We made Amazon

Our shoes were picked to be featured on the Amazon.com deals page (click the title or this link: https://payments.amazon.com/sdui/sdui/personal/deals ) Awesome. Get yours at my 1000markets shop: http://www.1000markets.com/users/snanimals

Love Is In The Air...

Valentine's Day is coming soon. Miss E has already selected the cards she'll distribute to her preschool friends, and we are thinking of all kinds of red and pink crafts to keep us occupied at home. This is the one month where Ellis does not show her disdain for the color pink!

Kobold Toys has ideas for sweethearts of every age on your list! Our top 10 Valentine's Day gift suggestions are:

1. Toysmith's Sweetheart Tea for Two Set ($14.99). Cheers! This child sized 9-piece ceramic tea set will provide tea party fun throughout the year. Includes 3.5" pitcher with lid, two 4.25" plates, two 1.75" cups, creamer and lidded sugar bowl all molded in a whimsical sweetheart shape. Recommended for 3+

2. "Be Mine" Candy Heart Bag by North American Bear Co. ($11.99) . The stylish tote is lined and has velcro handles. Machine washable in case her chocolate hearts melt inside! Kobold Toys also offers goody bags in the shapes of dogs, fish and princesses!

3. Barefoot Books. Books offer a wonderful way for you to snuggle up with your valentine and Kobold offers a collection of books for children ages birth to 8 years old. Kobold recommends "The Journey Home from Grandpa's House." Hop in the yellow car and look out for all the other forms of transportation on the way home from Grandpa's. A beautiful, double-page spread at the end features all of the colors and modes of transportation from the story. Includes cd for easy singalong fun. What a great gift from grandparents (hint, hint Papa Charlie!).

4. ZOOB Tubes- Classic and Sparkle ($7.99). ZOOB building sets encourage creativity and are appealing to both boys and girls. These cute tubes offer the chance to make 17 creations from rocket man to a crab (instructions included).

5. Dolls and stuffed animals. Every child loves the chance to share the love with her own baby doll and bear. Kobold Toys offers a collection of adorable dolls and plush animals for all ages from Corolle, Lilliputiens, Shure, and North American Bear Co. Kobold loves the Babipouce Pink Striped Doll from Corolle - a perfect first doll. Other favorites include Baby Rose from Lilliputiens, Vanilla Redhead Doll from Corolle, and Rosy Cheeks Big Sister by North American Bear Co.

6. Heart Puzzle by Ravensburger ($11.99). Kobold is a fan of the incredibly cool and unique puzzleballs designed by Ravensburger. This 3D Heart Puzzle has curved, sturdy plastic pieces that fit snugly to form a perfect heart. The end result is a unique, decorative piece that can be displayed as a constant “I love you!” Your child will enjoy putting together this 60 piece puzzle that once completed creates a box. Ages 8+

7. Rose Baby Playmat from Lilliputiens ($99.99). Perfect baby shower or new baby gift! This flower-shaped play mat offers a bouquet of activities: sounds, different textures and various forms. Ideal to stimulate babies' curiosity. Plus, the mat is very practical: it folds, zips and can be taken along anywhere!

8. Fire Department Puzzle and Book by Shure ( $14.99). Let him know your hear is afire! Read to your child the colorful firefighters board book as you match each illustrated fireman and firetruck wooden piece with the image and shape in the tray, or stand them up for pretend-play on the table or floor.

9. Heart ball by Tatiri. ($9.99) With Tatiri's 5" inch playball, ball games become more fun. With their unique design and beautiful prints (hearts, cars, dinosaurs, airplanes and jungle theme), they become hard to miss and leave behind on the playground.

10. Lilliputiens LadyBird Rattle. Kobold thinks the rattles by Lilliputiens are adorable, and this ladybird rattle is perfect for Valentine's Day. Each time it squeaks, it says "I love you."

Have a wonderful weekend! And, as always,we hope your children have fun learning!

Courtney Courtney

Looking for that elusive Courtney Courtney dress? Aren't we all! We have 9 and counting! Want in on the fun (or race to get one?) Visit http://courtneycourtney.bigcartel.com/ or her etsy site at http://www.courtneycourtney.etsy.com/. Can't find one there (or aren't fast enough to get it when it's listed?) Try your luck at the Courtney Courtney market: http://www.facebook.com/courtneycourtney.market. Either way you get one, you'll want more, trust me!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

My children tell me they are freezing to death (or at least Miss E is sharing this proclamation with me). Little C prefers to stomp his feet and just say "Brrrrrrrrrrr." Ahh, the joys of January. The tree is down, the lights are packed away, and the boxes of decorations all stacked away in the attic. The cold reality that winter is here can no longer be disguised by reindeers, ribbons and mistletoe. Every errand requires an additional 20 minutes of layering and dressing (I am sure you true "Northerners" are giggling, but to girls raised in the deep south, 24 degrees is COLD).

January is the month in which many parents must dig deep into their resources for indoor activities. You might relax the rules a little and allow elaborate forts out of the den cusions or even sofa dancing "Flashdance" style...anything to get the ya-yas out! After baking goodies for everyone on your street (cupcakes and cookies are great distractions, but not for the new year's diet plan!) and extracting snowflakes and collages out of the remaining construction paper, rest assured your little friend Kobold has some ideas to keep the troops entertained! The best part is that you only have to open the door to pick up the delivery box - no need to bundle up and brave the winds when winter crafts can come right to the doorstep!

Kobold's top three picks for keeping busy and having fun learning are:

1. Any craft kit from 4M. Dinosaur bone digging.... rocket launching...mosaics...crochet...science projects. These incredible kits, $15.99 and under, are perfect for the winter doldrums. Kobold especially likes the Princess Window Mosaic and the Soda Can Robug (a "green" robot!).

2. Games! Kobold loves the games from German company Ravensburger. Known for their puzzles and games, Kobold is recommending Teddy Bear Mix & Match (cards are shaped like bears!) and Tell-A-Story Game. In the Tell-A-Story game each player uses their memory skills to try to be the first player to collect all five story cards about a single character. Once all of the players have collected all of their story cards, they arrange their cards to tell a story of their choice. This game encourages children to develop their imagination and creativity as well as logical thinking and language skills.

3. Puzzles are a tried and true favorite of our little Kobold. The 2 foot x 3 foot jumbo Fire Engine Shaped Floor Puzzle by Shure is oversized, durable, glossy pieces printed with colorful, hand-painted artwork are big fun for little puzzlers! Kobold also offers floor puzzles from Mudpuppy and the more advanced "Discover The World" Puzzleball by Ravensburger. Discover The World Puzzleball includes 540 pieces and is 8.5" in diameter when completed. The puzzle comes with its own stand so you can celebrate the accomplishment and keep it safe from the curious fingers of little brothers and sisters.

Kobold Toys also offers building blocks, art supplies and the very best of toys to promote learning so visit the site for more ideas for entertaining your own children or the must-have gift.

Kobold and his team wish you and your family a very happy and healthy 2010. We are grateful for your support of Kobold Toys, and look forward to sharing our favorite finds from around the world with you again this year.

Stay warm and have fun learning!

New Ginger Louise Site Coming soon...

Follow this link: http://gingerlouiseclothing.blogspot.com/2010/01/free-clothes.html and sign up to be a fan on facebook to learn about specials and deals on the new Ginger Louise website. If you love her clothes like I do this is a must!! (See her line at www.gingerlouiseclothing.etsy.com)

Shoe of the Month for January

Is.....

Our hearts n kisses hand painted sneakers! Just in time and just $15 at http://www.jlperillo.etsy.com/!