CityMama's™ Stuff People Send Me

(St)uff Links for 11/15/09

Here is some free stuff that PR firms and/or companies sent or gave me recently. My time is valuable and so is yours, so if I took the time to feature the products here you know that they're really something special. At least in my opinion.

Wen--This cleansing conditioner made me a convert to the "no shampoo" movement.  I have very dry, coarse, fine hair, and this product makes me look as if I don't.

Cost to you: $29.95 + S/H for the whole system (but note, I was only sent the conditioner, not the whole system)

Cost to me: FREE

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Jolly Llama--healthy, fruitful frozen sorbets in handy little 80 calorie packages. My kids love them.

Cost to you: $36+$12.50 shipping for a case of 24

Cost to me: FREE

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Skype FREE TALK microtalk headset--I use Skype a lot for phone calls, to conference call with my partners, and to chat with my husband. Up until recently, I have used a fancy headset with a pull down mic (the kind that makes you look like a sportscaster.) I think I paid around $30 for it. 

Now that I have the Skype headset, I'm getting feedback on how clear I sound, and, really, what more can you ask for in a headset? Pricier not necessarily better. One of these days that lesson will sink in.

Cost to you: $12.99

Cost to me: FREE

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Band Hero--Just when you've finally found a place for the Guitar Hero guitar so people will stop tripping all over it, the Band Hero band kit arrives. It includes the drum set, mic, and another guitar among other things (see link for deets), and the first thing you think is, "Dammit, where am I going to put all THIS crap." But then your kids beg you for a week to open the box and you finally set it all up. Even though your lead guitarist misses every "note" and the drummer's timing is delightfully off, everyone has a rockin' good time.  Put this on your Christmas lists, Wii lovers.

Cost to you: $199.99

Cost to me: FREE

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Groovy Girls RSVP [New line celebrates 10th Anniversary]

My girls are huge fans of the Groovy Girls line of products. Not only do we own multiple dolls plus accessories like clothes, tents, chairs, cars, etc. but we also own the freaky "real-girl-sized" Groovy Girls doll.  I currently covet the Troop Groovy Girls dolls, I get verklempt just looking at them they are so dang cute.

Let me get this out there because Groovy Girls are often mentioned as an alternative to Barbie dolls: It's true. They are a kinder, gentler alternative to Barbie, and because we are not a "Barbie household," we appreciate that. That's not to say we don't own any Barbies: we own two, I think, plus a couple that came with a Happy Meal, and we have a couple of the $5 Target movies. We just don't go out of our way to seek out Barbie products which is fine because our girls have also never really shown a strong interest in playing with Barbies. I didn't play with them as a kid and so I am not wrapped up in nostalgia about Barbie. (Although, I did have the Barbie make-up head and that was totally boss.)

Am I disturbed by Barbie's huge, smooth rack and lack of genitalia, sure. Does my anti-Barbie-ness run deeper than that? Not really, at least not in any hard-core way. I have heard and understand all the positive reasons to play with Barbie's as well.  I guess when it boils down to it, they're not interested and we don't push it.  In the end, parents have to make a choice that is best for their family and we'd rather our girls play with toys that relect their muti-culti-ness, not miniature (mostly white) adult women.

But Groovy Girls? Groovy Girls are a whole 'nother story altogether.

Like with most of the toys we own, our Groovy Girls were given to my girls by beloved family and friends. Like any toy, they sit in a box, basket, or shelf waiting to be discovered and loved. Once Bunny got to be the age where she enjoyed pretend play, she started becoming interested in her Groovy Girls, but it wasn't until Wallie was old enough to enjoy playing with dolls that their love of Groovy Girls skyrocketed to whole new level. Groovy Girls is one activity that my girls enjoy playing together. They can get lost for long stretches of time in a world of Groovy Girl pretend.  The nice thing is that because the dolls are so soft, they play in a gentle way which includes lots of hushed tones, lots of cuddling, lots of hair-brushing, and tucking into beds.

Playing with their Groovy Girls is definitely a favorite in our house, and this new line of dolls and pets (which Groovy Girls kindly sent to me for review) is no exception. From the site:

To celebrate the 10th Birthday of the Groovy Girls brand, Manhattan Toy is introducing the Groovy Girls RSVP.com collection! Each doll comes with her own special code to a superfun and totally rad online party as well as fun activities for parents and their daughters to share. What are you waiting for? RSVP and JOIN THE PARTY!

What I like about them: They are the same squishy and cuddly Groovy Girls you know and love. I love the clothes, the hair, the unique names, their cheery smiling faces, and that they come in every color of the rainbow. The pets are a cute touch and definitely a sweet way to lure in the Littlest Pet Shop crowd.
What I don't like about them: almost nothing, except that the RSVP girls come with a code (a la Webkinz) to foment an online experience. We won't be "RSVPing" for a while. As I've said before, I'm not a fan of getting my 6- and 4-year-old hooked on the computer. We have Webkinz and they prefer to play with them, not interact with them online. While my kids are still relatively disinterested in computer games, we're not going to push it. There is time for that, and my parenting instincts tell me that that time is not now.

Bottom line: Another cute and fanciful item for any kid on your holiday list or anytime.

Cost to you: Varies. Dolls run $15-$20 each. Pets are $12 each.
Cost to me: FREE

Step2 Creative Projects Table

Does your house need anymore plastic in it? Allow me to answer a resounding, "Yes!" but only if it's the Step2 Creative Projects Table. We already had a table and chairs (from IKEA), but found that the only times my kids ever sat at it was when we had parties and needed a kiddy table. Even though it was in their playroom, they never used it for art projects (preferring the kitchen table) or puzzles (preferring the dining room table) or for playing with their toys (preferring the floor). The Step2 Creative Projects Table changed all that.

