I remember my sister had the old handheld Simon when we were younger. She loved it and her memory was sharp as she tried to remember what order the four colors were flashing. Well, with Simon Flash there are 4 freestanding tiles … and 4 ways to play.

THE GREEN GAME – Classic Simon
The green game reminds me of the original Simon, where you have to memorize in what order the colors are flashing. You just leave the cubes in the bottom of the case to ensure they don’t get mixed up and that their sides are touching. The colors will flash in a sequence, getting longer and longer as you continue to play until you get it wrong. The only quirky thing I noticed is sometimes I get it right and the game flashes all green and turns itself off.

THE YELLOW GAME – Lights Out

In this one you have to rearrange the cubes until all the lights turn off. As you make your moves, you want to make sure the cubes are touching side-by-side. When all the cubes turn off, you win!

THE RED GAME – Simon Shuffle

In this one the cubes are lined up and will flash a color sequence. Then the color sequence will change and you have to try to put it back in the original order. This one is probably the easiest game, but it’s great for my son to play and practice building his memory skills.

THE BLUE GAME – Secret Color

This one is a lot like Lights Off, except instead of trying to get the cubes to turn off – you are trying to get them to all turn the same color. You just shuffle the cubes until you get it right. Helpful hint, if you move the cubes and two turn the same color … try not to move those. It’s likely that by swapping the other two cubes all of them will turn the same color. It doesn’t always work … but it usually does.

Additional info and thoughts:

When you purchase Simon Flash, you will get the 4 cubes, a carrying case and the quick play card. You need 8 AAA batteries total for the cube – batteries ARE included. You can play by yourself or with multiple players, making it a fun, challenging game for Family Game Night.

It’s suggested for ages 8 and up, although you can try this with a savvy 5 year old.  My son, who is 5.5, loves playing and is actually better at some of the games than my husband! And I love that he’s using his brain to solve the puzzles.

I thought I’d love playing Simon Classic the most – you know … ol’ school. But I really enjoy the other three games too. It’s nice to have some variety in a sitting.

I LOVE the case that holds the four cubes and the instructions. No big bulky box. And you can even play Simon Classic without taking off the top of the case!

You can play with more than one player, just take turns solving the puzzles. I’ve played Simon Flash by myself, with my husband and with my oldest son.

Simon Flash is currently available at big box retailers and online for a MSRP of $29.99. Here are links to my favorite stores:

• Simon Flash at Target ($19.89 online)
• Simon Flash at Toys R Us ($29.99)
• Simon Flash on Amazon ($17.99)
• Hasbro Shop ($29.99)

(Prices all current at the time this article was published.)

One reader will win Simon Flash. ($29.99 Value)

FIRST: MANDATORY ENTRY:

Who do you want to win Simon Flash for?

SECOND: EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED/MANDATORY entry. But for extra entries, you can do the following – leave a comment for each:

• Add theMomBuzz to your Twitter
• Share this contest on your Facebook page – Link it to @theMomBuzz – Here is the text:

Win Simon Flash ($29 Value) @theMomBuzz. Give-away ends 1.2.12 http://themombuzz.com/?p=19784

• Tweet the following – can be done daily:

#win Simon Flash at #themombuzz – Visit http://themombuzz.com/?p=19784

• Stumble any review or post on theMomBuzz.com (Please don’t Stumble Give-aways). Let me know what you Stumbled!
• Leave a comment on any post here at theMomBuzz – let me know where you left a comment
• Add the Mom Buzz to your blogroll (Feed: http://themombuzz.com/feed/)
• Say hi to me on my Facebook page! Tell me what games you like to play as a family!

Contest ends 1/2/12. This is open to the USA. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry or on profile page), as well as on the Winner’s Wall.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contestsso you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The Mom Buzz did receive a sample.

Anyways, one of the items that caught my eyes were Cuddle Covers. They are reminiscent of the Pillow Pets and Happy Nappers, but it has some extra features that I love! I am saving up some dough (they retail for under $20) to get my youngest son one of these. But I received one as a sample just over the weekend for my oldest son. So since we were able to try them out, I want to share why I am excited enough to purchase a second one:

1. They are actually pillow covers. You can buy a Cuddle Cover pillow, but these work just as well with any standard pillow (20 x 28″). That means the pillow you choose can be just as comfy as your child likes, but with a fun new look.

