It’s a Winter Wonder Land….

Located in Central California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park encompasses an incredible 1,170 square miles of breathtaking natural splendor.   Ranging in altitude from 2,000 feet to more than 13,000 feet above sea level, it’s hard to believe that Yosemite is just two hours from your front door. Though the pristine environment of Yosemite is passionately protected, the Park offers a host of year-round conveniences and guest services so that visitors can make the most of their experience while still observing a respect for the park.

Yosemite Lodge at the Falls…

Ideally located at the base of Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is a great place to both relax and explore. The Lodge’s Yosemite Park accommodations feature well-appointed rooms with access to the Tour & Activity Desk, bicycle rentals, The Mountain Room Restaurant & Lounge and more. 

In 1998, the main complex was redesigned with an emphasis on glass and wood detailing to blend harmoniously with its surroundings.  Yosemite Lodge at the Falls has 226 lodge rooms, 19 standard rooms and 4 family rooms, each offering daily maid service.

Totts Favorite…Family Rooms

• Perfect for families enjoying the park, these are the largest rooms at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.   Rooms are furnished with:
• 1 King bed
• 2 Single beds
• 1 Sofa Sleeper with a Queen-sized mattress
• Dining Table
• Larger TVs with DVD players
• Private bathroom

Park Activities & Sightseeing…

Yosemite National Park features activities for people of all ages and all levels of skill, guests can experience the sights at their own comfort level.  From tranquil evening strolls and programs for young kids to downhill skiing and extreme climbing, Yosemite Park offers a wide range of seasonal activities and challenges everyone can enjoy.

Winter Attractions…the Ice Rink

At Yosemite, ice skating has been a tradition since the 1930s. Tucked beneath the majestic forms of Half Dome, and Glacier Point, this one-of-a-kind Northern California skating rink offers breathtaking views, is family-friendly fun and even just a hint of romance.  After a little skating, guests can enjoy the warmth of an outdoor fire ring – or buy supplies for making s’mores and hot drinks at the nearby store.

From mid-November until early March, the Curry Village Ice Rink is open daily for several 2.5-hour skating sessions, conditions permitting.

Weekends and Holidays
8:30am – 11:00am
12:00pm – 2:30pm
3:30pm – 6:00pm
7:00pm – 9:30pm

Weekdays
12:00pm – 2:30pm *Special Holiday session
3:30pm – 6:00pm
7:00pm – 9:30pm

Badger Pass

Founded in 1935, Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area enjoys the distinction of being California’s first ski resort. Badger Pass is the gateway to some of the most beautiful vistas in the High Sierra, offering five convenient lifts and spacious groomed runs for downhill skiers and snowboarders, in addition to snowshoeing, snow tubing and cross-country ski trails. The Yosemite Ski School was established in 1928 and has trained generations of first-time skiers, and snowboarders.  With 10 slope runs and five convenient lifts, families can enjoy stress-free skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, all at a fraction of the cost found at other ski resorts.   The anticipated opening day for Badger Pass Ski Area is Friday, December 16, 2011, with conditions permitting

This year’s ski deals offer a wide variety of ways to save for the day and the entire season.

Deals for Lift Tickets and Season Passes:

• From December 16 – 23, 2011, adult season passes can be purchased in person at Badger Pass for $159 and children’s for $139.
• To honor the 77th anniversary of Badger Pass, the 77th skier to purchase a season pass in person the opening week through December 23 will get their season pass for free.
• “Two for Tuesday” – Skiers and snowboarders can also enjoy midweek Yosemite skiing with Badger’s new “Two for Tuesdays” deal, which offers two adult lift tickets for the price of one at $42. This offer will begin on January 10, 2012.

