My First Kenmore 2-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner

Victory is really into brooms, mops & especially vacuum cleaners so I decided to get her one of her very own. I started my search by looking for a toy vacuum that most resembled my bagless Eureka. I was stuck between the Dyson toy vac or this one but after a visit to Kmart I decided to get her the Kenmore. When I first saw it, I thought "wow, this is soooo cute"! I brought it home determined to wait till Christmas but when I looked into her little longing eyes I just had to give in. So 5 minutes later I was breaking open the box when I realized that the toy needed 3c batteries. I desperately starting searching when voila they appeared out of no where beckoning  to me from atop the fridge. I then raced over eager to get it working when I realized I needed a Phillips head screw driver. Sulking I almost gave up when out of the corner of my eye I spied the coveted sneaky old screw driver. Now back to reality: The battery compartment is on the back of the little hand vac that connects to the base, it is very easy to unscrew. After all that I couldn't wait to give it to Victory so I had Jaden my 7 year old bring it out for her while I took pictures. The look on her face really was priceless, it was almost like love at first site! For at least 3 days this thing was constantly making noise, she wouldn't put it down! My advice to you it to buy a good pair of ear plugs while your at it, don't forget some extra batteries. I was very surprised to find out that the vacuum actually picks up a little here and there which I thought was really cool! The hose wouldn't stay on really well and soon became a chew toy, crunch... I solved that by hiding it somewhere behind the couch, shhhhh. The small part that holds the hose came off very easily and wouldn't stay on but that could be because this vacuum is recommended for ages 3 and up and not built to withstand the abuse from a younger toddler. My 7 year old really liked it so I decided to get her a Dyson toy vac for Christmas which I will review as soon as she gets it. Overall I feel that the Kenmore could be a little better quality but for the price I really can't complain. I would probably purchase it again and again just to see Victory's face light up. I've only seen it in pink and feel that they really should have it in gender neutral colors. 

Melissa & Doug Caterpillar Gears Toddler Toy and Vehicle Gears Toddler Toy

These toys are a definite must for your little ones wooden toy collection; they are durable, colorful and so much fun! These gear toys are great for learning colors and developing fine motor skills. The child can match the color of the gears to the pegs and rotate them as slow or fast as they please. The caterpillar and vehicles actually look like they are moving! Other than Victory constantly losing the gears and them ending up under our couches; this toy really is great. The manufactures recommended age is 18+ months.

Please note that I combined these toys to make it easier for my review however they must be purchased separately. 

Vehicle Gears Board Toddler Toy

Caterpillar Gears Board Toddler Toy

Hape - Pound & Tap Bench with Slide out Xylophone

First off I am going to start off by saying that we love wooden toys so this toy was a must have in our home. It is made of solid wood and durable child safe paint and meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards. The child can pound on the 3 balls from the "Pound and Tap Bench" with the included mallet sending the balls tinkling over the xylophone. The xylophone can also be pulled out and played solo, which is great for on the go. This toy comes in beautiful colors and is one of Victory's favorites. I can easily see this lasting for years and will most likely end up making another child happy once Victory outgrows it. If you're on the market for a xylophone; this is the one for you!

Great for developing fine motor skills in little ones!

Curious George Everyday Shapes Puzzle Play Board Book

I want my little one to grow up with a love for reading so am always on the look out for a good book. The things that attract me most in a book are mostly the colors and story line so when I found this one on sale I couldn't resist. It's a good size at about 8 x 8 and is very sturdy. It has removable puzzles shapes on most pages; a diamond, flower, oval, star and heart. There are also multiple shapes on the back of each puzzle piece ranging from a pentagon to a circle. The book is mostly in neutral and pastel colors and the story line is almost poetic. Victory really loves her new book with the exception of the puzzle pieces being hard to take out even for myself. However, I think that with time the puzzle pieces will loosen up a bit and become easier for her to manage. I would recommend this book for little ones ranging from ages 1-6. 

Peek-a-boo open and close sensory board

I was so inspired by the Clothes Fastenings Board from Craftulate that I decided to make one for Victory. Determined, I set off on a quest to retrieve some materials. 2 hours later, mission Complete! Here's my version, I call it the Peek-a-boo open and close sensory board.

