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 an
d 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 inclu
des 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!
Kobold's top three picks for keeping busy and having fun learning are:
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 an
d creativity as well as logical thinking and language skills.
des 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.
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)
A hunk a hunk a burnin' love!! You gotta love this Elvis dress (0 - 3 mos) on sale for just $15 (my custom 4T was $30) at http://www.singmeamelody.etsy.com/ 
Be sure to pair it up with our Hello Kitty inspired sneakers (or maryjanes!) $23 at www.jlperillo.etsy.com! 
1. The Little Pirate Bag of Books set lets your child set sail with this merry crew and enjoy all sorts of pirate fun with Port Side Pirates! with music CD and Pirates: Fun Activities, filled with puzzles, mazes, treasure maps and reusable stickers which will keep young landlubbers happily occupied for hours.
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Yes, rush to www.gingerlouiseclothing.etsy.com to get this beautifully made Christmas dress for your little princess at just $38 (get the matching ruffled leggings for $18.) I had this dress in the Halloween fabric and it was gorgeous! You will love her clothes!
This is one of those outfits that is perfect for the holidays and for the months after. I just LOVE Christmas clothes (and shoes from my shop www.jlperillo.etsy.com) but hate that after Christmas day I have to put them away. Solution! This adorable plaid skirt (with the leggings and shirt if you choose) from www.gingerlouiseclothing.etsy.com is just $20 and will last through spring. Dress it up with sparkley red for Christmas day or leave it tonal with the browns, just gorgeous.
Looking for just the right present for that toddler or girl or boy you know? Well, I have the answer (not just for young kids either, my niece, 13, LOVES her cape!) These CUSTOM super hero capes! You can get plain or printed fabric with his or her favorite designs. Looking for spongebob, pirates, princesses, horses, elmo or thomas? Look no further. Pam can do all of that. From the printed fabric to the emblem on the back (with personalization too) you can't go wrong. She also offers different lengths from toddler to child to get it right.
I love this monkey scarf from www.rosaleendhu.etsy.com ($25) Also available in bunnies (lots of colors) So cute and makes a great gift. Here is the description:
On Veterans Day we thank and honor those who served in the military. There are many ways to talk to your children about this special day...attend a parade in your neighborhood, discuss bravery and freedom, and just say "thank you" to these men and women for their service and sacrifice. One idea Kobold likes is to make a card to thank veterans and send the card to a local VA Medical Center. What a morale booster! 
Candy cane maryjanes, sparkley and fun and can be made as sneakers too.!
One of our newest designs, Candyland! So sweet, perfect for the holidays but also all year round! (Think Valentine's Day, Easter, anytime!)
Okay, by now you must know that my absolute favorite place to buy Anna's clothing is through http://www.gingerlouiseclothing.etsy.com/. I can't even begin to describe the quality, cut and fabrics she uses to make these custom creations. And that she will custom size them for your little girl is just beyond! She has started listing her holiday line, which is very limited. She also is having a blow out sale, be sure to get your favs at reduced prices (I did.!) Here is her new Jubilee, Ferry in Red for Christmas ($34) I have this top in blue and it is divine!!! I want this and will likely get it for Anna!! 
Here is the Jubilee holiday twirl set (both top and skirt) for $54.00. I have these tops in many colors for Anna and they are fabulous! I have many skirts but not the twirl (yet) but can say that the others are phenomenal so I know this is too. She puts so much into each piece and it shows!
decorate her own little tree each year, and it is fun to let her select the ornaments. Some will become keepsakes and others are fun little whims from the Target. I think it is nice to have some holiday decor that the children can touch and even play with through the season. Our little Kobold has selected some adorable pieces that will add to you and your beloved's holiday joy.
Music lovers will love the adorable wooden angel with a violin. She also has friend in the choir who loves to sing, and a friend holding the candle of hope for the season. These wooden angels by HABA are sure to delight. And what a perfect gift idea for your music teacher!
lla are keepsakes that will delight for years to come.
This past Saturday it rained and rained and rained. Miss E and Little C created this crazy game with a ball and a child-size broom. I never really understood the gist of the game, but I did love listening to the giggles on such a gloomy day. It also reminded me that sometimes the simplest toy- the ball!- can provide endless laughter and entertainment. Here are some of Kobold Toy's favorite balls- perfect (and affordable!) birthday and holiday gifts: 
it and are easily assembled together to form a solid, smooth ball - with no glue required! Kobold Toys offers the sports ball in the form of soccer, basketball and baseball. And for the holidays, we are offering the puzzle ball in seven beautiful patterns. The end result of one of these 60-piece puzzles is an unique decorative piece that can be displayed in your child's room or hung in the Christmas tree as an ornament. 
