The "Schwinn 8 Easy Steer Beginner Tricycle" Is Great....

...for the one riding it.  For the one pushing, it might as well be a stroller- and a stroller with no cup holders or place to put your diaper bag.  A stroller I can only use when somebody else is pushing O's stroller.  But maybe I'm just spoiled by our double stroller.

The Schwinn Easy Steer Tricycle

JD has totally not even attempted to move this thing on his own (he keeps his feet firmly on the little pegs)- except for when he pushes it around the yard, giving his rocks a ride.  I'm not sure if it will be effective at teaching him how bikes really work, but I'm taking the opportunity to enforce safety rules.  It is really easy to steer using the handle- even with one hand.  And it has a 3-point harness, so JD hasn't been able to jump off while it is moving.

As far as the rock collecting capabilities, it does come with a basket up front, dump bucket in the back, and a tiny backpack that attaches to the seat.  That is heaven for my toddler/pebble hoarder.  

  

When should I expect to be able to remove the handle and send the kid on his way (with O and I trailing close behind of course)?

Friday Favorite: Bilibo

(ignore our weird looking lawn- these toys are awesome)

My in-laws packed the boys' Easter goodies into these, and I don't know how I didn't know about them before!  

JD was too busy checking out his laptop to notice his Bilibo right away.

The bilibo is basically a plastic shell that can be used for just about anything.  You can sit in it or on it, wear it, spin it, stuff it, stack it, scoop with it... the possibilities are endless.  I can't wait to take them to the beach, and I know they will be great in the snow.  The website (If you go, you MUST watch the video!) says they are designed for kids to imagine their own games and ways to play with them.  I can see these being perfect toys for my boys for years to come!

O loves banging the mini Bilibos together.

JD taking one for a spin.

O: "You guys look funny."

O: "Yippee!  Another one!"
JD: "Where did I go?" (in babble only I can understand)

JD: "How do you get it to stay there, O?"

My little snail

Even turtle got a ride.

I'm so tempted to buy a dozen more so that they can create little shell villages.  Aren't you?

*Don't forget to check out yesterday's My Natural Baby Boutique Giveaway!

Our 1st Video Review! 2 New Fisher Price Toys

My parents visited yesterday to celebrate my dad's birthday and an early Easter.  Of course they brought new toys for the boys: Fisher Price's Little People Wheelies Stand 'n Play Rampway for JD, and Lil' Zoomers Spinnin' Sounds Speedway for O. (What's with the super long names & all the apostrophes, Fisher Price?)  My dad is a big NASCAR fan, so he was very excited to put these together and play.  


This morning we recorded our very first video review. Please ignore my screeching toddler, barking dog, and dirty hair!

We hope you enjoyed it!


**Don't forget to enter the NotFindingOut giveaway! 

B. stands for Best

As in Best Toys EVER.


There are so many things I like about this company, but it didn't turn into Love until we had a problem with one of JD's toys.  I had bought him a bunch of B. toys for Christmas- mostly because they are adorable and we were happy with the quality of their toys we already had (JD's favorites were Weeee-ls and elemenosqueeze), but also because of the packaging!

Who doesn't love gifts that wrap themselves?!

He opened his alphaberry and wanted it out of the box right away, but sadly, we couldn't get it to work.  Later that week, I tried to exchange it at Target, but they were all out.  JD loved it even though it didn't work, so I avoided a meltdown and didn't return it.  I wrote a quick note to B. explaining our situation, and not only were they quick to offer a replacement, but we had some fun correspondence where I learned more about their company.  They even read my blog and complimented my boys <3


More things to love:


Their packaging is recycled, reusable, biodegradable- everything you want packaging to be!  Some of them even come with pretty gift tags attached.

perfect for holding flash cards and small toys

Their gorgeous, whimsical website includes sweet kid quotes, a lovely blog, and even links to preview the sounds your toy is going to make before you buy it.  Spending time on their site makes me smile  :)

JD recording his song on his Okideoke.

Getting to work on his new, working alphaberry.

I will support this company every chance I get, so think of them the next time you need to buy a gift!

KS Kids Pull Back Cars

These are my new go-to toy for play dates.  I toss them in the diaper bag.  Whoever is playing with them can drool away or even drive them through a puddle, and when we get home I just throw them in the laundry!  Yes, these cars are machine washable!  JD's  favorite is the the taxi (it has a cat passenger, of course), but the set also comes with a school bus, police car, and fire engine.

There is a sturdy velcro strap that holds the base on. (The plastic base and wheels must be removed before washing.)

Another selling point: They are soft, so when JD threw one at to me, it didn't hurt!

Basketblocks

JD loves the blocks at our ped's office, but I can't find an affordable version for him to have at home.  This morning he was playing with some empty diaper boxes, and I got an idea!

Initially my plan was to cover them in the Sunday Comics, but I wanted them to last longer.  I bundled up the boys and headed to the fabric store, (because there are so many other things I should have been doing, but this was more fun) and found this awesome rubbery basketball material on clearance!  It was meant to be!  

After tearing the house apart looking for my glue gun, I was ready.

You can't tell from the pic, but the material is textured to feel like a basketball!

 I basically wrapped the boxes like a gift, except that I cut slits at the sides so that they lay flat and were more stackable.

 I put drops of hot glue to hold the edges in place, and then when it was all wrapped, I went back and sealed all along the edges.

Baby O helped while JD napped!

 Ta Da!

I bought four yards of the material and have plenty left over for more boxes.  I only used the heavy cardboard boxes (JD was insisting on using a cereal box, but it was way too flimsy), so we'll make more after we get through more cases of diapers.  It took about 20 minutes to make five blocks, and it cost less than $40!  As long as JD doesn't jump on them, they should last a long time.  Woohoo!





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Never Made it Out of the Box!

This is the most annoying toy I have ever met. The Shake 'n Go Thomas is supposed to talk and move after you shake it. Cute concept except that it's deafeningly loud and starts up whenever someone breathes within 10 feet of it.  

God bless my in-laws who delivered the toy for person who will remain unnamed.  They drove over 3 hours on Christmas Eve with the thing going off nonstop in the trunk.  I knew it was trouble as soon as the gift bag crossed the threshold, and I would have returned it immediately if I had realized we were getting a blizzard and would be stuck in the house with it until Wednesday!

While I was standing in the ridiculously long return line (I had other things to return at Kohls- I would certainly not wait just to spare this toy from the trash.), I got mixed looks of pity and hatred from the people stuck in line with me because this toy would not shut up.  I exaggerated how carefully I was moving the bag, but it did not stop going the ENTIRE 45 MINUTES I WAS ON LINE!  (Just realized I should have looked to see what kind of batteries it came with because they were awesome.)

Good riddance Shake 'n Go Thomas!

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Wordless Wednesday: Things We Love in the Bathtub!

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