ParentPicks

Cash Flow — The Game (or is it?)

MsGreene — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:05:26 +0000

Cash Flow is an exciting family board game that packs a big lesson on how financial life really works. Players draw for occupations and earn money based on their station in life. Each turn players are given the opportunity (via role of the dice) to either get ahead through wise investments or enjoy life now. Big rewards for delayed gratification. Once your investments have paid off, you can escape the rat race and live on your passive income — you’ve made it and it feels good. Beware, along the way your investments can go belly up, or even worse you can be down-sized.

The game is long (allow about 3 hours for 6 people) and it’s not fair. If you draw a low paying job to start, your chances of winning are much lower than if you start out with a high paying job. But our kids still ask to play it and they remember the lessons they’ve learned. It’s one of our all time favorite games.

It’s also expensive for a game, but it comes with lots of parts, is very well constructed, and is a course in economics. It’s recommended for kids 10 and up. In this case, I’d go with the age range. I’d also plan on playing it with adults in the mix.

There is a kids version recommended for kids 6 - 12. It’s less expensive and probably not as complicated, but I haven’t played that one so I can’t recommend it. Any out there know the kids version of Cash Flow?

Bottom line — Cash Flow is a great family game. If you don’t have it, invest. It’s a game that will pay for itself and you’ll have fun.

Rich Dad Cashflow 101 can be found at Amazon.com

Rich Dad Cashflow for Kids can be found at Amazon.com

Green Toys Recycling Truck

MC Milker — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:01:56 +0000

Now little ones can learn all about the basics of recycling. Made in the USA from 100% recycled milk containers, the Green Toys Recycling Truck sorts bottles, cans and paper. It also has a movable recycling bed and open/shut rear door. It is safe, non-toxic, BPA-Free and packaged in recycled and recyclable materials. Appropriate for ages 3 and up.

Green Toys Recycle Truck is available at Amazon.com

Desert Hothouse

MC Milker — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:28:34 +0000

Create your own sandy, dusty desert scene with the DuneCraft Desert Hothouse. This kit comes complete with a variety of cacti and succulents including the Giant Saguaro, Joshua Tree and many more. Little ones will have a blast designing a desert landscape with included gravel, sand, boulders and desert friends. These easy-to-grow plants will start sprouting in a week and will last for years.

Appropriate for ages 3 and up.

Desert Hothouse can be purchased at Amazon.com

Count Octopus Makes Learning to Count Fun

MC Milker — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:46:57 +0000

As both a parent and an expert on eco-friendly toys, I had a great opportunity - to help judge the Goddard Schools/EcoChildsPlay.com Best Green Toy Contest. And boy was it fun!

We had over 50 entries and it was tough to select the 10 finalists. (We’ve listed all of the entries and winners on our Facebook page and even have room for you to add some of your favorite green toys.)

Learning to count is fun with the Octopus Number puzzle. Hand-crafted & hand painted with child-safe paints. Count Octopus is made from plantation-grown rubberwood, an environmentally-friendly hardwood. Appropriate for ages 3 and up.

ImagiPLAY Count Octopus is available at Amazon.com

Nature’s Baby Organics Bubble Bath

Sarah Gonzales — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:47:33 +0000

In the adventure, that is bath time, it’s always great to find something to entertain my 2 year old daughter. And of course what 2 year old isn’t in love with bubbles! Natures Baby put my mind at ease when putting capfuls of bubbles in her bathtub. The organic product leaves her skin soft and nourished not dried out like other products I’ve tried. And the lovely lavender smell even calms me through out the bath leaving us both ready for bed time.

We will definitely be keeping this great bubble bath a part of our nightly bath time!

Nature’s Baby Organic Bubble Bath Lovely Lavender can be found at Amazon.com

CleanWell All Natural Anti-Bacterial Foaming Hand Soap

MsGreene — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:58:23 +0000

All natural AND anti-bacterial? Is it possible? I don’t know how they do it, but the good people at CleanWell have created a product that I love and trust. It’s made with Ingeniium — a patented formulation of essential plant oils proven to kill 99.99% of harmful germs. Natural AND kills 99.99% of harmful germs. How cool is that?

