a variety of first adventures in life. In addition to just a name and birthdate, you can include special details about a favorite sports team, a neighborhood street, a nearby park, favorite foods and vacations, a nearby zoo, siblings or friends, Grandparents and even a pet! The First Adventures of Incredible You truly seems like it is written especially for your child. The front of the book includes a dedication page so your child will always remember who gave them this unique gift. The amazing personal aspect of this book, along with the beautiful illustrations, will make it a treasured keepsake for many years.

BUY IT: The First Adventures of Incredible You is available for purchase on our All-American Baby retail website for $39.95. Gift certificates are available if you prefer to have the gift recipient fill out the personalized information.  Allow 8-10 days for delivery of your book. 

WIN IT: Thanks to Custom Made for Kids, we can offer a lucky All-American Baby follower a personalized copy of The First Adventures of Incredible You!

 1. Mandatory Entry: please visit our website (http://www.all-americanbaby.net/) and return with a comment on one item that you LOVE!

Additional Entries (must complete mandatory entry first):
2. "Liking" All-American Baby on Facebook
3. “Liking” Custom Made for Kids on Facebook
4. Follow us on GFC
5. Subscribe via email or RSS (one entry each)
6. Add your networked blog
7. Grab our Holiday Button and post it on your blog or website for TWO entries (leave the link in your comment and leave 2 comments)

8. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to All-American Baby Blog, and leave the URL to your blog post in the comment for TWO additional entries.


Be sure to leave an additional comment for each entry to get credit! And please leave a way to contact you! Comments without contact information or commenters who do not include the mandatory entry will be disqualified. Contest winner will be drawn using Random.org. Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn (this is a time sensitive prize, so winner will need to respond ASAP). Contest ends December 6, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.


Please note that all comments are moderated, so your comment will not appear until it has been approved.


Disclosure: This blog is used to promote American-made children's products, and our retail website All-American Baby. Many of the products reviewed here are available for purchase from our online store, http://www.all-americanbaby.net/. I am always on the look-out for only the best products to offer to parents looking for American-made items. I will only promote high quality, safe products that are made in the USA, whether in my store or in my blog. Custom Made for Kids is providing the gift for the winner of this giveaway. All views and opinions with regard to the products or manufacturer itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the manufacturer prior to posting. Offer Valid US only!

Work at Home Helper Blog Carnival: An All-American Work at Home Mom

When my first child was born, my husband and I made the tough decision for me to stay home with the baby. It was what I had always wanted, but cutting our income in half was going to be an adjustment. I had just finished my Master’s degree in education, and that, paired with my National Board Certification gave me two additional salary bonuses that I would only benefit from for a few months if I left. I was at the top of my professional game, but I had been teaching other people’s children for 14 years, and as an “older” mom and after years of infertility, I was ready to spend some time enjoying my newborn. The first year was wonderful but tough, as it is on all first-time parents! We were so lucky to have an “easy” baby, although I don’t think we realized it at the time (it wasn’t until our son was born that we realized how good we had it with our daughter). One of the things going on at that time was all of the recalls for the lead-tainted Chinese products. I was very committed to buying high-quality safe products for my daughter, and I really preferred to buy American-made, but it was so hard to find at the time! The Made in the USA products were out there, it was just a challenge to pull everything I needed together. I figured that other parents must be feeling the same way, and I wished there was one place I could find everything! That is when the idea for All-American Baby was born, and my husband and I began the planning process for our very own business!

It has been a wonderful adventure, but certainly one with a lot of challenges, and both successes and failures along the way. At one point we had our own retail space, but the amount of extra time and effort was not worth it. The online store was growing much faster and sales were stronger, so we backed down on the retail location to focus on the website. The biggest challenge for me has been striking the balance between work and home, since work is at home! I have to made sure I schedule time away from work…having my work at home makes it harder to get away from it. And honestly, being in retail, especially children’s retail, does make the holiday season that much more hectic. But having the flexibility to be at home with my children every day (even if part of that time I am “trying” to work) is so worth it. I get to enjoy the everyday joys of raising my children. I am able to set my own schedule and can be completely flexible when things come up, such as a sick child, or just a beautiful afternoon when we want to get outside for a picnic! My advice to any parents beginning the “work at home” adventure is to be prepared to work hard to strike the balance that is right for you. It is not as easy as it seems!

