You may not be familiar with MGA Entertainment by just reading the name, but when I tell you about my Holiday pics from their catalog, you'll be surprised by how well you really do know them. We were sent a number of things to share with you so I'll get right into it.

From Little Tikes, we were sent the Princess Cozy Shopping Cart. Eliana and I hung out together while I assembled it. 

I found it pretty simple to get together. All you need is a screwdriver and the rest is included in the box. And if the written instructions stump you, don't worry. There are video instructions that will take you through step-by-step so you can see how it's done. Personally, I referred to the included instructions and needed no other help. {That has to be encouraging, no?}

I did have to wipe the shopping cart down before letting Eliana play with it, though. It was pretty dirty from shipping and such. After it was cleaned up, she was more than ready to take it for a walk around and around and around the room. I'm sure this will be with us for a few years to come. {Alex even runs around the house with it.}

Keep in mind that this is something to get assembled before Christmas day so little ones can enjoy it right away.

The Little Tikes website provides this description:

Now you can go shopping with Cozy Coupe® and your favorite toys!  Push them around just like your mom and dad do with you at the grocery store! Let’s stock up on fun!

• Cart is styled after the classic Cozy Coupe®, in pretty pastel colors fit for a princess!
• Cozy Coupe® seat is big enough for a 12” doll or plush.
• Ample space in cart for toys and other small items. (Accessories not included)
• Rugged construction to last for many years.
• Additional storage below basket.
• Easy assembly.
• Batteries required:  none

Buy It! You can purchase this for $34.99

Lalaloopsy sent us the Peanut Big Top doll. I couldn't wait to open this. In fact, I was positive that I must have said something about Eliana's nickname being "peanut" when I saw the one they chose to send me.

This "rag doll" styled doll is so adorable and can take a little more "love" than a real rag doll could. From head to toe, I love the doll's fashion and even the way the doll can't sit up without being propped up. Her head bobbles and her body dangles when she's held. Too cute. She also comes with a collectible poster.

{I removed her gloves in the above picture as I was concerned that Eliana would try to chew on them.}

There are 8 different styles of Lalaloopsy Dolls so I'm sure you can find the perfect one for the little girl in your life. And if you'd like to check out the dolls online, don't forget to let your little one check out Lalaloopsy Land where they can play games and learn more about the other dolls.

Here's a bit of the Lalaloopsy Dolls description:

Our Lalaloopsy Doll - Peanut Big Top is a silly prankster who's a little bit clumsy and loves to make her friends laugh. Sewn On Date: April 1st. Sewn From: A clown costume Pet: Elephant.

The Lalaloopsy Doll - Peanut Big Top features:

• Adorable Lalaloopsy™ doll
• Every character is different
• Adorable pet
• Totally collectible
• Character Tag
• Collectible Poster

The Lalaloopsy Dolls™ were once rag dolls who magically came to life when their very last stitch was sewn. They each have different personalities that come from the fabrics that were used to make them. They live in a colorful, silly world, and with your love, their magic can go on forever! 


BUY IT: You can purchase a Lalaloopsy Dolly for $24.99

Alex was sent these cool battling bugs from Legend of Nara. The concept behind this product is to collect bugs and let them battle in their arena {sold separately} as well as online. On the website, there are bios for each bug and a 3D game to play {codes are included with the bugs at purchase}. 

Now, Alex wasn't too sure what to make of these at first. The bugs are pretty true to life-size. They nearly fill the palm of my hand. But once I showed them that if he turned them on, they shake and "crawl" on the floor, he seemed to be OK with them. These days, however, he carries them around with him and treats them like pets. He's definitely interested in adding more to his collection. lol If he were older, I could see him catching on to the "battle" part and interacting with them online. 

Here's a bit of the product's description:

The Legend of Nara Insect is a MUST HAVE for any Legend of Nara fan!! The Legend of Nara features a compelling and mysterious back story to ignite the imaginations of boys ages 6 and up. Introductory assortments will have insect themes and will gradually expand into playsets, lifestyle products and licensing. Bug bots are realistic looking bugs with motorized chassis underneath for you to collect, race and battle. 

