The Reindeer In Here

   

     Elves on your shelves move over for a new friends The reindeer In Here is the HIT Christmas Item of the season that is absolutely going to be a family favorite for years to come. No Kidding! Where as the Elf is here to keep an eye on you, Reindeer In Here is sent by Santa to get to know each and every child! For your whole season you can take your friend with you and show him all your likes, dislikes, go on adventures and show them what kind of boy or gal you are inside and out!  After all your play during the day the magic happens at night.  That's  when the reindeer will send Santa a Letter a night for a whole month sharing all the amazing adventures you went on. He will tell Ol' Kris Kringle your child's likes, dislikes, personality, EVERYTHING! Helping Santa deliver that one special Christmas Wish on Christmas Eve! Then on Christmas you can leave your Reindeer under the tree to fly back to the North Pole until he returns next year!
    What a nice treat this was to find at TTPM. We have all these little creepy things to spy on the kids, that I find it refreshing that Santa is not sending an undercover agent, but a friend to get to know your child! There are no rules or restrictions for how the kids can interact with him. Which gives them the experience to truly engage with the product and make it their own. It is so well crafted and snugly as well that it will even live through all those adventures and washings if needed!  I am sure my son will not want to let it out of their sight after Christmas- and that is OK! Reindeer In Here also has a bunch of sidekicks that can come along for the fun, including a penguin, snowman, Seal, and a polar bear, that are featured in the story and all have fun personalities.
Reindeer In Here comes in a lovely box that includes his story which is just as lovely as the plush! They will want to read it all season long!
     The Author and creator whom I meet during the TTPM event was so genuine in his love of this product.  When he was speaking with my son about it, I swear his eyes had a little bit of twinkle in them! Who knows he could be the big guy himself! He truly wanted to create a product that the kids would love and they will! So get yourself now before they disappear off the shelf's until next year- because guys... This is going ot be a think. I Guarantee it!

*We were given this product for consideration for review- all our opinions are our own!

Call Of Duty Black Ops 4 Review

   The Call of Duty Black Ops Series has been a favorite in our household since its first release, so we were crazy excited for Black Ops 4 which promised to be the best one yet. It did not disappoint even without its usual campaign which has been taken off the roster. With the Battle Royale, which can be played as a lone wolf or as a team, and the zombie mode I hardly even realize  it was gone until I was already playing for weeks. Talking about playing lets ease everyone's minds right off the bat. There is no lagging, there is no glitches and the wait time is really next to nothing. Graphics are of course top notch, and the character movement is smooth as molasses, running, dodging, jumping and hiding with ease. Another thing to note is that The Specialists, Ruin, Battery, Prophet, Seraph and Nomad are back from Black Ops3 with returning characters and new secret weapons as well! These will prove useful as health no longer auto-generates so if you have Crash on your team you will have a bit more ammo and health boost for the whole team. Honestly though after a bit of a play through you won't even notice as the stim shot is unlimited with after the cool-down timer runs through.

   There are ten new maps, and four remastered that fans will appreciate. Each has its own unique settings and are a ton of fun to run through. There are also new objective modes Heist and Control. Control is like a high stakes capture the flag which I always find fun. Heist is a 5v5 mode that has your team stealing a bag of cash before the other team does. You are given money and a weapon to start out with and then can get more cash and resources along the way. Once you get the cash you have to go to the extraction point. I haven't done much with this version but my son has started to really grasp it and get into it so I see myself being less of a noob in the future.
   Then there is the Blackout version, which is the first time Call of Duty has gone into the battle royale arena. I think it was a bloody brilliant idea. As we know that certain other game is hot right now, but also filled with kids! This is a great way for an adult to enjoy this kind of game play with people (for the most part) of their own age. I have been playing it quite a bit and I kinda sucked, not gonna lie, but literally every team I was spawned into were great kind and helpful and it reminded me really why I always enjoy playing these games. The people playing are awesome! Well I guess it figures great minds and all!. Extra bonus there is a zombie location on the map that has some awesome loot if you dare go in there! You can play solo duos or a full team. Its fantastic fit for a fantastic game.

