Gourmet Play! 6 Great Sushi Toys For Kids

One of my favorite things about having a play kitchen is all of the different types of food that you can purchase for your kids to ‘cook’.   In the last few years toymakers have taken the creativity factor up a notch and have created some pretty cool products to enhance your child’s imaginative play.

While creating artful sushi dishes is a skill that not many are able to master, we have found 6 great sushi ‘toys’ that are sure to make your child look like a pro.  Whether they are creative or just looking to feed their friends, these sets will make sure that there is something cool on the table!

1. Sushi Sort & Transfer Kit($16) – As children sort the 12 realistic looking miniature sushi pieces using
   Asian learning chopsticks (or their fingers), they strengthen small
   motor skills and learn about foods from a different part of the world.
   Kit includes 5 types of Sushi, Asian Learning Chopsticks, 5 Rice
   Pattern Asian Dishes, Rice Pattern Bowl, and Tray.(4 and up)
2. Sushi Set by Yellow Label Kids($36) – Even baby can enjoy sushi with these hand
   made teething rattles. These unique and beautiful toys are 100% Hand Knit by Fair Trade Artisans in Bangladesh.
   4” each approximately
3. Kids Sushi Lunch Box($17) – This felt sushi kids lunch set is great for your child’s imaginative
   play like parties, picnics and so much more!All sushi are 100% hand sewn with love, made from felt and stuffed with
   polyester fiber.  Recommended for
   children 5 years of age and up.
4. Sushi Roll from Erzi($20) – This 11-piece set will make a great addition to your kitchen play. It comes with 6 sushi rolls, a pair of chopsticks, one sashimi, some wasabi and a wooden case to hold everything! Suitable for kids 4+
5. Plush sushi($8 each) – Designed and manufactured by ThinkGeek, this sushi set turns our favorite food into cuddly plush stuffies.
6. Melissa and Doug Sushi Slicing Set($22) – This elegant 24-piece wooden sushi set is packed in a beautiful storage box and includes sliceable sushi rolls, shrimp, tuna, easy-use chopsticks, a cleaver and more! Sushi rolls make fun chopping sounds when sliced!

Related Articles: 

• Roundup: 8 Kid Friendly Nativity Sets!
• Kid Tested: VTech MobiGo {GIVEAWAY}
• Kid Tested: MEGA Play’n Go Musical Train
• Kid Tested: Step2’s Master Chef Kitchen {GIVEAWAY}

Celebrity Families Enjoy Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!

The Nokia Theatre in L.A. was a buzz with celebrity families yesterday for the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! show. 

The hour long show featured the stylings of DJ Lance. He brings a mysterious boom-box that carefully protects his special toy creatures. He breathes life into his toys with the magical words, “Yo Gabba Gabba!.”

Chuck’s Zack Levi and Hockey player Dustin Brown also joined the cast on stage to show off their dance moves for the dancey dance segment. 

Some celebrity families in attendance were: 

• Jenna Elfman with son Story 
• Tori and Dean with kids Liam and Stella(above)
• Christina Milian with daughter Violet 
• Kelis with son Knight Jones 
• Rebecca Romijn and actor Jerry O’Connell with their twins Charlie and Dolly
• Kourtney Kardashian with son Mason

Related Articles:

• Michael Douglas & His Family Celebrate at Disney World!
• Daddy Duty! Matt Damon Spotted Doing The School Run With Isabella
• Jessica Alba & Cash Warren Enjoy Some Family Park Fun With Honor
• Christina Aguilera Calls Max The ‘Love Of Her Life’
• Scott & Kourtney Shop With Mason in Beverly Hills

 {WIREIMAGE}

Roundup: 8 Kid Friendly Nativity Sets!

Parents who are looking to tell the story of baby Jesus, but don’t want to let their children to bang up their expensive porcelin sets, will love the kid friendly Nativity sets we’ve found. 

Created for kids of different ages, each set will help show who came to see Baby Jesus when he was born and why his birth was so important.