Here's what I did: 

I covered the front and back of the wooden board with felt, screwed on the hinges and lock for the door using very small screws and added a picture of my 7 year old. The window was made with felt and a pop top from a travel pack of disposable wipes, a picture of our kitten was added to that. I used buttons and felt to make the flowerpot, a snap fastener and peek-a-boo caterpillar were added to the sun. The dog with the pop open collar was one of my favorites, Victory loved it! The zip up flower and butterfly don't really do anything and are more for visual effects. Next time I will add something behind the zipper because Victory keeps trying to look inside, lol. For decoration and character I added sequins and large googly eyes, don't you just love those? I mostly used a glue gun with the exception of the few screws for the door and lock. This is a great sensory toy but parental supervision is always recommended when tots are involved. 

Check out Craftulates board here:

http://craftulate.com/2013/12/fine-motor-clothes-fastenings-fine-motor-fridays.html

B. Zany Zoo Wooden Activity Cube

The B. Zany Zoo Wooden Activity Cube is an educational toy for toddlers with many different activities to help develop fine motor skills. These include: hidden animals behind functional doors, a colorful illustrated alphabet from A-Z, 3 zig zag race paths, animal spin and match, counting beads and fun loopty-loo routes on top. I also use it to teach Victory about colors and shapes. It keeps Victory entertained for no more than 5 minutes at a time but is more effective when I am using it with her. I would definitely purchase this again if I had to because the educational benefits are well worth it. This toy is made of a solid wooden construction with no sharp or pointy edges. It's a good size and can be used when seated or standing. The dimensions are as follows: 18.0 " H x 13.98 " W x 13.98 " L. The manufacture recommends this toy for ages 1-3 and I would have to agree. 

 

Easy 2 Ingredient Cloud Dough

Thanks to Happy Hooligans I was able to make this quick and easy cloud dough with 2 simple ingredient's; flour and baby oil. It literally took me no more than 5 minutes to make. I mixed 8 cups of flour with a cup of baby oil using a whisk, grabbed some fun toys and voila! It's play time. Check out a cute video and pictures of Victory and her big Sis having a blast with the cloud dough. Check out the link to the original recipe: http://happyhooligans.ca/cloud-dough/

                                 

Big Hugs Elmo

Big Hugs Elmo is a very interesting toy, it gives hugs. moves it's arms back and forth, sings a lullaby when laid in a flat position and even makes sleeping sounds.  It also teaches children their ABCs, numbers, shapes, colors and much more. There is a button on it's left foot that when pressed has 4 different imaginative scenarios. It is over 22 inches long and almost looks as big as Victory. To me it really looks cheap and not worth the price but to Victory it is like part of the family, she really loves her Elmo! It received the 2014 toddler/infant toy of the year award and is recommended for ages 18 months and up. I say buy it, your little one will love it!

Imaginarium Stacking Rings

The Imaginarium Stacking rings is a 7 piece sturdy wooden toy for children 12 months and up. It can be used to teach colors, size, sequence, promote fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. There are 5 rings to stack in the following colors: yellow, green, blue, purple and red. After stacking  the rings the children can top it off with an orange ball which seems to constantly go missing. This stacker is a great toy for you to play with your child, repetition and patience will help them learn how to do it on their own. Victory loves her toy and always feels a sense of accomplishment when she is done putting it together. I would buy this toy again however I think this one will last a very long time. 

Victory decorating her munchkin pumpkin.

Painting can be quite messy when being done so by a tot but that didn't stop Victory. With a few precautions it turned out not being messy at all. I covered her highchair with plastic and left her with only the diaper on. She had a great time up until the moment were her hands got very dirty from the paint and the princess that she is came out and demanded that her hands be washed.