This post is part of the blog carnival "Share Your Work at Home Success Story" at the Work at Home Helper.

Sunday Blog Hops!

Hi!  It is time to hop around the blogsphere again!  Everyone has been busy with the holiday, family and shopping, but I love Sundays for relaxing a little before the week begins.  I am looking forward to meeting some new friends and finding some new blogs! 

Welcome to my friends from the blog hops.  I hope you will stay awhile!  I also have a GIVEAWAY ending tonight...a Hand-Knit Personalized Sweater Pal!  Hope you will check it out and enter!

Crafty Baby Review - Crafted in the USA!

Do you love Hand-Made?  I do!  So when I saw the products that Jill Chuckas from Crafty Baby was offering, I was excited to share them with you!  Crafty Baby was founded in 1998 by a love of sewing and a need for practical and durable baby products.  Owner and creator Jill’s designs are one-of-a-kind and crafted specifically to ensure durability against washing and active little ones.  Crafty Baby offers a variety of products for little ones that are crafted in the USA, from bibs and burp cloths to beautiful patchwork blankets.  Crafty Baby also offers a line of toddler products, including their popular Nap Pack and the newly released Art Smock. 

One of the most popular of Crafty Baby’s products is their Clutch Ball.  Crafty Baby generously offered to send me a Clutch Ball so I could see for myself exactly why it has been so popular!  I enlisted the help of my littlest product tester, and the result was tons of fun!  Even at 19 months, my little guy was completely engaged with the Clutch Ball.  It is divided into sections for easy gripping, and has a jingle bell sewn safely inside to provide a fun musical sound.  I can see why this ball has been especially loved by customers purchasing for young babies, since it is safe for grabbing, throwing and even chewing.  Crafty Baby truly has fun and functional creations for children!

Crafty Baby products can be found on our retail website All-American Baby, and at the Crafty Baby website.

Disclosure: This blog is used to promote American-made children's products, and our retail website All-American Baby. Many of the products reviewed here are available for purchase from our online store, http://www.all-americanbaby.net/. I am always on the look-out for only the best products to offer to parents looking for American-made items. I will only promote high quality, safe products that are made in the USA, whether in my store or in my blog. I was provided with a product to review by Crafty Baby. This review is based on my experience with the product as a consumer and as a retailer. All views and opinions with regard to the products or manufacturer itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the manufacturer prior to posting.

Reminder about our Sweeters Hand-Knit Giveaway!

Just wanted to post a reminder about our Sweeters Hand-Knit Sweater Pal Giveaway, ending this weekend!  One lucky winner will receive their choice of a monkey Sweater Pal, hand-knit and personalized!  Enter today!

Hand-Knit Personalized Sweater Pal Giveaway

GREAT After-Thanksgiving TOY SALE!

I hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing Thanksgiving Holiday!  I know lots of people are out shopping today, but just as many of us who won't go near the stores today!  I prefer to do my shopping online today and this weekend, and avoid the crowds.  Then I will venture out next week to finish up my shopping.  So, with that in mind, we decided to offer our online customers a GREAT After-Thanksgiving Toy Sale on our All-American Baby retail website.  TONS of toys are on sale all weekend!  Take advantage of our free shipping on orders over $150 as well.

Here are some examples of the toys on sale:

Green Toys Fire Truck $22.50


 

Soft Chenille Grab Balls $10.00



My First Blocks Wagon $21.50






Isabella Sock Monkey $20.00



Dolls Made in the USA? Yes!

Since the darling Wordless Wednesday picture I took this morning included my daughter’s “best doll friend” (see my previous post), I thought I’d take a minute to tell you about it (I guess that makes it a not –so-wordless-Wednesday!).  Her doll “Alise” is a soft rag doll from Adorable Kinders…and guess what?? Yes, it is MADE IN THE USA!  It is very hard to find American-made dolls, so I was thrilled to come across Adorable Kinders a few years ago.  The quality of the dolls is really excellent, and my little toy tester has had hours of fun, tea parties and field trips with her friend Alise.  There are cute outfits to choose from as well to dress the dolls.  And the best part is (other than they are American-made!)…there is a doll for everyone!  Adorable Kinders has 26 dolls to choose from…one named for each letter of the alphabet, and each one is as individual as the child who will love it!  We have since added “Thomas” to our personal doll collection, and both my son and my daughter enjoy him as well!  Another fun aspect of the Adorable Kinders dolls is that each doll comes with an internet key-code that may be used to register online at the “Adorable Kinders eSchool”.  There children can play educational games that make learning fun.   You can find some of the Adorable Kinders dolls on our retail site All-American Baby.   The rest of the doll collection can be found at the Adorable Kinders website, along with loads of great clothing and accessories!

