Review of Baby Jamz Music

by ALYICE EDRICH

This past week I was fortunate to check out a new line of toys geared towards toddlers who love hip hop music. The toy is called, “Baby Jamz Music Crew” and will be available at Walm-Mart®. There’s even a Baby Jamz music CD available.

From what I gather, the creator, Matthew Knowles, was inspired by his grandson, Julez, to create a product line that reflected the interests of today’s kids. The music CD contains some old favorites set to hip hop beats and is rather entertaining. In fact, I found my thirteen year old daughter playing the CD while browsing YouTube the other day. There are thirteen songs on the CD:

1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 2. Wheels On The Bus 3. Hush Little Baby 4. Brahm’s Lullaby 5. There Was An Old Lady That Lived In A Shoe 6. Buckle My Shoe 7. Bingo 8. Mary Had A Little Lamb 9. Old MacDonald 10. Skip To My Lou 11. This Old Man 12. Three Little Kittens 13. Mary Mary Quite Contrary

The toys have a great concept: match the bottom of the figurines to the top of the boom box correctly and you hear a 20 second song. The sample I received played, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. There is one drawback, the song only lasts 20 seconds. I would have much preferred that the entire song be played when correctly matched.

I had a music teacher who swore that children learned best when music was introduced into their lives. She’d make a little game out of everything we needed to retain and put it to song. Makes sense, after all, how do children learn the alphabet best? By singing the ABC song.

If your children are into hip hop music and you cringe every time your toddler hears an inappropriate word, it may be time to switch to something a little more friendly.

About The Author: Alyice Edrich is the editor of the award winning online magazine, The Dabbling Mum®. Visit her website, http://thedabblingmum.com, where you can gain a wealth of wisdom from parents just like you! Or stop by her personal blog, http://alyiceedrich.com, to learn more about life on the prairie.

Baby Blankets Can Make Memorable Baby Shower Gifts

by DONALD SAUNDERS

It is never easy to come up with a great gift for a baby shower but a baby blanket can be just the answer to earning yourself the "most popular gift" award at the party. With a wide range of original and clever designs available today you can't go wrong here.

But, what could possibly be more ordinary than a baby blanket I hear you ask? Used for many thousands of years to wrap a baby and to provide needed warmth, it is hard to imagine someone coming up with a new idea in this area. think again. Baby blankets have found whole new heights of fun and creativity.

One example is "Pigs in a Blanket" that combines both a clever design and a practical gift. This two-piece gift set will produce lots of "aahs" and "oohs" when the proud mother opens the beautifully decorated gift box which comprises an enchanting vintage container surmounted by an organza bow.

Inside the box she will discover a plush blanket that can be printed with a lovely phrase or even personalized. The blanket is wrapped around a gorgeous teddy bear-style pig that will soon become the baby's favorite. Made from stain-resistant polyester which will last for years, it might very well even be handed down to the next generation.

This particular gift also comes with a child's story book rhyme which is designed to complement the other two items. "This Little Piggy" which is printed on the reverse was never such fun and the five little piggies dancing on the front agree.

Another fun gift is the JoJo Giraffe toy that also comes with its own very special blanket inside its own keepsake box. At 20 inches high it will sit proudly in the corner until the baby can no longer resist the temptation to play with it... which will take about three seconds. With his arms and legs wrapped around a multi-colored keepsake box which is done in similar style, JoJo is undoubtedly a perfect toy.

The blanket that accompanies the gift adds enormously to the delight that both mom and baby will receive from this beautiful item. Very easily personalized with the addition of the baby's name, the sunshine yellow fleece of the blanket is both warm and soothing. Also, at 40 inches by 30 inches, it is a good size for a a decorative bed cover or a baby blanket.

But baby blankets that are standalone items can also make for perfect gifts. The Maddie's Meadow is a wonderful example. Brightly and colorfully decorated with butterflies and flowers on a pink background, it is most inviting. The gift box itself also carries the same theme with fluffy pink clouds and bright green grass that serve to remind mom of the joys of spring. Personalization is also easily achieved thanks to the generous satin border which surrounds the soft fleece.

Visit Parenting4Dummies.com for more great ideas for everything from unique baby shower gifts to designs for baby shower cakes