Special Offers:

“Stay N’ Play” – Looking for a weekday getaway? Get the full experience of Badger Pass and Yosemite with the “Stay N’ Play” add-on package for $50 per adult and $30 per child in addition to the room rate. This package valued at $153 for adults is valid for mid-week, non-holiday stays at all DNC in-park lodging and blackout dates apply. Stay N’ Play includes:

o   All-day Badger Pass lift ticket and equipment rental

o   Group lesson

o   Snow tubing session

o   Ticket for the two-hour Valley Floor Tour

o   Ice skating session

“Stay N’ Play” passes are available Dec. 16th – Mar. 29th.

“Stay N’ Play” Opening Week Special – available the week of Dec. 16 – 22. “Stay N’ Play” passes are valid all week and weekend and are offered at a low rate of $35 for adults and $20 for children. Reservations must be made in advance to receive this special offer.

Curry Village “Winter Kick-Off” – Curry Village, located in the heart of Yosemite Valley with views of iconic Half Dome and Glacier Point, is celebrating the opening weekend of Badger Pass with a “Winter Kick-Off” $77 package rate for a heated canvas tent cabin and two adult lift tickets. This package valued at $185 is only available on stays December 16 and 17, 2011. Please mention promo code WINTER77 when making a reservation.

For more information on lodging, reservations and other park activities, contact Reservations at 801-559-4949 or visit www.YosemitePark.com.

Register to Win a Winter Wonderland Family Getaway of Your Very Own, including:

• 2-Night Midweek Stay for 4 at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls in Yosemite National Park with Stay N’ Play Activity Passes including: (4) all-day lift tickets, (4) all-day equipment
• Rentals, (4) group lessons, and (4)snow tubing session all at Badger Pass Ski Area, plus (4) ice skating session with skate rentals at Curry Village, and (4) seats on a Valley Floor Tour.

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Who hasn’t dreamed of whaling on a guitar or belting out their favorite tune on stage for thousands of adoring fans?

We had a blast giving one little rock star a big red carpet event for his Birthday and with more than just a little bit of rock in his roll.

Setting the stage…there are some elements that are absolutely mandatory for any rock n roll event…a red carpet, a stage to jam, and ambiance that screams…rock n roll!

Best Party Rentals, of course had everything we needed to get the bones of this show, on the road!

Red Carpet …CHECK

Stage and Back drop …CHECK

VIP dining:

Chairs fit only for a rock star …CHECK

Linens fit for only the truly famous …CHECK

For these rentals and much more,  visit Best Party Rentals, visit www.bestpartyrental.com, or call (559) 325-6615.

You can’t host a gig with out a killer invite and of course we looked to none other than The Celebration Shoppe.  Their Rock Star Collection was perfection!  It includes: invites, thank you cards, cupcake toppers, cello toppers, straw slips, napkin rings and favor tags all starting at just $3.50!  You can download the images and print them yourself or place your order on line and they’ll print and ship directly to your front door.  Visit www.thecelebrationshoppe.com.

Party City had just the goods to complete our rock star party:

Zebra plates, napkins, plastic dinnerware, cups, candy, colors hair spray, killer shades, hip tattoos, decorations from Star cut outs to glitter and rock n roll confetti, and or course balloons, balloons, and more balloons! Ranging from 59 (cent sign) to $6.99, visit any of their Fresno or Clovis locations or log on to www.partycity.com.

We sent home each rock star with the perfect memento to this rock’n celebration, their very own Rock Star t-shirt made with Tulip® Fashion Glitter™ Shimmer Transfer Sheets.  Four packs priced at $14.99, visit www.ilovetocreate.com.

Encore anyone?  What kind of Rock Star Party would it be with out a full course jam session?  Wow Wee Paper Jamz came to the stage with their Pro Series, Mics, Guitars, Drum Set, Amp/Speakers and Guitar Straps, starting at $24.99, visit www.target.com.

Do you have a party coming up?  Let Totts whip you up the perfect Baby Shower or Children’s Birthday Party, and sit back and enjoy all the festivites.  Just sign up below and register for your chance to win!

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for both our “Letter” & “Cover “ shoots this issue. 

