Father's day is June 15 and Shakadoo has a great gift idea for that special man in our lives!

Back away from the ugly ties and golf shirts ladies! This year, give your Father or your children's Father something that he will absolutely love! Love Shak Baby and Wholesalekeychain.com is excited to announce our latest giveaway! 

Shak and wholesalekeychain.com are offering our readers the chance to win three Digital Photo Keychains! This contest will run from today, May 31st until June 11th.

From now until midnight CDT June 11th, here's what you need to do in order to be entered to win:

* Go over to the Wholesalekeychain website and take a look around.

* Take a look at their huge assortment of automotive, sports and digital  keychains.

* Leave a comment on this post telling us which ones you like and your thoughts on how these products could be used as great promotional items.

* Make sure you leave us a valid email address so we can contact you when you win!

* Tell everyone you know! Help us spread the word- link us on your blog, Twitter about this, email your friends, an let all your neighbors know!

Three winners will be randomly selecting to each win 1 Digital Photo Keychain. All three winners will be announced on June 12th! This giveaway is open to US residents only.

The Digital Photo Keychain features a 1.5 inch screen and holds up to 70 pictures! But what sets this company apart is they offer custom engraved messages to your loved ones on the back.

Don't want to wait for the end of the contest for your Digital Photo Keychain? Need one in time for Fathers Day?  -You're in luck! Wholesalekeychain.com is offering free shipping for any keychains purchased by Shakadoo readers. Just enter the coupon code "Shakadoo" when you check out  and your shipping will be free. Prices start at only $19.99, but hurry- this discount is only available until August 30, 2008!

(This is a "sticky" post and will remain at the top of the page for the duration of Just In Time For Father's Day Giveaway but new posts will be written daily and published underneath this post.)

When I arrived at my son's preschool the other day to pick him up, he just didn't want to leave. He was busy working on some puzzles and was very absorbed in it. I was kind of surprised at how much concentration he was putting into the project.

I decided to buy him some puzzles for home since he seemed to enjoy them so much at school. I bought him two puzzles that contained 25 pieces and he mastered both of them the first day. He is just three so I was rather impressed! He would put one together, do the next one and start all over again. These puzzles really occupied him for a long time.

At preschool, they have been talking about the solar system and now my son knows all of the names of the planets. He likes to talk about them and name them for us. On my search for even more puzzles, I found this wonderful solar system floor puzzle by Melissa and Doug. It contains 48 pieces and once again, my son mastered it the first day!

Working on puzzles help children practice many skills that will help them in school. Kidsource.com talks about how: "Puzzles in Early Childhood Education: Putting the Pieces Together":

"When children work on puzzles, they are actually "putting the pieces together" in more ways than one. Puzzles help children build the skills they need to read, write, solve problems, and coordinate their thoughts and actions—all of which they will use in school and beyond. Find a puzzle with a picture that has particular interest for your child, and you may help her begin to recognize colors and letters, and come to realize that the sum of parts make up a whole—a concept that will help her with math later on. By inserting pieces into the puzzle, children also develop the muscle group used for writing, or the "pincer" grasp."

Further into the article, they list how many pieces are appropriate for each age. Boy, was I impressed when it said that "Five-year-olds can handle large or small piece 18 to 35 pieces puzzles" and here my three year old is handling a 48 piece puzzle in one day. I actually think their age range guide seems a little low, but it made me feel good!

Undoubtedly this holiday season, you either received or gave gift cards in lieu of purchasing or receiving an actual product. Gift cards are all the rage these days and their growth is predicted to continue to increase.
Ellen Cannon an Editor at Bankrate.com says in her article Gift Card Trends: Gift Cards Are Everywhere that

"Gift cards are booming -- on the buyer and seller sides of the market. According to Comdata, in the 2007 holiday season, the average gift card buyer will spend $203 on cards, a $23 increase from 2006. And the National Retail Federation's 2007 Holiday Consumer Survey found that 54 percent of consumers said they want to receive a gift card as a holiday gift."

That's good news for the retailers who are hoping that Post- Christmas shopping will save the season.USA Today reports,

"Retailers are rolling out after-Christmas discounts, hoping bargain shoppers and gift-card splurgers can help salvage the season."