The Step2 Easy Steer Sportster Ride On

The Step2 Easy Steer Sportster is definitely one of the coolest looking toys ever. It is a push style ride on toy with a long handle that folds underneath for storage. Parents will love to push their little ones around in this stylish easy to maneuver Sportster. It has caster wheels for easy turning that retract to accommodate multiple terrains. The max weight is 50 pounds which is great because it will last a few years. I really like that it has cup holders, one on the handle for parents and another on the car for the child. The adult cup holder is very narrow and will only accommodate a bottle of water so if you are an Ice coffee drinker like me you will be stuck carrying your coffee. The hood of the car is a mini storage which is pretty cool, you can throw some diapers/wipes in there or your child can use it to store some of their favorite toys. Victory really likes to beep the horn and stays entertained minutes at a time. The wheels are a durable plastic that are surprisingly very quiet. One thing that I find to be a pain is that when Victory gets tired there is no way for her to get comfortable for a nap and so I don't recommend taking the Sportster on a very long walk as you just might get stuck carrying your little one all the way home. Other than that Victory loves her ride on and gives it 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Bright Starts Entertain & Grow Saucer - Pink

The Bright Starts Entertain & Grow Saucer has been used since Victory was just 4 months. At first we had to put a pillow under her feet to keep her legs from dangling but around 6 months she no longer needed the pillow. This saucer has 3 height settings, an overhead toy bar with 2 toys, 4 toy links and 5 other fun activities. The seat rotates 360 degrees allowing your child to access all of the toys. There is also a removable infant insert that I couldn't get to stay on but doesn't hinder the performance, I would use a rolled up blanket instead. This saucer is recommended for babies up to 25 pounds that are able to hold their heads up unassisted, do not walk and can't climb out. The assembly is minimal and takes only a few minutes. Victory is now 11 months and still uses it from time to time however she is mobile now and doesn't seem as interested, in my opinion babies from 6 to 10 months would enjoy it the most. The toys are not battery operated and this saucer does not play music. Overall I think this saucer is a great buy and would buy it again if I had to. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Baby Trend - Baby Activity Walker with Toys, Kiku

This baby walker accommodates babies from about 6 months up to 30 pounds or 32 inches which ever comes first. It is not battery operated and seems very plain but if you are looking for a simple walker this may be the one for you. The toy bar is removable and there is a large tray which is great for snacks and other toys. Victory did have some trouble getting it to move on the carpet but it seemed to do ok on bare floors. As far as height goes this walker has 3 adjustable height settings but did not go low enough for Victory. She was around 28 inches tall at the time and even on the lowest setting it seemed like she had to stand on her tippy toes. The wheels are multi-directional which allow the baby to go back and forth as she pleases. The best thing about this walker is it's ability to fold flat for storage. I can easily slide it under her crib, our couch or even in a corner somewhere. This walker is a very basic walker with no extra bells and whistles and is not as attractive as some higher end models however it is very reasonably priced and does serve it's purpose. That being said I probably would not buy it again and would opt for a higher end model. I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Summer Infant ComfortMe Wearable Blanket, Happy Floral, Large

Great even for an older baby!

I want to first start off by saying that Victory loves this product and falls asleep within minutes of putting it on. The Happy 

Floral pattern is very girly and pretty, definitely a great choice for your little princess. It is made of 100% cotton, is soft to the 

touch, feels comfy and is breathable. I plan on using this product both in the cold as well as the warmer weather to keep the 

chill off from the A/C.

There are 2 zippers on this product, one at the top and one at the bottom. The top zipper is protected by a flap that buttons 

over and prevents the baby from accessing it. The bottom zipper is very convenient and great for quick night time diaper 

changes. This Wearable blanket also has sleeves which in my book is a huge bonus considering that the other brands I have 

are sleeveless, I usually just throw it on over a short sleeve onesie.

We have had a few cool nights but this wearable blanket has kept Victory warm and comfortable. She is 10 months old,

28 1/2 inches tall, weighs 19 pounds and still has plenty of room, we will continue to use it until she outgrows it. We received

a sample of this product to review and plan on purchasing a few extra so we always have a clean one available.

This product is not meant for baby to be crawling/walking around in and should be used only at nap/bedtime.

