Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Maker

What's better than pizza? Pizza you can make at home! The EZ-2 Make Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Maker makes that possible for kids to do.

Features:

• Make pizzas in one minute using Mom's conventional microwave
• Includes dough, sauce and cheese mixes
• Makes 4 pizzas
• Refills are available

Ages: 8+

Price: $34.99

Available from Amazon.

ICEE Slushy Maker

The EZ-2 Make ICEE Slushy Maker is a great toy to have on hand for those lazy days of summer. What better way to enjoy summer than with a big 'ol slushy?

Features:

• Makes delicious slushies in under 5 minutes
• Prepare! Mix! Shake! Enjoy!
• Includes ice flavors

Ages: 4+

Price: $19.99

Available from: Amazon

magicJack- The Perfect Gift to Keep in Touch!

Okay! You are going to LOVE this! Today's product up for review combines several things that I am crazy about: saving money, convenience, technology, and communication. They are most definitely my favorite features to look for in a great product.

Kiss your hundred dollar monthly phone bills goodbye, because with magicJack, they are things of the past. You may have seen the infomercials for magicJack... I have seen them several times, and was always curious as to how well it really worked. Here's a breakdown of how simple this product is.

magicJack is a small USB device. One end of it plugs directly into your computer's USB port. On the other end is a port to plug your regular old phone into. After you plug the magicJack into your computer, you will be prompted to set up your account. You are assigned a home phone number (over 200 area codes to choose from) and you can even set up 911 dialing. Here is mine plugged in and ready to go:

Basically what happens is the magicJack uses your internet connection and turns it into a phone line. Your phone is plugged into the Magic Jack, and can make and receive outgoing calls. I got mine installed in a matter of minutes and tested it out by calling Biker Bob and my neighbor. The clarity of the line was nice and clear. I just can't get over how simple this is!

magicJack isn't going to replace your cell phone. However, it could absolutely replace your land line or serve as a cheap alternative to a second traditional land line. I have talked to family and friends about how they use magicJack, and they had these great suggestions:

• Land line for the kids to use
• Great to take when traveling
• Perfect for vacation homes
• Good to have on hand if your cell phone dies
• Really awesome for members of the military or our families stationed overseas
• Used by college students studying abroad

The possibilities are really endless. Plus, with magicJack you get many of the same features that you enjoy on a land line, including voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID!

So, yes, it sounds great- but what's the catch? There really is none. Get this- the magicJack is only $40. And then it is $20/year. DID YOU HEAR ME? $20 a year!!!!! For unlimited phone use! That's $1.67/month. WOW!

I am so super excited to share with you- that you can actually get a free trial of magicJack just by heading over to their website! So what do you really have to lose? This would make such a thoughtful gift for just about anyone on your list.

Blurb.com Photo Books

Sometimes memories are so precious, only the highest quality method of preserving them will do. That is the case with Blurb.com. I have tried many company's photobooks. Most have been okay, some have had less than quality printing. Blurb Books and their quality can be summed up in one word: stunning.

In what was an extremely hard task, I chose my very favorite pictures that Caitlin Domanico has taken of Lily Bean throughout her first year of life. I used them to put together a Large Landscape book. Blurb was kind enough to give me a credit to put towards part of my book price.

One thing that I really like about Blurb is that you design your book using their easy to use software. After downloading the software onto your computer, you create the book offline. It's very user friendly (an amateur should have no problem using it) and there are various templates and page layouts to choose from. You can choose a book jacket or have your images printed directly on the cover.

Once you're finished creating and reviewing your book, you simply upload it (well, the software uploads it) back to Blurb.com. You then order your book, and within about a week, it's delivered to your door! Books start at just $12.95 for a 7x7 inch square hardback book.

Start creating your own Blurb Book today! (They also offer gift certificates- what a cool gift for just about anyone on your list!)

Printies Design Studio

Remember the holiday toy showcase in NYC that I went to a few weeks ago?

I had the chance to preview some of this year's *hottest* toys- and Printies Design Studio was among my very favorites!

Printies comes with everything you need to make SIX custom, original stuffed animal creations!

Purchase a kit and gain access to their exclusive website where your child can create a one-of-a-kind character! Print the character out using your inkjet printer onto their special fabric paper.

No cutting, no pasting, no sewing required! Simply punch the character out of the paper, stuff with filling, and add feet and accessories! You can even upload picture files to put your very own face on your Printie!

Printies are are perfect for any time, from a rainy day to a birthday party!

Ages: 6+

Price: $19.99

Available from Amazon

Sort it Out! (The Game of Putting Things in Order)

Confession: I am not a fan of board games. I liked them as a kid, but for some reason, unless they are really fun, I just can't get into them.

When I was pregnant and in fact 4 days overdue with Lily Bean, Biker Bob thought a nice game of Scrabble would take my mind off of things. I was so miserable that when he went to the bathroom, I cheated, just so the game would be over!

I was actually curious to try out the new board game called Sort it Out! from University Games. I thought maybe, just maybe, this could be an enjoyable game. It looked like it was a fast paced game with obscure, random facts- something that definitely amuses me.

Designed for 2-6 players, we gave it a whirl. I can't believe it- I had fun. LOL (Shhh.. don't tell anyone!) This is a great party game, because there is a little something for everyone. The main idea of the game is to put things in the correct order- this could mean sorting items by which one is the biggest, fastest, loudest, smallest, or longest!

Here's a sample question: Sort these things by their height- 1) Barack Obama, 2) adult kangaroo, 3) standard 6 foot ladder, 4) T-Rex, 5) full size double bass. The more you place in the right order, the more you score!

Game includes: game board, 6 moving pieces, 6 tile holders, 30 colored tiles, over 300 topic cards, sand timer, and instructions.

Ages: 12+

Price: $18.75

Available from: Amazon, Target, and Are You Game

U Turn Digital Camera

COOL!!! Check out this new digital camera designed JUST for kids!

The U Turn Digital Camera features a 2.4" LCD Screen and holds up to 80 photos- no memory card required! The screen actually turns 180 degrees so that kids can see themselves while taking the picture!

This camera offers 12 morphing effects to turn any picture into a silly keepsake. Choose from big head, comic book, eye popping, tunnel vision, twins, face pinch, mirror head, thermal, stretch, twisted, slices, and ghost.

Camere connects to the television and package includes the following:

• Digital Camera
• SNAP! Photo Editing Software
• Wrist Strap
• USB/TV-Out Cable
• Quick Start Guide

Requires: 3 AA Alkaline Batteries (not include)

Ages: 6+

Price: $49.99

Buy a U Turn Digital Camera now!

Fundex Electronic A to Z Game

The Fundex Electronic A to Z will provide hours of entertainment, whether you'd on a long car ride or just relaxing at home. This electronic 2 player game presents you with a question and your job is to try to come up with the most answers- one answer for every letter of the alphabet!

Game features: built-in score keeping, lights and sound, card storage, team or individual game play.

Requires: 3 AA batteries (not included)

Price: $22.60

Ages: 8+

Buy Electronic A to Z now!

Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Ring Maker

Forget those Easy Bake Ovens! Girl Gourmet is the new go-to treat maker for girls!

The Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Ring Maker is just too cool! You can made your very own rings- rings that can be worn, and yes, can be EATEN!

Each box comes with enough ingredients to make 10 candy cake rings! (No cooking required.)

Price: $14.99

Ages: 8+

Buy Girl Gourmet Sweets Candy Ring Maker now!

Buy Girl Gourmet Sweets Refill Packs now!