1. Kurt Adler Hand-Carved Wooden 12-Piece Child’s First Nativity Set($40) – This set features 12 hand-carved wooden pieces, that are designed to appeal to young imaginations with easy-grasp rounded shapes, vivid colors, and sweet facial expressions. The figures measure approximately 3-1/2 inches high and the stable measures approximately 5-1/2 inches high. Lead-free paint.
2. Playmobil Nativity Set($20) – Playmobil’s Children will love setting up their own nativity for the holidays. Read the included story book while placing baby Jesus in the manger, surrounded by the three wise men, Mary and Joseph and all the manger animals. Nativity set measures 17.3″ W. Includes six adult figures (2.95″ H), an angel (2.05″ H) and much more.
3. Melissa & Doug Nativity Set($30) – This child-friendly, wooden nativity set provides a “please touch” holiday experience. The four-piece stable is easy to assemble and the 11 figures encourage your child to re-enact the events of that Christmas Day long ago. A retelling of the Christmas story is included on the package to help create a treasured family tradition for the holiday.
4. Learning Journey 19-pc. Wooden Nativity Play Set($24) – This wooden Nativity play set is just the answer for celebrating the first holy night. Set up for display or enjoy interactive play. Ages 3 and up.
5. Haba Nativity($100) – German toymaker Haba has created a gorgeous set that can be played with for years or used for decoration. The figures are made from beech wood and include Mary, Joseph, Christ
   Child and manger, shepherd, standing sheep, lying sheep, donkey, ox,
   Angel, King Balthasar, King Melchior, King Caspar, two palm trees and
   the stable with star.
6. Maxim EverEarth Nativity Set($24) – This 13-piece nativity set features all of the basic characters from the time-honored story of the birth of Jesus. Its made of sturdy natural wood and water-colored based paints. It’s an eco-friendly and kid safe way to develop a childs hand to eye coordination and imagination.
7. Constructive Playthings Wood Nativity Block Set($30) – Let children build their very own nativity scene. This hardwood, 30-pc nativity block set lets kids learn the meaning of Christmas through hands-on play. Largest block is 10 L x 3″ H x 2″ W and tree stands 3″ H. Ages 3 yrs +.”
8. Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene Playset($45) – Little People, a staple with kids 1 and up, have created a set that ‘celebrates a special day, from long ago and far away’. Place the angel on the stable the star lights up to guide the wise men from afar and the tune “Away in a Manger” plays. Two fence pieces connect to the stable and to the other Little People playsets. 

Doutzen Kroes & Husband Sunnery James Attend The ‘Action To Innocence’ Gala

Mom-to-be model Doutzen Kroes showed off her growing bump with husband DJ Sunnery James by her side while attending ‘Action To Innocence’ gala party held at the Pavillion Ledoyen in Paris, France yesterday.

The couple, who were married just 2 weeks ago, expects their first child together, a boy, in January 2011.

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• Rachel Zoe Confirms She’s Expecting! 
• Pregnant Miranda Kerr To Cover of Vogue Australia

{FAME}

Amy Poehler & Son Abel Prep For Thanksgiving

New mom Amy Poehler was spotted out with her nanny and new son Abel yesterday getting some last minutes groceries for today’s dinner at Bristol Farms.

This is the first time we’ve gotten a peek at 3-month-old baby Abel. 

He rides safely in a Graco Snugride Infant seat and is covered by aden+anais’ mod about baby swaddle muslin blanket.

Related Articles:

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• Jessica Alba & Cash Warren Enjoy Some Family Park Fun With Honor

{FAME}

Amazing Video: Almost Full Term Baby Tries to ‘Escape’ Mom’s Belly!

This cool video of an almost full term baby inutero is catching some attention online.  It is video taped by a dad-to-be, while his pregnant partner is relaxing on the couch and her unborn baby rolls around in her stomach.


Every woman who has been pregnant has had a night where they are pretty sure their child is going to climb out of their belly sideways, but not all of us get it on tape.