   Speaking of zombies, the zombie mode is kinda cool this time around. They have really made it playable for both old timers and new players alike letting you really customize how you play.  There are three boards, a gladiator arena, which is called Chaos Story, and split into two parts there is also Blood Of the Dead which follows Aether story and the original four characters from the Treyarch's Zombie story, as well as Voyage of Despair on the Titanic. I wonder if I will see Jack there?
   The tutorial is a run through of Voyage of Despair and has great  commentary that is funny and walks you through the basics. Once you go through that successfully you can select the new Rush mode, play classically, and select levels of difficulty which helps me out when playing with the kids, I can set it on causal and look like a "boss". My Hubby is fond of Realistic.
     A new addition is also the create a class option that I have not really figured out yet, but essentially its setting yourself up before hand instead of buying from the gumball machines on the map. You already have made your elixirs, chosen your special before playing. But what is kinda cool is you can actually assign where those perks will spawn on the map. This makes the zombie mode a part of the game that you can really make your own, and you can actually help you grow within the game.
    To sum it up, if you are a fan of the franchise you are going to love the game. The ease of  getting into a match, the fluid movements, the tactical strategies, weapons, and various modes are going to make you wonder why there was even a campaign to begin with! Love it recommend it for our age apporperiate players. Must have, don't wait for Christmas get it now! Great Job Acivision!


*We recieved a code to review, all opinions are our own.

Christmas Guide Part One! GAMES

    We have a great way for the whole family to get into the football season without having to go out and play for themselves!  The NFL Electric Football. This is the same game platform that has been used since it first hit the marketplace in 1947- yes my uncle has spoken of this game fondly for many years, just with a bit of an upgrade.
  You can choose your favorite teams to play against each other with stickers that are included put in the two double A batteries and you are ready to go!
   So how do you play. Two players hit the field with 11 pieces, with the goal to advance the ball by running passing kicking and of course scoring. You do this by customizing your own plays and strategically places your pieces on the field. The "cleats" that you put on your pieces will help them to advance or help to defend, so choose wisely. What is really cool is that just like in the original version of the game, the vibration is what makes the action happen! Once you place your pieces in their correct position you press the button on the hand held remote and bam the game is a foot! You can even control the strength of the vibrations so it goes faster or slower. very simple very neat.

 This is a great game, it builds interpersonal skills, hand eye coordination, and gets that brain bumping to figure out how to win! You can buy a assortment of sets to make your field loook tiiiight as my son would say, but honestly this is great and easy to use right out of the box/ This was an easy add on to our must have toys this year!

*A sample of the product was given for the purpose of review. All Opinions are our own.




   In a battle between lizards, only one will survive. Oh calm down you don't need to call PETA on me, I am talking about this great game from YULU called Tic Tac Tongue. This is actually the very first thing listed on my sons Christmas wish list which I believe says a lot.  Everyone wears an adorable lizard face mask that ou can blow into and make the tongue flick about. One player flips over a number card, the other players have to flick over the correct number of insect cards that are set up on the table. The first person who knocks down the most insects the fastest wins! Bam! This game is fantastic for so many reasons. There is no set up- you open up the box and you play. No batteries are required, and the rules are minimal. Making this just a quick fun game that you can play at a drop of a dime! The game comes with 4 lizard masks with washable mouthpieces as well as 10 target cards 10 game cards and game rules! Instant fun at a low price point you cannot lose!

*A sample of the product was given for the purpose of review. All Opinions are our own.

Ravensburger gives us a great new game for the kiddos called Five Little Fish! Giving a new angle to that rotating fishing game we have all grown up loving, you know the one where the fish have magnets in their mouths and you have a dingy rode with a magnet and you try and catch it. I love those things. Anyway Five Little Fish is the same in concept. You pick up a card that reveals what color fish you need to catch. After you choose your card you get your fishing rod in hand and then choose which fish you believe will be the color you are looking for if it is a match then you get to keep your catch if it doesn't you have to wait for another turn to try again with a different color. This game is both interactive and great for motor skills, but also a fun new twist on the memory game as the board moves you will have to keep track on which fish is which! Great game highly recommend it!

