If you have any little people in your life, you know they like, well, Little People. Right now, Toys R Us  has Fisher-Price’s Little People Nativity Scene on sale for just $24.99 with FREE SHIPPING! (If you shopped on Amazon, you’d find it for $49.99… )

This adorable set is great for kids of any age, but especially the toddler & preschool crowd. Perfect to keep the kiddos entertained while you’re decorating your house, addressing your holiday cards, or secretly watching them from around the corner as they make the figurines have the most hilarious of conversations.

At this price, I’d recommend buying a few sets and keeping them on hand for future gifts.

Expires: Unknown

Thanks, ShoppingBookmarks!

T’is the season upon us,

We buy a lot of toys,

We give a lot of toys,

We need a whole lot more  batteries for the toys!

It’s a rare occasion that we bring our children to Toysrus with intention to spend.  Toysrus has always been our rainy day alternative for local parks.  Let’s face it, what is more fun to test drive the hottest toy of the season?

While kids were literally test driving motorize vehicles in the store, I spotted a package of TireFlys Rockets at bike aisle.  TireFlys is a lit-up accessory that put on bike wheels so cyclist can be spotted in the dark.

Tireflys rocket uses 3 round battery tablets plus 3 extra tables to spare.  The package I saw was twin pack with 6 spare tablets. We almost never ride our bikes in the dark but WE NEED BATTERIES!  We need 6 of those tablets for some of our old toys.  We almost bought some from Home Depot at $5/3 tablets.   Instead of paying $10 for 6 tablets, I spent $7.99  for 12 tablets plus 2 lit-up rockets!

Next time you need battery, make sure to check the toy clearance section.  Chances are you will get the battery you need at much cheaper price plus bonus toys!

Every year around this time, I usually find lot of amazing toy deals.   Target issues 20+ store coupons for their toy book, which allow customer to get toys in fraction of price when stack with manufacturer coupons.  Toysrus also offers rebate with toy maker that makes toys irresistibly cheap!

This week, once again Toysrus offers Hasbro boardgames at 50% off.  Popular -opreschool games like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Hi-Ho Cherry-o are marked down to $3.99.  On top of that there is a $10 giftcard offer when purchase $25 or more Hasbro games.  To sweeten the deal, Hasbro offers a rebate program and coupons (for higher priced items)

Today, I got 7 preschool games, all priced at $3.99 (50%) off.  Every single one of them qualifies for the rebate and get back $2 each.   So for the 7 boxes, I paid $27.93, get back $10 giftcard (oop now $17.93) and get back $14 from rebates (oop now $3.93).  After tax each box cost less than a dollar.

Frankly speaking my children are no longer toddlers and none of them are interested in the games I bought.  Why do I still buy them?   It’s my simple wish for all children to have a gift for the holiday!   These toys are going to Toys for Tots.  I may not have a  lot of money to spare, but I know ways to get good quality toys for really cheap.  So I donate my time and action, and very little money and many kids will have a joyful holiday.

ps: I got the Leapfrog catepillar alphabet pal  from Target.  I priced match it with Toysrus 2day sale  from $19.99 to $10.49 and use $10 Target store coupon to bring total down to $0.49 a piece.  The next thing I know Target issued a new version of price match policy such that only sale item from weekly ad is eligible.  Neither do I nor any of the staff knows about this while I was at the store.  This was my luck of the day.

Toys for Tots foundation

Hasbro Game Coupons

Hasbro Game Night Rebate Offer

You are Cordially Invited to a Magical Ball

What little girl wouldn’t enjoy her own Magical Ball? Complete with secret codes, and Bella’s Ball adventures.

I let my daughter choose a username and her own password. As a parent I MUST have the password to ANY thing my children visit online. Or they don’t visit. Right after I registered my daughter, I recieved an email from Bella Sara, letting me know that my child aged 5-13 had registered. Kudos to Bella Sara for staying in contact with the parent.

Not only is Bella Sara and Hidden City Games offering children a fun-filled magical world where they can expand their imaginations, Bella’s Ball offers parents piece of mind. BellSara.com is a private user experience and interaction with others online is not possible. Bella Sara keeps all personal information private, and takes great care to keep the Bella Sara World a fun and carefree place. Parents have the discretion to decide their child’s appropriate level of interaction with the Bella Sara World. Parental controls can easily be used on children’s accounts to turn off or limit his or her access.

Bella’s Ball is just one more addition to the already exciting and imaginative online world created by Hidden City Games, and conceptcard. In addition to Bella’s Ball, Bella Sara Adventures is an award-winning game-play componet that allows girls to take a journey with magical horses, characters, and friends while they discover new lands, solve mysteries, and restore the beauty of the world.