2. These are HUGE. They say they are 50% bigger than other pillow animal friends. And I agree. Imagine the pillow on your child’s bed – but with a head, legs and even a tail. It’s big, eh? (To the right is a picture of my 5′ 11″ husband holding it so you can see how HUGE it is!)

3. Easy to wash. You can remove the cover to wash when it get’s dirty. It is machine washable. Not spot clean only, like other competitors. I mean, your kids are drooling on this, might be sick cuddling it, imagine lice with a pillow pet … and then you have to spot clean it? Uck. With Cuddle Covers you just throw it in the washing machine and it will be really clean! LOVE IT!

4. The material is a soft microfiber and hypoallergenic. It is SO SOFT!

5. And there are 6 cute styles to currently choose from! We received the dinosaur, but there is also a unicorn, bear, cat, dog and lion. I really like the bear, too. But definitely the dino is my top pick for boys and the unicorn for girls.

Cuddle Covers are BRAND NEW to the market. They are so cozy and comfortable! Great for kids as they lounge on the floor to watch movies, take when visiting relatives, nap times and bed time. If you still have a niece, nephew, grand child or any other little one you are still looking for an AFFORDABLE gift idea for – go to Bed, Bath and beyond and pick one of these up! They will be there for just a limited time. If you simply want to keep an eye on these to purchase for a future birthday or other occasion, then sign up for more news on the CuddleCovers.com website. More animals and styles are sure to come!

One reader will win a Cuddle Cover of Choice

FIRST: MANDATORY ENTRY:

Check out the selection (pictured above) and tell me which one you’d like to win and for who.

SECOND: EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED/MANDATORY entry. But for extra entries, you can do the following – leave a comment for each:

• Add theMomBuzz to your Twitter
• Follow @CuddleCovers on Twitter – tell them you saw them @theMomBuzz (2 entries, leave 2 comments)
• Fan CuddleCovers on Facebook – tell them your favorite Cuddle Cover, who you would give it to and be sure to tag me @theMomBuzz! (4 entries, leave 4 comments)
• Share this contest on your Facebook page – Link it to @theMomBuzz – Here is the text:

Win a Cuddle Cover (Great Gift Idea for Kids!) @theMomBuzz. Give-away ends 1.20.12 http://themombuzz.com/?p=19936

• Tweet the following – can be done daily:

@CuddleCovers give-away at #themombuzz  – http://themombuzz.com/?p=19936

• Stumble any review or post on theMomBuzz.com (Please don’t Stumble Give-aways). Let me know what you Stumbled!
• Subscribe to theMomBuzz
• Add the Mom Buzz to your blogroll (Feed: http://themombuzz.com/feed/)

Contest ends 1/20/12. This is open to the USA. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry or on profile page), as well as on the Winner’s Wall.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contestsso you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The Mom Buzz did receive a sample..

Free Lotto Games and Sweepstakes
 

A few weeks ago I posted an article on Is Santa Real? Answering the Tough Question. One site I mentioned to help keep the magic alive for Christmas was iCaughtSanta.com. iCaughtSanta.com provides photo proof that Santa Claus was in your house.

I used this service back in 2009. At iCaughtSanta.com, you can print out a photo or download a video PROVING Santa was in YOUR house! And not just Santa, but also the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Cupid – so you are going to want to bookmark this site for the holidays.

iCaughtSanta can catch these poses:

• Santa by the Christmas tree,
• Coming down the chimney,
• Eating milk and cookies,
• Sleeping on the sofa
• Stealing a kiss from Mommy – hey, bribery to give naughty kids gifts too!

And they provide this photo proof for $9.99. You can also do four photos and a video for $24.98. This can bring back the wonder of Christmas and you’ll be a hero to your kids by catching Santa “in the act.”

IMPORTANT: Don’t wait until Christmas Eve — order NOW! Santa’s elves are preparing for a HUGE traffic surge on Christmas Eve! If you order ASAP it will help avoid delays caused by heavy traffic and high call volume.