But what do you do with gift cards that you just don't think you will use? I for one have a drawer full of gift cards that I never seem to have with me when I want to purchase something? Then to my horror one day, I actually took one with me and found out that the $100.00 card (from 2 years ago) had penalties for each month that it was not used and was now reduced to about a $35.00 actual cash value!  since then I tend to give cash rather than cards on most occasions or buy the ones that I am sure have no expiration or penalties.

But back to what to do when you don't shop at the stores from which the gift card was issues? Well today I checked out some sites that offer solutions to that problem. I had no idea that there were websites that   allow you to manage gift card balances and to swap gift cards with other consumers. What a great idea. Swap A Gift is one such site that for just a one time fee of $1.99, you can list your gift card for swap or sale. Plastic Jungle offers a secure place to buy gift cards at reduced prices as well as sell or trade. And finally, Leverge Card another site that allows you to

• Purchase gift cards from top retailers

• Earn interest on gift cards you register with Leverage 

• Swap gift cards for free 

• Manage gift card balances, frequent flyer miles and loyalty programs from one computer screen with no downloads needed 

• Receive targeted offers and savings from retailers based on gift cards you have, as well as your loyalty program and calendar info.

Hallelujah! No more unused cards that sit in my drawer and collect dust. If anyone has used a card swap company before, share your experience here with your fellow Shak-ers.

Last Christmas I bought my son a lot of Thomas The Train engines. He loved them and played with them all of the time, That is, until I heard about the recall and had to take them away. He was left with an empty train table to stare at.

This holiday season, consumers and parents are struggling to find safe and lead free toys. The choices are limited and often expensive.

I came across this adorable little train set. It is made in the USA and is lead free. The great part is that it is compatible with Thomas and Brio sets. The price of $36.90 is reasonable too. It is quickly becoming the fastest selling toy this holiday season.

Here is further product information from the manufacturer:

Little Engine That Could Wooden Toy Train Set

Featured on ABC & NBC

Looking for a toy train set that's child safe and made in the USA? We love Watty Piper's classic story around here, so we were thrilled to find this Little Engine That Could train set. This wonderful made in the USA toy is compatible with Thomas and Brio sets. Includes the engine, three cars, and red caboose.This is crafted just like traditional toys were made in the past, so you can bet it will last!

:: Authentically made to last for generations
:: Painted with child-safe lead free paints and sealers
:: Fine Hand Detailing
:: Handmade of reforested birch hardwood
:: Railcars are heavier than other brands

Made in:
USA

I already bought this train set for my son for a Christmas present. He will be able use his train table again and I won't have to worry about taking his trains away again. Satisfy your little train lover with this lead free train set!

Create You Squidoo Lens On A Shak Subject And You Could Be Featured On Shakadoo! Once you have built your lens, submit it to the group HERE.

Great books for babies by sonia_simone

Encourage your baby to be a lifelong reader (0-12 months)

If you've recently had a baby—or maybe you're a new aunt or uncle—one of your goals might be to encourage a lifelong love of reading in this gorgeous brand-new person. 

This lens will give you some resources and encouragement, including a few gentle pieces of advice, to set you on that course. 

To learn everything you ever wanted to know about great books for babies (including great book recommendations), visit the entire lens by clicking: Great books for babies

It is time to make your holiday gift list. Usually I find it fairly easy to come up with ideas for my children. There is always something new that they want.

The difficult part of my list making is thinking of ideas for the older generation family members. They seem to already have everything, don't they? It is tempting to buy them one more sweater or one more coffee mug but I truly like to be original each year.

I found a website called First Street For Boomers And Beyond that has products made specifically for senior citizens. They have nifty little gadgets that can help improve sound quality for television viewing and for hearing better during phone conversations. Other products include outdoor, travel and hobby gadgets.

Another feature of the site that I like is that it offers seniors numerous gift ideas for the younger generation on their shopping list. I always like an all in one shopping stop and First Street For Boomers And Beyond seems to be it!

Once upon a time, you could buy a toy for your child and not give it a second thought. It was a time not that long ago, yet it seems to be gone forever.

As a parent, I am in shock and dismay at all of the toy recalls lately. It leaves me wondering if there is anything safe out there for my children. All of us are going to have to be choosier and do more research before buying anything for our kids. It might take some extra time to investigate before we buy, but it will be time well spent.

