Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Volume 1 will be out in time for Christmas

For all of you with Ben 10 fans in the family (yes, my hand is up, too, as I have a little would-be-Ben-5) this news will come with welcome relief.

Madman Entertainment have proudly announced the date for the DVD release of BEN 10 ULTIMATE ALIEN: Volume 1 - the highly anticipated first volume of the action-packed new Ben 10 series - will be December 1, 2010.

If you really don't want Santa to overlook this must-have addition to the DVD collection, you can pre-order your copy online at Madman Entertainment. RRP$19.95.

Kids movies are always popular gifts. A solid library of childrens movies are a great back up plan on a rainy day, or just when your child needs a little quiet time. There are so many classic children's films coming back into fashion it's like I never left my own childhood.

Think Pink this Christmas - Silver and Gold are so last year!

Now this is a great idea. With Christmas fast approaching, here's an option where you can buy Christmas gifts with the added seasonally-aligned good sumaritan knowledge that your spend is doing something for the greater good.

In case you weren't already aware, the McGrath Foundation has a number of great gift ideas to suit all members of your family.

Picured are the super cute SKEANIE 'Love Me' shoes (RRP$19.95) available for the precious little tot in your life in a range of sizes, and the Kitchen Apron, 100% cotton and available in hot pink or black (RRP$33).

But the gifts don't stop there... check out the online catalogue of the McGrath Foundation website and you will discover there is a world of shopping bliss (and nearly all of it perfectly pink) - clothing, books, sporting gear, Christmas decorations, shoes (yes! I said shoes!), jewellery and skincare. And the list goes on. Check it out for yourself.

Remember - The sale of these products helps the McGrath Foundation to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia and increase breast awareness in young Australian women. Breast cancer affects women of all ages and nationalities. We should all think beyond the cash register this Christmas.

A Baby Horoscope is a gift for life

Being a Gemini with a Gemini partner and a Taurean daughter (who was meant to be a Gemini but came early) and a Scorpion son, I really find the whole daily horoscope thing interesting. Some days, the dynamics in our house work wonderfully, and then the next day, they don't (but that could have just as much bearing on the fact that the Scorpio boy is a bossy, strong-willed soon-to-be 5 year old!!!).

So, it is with this calamity of household that I found this book to be really great idea.

The Complete Edition, a hard cover (30-40 page) perfect-bound book, is available direct from the creators, Whahoo, and costs just $94.50 (plus postage+packaging). This Complete Edition includes your own printed dedication as a foreword, or a blank page for you to write this in your own handwriting. You can also illustrate the text with up to 15 of your own photos, including one on the front cover.

The Horoscope Book is a real keepsake, just like many other possessions from early childhood. So think carefully about the illustrations you want to include. Obviously you'll want to put in the nicest and cutest photos of the child. But why not also scan a birth announcement. Or a toddler's very first drawing. And some family photos, of course.

Horoscopes can be inspiring and useful as you observe the way children develop. Even though a child seems to grow the fastest during the first year, it is often after that when you'll notice a real personality emerging. The horoscope gives you an idea of what to look out for and how you can encourage your child to make the best of their talents and abilities.

Ahhh, now I just have to try and harness that Scorpio spirit!

Lounge around the pool in style this summer, kids!

Bring on summer! No longer is lounging around the pool just a thing for grown-ups! No sirree!

As with most beaut kids products these days, the notion behind these stylish bean bag chairs for kids was born from the fact that Lelbys director, Lesley, couldn't find a suitable chair for her one year old that would match in with their decor and home furnishings.

Now with a range of throw rugs to match, Lelbys design and produce contemporary toddler's bean bag chairs to match the colour palate of most living rooms. The range is designed to enhance the interior of adult living spaces, suiting the style of most modern parents.

The colour scheme ranges from ash blue to light, medium and chocolate browns, and the fabrics are of the best quality cotton and faux fur. There is even a range that comes in pastel pink and blue cotton damask for those traditionalists.

Made for children 1-5 years old, the bean bag chairs require approx 100 litres of bean filler (and I don't mean mexican beans here, people), have an outer sleeve with a child-proof zipper and a no-spill inner calico bag that is easy to launder. Prices start from RRP$99.95 and the kids lounge chairs are available online at Lelbys.