Luckily, this couple did and it’s very cool to watch!

http://www.youtube.com/v/gRn9T2CXJKM&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3

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 VIA Thinkbaby

Johnson & Johnson RECALLS Children’s Benadryl & Junior-Strength Motrin caplets

Johnson & Johnson has announced the recall of about four million packages of cherry- and grape-flavored Children’s Benadryl allergy tablets and about 800,000 bottles of junior-strength Motrin caplets. 

The reason for the recall is vague, with the Benadryl website only offering this statement: 

In consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of all product lots of Children’s BENADRYL® Allergy FASTMELT® Tablets, in cherry and grape flavors, that were distributed in the United States, Belize, Barbados, Canada, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, and St. Thomas and all product lots of Junior Strength MOTRIN® Caplets, 24 count, that were distributed in the United States.

This is a wholesale and retail level recall. No action is required by consumers or healthcare providers and consumers can continue to use the product. The recall was initiated after a review, conducted as part of McNeil’s Comprehensive Action Plan, revealed insufficiencies in the development of the manufacturing process. There is no indication that the recalled products do not meet quality standards, and this recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse events.

 

Bonnie Jacobs, a company spokeswoman said, “Consumers can continue to use the product; they don’t have to take any action,” The action “is not being taken on the basis of adverse events” or safety issues. 

Parents who are concerned can call Johnson & Johnson Consumer Care Center at
1-888-222-6036 (available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET and
Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time.) 

Related Articles:

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RECALL: 90,000 Bassettbaby to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Bassett Furniture Industries, today announced a voluntary recall of about 90,000 Bassettbaby drop-side cribs with external plastic hardware because the cribs’ drop-side rail can malfunction, detach or otherwise fail, causing part of the drop side to detach from the crib. When a drop-side rail partially detaches, it creates a space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child also can fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents also can occur due to incorrect assembly and age-related wear and tear. 

The firm and CPSC are aware of 18 reported incidents in which drop-sides malfunctioned or detached from the crib. No injuries were reported. In one of the incidents a child became entrapped between the mattress and the drop-side. In three of the incidents children fell out of the cribs. The firm also has received 154 reports of drop-side hardware breaking during shipment, assembly or use.

The recalled cribs are wood with a metal mattress support and have a drop side with external plastic hardware. The cribs were sold in a variety of finishes. A label is attached to the footboard or headboard with the names “Bassettbaby” or “Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.” as well as the model number, production date and other information. On some older models the manufacturer’s name appears on a separate label. 

MODELS INCLUDED IN RECALL TO REPAIR

Style Number	Product Description
5091-0604	Mission Single
5591-0604	Mission Single
5991-0604	Mission Single
5891-0604	Mission Single
5092-0604	Mission Bay Single
5592-0604	Mission Bay Single
5892-0604	Mission Bay Single
5992-0604	Mission Bay Single
5093-0604	Cape Cod Single
5093-0621	Cape Cod 4 N 1
5593-0604	Cape Cod Single
5593-0621	Cape Cod 4 N 1
5893-0604	Cape Cod Single
5893-0621	Cape Cod 4 N 1
5993-0604	Cape Cod Single
5993-0621	Cape Cod 4 N 1
5693-0621	Cape Cod 4 N 1
5765-0504	Woodlands Single
5919-0620	Bel-Aire 3 N 1
5100-0522	Terrace Park 3 N 1
5026-0620	Parson Ridge 4 N 1
5026-0504	Parson Ridge Single
5062-0504	Shenandoah Single
5062-0620	Shenandoah 4 N 1
5862-0620	Shenandoah 4 N 1
5089-0504	Chimney Corners Single
5446-0504	Hidden Hills Single
5935-0521	New Haven 3 N 1
5936-0521	New Haven 3 N 1
5405-0620	Richmond Park 3 N 1
5960-0604	Cottage Single
5960-0604Q	Cottage Single
5665-0621	Timber Creek 4 N 1
5665-0621F	Timber Creek 4 N 1
5665-0621S	Timber Creek 4 N 1
5666-0621	Timber Creek 4 N 1
5666-0621S	Timber Creek 4 N 1
5760-0604	Mission Single
5860-0604	Cottage Single
5860-0620	Cottage 3 N 1
5104-0514	Lake Wood Single
5401-0504	Lake Wood Single
5871-0621	Winsor 4 N 1
5871-0621W	Winsor 4 N 1
5714-0504	English Manor Single

Note: This recall does not include non drop-side cribs. 