*A sample of the product was given for the purpose of review. All Opinions are our own.

Watermelon Smash- another great game from YULU and sold exclusivity in target.This game is adorable honestly. A nice twist on the good old water roulette game. In this fast paced game you spin to see how many times you have to (gently) press the watermelon against your head before you can pass it on to the next player. You will never know when it will crack so you are always in a suspenseful state! Once the watermelon cracks on someone turns they will either be covered with water, or plastic watermelon seeds (included) and then are out of the game! Be the last player left to avoid having the watermelon crack on your turn and you win! The best part about this game- other than the game play itself, is that you can play during all seasons. A fun water game in warm weather, or dry if it is raining or freezing outside! Love it. Available now and surely to win the hearts of everyone that plays!

*A sample of the product was given for the purpose of review. All Opinions are our own.

  Christmas Time Is Here! Gather All That Cheer! This year we are bringing you the best of the best toys we have out there. It was hard this year to find items that were actually worth the money you can spend on them. Is it just me? Or have toys just gotten kinda repetitive and sad?
   Everything is tiny, blind, or does little to nothing- literally.  I see the kids rip open the package in a fury then place the unicorn poop hybrid figure on their shelf never to be touched again,.  Nothing promotes imaginative play, or stimulates education like they use too.
      Oh my goodness I am sounding old aren't I? Well If I am I am sorry, but I am feeling  the loss of Toys R Us.I use to walk up and down the aisles to pick and choose what I wanted to buy the kids. I use to reminiscence about my father telling me "go for it" when I finally found something worth asking for. I am missing the toys on those shelves. The hidden gems you found that weren't screaming at you during our kids shows commercial breaks. that "ahhh" moment when you knew you found that perfect gift for that kid in your life. I MISS it dammit.
      I am feeling the loss of innocence during the holidays, and as someone who works directly with the toy companies I feel like they are at a loss too. They are pushing products but without the same enthusiasm they once held. 90 percent of what I say this year was not even worth mentioning.
 We need toys to promote imagination, we need to promote fun and yes we even need toys that promote education (bleh). Right now these companies are just repeating the same things they have come up with for the last four years and re- making it into something slightly different from the original. Where are the new ideas!  Four years ago was the last time I was truly excited about what was coming for the holidays. After that I feel like the world has went stagnant.  You will read studies and they will all say that it is because we live in the time of the screens. Which is partly true. As an eighties baby myself, we may not have had mobile phones and tablets and alike, but we had TV, VHS, game boys and gaming systems. We had portable "laptops" that had games on them that made the beep beep beep that drove all our parents nuts. Yes things have gotten wayyy cooler but honestly I don't think that technology is not the only problem here. It is the way we parent. Instead of giving the kids toys that promote imaginative play, we give them the game controller. Instead of sitting and reading with them we give them a tablet. We say sure when they want to download an app then delete it five minutes later. For crying out loud most kids would rather watch other kids play with toys on Youtube than play with them themselves.
    I think this year we all need to make a resolution to cut it out (as Dave Coulie would say) and make our kids imagine, stop doing things because its easy, and maybe this will give the toy companies the drive to produce some truly spectacular things next year! Lets bring the fun back to toys as a community! I think we can do it.

    Now that, that rant is over I can tell you that all the toys that I am reviewing, I love. We are sent a lot of toys every year, and to the marketers dismay there is no guarantee that they will make it on my site. (Sorry guys it is true.) I don't get paid for my reviews, which means basically that it is up to me whether or not I write about something. So if you see an item up here- unless it says "AD" then I am not getting any money for the review. What I am writing I believe, because otherwise you wouldn't see it on my site. Period. My point being that I think that despite my kinda melancholy monologue up there I think we do have some cool things for the kiddos this year, and we hope you like them as well! Let us know what you think- let us know what you think we should add- and finally- Let The Mommy's Guide To Toys, finally begin!