Join the masquerade ball with Sara’s horse, Bella, and their friends. Secret codes can be found in the set of 55 trading cards, features horses, characters, scenes and stories, children will be able to unclock new adventures sepcific to Bella’s Ball and experience the magical online world of North of North like never before at BellaSara.com.

Dear parent,

Your child has registered online with Bella Sara™. Bella Sara is a free, safe, imaginative horse-themed world featuring positive messages and imaginative play for children ages 5 to 13.

In the world of Bella Sara™, members choose and name their horse which they can nurture in their own online stable by feeding and caring for them. Please note that your child’s horses will never die or run away. Your child’s account will also not expire. Online, your child will also find games, activities, puzzles, coloring pages and a virtual Bazaar to decorate their own online cottage.

Please rest assured that your child is participating in a safe online environment. No user can see another or their information. We keep all personal details private and take great care to keep the Magical World of Bella Sara a fun and carefree place where your child can grow. That said, you as parent have the ability and responsibility to decide the level of interaction with the Magical World of Bella Sara that is appropriate for your child. You can use the parental-controls section of your child’s account to turn off or limit his or her access. Use the unique credentials below to logon to your own parent page at: http://www.bellasara.com/parents.html There you may adjust your child’s account settings as you see fit.

*Insert my parents email and parental password here.*

Your Bella Sara experience continues with trading cards featuring images of beautiful horses treasures, and positive messages that expand the world of Bella Sara even further. Learn more about the world of North of North in our series of storybooks, collect velvety miniatures, or continue your play with the Nintendo DS & PC game. You can also find craft and activity kits, puzzles and more!
Thank you for starting your journey into a magical world of horses at BellaSara.com

Be the hero in your own story,
The Bella Sara Customer Care Team

The game automatically saves when you close the window, so there’s no losing where you left off at. With Bella Sara, Hidden City Games introduces it’s first animated DVD, Bella Sara Tales: The Adventure Begins, rated G.

Narrated by a favorite Bella Sara character, Penny Inkwell, Tales transports children into the mystical realm of North of North as new adventures unfold.

Each pack of Bella Sara trading cards includes a code to enter online at the Bella Sara website, and unlocks horseshoes which are used like “money” in the pretend adventures. My daughter was ultimately excited, the trading cards and secret codes immediately took her attention. My Little Princess, feels like she has truly been Cordially Invited to a Magical Ball.

Using the child’s profile, you can set a daily limit of how long the child is allowed to play. This is wonderful for parents that don’t allow their kids to veg out on online games.

View the collection series check-list, in pdf format. Lay the horse and character cards together like a puzzle to form the ball scenes. The ballroom cards are your key. Each pack of 5 trading cards, includes a sticker card, Bella Sara ticket card.

Every Bella Sara Ticket unlocks magical adventures at BellaSara.com!
What adventures will your secret codes unlock?

I have been in contact with Adrienne, who represents Bella Sara, and Hidden City Games, and they are kindly offering one of our readers 2 packs of trading cards, and a velvety mini.

Here are a few ways to save on Bella Sara items. Including online promo code, and a Target web coupon. Coupon expires 12/07/09.

Promo Code: 8EV2TBA6

Savings: 20% off purchase of  $15+

It’s our first Christmas being a family of 4 and I’m totally excited!  I’ve been through the Toys-R-Us Big Book and circled things, made a wish list at toysrus.com and clipped my coupons.  I’ve actually made a pretty good plan.  3-4 shopping trips each time getting a $10 off coupon for the next time. The use of coupons for toys should save me about $50 or so.  Now, that doesn’t sound like much but that’s a free toy basically!  I don’t do Black Friday, that actually scares the bejeezus out of me, so I’m happy to do my shopping in a few chunks.  I just have to figure out where to hide the toys from Kenna!  She’s not a snooper but she goes in just about every closet, so it may have to be the garage!

But I’m stuck…do I get the same number of toys for each kid?  I mean, this is new territory to me.  McKenna’s toys are more expensive, guess it comes with getting older.  Plus it doesn’t help that I have coupons for Jay’s toys which makes them even cheaper.  I think what we’ll probably do is get all the toys for Jay that we have planned (about 5-ish) and not worry about the amount of presents under the tree for each kid, just go budget-wise.  The good thing, Jay doesn’t care and won’t care for a few years.  Kenna may not even care either, she’s a sweet girl and I’m sure the thought hasn’t even crossed her mind to count the presents and compare.  She’ll outnumber him on gifts for a few years and when the time comes that both kids are dividing up the boxes and bags and we’ll hear the first “her/his pile is bigger than mine”, I’ll remember this post I did in November of 2009 and smile a little to myself THEN break up the fight that ensues!

