I came across these buttons on Etsy and they are just so amazing! I love the colors and the uniqueness and especially the price. $6 for a set! Any crafty mom will lose her mind over these. I don’t scrapbook, but I hear you can incorporate these kinds of cute goodies into it. (Not sure how that works. Someone wanna explain?) If you like to sew, I bet you can do great things with them. I don’t really sew either….

Anyway, take a look at all of them over on Droolicious where you can see the full post.

Yes, a paperie. And if you don’t know what a paperie is you might also need a dictionary. Ouch. Snap! Sorry, MommyQ hasn’t had enough coffee today. Anyway…

If you don’t have a paperie like Polka Dot Design – that makes your mouth water and your heart skip a beat, you’re totally missing out on party-throwing fun. From adorably tiny cupcake toppers to swoon-worthy invitations to knock-your-stilettos-off party favors, a reliable paperie is one of life’s perfect pleasures.

I think every mom needs a one-stop-shop for baby shower and birthday party inspiration. This fact is especially true if you’re like me, up to your knees in diapers, sippy cups, Goldfish crackers and a ponytail is your standard hairdo. Trying to be the creative party hostess can be as tricky as making my spirited 2-year-old get a haircut or trying to convince my 5-year-old that cauliflower doesn’t smell bad.

This is why I love Polka Dot Design. Struggling with a great teacher gift? Not sure what to do for a party favor? Need a dinosaur centerpiece? Of course you do. And you’ll find all of this and much more that will get your creative juices flowing.

“Calling all bugs! Calling all bugs! Do not come within inches of this fresh meat!” If my OFF! Clip-On device could speak, that’s what it would say. It might also say, “Paging Dr. Ryan.” It kinda looks like a pager or something. A pager/fan/Walkman without the headphones.

I bought it a few weeks ago and just tried it out for the first time. You see, if I walk outside for 3 seconds, I get 1,000 mosquito bites and my oldest child is the same way. I read once that bugs sense anxiety and that’s why they bite. I’m not buying that particular brand of logic, but I’m a victim nonetheless. No matter how much repellent we wear – be it sweet-smelling-lotion or peels-your-skin-off harsh – nothing works.

The Clip-On is very easy to use and is just a tiny fan that circulates repellent. It even has a nifty “use-up indicator” to tell you when you need a refill. You can clip it on or place it near you if you’re sitting still. I clipped it on my kiddo and it seemed to work. It’s totally odorless and very quiet. Just make sure you turn it off when you’re done. One of my friends said it’s just a silly gadget and accused me of being a marketer’s dream. That may be true, but if they made an animal-print Clip-On I’d be wearing it to outdoor events with heels & a cocktail dress.

I ordered the Blue Home Sweet Play Home and the cushion online. The website said both items would arrive by the 24th. I was a little bit worried, but the items arrived in plenty of time. When I took the cushion cover out of the box, I noticed the directions said to wash it before use. When I unzipped the cover to find the washing instructions, I was pleasantly surprised. The directions ended, “Do not dry clean. Do not pass go. Sleep tight!” Well, that was such a clever little treat. Making laundry fun – what a novel idea!

Last night, I put the clean cushion cover on the cushion and was so impressed with the fluffiness of it all. This is one luxuriously fluffy cushion! The play tent is beautifully made and it is quite stunning in person. I am so thrilled with this purchase and only hope it is as pleasing to my child on Christmas morning.

Find the tent online at The Land of Nod for $99 and the matching cushion for $49. It also comes in lavender, pink and green.

As you can imagine, my kiddos got a hold of the crayons and found some serious wall space. Yep, they drew all over the wall upstairs in the playroom. Oh my, what a mess.

I know it’s not a huge surprise as these things happen with little kids and crayons all of the time. I guess I’m just surprised because I mistakenly thought we had made it through that wall-scribbling era without a problem.

Nope, they just waited and waited until the time was right. Luckily, one of the drawings was a huge jet that started at one end of the wall and went all the way to other end. And it’s magenta! What fun. All I can say is I love my Clorox Wipes more than ever.

Here are a few things that made it under our tree this year. Obviously my kiddos don’t read my blog, otherwise I’d be ruining some good surprises.

