Tot Tutors Book Rack, Primary Colors

Holds 8 books maybe
I was so excited to get this book organizer because for a long time we were keeping my sons books in his dresser drawers and it was very hard for him to see what books he had. I am sad to say I was very disappointed at first because it was made of vinyl/plastic, I would have liked it to be cloth, and second assembly wasn't so easy and still its very wobbly. So back to the material, it's so cheap I cannot hold more than 2 books in each row or it will rip. two rows of material have already ripped which means now it holds about 4 books safely. I would not recommend this to anyone. I am going to look for a new one, maybe with cloth or something else more resilient.
Review for Tot Tutors Book Rack Organizer
I had high hopes for this cute book rack for kids. But within a week one seam on the nylon fabric had split and shredded rendering 25% of the rack unusable. And, no, I didn't overload the rack. There were only 3 lightweight books in that slot. I'm not sure if it was a defect or poor quality fabric. It's not worth sending back as the shipping would amount to more than the benefit. I'll probably buy sturdier fabric and replace the nylon as the wood part of the rack seems to be ok.
Poor Quality
I read the reviews, and bought the item anyway. I loved it at first, its an awesome little shelf. But, today I noticed the bottom two poles were loose and sagging, when I inspected it the end of the shelf where the poles screw in to the wood in the side had completely ripped through, now there is nothing to put a screw in to hold it. This rack is less then 2 months old and I have a 18 month old. Its not under any abnormal stress. Just poor quality. It would be better if you made it yourself.
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Fisher-Price I Can Play Basketball

Wonderful
Great for use indoors and out. Love it!!!! The height is great for all ages. Appropiate for both my 2 and 6 year olds.
my son loves it!
I shopped around for a 'grow with me' basketball hoop for my son and this was the best one by far for the quality and cost. We'll have it for years to come . . . it has brought so many smiles to his face!
Best inexpensive free-standing children's basketball hoop
We've owned the Little Tikes Easy Score hoop for 2-3 years now, but my 4-year-old (and 41") son now needs the 5' height of the FP Grow to Pro (aka/renamed "I Can Play Basketball" now). The LT was fun enough, but its rim sags quite a bit; I just measured the highest height at 43" --a good 5" short of the 4' advertised. It was quite a noticeable difference when sitting next to our new FP Grow to Pro, when also set at 4', as the FP rim is nicely level with the ground and the height is thus what it should be. Assuming the lowest 3' setting isn't too high for your child, I'd definitely recommend skipping right to the FP Grow to Pro, as it is much bigger (both height and backboard size) and sturdier, and you should get years more service from it, as it extends to 6' vs. 3.5-4' for the LT. When my son eventually outgrows this, he should be able to shoot at the 7.5' setting of my full-sized (7.5-10') hoop. Since I just picked this up in advance of the Christmas season, I've got it set up...
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VIZIO E-Series E241i-A1 24-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (tilted base)

Best 60 inch LED for the price
I had been patiently waiting for this TV to become available via Amazon, mainly because of the unbelievably low price and good review given on CNET, but got tired of waiting and ended up purchasing this TV on 10/13 from Costco. They had just gotten a shipment in that day and once I saw it in the store, I knew I needed to get it. CNET had mentioned that the off angle viewing was not as good on this set when compared to LEDs from other manufacturers, but I haven't had any problems viewing this TV even from extreme angles. The TV was not quite as bright as the LG next to it at the store, but I believe this was mainly due to the matte finish of the screen. The LG had a glossy screen which made the picture very bright, but it also reflected literally everything behind it. My TV is now set up in a very sunny living room and the glare is minimal. Much better than the 37 inch Sharp LCD it replaced. For those looking for a basement TV, a glossy TV or a plasma might be the way to go, but...
Stellar Performance
I've had my Vizio E701i-A3 for about a month and I have been tweaking various settings the entire time to arrive at what I consider the best picture. I used two blu ray calibration discs; Digital Video Essentials and Spears and Munsil. The end result image with a high quality input source is jaw dropping. Colors are rich and beautifully rendered; clarity and detail are exactly what I would expect from a world class display. Even watching movies I've seen before is a revelation and a totally new experience.
Just a few years ago I would have expected to pay as much as $3000.00 or more to get this kind of performance. To say I'm happy with this TV is an understatement. I've been a home theater enthusiast for over sixteen years and this set is the end point of my home theater evolution. With this display I feel I have the best theater experience I've ever had and it beats every walk in theater presentation I've seen. If anyone has not taken the time to properly calibrate ANY HDTV...
LCD panel failures & audio sync problems (now addressed with warranty extension and firmware update)
PROS
- Big and bright; nice color; matte screen for bright rooms
- 4 HDMI inputs
- Thin and very attractive minimalist glossy black frame (less than 1" wide)
- Built-in WiFi and DLNA; most of the popular subscription-based smart apps
- Great value

CONS
- High LCD panel failure rate (On 2/8/2013, Vizio publicly acknowledged this and is addressing the problem. See below for details.)
- Severe audio-video sync problems (In mid-January 2013, Vizio released a firmware update to fix this issue. See below for details.)
- Still some glare in bright room
- Takes about 18 seconds to "boot up" from power on
- Only one shared composite/component input for older devices
- Slightly gray blacks and somewhat uneven back-lighting, although this likely varies between individual units
- DLNA and smart-app implementations are very crude (you are probably better off getting a dedicated device to do these, like a Roku or Apple TV)...
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Razor A Kick Scooter (Pink)

Makes A Long Trip Fun!
My son started kindergarten this year, half a mile away from our home. He didn't enjoy walking the distance, but the scooter solved the problem. He just LOVES scooting around the streets, and mastered the technique within a week.Now getting home is fun. The scooter moves and works great. All of the kids in NYC have them - I've even heard of a kid who mastered the skill at age 2. I was really confused when I was shopping for a scooter...I wasn't sure from reading the ads, whether this scooter was actually appropriate for a 4 year old. It's been fine. I highly recommend this scooter for kids who want to get around quickly.
A Customer
Scooter is sturdy, well made and looks great! It glides smoothly and handles nicely. Low to the ground with nice handle bars and grips. I bought this for my grand daughters three years ago and

they had never ridden anything but little kid toys. Each easily learned to handle and ride with very few mishaps. I think it is pretty safe for a ride-on type toy. (we bought helmets and thankfully have never had any bad landings). Now three years later I am still watching them ride working up a good healthy

sweat and loving it!! So, I just purchased scooter number 4 for

one of the girls who has practically worn the wheels off (I hope

I can talk her into the replacement of her favorite toy). She is nine now, the age where girls need outdoor exercise and fun.

WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!A GOOD CHOICE FOR KIDS MOVING UP TO BIG KID TOYS.
high tech version of low tech fun and exercise
I bought this scooter for my daughter (7 yr old) and my husband was on it so much I had to buy another one. They take them everywhere. It is great for camping to get around the campgounds. It breaks down easily to store under car seats. I really recommend this scooter.
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Loom Rubber Bands - 4800 pc Rubber Band Refill Mega Value Pack with Clips (Rainbow Colors - 600 each of Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, Purple, Turquoise, and Orange) - 100% Compatible with all Looms

fun and popular for preteens
Fun for everyone! If I made that l would play with it all day and night. I just wish it was cheaper.
No orange in the pack
Didn't get any orange . Received two sets of green.Of course orange is my son favorite color. Nice quality of rainbow loom bands. Kept my boy busy for hours.
so fun
i loved it i made 200 braclets in one week i just wish it had white and black it should be for kids 4+
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Cloud b Twilight Constellation Night Light, Turtle