God I can’t wait!

You better get your butt to Toy R Us this weekend where they’ve got the Galactic Heroes 2-packs on sale at the wallet friendly price of 2 for $9.99.  Whether you need to fill a couple holes in your collection or surprise the kids, now’s the time to stock up!  Keep in mind this price is for two days only: Friday, Nov 6th to Saturday, Nov 7th.

Walk Sponsor, Carlos Vieira, with Edward and sister Jada from Team Edward

On Saturday, October 17, 1,500 participants joined the second annual Central Valley Walk Now for Autism Speaks at Modesto Junior College in Calif., raising over $130,000. Special thanks go to returning Walk Chair Michelle Rodriguez for making the Central Valley Walk such a success.

The Walk route throughout Modesto Junior College West Campus included the agriculture department – where walkers visited sheep, cows, pigs, and horses from the school. Kids met Toys“R”Us’ Geoffrey the Giraffe, the Modesto Nuts mascot Wally the Walnut and McGruff the Crime Dog. Autism Speaks supporter Marty Seagraves brought his autism awareness motorcycle and Walk Sponsor Carlos Vieira displayed his racecars. Walkers also enjoyed the musical talents of Radial.

Walkers lined the Fairgrounds pathway after Geoffrey the Giraffe cut the opening banner, kicking off the Walk start.

The Terre Haute Walk Now for Autism Speaks took place on Saturday, October 17, at a new venue, The Vigo County Fairgrounds. 1,700 walkers joined the second annual event, which raised $50,000.

The Terre Haute walkers were warmed from the brisk morning air with hot beverages and heart-pumping activities including a pre-Walk stretch and dance session, horseback rides, hayrides, and a run through the bounce house obstacle course. After Mayor Duke Bennett read a proclamation declaring the day as World Autism Day in Terre Haute, everyone was off to the races, some circling the Walk pathway more than times! 

 Many thanks go to Walk Chairs Debbie Beard and Amy Walker for the continued success of the event. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the Terre Haute Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Facebook.

Although the morning began with cold temperatures and rain, 3,000 enthusiastic participants joined the North/Central New Jersey Walk Now for Autism Speaks in Cranford. Thankfully, the rain ended just in time for check-in and the walkers raised $347,000.

The seventh annual North/Central New Jersey Walk returned to Nomahegan Park, which is situated in a charming residential neighborhood. The scenic Walk route takes people around a lake, over a narrow walking bridge, through neighborhoods and along the main boulevard.

Families enjoyed a variety of activities, including Fun Bus Fitness Fun on Wheels, Drums and Disabilities, the NJ Snake Men, Crafts by Joanne, a visit from Toys”R”Us’ Geoffrey, and Magic Mike. A special treat at the Walk was The Home Depot Workshop, where children received an orange Home Depot apron and were assisted with the assembly of a variety of wooden toys to take home.

Many thanks go to returning Walk Chair, Jennifer Love, for the continued success of the event. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the North/Central New Jersey Walk Now for Autsm Speaks on Facebook.

Takara (Hasbro) nous réserve de bien beaux nouveaux modèles pour l’année 2010: N.E.S.T Skystalker (RD-27, Scout), N.E.S.T Mindwipe (RD-25, Voyager), N.E.S.T Autobot Ratchet (RA-28, Deluxe), N.E.S.T Lockdown (RD-26, version “movie”, Deluxe), N.E.S.T Brawn (RA-29, Deluxe), N.E.S.T Scattorshot (RA-30, Deluxe) et enfin Barricade & Frenzy (RD-24)dans la gamme “Human Alliance” sans oublier quelques repaints tels Demolishor (“Shangaï attack”?!)…

Ces nouveaux “Transformers” sont disponible d’ hors et déjà en pré-commande chez Toys’R Us Japon, leurs dates de sortie respective s’étalant de fin Janvier à fin Mars 2010.

Source: Toys’R Us Japan

On Saturday, October 10, more than 7,000 people enjoyed the seventh annual Carolinas Walk Now for Autism Speaks at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., raising over $440,000.

WBTV’s Jamie Boll, WSOC FM’s Charlie and Debbie of “The Charlie & Debbie Show” and Chris Allen from Tanner in the Morning served as the event’s emcees. As part of the pre-Walk festivities, team captains from Charlie’s Angels, Tristan’s Tracks, Jerri Elliott Walkers, and Brett’s Believers inspired the crowd by sharing stories of why they walk. Walkers enjoyed a performance by the Charlotte Checkers Checkmates cheerleaders and meeting Toys”R”Us’ Geoffrey the Giraffe and Chubby Checker (the mascot of the Charlotte Checkers). Jay M. Robinson High School’s JROTC presented the colors and Erin Fox performed the national anthem. Thank you to Steve Ruggles Open Road Racing, Team Aruba Drag Racing, 501^st Legion, and our many Community Resource Fair participants for making the day a memorable experience.