All you need is to upload an appropriate photo to iCaughtSanta.com and follow the steps to make Santa appear in the photo and then print it out at home. Your kids will be amazed that you really caught him in the act! Learn more:

Details at a Glance!

• Lower price (now just $9.99 for a photo)
• Video also available
• GIFT CODE for 50% Off – SANTA50
• Gift Cards & eGift Certificates (The Perfect Gift – even if you’re not a parent)
• ‘Print-to-Store’ Capability (pick up photos same day at more than 6,500 retail locations nationwide)
• Added 3 new Characters (Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy & Cupid)
• New Santa Poses – from traditional with milk and cookies to Mommy kissing Santa
• Step-by-Step Video Tutorials
• One-click photo-sharing via email, Facebook, Twitter and 30 other sites
• iCaughtSanta App for iPhone and iPod Touch (free and paid versions available in the entertainment section)
• New convenient download sizes (perfect for email)
• New printing options (pictures pre-sized for home printing – 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10

iCaughtSanta – and you can too!

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz is entering a contest to win an iPad2, but she has used this service in the past and recommends it.

Carolers in order of appearance:

A Daily Dose of Toni
Nuggle Mama
Fab Grandma
The Mom Buzz
MomDot
Yellow Tennessee
My Little Me
Mom On Review
Frugal Novice
Frosted Fingers
The Suburban Mom
Moscato Mom
Write Spell
Lindsay Blogs
Beautiful Side of Hectic
Not Quite Susie

When I first turned it on it had sleigh bell sounds and featured snow falling over a cityscape. You can choose to autoplay, have sounds and play a Snowflake Hunt game. The Snowflake Hunt game is an option I enjoyed, although it doesn’t track how many you find or how many you missed.

I like it with AutoPlay, narrated by Grammy award-winner, Jim Dale. As he reads the pages scroll, keeping you in the right place. Even during the AutoPlay you can touch different images to make cats meow, wreaths move, Santa laugh and bells jingle. The page illustrations have a classic feel to them, filling a page with so much to look at. The illustrations are bordered in Christmas colors with accent images on the border, as well. The music is by the acclaimed Boston Pops Orchestra.

Overall, it brings a classic story to life on our iPhones, iPads and iTouch devices. The Night Before Christmas is available from the App Store for $4.99. All of Jan Brett’s proceeds from this app will benefit the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This app is best for preschoolers and young children – ages 4 and up.

ANOTHER HOLIDAY APP TO CONSIDER:

A Charlie Brown Christmas

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The MomBuzz did receive the app above for review.

From the moment you start up the app, you know it’s unique. It features a record player (like like) spinning and playing a song From Charlie Brown Christmas. Kids can put the needle on and off the record player to start and stop the narration of the story. There is also a switch on the record player to turn the music on and off. Also on this beginning image is a picture of the book, A Charlie Brown Christmas. To start the story you just tap the book.

When you open the book, you see that it is narrated by Peter Robbins, the original voice of Charlie Brown. (“Good Grief!”) There is a little tree that you can also decorate from the get-go. There are ornaments, toppers, stands, garland/lights, and even different trees to decorate.

The story is every interactive. As you read (or the narrator reads) you have options to play with the images on the pages. You can make characters skate, help Snoopy decorate his dog house, make characters dance, play a piano, paint, and more. There are plenty of new things to see on every page.

I would download this app … today! It’s a great way to share A Charlie Brown Christmas for the holidays. To me, it’s just not Christmas without the movie. And now we can read the story together too! Young readers can turn the narration off and read to themselves, touching a word if they need help. Or you can cuddle on the couch with your kids to read to them, with a cup of hot cocoa nearby.

See the app in action:

A Charlie Brown Christmas is compatible with the iPad, iPhone and iTouch. It retails for $4.99 from the App Store.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The MomBuzz did receive the app above for review.