Get these looks for your Totts by visiting these retailers…

The Letter…Cavelle Kids

We simply could not wait to see the unveiling of the Cavelle Kids line at their upcoming fashion show January 20th, so we had them send us some of their super cute and unique pieces for this shoot.

To snag up some pieces of your own, join us on Saturday, January 20th at Bad Donkey, 350 North Villa Avenue in Clovis, or visit www.cavellekids.com.

The Cover…Persnickety, Fancy Little Frocks

It was hard to choose which of these frilly frocks would grace the cover!

The Penelope Dress…This magical shorter style dress has become a favorite this season. Adored because it showcases so many luscious fabrics and prints, all enhanced with lace trim at the bottom and on the sleeves.  Worn with the Cream Lace Capri’s.

Pearl Dress, Long Sleeve…This dress with so many shades of grey, features delicious textures and fabrications. With long stripes for whimsical flair and complete with row upon row of yummy ruffles up top, this dress is to die for!! It’s as comfortable as it is fashion-forward and we just know she will wear it again and again.  Worn with matching headband.

For more from Persnickety Clothing, visit GaGa Chic in Fig Garden Village, or visit www.persnicketyclothing.com.

By Yvonne Juarez, MD, Chief of Pediatrics, Fresno Kaiser Permanente

Now that temperatures have dropped and we are bundling up our little ones as they leave for school in the morning, it’s important to remember that cold and flu season is here. School-age kids are particularly vulnerable to the spread of colds, viral and bacterial infections. But there are steps you can take to make sure your kids stay healthy throughout the winter season.

• Wash hands frequently. Proper hand washing is an effective way to avoid spreading germs. Just 15 to 20 seconds of hand washing (or enough time to sing Happy Birthday), using water and soap can reduce the risk of transmitting diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control, hand washing is the single most important means of preventing infection from spreading. If you don’t have access to a sink, hand sanitizer is another good option.
• Keep vaccinated. Make sure your children are up to date on all of their vaccinations. Vaccines not only protect your child, but the children around them. Check with your pediatrician for a list of vaccines your child should have based on their age.
• Get a flu shot. Along with regular vaccinations, the flu shot is a good way to reduce your child’s risk of catching the flu, or worse, developing more serious complications from the flu. The flu vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months and older. Now is the time to get your children a flu shot. A nasal spray is also available. Contact your local doctor or county health department for a list of places where the vaccine is available.

To read the entire article, please subscribe to Totts Magazine. Click here.

For more information about how to keep you and your family healthy: visit www.kp.org.

1. Spend more quality time together…schedule time every week to spend uninterrupted time together…Game Night is easy & fun!
2. Get moving…make time for physical activity, even a brisk walk after dinner is a great way to speed up the ‘ol ticker, relieve stress, and catch up with one another.
3. Eat healthy…it’s a great time to empty the pantry of chips & soda and create new fun & healthy snacks together.
4. Be thankful…take time to acknowledge what great things are happening in your lives (good grades always deserve praise!)
5. Smell the roses…don’t let great moments pass you by, stop and live in the moment or you may miss that winning goal in the next game!
6. Get hydrated…replace soda and juice with good ‘ol H2O…remember * a minimum of 8- 8 ounce glasses a day.
7. Learn something new…ballroom dancing anyone?  Your family could steal the floor at the next wedding!
8. Help others…find a charity or organization you can all become involved with.
9. Get organized…see page ( ) for some great tips
10. Plan a vacation…once a year take a trip without laptops, cell phones and video games, and enjoy one another.  The memories will be priceless!

Family Game Night

Finding an opening in your busy schedules to spend quality time together can be tough.  Mark out a one hour period on your calendar, the same time every week, turn off the phones and the TV and get your game on!