BUY IT: You can purchase a 2-pack like the one we reviewed for $9.99.

From Moxie Girlz, we received the Magic Snow Sophina. This doll is recommended for girls ages 6 and up so this has one of my niece's names all over it. In fact, with her love of fashion and girlie things, I knew that she was just the person for this item. 

Little Sophina is ready for the snow! She comes with a sled, a hat, a scarf, a cute handbag {really, it's a must have for every little fahionista} and powder that turns to snow when water is added. She's very festive and perfect to give as a Christmas gift.

Sophina of Moxie Girlz is described as:

Moxie Girlz Magic Snow Doll - Sophina loves to have tons of frosty fun with friends. Their cozy-cute Magic Snowtime fashions help them express themselves even while bundling up. A magical pack of real snow makes this one Magic Snow adventure youll never forget! Our Moxie Girlz Magic Snow Doll - Sophina features:

BUY IT! You can purchase your Moxie Girlz doll for around $14.99.

THE GIVEAWAY!! (NOW CLOSED)

ONE lucky winner will receive TWO dolls. 
1. Bratz Party Doll - Yasmin. Valued at $19.99
2. Moxie Teenz Doll - Tristen. Valued at $26.99

To enter: Visit MGA Entertainment and tell me one other specific item that you would like to add to your shopping list. {don't forget your e-mail address for your entry to count}


For additional entries:

• Blog about this giveaway and or Holiday Gift Guide with links back to this post/blog.
• Become a fan of Coffee with the Mrs. on Facebook.
• Grab my button for your sidebar. 
• Subscribe to my blog by e-mail through feedburner(at the top of the right sidebar. comment with the e-mail address you subscribed with)
• Follow my blog *For 2 Extra Entries* (right beneath the Giveaways listing on sidebar. Comment with 2 separate comments for credit)
• Follow me on Twitter @TheMrsC (comment with your twitter name)
• Tweet about this giveaway.  If you want, you can say “CoffeeWithTheMrs.com is giving away Bratz and Moxie Teenz dolls and I want to win!” Just make sure to link to my blog or the giveaway).  (comment with a link to your tweet)
• TWICE daily retweets are available for extra entries. Leave a comment with a link to your daily tweet(s)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. This giveaway will run until December 3rd at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected by using random.org and will be contacted and announced on or around December 4th. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours of initial contact, I will randomly select another winner. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Open to US.

**Thanks to the pr company who supplied the complimentary, mentioned items to facilitate this review. I wasn't compensated in any other way for this review. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the products being reviewed. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

My MGA Entertainment Top Picks! (review and giveaway)

• 2010 Holiday Gift Guide bratz Holiday Gift Guide lalaloopsy legend of nara little tikes MGA Entertainment moxie girlz moxie teenz review toy
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Did you know that Learning Curve has a line of Thomas & Friends wooden track set made just for little hands? If you browse the shelves at your local toy store, you may see one or two of these new sets for sale. 

Learning Curve recently contacted me and asked if I would like to check this out with my son and, of course, I said "Yes!". 

Alex is a huge fan of Thomas & Friends. He knows every train's name and he has a small collection of wooden trains and track. This new line of Early Engineers is made with both younger and older children in mind, though. It's specifically created for little hands (18 months of age and up) but is eager to grow right with your child. 

I have some photos to illustrate what I mean. It truly is amazing. 

Here is the Thomas Wooden Railway Early Engineers Roundabout Station set. It's perfect to purchase as a starter set or in addition to the other sets as well. As you can see, it's made with wooden track. This is the same sized track as the sets made for older children. The trains are made bigger so little hands can get a better grip on them and the other pieces are made to easily be added, subtracted, or changed to suit your child's interest in play.