Summer Infant Fuze Stroller

This eye catching stroller has an all-aluminum frame and weighs only 22 pounds! It comes with a universal car seat adapter that allows you to connect your infant carrier. I am currently using it with the Summer Infant Prodigy car seat which clicks right in for a secure fit.

The Fuze is very well built and can accommodate a child up to 50 pounds nicely using the removable stroller seat. The seat reclines to 3 different positions, has a 5 point safety harness and can be used in the forward or rear facing position. I really like the adjustable handlebar which can be easily adjusted from my height to my 7 year old's height.

The storage basket is a a good size and really comes in handy. This stroller also comes with a parent cup holder which is convenient for water or coffee. It's front wheels swivel for a smoother ride and also have a wheel lock option for rougher terrain. The brake is pedicure friendly and works with just a tap of the foot.

The large canopy on the seat offers excellent coverage from the sun and has a peek-a-boo window. This stroller is easy to fold and fits well in the trunk of my small car. No matter where I go I get compliments on this stroller, it is most definitely a keeper and gets a well deserved 5 stars.

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Photo above is of my infant carrier being used with the universal infant car seat adapter.

Kolcraft Cloud Umbrella Stroller, Scarlet Red

With a family of 5 and lots of luggage, bringing our full sized stroller with us on vacation was definitely out of the question. After doing some research we decided to get the Kolcraft Cloud Umbrella Stroller. Some of the selling points that got our attention were:

* Higher weight limit of 40 pounds
* 3-point safety harness
* Extended Canopy and rear hood
* Parent cup holder and storage basket
* Cool climate roll up seat cover for increased circulation in warmer weather
* Weighs only 11.31 pounds and takes up little space
* Easy fold umbrella stroller design

When we first used the stroller it was very windy out so the extended canopy really helped keep the wind off of Victory. The 3- point harness is nice but doesn't prevent Victory from leaning forward, I would have preferred a 5-point harness. The parent cup holder (for my dunkin donuts coffee of course) and storage basket are really great, instead of carrying a huge diaper bag I would just take a couple of diapers, wipes, snacks and throw them in there for easy accessibility afterwards. This stroller does serve it's purpose, however after folding it up the canopy became bent in the middle which can be prevented by removing the canopy beforehand. Overall I think this umbrella stroller is well built and will hold up with years of use. Victory and I give it 4 stars considering all of the extras and the low price.

Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Magical Musical Mirror

The Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Magical Musical Mirror is a fun baby sized educational vanity toy that I know your little princess will love. Victory's had hers since the end of December and it keeps her entertained minutes at  a time which is great considering she is quite the explorer and does not like staying in one place to long. The recommended ages are 6 - 36 months and it does require 3 AA Batteries which are included. Victory likes the music, lights and powder puff the most. She also gets a kick out of looking at herself in the mirror. All of the pieces have storage places on-board the vanity which is great but doesn't prevent Victory from hiding the accessories around the house which in the end just adds to the fun as we go exploring the house on all fours in search of them. Victory and I give this toy 5 stars and recommend it to all princesses but of course little princes are also welcome to join in on the fun.

Prince Lionheart BebePOD Flex Plus- Kiwi Green

The Prince Lionheart BebePOD Flex Plus is an awesome addition to any home that has a little one. Victory has used it since she was only 3 months old and couldn't sit up unassisted. It comes with a removable tray and cute toy and can be used on the floor or attached to a dining room/kitchen chair to be used as a booster seat. She is now 9 months old  weighs 18 pounds and uses it mostly as a booster seat when we are away from home. The reusable place mat is cute but doesn't really work, it sticks up versus being snug and I am not a big fan of it's material. Something sturdier and snugger would be a better choice for a place mat, however the chair itself is very good quality. I like how the BebePOD securely attaches itself to chairs of all sizes. I would have liked if the straps where removable somehow as they are white and babies tend to be messy eaters however they do not and have to be spot cleaned. Victory will continue to use it until she outgrows it. Overall the chair has more pros than cons and Victory and I would definitely recommend it. We give it 4 stars!