not as bad as reviews say
We got our turtle yesterday and no, the stars don't move and the yellow stars don't show, but my five year old loved having blue stars all over her room. The amber starts would only work if you have very, very dark walls, so they are pretty useless. Finding the constellations can be done if the turtle is in the middle of a large room. I don't know if it was an earlier model that people said the stars only showed if it was right next to the ceiling, but ours works even if it is on the floor. Granted, the stars are more detailed the closer you get, but I left it at the foot of my daughter's bed and her room was covered with stars. So the look of enchantment on her face was worth the thirty bucks, plus the turtle is cute. Also, please pay attention to the age recommendation--it truly is for three and over. My one year old would probably stand on it or drop it and the shell could be damaged, so it is for older children.
AWESOME NIGHTLITE FOR GOING TO BED!
We already had a Cloud b Twilight Turtle - Constellation Night Light and got this Twilight Ladybug to use when we sleep at grandma's house. My daughter loved the turtle, and loves the ladybug even more! I will say, this one is much improved from the turtle we got over 2 years ago for a couple reasons... 1. the ON button also turns the light OFF as well on this ladbug (the turtle doesn't have the OFF option- you have to turn it off by the switch underneath if you want it off before the 45 min. automatic shutoff) 2. the stars are much clearer on the ceiling and there are more of them, including now a crescent moon cutout too (on the old turtle the stars appeared pretty blurry and there weren't as many of them to make a full sky on the ceiling). This ladybug really lights up the ceiling and fills it with stars and a crescent moon-- so gorgeous!! Not sure if you buy a turtle today that they have updated it with...
In defense of the Amber setting!
We love this! I am considering getting a "back up." Our 4 month old baby was totally entranced by the stars! It is terrific! Such a cute little turtle too. The stars are very soothing. The blue is easiest to see at first, but after your eyes adjust to the darkness, the blue and green are too bright and the amber is the perfect "glow." I used it for late night nursing and it was the perfect amount of light. We have 10' ceilings and the stars show up extremely well. They are "five pointed" stars -- not various sized dots like I expected but still enchanting.
Edit: now at 13 months, still used every night! A beloved toy for our now toddler and I love it to! If it seems dim, it just needs a new battery or time for my eyes to adjust.
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Westcott Axis iPoint Evolution Electric Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener (15509)

The Prince Charming of pencil sharpeners!
I've been through quite a few 'frogs' in the category of electric pencil sharpeners, and as a teacher, tutor, and writer, I have burned through quite a few of them. Of the many I've tried, a few have made the cut. One is the Stanley Bostitch QuietSharp6(TM) Classroom Pencil Sharpener With 6-holes And Quiet Motor, Blue (EPS10HC) which I've been using for a over a year now with excellent results and my recent favorite is this Westcott Axis iPoint Evolution Electric Heavy Duty pencil sharpener.

Here's what I love about the Westcott Axis iPoint:
- the quietest electric pencil sharpener I've ever used (quieter than the Bostitch Quietsharp6)
- once a pencil has been sharpened to a nice point, it automatically shuts off, thanks to the Auto Stop Technology feature
- great safety features such as non-operation if receptacle is removed, auto-reset motor shut-off if improperly used
- there are...
My Kids Approve!
It is amazing how difficult it can be to find a good pencil sharpener! I really don't have a preference between manual and powered, but I do want a sharp point and secure lead. An easy-to-empty reservoir is icing on the cake.

Well, this sharpener meets all three criteria better than any sharpener we have used before. My children began raving about it as soon as we switched from our old one to this one. Here's what they have to say:

- It's fast. In mere seconds their pencils, whether the old-fashioned #2s or their innumerable colored pencils, are sharpened to a nice, sharp point.
- When it stops, indicating that the pencil is sharpened, you can be sure that the pencil is sharp. No early disconnect.
- No breakage. I haven't heard any statements of "my lead broke again!" since we began using this particular sharpener.
- Multiple sizes. Admittedly, we haven't used all of the size settings yet as most of our pencils fall into a fairly standard size...
Handles everything I can throw at it.
If you're looking for a pencil sharpener that can handle a classroom of students or a department of office workers this would be one to consider.

Over the past forty odd years or so, I've worked at a variety of occupations. During which time I've come to realize a few things. One of which is the value of good tools. When it comes to office work there are two tools that I put at the top of the list for needing to work perfectly. Number one is a stapler, having a stapler that you can't rely on to work every time is really frustrating. Number two is a pencil sharpener. As someone who is a trained draftsman and who has worked in various engineering positions having a nice sharp pencil is a must for me. And as someone who taught Career & Technology (Vocational) classes in a public high school for more than a decade I know how heavy duty something needs to be to survive the wear and tear students can give equipment on a daily basis.

I would have loved to have some of...
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LEGO Chima Laval Royal Fighter 70005

Your kids will love this set
My 8 year old son love this set and plays with it all the time. The set comes with 2 instruction manuals and 1 stciker sheet. The set took sometime to put together, which was great because my son and I enjoying some bonding time together. This four wheel vehicle is huge and your kid will have fun pushing it around. The finishing product is just awesome and the interior of the vehicle looks like a lion. It is call Chima Laval Royal fighter because Laval is the Prince of the lion tribe.

It comes with 3 mini figures Lava, Longtooth and Crawley. Lava face is printed on both sides, he has a gold sword with blue light in the middle, a nice head piece, shoulder armor and blue cape. Longtooth face is printed on booth sides, he has a battle scar under his eye and one on his chest, a nice head piece,and shoulder armor. Crawley face is printed on both sides, he has nice crocodile head piece and a lighter star weapon with claws on it.

The vehicle has four rubber tracks...
Awesome
Awesome looking! The structure of the car was a little challenging .. But my 8 year old son was able to build this by himself.
Lego Chima Laval Royal Fighter 70005
We were really happy with the product but it took a long time for us to receive, not sure why.
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Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel

Great Product, Great Price!
This easel is a great buy! Very sturdy and high quality as most of mellisa and doug products. Colorful, kid friendly and easy to put together. Both the writing boards and the trays are adjustable for the height of your child. It folds up easy, but stands strong. This easel DOES have a place for a paper roll!! I did not think it did by the amazon description (I almost bought a more expensive one for the paper roll but decided to go with this and am so glad I did) ... the roll goes in the center between the boards and the paper comes up through the top and under a paper guide in front of the dry erase side. I can't image why you would spend more on another brand of easel, this one has everything I could think of wanting and is simple, solid wood, looks good and is super functional. This is the first review I have written, but wanted to pass on how happy I am with this product.
Great easel; not so great chalkboard
I bought this easel as part of the classroom I set up for my preschooler. I love the adjustable size, durability and ease of use. My only complaint was the chalkboard. Though I followed the priming instructions diligently, I found that even the good chalk scratched the board and did not write well. Melissa and Doug did reply immediately to my concern and were willing to do whatever necessary to correct the problem. On a whim, I decided to try some chalkboard paint instead. It now writes beautifully, and I love the black chalkboard, rather than the green it came as. It is perfect.
Form and Function
This easel works very well and is easy to put together, but is also much better looking than others I have seen for a comparable price. We gave this to my daughter at 20 months (younger than the suggested age) and she loved it right away. However, even at the lowest setting she can't draw to the top, which frustrated her unless she stood on a step stool -- guess that's why it's better for age 3+.
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Genesis GCD18BK 18v Cordless Drill/Driver Kit, Grey

Great drill
Friend of mine bought one, I laughed at it at first, why did you buy a no name drill? But after using it I must say that I'm quite impressed with it, love the led light that comes on as you squeeze the trigger and love the long battery life. And I love the charge indicator light that lets you know when its fully charged unlike other drills where you have to guess if you have charged them enough. For a light purpose drill, it gets 5 stars from me. Now I'm going to buy one for myself.
Genesis Cordless Drill.
This Drill will do every thing the much higher priced drills will do, It is powerful and holds a good charge. Don't be fooled because is does not have a name brand on it, this Drill will do the job.
Great tool for light work
Like most people who're looking at this item, my first thoughts were 'Genesis? What's that? First book of the Bible?' Well, whoever they are, they make a darn cheap and not half bad drill.

First off, just to set the record straight- I've used expensive drills before (Makita, DeWalt) and some cheaper ones (Black & Decker, Dremel). Some of these guys cost upwards of $150 for a basic model. In contrast this guy currently retails for $30 which is dirt cheap for any sort of power tool. I'll admit, my expectations were pretty low- I was hoping this would drill me some holes in regular wood and maybe fasten some screws in said wood.