1. Disney Cars Kids Table and Stools Set: I have a little bench and table that my sister handed down to us, but it can be a little cumbersome for them to climb in and out off. And the dull grey doesn’t exactly scream Ka-Chow. I have been eying the table and chair sets that my friends have, which are cute in their light and dark brown colors (depending which friend’s house I am at). What I really liked was that the chairs were separate from the table, so that the kids can sit at the table at a comfortable-for-them distance – not what some manufacturer decided was a comfortable distance. And I also liked that the chairs could be used separate from the table and vice-versa. So when I saw all of the options for Cars Table and Chair (or Stool) sets, I was in love! They are fun, wild and sure to be your child’s favorite place to do activities like color, draw or even homework! You can find a Disney Cars Kids Table and Stools Set on Amazon for $34.95 or at Toys R Us for $49.99.

2. Disney Pixar Cars Standing Easel: Easels are always a great holiday gift! This easel is both a whiteboard and a chalkboard. I really like that it has a bottom shelf to store art supplies, baskets, bins and more. Assembled it measures 23″ x 15.75″ x 39″H. It’s recommended for ages 3 and up! You can find it at Toys R Us for $49.99.

3. Cars Toy Box: Has your child (or grandchild) been extra good this year? Well, if you are expecting Santa to bring a lot of goodies this year, you’ll need a place for them to store all their toys! And I love Toy Boxes, such an easy way to make a mess of toys disappear! This toy box has ample room to store toys, measuring 24.63L x 13.50H x 15.38W”. I also like that it has a hinged safety lid, so it won’t slam down on little fingers. The MSRP of this toy box is $49.99, but you can find the Cars Toy Box for ten dollars less at Toys R Us for $39.99.

4. Disney Pixar Cars Step Stool: When searching for Disney Pixars Cars Furniture, I came across this 5-Star Step Stool. I love it as a gift idea because it’s so useful! It has a cool Cars design, a textured rubber bottom step for increased safety and the top step opens up as a storage compartment! I think the MSRP is $40, but you can find the Disney Pixar Cars Step Stool on Amazon for just $23.97!

5. Disney Cars Book and Toy Organizer: My last favorite Cars 2 furniture piece is the Disney Cars Book and Toy Organizer. It has two large pocket shelves on the top to hold their children’s library of books. And then there are 4 Cars-themed fabric bins for storing cars, trains, action figures and more. Another easy way to keep toys organized, yet within easy reach. This clever piece retails for $34.99 from Toys R Us.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz.

Now, I love UNO. It’s such a fun, easy card game. My husband and I used to play at night before bed. But after two kids, I eventually lost my deck (and maybe my mind too). But they recently introduced Uno Roboto which has a lot of kid-appeal. So I am so excited to introduce Uno Roboto to my children.

First, I tested it with my husband to find out the fun factor. Uno Roboto is just that, a little robot. He is white with red detailing. His eyes are yellow and on his belly are the UNO colors and little symbol buttons.

When you are ready to play, you touch the red button on his belly and record your names. The goal of the game is to get rid of all your cards by matching numbers and colors on the card before you. As you discard cards from your hand, you place them on his head and push down to let him know it’s the next person’s turn.

What makes this game different is Uno Roboto. That’s because he’ll start calling out names, random rules and even a recorded “House Rule” to keep the game interesting. If you need House Rule ideas, they supply 4 cards with suggestions. He may have people swap cards, add cards, do a random act, etc. It can change your strategy and the outcome in an instance!

HERE IS A PEEK

CONCLUSION:

Yes! I love Uno Roboto. He is so adorable and fun! If you are still looking for a fun gift idea, he is great! He is for ages 7 and up, but I think a savvy 5 year old will do just fine. You need at least 2 players, but up to 10 can play. Uno Roboto comes with the Robot and 108-card deck.

PURCHASING INFO:

You can purchase Uno Roboto from numerous retailers. Here are some of my favorite stores and their most recent pricing at the time of this article.

SHOP MATTEL: Uno Roboto for $29.99

SHOP AMAZON: Uno Roboto from Amazon for between $29 – $35.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contests so you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The MomBuzz did receive the products above for review.

Frankie Stein

Back in May I did a post on my five top dolls for girls. Monster High from Mattel was on my list. You might wonder what I know about Fashion Dolls, since I am a mom of boys. But I can tell you, when I was younger I’d have “freaked out” over this collection. Heck, I’d have collected it even in my early twenties. Only being a mom keeps me from buying toys for me!

