The IE Mommy

Iron Diesel. Small-scale Cat train with over 7′ of track and simple push button stop-and-go function. The train features a flat bed car with 2 snap-on Cat mini machines (Dump Truck and Wheel Loader), a highly-detailed engine sculpt, crane car with moving crane, and a container that works with the Cat playset assortment.

My Thoughts

All little boys love trains, right? But what about little girls? Well, if your little girls are anything like mine. They absolutely adore trains, cars and anything that goes fast and can be crashed! Yes, my little darlings are a bit of tom boys and I love it.

My sweet, mischievous great-nephew is 7 and and I wanted a few toys around the house that he’d enjoy playing with when he comes to visit. After all, my girls might be keen on trains but he’s not too keen on Barbie.

We received the  Toystate CAT Preschool Iron Diesel train set and it was an instant HIT!! They loved it. The train track was easy to put together, the train was sturdy and took a beating and most of all…the entire set was just fun.

Train sets have been around forever and because of that they have an enduring quality that includes wonderful imagination play aspects.

It was fabulous to hear the kids making up stories and narrating the adventures of where the Iron Diesel was going or had come from.

You know the Iron Diesel definitely brings back the nostalgia of the “good old days” where kids played, laughed and got into a bit of mischief just by using their imagination.  Definitely giving this toy…the IE Mommy nod of approval.

Christine
The IE Mommy

Boo, the internet sensation, dubbed the “World’s Cutest Dog”, with over 4 million Facebook fans and the star of his

own book, calendar and YouTube videos, is finally available in plush for fans to love at home! The GUND version of Boo is the spitting image of the famous Pomeranian…right down to his loveable smile!

Now I know that it’s Mother’s Day and that “I” am supposed to be the one that is getting spoiled and pampered but something has obviously happened in the translation to  my daughters. “I” recieved the adorable BOO “World’s Cutest Dog” plush animal to review for Mother’s Day and um…it has mysteriously been discovered in other places like my girls bedroom and playroom.

But really how can they help themselves? This little guy is beyond adorable. He’s sweet looking, cuddly and oh my goodness CUTE!!

If you haven’t figured out what to get your mom or even anyone for a gift! Then you NEED to get BOO!! You’ll fall in love. Score brownie points and even want for yourself!!

At only $20.00 he is an amazing find, great gift and all around best friend. Now, if I could get my girls to give me mine back…it would definitely be a Happy Mother’s Day!!

Christine
The IE Mommy

My Thoughts

Ok…so what the heck is BAFF? Well, it’s just the coolest and gooest stuff that a kid can take a bath in.  If you had any television on lately…I am sure you’ve seen the commercials.

BAFF is a powdered mixture that you add to water about 2″ deep and it turns plain water into a super squishy, uber cool, gel like substance. Think the texture of an ICEE and you’ve got a good idea on what BAFF looks like.

Each BAFF packet  comes with two packets of mixture to turn the water into the BAFF substance and two packages of mixture that turns the water back into plain, regular water. BAFF Squishy Bath comes in four great colors (Red, Green, Pink and Blue). We were able to enjoy the blue color.

When something so simple and easy can bring my kids good, clean fun (literally) then I’m all for it! – No mess, no stains and two smiling kids. Sounds like a winner to me!!

Christine
The IE Mommy

New Nickelodeon Gak is a stretchy, squishy collectible compound.  Gak can be squeezed, stretched, bubbled and more – once kids pick up Gak, they won’t want to put it down!

New Nickelodeon Floam is an incredible, reusable molding compound.  Mold, fold and roll new Nickelodeon Floam into any creation imaginable – the possibilities are endless!

My Thoughts

The IE Twins have been dying to try the NEW GAK and FLOAM…every commercial brings fits of whining and begging. Well, that all stopped when we received a sensational assortment of GAK and FLOAM products to review. Thanks to Child Play Communications. My girls were all set to give GAK and FLOAM the “TWIN” test…which is basically “terror” times two!

FLOAM was the first choice to try out and it was fun! You have to massage the molding compound a bit to get all the air bubbles out. I found that to be very therapeutic.

The IE Twins were very creative with the FLOAM, which we received in Blazin’ Blue, Glimmer Green and Rocking Red (which looks more like pink) and after spending a few minutes just mushing it around and make little FLOAM balls…they decided to create a work of art.

Taking a very shapely and unique water bottle the spent time alternating the blue, green and red  colors to create a very striking water bottle. They were very proud of their accomplishment. I was too. It turned out so very cool.  The only thing that was a bit of a concern was that this simple project used up 90% of their FLOAM and since they wanted it to harden permanently….they were all out of FLOAM too quickly.  But they enjoyed their experience and their time. FLOAM would definitely be a fun product we’d buy again in the future.

GAK on the other hand…was not so much a winner. We received the red, yellow and blue GAK which was incredibly gooey and rubbery. In other words…fun to touch. My girls spent some time stretching, pulling, kneading and twisting the GAK. As you can see in the photo it makes a great glove!

But after that…there wasn’t a lot to do with GAK. It really didn’t stay in one shape so you weren’t able to mold or conform it like you could with the FLOAM. Needless to say that’s where trouble came in to play and The IE Twins decided that GAK would make a great “ball” to throw up against the ceiling.  So they did…and it stuck!

Yes, I now have a wonderful reddish-pink spot on my kitchen ceiling and two little girls that will be painting this weekend to try and cover it up! Overall GAK was fun…but it would have been more fun outside and not on my ceiling.

I’m glad that my girls were able to give it a try and excited to find that FLOAM can really enhance their creativity. Childhood is supposed to be fun and it’s worth all the experiences…even if it includes my ceilings.

Christine
The IE Mommy

Xia-Xia Pets are electronic pet crabs that are full of surprises. Each pet crab comes with a colorful hermit crab shell and a little friend inside. Additional hermit crab shells are sold separately, and all of the crab toys can wear any of the hermit crab shells.

My Thoughts

Once again…The IE Mommy…was able to be the “coolest” auntie on the block! Especially when I had my little nieces, nephews and daughters…searching for Easter egss and the newest “IT” toy…Xia-Xia pets!

I am sure you’ve seen the “live” crabs that are available for purchase at the malls. They come with a little habitat and their shells are decorated. My girls have wanted one for a while. The answer…”Uh, NO”!. Sorry just not my idea of cute pet.

We usually have about 6 or more little kids hunting for Easter eggs and we put out about 150 eggs each year. I know that sounds like a lot but it is so much fun to see them search and look for just the perfect egg. Especially since some of them have money, special treats and this year Xia-Xia pets!

Xia-Xia Pets are electronic pets that are the PERFECT answer to those live crabs that they sell at the store. In my opinion they are even better. They are cuter, more fun, easier to care for and you can buy them a bunch of different shells and carry them in your purse!! Try that with a live crab! Um, uh…on second thought…don’t try it with a live crab. Just take my word for it.

Xia-Xia pets each have a stylish crab shell that contains an adorable little friend. You can build your collection by adding new shells and new little friends. A fun idea for girls or boys since the little Xia-Xia are available as boy or girl crabs. Cute!!

While we had fun with them for Easter…I couldn’t help but think what a great incentive they would be for the end of the year. Go out with a bang this school year and give your child a Xia-Xia as a reward!

Christine
The IE Mommy

*By publishing this post, I was compensated with products for a promotional program with MomSelect. All opinions are my own.