With the holidays quickly approaching, I decided to start looking up safer toy choices. I found several resources for toys that claim to be safe and lead free. Of course I cannot vouch 100% for their safety (as none of us can), but the companies that sell them do.

Back To Basics Toys issued this statement about their toys:

"While none of our products have been involved in the recent recalls, we realize that the impression is that products made in China are not safe. Back To Basics Toys utilizes independent laboratories for safety testing, and we feel strongly in the integrity, value, and safety of our entire collection - regardless of origin. We remain focused on making sure that products are made to conform to safety standards, and that our items provide the quality and play value that you expect.

For more information about general toy safety please see the Toy Industry Association web site at www.toy-tia.org. While we feel that our entire collection is safe and family-friendly, we realize that you may only feel comfortable buying an item if it is made in North America or Europe. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of best sellers made outside of Asia."

Here is my list so far of what I hope are safe toy choices:

Pick products manufactured within North America and Europe and enjoy them with confidence, using Back to Basics Toys new search feature!

CambiumLair- Made In The USA": Offers a variety of wooden toys made in USA

Maple Landmark- Made in USA: Offers a variety of wooden toys made in USA

American Plastic Toy Deluxe Housekeeping Set Made in USA: Offers a great variety of plastic toys made in the USA

ChessHeads Deck Builder by Wizergames Made in USA Fun For All Ages

You all have got to check out the amazing gifts made in the shape of a cake over at Your Diaper DayZ.

They range from 1 tier all the way up to 6 tiers. They consist of every possible baby gadget you can imagine. Prices starting at $35.99 all the way up to $299.99.

What a cool gift idea!

With an increasing number of sites on the WWW that we don’t want our children to see, we add filter after filter to weed out these potential visual and chat hazards to our children.

Normally, I don’t allow my children on the internet unsupervised, even safe children sites, because there is always that one moment, regardless of the safety measures I have taken when something shows up that is questionable.

So, when checking my mail recently, I received some information regarding NoodleNet™. Now I didn’t know NoodleNet™ from anything else, but after reviewing the information and then visiting the web site, I found NoodleNet™ to be an all-in-one tool for children safety on the internet.

I wouldn’t say that this is another filter program, but a complete program for your computer system that allows your children to surf and learn on the internet with complete safety and gives parents peace of mind that their desktop and files will also remain untouched by children.

NoodleNet™ offers a 30-day trial through their web site which is great. You can test out the program and see for yourself if this is the right tool for your family.

Now, this is a shopping site I can't stay away from. They sell sustainable, fair trade items at great prices. Everything is so stylish, I just wish I could buy everything! Elizabeth from Nubius Organics has this to say about the site:

My environmental calling first hit about 5 years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child.  I began to become increasingly aware of the worrisome state of our planet, and to wonder if things went unchecked, what choices my kids would have when they were my age.  I never wanted them to have to ask themselves whether it makes sense to bring a baby into a world where the future was in a state of uncertainty or decline because of our generations inaction. 

So I began to act.  But I realized that in order to be heard, I needed to approach people in a way they would want to hear.  Nubius Organics offers safe and reusable alternatives designed for a greener lifestyle.  When you choose reusable bags and bottles, you're saving energy and keeping chemicals and garbage out of the environment (the processing for these products is very chemical intensive, even for paper bags).  Same thing with natural fiber and organic products, cleaner manufacturing processes and healthier for your skin.  It's a sustainble and cleaner way to live, without compromising style or quality.  My monthly (or so - 2 kids....!) newsletter also offers tips and resources for green living, as well as new product and event news.

Isn't this exactly what we all try to strive for, a greener way of life? I love sites that can help with that.

A couple of must-haves:

The Nubius Shopping Bag- on sale right now for $11.20. It's perfect for shopping excursions and is lightweight enough to fit in your purse before you go shopping.

Safer Sippies, $15.99.  Can we say a-freaking-dorable? I knew you could. My kids want one in every style!

Kyoto Tie Pants, on sale right now for $52.50.  Who says dressing eco-friendly means you have to look frumpy or spend a ton of money? These sexy pants defy the stereotype.

If you're looking for eco-friendly products, Nubius Organics is the place!