1. – Reading Tent AKA Home Sweet Play Home from The Land of Nod – Our friends have this for their kiddos and my little guys loved it. Since my oldest is an avid reader, I think he’ll really enjoy some quiet time away from all of us! I also got him the matching cushion.

2. -  Twilight Turtle – Our little guy is getting his very own turtle. I opted for the regular as opposed to the Sea Turtle because there aren’t as many lights. There’s just something special about falling asleep under the stars, even if they are battery-operated. We’ve had Twilight Sea Turtle for over a year and he’s still a family fave.

3. – “Jerry” the Peterbilt from Cars – I have no idea where you can find this toy. I bought it on eBay because I couldn’t find it anywhere. I’m sure it’s back in stock at Target now!

4. – NASCAR Slot Car Racers – This is going to be the biggest hit by far. Dale Jr. & Jeff Gordon can race each other all day long. I sure hope it can take some abuse. And lots of screaming.

5. – A Drum Set – Oh, yes! Are we gluttons for punishment or what? It’s a pretend set, so it’s not all that elaborate. We love encouraging our kids to be musical because none of us are. I sure hope they can sing too. (I gotta admit, I’m still undecided about this one…)

Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what made your list!

Last year, I even wrote an ode to Wheely Bug on MommyQ. Yes, I’m that obsessed. And so are my kids. Our Wheely Bug is a constant source of fun and learning. I say learning because it really helps toddlers develop motor skills and balance.

The Bee and the Lady Bug are cute, but you just can’t beat the Cow. There’s something about those little wooden horns that makes you grin. Make sure you buy the large Wheely Bug. Your children will outgrow the small one way too quickly. Even if your kiddos are little, buy the big bug because they will grow into it in a flash.

Win on of the cutest iPhone apps for youngsters, Peekaboo Wild, at Droolicious!  I announced this great giveaway today – a free Peekaboo Wild app for five lucky winners. This game is a lifesaver if you have extra time to spare waiting in line at the grocery store, at the doctor’s office, at the restaurant – anywhere!

We discovered Peekaboo Barn a few months ago. Now those quirky farm animals have gone wild! Instead of barnyard animals, it features friendly animals you would find in the wild. Instead of peeking out from behind the barnyard doors, these critters pop out from behind the waving grass in Africa. The illustrations are endearing and the activity makes for great learning opportunities. Remember, you can play it in Spanish too! Thanks for the fun, Night & Day Studios!

There are lots of cute, tiny decorations to choose from, as well as cupcake liners and wrappers. It’s certainly worth a click or two! Hop on over to CupcakeSwirl.com.

The sound he makes at blast off sends my kids into hysterics. And when they laugh like that, we laugh too! My four-year-old plays it by himself and thinks it’s just great. After the kids go to bed, my hubby and I play it too. I think the best part is the old fashioned helmet. That is such a clever twist.

You can read more about it and download it here. I guess I’m just a sucker for a flying sheep. Read about it on Droolicious here.

As some of my readers may know, I also write for Babble’s unique blog about baby products, Droolicious. Yes, the team at Drool is always seeking out the most fabulous baby items in town. If you haven’t been, take a few minutes to visit. You will love it! Here are a few things to whet your shopping whistle…

If this Denim Military Jacket doesn’t make you want to grab a glittery, white glove… Oh, yes! Toddlers and preschoolers (and their folks) are grabbing up this iconic jacket like crazy! Check it out here!

Sweet & sour wooden condiments for your little chef! Yes, thanks to Melissa & Doug pretend kitchen food just gets cuter and safer. Check it out here!

I’m so impressed with this cool idea, the Simple Stencil. It allows you to create one-of-a-kind stencils for any room and the utensils make it easy peasy. Find out how you can stencil like a pro!

It’s amazing how cute babies look with a set of animal ears! I know, I know. Hard to resist this soft, cuddly, sweet goody! If you want to grab this coat, I suggest buying it sooner rather than later. It will certainly sell out by the end of Fall. Happy shopping!

That’s why I really like this fun option from Skip Hop. It’s the Funky Farm Fun Activity Mat and although it’s quite colorful, it’s cute. The animal characters are quirky and sweet, while the mat itself has lots of great eye candy for baby. I love the plush, striped carrot with the bunny and the goofy pig that is actually just a circle with a snout.

