Rave & Review

Spy Tec Inventio HD 720P video recording sunglasses {Review}

by Tyler, editor and reviewer

Even from a young age, I was obsessed with spy technology.  I used to stay up at night thinking of how cool it would be if cameras could fit in the palm of your hand, if fingerprint scanners could lock your valuables or if Hollywood’s technology would ever be a reality.  Unfortunately, I was clearly born a few decades too soon, because it’s only now that technology is catching up with my imagination.

For instance these, which are the ultimate in spy high-tech gear.  Forget cameras that fit in your palm, the Spy Tec Inventio HD is a camera you wear on the bridge of your nose.  You can bet we were thrilled when we heard we would get to test these babies out this spring to see if my childhood dreams really had come true.

While I’m past the age of dreaming of espionage and covert operations, I still think these are pretty darn awesome for all sorts of applications.  From recording fast moving sports and action shots hands-free, to capturing your perspective on the world, the Spy Tec glasses offer an unobtrusive way to record just about anything.

While I could go on and on about how fun it would be to pop these on and go for a bike ride or hike, my favorite thing about the glasses has nothing to do with sports or spying – it has to do with kids.  We all know kids freeze up as soon as you pull out your camera and start filming, so I love that the Spy Tec glasses are so discreet that they have no idea when you’re filming and when you’re not.  This means you’re more likely to catch that amazing trick they do, the funny pronunciation, or simply them just being them. 

We also like to let our kids wear the glasses to film and let them record the world as they see it.  Instead of worrying about what buttons they will press or whether they will drop the video camera on its lens, we can put the Spy Tec glasses right on the kids {use the included sunglasses neck strap if you are worried they might fall off} and let them make art all by themselves. 

Sure, they are tiny and great for kids, but I bet you’re wondering what kind of quality a “spy camera” could possibly be.  The answer is that it’s better than what you might think.  While some fast-moving  shots may produce videos that shake the entire time or be completely unwatchable, normal movements like walking or turning your head produce nice clear shots just like a regular video camera.  

And, at 720P, the videos are a nice clear HD quality image, which makes it perfect for YouTube, watching on your TV, or making high quality videos.  While it’s not IMAX quality, or DSLR quality, it does better than most point-and-shoot video cams we’ve tried, and is far more portable and unobtrusive. 

This was a big issue for me as I’m constantly feeling very removed from the action when I’m behind my camera, and then am stuck holding it all day long, even when I’m done filming.  With the Spy Tec glasses I can simply wear them like normal sunglasses {which I always have with me} and hit record when something exciting happens.  Then, when the sun goes down and I don’t need sunglasses, I merely pop them into their included case.

The sound quality is also decent and does a good job of picking up voices and environment sounds.  Naturally, your voice will be the loudest sound if you speak at all, due to the proximity to the microphone, so you really don’t need to speak loud at all to be heard.

Of course, every technology has its drawbacks, and the fact that this video cam fits on your face means it doesn’t have many bells and whistles built into the camera itself.  No LCD screen, no menu, and no special effects, but none of these things would be worth sacrificing how small the glasses are, so I say it’s well worth it. 

Some things did take a little getting used to, like the fact that you have to take them off your face to see if they are recording, the way that the angle of the lens is a bit above where your eye is looking so you need to compensate a bit while filming up close, that you can’t really “compose” your image the way you can with a traditional video camera and the fact that you can’t see what you recorded until you connect it to your computer. 

You also need to take into account that some fast-moving  shots may produce videos that shake the entire time or be completely unwatchable, depending on camera movement.  Even walking or turning your head too fast can produce dizzying videos if you're not fully aware of your movements, so I have to remind myself to move more slowly while wearing them.

But, the biggest issue we found with not having an LCD screen or menu option is that you don’t know when you are out of memory or out of battery.  We had a whole day of thinking we were recording only to find that my daughter had used all the memory taking videos of what we can only imagine is the inside of her purse.  As for the battery, we found that thankfully it lasts about 2 hours of recording before needing to be charged, so we just charge it up when we’ve been filming a lot and we actually haven’t had it run down on us yet. 

Speaking of recording all day long, I love that the Inventio-HD automagically separates long videos into 1.2GB {which is approximately 15 minutes} increments for you.  Having smaller chunks of footage makes it much easier to find specific moments you've shot later as well as for editing purposes if you're making compilations.  While making our video I was very grateful to have smaller clips to work with instead of 1-2 hours videos to wade through. 

