So, I wanted to give another little bit of info about some of the toys I saw at NY Toy Fair, and a bit about what it is, just in case you didn’t know.  There were so many toys to talk about- you may be hearing about them for awhile, LOL.  
NY Toy Fair- the world’s largest Toy show!  If it’s new, if it’s hot, it’s at Toy Fair.  Every toy company from Mattel to the unknown board game inventor is there, trying to show off their newest and latest.  And you can bet that if you have heard of it- it made it’s debut at a NY Toy Fair.  So many of our favorite toys made their first public appearance here.  Most companies are very, very secretive about their new products, and won’t give a thing away about them until after the fair is over.  The TOTY awards, (short for Toy Of The Year awards) a coveted prize that is the Oscar of the toy industry, are handed out during NY Toy Fair, as well. 
It was really exciting to get the first glimpses of what are going to be the newest and hottest toys for 2011.  There were some that seemed to stand out- these are a few of them.

Hasbro, has many new and interesting toys out for 2011.  One of my personal favorites is from their “FurReal” line, “Cookie”.   Cookie is an interactive dog,  who can follow your hand as you pet her- very life like. You can interact with Cookie through her toys as well, and she will follow them with her eyes and her movements.  I can’t imagine the little girl who wouldn’t be thrilled to have her own “Cookie”. 

Have you ever heard of PetCakes?  If not, then let me introduce you!  Petcakes, made by Well Made Toy, are incredibly cute stuffed puppies that you just want to eat right up.  What’s better then a cupcake?  Or cuter then a puppy?  The answer to both of those questions is- PetCakes!  These little dogs are just too sweet for words!  They sit in their brightly colored cupcake wrappers, complete with icing hats and a cherry on top.  The original set of 4 was available during 2010, but now Well Made Toy is releasing Series Two- complete with a bear, raccoon, squirrel, and a panda.  Soon to come as well are plush minis (think Calico Critters), slippers, Sleeping bags, backpacks- a whole line of scrumptious PetCakes.

Moshi Monsters, by Spin Masters– I think these guys are going to invade all our homes shortly.  They are part of what seems to be a trend of “mini” (tiny cute erasers in various brands, Squinkies, Zoobles, etc) toys that are going to be a force of their own in 2011.  As were “Silly Bandz” and all their varieties in 2010, so will be the “mini toy” in 2011.  
They come in several sizes, which is great for the younger kids who want to play with their older siblings.  The larger ones are also plush.  The imaginative-play possibilities are endless, especially when you figure in the various sizes. The tiny toys are here to stay- but that’s OK with me!  These guys are seriously fun.

ZhuZhu pets- we all remember that Holiday craze!  But ZhuZhu has had staying power, and now they are expanding and creating a more interesting line of toys that kids of all ages can enjoy.  ZhuZhu Pets has recently released Puppies!  The same size as your ZhuZhu hampster, these puppies will do similar motions, but make “dog noises”. 
There are also small “babies” that come in so many varieties it may make your head spin.  These are some well accessorized babies, as well- they have strollers, towels, outfits, toys, bottles- everything a real baby has!  They are set up to interact with the bigger ZhuZhu Pets, and in any interactive playset.

I can’t see a toy list as being complete without adding the new Chuggington line from the Learning Curve.  What little boy doesn’t love trains?  Most boys go through a train phase, and many girls as well.  The new Chuggingtion line will certainly fit the bill for any child who loves trains, or is a fan of the show.  The new interactive line reinforces the social and education lessons that are part of the show, such as cooperation, trying your best, and being nice to friends.  These toys can recognize and interact with each other as well as with train stops.  This makes for a great playtime experience. 

These may not be new this year, but they are a fabulous item that no parent who spends significant time in the car should be without.  You know how much I love them- Travel Buddies, made by Noodle Head.  They are inexpensive, easy to maintain, and are fantastic for road trips, going to grandma’s, or for any child who is often in the car.  Comfy, cute, and available in many varieties, this is one of my favorite products of all time.  Just leave it in the car so it is always ready for your little one! 