Find it at BabyEarth for $60.

Anyway, the purses come in a kitty, butterfly, flower and heart. Makes a cute birthday gift or gift add-on. Retails for $10 at Hanna Andersson.

All mommies know that even at a very early age – like two – your child can destroy a backpack. I have no idea what happens to these little bags, but they take some serious abuse.  From rips and tears to splatters and drips, they never seem to look as great as they did on that historic ‘first day’ of school.

Why not go for cute and durable? This is Rory The Lion Little Kid Backpack. It is made from nylon and laminated canvas so it’s easy to clean. For extra comfort on little bodies, it has a padded  back panel and padded straps. It also has a patch on the back for your little cub’s name. It’s on sale now at Posh Tots for $36!

The line of eco-friendly knit toys from Yellow Label Kids is hard to beat. Take a look at this delicious Sushi Rattle Set. Cuddly, creative and made through fair trade practices. The perfect gift for your favorite eco-conscious mommy and her sweet ‘green’ baby.

This yummy set retails for $34 at Arte Bebe. The only thing missing is a knit chunk of wasabi and a knit ice cold Sapporo…

Talk about something you would’ve loved as a kid! Get a load of this hilarious Fisheye Camera. Your kiddos can take goofy photos with ease, thanks to the special lens that actually makes distorted cool. When I was a kid, my sister and I would’ve spent hours laughing and giggling with this camera.

We had our own photo album of bloopers that we made with construction paper and tape. No Snapfih albums back then. We would pick the absolute worst photos from the pile and give them clever little titles. The infamous ‘Book of Mess Ups’ was a cherished household item. I remember one photo that was an extreme close-up of my sister, so she looked as white as a sheet. The title was about pilgrims and the Mayflower. Who knows, but as a kid it was HILARIOUS. Believe it or not, the book was lost and we have no idea where it is. I sure would love to see it again. I bet it’s still funny.

Anyway, the Fisheye Camera uses standard 35mm film, so you can develop the goofiness easily. Retails for $54 at Chasing Fireflies.

Sweet, smoking-hot, burn-your-tongue, set-your-toaster-on-fire, gooey, sugary goodness. All bow down to the Pop Tart. The most delicious way to instantly add too many sizzling calories to your day!

Your little chef will love these frosted felt goodies. They are eco-friendly because the felt is made from recycled water bottles. The trio of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla comes in an adorable cello-bag, so they are perfect to give as a gift. Just keep in mind that the cute little sprinkles can be crunched off by a hungry toddler! Check out Etsy seller, LittleFluffStuff for even more handmade treats!

Over at DaddyTypes in July 2007, as the iPhone was being hyped, a smart daddy recognized the need for something fun that could withstand some drool. Oh – I’m assuming you know how much babies like to chew on cell phones. To save the $800 device from baby lovin’ (and not the good kind), mommy knitted an iPhone.

The best part of this post is the pic below the knitted iPhone – the knitted Pop Tart cell phone cozy. This rocks! I want one! I’m such a huge fan of Pop Tarts (S’mores are the BEST!), so this strikes a place near & dear to my heart. You can read the full post here. Thanks for sharing the yarny goodness, DaddyTypes!

Nothing screams “Hook ‘Em Horns” for baby quite like the new WubbaNub Longhorn Bull. This perfectly burnt orange little Soothie Pacifier is an essential part of every baby’s UT  fan apparel. And if the game doesn’t go exactly as planned, mom or dad can borrow it.

The eyes of Texas will certainly be upon you as other UT fans (and parents) see your baby with this priceless gem. Get your WubbaNub at Exclusively Children’s for $11.50.

Boon, one of my most favorite baby product brands, captured parents’ attention with Kermit’s best pal, Frog Pod. This handy froggy friend is also a scooper, so you can easily move toys from the tub to the pod. Then the pod sticks to the wall for storage. Last year Frog Pod gained a new pod pal, LadyBug Pod.  Now there is another neoprene option from Skip Hop, the Tubby Bath Toy Organizer. I haven’t seen this one in person, but it is BPA-free and claims to store lots of toys with ease. I’m guessing it’s pretty popular because it is sold out at BabyEarth right now. (You can click the ‘Notify Me’ button to know when it will be back in stock.)