Great Tips for Game Night

• Make your favorite snack
• If there are younger children, create teams
• Appoint a game captain each week who is responsible for picking the game for the following week
• Create & post a chart to keep track of who wins each week

Games for your next Game Night…

Road Trip by Daddy-O…take a family trip without leaving the house with this wacky worded, retro style board game will keep you thinking, imagining and laughing all the way to the East Coast.  Priced at $24.00, visit www.daddyogames.com.

SCRUBLE Cube…the word game and puzzle game, all scrubled in one!  Enjoy endless hours of min bending entertainment for up to 4 players.  Priced at $24.95, visit www.scrublecube.com.

Oh, Really!  How much do you really know about your family?  This thought provoking game is filled with laughter and entertainment.  Priced at $25, visit www.finditgames.com.

Inspector Rabbit…this sly hare challenges your memory skills and your luck with this ravishing die and memory game.  Priced at $21, visit www.habausa.com.

Fun and Sassy Designs

Send your warmest season’s greetings with our Unique Modern Photo Holiday Card Designs, printed on cardstock!  With breathtaking designs ranging from traditional to modern, our Christmas photo card selection is sure to delight all your friends, family, and loved ones.  These fabulous holiday greeting cards feature photos of your family, and many designs offer backside printing.

Prices starting as low as $1.90/card.  Visit www.funandsassydesigns.com.  Enter “TOTTS15” to enjoy 15% off.

Enter “Fun and Sassy Designs” in the entry form for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

Make your holiday wishes bright with The Celebration Shoppe!

Choose from over 25 personalized holiday card designs (all 5×7″ square corners). They’ll place your photo, personalize your text and E-MAIL you a high res jpeg that you can send to your local photo lab, e-mail to loved ones and share on your social networking sites! 

Priced at just $19.95!  Visit www.thecelebrationshoppe.com

Enter “The Celebration Shoppe” in the entry form below for a chance to win a $50 gift card!

RSVP in style…

was created to offer uncompromising stationery for {traditional} paper delivery and {simple} paperless delivery. Deliver the same favorite designs you would choose for your special occasions but take advantage of all the options available in today’s world for communication {traditional paper, email, sms, social networks} without compromising style. Make sure you always RSVP in style!

Traditional printing quantities of 25 begin at $70.  Paperless delivery credits start at $8 for 15 credits.  Visit www.rsvpinstyle.com. Enter “TOTTS50” for 50 free credits towards paperless delivery.

Enter “RSVP in style” in the entry form for a chance to win a $50 gift card!

Photo Card Designs…trendy…modern…custom

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Finding the perfect gift for your little Tott can sometimes be daunting, there are so many to choose from.  So we put our own little elves to work to find out what this year’s hottest toys are, to help make your Holiday shopping a little easier!

Evenflo

Evenflo ExerSaucer Jump & Learn keeps busy baby learning & playing.  With 55 Fun Learning Activities(tm) designed to help babies learn through play. 
* It bounces, spins and rocks
* Features electronic learning and development toys with sounds and lights to entertain and stimulate babies
* Uses shapes, colors, textures and sounds help baby reach a variety of developmental milestones
* Take With Me Toys(tm) can be easily removed for fun and learning

* Includes removable, machine-washable seat pad for easy clean up after any mess
* Recommended ages 4 months to walking

Priced at $99.99, visit www.evenflo.com.

PLAYSKOOL WEEBLES TURN ‘N TUMBLE HOME Playset

Wobblin’ mom and wobblin’ dad
Havin’ the most fun they’ve ever had!
They tumble and spin in their special way.
This home is their favorite place to play!

Watch your child laugh, play and learn with this TURN ‘N TUMBLE HOME playset for WEEBLES figures! They don’t fall down, but WEEBLES figures do almost everything else in their home: spin, drop, ride in a car and slide. Fun music plays while your child plays! Your child’s fine motor skills and imagination will develop along with the adventures he or she creates for the WEEBLES characters! Recommended ages 12mo.+, priced at $29.99.  Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and www.HasbroToyShop.com.

