In seeing all the toy adds for the Holidays, I decided to put together a short list of adorable toys. I know I would have loved to play with these toys when I was little, and I still find them cute. Some of the cute “toys” I found are great for adults too.

1. Calico Critters of Cloverleaf Corners
While wandering around my local mall I happened upon a new toy store, which opened in an old KB Toy Store location, which now features more unusual toys. Prominently featured were these adorable little animal families:

This amazingly cute line of small animals features cats, rabbits, dogs, squirrels, and bears among other animals. They have homes, furniture, and various professions and situations which make the toys even more endering. For more information visit the Calico Critters website.

2. Playmobil
I had a number of different sets of playmobil toys when I was younger, and I absolutely loved them. I feel that this line of toys has a great varity of scenes and situations, sutable for both boys and girls. There are sets with animals, mythical creatures, doctors and hospitals, weddings, police officers, and many more.

To see more sets and to purchase these toys, see the playmobil website.

3. Littlest Pet Shop
I must admit, I liked these toys a lot better when I was younger — well, at least what they used to look like. They used to be life like, and now they have giant heads with disproportionate eyes. I do agree that these attributes are supposed to make the toys appear cute, I feel they followed the path of bratz dolls (which I find incredibility ugly). But after seeing some of my younger cousins playing with them, I understand their appeal. So they make my cute list:

4. Puppies In my Pocket
Again, another toy I used to play with that has been reinvented and rereleased. These too now have disproportionate heads and large eyes. I miss the realistic figures that these once were. However, the animals are still very cute and now they are fuzzy! If I could, I would collect these toys. I have one set – a family of rabbits, my mom gave it to me as an Easter present. I still have all my old puppies and horses from the first release of these toys. Maybe your kids will enjoy these fuzzy little guys as much as I enjoyed the old ones.

5. Zhu Zhu Pets
When I first saw these at a local Toys R Us, I did not think much of them. But they are one of the hottest and often hardest to find toys this Christmas season. Stores all over were putting limits on how many of these toys you could buy at a time, and the prices for them seem over inflated on ebay. Now that I really think about these toys, they are a wonderful alternative to a real hamster. A unique idea with all the charm of a hamster without the fear of it escaping into the house or dying within a week. Plus, they are expanding the line of accessories availble for these little guys, the habitats they fun around in, and more hammy styles.

6. Pillow Pets
These are both stuffed animals and pillows. I have seen these guys at mall kiosks and at Hallmark. Just a fun and cute idea available in a number of different animals and sizes.

7. Giant Microbes
Who knew that germs could be so cute? These might not be so kid appropriate, but they are great as a fun gift. They are a great conversation piece or can be a hilarious gift. With these cute little guys you can safely give swine flu, the regular flu, or even mad cow.

8.  Puchi Petites by Re-ment

These are tiny foods that come in a variety of different types and arrangements. They are incredibly life like, and great for dolls and doll houses. I found a website that sells these in collections as well as in individual sets. The collections offered show the variety of foods and include sets like: bread and butter, candy, doughnuts, European Grandmother’s dinner, and sushi. The company also makes tiny furnature and kitchen appliances. I simply love these little foods and things, they are so cute!

9. Penbo

I was looking around online when I happened to find the website for penbo, an interactive penguin toy that comes with a baby penguin. The mama penguin waddles around,  responds to touch and to her baby, and can play games.  I think they are both rather cute, but the baby ball of fluff is adorable.

1o. Giddyup N’ Go Pony

I saw a commerical for this toy and then happened to see a whole palate full of them at my local Meijer. I would have LOVED one of these as a kid. So much cooler than a simple rocking horse! As a child bounces up and down on the pony’s back it causes the pony’s legs to move and they can ride the toy around. Pressing the pony’s ears even makes different noises.

Are you looking for a gift for a horse lover for Christmas? I recently discovered the backinthesaddle website, which offers a wide array of gifts for horse lovers of all ages. They offer horse related clothing, riding gear, toys, home decor, jewelry, and more.

Here are some examples:

Horse PJs: $19.95

Wine Glasses: $69.95

Breyer Andalusian Beautiful Breeds 2009 Ornament: $19.95

Horse of my Dreams Cameo Necklace: $129 and Ring: $139

A Horse is God’s Gift to Women Pendant: $14.99 and Ring: $8.99

Horse Antler Christmas Hat: $26.95 and Horse Santa Cap: $12.95

Monopoly Horse Lovers Edition: $29.95

I hope that everyone had a very blessed day!

To celebrate, here is a clip of a cute little Elk:

This morning on Animal Planet I saw a show I have never seen before, Superfetch. The show presents pet trainer Zak George teaching dog owners how to get their pet to perform a specific trick.

Animal Planets website describes the show: “In SUPERFETCH, Zak shows pet parents step-by-step how to teach their animal new and unbelievable stunts and help strengthen the bond between them. Pet and parent have one shot to make it happen and at the end of several weeks, after three visits from Zak and intensive at home training, the duo is put to the test to see if they can pull off the big trick.”

In the episode I saw he taught a dog how to be an usher at a wedding, leading guests to the right or left side for the bride or groom. He also taught a dog how to bring a bag containing an engagement ring to his master as his master knelt down to propose to his girlfriend. Given how the show works, some of the tricks in the episode went well and others did not. But it does demonstrate what someone can truly accomplish when they work on their bond with their dog and actually take the time to teach the animal.

The show is on Saturdays on Animal Planet at 7pm. Here is a clip of another trick from an earlier episode of the show:

Animal Planet’s website has more information about the show, as well as easy tricks to teach your dog and videos of other dog’s tricks.

Hello all!

The holidays are upon us, so I apologize again for the lack of posts. I need to set aside a time everyday to add something to this blog. My eventual goal post once a day, but as Christmas approaches it might be a while before I reach my goal.

I saw this video earlier today and I figured that I should share it with you guys:

I love dogs – especially dogs that are adorable, well behaved, and are trying to teach us about science.

I am sorry for the lack of new posts! I have been on vacation to a number of different places including Australia, New Zealand, Wisconsin, and I have only just returned from a trip to Florida.

But in the spirit of Halloween, here are some cute costumes fo all ages:

For babies:

For children:

For Adults

This is the costume I wanted this year:

But, because of my vacations I could only go shopping yesterday… it was sold out at every costume store in my city! I guess penguins are more popular than I thought. I am off to figure out something else to wear for Halloween. I hope that you have better luck finding an awesome costume!

All costumes pictured here and many others are available at amazon.com.

Animals often end up where you would not expect them to be.

Here is an example of what can happen in Central Park:

I would love to see a little guinea pig parade! Luckily these three were soon intercepted by their owner and saved from the dangers of being free in New York.

Another unexpected site in New York:

This is a picture taken during the shooting of a Maybelline commerical.

Finally, you never know what you will see at the store!

I have never seen a bird on a leash before, but he is a cute duck! This is Hector, he lives with his owner in Australia.

To see more unexpected animal pictures, visit the article Urban Animals: Unexpected Animal visitors to the World’s Urban Jungles.

Here is another youtube clip of a child being cute and funny! I thought this clip was amazing, the little boy is so cute.

An amazing new play has opened in London called “War Horse.”

It follows two horses’ journey into World War I. The horses are incredible puppets, designed to look life like to the point where the horses appear to breath. This requires the puppetry of three people, two inside and one outside each horse. Reviews of the production say the story is emotional and interesting, and the puppets are spectular to watch.

I would love to see this play, which is expected to open in New York in 2011. To read more about War Horse and to see more pictures visit: Making Horses Gallop and Audiences Cry