If you want to make the most out of bath time, you can always add some bubbles. And if you use California Baby Bubble Baths, you can rest easy knowing they are extremely safe. Give the sampler tote a try to see all of California Baby’s unique options like Overtired & Cranky, Colds & Flu, I Love You and more! Makes a great birthday present too.

Wanna hear something funny? When I was little, my sister and I played with Barbies constantly. I never cared for the bad fake Barbie food, so my sister and I would create Barbie-sized portions out of Play-Doh. We made pizzas, hamburgers, sunny-side-up eggs, donuts, popsicles, etc. We would spend an evening planning Barbies’ meals. We would let the Play-Doh food dry out and harden. It was great!

So here’s my new favorite pretend food. Ice cream and sweets.

This is from Melissa & Doug and you can find it at The Land of Nod. They also have a Cookie Set that’s pretty cute.

These are just divine! Find Fabric Dainty Treats at The Land of Nod too.

A cupcake kit complete with a hat and chicken timer. Is this fun or what? Yes, TLON. So much fake food, so little time!

I’ve loved donuts since I was a little kid. A trip to Krispy Kreme was something to behold. My husband and I are huge donut fans. Before he went on his recent health kick and lost a bunch of weight, we would eat donuts at least once a week. Shame, shame, shame! I won’t even say how many hot KK donuts I can eat in one sitting because it’s absurd.  And you can add two to that total if I have an ice cold glass of milk. Yummy!

My new favorite donut can be found at The Donut Hole. The chocolate iced is sinful. A new Dunkin’ Donut just opened shop nearby and I am not impressed. How can a fresh donut taste three days old? They always seem stale to me. Every couple of years I retry a DD and end up spitting it out after the first bite. Not worth the fat, calories and carbs. Sorry DD, you suck.

Why is MommyQ on a donut kick, you ask? Well, I stumbled across these adorable Frosted Donut Ornaments and just had to share. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to do your entire tree in donuts? Oh my gosh! That would be sweet, no pun intended. Make a mental note, “buy frosted donut ornaments for X-Mas tree.”

Want to get your toddler or preschooler the most friendly backpack on the playground? These cute little guys might make the class jealous. Plush pull along bags can become regular backpacks by removing the handles. The handy front pocket helps keep little things from getting lost. 12″h x 8″w x 6″d. Specify Leopard or Horse. On sale for $25.

Whether you’re headed to grandma’s house or on a big adventure, your little one will enjoy carrying his or her own weight. This perfectly petite Timi & Leslie Le Petit Voyage suitcase is made especially for little hands and big imaginations. It features a removable shoulder strap, waterproof lining, bottle tote, stroller straps, changing pad, wristlet and easy-access key FOB. Not to mention a lively circus print. On sale for $115 at Bella Blu Maternity.

If you’re looking for a walker without lots of buzzing, dinging, ringing and batteries, this might the one for you. What a fun & safe way for your baby to build gross motor skills and improve balance. The WoodPecker Walker from Plan Toys features two wooden birdies that peck when the walker moves. It’s beautifully crafted and has no sharp edges. Your child will love the click-clack sound. Retails for $72 at BabyEarth.

Taggies Books – Yes, it’s the blanket in a book version!

I love Sandra Magsamen! Take a look at her Snuggle-Me books.

Little Green Books for the eco-tot.

Say “howdy” to Nacho the Party Puppy!

Sweet little faces book with rattle.

At first mention, the thought of a peanut butter and jellyfish sandwich doesn’t sound too appealing. Then again, this little guy is cute enough to be considered edible. What a funny and unique plush toy. Available in raspberry, grape and strawberry. To see another pic of these critters, click here. Delish! Etsy.

This ship may have set sail last year, but it’s still a wonderful toy for youngsters. Thanks to chunky wooden pirates that are easy to grasp and the perfectly sized playset, the Play Town Pirate Ship is a favorite with little kiddos. The working anchor, spinning wheel, cannonball launcher and telescope are interactive, yet no small pieces to keep up with or worry about. It also comes with a cute board book as an added bonus. The ship is on wheels so it can scoot without waves. A few left at Amazon.