With so many new toys on the market, it can be overwhelming to parents. These “Super Six” look promising, and stood out for me among the thousands of toys that were at NY Toy Fair this year.  There are a few more I still want to tell you about- so be prepared for one more post!  🙂 
(I hope you like these as much as I did- I know they are not all super “flashy”- but I think they are all things that kids will genuinely love, and enjoy playing with for a long time.  Also, I didn’t choose any expensive items that would “break the bank”- I know how tight money is for us mommies!  Just really fun and fantastic toys that I truly think your kids will enjoy.) 
Peace, Love, and Happy browsing! 

Olive Kids has some adorable bedding selections.  They have some of the cutest options available, regardless of your child’s preferences, age, bed size, or gender. 
As you may know, we are doing Little Man’s new “Big Boy” room in his choice- Wild Animals!  And of course, Olive Kids had the perfect bedding- it is even named for his new room- “Wild Animals“, LOL.  It comes in various sizes, including toddler bedding, which is what we received. 

Little Man just loves it.  It is perfect for the room!  The bedding fits just right on his new toddler size Safari Bed from Heirloom Wooden Toys, and it looks fantastic.  I love the contrasting colors, and how beautifully they go together to make a lovely set, fit for your sweet child who is growing up (sigh!) or, if you are already in a Big Kid Bed- fear not!  They have bigger sizes, as well!  Most of the sets come in Twin, Full, Queen, and Toddler sizes.  And you can get as much (whole set) or as little (for example- just a pillowcase) as you want. 

Olive Kids designs kids bedding, boys bedding, bedding for girls, toddler bedding, kids bed sheets and gifts. Our kids bedding, personalized kids gifts, kids placemats, wall borders, kids clocks, kids rugs, kids bedroom wall art and growth charts are designed to create a fun, affordable and creative bedroom for kids. Along with our great kids bedding, we offer a wonderful collection of personalized gifts for kids including Meal Time Plate Sets and Personalized floor pillows!

You can “Like” Olive Kids on FaceBook, and follow them on Twitter!  Don’t forget to sign up for all the latest news via their newsletter on their main page  🙂 

Wednesday we saw the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus– you know, the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!!  Lol. 
We got there a little early, so we were able to see the “pre-show” down on the floor.  There were clowns and performers all around, doing various acts and tricks.  Asia the Elephant even came on to paint a picture, which was given away to a lucky circus-goer.
That’s right, an elephant who paints.  It was super cute!  My kids loved it.
Kamikaze got to try on a circus outfit and take her picture with one of the performers (Little Man, of course, refused- what can you do?  Three year olds, LOL).

When the show started, it was like the finale was the introduction, it was such a spectacular. It was so huge, and so over-the-top, that it could have easily been the grand finale.  But nope- it was just the opener!  (My favorite, was they had these “tin soldier” type people who were on a sort of “bouncy stilts”- they were just bouncing around, marching in place- and man they must have fabulously toned legs, haha.  They could sell those things as exercise equipment!)  They also had exotic bird puppets that flew through the air, those were really fantastic.  Then it went dark, and they had a light show.  My kids were in a trance! The theme this year was “Fully Charged”- and it definitely was.  (By the way, Little Man has been singing the “Fully Charged” song singe we got home, LOL- his own version, of course!)

Of course, there were fantastic acrobats, tightrope walkers who did gravity-defying tricks, and lets not forget the animals!  The trainers and the animals were Little Man’s favorites.  They had horses in two rings, while zebras preformed in the third. I don’t know why, but I am always amazed by the zebras.  As the elephant is the “mascot” of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, there were elephants galore.  Even though they are so massive, they are always so majestic and graceful, and I love to see them.

Oh, and the clowns.  No trip to the circus would be complete without them!  Our favorites, and the “featured clowns” were “Stas and Vas”- who were both very talented and very funny.  They totally complimented each other, and we laughed as much as the kids did.
If you don’t have your tickets yet- you need to seriously consider it.  It’s not called the “Greatest Show on Earth” for nothing, after all!
Happy Family Time!

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