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American Girl Announces ‘Shine On Now’ Program

June 28, 2010 By Vera 3 Comments

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To foster a spirit of goodwill and help make the world a brighter place, American Girl is introducing Shine On Now™ — a new charitable initiative that harnesses the collective power of girls to help others in need.

Through Shine On Now, American Girl is calling on girls across the country to help the company give $1 million in clothes, books, dolls, and money to the following four organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children U.S.A., National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation.

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Beginning July 13, 2010, girls can visit shineonnow.com to contribute a free ‘star’ to the effort. The goal is to collect one million stars by the end of the program on July 31, 2010. In addition, for every star a girl contributes (she can donate up to 100 each day!), her name will automatically be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl™ doll.

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As part of the Shine On Now initiative and to further encourage girls to let their spirits shine, American Girl is also launching a brand-new virtual campus, Innerstar University™—a fun, safe online world where girls learn to be their best through a variety of games, quizzes, and other enriching activities that help boost their confidence and strength. Access to the new virtual world is free with each 18-inch My American GirI doll—the company’s newly enhanced contemporary product line that allows a girl to create a special doll as unique as she is.

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Filed Under: Charity, Featured, Play Tagged With: American Girl

Award-Winning Bumbo Baby Seat

June 25, 2010 By T. Johnson 3 Comments

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The award-winning Bumbo Baby Seat provides a comfy place for baby to sit while still being supported! Superior in design, and useful for babies 3 months of age and up to 14 months of age as they learn to sit independently, this clever product requires no buckles, belts or straps! New moms and seasoned moms alike will tell you that the Bumbo Baby Seat is a must-have gift for any baby shower! This innovative seat helps ease your baby into sitting unassisted, and is great for both feedings and play time. It is extremely lightweight and can easily be tucked into the car or SUV for trips to Grandma’s or over to a friend’s house to play.

The Bumbo Baby Seat comes in 5 bright, cheerful colors, and is available at retailers nationwide, such as Target and Babies R’ Us. To learn more, or to order online, visit the website. You can also follow Bumbo Baby Seat on Facebook.

*Company sent a sample for this review.

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Filed Under: Everything Else, Play Tagged With: baby, baby shower gift, Bumbo Baby Seat, play time

Look At This Stuff? Isn’t It Neat? Your First Look At The Disney Princess Holiday Release

June 24, 2010 By Vera 2 Comments

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Disney has come out with a new line of princesses aiming at older girls… and I definitely included in the mix. I LOVE THESE GIRLS. Here’s the deal. Princess & Me is a new line of beautifully sculpted 18″ scale dolls that come with a variety of clothing. Change them into different outfits, nightgowns, ballet outfits and more!

Here’s the best part – your daughter / granddaughter can dress up in the same clothing! EEK! How exciting!!  Talk about a perfect gift for the holidays.

Starting in July Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Tiana will be available at QVC. In August, be sure to check out Toys R Us and in October everything will be available at the Disney Store.

Now – here’s the kicker… we have a NEW PRINCESS TO MEET!!! It’s Rapunzel!

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In celebration of Disney’s new movie, ‘Tangled’ the company is introducing us to a brand new princess. Her hair is AMAZING.

Click on the continue reading link below to see a MILLION pictures of the new princess toy line including some new dresses for your little girl.

[Read more...]

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Filed Under: Featured, Play

4th Of July Arts And Crafts Ideas For Children With Special Needs

June 24, 2010 By Vera Leave a Comment

Summer is here, and the 4th of July is less than two weeks away. With children on a break from school for the summer, they may be eager to get outside and have some fun. Crafts are a unique way to get children active and thinking outside of the box.

Below, you’ll find two 4th of July craft suggestions for children, from Debbie Scaccio, Arts & Crafts Specialist, and the staff at Block Institute. Block is an educational facility in New York City dedicated to providing services to children and adults with special needs ranging from global development delays to cerebral palsy and many other conditions.

Straw Art

Activity – Straw Painting

Materials:

* red, white and blue tempera paint
* large construction paper
* straws
* water
* paper towels for clean up

Directions:

1. Place construction paper on ground outside
2. Pour paint into small dishes
3. Put end of straw into paint, then hold straw over paper and blow paint
4. Allow to dry before hanging

Skills Addressed:

* Increased attention and focus to task
* Following step by step directions
* Making choices
* Color recognition and identification
* Oral motor skill development
* Perceptual motor skill development
* Increased art appreciation
* Development of positive self esteem through success of completing project.

Shadow Art

Activity – Chalk Shadow Drawing

Materials:

* red, white and blue chalk
* Hose connected to water supply
* A sunny day
* Paper towel towels for clean up

Directions:

1. Show child their shadow on the ground on a sunny day
2. Have child trace outline of your shadow and fill in body spaces
3. Use sprinkler or hose to wash off sidewalk when finished.

Skills Addressed:

· Increased awareness of self and body parts

· Recognition and identification of body parts

· Receptive and expressive language skill development

· Concept of shadow

· improves focus attention to task

· Sensory motor skill development

· Perceptual Motor skill development

· Eye-hand coordination

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Filed Under: Holiday, July 4th, Play Tagged With: 4th of july, Arts and Crafts
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