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled drop-side cribs and contact Bassettbaby at (800) 308-7485 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.bassettbaby.com for a free kit that will immobilize the drop side. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age. 

Related Articles:

• CPSC Offers New Parents Babywearing Safety Tips 
• RECALL: 1,200 Rocking Horse Depot Rocking Horse Toys Due to Strangulation Hazard
• RECALL: 19,000 Britax Chaperone Infant Car Seat Due To Faulty Harness Strap Chest Clips That May Fracture 
• RECALL: 34,000 Victory Land Group Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards

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Kid Tested: VTech MobiGo {GIVEAWAY}

VTech’s MobiGo is the company’s new handheld device created for 3-8 year-olds. This touch screen edu-game is the next generation of handheld toys combining one of today’s hottest electronic features with important early learning skills.

To get started you will need to install 4 AA batteries into the back.  VTech has a special software that you should sync with your MobiGo to take advantage of their exclusive offers and to download some of their games. As an incentive, they are offering free downloads for a year to parents when they register their unit. 

Once logged in, you have the option of checking your child’s progress, changing your account or downloading a game from VTech’s extensive list. 

The memory on the device will only allow you to store about 3 downloaded games, but that can be increased to 10 if you buy an additional cartridge.

The only thing I don’t like about this is that the downloaded games only appear JUST after the file transfer and will need to be re-transferred after every power-up. The only way to avoid this is to purchase the game storage card that I mentioned above as the device doesn’t appear to have any long term memory. The bonus to this is that the card comes pre-loaded with 8 games. 

The MobiGo does however come with a ‘touch and learn’ cartridge that has 6 games on it , each with 2 levels of difficulty. 

Each game is designed to teach your child a new skill whether it’s problem solving and numerology or including math, vocabulary, spelling and the alphabet. 

The MobiGo has been a big hit with both my 23-month-old and my 5-year-old sons. Even though my youngest is too young to figure out how to work it, he enjoys playing with some of the downloaded games like keyboard jam and DJ beats as there is little skill involved just screen tapping.

For years my oldest son has had a thing with smartphones. He loves to play with them a pretend that he is sending e-mails or taking pictures. Because the MobiGo slides up like a smartphone to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, he thinks he has his own mobile device fully loaded with fun things that he can do. 

To further with our test we purchased the SHREK Forever After game(aged 4-6) for him and it has been a hit. This cartridge has 8 games and it uses the characters from the movie to teach spelling, shapes, colors and logic. Each game has a little cartoon to introduce it, which is cute and SHREK appears all of them. Kids can protect him from a flying witch that throws pumpkins,  test their skills at apple bowling and help SHREK and donkey navigate their way through a dark cave. 

The MobiGo is a great on-the-go game that will offer hours of learning while your child plays. Their impressive line-up of learning games includes some of the most popular characters with the 3-8 age group. Disney Princesses, Cars, Toy Story 3, Tinkerbell, Dora and Ben 10 are just a few available for purchase.

Jimmie Johnson Celebrates Fifth Nascar Title With His Family!

Even though he came in second place in yesterday’s race, Jimmie Johnson won an unprecedented fifth-straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championship and he shared it with his 4-month-old daughter Genevieve Marie and wife Chandra.

The celebrate the big moment the proud daddy posed with his family before sharing a massive bottle of champagne with his crew!

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Related Articles: 

• Daddy Duty! Matt Damon Spotted Doing The School Run With Isabella
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• Christina Aguilera Calls Max The ‘Love Of Her Life’
• Scott & Kourtney Shop With Mason in Beverly Hills
• Ingrid Vandebosch Relaxes Poolside With Baby Leo and Ella Sophia!

{WENN}