My youngest son got another goodie for Christmas, his first Bing Bunny book. This is a beautifully illustrated delight called Bing: Make Music. Bing and his friends use a variety of household items to explore music, just like my son. The author, Ted Dewan, has won many awards in the UK. If you haven’t seen these books, you must check them out. Available at Amazon. It’s a Bing Thing!

As unique as a cloud and as messy as a mud pie.  Hold on to your beanie hats folks, you may fall in love.

Muddy Cloud is a one-of-a-kind, too-cool-for-school company that makes hats, mittens and dolls. Who knew fleece could be so spiffy? The family of products consists of cute little characters like Joop, Doot, Tada, Balob and Beep. (Baby Bit-O will be making an appearance soon.) Each character has its own hat, mittens and a matching doll. You’ve gotta visit the Muddy Cloud site to see the cuteness for yourself. Thanks to Flash Monkey Studios for such an enjoyable online experience!

I L-O-V-E-D playing Candy Land as a child. And this is how I remember it. (Looking at it now, it doesn’t seem as wild and crazy as it did back then.)  I think one of the main reasons we loved the game was because we were a bit candy-deprived as kids.

I cheered for joy passing the Ice Cream Floats and shed a few tears when I got stuck in Molasses Swamp. What was your favorite rest stop in Candy Land?

Create your family’s masterpiece with this unique Handprint Canvas Kit. Capture handprints, footprints or a parent-child combination. This adorable gift set comes with four 10″ stretched canvases in a variety of colors and non toxic water-based paint. Everything you need to celebrate today and mark milestones for years to come. A wonderful keepsake and a fun family activity! $40 at Red Envelope.

While thumbing through the Pottery Barns Kids catalog, you’ve probably seen these plush sleeping pals. Maybe you already own one. If not, let me just say this is a great product and in my opinion, worth the money.

Even if your kiddos are too young for sleepovers, you’ll still use it a lot. We use ours as a nap mat at school. Talk about luxurious! My active preschooler always rests during nap time and we think it’s because this sleeping bag is so comfy. Perfect for those cold winter days!

Made of high quality cotton, it is plump and cozy. It’s also very easy to roll up and closes with Velcro tabs. You can wash it on the gentle cycle and tumble dry on low. The blue one and the red one are on sale for $64. A functional treat that happens to be adorable too – 2 thumbs up!

I’m not usually a big fan of plush dinosaurs, but this funny guy is oozing personality galore. Meet Sigikid Ankylosaurus Sweety Dinosaur. Standing 10 inches tall, he’s not ferocious at all. He’s really cuddly thanks to his soft microfiber outer fabric.

The TRex is actually my favorite, but he’s currently extinct out of stock. There’s something really funny about his big head, little arms and big feet. He kinda reminds me of an ex-boyfriend. Poor guy.
Shop Maukilo for lots of Sigikid creations.

They’re called Helmet Heroes and the proud mommy is Playskool. You can get a Race Car Driver or a Police Officer. It’s really just a speaker, some lights and a bunch of buttons. Using his or her legs, your tot gets an “in-car” experience via the helmet.

My four-year-old son has one. He got the Race Car one from a friend for his birthday and honestly, I groaned when I saw it. My husband immediately grabbed the batteries while my son jumped around yelling “Helmet Heroes!” I must admit, my son loved it and we had a good laugh watching him fly through the house, obeying the commands from his imaginary pit crew.

If this toy had been around in the early 70s, my husband would’ve been wearing it 24/7. I know, I know. I’m all about the educational wooden toys too, but this is a pretty cool gift for little boys age 3+.