Special thanks to Walk Chairs Jennifer Clancy and Hugh Love for making the Carolinas Walk such a success. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the Carolinas Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Facebook.

Baltimore Ravens' mascot, Poe, entertains the crowd.

On Saturday, October 10, 2,000 people joined the fifth annual Baltimore Walk Now for Autism Speaks held at Towson University, in Towson, Md., which raised nearly $161,000. Alpha Xi Delta sorority members from Towson University greeted attendees, checked in participants and kept the crowd fired up. The Baltimore Ravens’ mascot Poe, the Chick-fil-A cow and Toys”R”Us’ Geoffrey the Giraffe kept everyone entertained and their minds off the rainy weather. As a call to action, Maryland State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County) urged the crowd to become more involved in autism awareness and advocacy. Many thanks go to Walk Chair Chris Manouse for the success of the event. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the Baltimore Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Facebook.

Le pack “Gathering At the Nemesis” est dispo chez ToysRus, ce dernier contient des versions “repaint” de Megatron (voyager class, premier film), The Fallen (voyager class) & Soundwave (deluxe class). Ce pack aurait pu me convenir car je cherche à obtenir The Fallen, mais je ne suis pas d’humeur aujourd’hui à dépenser 75€ dans un tel coffret…  

Envoyé depuis mon mobile avec Wordmobi

On Saturday, October 3, 2,000 walkers on more than 170 teams joined the eighth annual Seattle Walk Now for Autism Speaks at the Dempsey Indoor Arena at the University of Washington, raising $120,000. Walkers enjoyed appearances by Blitz and Blue Thunder from the Seattle Seahawks, Geoffrey from Toys”R”Us and the Eastlake Dance Team. At the Walk, Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess presented a proclamation from the City of Seattle recognizing autism awareness! Special thanks go to 30 Alpha Xi Deltas who volunteered on Walk day and Walk Chair Amy McOmber for the success of the event. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the Seattle Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Facebook.

Team Grilled Cheese as they head out on the Walk route

On Sunday, October 4, 7,500 people joined the second annual Sacramento Walk Now for Autism Speaks, raising over $232,000. Walkers enjoyed a scenic route through the city and along the River Walk on a beautiful, cool day. Entertainment included appearances by Toys“R”Us’ Geoffrey the Giraffe, Dinger from the River Cats, Stormtroopers from the Rebel Legion Endor Base, a pre-Walk performance by SENSE Theatre, and the talents of emcee Amy Lewis from KBFK. Attendees were also treated to a resource fair which featured 35 local providers and vendors. Honorary Walk Chairs Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada (D-Solano) and California State Senator Darrell Steinberg (District SD06) spoke about their efforts in improving legislation for families touched by autism. Other honored guests included Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Assemblywoman Alyson Huber ((D-El Dorado Hills). Special thanks to Walk Chairs Kristen Byrne and Stephanie Blackard for executing such a successful event. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the Sacramento Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Facebook.

Over 500 participants braved the rain and wind to gather at Canaries Baseball Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D. for the second annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks, raising $51,000.  Toys”R”Us’ Geoffrey and Cagey Canary wowed the crowd as they danced to the sweet tunes of the band. Special thanks to Walk Chairs Jennifer Miller and Kris Stewart for making the Walk such a success. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the Sioux Falls Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Facebook.

On Sunday, October 4, 1,800 walkers on more than 120 teams gathered at Greeley Park in Nashua for the seventh annual New Hampshire Walk Now for Autism Speaks, raising $170,000. The weather was cloudy and crisp, but the spirits were sunny and bright as the walkers stepped-off at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate their efforts on behalf of Autism Speaks.  Thanks to Wireless Zone for their continuing visionary sponsorship, to Coca Cola for the beverages and to T-Bones for providing the Walk day food. Wrap-around fundraising events were a large part of the Walk’s fundraising success. Mike Gibeault organized a great men’s hockey tournament which raised nearly $27,000.  Neil Stone and his crew, including committee member Heather Valcanas, raised over $10,000 with a karate kickathon. Many thanks to the Walk Co-Chairs Sue Parker and Kristine Hodgson, who were ably assisted by committee members Heather Valcanas and Amy Clement. And, of course, thanks to National Walk Sponsor Toys”R”Us and Geoffrey for their support and participation. Read more about the Walk here and become a fan of the New Hampshire Walk Now for Autism Speaks on Facebook.