Power Wheels® Lil Lightning McQueen is a 6-volt, single seat, sit-in sports car based on the popular movie, Disney·Pixar’s “Cars.”  It is specifically designed for toddlers with its easy-to-use single button operation, and it goes 2 mph forward speed on hard surfaces and grass.  Features pretend seat belts and includes rechargeable 6-volt battery.

Recommended ages: 12-36 mo.  Priced at $109.99.  Visit www.fisher-price.com to find a retailer near you.

Fisher Price…Start your engines!

The Power Wheels® Dune Racer is a 2 seat, open cockpit design 12-volt vehicle with large off road tires and Monster Traction™.   The Dune Racer goes 2.5 and 5mph forward and 2.5 mph in reverse. It also has a front storage compartment and seat belts for added play, a metal frame and nickel plated side safety bars.  For enhanced appearance, the product has metal plated wheels, front bumper and shifter.  Includes rechargeable 12-volt battery.

Recommended ages: 3+.  Priced at $249.99

The Power Wheels® Barbie Mustang is realistically detailed inside and out, from its Running Horse grille to its racy rear spoiler and everything in between! Sporty chrome wheels, pretend seat belts, an interior cup holder and tunes from the pretend radio add to real driving fun. Equipped with high-speed lock out for beginners and Power Lock® brakes. Drives two speeds forward (2.5 and 5 mph, max.) plus reverse on hard surfaces and grass. Includes 12-volt battery and charger.

Recommended ages: 3+.  Priced at $319.99.

Visit www.fisher-price.com to find a retailer near you.

Say Cheese…

The Kid-Tough™ See Yourself™ Camera features easy, child-friendly controls including a rotating lens so children can easily take pictures or video of themselves.  Rotate the lens back to see yourself or rotate forward to take pictures or video like a traditional camera.  This fun digital camera also features: 4x zoom, 1.8″ TFT colored screen, 256 MB memory, 1.2 mega pixel imager with low light capability, SD slot, wrist strap, fun stamper and distortion effects for pictures on the camera, and downloadable PC based software for additional special effects.  This kid appropriate camera is built to survive, drop after drop after drop™. 

Recommended ages: 3+.  Priced at $69.99.  Visit www.fisher-price.com to find a retailer near you.

LITTLEST PET SHOP MAGIC MOTION Tree House Playset

Meet the Walkables pets!  Just push a button and see her really walk! What will LITTLEST PET SHOP do next?

With three levels and more than eight activities, there’s so much for your walking chipmunk figure to do – where should she start? She can hop onto the swing and have you turn the leaves to make it go. Or she can play hide and seek in the tree trunk – just push the branch to open the door. Maybe she can ride the elevator up to the second level and slide back down again. If she gets hungry, you can drop some “acorns” down to her! Or take her up to the third level and have her look through the spyglass to see if anyone else is around to play. When she gets sleepy, put her in the hammock for a swing and a nap. After all the walking, swinging, sliding and riding she’s done, she deserves a little rest!  Recommended ages 4+.  Priced at $34.99.  Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and www.HasbroToyShop.com.

MY LITTLE PONY RARITY’S CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE Playset

Music plays while ponies go around and around on RARITY’S CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE! Your unicorn pony friends want you to come along for a ride on the carousel or to design outfits in the boutique! When you slide the lever, the carousel starts to turn and the music starts to play. Use your “tickets” to get in and enjoy “carnival treats” while you have fun with your pony friends!

Carousel playset comes with 2 pony figures, 2 carousel ponies and accessories. Recommended ages 3+.  Priced at $29.99.  Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and www.HasbroToyShop.com.

Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Dolls Let out your inner stylist and test your skills with the Lalaloopsy Jewel Sparkles Silly Hair Doll. The Lalaloopsy character, Jewel Sparkles, features wacky, wild hair that really bends, so you can curl, twist or straighten her hair. She comes with fun hairstyling products, including a brush, four clips and six hair beads, to help you create a masterpiece out of her hair. You can even style her pet cat’s matching tail that bends just like Jewel’s hair. Round up Jewel’s pals for a girls’ day out at the salon.  Recommended ages 4-6. Priced at $29.99, visit www.toyrus.com.

Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Starter Set

The coolest place to play-off the floor and onto the wall! Now you can bring stunts, speed, turns and tricks to new heights, allowing kids to experience track play from an entirely new perspective-eye level. Complete track set with loop is safety-tested and easy to hang with safe-for-walls Command™ Strips from 3M.  Recommended ages 4-6.  Priced at $32.99, visit www.toysrus.com.

Trunki

Trunki Ride-on, Pull-along Suitcase.  Wave goodbye to tiring travel, tears and tantrums with an award winning Trunki — the innovative ride-on suitcase! Perfect for sleepovers, vacations, storing toys, trips to grandma, summer camp and much more!  Recommended ages 3+.  Priced at $39.99, visit www.melissaanddoug.com.

Prisma and Lite Wand

Prisma and her Lite Sprites sisters live in Lite-Topia, an enchanted land that sparkles with color and light. An outgoing Sprite who loves all colorful light, Prisma leads the Sprite Sisterhood on their adventures.  With the magical Lite Wand, you have the power to collect color from almost anywhere—a purple T-shirt, blue notebook, pink bedroom wall—and then share it to make all of Lite-Topia shine bright!  Recommended ages 4+.  Priced at $28.99, visit www.target.com.

American Girl® Dolls…Celebrating girls and all that they can be

Marie-Grace Gardner^™ is a shy, warm-hearted and caring girl who finds the courage to make a difference when a terrible sickness threatens her family, friends, and New Orleans, the city she has come to love. She arrives in a plaid taffeta dress trimmed with lace, white pantalettes, knee-length stockings, and two-tone boots, and comes with a Meet Marie-Grace paperback book written by Sarah Masters Buckey. Her accessories set includes a wide-brimmed hat with ribbons that tie under her chin, a heart locket, and a lacy fan.  

 Cécile Rey^™ is a bold, confident girl from a well-to-do African American family who lives a privileged life in New Orleans’ vibrant community of what was then called free people of color. When a terrible sickness strikes her city—and her household—Cécile gains the compassion to help others and better her community. TShe arrives wearing a blue satin dress adorned with rosettes, white pantalettes, knee-length stockings, black boots, and a Meet Cécile paperback book written by Denise Lewis Patrick. Her accessories set include a teal hat trimmed with a bow, a necklace with a pearly pendant, and white gloves. 

Prices starting at $100, visit www.americangirl.com, any American Girl retail locations, or by calling 1-800-845-0005.   

Anzie Jewelry

Every little girl dreams of her own jewelry collection.  These beautiful and simply pieces will charm their way in to any little girl’s jewelry box and grow with her for years to come.

From the Anzie Couer Collection: Topaz Heart Necklace, $290; Topaz Silver Bracelet, $175; Stud Topaz Earrings, $175.

Townley

Makeup Makeup Makeup…satisfy her all her glamour needs and wants with all her favorite characters.

Hello Kitty®…Sanrio® Hello Kitty® 17 piece Cosmetic Set, Sanrio® Hello Kitty® Polka Dot Cosmetic Set, Sanrio® Hello Kitty® I am Hello Kitty Set, priced at $16.99, visit Toys R Us stores.

Disney Princess©… ©Disney Princess Royal Cosmetic Set, ©Disney Princess Nail Polishes, ©Disney Princess Lip Jellies, ©Disney Princess Lip Gloss Set, prices range from $5-$10, visit Walmart stores.

Nickelodeon™ Victoriuos™ … Nickelodeon™ Victoriuos™ Make It Shine Lip Gloss & Case Set, Nickelodeon™ Victoriuos™ Cosmetic Set, Nickelodeon™ Victoriuos™ Lip Gloss Set, priced at $5, visit Walmart stores.

