Do you or someone you know like puzzles? If so, you have to get the puzzleball. It is the most unique puzzle I can say I have ever done. Instead of doing the puzzle flat on a table, the puzzle pieces actually make a perfectly round ball instead. The pieces are curved and made out of plastic. I have to admit the plastic threw me a bit at first. However, you quickly forget about that and work on the challenge of the puzzle. The puzzleball comes in several different styles (18 in all) and sizes ranging from 60 – 540 pieces. My favorite part of the puzzle is that the puzzle pieces are numbered on the inside in case you need a hint!

Now, the puzzle I have above is the Junior World Map.  It is 96 pieces and comes with base stand.  You are also able to get unicorns and dinosaurs in this size.  It retails for $14.99.  The next size up is the 240 piece puzzle.  That puzzle is $24.99 and also comes with the base stand.  The designs you can choose from include ocean world, world map, wildlife, and penguins.  Lastly, there is the 540 piece puzzles.  That is $39.99 and includes the display stand.  You can get this with the earth, the historical world view, or celestial (this one actually glows in the dark).

If you are looking for a high quality affordable gift for the person who has everything this year, I highly recommend a puzzleball.  This is a gift for both adults and children that you can have hours of family fun with and spend less than $50!

The Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland is one of cutest kids movies I have seen a while. Elmo won’t share his blanket with Zoe (his friend) and ends up losing it in Oscar’s can. He journeys to Grouchland to get back his blanket and along the way he learns a lot about taking others feelings into consideration. Huxley (the villain) has his blanket, along with a lot of other things that don’t belong to him and Elmo tries to get his blanket back. It definitely teaches the kids about sharing without them even realizing it. It is a little over an hour, so it perfect for little ones attention spans. There are even a few jokes thrown in there for the adults! However, this is truly a kids movie.  It is a Sesame Street classic with all the gang.

3 Minute Pooh Stories is a wonderful book for children and adults alike. There are 25 stories that take about 3 minutes to read each.   All the stories are about Pooh and his exciting adventures with his friends.  Each page is illustrated, and your kids can make up their own stories with the pictures.  Since the stories only take about three minutes, this is great for kids with short attention spans (like mine).  This is one of those books that can take a long time to read (since there is so many stories), but it allows your children something to look forward to each night.  The stories are entertaining for babies and toddlers alike, so this is a definite good buy.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message is a book that was given to me by cousin after her sister (who was also my cousin died). I was very close to this cousin, and this book helped in the grieving process. My cousin also put an article that was printed in the local paper about my cousin inside with the message that “if it’s irreplaceable, don’t take it for granted”.

This book is about giving thanks. However, it is not giving thanks for the material things like Asanti grills. Instead, it is about giving thanks for the wind, for the animals, for the moon, and things like that. It truly makes you take a step back, and look at the simple things in your life that you are truly thankful. This is children’s book that even us adults can learn from.

If I would let Madison write my blog, this would top her list of favorite things for all time. If you liked Lego Star Wars, then you will love Lego Star WarsII: The Original Trilogy. How does the Lego version differ from the regular Star Wars games? Well, they are rated E (for Everyone). They are also easier for kids to play. Also, you have unlimited lives. If your character dies, it just starts back up again. There is some humorous scenes like when you walk in on the Storm Troopers taking a bath (they have swim trucks on!) and you get to see the innerworkings of the Death Star with all its bulk cable and metal and stuff (you have to blow it up too). Bill even loves this new games. There are so many new levels and tricks you have to learn to get through it! Madison is only 4, and she can beat most adults at this game (she’ll also tell you exactly how to play it). Granted, it isn’t the most educational thing for kids. However, it makes a great reward. It keeps their attention (both kids and adults). It isn’t too hard for either age group either. It is pretty easy to figure out and is very entertaining. This is a must have for any Star Wars fan!