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It can be hard to continue to be a happy smiling face on TV, selling toys and clothing while our neighbors are suffering from the impact of Hurricane Sandy.  The pictures we are all seeing and the small signs that things just aren’t right here in Philadelphia are a constant reminder that people are in pain. 

Even during the storm.  I had to work the 1^st night, selling flameless candles and great gifts, trying to focus on enjoying my guests and the great items in my shows, but constantly worried about what was happening outside.

We had minor damage. A flooded broken sewer line, a tree down in our neighbor’s backyard.

But over all we were spared.  We spent 48 hours inside our cozy home, with the wind and rain pounding.  My husband and I outside then in, outside then in, preventing flooding and making sure everyone inside the home stayed safe.

I’m not by any means complaining, compared to the 4 million Americans who lost power and millions that lost their homes and property, our experience was cake.  But, it can be difficult to be homebound for 48 hours with toddlers.  I was blessed to have my aunt with us (lucky her, she flew in from California just in time for the hurricane,) and she is great at keeping our girls occupied with crafts and songs.  It was also a great time for me to pull out our box of hidden toys and see what really works on my kids and keeps their attention. 

And here they are.  The 5 toys we tested during Sandy. 

Of all the toys we have played with for this toy blog and the last one, this is my favorite toy.  I have never seen a toy keep Graces attention like Magformers . Grace, my older 3 year old, my 1^st born, is all about taking things apart. We have high hopes that she will be an engineer or doctor.  These are basically magnetic building blocks that are so simple to use and have fun bright color.s  Both girls think they are great but Grace asks for these above all other toys right now.

I am a bit partial to this toy. It is a peekaboo bear by Gund. I had the joy of presenting this bear before my kids got their hands on one and I was instantly turned into mommy mush.  It is the sweetest stuffed animal I have every seen.  The bear is soft and cuddly as you’d expect from Gund, but the magic comes in the sweet little voice that plays peekabo with your baby.  The bear even waits a beat to allow reaction from the child.  It’s a new bedtime favorite of the girls, and of mine. 

Magnatabs are brand new to QVC created by a mom for her little boys.  One of the two tablets you get has uppercase letters and the other is freeform.  It’s all magnets and a stylus so your three year old and up can “draw” on the tablets and then easily “erase” by pushing down the beads or shaking the tablet.  This is going to live in our car.  It keeps both girls attention since they enjoy drawing and, Georgia specifically, is attracted to shinny things J.  I love that it teaches them hand eye coordination, creativity and eventually letters.  We also use it to practice the alphabet.   

I saw these during Christmas in July and told my relatives that they would be a hit for Georgia’s upcoming birthday or for Christmas.   We picked up the turtle (kids favorite animal second to a dolphin) and the ladybug since they are fascinated with red right now.  They are not only safe to ride on for you up to 36 month old but they are also pillows.  They are soft so when Georgia runs them into the wall there are no marks and when her sister pushes her off its not going to hurt.  Ahh the joys of nearly twins.   They also helped get their wiggles out during the storm since they were stuck indoors.  They had races and it got them moving!!

I am a mother of two little girls, so as you would expect the cabbage patch dolls went over HUGE!  I held on to these for as long as I could. Ill be honest I used them as bribes.  48 hours locked in the house with toddlers will turn even the best mom into a con artist.  Grace enjoys dolls and even more so treating her sister like her baby doll, but Georgia is the one that really adored dollies.  This Get well baby really brought out her nurturing side.  I walked in on her whispering “its okay baby” when the wind was really bad.  Then If I started talking she would say “shhhh, baby sleeping.”  I love that my girls can have the same dolls that I played with as a child. I still remember my mom waiting in line and calling all over the city to find a place that still had cabbage patch dolls so she could get me one for Christmas.  These new ones are a little different, I cant pinpoint exactly what it is but it has a slightly different feel but I love that they still have the same cabbage patch smell and birth certificate.  Georgia’s in names Lelani Raleigh, how perfect for the time. 

One important note on all the toys; please make sure you have the right batteries. There is nothing worse than new toy with no batteries so stock up before the big opening day. We have a few more toys to try out for the big Black Friday toy blog.  I am praying that there are no more awful storms this time.  I was so thankful for the time to be home with my children and to watch them play without a care in the world during that brutal hurricane.  They were protected and loved and safe.  We were all safe and so blessed because of it. For those of you that weren’t as lucky and to the millions that lost so much, please know my prayers are with you.

Have a blessed day.

Kerstin

Don’t forget to follow me on facebook  www.facebook.com/kerstinlindquistqvc for more up to date photos of the girls and the toys they are trying out.  And please leave me a comment below! Id love to know what toys you are getting for your little people this year.