Nickelodeon™ Dora The Explorer™… Nickelodeon™ Dora The Explorer™ Cosmetic Set and Nickelodeon™ Dora The Explorer™ Lip Gloss Set, priced from $5-$10, visit Walmart stores.

NERF VORTEX…The Tri-fecta!

Go the distance with the new NERF VORTEX PRAXIS blaster! Designed for long range disc-shots, this pump-action blaster features a 10 disc clip, removable shoulder stock and Tactical Rail System. Priced at $24.99.

In a heated NERF blaster mission, there’s no time to waste. The NERF VORTEX VIGILON blaster offers rapid-reload capabilities and features a built in disc clip.
Simply release the drop-down clip with the push of a button, place in
up to five VORTEX discs, and activate the pull back mechanism to fire.
Priced at $15.99.

When you need that last shot to secure success, grab the compact NERF VORTEX
PROTON blaster. This single-shot blaster comes with 3 VORTEX discs.
Simply pull out the back chamber to load one of the discs and blast
away even while you’re on the move. Priced at $9.99

Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and www.HasbroToyShop.com.

Beylade: Metal Masters Triple Battle Set

This complete TRIPLE BATTLE SET has everything you need to start battling it out with the best! Customize the BEYSTADIUM with three battle cores: the Zip Core forces straight-line movement, the Chaos Core brings chaos to the tops’ movement, and the Deflector Core brings craziness because it affects right-spin and left-spin tops differently! With the tournament grids and official rule book, you’re ready to do battle with all comers! Set up your exclusive GALAXY PEGASUS and METEO L-DRAGO tops for a launching, spinning attack that will leave you victorious – or ready to fight again! Recommended ages: 8+.  Priced at $29.99.  Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and www.HasbroToyShop.com.

KRE-O TRANSFORMERS BUMBLEBEE Construction Set

Build your favorite TRANSFORMERS hero, BUMBLEBEE, in vehicle or robot mode with this 2-in-1 set of 335 KRE-O construction pieces! Includes 3 KREON figures: BUMBLEBEE, RED ALERT and Driver! 2-in-1 KRE-O construction set lets you build BUMBLEBEE as a robot figure or as a sports car! In robot mode, convert wings on BUMBLEBEE figure into a glider for KREON figures to ride on! In vehicle mode, up to 2 KREON figures can ride inside the sports car! Recommended ages: 7-14.  Priced at $24.99. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and www.HasbroToyShop.com.

TONKA XT RICOCHET STUNT PRO R/C Vehicle

Go wild with this freewheeling remote control car! The RICOCHET STUNT PRO was made to steer through the sharpest turns and do the best stunts you can come up with! Its awesome remote technology lets you save your favorite stunts and press Replay to do them over and over. You’re at the wheel, so get ready to amaze yourself with daredevil stunt action! Vehicle comes with controller, battery charger and wall adapter. Includes 3 “AAA” batteries for the controller and 1 rechargeable 9.6V battery for the vehicle. Ages 8 and up.  Priced at $79.99.  Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and www.HasbroToyShop.com.

Spider-Man 31″ Skateboard
These 31″ skateboards are perfect for your little web-slingers. The 7.5″ x 31″ double kicktail, 9-ply deck features popular Spidey graphics, with 5″ aluminum alloy trucks, 50mm PVC wheels and 608ZB speed bearings.  Priced at $29.  Visit (www.bravosportscorp.com) or www.target.com.

Charger Electric Scooter

Features:
• 24 volt sealed lead acid rechargeable battery system
• 100 watt motor
• UL rated charger
• Power on/off toggle switch with LED indicator light
• Maintenance-free belt drive system provides instant and smooth power
• Variable speed twist grip throttle control
• Single charge run time of up to 45 minutes
• Composite oversized deck allows for multiple foot stances and increased control
• 140MM cast polyurethane wheels
• Max speed up to 10 mph
Priced at $99, visit .(www.bravosportscorp.com) or www.walmart.com.