We’ve got a pump by every sink in our home and the kids love it. The foaming action makes it fun to use and it feels great on your skin. I use it like crazy and my hands aren’t dried out at all.

It comes in several scents. Honestly, I like them all so I just select the bottle color that matches the room decor.

Cleanwell All Natural Anti Bacterial Foaming Hand Soap, Orange Vanilla, 9.5-Ounce Bottle (Pack of 4) can be purchased at Amazon.com

Tip – Shipping is free if you buy $100 or more of Qualifying Items offered by Home Naturals at Amazon.com. Tis the season to be happier by stopping the spread of germs, so stock up.

Notes Left Behind

MsGreene — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:59:30 +0000

When I had breast cancer, I was told I had months to live. I had a decision to make — If the doctors were right, how I could I invest my life in the best way possible? That was in 1996 and DrGreene.com had just launched. The world didn’t know yet how important the Internet would be, but I knew people were logging on to our site every day looking for help. My choice was to dedicate myself to getting as much information from Dr. Greene published online as possible in as short a time as possible. That was going to be my legacy.

When 6 year old Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer she was given months to live. In an unbelievable act of love and courage she left her legacy with little notes and drawings for her family. Hundreds of little notes and drawings. She hid them throughout the house so they would find them over time, when they needed them most.

Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich are now sharing this incredible gift with the world in the book, Notes Left Behind. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to the non-profit organization, The Cure Starts Now.

Buy it as a gift. Buy it for yourself. You’ll be inspired by one little girl’s amazing ability to do something utterly remarkable.

Notes Left Behind can be purchased at Amazon.com

Wii and Wii Fit

Heather Cunningham — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:01:31 +0000

When we finally got a Wii my mental image of kids in front of the TV zoned out to the world around them shattered. Playing the Wii has my kids interacting with each other, and not just through the TV. Working out schedules and cheering each other to beat the high score were not things I ever imagined coming from a gaming system.

Even on the days of constant bickering and fighting it all comes to a crashing stop when the balance board is brought out and we take turns at hula hooping. Nothing turns the negative noise into uncontrollable laughter like seeing Mom hula hooping on the Wii.

Wii is available online at Amazon.com

Personalize Your Gift — Create Your Own Book!

MsGreene — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:07:20 +0000

I love taking pictures, but find it difficult to share them with family and friends — especially those who aren’t particularly computer savvy. Plus, it’s fun to have something tangible to give. That’s why I began creating full color, hard bound books using Blurb Books. I’ve been incredibly happy with the end result whether I’m documenting a family trip or a friend’s garden.

So far I’ve created three books. Each one is coffee table size. I know the people I’ve given the books to have displayed them proudly and shared them with guests, something they would have trouble doing in digital format.

The color printing on Blurb Books is quite good and the interface is easy to use. The shipping is fast, but I don’t recommend putting off creating your book to the last minute. Click here to get started today.

So(y) Lovely, So(y) Soft! Ecofriendly Soybu Throw

MsGreene — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:18:44 +0000

So(y) Lovely, So(y) Soft! Ecofriendly Soybu Throw

A few years ago, Alan and I went to a beach front hotel for a short get-away with just the two of us. It was magical, but I hadn’t packed properly and was cold. In the hotel gift shop we were amazed to find an ecofriendly sweatshirt made of soy and bamboo. It was just the combination of soft, cuddly, and warm that I needed for long beach walks.

What was surprising was this "I only bought it because I hadn’t packed properly" sweatshirt became one of my all time favorites. Since that trip, I’ve worn it hundreds times — seriously. I’ve also washed it repeatedly. Each time it comes out looking like new and feeling just as soft.

It’s no wonder that I went looking for a soybu blanket when I wanted a throw that is super-soft, easy to clean, and ecofriendly. I just got this one made by Colorado Clothing. I’m not keeping it for myself, but I’m pleased with the quality and am happy to be giving it away. I highly recommend this for your next gift purchase or buy two and keep one for yourself.

Colorado SY2151 Soybu Throw Blanket - Ecofriendly is available online at Amazon.com