From the Step2 site:

Storage space galore! This sturdy desk can transform from a personal desk to a table accommodating up to two children comfortably.

• Features a large table surface with molded-in storage tray
• Sturdy colorful wooden shelf provides additional convenient storage - can be repositioned to accommodate up to two children
• Includes two 11 inch stools
• Lower side supports offer storage compartments for drawing pads, tablets, books, supplies and more (not included)
• Features heavy-duty support rod for stability
• Made in USA (wood panels made in China)
• Minimal adult assembly required

Awards:

• Seal of Approval, The National Parenting Center, 2008
• Three-Star Rating (highest award), Canadian Toy Testing Council, 2008

What I like about it: It really does encourage art projects because all the art supplies are readily at hand. My kids love sitting at and have used it daily since we've received it sitting for long stretches of time creating art together. I like that it comes with two stools and that the center storage piece can be moved to the ends of the desk if you are storing it against a wall and/or only one child will be using it. I also love that there are two storage pockets on either side of the desk to hold coloring books and pads of paper. The red wooden accents are a nice touch. We've been able to clear the clutter of colored pencils, crayons, glue and markers out of the kitchen (hooray!). In short, I have reclaimed my kitchen and it really does keep things neat. See? (click to embiggen):

Definitely add this to your holiday gift list.

What I don't like about it: The red-white-blue color scheme was off-putting at first (it seems a little 80's/uber-patriotic), but once the supplies were on it, the colors fade to the background. The stools are a little small for my tall 6-year-old, but we found a way around it by just scooting a regular kid chair up to the table.

Cost to you: $129.99

Cost to me: Free

Mrs. Goodbee Talking Dollhouse [+give away!]

The fine folks at Mrs. Goodbee sent me this cute talking dollhouse a couple of weeks ago and my kids have played with it every day since. Now, we have a perfectly good doll house. It's wood and comes with sturdy wooden furniture. It also hasn't been played with in over a year. Mrs. Goodbee, though plastic and coated with sticker decorations, gets at least an hour's worth of lovin' every day thus proving my husband's point that wooden toys are for show-offy parents and kids love playing with anything, especially if it's made of plastic. Especially if it talks to them.  Here are the details:

Welcome to Caring Corners, where caring kids live and grow! Using helpful hints, playful prompts, silly songs, and sound, Mrs. Goodbee Talking Dollhouse nurtures and inspires positive behavior every day. With twelve adorable rooms to explore and plenty of interactive surprises, there are endless opportunities to practice caring, sharing, and preparing for important, age-appropriate responsibilities.

Two children can play together, as the house unfolds to six rooms on each side--and then folds back for easy storage! Over 400 activities, songs, words, and sounds! Includes girl, baby and doggy. Requires 3 AA batteries, included.

What I like about it: I love that the dollhouse encourages simple social responsibilities of caring (rocking the baby), sharing (taking turns), and preparing (brushing teeth, setting the table etc.). The Good Deeds Garden on the back of the dollhouse is a place where those values can be reinforced. Flower stickers are placed in the garden every time a good deed is done. My girls (ages 6 and 4) absolutely LOVE the dollhouse. It's the first thing they run to play with when we arrive home afterschool. Also, Mrs. Goodbee has partnered with Goodwill to encourage the joy of giving. Kids are encouraged to fill the large carton that the dollhouse came in with gently used toys and laundered clothes to donate. Which is exactly what we did. Highly recommended.

What I don't like about it: Like all toys nowadays, there is an online component. We carefully control our girls' computer time (it's very limited) and are not fans of addictive social networking sites for kids.

Cost to you: around $85

Cost to me: FREE, but wait! There's more!

The Mrs. Goodbee people gave me two dollhouses, one to keep and one to give away. If you know of a worthy children's program please let me know in the comments below and we will get them their own Mrs. Goodbee dollhouse right away. I'd love for it to be in the San Francisco Bay Area so my girls can come with me when we donate it. After we donate it, I'll write up our experience.

UPDATED TO ADD: We donated the dollhouse to Toys for Tots. Hope it makes a family happy this holiday season!

Wii Fit

The fine folks at Nintendo asked me if I wanted to host a Wii Fit party for 12 blogging friends in advance of the Wii Fit US release. In exchange for opening up my home, they gave me a Wii Fit. They also gave me one to give away which I did last month.

We played with the Wii Fits for about an hour, then we had some Mediterranean munchies and sangria. Then we played some more. I am pretty sure that just about everyone who attended eventually bought their own Wii Fit.

Nintendo is a great company to work with from a mom's point of view. They understand that we are the decision makers in the family. If you get Mama hooked on the Wii chances are one will find its way into that household. Smart.

What I like about it: It really does get you up and moving. You feel it later after you've hula hooped or step-boxed. I really dig the balance games and the slalom and ski jump. I also like that it's fun to do with the whole family. Bunny and Wallie love it even if they aren't really playing it "properly."

What I don't like about it: The yoga is terrible. There is no teaching of proper form so it's really easy to do poses wrong increasing the risk of injury.  I have practiced yoga for a long time so I know what proper form for each pose entails (and am a stickler about it). I wouldn't not recommend people attempt most of the poses unless they have taken yoga regularly. Wii yoga is not "real" yoga. Don't hurt yourself.

Cost to me: Free
Cost to you: $100-$150 (varies)

CityMama's Wii Party flickr set.