Wordless Wednesday - Best Friend

Winner of Holgate Toy Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Holgate Toy Rocky Color Cone Giveaway. We used a True Random Number Generator from random.org to select our winner.


Our winner is "Birdie S.", comment # 32! Congratulations Birdie! Look for our email!

Did you miss this giveaway? No problem! We already have a new All American-made Giveaway going on, and more starting next week!
 

Sweeters Hand-Knit Pals Review and Giveaway! {CLOSED}

I am very excited to introduce you to Sweeters, a Grandma-owned company that makes hand-knit sweaters and fun sweater pals! Years ago company owner Sue Katz started to hand knit 100% cotton sweaters as gifts for family and friends. The sweaters were a hit and their feedback is what gave her the idea to turn her knitting into a full time career. That is how Sweeters was born! Each sweater is handmade by knitters here in the USA and all of their hand knit sweater are designed by Sue in Florida. Sweeters’ sweaters are hand knit one at a time; they do not mass produce their sweaters. A Sweeter sweater is hand knit when you place your order.

The Sweeters Pals are individually hand knit just like the sweaters. The Sweeters Pals collection is also made in the USA and the Sweeters Pals can be personalized because they are handmade when you place your order. All the yarn and stuffing is sourced in the USA so you can be assured that Sweeters meets the highest quality standards.


I have worked with Sweeters for several years, and my customers have always been more than pleased with the quality of the products. I can also personally recommend Sweeters’ products; my daughter has her own personalized Sweeters Pal, an Easter gift from the “Easter Bunny” that ended up as a favorite bedtime buddy! So much for putting it away with the rest of the Easter toys for the following year! She named her pal “Gigi” (her version of her own name at the time), and this beautiful, heirloom type gift has held up to nightly snuggles and various washes (we have to sneak it away to be washed) for over 3 years, and is still looking just as new as the day we received it! My son also has his own pal, a striped honey bear that keeps him company in his crib. It was one of the first toys I put in the crib with him…I didn’t have to worry about button eyes or noses popping off. Plus I knew that it was safe for him to snuggle with (and yes, chew on…there’s just no stopping it!).

All-American Baby has teamed up with Sweeters for an amazing giveaway offer: One lucky follower will receive their own Personalized Monkey Sweater Pal from Sweeters! This is such a special giveaway offer because the winner’s pal will be hand-knit to order! The winner will be able to choose from pink, blue or orange for their monkey's outfit, and will provide a personalized name to be knit into the monkey's shirt!  The winner should allow 3 weeks from the time of order for your new Sweeters Pal..just in time for Christmas!


Can't Wait?? You can buy it: Sweeters Pals and sweaters retail from $42.00 and up and are available at the All-American Baby retail website! Enter “Sweeters” in the product search box, or look for pals in soft toys and sweaters in clothing.  Remember, each pal or sweater is hand knit to order.  To allow 3 weeks before shipping, if you are hoping to receive your order before Christmas, you should order your pal or sweater this week!

Win it:

1. Mandatory Entry: please visit our website (http://www.all-americanbaby.net/) and return with a comment on one item that you LOVE!


Additional Entries (must complete mandatory entry first):
2. "Liking" us on Facebook
3.  "Liking" Sweeters on Facebook
4. Follow us via GFC
5. Subscribe via email or RSS (one entry each)
6. Add your networked blog
7. Grab our Holiday Button and post it on your blog or website for TWO entries (leave the link in your comment)
8. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to All-American Baby Blog, and leave the URL to your blog post in the comment for TWO additional entries.


Be sure to leave an additional comment for each entry to get credit! And please leave a way to contact you! Comments without contact information will be disqualified. Contest winner will be drawn using Random.org. Winner has 24 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn (this is a time-sensitive prize, so winner will need to respond ASAP). Contest ends November 28, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Please note that all comments are moderated, so your comment will not appear until it has been approved.