This Genesis drill is surprisingly robust and powerful for the cost, and the battery life is actually better than some much more expensive competitors. I've had little trouble drilling holes in even relatively hard wood, and that's with the lousy included drill bits (more on that later). With a screwdriver head, it has no problem fastening...
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Official Minecraft 12" Steve & Creeper Exclusive Head Costume Mask Set of 2

These Heads are awesome!!
My Son and everyone else who comes over loves this heads!!! They fold down for travel too...if your into Minecraft these are a hit!!
Totally Awesome!!!!
I could not be happier with these. Yes they are cardboard, but they are still really nicely done, they look perfect...I could not do this on my own. There is a cardboard insert that fits your head inside so it stays in place really well and you can actually see where you are going. We have had these on every one from 5 yrs old to 65 yrs old so far and everybody's had a good time digging! I will absolutely recommend these to any fan of Minecraft.
Great gift for a 11 year old mine craft fanatic!
You must understand this is made from cardboard. It won't last forever. The price is high considering it was cardboard but I would still be willing to pay for them to see my son's happy face. They would be great for the mine con convention! Be careful when you put them together especially if you plan on putting them together and taking them apart on multiple occasions. You don't want to have to use tape. They bend easy.
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Seasons Pose-N-Stay Skeleton

Terrific Halloween prop
I got this to display for Halloween. It stands almost 6' tall and the limbs & bones are proportioned realistically. It is made of a hard plastic and painted to resemble "bone" color. The bones are attached so that the limbs can be moved at the joints, which allows you to position the skeleton in a variety of poses. All in all, a terrific purchase for a great price. The seller was also top notch, shipping it promptly and in good condition.
Scary fun!
This is one fun skeleton! The construction is nicely done and it is poseable. A great addition to our Halloween decorations.
Looks great, but it is not very posable
You get what you pay for, and this looks kinda cheap. However, it is a lot better looking than the ones you can buy from Walmart or the Halloween store. I think it is a good value for the price, but if you want something really lifelike you need to spend a couple hundred dollars. some of the joints are not glued very well, especially the ribs. but the color is good without too much gloss. (I personally don't think a skeleton should be shiny). the joints are pretty simple flexing in one direction only which makes the arms kind of useless for posing since a natural elbow and shoulder joint should rotate as well as bend. the entire abdomen is one piece so no movement there, so really you are only getting 7 or 8 points of articulation and they are pretty much unidirectional hinges.
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Minecraft Foam Sword & Pickaxe Combo Set Of 2

Always a conversation item
My son was very happy to receive this set and plays with it all the time. I was surprised at how well constructed the items are.
Minecraft accessories for Halloween
My daughter found these and wanted them to go with her Minecraft costume for Halloween. They are even nicer than we had imagined. Not for playing, but more for looks. It is dense foam with thick paper glued to outside with the design. Sort of expensive, but it is difficult to find minecraft products. She's pleased!
minecraft sword and pickax
These are a lot sturdier than I thought they would be. My son loves them! He uses them to decorate his room not to actually play with but I think they would probably hold up to moderate play.The colors and design are true to Minecraft!
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Fisher-Price Little People Fun Sounds Farm

Check the PICTURES...two different items under this listing.
Fisher Price has two farms represented here. The first has a DVD, (pic # 4) made in 2006 and contains lead in the facial paint, and does not have the 'touch and feel' feature. Now, (see pic 5 from left) the 2008 model, no lead supposedly, and has soft fur glued on the animals. Amazon sends the one from 2006 which had lead in the paint and your child will most likely put the toy in his or her mouth. Beware as neither Fisher Price or Amazon were willing to remedy the sale of this product when notified.
My 2-year old's FAVORITE TOY!
We bought this version with the touch & feel fur, we have not had the problems that other people mention. Maybe because I gave this to our daughter when she turned 2, so she doesn't put the animals in her mouth. She LOVES feeling the fur, she makes the horse's mane tickle her nose! She got so much for her birthday, and this is her favorite toy by far. She probably plays with this 90 minutes a day total. She even wants the farmer & pig to go in her crib during her nap. First thing in the morning when she wakes up she says "play farm!" I find it very durable and have not had any problems with this toy that other people mention. This is the best toy purchase I have made for her in all of her 2 years. I'm going to buy more Little People stuff for her in the future.
Disappointing
I was so excited to receive the new version (touch & feel farm) for my son's 1st birthday. We actually bought the older version, but took it back when we found out (a week later) that there was a newer version available. It was a huge disappointment. My son removes the silo faster than I can connect it back on. The animals have "fur," which I thought was a really great idea until my son started biting the hair off of the sheep. The rooster slides across the front of the barn to send the other animals down the slide, and is not removable. By opening three different barn doors you can hear a "moo", "oink", or "neigh" and place those animals inside the barn. There is a location for the sheep, and in order to hear the "baa," you push on its hay inside the stall. The only pro I can come up with is that the barn is much lighter in weight than the original. I am sorry I did not keep the original because now I cannot find it anywhere.
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Google Nexus 10 (Wi-Fi only, 16 GB)

Phenomenal consumption tablet, but bide your time and buy elsewhere!
Before beginning this review, here are products that I own that I have used for comparison (most of which I have reviewed on this site): the ASUS Transformer TF300 T-B1-BL 10.1-Inch 32 GB Tablet (Blue) with the matching ASUS Transformer Pad Mobile Dock TF300T (Blue), the Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) 3rd Generation, the Asus Google Nexus 7 Tablet (8 GB) - Quad-core Tegra 3 Processor, Android 4.1, Windows RT Surface 32 GB Tablet, the HP TouchPad Wi-Fi 32 GB 9.7-Inch Tablet Computer, and the venerable Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. I love mobile devices, and have plenty of experience with Android, iOS, Windows RT, and webOS...
Nexus 10, Best In Class? Absolutely!
Let me start by saying I have owned an iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad Mini, Asus Transformer TF300T, Sony Tablet S, Toshiba eXcite 10.1, Motorola Xoom, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10. There are different reasons I have continued looking fo the best Tablet Possible for my needs. Oh and my wife has a Samsung Ativ Smart PC Windows 8 Tablet (Great device).

BUILD QUALITY

I know a lot has been said about the quality of the materials and how it is plastic; Let me say I have seen all different builds and while the back might not be as high quality as the aluminum of the iPad, the Gorilla Glass 2 screen is miles ahead of the Apple offering and is almost completely resistant to scratching. Overall I feel that the build is very good and I like the no slip backing more than any other tablet I have used.

SCREEN QUALITY

The screen is flat out amazing! The Retina iPad has a 3 MP screen, a 1080P display is about 2 MP so, at 4 MP this screen even has your TV set beat...
Great tablet, but too many small flaws to overlook
I bought the 32G version of this tablet 6 weeks ago and have been enjoying it, for the MOST part. I will not cover anything spec-related (processor, lack of SD card slot, brilliant screen, etc) but will focus on my general user experience.

Let's start with the good. Even though there is a bit of a learning curve for 1st time Android users, multitasking and feeling in control of your experience is phenomenal. What I mean by that is you feel like you are taking the most efficient route to get to where you want to go, made possible by the multitasking button, Google Now, and the notifications bar. The tablet is also very sturdy and ergonomic and the speakers are just awesome to listen to since they're front-facing. Battery easily lasted me 2 and a half days of moderate use and no charging.