When I was in elementary school, I had a Betty Crocker Cook Book and while my culinary skills went no further than the Cottontail Bunny Salad, I still remember the fun and sense of accomplishment I had when I got to serve my family my creation. Robert, at Coochicoos has a great recommendation if your kids have an interest in cooking and helping out in the kitchen.......

"Kitchen For Kids is a great way to get them hands-on experience with cooking and baking from a kid's perspective.  Recipes are written so there is easy preparation with no electric mixers or knives needed, ingredients are common and easy to work with, and the resulting dish is kid-sized. What's more, every recipe is photographed - which some adult cookbooks don't even have.  And while your supervision is recommended, the cookbook's introduction promises that "you will be pleasantly surprised at how much children will be able to do by themselves."

A great idea if your kids are thinking of making Dad breakfast in bed for Father's Day!

OK dads, we know you've waited until the very last minute to find something for the wonderful mother of your young ones not yet capable of shopping themselves, so we wanted to help you out!  My dear blogging friend, Jenn, over at Hostess With The Mostess Blog, has some really great suggestions.......

"Is it just me, or is this year going by ridiculously fast?! In reality, we're 1/4-through May already, which means that Mother's Day is just a few days away! For those of you who are still needing to do some last-minute shopping for mom, here are a few fun ideas."

Trust me, Jenn, it is not you. I have not even begun to shop for my Mother's Day gift for myself yet but Give Simple is offering our Loveshakbaby readers a 10% discount and it is not too late to still get orders in time for Sunday, May 13th.  I'm loving these Peace, Love, Mom, T's and funky salad servers!

Hey, life is not simple, especially a mom's life, so Give Simple this year.   

Promo Code for 10% off: SHAK

I am all over these hooded towels from Dwell Baby. Well, actually they are all over her when she gets out of the bath or shower.  Lined with terry cloth, the outside comes in various progressive modern prints for the contemporary baby.

The bloggers at Coochicoos encourage parents to get their baby cozy and dry with  these mod towels from Dwell's line of bed linens. What a nice way to wrap up babies evening after a bath.

If you're looking for other great baby shower gift ideas check out Design Public for great Dwell Baby bibs and stroller blankets all featuring Dwell's geometric shapes and modern colors.

Fulla, could be Barbie's cousin.  They are the same height, same oval face, same long hair cascading down their backs, and even their plastic high heels are about the same size.  But Fulla does not sport a bikini or pink convertible, she wears an abaya, which is a long black robe that covers her body from head to toe. She has mocha eyes, jet black hair, and caramel skin.  She is the Middle East's version of Malibu Barbie.

Fulla has been outselling Barbie in the Middle East since its launch in 2003. She is a perfect example of dolls that are being made to embrace culture, religion, race, and values.  In America we have seen some of this reflected in the American Girl Doll Realm. American Girl's mission is to celebrate girls and what better way than to give girls a doll that looks like them and can even dress like them.  "They encourage girls to embrace who they are today and look forward to who they will become tomorrow."

John Whiteside, at The Opinionated Marketers, tells us what he really thinks,

"It's easy to see why American-style Barbie might be troublesome for parents in that part of the world, and NewBoy is taking advantage of cultural differences to offer a product that's more appropriate for other cultures. (Though I think some American parents might prefer a doll who's a doctor and teacher, and likes to read, over Malibu Barbie and her impossible bust.)"

Christine Williams, professor of sociology at the University of Texas, says "part of getting respect is to see yourself in the mainstream."  The problem lies in the fact that sometimes culture gets translated in exotic dress or olive-colored skin without a real representation of the culture's history, values, and norms.

Every time some new home electronics gadget is released to the masses I often wonder, "What will they think of next?", and with the new iPhone product announcement from Apple, Inc., I can't even begin to imagine.

Well, before I could even ask myself the question, technology has gone and done it again. According to Omar McFarlane, at Engadget,  baby is the new recipient of his/her own MP3 player. Evidently, Playskool and Creative have teamed up to create the "Made For Me" line of MP3 players.  Engadget explains,

"It comes preloaded with 50 songs, has a voice recorder, and can be used with other appropriately labeled "Made For Me" toys."

This product, conveniently, won't be released until Fall of 2007; think Christmas.  For under $50.00 this may not be the ideal teething toy for your bundle of joy but it can certainly be "music to baby's ears."