Nuk Lil' Trainer Tableware Set

The Nuk Lil' Trainer Tableware Set seemed like the perfect buy if only it was baby proof. The plate comes with a detachable rim, suction base, spoon and fork. I do like the the rounded tips on the fork, they really do protect my lil ones mouth. This product is ok when it sticks to the table but Victory found a way to detach it being the reason for the 3 out of 5 star rating. I would recommend this product for a child that's old enough to understand that throwing the plate across the room just isn't cool although I think Victory would disagree with me as she seems to have a ball doing so. Below is some pics and a video, these where taken before she discovered that the plate would be best if used as a frisbee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                   

                               

 

                                                                                                                                                                                           

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car is one of the coolest toys ever. Victory loves to press all the buttons, open/close the door and listen to the songs. She has not yet mastered the shapes and ball play but then again she is only 9 months old. She mostly plays on the inside and stays entertained for quite a few minutes at a time which in my book is excellent because at that age it is hard to keep little ones engaged in any activity too long. This car is stationary and has no bottom allowing the child to sit directly on the floor which is why I have Victory's car parked on a mat. She sometimes manages to move the car while sitting on the inside by pushing on the dashboard with her feet contributing to the fun. This is a very sturdy toy that is great for babies 6 months and up that are able to sit unassisted. Your little one will love to have it parked in their playroom so be sure to get them their very own Crawl Around Car. Victory can't wait to share it with her friends at her next play date.

Little Tikes Activity Garden

The Little Tikes Activity Garden is a great toy for ages 6 months and up. It has all kinds of gadgets that will keep your little one entertained. I personally like the removable take along phone which enables the child to have fun on the go. The slide is more of a crawl through space and not big enough to actually "slide" and Victory is on the petite side. The cool thing about it is that you can build it any way you want so it doesn't have to remain enclosed and can be used opened as a two sided play center. The small shapes and balls seem to always get lost but with little ones that is to be expected. Victory likes to open/close the door, look through the telescope and play with the tap-a-tune piano. It's def not as big as I thought it would be and could be a bit sturdier but overall it is a great toy. Victory gave this activity center 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend this product to her little friends.

Radio Flyer Pathfinder Wagon 2700

The Radio Flyer Pathfinder Wagon model 2700 is one of the most cost effective 2 in 1 wagon on the market. This wagon supports up to 200 pounds quite nicely. We tested it out by placing Victory 18 pounds on one side and Jaden my 70 pound 7 year old on the other side. We find that the wagon is easier to steer when Jaden sits on the side opposite the handle. There are 4 cup holders that are great for juice boxes and kiddie juices as well as two 3 point seat belts. I would have liked the wagon to have at least 1 adult cup holder on the outside separate from the kiddie ones but no biggie. The recommended start age is 1 1/2 years old but Victory decided at last minute that the wagon was her new ride and wasn't about to give it up. This wagon doubles as a flatbed which can be used to carry 1 child, toys, or even small sports equipment or as a 2 seater, which is my fave way to use it. The plastic is very sturdy and the color is a really nice fire engine red. The wheels feel like durable rubber and are pretty silent. As far as putting it together is concerned I give all the credit to my almost 13 year old. She is quite the builder and put it together within 45 minutes with minimal help. The handle folds down making it easy to throw this wagon in the back of our Kia Rondo. I can't wait till it's gets warmer out so we can take Victory's convertible for a spin at the park ; ) Victory definitely gives this wagon her stamp of approval.

Tomy GumDrop Pacifier Sanitizer Product Review

This sanitizer is simple, convenient and affordable. It provides a quick and easy way to sanitize both pacifiers and nipples. I love that it is portable and allows me to just throw it in my bag when going on vacation or to visit my in-laws in NY. Victory is exclusively breastfed however I like to give her a bottle of expressed milk here and there and find that this sanitizer works extremely well at sanitizing the nipples from my disposable drop in bottles. One thing that I would suggest would be a fill to line for the water or even a small 8 ml measuring tool to go with the sanitizer. I personally just throw the sanitizer on my digital scale set to ml and just measure the water that way. Victory thinks this is a great buy and thanks First Years for coming up with such a great product. No more dirty or dingy pacifiers for Victory ; )