Toys 'r' us - Natural Wood Toys

For Christophe birthday we received 3 more pieces from the Natural Wood collection Toys r Us now offers. But just how green and non-toxic are this new line from Toys r Us. Below is a list of pros and cons from my point of view.

Pros:

• Forest Stewardship Council seal approved wood used
  
• Made from wood
• no paints or dyes
• chemical-free
• does not use batteries
• inexpensive
  

Cons:

• made in China
• manufactured by a company that also makes toxic toys
• sold at toys r us (over the years as toys r us has taken over the toy market many small mom and pop shops have closed their doors)

As much as the cons are big ones, I also believe that the more the general public purchases green items from the large corporation the more they will get the message that green is the better way.

I know for example the grocery store in my neighborhood is carrying more and more organic dry goods and produce because the demand is there. Our economy is all about supply and demand.

So far Christophe has Trailer Truck; Alphabet block set; Race car and the shape sorter and I have to say he loves all of them especially the truck and car. We will probably eventually get him the Fire Truck also.

As a mom point of these are built to last; the fact the people are all the same shape and size is also great as Christophe can let the race car driver drive the truck and vice-verse. The only thing that I am not crazy about is the fact that they are made with unfinished soft wood, soft wood takes on oils of your skin and discolors after time not making these good targets to save to pass on to the next generation.

What's your opinion about large corporations going "green"?

Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Toys Talk in Toronto

On April 20th, I will be leading a discussion on non-toxic & eco-friendly toys at Red Tent Sisters in Toronto.

In this discussion I will share all the information I have gathered in regards to toy selection for my son; I will also be bringing in loads of examples to show and your little ones can test drive them while we talk.

If you are interested check out the Red Tent Sisters Meetup Page - cost is $10 at the door or $8 in advance.

I am still here

I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that we are still alive and here. About 2 weeks ago I received a call from my mom telling me my grandmother was ill with the flue, after a few days the flue turned in a blocked intestines and a hospital stay with diagnosis that my grandmother had a stronger chance of dying then surviving. We immediately packed our bags and headed to Moncton via car to be with her. A day into our trip the diagnosis changed to a hernia pressing on her intestines causing a blockage and stopping her from being able to eat, this is operatable and after long deliberation she decided to go for the operation. (At her age there is only a 50% chance she would wake up from the anestestic let alone recover) it has now been a week and half we are in Moncton and she is looking like she is on the road to a great recovery. ( We are staying hopefull ) We were suppose to leave this morning however Moncton has been blanketed with an Easter snow storm, I guess we were ment to have one more visit with my grandmother before leaving.