Glass baby bottles stepped off of the dish rack and onto the runway, thanks to WeeGo. These adorable mini WeeGo bottles by babylife are draped in colorful modern silicone sleeves. If you’re looking for a cute and functional gift for the new mom in your world, grab her a rainbow of WeeGo goodness. She won’t be disappointed. $12

Introducing the cutest calorie-free cupcake you’ve ever seen. (Based on my expertise in the cupcake kingdom, I know moms will be buying these for themselves.) Four tasty knitted treats are perfect for baby’s little hands. They’re made through fair trade practices. Don’t forget the milk! $35

I love leggins for babies because I’m secretly still a huge fan of legwarmers. Anyway, these leggies come in fun styles and one size fits all. The cotton is 100% certified organic. The best part is, you don’t have to wrestle with tights during diaper changes. $12

7 Days of Bodysuits? You betcha! Nobody knows organic baby clothes like Kate Quinn. Boasting bright colors for every day of the week, this gift set is the perfect idea for new parents. $92

Bath time calls for lots of monkeying around with these adorable 100% organic cotton hooded towels featuring everyone’s favorite playful friend – the monkey! These towels are spa-grade with organic terry towleing on the inside and organic french cotton knit on the outside. I’m jealous!  $39

As a 30-something mother of two little boys, I don’t get to play with dolls very often. When I visit my neighbor who has two little girls under the age of five, I walk into a pink fantasy land of glittery, girlie wonders. Barbies, princesses, baby dolls, My Pretty Ponies, Polly Pockets – it’s awesome! Were I 20 years younger, you could never make me leave that house.

As a little girl, I loved two things. Fashion Plates and Barbies. My younger sister and I played with Fashion Plates all of the time. In fact, we named each ‘plate’ girl head and then renamed her when we switched her outfit. We had about 30 fictitious names committed to memory. When we got bored rubbing the girls onto paper, we started writing books. There were plots, personalities, do-gooders, evil characters, etc. We spent hours and hours coloring them and laughing at their silliness. I’m pretty sure my mom still has pages upon pages of our creations stored in a dusty forgotten box somewhere. Boy, would I love to see those again!

My other childhood obsession was Barbie Dolls. My sister and I each had about 15-20 Barbies and two small suitcases full of outfits, coats, dresses, gowns and teeny tiny shoes. To save time, we referred to single pieces of clothing as “clo” – pretty innovative, huh? I probably played with Barbie Dolls until I was 13 or 14 years old. That’s how simple my life used to be. My main concern was whether ‘Kim’ could wear her ruffled yellow dress with her matching yellow shoes. The vacuum cleaner was not a friend to Barbie’s shoes.

We had winking Barbies, posing Barbies that came with a camera, Malibu Barbies, fake Barbies, Ken Dolls, fake Ken Dolls, the Barbie dog that was really really fluffy… the list goes on and on. We named each one and gave them a story and their own special personality. ‘Sue’ was my sister’s most prized Barbie and ‘Kim’ was mine. ‘Julie’ was the most hated Barbie, ‘April’ was the ditz and ‘Star’ was the unlucky stunt Barbie that got stuck in trees on more than one occasion.

We had the townhouse and the yellow corvette, jeep and the horse trailer. Ah, those were the days. We certainly had lots of Barbie stuff, but we usually bought it ourselves with our birthday money. Aside from the toys, what I remember most is the laughter. The completely spontaneous genuine 100% heartfelt goofy loud laughter. My sister and I had some of the greatest times ever playing upstairs in a room covered with Barbie paraphernalia.

When I think about my boys, both of whom celebrated birthdays recently, I hope and pray they have wonderful memories of their childhood too. As grown men with children of their own, I wish for certain toys to spark a flood of delicious memories. Because in a crazy complicated world, great childhood memories may be the best gift of all.

What sparks your best childhood memories?

As the mommy to a four-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I’ve discovered many wonderful  mainstream toys that are both fun and therapeutic. Toys that improve language development, sensory and motor regulation, build core strength, muscle tone and coordination. Toys that spark my son’s inner drive, encouraging more engagement and child-lead interaction.

Here are five of MommyQ’s favorite toys, from $18 – $300. Most of them are eco-friendly, which I personally love. I’m not speaking as a medical expert here, just as a mom. If you’re the parent, relative or friend of an autistic child, maybe this list will make your holiday shopping a little bit easier. I hope so!