The Monster High collection is not made up of your normal fashion dolls. These all sport a monster-relation, along with awesome fashion sense. They are like a mix of Bratz and Twilight. These dolls range in height from 10.5 – 11″, are fashion-forward and resemble werewolves, vampires, mummies and other horror figures. My favorite from the collection is Clawdeen Wolf. She just reminds me of my niece – full of bite and attitude! I showed that one to my sister and she agreed.

Most recently Frankie Stein visited theMomBuzz, though. She is just awesome – another one my niece would love. You can purchase the dolls, like Frankie Stein, in various sets. They may come with a pet, diary, complementing doll, or even a whole set of items. Prices vary per set, ranging from $11.99 to $29.99. The set I saw was Frankie Stein with a diary, small doll purse and small doll laptop. She is most likely to “spark” up a conversation. She is wearing black and silver leggings, a black sweater vest and a long button tunic. Very cute! Her hair is long, silky, black that is generously streaked with a silvery white. Her skin is a pale mint green. I love the detailed “stitching” that appears on her arms, legs and cheek.

BUZZWORTHY: If you are looking for a more winter-appropriate Monster High Doll, consider Abbey Bominable. She is the daughter of the Abominable Snowman and she is just adorable in all that white fur!

Abbey Bominable

Ready to purchase? You can buy Monster High dolls at most retailers, like Target and Toys ‘R Us. You can also purchase them direct from Mattel, as well as on Amazon. Here are my top three picks from the collection.

1. Frankie Stein with Diary

2. Clawdeen Wolf with Diary

3. Abbey Bominable with Pet

If you want a little girl to scream with delight on Christmas Morning, these dolls are sure to be a hit! Learn more at MonsterHigh.com.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contestsso you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The MomBuzz did receive a  product listed above for review.

The Mom Buzz received some samples to check out and I thought they were just cute. Not only will my dogs enjoy the large dog toys, but the kids will get a kick out of playing with the dogs with their new Angry Bird toys too! The complete new line includes 6 dog toys and 4 cat toys, with additional collections coming in the future. The items we saw were:

• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Two Heads™ – This dog toy is longs toy, created dumbbell style and featuring Angry Bird characters on either side. At 17” long from end to end, this will be the best stocking stuffer your pup will receive this Holiday Season! Also available in a 7” version for smaller dogs.
• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Hard Heads™ – Dogs will appreciate the long-lasting, fun chew experience with these three Angry Birds characters. Each latex toy is equipped with a squeaker and will entertain your pup for hours.
• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Birds Gone Crazy™ – Our most popular Hartz Angry Birds cat toy, Birds Gone Crazy will give your feline companion the opportunity to swat, chase, and hunt little angry birds and green pigs, while the bell inside will make your furry friend keep coming back for more.
• Hartz^® Angry Birds^® Catnip Heads™ – Catnip heads are small plush Angry Bird characters filled with catnip. They can be refilled and will definitely be a treat for a good kitty this year!

As a former cat owner and the current owner of two dogs, I really liked the samples I saw. My cats would have gone nuts for the Catnip Heads, since catnip mice were always one of their favorite toys. Easy to flip, toss and roll. And the Birds Gone Crazy come in a set of 6, which rocks since you know the cats will immediately chase them under the couch and behind the fridge.

As for my dogs. They LOVE plush toys. So the double sided Two Heads will immediately be tossed and thrown to each other in the backyard. The 17″ long one is perfect for labs, boxers, rotties and other medium to large dogs. The 7″ would be for smaller lap dogs. And the squeaky Hard Head is actually not as hard as the name implies. It is pliable and will form to the shape of their mouth. But the plastic material isn’t so thin that it will rip with the first throw.

You can purchase these Angry Bird Pet Toys at Amazon, CVS and Walgreens. I am supplying Amazon links below to make ordering easier for you.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product. And don’t forget to enter my other hot contestsso you can win and try buzzworthy products! The Mom Buzz was not compensated for this buzz. The MomBuzz did receive the products above for review.