There honestly are not any huge issues with the product itself, just many little ones that accumulate and severely bring you out of the great user experience Google has provided...
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LEGO Friends Heartlake Vet 3188

Great daddy-daughter project
(Now, up front, this review discusses my experience with this set and an older-three and younger-five girl. I wouldn't recommend this set for all three-year-olds, and not for any without major assistance. If you have a kid who puts things in their mouths, it's probably not the best, due to the number of small parts.) I love Legos. As a grownup, I don't get many opportunities to work them, but my nephew (who is 10) and I have worked Legos together on Thanksgiving since he was 3. It is a tradition both of us love. This year, my 3-year-old daughter wanted in on the action, and helped us sort pieces for a huge Harry Potter set. I was thrilled when I saw that the new Lego Friends sets were coming out, as she is both math/science inclined and a girly girl, and I knew this would be a good intro to Legos for her. We received the veterinarian set as a gift. My wife, my daughter, her five-year-old cousin and I have worked on this set together over the last two nights, and it keeps the girls'...
Finally!
My 5-year old daughter and I were thrilled to hear that Lego was finally introducing a new line for her age group and were counting down the days until the launch. We went to our local Lego store today, when the doors opened, to buy our first Lego Friends set. My daughter chose the Heartlake Vet set, came home, and immediately started to build. Over the course of 4 hours, she constructed most of it herself and then enjoyed playing with it. The directions were easy for her to follow, and the process was manageable because the Legos were divided among 4 sequential bags. She seems extremely eager to play "vet" with the 2 figures and 3 animals. There are lots of fun accessories such as an x-ray machine, scale, computer, phone, pet bed, treats for the animals, exam table and instruments, and cart to transport animals. The set even includes a mail slot with a piece of mail that drops into a mailbox on the inside. So much fun!

My only complaint is that the set is very...
Perfect!
Lego hit the nail on the head with the new Friends line. Eight year old daughter is thrilled to finally have Legos that fit her interests (veterinary clinic) and sense of style (colors, flowers, butterflies, etc.). She is happily building the set now and I'm sure will have a great time playing with this. I hope Lego will eventually develop some additional career sets in addition to the ones available, but this is a great start!
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Little Tikes First Slide

Perfect slide for the perfect price.
Looking at the pictures of this slide, the plastic looks cheap and thin so I was really nervous getting it. The only reason I did is because most of the reviews are really good and there's a reason why! This slide is perfect.

The plastic is nice and the slide itself is really stable. My 17 month old can climb the ladder and walk up the slide by herself. It has not tipped once and she has a tendency to be rough. I love how long the slide is and how the bottom of the slide makes for a smooth landing.

I have no complaints. She loves it. I love it. It will last for many years and many kids. I would recommend it to anyone.
Surprisingly strong
I bought this slide for my 2-yr old niece but was surprised that my 17-yr old son could climb the steps and even slide down it. The steps are nice and wide for her to step on safely and the handle features are nice for her to hold on to. She loves to slide down, run back around and do it over and over and over. So far no problems, looks very durable and stable. Overall good toy for the price.
thought the slide would be a little higher, otherwise its fine
the slide is not quite as tall as I had hoped , otherwise its fine, was easy t o assemble and great for a small childs pool.
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Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set

4 large squares now included in the 100 piece set
We bought our 100-piece set in September, and four large squares were included. There is a review that says no large squares are included in the 100-piece set - that review is outdated.

Specifically, the set includes:
50 - 3"x3" Squares
15 - Isosceles Triangles
11 - Right Triangles
20 - Equilateral Triangles
4 - 6x6 triangles

We've had magnatiles for approximately two months now, and my daughter has played with them every day. Magna-tiles are very open-ended and can be incorporated into practically any game. Rocket ships. Parking garages for matchbox cars. Jail cells and homes for little people and weebles. My daughter constantly amazes me by what she builds.

As a parent, I really love magnatiles too. I can see educational opportunities in them from preschool to geometry. Right off, my daughter learned that two right-triangles make a square, three isosceles triangles make a trapezoid. She instantly figured out how to...
The perfect toy!
My friend had always raved about her son's magna tiles, but they seemed kind of pricey to me and I figured my kids could play with lego's or blocks, which are much less expensive.
For Hannukah this year, I decided to buy my three kids (4 1/2 year old girl and twin 2 1/2 year old boys) a set of 100 magnatiles. I was concerned that the boys wouldn't understand how to stack them up, but I was totally wrong.
I got home from work last night and my nanny and three kids were building a huge tower with the magna tiles. My nanny told me that they had played ALL DAY LONG with the magna tiles and that the kids built all sorts of things with them. I was thrilled!
They were totally worth the money - just to see my three kids sitting there all working together to build something. I highly recommend the 100 piece set. 32 pieces just isn't enough. In fact, I think we need more than 100 pieces because each of my kids wanted to build a huge Empire State Building tower!
For...
Tiles collapse easily into each other
After reading the reviews, I really thought I couldn't go wrong buying these tiles. But so far my 4 year old has no interest in them. He gave them a try, but he can't pick up the structures he builds because they immediately collapse into each other. I'm really surprised this isn't frustrating for at least some kids. But I thought I'd add my experience to the totally positive reviews just in case you think your kid might be that 1 in 100, like mine, who finds this an irritating experience.
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Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Poppity-Pop Musical Dino

Keeps my son occupied for a long time!
I just purchased this item at a local Target and I have to say, no other toy has kept my son's attention as long as this toy did. The balls pop like popcorn and the"drum" underneath it is activated to pop the balls every time something touches it. There is also a fun spinning rattle in the front that also activates the "popper." And fun music to accompany the movement. The balls can fall through a hole in the side and come out the dinosaur's mouth as well, and you can feed them into the popper with the dinosaur's tail. This is such a creative toy and also helps him with his fine motor skills as he is always trying to grasp the ball. It is also a great "cause-and-effect" toy if your baby is in that stage where he/she enjoys that kind of thing. My son is about 8 months right now and loves it! He has literally played with it for over a half hour and always goes back to it.
fabulous
Truly the best popper on the market. I bought 3 others and they either did not pop right, or it did not hold a child's interest, or the balls flew across the floor and within 5 seconds all the balls flew out and the child was no longer interested. This new product is the BEST on the market.
Bought it for my one yr old
We bought this for my son's first birthday, we thought he would LOVE it b/c it looked like a fun toy. Thing is it's kind of very loud and it scares him a little. We often have to show him it's ok to play with it before he plays with it. Once he gets comfortable with the noises it makes he will play with it for a good 30-45 mins (which is a long time for him). Now if it's turned off...it's one of his favorite toys! LOL The little balls are the perfect size for him to grasp and throw. It's great toy to teach kids cause and effect and hand/eye coordination.
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LEGO Architecture White House (21006)

White House--the best of the architecture series
Of all the architecture sets, I think this is the best. It's a bit repetitive (there are two mass-made parts which are then put on as the windows and spaces between the windows) other than that, the build is pretty fun. If you have big hands or fat fingers this set will be a challenge to build, as all the pieces are on the tiny end.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this set is the instruction booklet. In addition to building instructions, it is full of history tidbits about the whitehouse as well as photos.
If you like lego buildings, then I'd say this set is a must have for you. When finished the set is rather small, and there are no minifigs. I wouldn't recommend this for a child, the play value for them is fairly low, it has no minifigs. This set sits on a bookshelf in my place. If fifty dollars is too much for a bookend, then I would recommend a different lego set. There are plenty of others that sell for fifty which have alot more bricks and minis...
MUST BUY FOR ANY LEGO FAN, OLD OR NEW!!!!
Receiving a Lego set during the holidays or on a birthday are some of the fondest memories of my childhood. Being an avid Lego fan growing up and keeping all my original sets from throughout the 80s for my own children to play with, discovering this new series of Lego sets brought all those memories rushing back. What an original concept! It's an excellent learning experience on these modern architectural marvels. I have purchased each of these sets except for Fallingwater, the Guggenheim, and the Empire State Building but they are next on my list. The White House is an extremely satisfying build and rich with detail. With the medium of the Lego brick offering endless building possibilities, this set captures the beauty and majesty of the White House. I hope this series is successful and continues to grow with new sets! I have rediscovered a nostalgic passion from my childhood and it's a very rewarding experience. Don't hesitate to purchase this set!!!
Lego White House
I have enjoyed the entire Lego achitecture collection. It isn't just a building experience, but also an opportunity to learn. Each set comes with a beautiful book that desribes the building or monument and details the structures architecture. The White House was, of course, an honor to construct and learn about at the same time. I loved this gift. I am 13 and in middle school.
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Dominion

Best uncollectible collectable card game I've ever played
Dominion is a deceptively simple game which encompasses endless variation. The basic game contains the following major components:

1. 25 groups of action cards, victory cards, and money cards, in total over 250 cards.
2. Card storage and organizer box designed specifically for organizing the game components.
3. The Rules.

