christmas gift ideas for children #4: shake, rattle + drum

christmas gift ideas, children, musical instrument, music, toys, christmas

Christmas is finally upon us + I know a lot of us will be going out for a last minute shopping, even if it’s only a few more hours before Christmas Eve or even on Christmas Day itself. If you are hard up on brilliant ideas on what to give your little ones this Holiday season, you might want to check out this gift suggestion – the Shake, Rattle  + Drumtoy set!

christmas gift ideas, children, music, musical instrument, toyschristmas gift ideas, christmas, children, music, musical instrument, toys

Shake, Rattle + Drums is a perfect gift for your little Mozarts or Schubert. The set comes with a drum, 2 drum sticks, 2 mini-maracas, a tambourine stick + a castanet. It is a total package for your budding little musician-in-training.

christmas gift ideas, christmas, children, music, musical instruments, toys

What I love about this product:

  • It is perfect for kids 3 years + up {yup, my little one needs supervision whilst playing, but I don’t mind, I drum away with him while he does :D}
  • I love the size of each instrument which is just perfect for my son’s chubby little digits 🙂
  • Every instrument is made of wood + very durable that I know it will survive a couple of bangs + throws by the little man. I am expecting this toy will be around longer that most of the toys in my son’s toy bin.
  • The drum head is made from natural rawhide + it does make a very interesting + beautiful sound that got the little man, + probably the neighbors, interested
  • It conforms to international standards, including ASTM F 963-03 that I am certain it is safe to give to my little one to play with
  • It even comes with this parent-friendly activity guide that includes helpful suggestions + ideas on how to play with the set, encouraging the entire family to join in + promoting fun, bonding activity + learning {for the kiddos}

christmas gift ideas, children, music, musical instrument, toys, christmas

Shake, Rattle + Drums is a part of Sounds Like Fun music maker toys which are a “unique collection of of exploratory instruments designed to introduce young children to the benefits and joys of music making.” They are distributed by West Music, along with a host of other classroom instruments and an assortment of classroom music games.

Did you know that children who enjoy music at an early age are more likely to do better in school in the future? This is because music contributes to what the experts call a “rich sensory environment” that forge more pathways between the cells in your child’s brain. Thus, helping him develop his ability to learn in most areas, like reading + math. Music is not only a good learning tool for our children, it also helps them express themselves + develop their self-confidence.

So for this Christmas, give the gift of music + learning to our little ones 🙂

For more information about this product, please visit the West Music Website.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I was given this product for review purposes. However, opinions + views are 100% my own.

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gt: best new person in 2011

The best new person in 2011 for me will be none other that the PMC founder herself, Mommy Rubz. Not only that I consider our friendship a blessing but I am most touched by her kindness + her generosity.

Although I have been a member of PMC since late last year, I only got the chance to meet Mommy Ruby in person this year {during our first + 2nd grand EB‘s} + I must say she radiates the same warmth she does online. I have also been a receiver of her generous + giving heart on many a number of occasions. In fact, even this blog + its hosting are precious gifts from her, not to mention several dozens of postcards I receive from her regularly {we are both members of this postcard collecting group!}

Mommy Ruby + her family lives in the typhoon-devastated area of Carmen in Cagayan de Oro. I am most relieved to find out that apart from power + water service interruption, her family survived the wrath of Typhoon Sendong, unscathed. + I am more touched that she spends her time helping her fellow Kagayanons to continue living their lives after the tragedy. Her generosity outshines more than ever.

Bless your heart, Mommy Ruby, I know that the Almighty will continue to bless + nurture you + your family in the coming new year. Your kindness will send good karma on your way + the things you gave will be given back to you a thousand fold.

My GT share for this week ^_^

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nice to know you wednesdays #08

Nice To Know You Wednesdays, NTKYW, meme

It is mid-week once again + though this meme was absent for a few weeks, I am so delighted to be up on my toes early to post one. It is a few days to go before Christmas, + although the President recently declared a national state of calamity, in the light of recent events, let us not forget what this season is all about, let us reach out to our brothers in need + share whatever we can. Giving + sharing, anyway, is the true spirit of Christmas.

Also, I would like to thank my lone participant from the very last edition: Lisa. Thanks so much, you do not know how much you inspire me to carry on with this ^_^ Okay, enough of the theatrics.  On with todays Nice To Know You Wednesday 🙂

5 Questions:

  1. Are you done wrapping your Christmas gifts?
  2. What is your most favorite Christmas tradition?
  3. What’s going to be on your Noche Buena {Christmas Eve} feast on the 24th?
  4. Share your Christmas wishlist.
  5. What are your plans for Christmas?

My Answers:

  1. I haven’t got much gifts to wrap this year as I have decided to give cash to my inaanaks. So, I will just be putting the crisp bills in those lucky ang paos on my downtime. But who knows, there are still a few days left + I might change my mind 😉
  2. The best will be have to be Noche Buena with the entire family, feasting on a sumptuous meal we all helped make.  I miss all of my mama’s mouth-watering dishes, but more than anything, I miss my parents’ presence, the most.
  3. Barbeque + hotdogs are a staple in our Christmas table. When I was a little girl, Christmas feast is not complete without those tender juicies 🙂 Hopefully, we’ll also have pasta + some delicious desserts!
  4. There are a few things I’d like to have, including: {1} a pair of trainers so I can finally try my hand at running, but I am a bit hard up on the financial, so I’d probably try to save up for a pair next year + hopefully get a pair for the little man, too. I am guessing he’d be all prime to jog + run by next year 🙂 {2}I would like to get myself a new pair of headphones, too {am using a borrowed one, see}. Am eyeing this particular pair from CDR-King {the best I can get with my budget :)}, so I’d probably get it one of these days. {3} A copy of “Eat, Pray, Love” is also on my list.
  5. I really want to go someplace new every Christmas, but we have not made any solid plans for this year. I guess, we’ll see where our little sneakers lead us.

It’s your turn + I am looking forward to reading your entries. Don’t forget to grab the badge here {sorry about the codes, can someone please help me how to work my way around them?}.

Happy Wednesday + let’s all try to keep sane while the Christmas rush goes on….



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