Disclosure: This blog is used to promote American-made children's products, and our retail website All-American Baby. Many of the products reviewed here are available for purchase from our online store, http://www.all-americanbaby.net/. I am always on the look-out for only the best products to offer to parents looking for American-made items. I will only promote high quality, safe products that are made in the USA, whether in my store or in my blog.  I was not provided with any gift or compensation; this review is based on my experience with the product as a consumer and as a retailer. Sweeters is providing the gift for the winner of this giveaway. All views and opinions with regard to the products or manufacturer itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the manufacturer prior to posting. Offer Valid US only!

Monday Blog Hops!

We are hopping on Monday to get the week started out right!  Join me on the following hops.  Welcome to everyone who is hopping...if you leave a comment I will follow you back (it may take me a few days, but I'll find you!)!  Thanks for visiting, and be sure to check out our website for American-made toys, clothes and gifts, plus our giveaway ending today!



Cornucopia of Blogs Hop



Personalized Christmas Ornaments - Made in the USA!

I just wanted to let you all know about an online Christmas ornament shop that carries made in the USA ornaments!  There is a review and giveaway going on at Fun Saving Money's blog for Ornaments with Love, an online store offering a huge variety of personalized ornaments, and many of them are American made!  Since not all of their ornaments are made in the USA, you can use the handy search feature at the top of the page to narrow your search to “made in USA”.  You will have a great selection!  You can visit their website at www.ornamentswithlove.com, or you can enter to win a free ornament of your choice at Fun Saving Money’s blog.  Let her know I sent you!   

Choosing the Right Toys for my Child’s Development - Part 1

As parents, we want to give our children the best advantage we can when it comes to their development. Choosing toys that are age appropriate and that aid in skill development is one way that parents can help their children. But choosing the right toys can be daunting, especially when faced with the rows of bright colored, blinking and talking toys that fill most toy stores. Some toys are much more likely to enhance a child’s development than others, but how to tell the right ones?

The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing toys for your child is their developmental stage, not just their age. Children develop at their own pace, and a child can have strengths in some areas and be weak in others. And of course every child is different, even within the same family! My own children are like night and day…my daughter was speaking in complete sentences (paragraphs even) by the time she was two, but just learned to jump last year. Yet my 19-month-old son, while I can barely understand the few words he does have, is already learning how to put simple puzzles together, and can climb almost as well as his 4-year-old sister. A good rule of thumb when purchasing toys is to choose toys that will actively engage the child, both physically and mentally, and can be used in a variety of ways. As a child’s interests, abilities and imagination grow, they will be able to use the toy in different ways. For example, a simple stacking toy can be used in a variety of ways: early on, the bright colors and smooth surfaces encourage reaching and grabbing, later it can be held and banged together to encourage coordination, then later can be used for motor skill practice as the child learns to place the rings on the cone, and eventually teaches ordering concepts as the child learns that there is a certain order for those rings.

Even a simple soft animal or doll is an appropriate plaything for children of all ages. At first, baby is just content to watch, the colors and facial expression of the toy are fascinating to her. Later she will grab, pull on and mouth the toy (this is completely normal…babies are very oral and explore with their mouths!). Soon she is using it to crawl over or throw as she develops her gross motor skills. Eventually the soft toy becomes part of her imaginative play, as she pretends with it, and perhaps it has even become part of her emotional comforting system (thus a “lovie”).
Another example of a developmentally appropriate toy that can span the ages is a set of blocks (see my post on block play for more information). Blocks can be appropriate for a young baby, as he initially uses them for grabbing and banging (yes, all that banging is actually necessary for development!). Soon he is able to stack and knock down (even the knocking down part teaches skills like cause and effect), and later he will develop the skill to actually begin building more complex towers, and to use the block structures in his imaginative play.

The best toys for development won’t necessarily have blinking lights and sounds, sometimes these toys can over-stimulate the child and usually can only be used in one way. Instead, look for toys in which the child controls the play, and can continue to use as they develop. And also remember, you are your child’s first, most fascinating, and most important plaything!


More coming soon: Stages of development and appropriate toys for each stage

Friday Blog Hop - Nov. 19!

I can't believe it's Friday again!  The week has flown by.  What a wonderful belated birthday gift (my birthday was Wednesday)...I was chosen as a featured blog for Hop Along Friday Blog Hop!  I am so excited to meet some new people and find some great new blogs.  So welcome to all the "hoppers"...I hope you will stay awhile, and be sure to leave a comment.  I will follow you back!

Come and hop along with us!

