Gifts that Give Back: Reinventing Blocks, One Honduran at a Time with Tegu

Disclaimer: I received product for purposes of this review. 

I always love the idea of giving a gift that not only gives your giftee something, but also can make a little impact in the world. Last year 's gifts that give featured some amazing ideas from World Vision Gift Catalog, Impact Foods, Fresh Cup of Hope and Cardraising. This holiday I found some amazing items that anyone would help you score big this season, but even more because you made are helping to make a big change in the world like Tegu Blocks. 

Do your kids love LEGOs? Well honestly what kid doesn't? They allow kids to create whatever their imagination can dream up.  Much like that idea, Chris Haughey returned from Honduras with a vision to create a for-profit business that would have a transforming effect on the lives of Hondurans from start to finish (the full story of how Tegu is making changes can be found here.) So he created Tegu, the magnetic wooden block system that has no limitations for building. 

Nominated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) for the prestigious 2014 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award, Tegu’s magnetic wooden blocks come together with their iconic “click-clack” sound, introducing a new spin on a classic toy that offers unmatched building possibilities in durable, safe, and natural materials.  Tegu encourages the types of unscripted, imaginative play that is now considered to be one of the best forms of learning by many childhood development experts.

But this season Tegu doesn't end there on giving back, but they have introduced The Tegu Elf!

Since Black Friday, whether you are in need of a quick dinner fix during the holiday madness (he'll send you a gift card to a local restaurant!), a little afternoon mocha to keep their motor running (Starbucks gift card is on the way!) or they are feeling inspired by a local charity (he makes soup kitchen donations as well), #TeguElf may just come to the rescue. Now until Dec. 23, The Tegu Elf will be granting wishes for a plethora of lucky folks in need of a holiday S.O.S. including just throwing in extra products into your order like a carrying case or the magnetic wheel set. 

Reach The Tegu Elf with your  holiday "S.O.S." moment using #TeguElf on FB, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest; he will respond to requests randomly to help make the season brighter. 

And you can still order your Tegu sets now with a 20% discount with code LAST CHANCE20 (and possibly with even a few extra sets courtesy The Tegu Elf) at http://www.tegu.com!

Building a Better Tomorrow One Block at a Time,

To-Do: Star Wars Miniland on Exhibit at LEGOLAND Discovery Center DFW

To-Do Thursdays:

The summer is up and running and we've taken no breaks making the most of it.

We've done Disney World already, so what could be left?

A lot and we aren't even leaving the Dallas/Fort Worth area this time!

Here's one worth putting on your summer to-do list:

Fly Over to LEGOLAND Discovery Center DFW for New Star Wars Exhibit

Make sure you check out our experience on TodaysMama.com. 

Easter Basket Idea: Hatch & Grow Your Own Easter Bunny, Chick or Duck!

DISCLAIMER: I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

I'm all about creating a memorable holiday for my kids, but with a two kiddos under 4, the thought of creating an Easter basket, full of candy, just doesn't seem like a good idea! However, neither are stuffed animals or just more of the junk they already have. But when these Hide 'Em & Hatch 'Ems landed in my mailbox, I knew that I had to hide them from my kids because there was no one way they would be able to wait if they saw them! 

These pastel-colored eggs are great for hiding or filling the Easter basket...but here's the twist: simply soak them in water overnight and out will “hatch” some new friends...a duck, chick or bunny!

Kids will be amazed and parents will delight in the fact that there's no candy involved.

Hatch 'ems were the #1 Easter product on Amazon.com, but you can still score yours now - just in time for Easter!

During our first hatch, it took several days for the chick to hatch, so I want to share tips to ensure your egg hatches within just one day!

Instructions for the Best Experience with the Hide 'em & Hatch 'em Eggs!

1.  Place the eggs in ROOM TEMPERATURE water (this is critical to the grow process!)  Make sure the eggs are completely submerged.

2.  In 6 - 12 hours you will see small cracks in the shell.  At this point you can help your little friend out by cracking the shell (just like a mamma might need to do for her hatchling) or you can change the water and let it continue to grow.

3.  You will notice the water (and the baby) will be slippery.  This is the material that allows it to grow - it is necessary to change the water so your new friend can grow completely.

4.  Continue to change the water daily until your animal hatches on its own or until the animal is done growing.

5.  Enjoy your new friend - Once removed from the water shrinkage will probably occur but the animal will harden and is fun to play with! (Our little friend went on a train ride once he hatched!)

We hatched a chick our first-round, but we can't wait to see what we hatch next! 

I'd love to see your photos of your little friends! Please share!