Wheely Bug – If you haven’t seen these cute little ride-on critters, you need to check them out. I bought the cow for my boys last month and my ASD son loves it! (Also available in bee and ladybug!) It really helps him with coordination and balance, while building his core. We he first started riding it, he was wobbly. Now he can lift his feet and maneuver it around every corner. It has helped him adjust to motion that had bothered him in the past. In my opinion, this is one of the best gifts for an ASD child. Make sure you buy the big Wheely Bug to get the most use out of it. Eco-friendly! $70

Breakfast Menu Set – These types of wooden toys are great for a variety of reasons. Many autistic children have issues with food due to textures. By incorporating pretend food into playtime, it seems to make real mealtime easier. You can ‘prepare’ the pretend food together and takes turns ‘tasting’ it. That way your child is more open to the idea of trying different foods. Manipulating smaller toys, like shaking the salt & pepper shakers, improves fine motor skills too. Plan Toys is a wonderful green company and makes a huge selection of incredible wooden toys. Eco-friendly! $18

LIKEaBIKE – This is a unique eco-friendly bike sans pedals! That’s because this bike was designed to boost your child’s confidence and comfort in riding a bike, while building their balance, core strength, etc. They start out slow, usually walking with it and then as they improve, they can go much faster. Obviously this is not great for hills or steep surfaces, but on flat streets, in the driveway or at the park, it’s a wonderful (and fun) toy. Our OT therapist has mentioned it multiple times. Eco-friendly! $300

Haba Ball Track Master Builder Set – Many autistic children love toys that spin and roll. My son does a variety of activities at OT therapy involving marbles, which is why I love this toy from Haba. Your child can build the track and then watch the marbles spin through it. This is the big set and Haba also makes a smaller set for $43. This toy is perfect for fine motor skill improvement and development. It also gets the imagination and interaction rolling. Eco-friendly! $200

Hopscotch Puzzle Mat – Another great toy for improving balance, motor skills, interaction and organizing thought processes is this cute Hopscotch mat by Alex. First you put it together like a puzzle, then you play the game. This gives you child a great opportunity to practice hopping on one foot and then jumping with two feet. It’s also a good game for ASD kids to play with their friends or siblings. $23

Read Ode to a Wheely Bug to see the cow in motion!

What makes this sphere-shaped snack container so much fun?

- BPA-free
- Phthalate-free
- PVC-free
- rigid form so snacks are crush-proof
- great for travel
- two halves unscrew for easy cleaning
- perfect size for little hands
- dishwasher safe (top rack only)

A few weeks ago the Rachel Ray show did a segment about Chef Guy Fieri’s kitchen, which lead to the mention of The Learning Tower. If you haven’t seen this clever step stool yet, check it out!

Whether your little “do it myself” one needs an extra step to wash hands or wants to help you bake a tasty batch of brownies, this tower is the perfect solution. And it can easily hold two children.

I love it because it fits flush against the counter and it has railings on all four sides to prevent falls. It also converts into other fun things like an art easel, playhouse or puppet house.

And best of all, because moms care, those bright pretty paint finishes are all lead-free. Blue, cherry, red, white, pink, green and so on.

If you’re looking for a special gift for the special youngsters in your life, The Learning Tower is a great idea. Retails for $185 at BabyEarth.

MommyQ is obsessed with this wonderful ride-on toy! Can you tell? I was driven to write poetry about it. Now that’s love! And I’m no stranger to this toy either. I’ve seen all three Wheely Bugs in person at least a hundred times, but now I know personally, why they are award-winning toys.

My youngest son turned one yesterday and his big gift was a Cow Wheely Bug. (Not an easy feat to wrap it, but MommyQ improvised and it looked cute enough.) The little birthday boy loved it, but my older son who is almost four, was completely enamored with it. He rode around the house on it, I pushed him around on it, he put his stuffed animals on it and pushed them around the house — What a simple, yet innovative toy!

The Bee and the Lady Bug are cute, but you just can’t beat the Cow. There’s something about those little wooden horns that makes you grin. My boys weigh 25 pounds and 45 pounds, so we opted for the large Wheely Bug. After seeing the boys play with it I encourage EVERYONE to buy the large Wheely Bug. Your children will outgrow the small one way too quickly. Even if your kiddos are little, buy the big bug because they will grow into it in a flash.