Game Play:
A game starts with each player holding an identical 10 card deck. As the game begins a group of 10 special action cards are selected from the 25 categories in the box. The rules outline specific selections for scenario play or you can design your own lay out. There is no banker or moderator; all players start entirely equal with access to the exact same cards.
During each player's turn they may take actions and purchase new cards from the communal decks. Each player has to balance the need to buy new cards and money with the purchase of victory points (which remain in the player's deck but don't help them until...
Unbelieveably Addicting Game
Ok, I have to start this review off by saying I had my reservations about this game. I absolutely love Euro strategy games like Puerto Rico, Agricola, Power Grid, Caylus, etc, but I'm not into card games. In fact, I pretty much hate card games.

This game was getting a lot of publicity on BoardGameGeek and everyone was raving about it so I decided that I should buy it to give it a shot. I'm glad I did.

The whole point of the game is to build your deck of cards and build up a collection of victory points. The reason this game shines is because it is a quick game that only takes about 30-40 minutes to play. It is also very fun because as you are building your deck of cards you aren't usually getting rid of the cards. If you spend some gold to buy a card that gold goes back into your discard pile and will eventually be shuffled for you to use again in another turn.

There are over 500 cards in this game with around 25 different action cards available so you...
Renewed family connection
In the days of technology and scheduled events we struggle to find times to connect with our children. Dominion has helped us renew that connection. My wife and I plus both our sons (age 17 & 11) LOVE playing this game together. Whether you go in with a fine tuned strategy or just "make it up as you go along" the opportunity to enjoy the game and win is presented. We love that the entire game play lasts about 30-40 minutes, we don't always have an entire day to devote to a game, but we have a half hour after dinner to enjoy the company of our kids. they will be moving out soon enough and beginning their own families. Dominion is a game that everyone wants to set aside what they are doing and play together. When was the last time your kids begged to play a game with Mom and Dad?
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Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace

A Video Review of the Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace

We've got a winner!
My hubby and I bought this palace, the additional princess dolls (set of 6 sold at Target) and the additional sets with the princes (sea carriage with Ariel and Eric is adorable!) all for our 2 year olds birthday. We opened the palace and she has not stopped playing with it since. This has become a toy that gets played with every single day. Our 5 year old loves it, too! This castle is a HUGE hit in our house. It has so many cute phrases and song clips from each of the princess movies. When you place the dolls on the center circle of the dance floor, each princess introduces herself, says a few character phrases and then sings a song clip from her movie. Our girls adore this feature. Our two year old claps in excitement and dances along with the songs. It's so cute. The palace also encourages the girls to be creative and use their imagination while playing. It came in a few easy to screw in and snap together pieces. You will need a small Phillips head screw driver to assemble some of...
Exciting for Kids, Less Excited Parent
I was so excited to get this for our 3-year old who LOVES Little People but have a mixed experience with it.

I can totally see how as a kid, this toy would be AMAZING.

As a parent, however, I have had some frustrations:
1. The first castle we bought only recognized some of the princesses - Cinderella thought she was Rapunzel and we couldn't even get Tiana or Sleeping Beauty to work at all (from the expansion pack). I would imagine this is a fluke, but we had to get right back in the car and return it (bought at Target for less than this Amazon price). The good news is they accepted it fully put together as defective, but I would definitely suggest testing the base before putting the whole thing together.
2. Speaking of assembly, you absolutely must have very skinny Phillips Head -- we had a heck of time getting a screw driver tiny enough and long enough for some of the screws/pieces and you have to be very careful not to strip them in the process...
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LEGO Friends Downtown Bakery

A Fun LEGO Friends Bakery Set!
Our daughter loves LEGO Friends. She first saw them at a friends house and was instantly obsessed with them. We purchased the "Olivia's Tree House" Set for her for Christmas and it was a big hit. Since then, we have purchased several additional sets for her collection.

The LEGO Friends Downtown Bakery Play Set comes with 253 pieces. It includes two characters (Mia and Danielle). It is a bakery store front with a sign and awning. The back side is open so that you can play on the inside of the store. It has a free-standing oven and baked goods display case. It also comes with a lot of little accessories and features that offers a lot of playability. It has lots of baked goods (cakes, pretzel, cookies, croissant, bread) along with cooking utensils, a cash register, display stands and even a fire hydrant on the outside to add a little touch of detail. It is a really fun set with a lot of pieces to let your child's imagination run wild. The instructions are very detailed...
Good price & good Quality. Days and weeks of fun for my daughter.
I gave this set to my daughter for her birthday. She loved it and she had so much fun for weeks.
Girls love Lego too...
Girls love Lego too! LEGO Friends Downtown Bakery, well, all Lego Friends, are girly girl's best friend. They can build it and play "doll" afterward with their Lego-friends.
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ASUS Nexus 7 (7-Inch, 32GB) Tablet (2012)

Nexus 7 Updated
Updated News as of July 24th 2013:

Google has released specifications for the Second Generation Nexus 7 with the release date on July 30th 2013. Resolution has been bumped up to 1920x1200 (323 PPI!), a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 (sorry, no S8) quad core processor clocking in at 1.5 GHz (vs the 1.3 Tegra 3 on the First Gen Nexus), 2 gigs of RAM, 4 times as powerful graphics chip, and a 5 megapixel back camera. Cnet is reporting that the Second Gen will have HDMI out capabilities from its micro usb port, thus implying the MHL protocols which were missing on the first generation are enabled on the Second Gen thus letting you plug your tablet into your TV to watch movies. The tablet is a bit lighter and a bit thinner than the first generation as well. Also ships with Android 4.3, the newest version. The dimpled back that so many people loved is gone replaced with a smooth surface. Still no Gorilla Glass, but now includes Dual Band Wifi and stereo speakers. Battery capacity...
Excellent tablet for a reasonable price
Update:
---------
Google just announced a newer version of Nexus 7, making this product obsolete. Some of the highlights are -
- A nice bump in the screen resolution - 1920 X 1200 (323 ppi)
- A 5 MP rear facing camera
- Ships with Android 4.3, which has a restricted profile feature that can be used to block in-app purchases and limit access to content.
- The usual improvements in processor, memory, weight, speakers, wireless, etc. You can find the details on the official website for Nexus 7.
- The 32 GB model is $269 now. $20 extra for the new model is well worth it, in my opinion.

Full Disclosure:
-----------------
Let me state upfront that in the last 3 years, my wife and I have purchased 4 iPhones, 4 iPads, 1 Mac Mini, 1 Apple TV and 2 Macbook Airs for ourselves and extended members of the family. I cannot review this product without comparing it to the iPad 2, which I've been using for the last year and a half...
Cream of the crop.
Fist off this is not an Amazon purchase. Sorry Amazon, but it was cheaper at my local department store. Second, I will not compare this android tab to a ipad!!! Thats just stupid, IMO. Oranges and apples. One thing is all apple stuff cost more for comparable products. I dont buy over priced apple products.

Ok as for the Android tabs, this one is a winner. The new processor is lightening fast!!! I multitasked, played Netflix, and loaded the thing and its speed held great. Its touch is very responsive. Its res is great too. For the buck, 249, at most department stores and electronic stores, it beats the competitors. The only way to get better is to pay more.

There is no expansion slot but with 32 gigs its not really needed. You can Mini-USB it to pc for file transfer with no prob.

It rotates to landscape with no need for an app.

Jelly bean is a winner and all new Androids have it so that doesn't need a review. The tablet is made well. It...
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Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy

Cloverfield review for the Laugh and Learn

Cute and baby loves the puppy but a little stiff
We bought this as our 9 month old son is "cruising" and seemed ready for a walker like this. He loves the Fisher Price Puppy and this seemed really cute, albeit pricey.

This puppy has a lot going on. There is the walker aspect, and when pushed puppy tilts his head and sings/says phrases. There is a little storage area with shapes and shape cut-outs on puppy's side. There are also buttons that make puppy speak or sing on his collar and on his nose. And finally there is the ride-on part for older children. There are several different settings for what you want puppy to say you can switch it to "educational" "imagination" etc. so it's a pretty good variety of sounds and phrases- you can make puppy really interactive or not so much depending on your preference and your child's age.