-MJ Aucone

When looking for a karate school for my son, I had a lot of requirements. I wanted a traditional style, classes that encouraged hard work, and a friendly atmosphere for both children and their parents. That is exactly what I found at Adel's International Karate Center. This school teaches traditional Shotokan karate and also offers kids' and adults' fitness classes.  Kids can start at as young as three years old. The teachers are excellent, encouraging the students to work hard while still making it fun for the kids. The owner and his family, who all practice karate, are very kind and welcoming. The instructors ensure that the students are safe and comfortable, they are taught techniques that are effective for self-defense, and emphasis is placed on respect. Classes are offered every day, and the schedule is flexible so you don't have to attend on the same days each time, which makes it extremely convenient. My son has been attending for several years now, and after seeing what a wonderful opportunity it was, I decided to join myself! My son and I enjoy both the karate and fitness classes.  For advanced students, weapons training is also available.  Birthday parties are offered here as well. The first class is a free trial so check it out!

For More Information Visit Their Website! 
Adel's International Karate Center
2928 Long Beach Road, Oceanside NY 11572
(516)536-7050
adelkarate.com
 Find Them on Facebook 

Long Island Halloween Happenings!

      Long Island has some really spooktackular happenings this Halloween season, don't miss out on the fun!

Animated Story: Otto’s Special Pumpkin  Westbury a new story every year with hay rides, petting zoo, and sweet treats this is a must see!
September 15-October 28

Restless Souls Haunted House Complex
Huntington Station, NY
631-319-9662
www.restlesssoulsli.com
Starts October 12

Fink's Country Farm Fall Festival
Wading River, NY
(631) 886-2272
www.finksfarm.com/
starts Oct. 6th

Bayville Scream Park!
During the day a fun trick or treaty place for the kids, but at night the real ghouls come out ot play! 

Chamber of Horrors Ny
Hauppaguge NY
5167101845

Darkside Haunted House!
Wading river Ny
631369scar(e)

Darkness Rising
Deer Park Ny 

5167994747

Fall Festival and Costume Parade
Long Beach, NY
516-432-6000
www.longbeachny.gov/
october 13th and 14th
Jack-o-lanterns light the night sky at Old Westbury Gardens.

Rise of The Jack O' Lanterns ] Old Westbury
Old Westbury Gardens
October 5-October 29
A Gold Coast Mansion is covered in pumpkins for this yearly event. Make sure to buy our tickets in advance because they do sell out!

A Kooky Spooky Halloween  Port Jefferson
A lovely little play geared towards the little ones, but fun for all ages!
Saturdays in October; Sunday, October 21, with a sensory-sensitive performance October 14

 Apple and Pumpkin Picking



Lewin Farms: Fresh fruits and vegtables, roasted corn at the stand and different varities of apples to pick!

Where: 812 Sound Avenue Wading River, NY 11972

Info: 631-929-4327

stand.



The Milk Pail Farm Stand: featuring semi dwarf trees which makes picking easier, and grow apples of several varitites  on twenty acres of land!

Where: 1346 Montauk Highway Water Mill, NY 11976

Info: 631-537-2565





Woodside Orchards: 10 varieties of apples, on semi-dwarf trees, awesome treats to enjoy during your visit

Where: 729 Main Road Aquebogue, NY 11931

Info: 631-722-5770





Fort Salonga Farm: Dwarf Trees, fresh honey for sale and a small spot for great quick pickin

Where: 30 Meadow Glen Road Northport, NY 11768

631-269-9666





Seven Ponds Orchard: Dwarf Trees, Radio Flyer Wagons to put apples in, Corn mazy, hay rides, and more!

65 Seven Ponds Road Water Mill, NY 11976

Info: 631-726-8015





Wickham's Fruit Farm: One of the olders farms int he country- veiws of peconic bay, membership needed to pick apples.

Where: 28700 Main Road Cutchogue, NY 11935

Info: 631-734-6441





Hanks Pumpkin Town: Pumpkins, apples, face painting playground, wagon rides, corn maze and snacks!

When:240 Montauk Highway Water Mill, NY 11976

631-726-4667





Davis Peach Farm: Peaches and apples,  and fresh baked pies!