LEGO Ninjago Limited Edition Lightning Dragon Battle Fly the LEGO Ninjago Lightning Dragon Battle (2521) to rescue Sensei Wu! Frakjaw and Kruncha have captured Sensei Wu and stole the nunchucks of lightning with their helicopter. Help Jay and the fearsome Lightning Dragon to rescue him and retrieve the golden weapon before they escape into the Underworld! Beware of the helicopter’s snapping jaws and flick missiles!  Recommended ages 8-14.  Priced at $79.99, visit www.toysrus.com.

Enter here to win these gifts for your Totts!

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The start of a new year is a great time to adopt new habits and throw out the old. Lack of organization can be a huge source of stress to any mom or family in today’s busy modern world. A few minutes each day spent on pre-planning can help eliminate hours of feeling frustrated and helpless throughout your weekly routine. Here are some ideas on how to help you keep everyone’s schedules, commitments and needs and wants in order to help 2012 be as stress-free and as productive as possible!

Create a master calendar for your family.

A great amount of being organized is about knowing what is actually going on. Having a color coded calendar for the entire family is a great way to keep track of where everyone is supposed to be. This calendar should include:

• family plans
• work schedules
• appointments (Doctor, hair, exterminator, etc…)
• after-school activities
• field trips
• vacation days
• school assignments
• and of course “Daddy & Mommy” time!

First assign each family member a color of their very own. Make sure to display the calendar in a central location where there is easy visibility and access to. Hang the coordinating colored markers, with string on a hook right beside (this helps eliminate them from walking off.) Now everyone can add new task and events as they come up.

At any given moment, you should be able to look at the calendar and immediately know where everyone is and what they’re up to. Most important, you’ll be able to see what arrangements need to be made – booking a babysitter, arranging for a carpool or baking cupcakes for the PTA bake sale. Knowing these things ahead of time will allow you to take care of them when your schedule allows – rather than feeling the pressure at the last minute.

To read the entire article, please subscribe to Totts Magazine. Click here.

Getting organized can be even easier with these great products from momAgenda.

• Family Planner, $16.95
• Meal Planner, $16.95
• Chores Pad, $16.95
• Grocery List, $7.95
• Babysitter Info, $7.95

For these and more great momAgenda products, visit www.momagenda.com.

Brought to you by: Educational Employees Credit Union

When you think of identity theft, typically a child is not the first victim to come to mind.  However, child identity theft is a growing crime.  With National Protect Your Identity Week recently passing on October 16-21, now is a good time to address the issue and focus on protecting your child’s identity.

In 2010, more than eight million consumers were impacted by identity theft, resulting in the loss of $37 billion.  According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft has remained the No. 1 most-reported complaint for the last 11 years in a row.  Every year, more and more of these cases are perpetrated against children.

The identity thieves are targeting young children at a growing pace, as the crime can often times go unnoticed for years.  Typically, the child will not detect it until they attempt to obtain credit or rent an apartment for the first time.  By that time, the damage has been done. 

Unfortunately, far too many of these cases were caused by close family members or loved ones.  Often times, adult family members have bad credit and cannot get loans, utilities, etc. in their name.  They then apply for credit in their child’s name.  If the payment is not made going forward, it then has a negative impact on the child’s credit.

Facts about child identity theft:

• About 54% of victims are under the age of 12
• The largest debt accrued with a child’s stolen identity: $725,000
• A toddler was recently placed into bankruptcy
• Victims can be as young as infants

To read the entire article, please subscribe to Totts Magazine. Click here.

For more information on how to protect against identity theft, go to the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.FTC.gov/.

For a free annual credit report, go to www.freeannualcreditreport.com.

If you have any questions regarding this article or to receive more financial tips, feel free to contact Jeff Williams at jeffw@myeecu.org.