Our son loves the puppy- the first thing he does every morning is crawl over to press the nose which makes the puppy say various phrases. He hasn't quite figured out the three...
Stride to Ride Puppy "knocked it out of the park" for me!
I gave this toy to my 2 1/2 year old niece. I didn't realize that it came unassembled, but her mom put it together in less than five minutes with a screw driver and the four to six screws included.

My niece was on the "doggy" and scooting around the house laughing at the doggie's head turning and music playing (or alphabet being sung). Three blocks are included and the puppy can "eat" them or the child can put them in the appropriate sized holes in the puppy's left side and then retrieve them from the opening on the right side.

The sounds are not overly loud, so this isn't going to be a nuisance for the parents.

The giggles and repeating what the doggie says proved to be delightful for the family gathered around.

I really knocked one out of the park with this birthday gift!
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Nerf Rebelle Heartbreaker Bow (Vine Design)

Loving the Heartbreaker Bow
We received the Heartbreaker bow last week as a part of a prerelease bzzagent campaign. I did this get free, but the opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

We love NERF products in our house. With 2 boys and a girl, we have had many NERF wars in the past 10 years. The Heartbreaker bow is a nice addition to the line of NERF products. By decorating the bow with the pretty pinks and purples, it appeals to the girls, but it is a formidable weapon in the backyard NERF wars that we regularly enjoy.

At first my daughter didn't shoot the bullets very far. Then she realized that when she pulled back a little more and aimed a little higher, that the ammo could shoot halfway across our yard. This was easy to shoot and surprised us that it really worked.

Since safety is a #1 priority when using NERF products, we always insist the kid wear safety glasses.

The special Rebelle ammo fits in all of our NERF guns as well as...
Finally a Nerf Girls Line!
First off, I received this product to review (well, for my daughter to) through BzzAgent. Now that I have that disclaimer out of the way, I think it is great that Nerf is finally getting girly colors! What took so long?? The design and colors are quite appealing to my girly-girl daughter. I am a big fan of pink myself, so I love it too.

My kids have done archery before and have their own bow and arrows and target practice area in the yard, so they are used to having to pull really hard to release the arrow. That said, they find the Nerf Bow pretty weak and are a little disappointed that the dart only goes a few feet. I think they may be afraid of breaking it if they pull on it too hard. It does feel a little on the fragile side if you pull the bow back too hard. They have also had problems where if the dart is not situated just so, it won't launch it at all when shot. That can be annoying for them too, but after they take the dart out and re-load it, it usually...
Great value and loads of fun with just a little hitch
Great value and loads of fun with just a little hitch. My kids love this bow and the Rebelle themed dart items which in my opinion is a huge marketing and product success for Nerf. Outstanding except for one little hitch: it's hard to determine the suggested pull/draw length for success. Seems it has to be pulled until the little green tab in buried in the bow along the puller string becomes visible but I don't know if that's drawing too far and promoting its breakage (which hasn't happened yet). Still, great product.
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FurReal Friends Cuddles My Giggly Monkey Pet

Can we get a toy Diddy Kong like this?
FurReal toys always creeped me out. I still remember seeing the duck a couple of years ago at the store and stopping dead in my tracks when I saw it "come to life". Good lord, I can remember it clearly even today. The line has stepped their game up though with this, Cuddles the monkey. It doesn't make me feel much better than the duck did, but Cuddles at least has some better interactions than that thing ever did. My daughter initially laughed at pictures of Cuddles for the same reason I did- she looks kinda freaky! Opening the box and taking her out without any batteries, she still looks really weird. However, once she's activated and does things, Cuddles is a very cute toy that's sure to be a favorite for most kids who love stuffed animals or taking care of things.

Cuddles lives up to her name big time- she's incredibly soft and cuddly despite having the mechanical parts inside. She has multiple sensors that allow her to respond to your touch, like patting her head so...
A Cute Little Monkey You Can Hold In Your Hand And Pet!
My whole family - Mom, Daddy, 16 year old, and 8 year old - has a thing about monkeys. For whatever reason, we just love 'em. So when the opportunity to own this adorable FURREAL FRIENDS CUDDLES MY GIGGLY MONKEY PET, I jumped at the chance.

CUDDLES is completely fun and adorable. My 8 year old just LOVES her, she is a guilty please for the 16 year old, and she makes my husband smile. Even I have to admit that CUDDLES is absolutely charming. She is about the size of a real baby, which makes you want to give her all kinds of love and hugs, and her movements and sounds are incredibly life-like. This little monkey girl snuggles and giggles, plays, nurses on her banana bottle, falls asleep when rocked, and, I swear, makes eye contact. As I said, CUDDLES is an incredibly life-like toy. Additionally, she is well made, durable, soft, pleasantly weighted (not flimsy), and totally endearing. I predict that, other than frequent battery replacement, she will last a long...
Encourages Nurturing!
This little monkey has brought out the nurturing side of my 4 year old daughter. It is her little baby now. She carries it everywhere and lights up at the responses the monkey gives to her interaction. She changes its diaper, feeds it and puts it to bed. She enjoys that she can pretend to be a mommy with this interactive toy. Plus, she's always wanted a monkey for a pet. This is as close as she's going to get while living with her parents! An excellent toy.
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LEGO Coast Guard Patrol

Pretty awesome Lego set
This ship is much bigger than I expected. My 7 YO son had the whole set built in a short period of time, I think less than 2 hours. It has lots of fun stuff to do, a submarine, a helicopter, the ship, a lighthouse, and a separate raft. He brings everything into the bathtub of course, which this set is designed for.

On this hull, unlike the smaller fire boat, there seems to be a little spot to connect a water proof enclosed motor.

I wish Lego will continue to build these larger ships. A ferry that the Lego cars can drive onto would be fun. Like the ferries in Staten Island or Seattle.
Larger than you think and excellent for play value...just a little spend
Most look at Lego value regarding the average amount per piece being below or above 10 cents. With a retail of $79 and a piece count of 449 this baby comes in at a robust 17.5 cents per piece. This is daunting at first glance however I have seen consistently that Lego will price according to the size of large pieces that are included in each set. Note that the Coast Guard Ship itself is one big piece (as are all Lego ships) molded together that then has the bridge and other pieces attached to it. Due to the hulking nature of that piece as well as the molded raft, the value is solid, although not spectacular.

Every Lego build is unique and fun in its own way and this one is no different. The first bag is the pontoon helicopter which is straight forward and has solid playability with the 2 rotor blades and the hatch that opens and hinges easily to take the minifig in and out. There is also a small rotor on the rear. Next comes the Submersible which is small but unique...
Best birthday present ever, grandma!
Anything that can keep an active six-year old boy engrossed for hours of quiet play is worth its weight in gold!
The Lego Coast Guard Patrol gets five stars for doing that! It is a wonderful hands-on activity that can be enjoyed
alone or with friends, sibs, or parent. Fun and educational, too.
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Furby Boom Figure (Polka Dots)

Furby Boom: Feed me,feed me
It's lovable. My kid loves it. Likes the color and how it speaks. Have Furby and Party Rockers. Above our expectations.I love when this Furby says "feed me, feed me"
Fun toy
The chilrem loved it. They are having só much fun...very cool and pretty....... My children are enjoying and living it
Excellent product.
Received furby boom (polka dots) this morning. Very nice color .... hot pink. My daughter adores it. I would highly recommend it.
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Fisher-Price Octonauts Octopod Playset

Great toy, a bit pricy
This is a really great toy and the kids love it. The characters included are the most popular and they play with it all the time. I didn't buy it from this seller but considering if the seller is stateside then you can get this shipped from the UK cheaper which is surprising. It comes down to supply and demand and they aren't making this in the U.S. right now. If you can, wait until it is made in the states.
Toy now lauched in US - Don't over pay
We bought this at Christmas 2012 for our daughter and she loves it. We paid the $89 but now this toy is launched in US and available for MUCH less. We don't regret getting it for her because she loved it and it made her Christmas. However, now we can get her the entire line for the price of this one item!
Biggest Hit!
My son's favorite show is the Octonauts on the Disney channel. Of course for some reason the US has not figured out they could make a lot of money selling these toys, so the only place you can find these cute little figures is overseas. I've bought most of this set from this seller and I have to say I am very impressed with the turn around time. Even though shipping estimates were 1 month or more - I recieved this Octopod overnight. I ordered it on a Saturday and recieved it on Monday! WOW! Some even faster than things I ordered in the US! The price is expensive, but given that the only place you can buy these products is from the UK, I understand. I saw that the price changed a bit on this (as most do on amazon) and watched this product to see if I could get it for the cheapest I could, yes it is still expensive, but when all my son asked for was the Octopod I was willing to pay the high price tag to get this shipped from the US. Toy Crazes is forever in my debt that they...
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LEGO Bricks & More Deluxe Brick Box #5508 (704 pieces)

Best decision I've made in a while
My son has spatial dyslexia and enjoys building with legos. He really likes to get the sets, but I find that I do most of the building and he does most of the fretting because he can't see what he needs to do.