Where: 561 Hulse Landing Road Wading River, NY 11972

Info: 631-929-1115

Farm Stand:

284 Boyle Road Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776

Info: 631-509-5033







Applewood Orchards & Winery: Apple Picking, hayrides, puppet shows, chickens, bunnies sheep! On site winery for the adults! Apple Fest on October 4th  which has live music apple pie contest and moer!

Where:  82 Four Corners Rd, Warwick

When:  Daily 9am–5pm September 5 through late October

Info: 845-986-1684, applewoodorchards.com





Barton Orchards: Apple Picking, petting zoo, hay rides, haunted house, corn maze!

When: Activities on the weekends

Where:63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag

Info: $3, children under 2 free (includes petting zoo, hayrides, kids' special events); Fun Pass $9.50, (includes admission, corn maze, haunted house and family theme park). Apples: 10lbs $15, 20lbs $24.



Dr. Davies Farm: 35 acres of trees, on the weekends you have trailer rides, small sugar pumpkins,

Where: Less than a half hour from the George Washington Bridge.

When: Daily 10am–4pm





Grieg Farm: Pick your own apples, plants, raspberries and pumpkins, snack hut, with chesses, and meets,  View of the Catskill Mountains!

When:Daily 8am–8pm through the end of October

Where:  223 Pitcher Ln, Red Hook

Info: 845-758-1234, greigfarm.com $20 for a half bushel





Hurds Family Farm: Apple Picking, Choose a tree for Christmas in Novemeber, eco-discovery trail, a cow train ride, pedal trikes, farm animals fish, giant slide and pumkings!

When: Season begins in late August. Wed–Sat 9am–5pm.

Where:2187 Rte 32, Modena

Info: $14, children under 3 free  $20 for a half bushel of PYO apples, pumpkins 50c per lb.





THIS IS THE ONE I WANT TO GO TO!!!Kelder's Farm: LARGE GARDEN GNOME- Chomsky stands at the entrance. Petting zoo, hayrides, corn mazy giant jumping pillow, mini-golf- constructed from recycled tractor wheels and other repurposed farm stuff.  Vegtables, flowers fruite, and pumpkins!

When: Daily 10am–6pm through October

Where: 5755 Rte 209, Kerhonkson  $1.50 per lb $3.75 for golf course

Info:  845-626-7137, kelderfarm.com







LoveApple Farm: On the weekends, there are pony rides, mini pigs, mini horce, mexican cantina with kid-friendly fare, old fasion ice cream.

When: Daily 9am–5pm

Where: 1421 Rte 9H, Ghent

Info: 518-828-5048, loveapplefarm.com





Masker Orchards: Drive up and enjoy a picnic lunch, and you can snack on apples while you enjoy the day! Wagon rides, haunted house, animals, pony rides and corn maze open daily.  Apple Fest is also by this location!

When:Opens Sept 5. Daily 9am–5pm

Where: 45 Ball Rd, Warwick

Info: $26.95 for a half bushel 845-986-1058, maskers.com









Minard Farms:

When: Sat, Sun 10am–5pm through Nov 1

Where:250 Hurds Rd, Clintondale

Info: 866-632-7753, minardfarms.com $22 for a half bushel





Mr. Apples Orchard: McIntosh and Red Apples, available, minimal amount of pesticides used.  Nearby waterfalls at Rondout River!

When:Daily 10am–5:30pm until mid-November

Where: 25 Orchard St, High Falls

Info:Daily 10am–5:30pm until mid-November

ject to change.





The Orchards of Concklin: Haunted blow up houses and giant slides, has pumpkin picking and apple picking. baked goods,

When: Season begins September 20. Sat, Sun 10am–5pm for five weekends (call for availability)

Where: 2 South Mountain Rd, Pomona

Cost: $9 per person includes 1/2 peck bag, children under 3 free. Pole rentals for $2 with $5 deposit.



Outhouse Orchards:Red Delicious, Cortland, McIntosh, Empire apples and more! Farm animals to feed, smoked turkey legs, sweets, pony rides and hayrides on the weekends!