Holgate Toys – Made in the USA Toy Review & Giveaway! {CLOSED}



Holgate Express Train

I am so excited to share the first in our series of reviews of Made in the USA Toys!

Holgate Toys has been in business since 1789, and has been making toys since 1929…truly an American company. All of their wooden toys are Made in the USA from sustainable hardwoods and using non-toxic paint. Holgate has been exceeding safety standards for years, long before the CPSIA requirements.



Holgate's early workshop

Holgate is a company rich in American history. In the year 1789, America's Constitution was signed and George Washington became the country's first President. It was also the year Cornelius Holgate established his Pennsylvania woodworking shop! In 1929, the company expanded its product line by making educational pre-school wooden toys. Holgate's early toy designer was Jarvis Rockwell, brother of famous illustrator Norman Rockwell. Jarvis Rockwell's concern for safety, durability and educational play earned him recognition as America's premier toy designer during this period. With the great consumer success of its toys, Holgate began concentrating on this segment of its business. Today Holgate is synonymous with toys... and still making the finest wooden toys in America.



Bingo Bed

My personal and professional experience with Holgate has always been a positive one. Their toys are excellent quality wood toys, at reasonable prices! The toys they offer are educational and geared toward the developmental needs of young children. One of my favorite things about Holgate Toys (besides the fact that they are made in the USA!) is that they require the child to participate in the play, and thus the learning. No batteries needed here! Just imagination!



Hickory Dickory Dock Clock

Holgate has toys for children of all ages. Their infant toys, such as rattles and baby blocks, are perfect for baby’s first toys. Toddlers love pull toys, and Holgate provides a variety of these toys with their My First series: My First Train, My First Boat, and My First Block Wagon. For preschoolers, Holgate has educational toys like their Hickory Dickory Dock Clock, which helps develop motor skills while teaching early concepts such as numbers, shapes, sorting, and more. For details on these products and pricing, see our Holiday Gift Guide (coming soon).



Rocky Color Cone

One of our favorite Holgate Toys is the Rocky Color Cone stacking toy. This stacker is a beautiful, lasting heirloom toy. Both of my children have enjoyed many playtimes with this wonderful toy, and ours is still in excellent condition after several years of use. It is unique from other stackers in its size and quality! The size of the cone is smaller than other stacking cones, but I found that to be one of its advantages. The stacking pieces are the perfect fit for little hands. The smooth, colorful finishes keep the little one’s attention, and the pieces make a wonderful clacking noise when banged together! It is fun to watch the cone rock, roll and fall. As the child develops, the toy helps very young children learn about size, ordering, and the way things fit together. It provides excellent fine motor skill practice. And when the child wants to put it in his mouth, which inevitably happens, there are no worries about the product’s origins or the safety of the finish. The Rocky Color Cone is in our Holiday Gift Guide as an excellent idea for a Holiday gift for a child on your list.

Buy it: This toy retails for $18.00. It can be purchased here. Other Holgate toys we carry can be found here.

Win it: Holgate Toys has generously offered a FREE Rocky Color Cone to one of our customers or followers! What a great way to check off one item on your Holiday shopping list!


1. Mandatory Entry: please visit our website (http://www.all-americanbaby.net/) and return with a comment on one item that you LOVE!


Additional Entries (must complete mandatory entry first):


2. "Liking" us on Facebook,
3. TWO extra entries for following our blog! (Remember to leave two comments for this or it will only count once!)
4. Subscribe via email or RSS
5. Add your networked blog
6. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to All-American Baby Blog, and leave the URL to your blog post in the comment for an additional entry.


Be sure to leave an additional comment for each entry to get credit! And please leave a way to contact you! Comments without contact information will be disqualified. Contest ends 11:59 p.m. EST November 22, 2010.



Please note that all comments are moderated, so your comment will not appear until it has been approved.


Disclosure: This blog is used to promote American-made children's products, and our retail website All-American Baby. Many of the products reviewed here are available for purchase from our online store, http://www.all-americanbaby.net/. I am always on the look-out for only the best products to offer to parents looking for American-made items. I will only promote high quality, safe products that are made in the USA, whether in my store or in my blog. Holgate Toy is providing the gift for the winner of this giveaway. All views and opinions with regard to the products or manufacturer itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the manufacturer prior to posting. Offer Valid US only!

Wordless Wednesday - Oh, did you want some???