So I skipped the sets for Christmas and bought him two large sets of just legos. He opened them and shrugged. We moved them into a large flat rectangular rubbermaid tote and his eyes gleamed. He went onto the sun porch on the wood floor, and went to building. He built cars, rockets, planes, houses and forts for four hours. Add a few minifigures to his lego bucket and I have one contented kid.

This was a terrific decision. Since then friends and family have seen the buckets of legos and have opted for the free play lego sets. It really is worth it. The sets are magnificent, but if your child is like mine and won't dismantle a made lego set this is a great way to put the creative play back in the mix.

My son is 9.
Good, simple fun
My three boys (4, 5, 8) have been playing with my old Lego collection for quite some time. I had a lot of pieces, but many of them are specialty pieces that are hard to integrate in simple, every day play. Also, most of the directions to my sets have disappeared over the years.

I purchased this tub (along with LEGO

Power Wheels 12-Volt Rechargeable Battery

Batteries work fine
The battery will work fine for 2-3 seasons provided you keep it charged.
My kids have enjoyed these for years, A new battery will last most of the day, and I do have hills. By the third season the charge won't hold very long.

The quickest way to ruin lead-acid batteries is to discharge them deeply and leave them stand "dead" for an extended period of time. When they discharge, there is a chemical change in the positive plates of the battery. They change from lead oxide when charged to lead sulfate when discharged. If they remain in the lead sulfate state for a few days, some part of the plate does not return to lead oxide when the battery is recharged. If the battery remains discharged longer, a greater amount of the positive plate will remain lead sulfate. The parts of the plates that become "sulfated" no longer store energy. Batteries that are deeply discharged, and then charged partially on a regular basis can fail in less than one year.
I should have listened to the feedback and not bought it
THIS WAS A BUST. I purchased this to replace the original battery that came with my daughter's Barbie Jeep. The original battery lasted about 3 years and worked very well before running out of juice. I read several reviews that concerned me saying that the replacement battery went dead very very quickly. Well, that's exactly what happened to me . . . I read and followed the instructions closely, in terms of how long to charge initially, and then subsequent charging as well. We got about 3 charges out of it, and that's it. I ended up throwing away the Jeep, and I'm taking this battery and the original battery to the dump, where they have a station to recycle old batteries. Amazon cannot take this product back . . since it is a hazardous material (acid), but, kudos to them, they credited me the purchase right away. I don't know what to tell you on this one . . . it could be the batteries they have are old shelf batteries; it could be something wrong with our Jeep itself...
Does what it is supposed to
There is nothing like a new battery :o) Last summer we bought a power wheels at a garage sale and let the kids drive it on the original battery. It never lasted long. Now it is the vehicle that my three kids fight for...of the 2 power wheels we own, it has the most power and lasts the longest. We like the product and had never had a problem with it - as long as you follow the instructions for charging (i.e. always fully charge the battery for 18 hours before its first use, make sure it gets fully charged after every other use, etc.) We were able to get the best price for this from Amazon...good deal!
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Minecraft Think Geek Wall Torch by Think Geek

Love it
This item is great! Its very bright for such a small light. And i love the option to be able to put it on the wall, just like in the game!

I would recomend this for any Minecraft fan
Fabulous
Very useful for stopping Monsters from spawning in my apartment. Also useful to avoid stubbing my toe in the middle of the night.
My boyfriend sure likes it!
We both play Minecraft, so I thought this would be a cute gift to my boyfriend. It's a good size and it works, but the little screw that opens the battery compartment was stripped already when he went to open it... Anyway, he was able to get the batteries in and hang it on his wall, and it's cute! It's not too bright, but hey, it is just a wall torch ;) The only other thing I have to say is that the box arrived a bit damaged and some of the paint on the part that lights up had some small chips in some places. If you're looking for a collectable, maybe try buying it directly from ThinkGeek.
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LEGO Super Heroes Iron Man Malibu Mansion Attack (76007)

Great!
Came as good as it was first made! Price was super good and look forward to more purchases. Great Buy!
Lovely set
Small, but really nice to build. I recommend it for ironman and lego lovers.

I think it might become collectible.
Fun set
I really like the the detail with the stickers. It really made the set Very cool and unique. This is a set that would look great in any collection
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Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym

so cute!
i love this! unlike a lot of gyms it doesnt have obnoxious music, jangly noises, flashing lights, or any of the other things that often annoy me in baby-entertaining items.
there are nice surprises in the mat-- crinkly sounding leaves, a soft kind of velour-ish leaf, a flower that squeaks if you press on it, a mirror in the trunk of the tree (very nice for tummy time!)
the hanging toys seem pretty high quality, and are very cute! the owl makes a chiming noise and the apple is velvety to touch and has a mirror in it. my son also seems to like the pillow that comes with it, especially for tummy time.
the only thing i wish was different was the thickness-- i would like a little more cushion in it.
Best looking activity gym.
I picked this activity gym over the hundreds available on the market mainly because Amazon states under its material type as cotton. I really try to avoid purchasing baby products that are polyester. When I received it, it's 100% polyester, which is why I took two stars off. But I kept it because out of all the activity gyms out there, I think this is the one that is the least of an eyesore in my living room. My daughter absolutely loves laying on this and staring at the animals. She actually did her "tummy time" the longest she's ever done with this. It gives me 20 to 30 minutes a day to get things done and she even fell asleep on it once. Overall, I think when it comes to picking activity gyms, it's more the parent's preference than the baby's. Babies aren't too picky about how things are designed and can be amused by the simplest things. Parents like to "overstimulate" their babies with the toys that light up and play music and it's really not necessary to keep a baby...
Love It
I love this activity mat. It is so cute and modern. The baby loves it and it looks good in my house; it's not to crazy colored for my taste. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because you can't fold it up. I had the Fisher Price Jungle one and you could fold up the bars so it wasn't open, and easy to store. This one, if I have to put it away for any reason, I would have to take it apart. It is easy to do so, but kind of a pain in the butt.
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Minecraft Foam Sword

[insert review title]
Ha, well first of all I have to say that this sword was a lot bigger than I expected! It's great. It's really durable. I like how it's hard foam not like those NERF swords. This is a must have for any Minecraft fan young and old.
Awesome!!!
This item is really great! It looks just like the one from the game and has more foam than the pick axe. i recommend this item to anyone who loves minecraft! It is very durable as well. When mine came in the order it had to black spots on it so beware of that. I got two they were so awesome!!!
My son grandson is thrilled
I could only purchase one present for my grandson this year due to lack of funds. I decided on this sword and the other presents he opened laid by the wayside after he saw this sword. He slept with it that night.
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Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster

Better living through superior firepower
My wife and I have two young nieces and a nephew who stay with us on weekends when their parents need a break. It's fun for everyone, but the kids all have their own Nerf weaponry, and I got tired of being their prime target, so a couple of years ago, I got my own Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS, and we've had some nice little wars in the yard (my wife won't let us play inside unless it's raining). But with three of them, I was still outgunned. Until I got the Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster, that is. With the longer range and superior rate of fire, those poor kids will never know what hit them. I'll make mincemeat of them.