When: Daily 9am–5pm

Info: 914-277-3188, outhouseorchardsny.com $25 bucks per half bushel





Stone Ridge Orchard: Apple picking, pumpkin house, and activities for the kids

When:Daily 9am–5pm Labor Day Weekend through late October

Where: 3012 Rte 213, Stone Ridge

Info: $9 for a five-pound bag, $17 for a 10-pound bag, $20 for a 27-pound bag.

 Family Friendly Pumpkin Picking and Fall Festivals!







Crossroads Farm at Grossman’s

 Malverne NY

Organic Non-Profit farm managed be the Nassau Land Trust,

Wonderful Location that we frequent often. Plenty of pumpkins, animals, apple pies and other fall fare.



The Dees’ Nursery & Florist, Inc

Oceanside NY

Love this place as well! Pumpkins on crates to pick, corn maze, spooky walk for kids and adults, pony rides, petting zoo, and lots more. Great day.





Albert H. Schmitt Family Farm

Dix Hills NY

Pumpkin Picking, Hay Rides, bounce houses, play area, also has a haunted house!



Benner's Farm East Setauket

Organic farm that is super family friendly all year round. There is pumpkin picking, hayride, homemade cider with a class on how it is made. Workshops and mommy and me programs during the week! Be on the lookout for their Harvest Fair!



Hicks Farm

Westbury NY

Otto The Ghost Interactive adventure is always a family favorite! Hay rides, Petting Zoo and plenty of Pumpkins on crates as well as awesome fall decor!



Borellas Farm Stand

St. James NY

Corn Mazes, bounce houses and pumpkins galore!





Brightwaters Farm

Bay Shore NY

Face painting, animal farm feeding, and a array of activities as well as a concession stand, country store, and of course pumpkin picking





Elwood Pumpkin and Christmas Tree Farm

 Huntington NY

Pick Pumpkins right off the vine and enjoy a small kid friendly corn maze as well as wagon rides



F & W Schmitt Family Farm

 Melville NY

For Fifty years this farm has been a must see for families. Pumpkin stands, hayrides, a straw pyramid, haunted mansion and animals are all at this awesome location



Organics Today Farm

East Islip NY

Tractor Pull hayride, roasted corn, hot cider raw honey and other organic goodies as well as pumpkin picking



Woodside Nursery and Garden Center

North Patchogue67y;'[

Dinosaur park exhibit, scarecrow making haunted tunnel, pumpkin picking and gold mining all available for a fun filled day





Finks Country Farm

Wading River NY

Live entertainment, picnic area, animal farm pig races, a corn cannon, corn maze, and of course pumpkin picking!

Finks Fall Festival runs Sept 23rd-October 29th



Gabrielsen's Country Farm

JamesPort NY



Train rides, pedal tractors (adorbs) farm animals, old fashioned school house and church, live music on the weekends and a hay ride!



Hanks Pumpkintown

Water Mill NY

Pick off the vine interactive corn mazes, tractor rides, slides duck races pedal cart race track and family fun!



Harbes Family Farm

Jamesport, Mattituck, Riverhead

Pumpkins picked right off the vine, six-acre interactive corn maze helping Dorothy and toto make it through the every confusing maze!  There is singing hayrides, pony rides, barnyard adventure park is at the Mattituck location.  Riverhead offers pumpkin picking, spooky corn maze robin hood corn maze

  There is also the Barnyard corn maze where four pumpkin pals are lost and Farmer Fred needs your help to find them!

Harbes Orchard in Riverhead has a Robin hood themed maze where Robin is on a quest to defeat the sheriffs champion. Meet the actors along the way to help them find bows arrows and swords!



Harbes Farms in Jamesport King of Pumpkinland has lost his crown! Help him find it in this five acre maze that has you solving riddles and participating in an awesome sword fight!



Lewin Farms,

Wading River

Pumpkins off the vine, five-acre corn maze and roasted corn



May's Farm

Wading Rive

Corn maze, pony rides (not every weekend) face painting, treats and a visit from Elmo!



Stakey's Pumpkin Farm

Abquebogue

18 different pumpkins ready to be picked off the vine, bounce house, face painting, country store pets allowed. Make sure to pick up the corn maze trivia guide before you head into the corn maze. Answer correctly and you find your way out incorrectly and we will see you next fall!