The set includes the roundabout, Maithwaite station, a tree, spinning cargo, and a ticket booth/gate. Each piece has a circular bottom that fits into the shapes on the roundabout grass. The cargo and tree can be switched as well as the station and ticket booth. This offers a child independence in play which is great for his/her imagination and self esteem.

Alex loved that he could successfully set everything up and move it around on his own. He quickly began a dialog with his new Thomas the tank engine train and then decided he wanted to add others of his in as well.

It's wonderful that Learning Curve knew that children want to build on their play experience and added in a way to easily do that.

The set comes with 2 connecting pieces that fit to the end of the Early Engineers track and connect to the standard wooden track. Alex ran off to get some track and a few trains. In no time, Alex had a track designed and assembled.

Even Percy and Sir Topham Hatt stopped by for a visit. 

Watch the video to see some of these new sets in action!

http://media.learningcurve.com/products/SKU/TWR_EE/index.html?xcid=701

My overall opinion of the Thomas Wooden Railway Early Engineers Roundabout Station is that it's a wonderful gift for a Thomas lover. I wish these had been made when Alex was younger. If, at 3 years old, he gets excited to play with it, I can only imagine what he would have thought of it when he was younger. The set is easy to use and durable. I can see it lasting for years and years in this house. 

BUY IT:  You can purchase this set for around $25 from Learning Curve.

** The opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.Others may have a different experience and may not agree with my opinion.Thanks to Learning Curve for the product to review. I was able to keep the item at no cost to me.**

Learning Curve: Early Engineers (review)

• Early Engineers learning curve review Thomas and Friends toddler toy wooden train
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New to the Nerf line this year, is the Nerf Dart Tag Capture The Flag Set. It is meant for children 8+ and retails for $34.99

This set is a great way to entertain older children for quite a while as there are different game play options built into it.

When you open the set, you’ll see it comes with 2 vests, 2 Stormfire Blasters (nerf guns), 2 pair of protective glasses, 6 Dart Tag Darts, and an electronic flag. The electronic flag is what brings the game to life with it’s sensors and 3 game modes built in. 2 children can use the flag to play a game of “capture the flag” or “seek and disarm”. The electronic flag can be set in 5 or 15 minute modes to make the game of “seek and disarm” more challenging.

Nerf is another classic, household name. Many of us “grown ups” can recall a time in our life when we owned and/or played with a Nerf ball or gun. I enjoy how the brand has stayed consistent with it’s beginning styles while bringing fun upgrades to its modern buyers.

THE GIVEAWAY!! NOW CLOSED

You could win this set for yourself or someone on your shopping list!

To enter:

• Visit the Nerf store and tell me one other SPECIFIC item you like. *If you have a blog, make sure you have my “hot for the holidays” banner on your sidebar for your entry to count.*
• For additional entries:
  • Blog about this giveaway with a link back to my post *3 extra entries* (comment with a link to your blog post. Leave 3 separate, numbered comments to make sure you get credit for each entry.)
  • Subscribe to my blog feed (top of right sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my posts in e-mail (top of right sidebar. comment with the e-mail address you subscribe with)
  • Follow this blog (middle of left sidebar)
  • Grab my “Coffee with the Mrs.” button for your sidebar.
  • Follow me on Twitter @themrsc (comment with your twitter name)
  • Tweet about this giveaway with, “Win a Nerf set as featured in the holiday gift guide on www.coffeewiththemrs.com @themrsc” (comment with a link to your tweet)
    • Once Daily Retweets available for extra entries. (leave a comment with a link to each RT)

Please leave separate comments for each entry. This giveaway will run until Sept. 28th at 11:59 pm ET. The winner will be selected, contacted, and announced on Sept. 29th. After this, I will wait only 48 hours for the prize to be claimed before randomly selecting a new winner.

**This review was written purely based on my opinion of the product. I was not compensated for my opinion. For this review, I only received a sample of the product. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of my blog page.**

Hasbro Gift Ideas (post 3 of 3 ~ Review *Giveaway Closed*)

• capture the flag children's gift idea event game giveaway hasbro Hot for the Holidays nerf review toy
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