Kids bedroom furniture is readily available in many baby nursery shops these days and via babies furniture online retailers. With the silly season looming, not only is this a great gift for kids that can be home delivered, it is also one that will keep you out of the local shopping centre maze.

Santa might just get the Sack because of these!

Christmas is big in our house - lots of tinsel, heaps of decorations and mountains of love and good cheer. Each year I get the kids another decoration for the tree so I'm always on the look out for that something a little bit different. And this year, I've found it. In fact these are so cute, Santa might not even remember to put the pressies under the Christmas tree!!

These personalised Santa Sacks are just perfect! Made from strong, cotton canvas with a sturdy drawstring, they are generously sized to take the best Santa can dish out. Designed and printed in Australia, the XL-sized Santa Sacks will certainly become a treasured personalised keepsake. And there are 8 gorgeous designs for you to choose from. A couple of them carry Australiana imagery so ideal as gifts for kids overseas.

Xmas Angel

Santa

Elf on a Shelf (too cute!)

Social Snowmen

Chrissy Koala

Partridge in a Pear Tree (my personal fav!)

Surfin' Santa

Chrissy Roo

You can order these super stylish kids' Santa Sacks online through Identi Kid. RRP$39 includes packaging & postage in Australia, or RRP$49 for airmail delivery outside Australia.

Are you looking for Christmas gifts for kids with a difference this year? Really uber cool toys? Toys stores are stocked up right now with everything you'll need to make this Christmas the best ever.

These Designer Moses Baskets are just heavenly!

These came across my screen today and I just had to share them with you. These beautiful moses baskets are timeless creations for your precious little one.

Each basket, available online through Australian store Sleepi Spaces, is sold as a set which includes a 100% cotton designer liner and matching blanket, a BabySafe mattress, fitted sheet, mattress protector and a dust-proof storage bag. There are 7 gorgeous linens in the range to select from.

There is also the option to buy a stand for the basket - either a rocker stand or the classic fixed stand (in timber or ivory) - along with additional sheets and protectors. If you already have a moses basket, you can also purchase the designer baby linen on its own to suit your needs and nursery decor.

The moses basket sets start from RRP$260, linen-only starts from RRP$180 and you can purchase the stands from RRP$79.

Shopping for your child's nursery furniture can be so much fun when you explore what's available for nursery bedding and baby linen.

Sydney Seminars on the The Balancing Act of Parenthood

We all know parenthood brings massive changes. But not every couple is prepared for the impact pregnancy and childbirth can have on their intimate relationship, not to mention the trials of weaning, fussy eaters, when to let them hide under the doona, and when sleep is more important.

Where can you get solid information on hot topics such as food for under 5s, sleep and settling, and balancing family life with your intimate life, all in one place in one day?

"Sleep, Solids and Sparkle – the Balancing Act of Parenthood" is a day-long parenting seminar designed to help and guide you with expert, up-to-date information, delivered in a relaxed environment with a little spice and a lot of laughs.

Start off your lazy Sunday by lounging around with morning tea as you register at 9.30am then settle in for a fun, relaxing and inspiring day with 5 awesome guest speakers:

Martien Snellen - "Sex and Intimacy after Childbirth"

Dale Nigro - "Time to Eat - Food and Under 5s"

Beth McGregor - "Babies Sleep Time Needs - What Every Parent Should Know"

Mirna Tarabray - "Brain Development and Children"

Monica Hogan - "Baby-Led Weaning - A Parent's Perspective"

The Seminar, which is presented by the Australian Breastfeeding Association at Castle Hill, will be at Castle Hill Community Centre, on Sunday 14 November from 9.30am-4pm. The cost is $85, but discounts are available for Health Care Card Holders. Morning tea and afternoon tea are provided, lunch is not included however there are some great places nearby to grab lunch. Parking is free on-site and at Castle Towers.

To book, phone 02 8853 4900 or send an email to abanswoffice@breastfeeding.asn.au

Bookings are preferred as they cannot guarantee any seats will be available on the day.

Information on parenting courses in Sydney can be found online. Whether you need baby sleep & settling advice, breastfeeding information or tips to tame your toddler, let your fingers do the walking and search for parenting information online.