If you’re trying to find an extra-special toy for that extra-special baby or toddler in your life, get a Wheely Bug! You won’t be disappointed. Promise! Oh, did I mention it’s eco-friendly too? $69.95 at BabyEarth.

Born in the great state of Texas and a big fan of cheese pizza, Nacho is known to wear many hats. Snowboarder. Politician. Astronaut. He makes his debut as Nacho the Party Puppy, a birthday connoisseur. Look for Nacho the Downward Dog to make an appearance in Fall 2009.

If you live in Austin, TX, you can come to Storytime at Book People and hear Nacho the Party Puppy read by Nacho’s best 2-legged friend ever, the lovely & talented Emma. Storytime will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.

Part I of the Dog Days of Fall series by MommyQ.

The WubbaNub is a plush toy pacifier designed to give your baby comfort with a soft, bean-filled animal friend that not only provides stimulation for little fingers, but positioning support for the pacifier. The Soothie pacifier is sewn into the WubbaNub for safety and is made of Medical Grade Silicone that is latex-free. The beans in the WubbaNub plush toy are sewn in separate safety sacks within the plush and conform to US government safety code requirements.

Available in dog, pink horse, blue horse, frog, kitten, and duck. So moms, waddya think of WubbaNubs?

Based on my personal experience, the Graco Baby Einstein Discover & Play Entertainer is a fantastic activity center for your growing and curious baby. One of the best features is the 360 degree swivel seat, so baby can easily play with all of the cool gadgets, as well as keep an eye on things happening nearby. It also incorporate bi-lingual language into baby’s vocabulary. The seat can be removed easily and is machine washable. This activity center does take up a bit of space, but the entertainment value is worth it.

Brightlings Exploration Station by LeapFrog is another favorite. Housing Bobblers, Tumble Tunnel, Babbling Bandshell, Rainbow Balcony, and Alphabet Alley, all the Brightlings friends come to play.

The Fisher-Price Peek-a-Boo Piano is a cute toy that baby can play with as a stand-alone piano or you can tie it in the crib and baby can activate by kicking it. The piano is soft and plays sweet songs. Best of all, the little birdie can play peek-a-boo, which all babies enjoy.

It’s hard to go wrong with the Sassy Poppin’ Push Car. This little car is perfect for little hands and the popping noise seems to be thoroughly amusing, prompting some cute expressions from baby and lots of giggles from everyone.

Even though your baby is getting bigger, don’t forget the travel toys. For rides in car, strolls in the stroller or just to amuse baby at a restaurant, make sure to carry a few of these with you. Sassy makes a Rock-N-Roll play pad stroller accessory and Tiny Love makes a Stroller Play Set featuring three unique activities for babies on the go.

Which toys amuse your 10-month-old?

If you’re a mom like me, you have a tacky train table located somewhere in your house. Sure, it’s perfect for the train set, but that’s it. Nothing more can be done on this table unless you take all of the trains off. And for those of us that aren’t engineers, they never quite seem to fit the same again…

Well, a clever company called P’kolino has devised a Play Table that truly captures the spirit of creative play. The company, founded by two dads, has been featured on the Today Show and in many national magazines including Time (April 2008).

Since the photo doesn’t do this table justice, let’s see if words can help paint the picture. What makes this table unique is it is actually a modular piece that can be reconfigured a zillion different ways. Yes, a zillion. It’s constructed with high quality materials that do not include nuts and bolts. Rejoice – you don’t have to drag out your dirty, unorganized toolbox! The wood is bent maple that has been machine pressed for increased strength and protected with a clear water-based finish. P’kolino also uses high density foam and premium stain resistant fabrics. You’re in love, right?

Here’s more:

- Interchangeable play kits fit into the table for neat storage and are easily removed and replaced for a quick activity change.

- The uniquely designed foam benches offer a soft, safe seat at the table as well as a fun rocker when flipped, and the removable foam blocks act as puzzle pieces or objects for a game of catch.

- Color schemes include light blue & purple and blue & green.

It’s a pricey piece – $1,399 – but if you think of it as bedroom furniture that provide hours and hours of creative play for your kids for many years to come, it’s certainly worth it. When all is said and done, you’ll spend that much on trains. Trust me.