But just how good is the CS-18? I'd say pretty doggone good. First and obvious, the transparent magazine is a real plus, letting you see exactly how many rounds you have left. And it doesn't take long to empty the clip. The rate of fire is noticeably higher than my Stampede ECS, thanks to the motorized flywheel drive that speeds up the firing mechanism. I...
A fun Nerf rifle that needs C batteries to operate.
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster Rifle is a fun toy. If you love the Nerf rifles and pistols then you will want to add this one into your collection. The CS-18 Blaster Rifle is a whole lot of fun but before the fun starts get a four pack of C batteries. Unlike the other models, this one doesn't need any pumping to shoot. Also included is eighteen Nerf bullets and a detachable clip. The rifle has a safety mode that you will need to press in order to get automatic mode. Once you have the batteries in that's when the fun begins.
Another Level of Nerf
As part of the Nerf N-Strike Elite series, the Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster is a more sophisticated gun than the older ones that my teen has owned in the past. We thought his Nerf days were long gone...That was the case, until he saw this one.

Upon first opening the box, my son immediately identifies the pixel texture that is imprinted on most of the blue plastic. This pattern echoes the digital camouflage that you find on the newer US military uniforms/gear. That, along with the extended clip and hefty feel/weight of the gun give the Rapidstrike a more realistic and rugged style.

The overall look is more of a colorful assault rifle rather than a mere toy, making this a great choice for some serious creative play.

The Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster appears to be extremely well made, with one possible exception: the wire mechanism inside of the see-through clip. Ideally, it would have been reassuring to see a heavier gauge spring used for the critical task of...
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LEGO Star Wars 75023 Advent Calendar

254 pices of pure fun! (The Force is strong with this one.)
Received my 2013 Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar the other day, and thought I'd put together a quick review for those who might also be considering getting one. As with the previous Lego Star Wars Advent Calendars, one of the best parts about this one is that it included NINE mini figures (including the EXCLUSIVE Santa Jango Fett figure). In addition to this exclusive figure you get, Young Boba Fett (nice that they kept the family together for the holidays!), Scout Trooper, R5-F7, Rebel Commando, Clone Trooper, Battle Droid, Geonosian Pilot, and FA-4. I'm a big fan and avid collector of Lego Star Wars Mini Figures, so it's great to see so many figures again. And, I think they did a nice mix of original trilogy and prequel (though I always prefer more original trilogy when possible).

You also get some new and nice new ships etc. from both the original trilogy and the prequel. I'm always amazed how they can make some of these ships/items look so good using so few small...
Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
Always a favorite for my 14 year old son! The one present he knows he'll love for sure! I recommend to any child an advent Lego for the month of December.
Annual Advent Calendar
Everyone in the family enjoys our Christmas countdown as Little Buddy daily opens up another door of his Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar. :)
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Girl's Playhouse Pink Princess Castle Play Tent for Kids - Indoor / Outdoor - Pockos

Good Value -- especially compared to what's out there
As the mom of three kids, I have seen my fair share of play tents. Most are a big pain to set-up, and some rip easily (paper-like fabric). This tent is made of nylon-like tent fabric. Not the strongest material in the world, but just fine for what it is intended for. It also sets up very easily. Comparing it to the $50 princess tent that wouldn't stand up straignt, and had no sides or bottom, I'd have to say this is an excellant value, and very cute. Sans the frills -- i.e. no blinking lights like the princess tent, but we put our own blinking flashlight inside for a cool disco effect.

A number of other reviewers said that the pole holes were sewn shut. I must admit that I fell under the of power of suggestion. When first setting up the tent, I too thought the holes were sewn shut. However, my husband very quickly saw that the slit in the pockets were mid-way down the felt rectangle -- exactly where they should be, so that there is a "pocket" of felt surrounding...
Very cute with caution
Please be very careful with this product. I absolutely like it. Cute and fun, plenty of room for a 5'10" mommy, two twin 1 yr olds, and a couple stuffed animals, BUT it has been packed away until we are older.
The castle can tip and roll over, though not as easily as another product that we own. This did cause a rip in the tent material where the pocket of the pole is connected. Also, I would have LOVED the tent IF the support poles were completely concealed in a slip pocket all the way up. I do understand that the product is rated for a three year old. PLEASE DO NOT use this for a younger child. True there are no parts to choke on but here is why: My child (either in rolling the castle or by pulling directly on the obvious black pole) pulled the pole from it's pocket. The elastic pole instantly wrapped around her throat very tightly and I had difficulty unwrapping it. Freak accident? Maybe, but this is not for unsupervised play. The castle (that was fun while it...
Girls Princess Tent
I purchased this tent for my nieces for Christmas. We assembled it right after they opened it on Christmas day. The initial set up took longer than I expected, but after that we were able to put it together fairly quickly. This tent gave them plenty of room for play, as a matter of fact at one point there were at least four children inside of it. Later there was plenty of room for two children and a small rocking chair. I love this tent, it's very cute! It also seems pretty durable. I would definitely recommend this tent to others.
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Disney Sofia The First Talking Sofia and Animal Friends

A Video Review of Sofia the First Talking Sofia and Animal Friends

So cute
What can you say, she is adorable ! I was a gift for my niece. She loved her and I haven't received any complaints.
Cute Sofia Doll
Sofia is a large doll that includes three of her animal friends. My daughter is a HUGE Sofia fan and she received this doll as a gift. Sofia is accurate in her appearance and voice. She works as she is suppose to and interacts with her three friends through conversations. My daughter likes to play with the doll and friends seperately and doesn't really use the interaction feature. All parts are large enough that you don't have to worry about choking. A concern of mind since I have another child under one years old in the house. Overall a great doll for Sofia fans. I do think it is overpriced for what it is, but if you can get it on sale then it is totally worth it!
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LEGO Friends Heartlake City Pool 41008

A Fun and Big LEGO Friends Set with a Swimming Pool Theme!
Our 5 year old daughter loves Lego Friends. She first saw them at a friends house and was instantly obsessed with them. We purchased a set for Christmas and it was a big hit. We decided to add this set to expand her collection and she loves it.

The LEGO Friends Heartlake City Pool Play Set comes with a big 423 pieces. It includes the Andrea and Isabella characters. It comes with everything you could imagine you would need at the pool. It has a winding water slide, a hottub, a changing room, and a bar for refreshments. It also comes with plenty of accessories for the pool including tables and beach chairs for lounging and fun pool games like a basketball net. It is a really nice and big set with a lot of pieces to let your child's imagination run wild. The instructions are very detailed and easy to follow for a 5 year old. The recommended age is 6-12, but a 5 year old will only need minimal help with it.

One point of caution. I have found that the average per...
Another Lego hit!
Over the past year, we have bought several Lego Friends sets for our 5 yr old daughter. She loves them!
They are colorful, tailored toward girls, and have a lot to play with, similar to doll houses.

I always viewed Legos as more of a boys toy, but these help bridge that gap, making the sets appealing to girls as well. I can see my daughter studying the instructions and thinking how the pieces are supposed to go together. A few weeks later when she has tired of playing with it, the set gets taken apart and she makes something of her own creation.

For our small house, these Lego sets make great sense because they don't take up a lot of room when taken apart, but allow for more fun with less toys because they can become so many things! I personally have not come across a Lego set that wasn't fun to build and play with, nor have I got rid of any. They last well and just get past along, eventually coming back to your kids.
Great quality toy
My granddaughter loved this! She now wants all the other sets! And this grandmother will probably see that she gets them!
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Playskool Heroes Transformers Rescue Bots Energize Chase the Police-Bot Figure

we love the rescue bots!
we were happy with the original line that this line replaced. these come with an extra little doo-dad and the kids love it! we love this line b/c both the 3 and 5 yr olds are happy with it. no funky transforming parts that fall off, works everytime and makes transforming easy. the kids add their own sound effects...it is so cute!
Thank You Playskool!
Thank you Playskool! This is a transformer that doesn't require an engineering degree to "transform".....great for little hands and for the sanity of parents and grandparents.
My son loves it
This was easy to get, availability in stores sporadic, being a Prime customer got it fast, my son loves it.
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