Kids loved the Toys"R"Us booth at the resource fair!

On September 26, 1,000 participants raised $51,000 at the inaugural Portland Walk Now for Autism Speaks, held in the South Park Blocks of downtown Portland, Oregon. The first-year event boasted ten Grand Club members, walkers who each raised $1,000 or more; later this year, one lucky Grand Club member will win two roundtrip plane tickets, courtesy of Jet Blue. Walkers enjoyed a resource fair, complete with 17 local vendors and autism service providers. Special thanks to Walk Chair Dan Yedinak for the success of the Walk. Read more and view additional photos from the Portland Walk and become a fan of the Portland Walk on Facebook.

Eu sempre me perguntei se valia a pena visitar La Défense, pois não tinha nada a ver com a Paris que eu esperava conhecer. Além da falta de atrativos aparentes, sua localização um pouco mais afastada ajudou a sempre deixar essa região em segundo plano nas minhas passagens anteriores por Paris e acabou que nunca a conheci. Como dessa vez eu queria viver experiências novas, esqueci o preconceito e resolvi finalmente conhecer La Défense. E não é que gostamos!

La Défense é uma área moderna da cidade onde se localizam os escritórios das principais empresas e a arquitetura dos prédios lembra muito o centro comercial de várias outras grandes cidades do mundo. Apesar de não ter nada de tão especial, os prédios todos espelhados e modernos mostram um lado diferente dessa cidade que não para de nos surpreender. Mesmo em uma área que tinha tudo para ser comum, Paris deu um jeito de ser diferente e criou o Grande Arco muito bonito e gigantesco, que pode ser visto de vários pontos da cidade. Existe inclusive um elevador que te leva para ver a vista no topo, mas infelizmente não nos sentimos empolgados a subir.

Grande Arco

La Défense

Outro diferencial dessa região é a existência do shopping Les Quatre Temps, algo totalmente diferente das charmosas lojas de rua que são características da cidade, com exceção é claro das grandes lojas de departamentos, como a Galeria Lafayette e Printemps, que lembram muito um shopping devido a sua grandiosidade. Se você gosta de fazer compras, esse é um excelente local! Todas as principais cadeias de lojas se encontram aqui, como a Zara, H&M, C&A, Sephora, Kippling, etc… Como estava na época de liquidação em Paris, aproveitamos bastante! No entanto, a loja que mais nos agradou foi a Toys´R´Us. Para quem já esteve nos EUA, sabe que essa é uma grande cadeia de lojas de brinquedos. Paris não é uma cidade com muitas lojas infantis e portanto uma loja do porte da Toys´R´Us é uma raridade. Quem tem filho e deseja comprar um presente não pode deixar de visitar essa loja, até porque os preços são bem mais em conta que no Brasil, apesar de ainda não chegarem nos níveis dos EUA. O difícil é depois arranjar espaço na mala!

Shopping Les Quatre Temps

Shopping Les Quatre Temps

Shopping Les Quatre Temps

Para chegar em La Défense, você pode tomar a linha 1 de metrô ou a linha A do RER até a estação de mesmo nome. O RER é bem mais rápido, mas é importante atentar que é necessário um bilhete diferente e mais caro, pois a estação fica fora da zona inclusa nos bilhetes comuns. O metrô é mais lento, mas não é necessário pagar nada a mais pelo trajeto.

Resumo geral da visita: gostamos, mas não é nada imperdível. Só vale a pena se você tiver tempo sobrando e já tiver visitado todas as atrações desejadas, ou se desejar fazer compras, principalmente de brinquedos.

Outros posts da viagem a França:
Paris – Informações Úteis
Paris – Fotoblog

Restaurantes em Paris
Estrasburgo
Restaurantes em Estrasburgo

Toys”R”Us，一個充滿童年回憶的地方。
你們還記得小時候向父母嚷著要買玩具的情境嗎？
店內的每一個角落、每一件玩具都充滿著熟悉的氣味。

雖然大部份的玩具都是十年如一日，但百玩不厭。
因為每件玩具對我們也有其獨特的意義和紀念價值，
而且也是小時候與父母建立深厚感情的橋樑。

每次見到那些玩具，一幕幕的影像便浮現眼前，
看到小朋友玩得不亦樂乎，自己也不知不覺投入了玩具世界。
在忙碌的生活中拾回一刻童真，順便放鬆一下緊張的心情，簡直是一件樂事。

Toys”R”Us 不只是一個充滿童年回憶的地方，也是個尋回童真的地方。