The Spy Tec Inventio HD sunglasses come with nice polarized lenses straight out of the package, but I love that you can also buy replacement lenses, mirrored lenses or even clear lenses for $12 apiece.  Depending on what you are filming or what activities you have in store, having different lens options is a big plus to me, especially since changing out the lenses makes it possible to film indoors as well. 

Here's the rundown on the Spy Tec Inventio HD video recording sunglasses:

• 720P HD video and audio recording 
• 16-bit digital audio recording 
• Cables included to connect to computer or TV
• Battery life of 2 hours
• 8GB of Class 10 internal memory
• Compatible with PC and Mac computers
• Includes 1 year warranty
• Bonus carrying case, cleaning cloth, and neck strap included

If you’re looking for an easy way to record everything from a helicopter ride to a walk through your favorite spot, from action shots to catching your grandma sweetly singing a lullaby while rocking your baby, the Spy Tec glasses are a great purchase.  They retail for $129.95 and can be purchased at SpyTecInc.com

Want to see the Spy Tec Inventio HD sunglasses in action?  Check out our video showing our favorite uses. 

A big thank you to Spy Tec for providing the Inventio HD sunglasses to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions remain 100% ours.

4 strollers in one with the Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight {Review}

You know when you get something that just clicks so well that you wonder how you ever did without?  That was the exact way I felt when the Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight arrived for review.  As slim as a single stroller and more versatile than any of our other double strollers we’ve ever used, the Joovy stroller filled a need for us in a very big way.

They say the Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight stand-on tandem stroller is like two strollers in one, but I would argue it’s more like 5 strollers in one.  You can use it from birth with the car seat adaptor and you can use it for multiple kids in multiple different configurations.  Back to back, front to back, standing in back, or multiple configurations with the baby seat adaptor, the Caboose Too Ultralight is as versatile as parents need to be when caring for more than one stroller-age child. 

Seriously, just look at all the ways you can use this stroller with just a few minor adjustments and no extra seat or accessories to buy.

But, not only is it a parent pick because of all the ways it grows with your kids – throughout the day and throughout the years – it’s also a huge hit with the kiddos.  The first thing the kids said when they saw the stroller assembled was “it’s a stroller train!” {mind you, this was before they knew the name of the stroller and the Caboose reference}. 

Apparently, the fact that it reminded them of a train makes it the coolest stroller, ever.   

At first I was a bit worried neither child would want the back seat when it was in front to back mode because the back seat is harder to get in and out, doesn’t have a snack tray, and has less visibility.  But, it turns out, they both prefer that seat.  They both call dibs on the back seat or “caboose” of the stroller like one would call shotgun, and they don't honor "spot back" should the seat be vacated for more than a moment. 

But, no matter what seat they are sitting in, both kiddos adore this stroller.  So much so that when we went on a recent family vacation, the first thing they made sure I packed was the "choo choo stroller" before we left the house.  Not games, not snacks, not their special toys or blankets - they didn't want to leave until they made sure I was bringing their beloved stroller on vacation with us.  Which, of course, I was. 

During the last few weeks that we've been testing out the stroller we have taken it on two vacations and numerous mini-road trips to two different islands, to the windy Washington coast, to the local tulip festival, to the mall... twice, and around town nearly every single day.  It has seen dirt, rain, mud, sand, and it has seen the inside of a shark's mouth {above}.

While the Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight is lighter than other double strollers, it's not exactly a lightweight.  Obviously, this deluxe stroller can't be compared in size and weight to a bare bones umbrella stroller that has no bells and whistles. With a long list of comfort and safety features and multiple ways to roll, it's not surprising that it weighs more than basic stroller, but what is surprising is that even with all these features, it still only tops out at 23lbs when empty.

Of course, you can remove the back seat, the snack tray, the hood, and the handle organizer to get rid of a few more pounds, but those are some of my favorite features of the stroller, and what makes it all-day practical.  Even loaded up with all of our vacation gear, souvenirs, changes of clothing, and more, the stroller still handled like a dream and the kiddos were even able to recline in their seats when they got exhausted mid-afternoon.   

While hubby had no problem carrying it down a long flight of stairs empty while visiting the islands, I probably wouldn't have managed on my own and would have just as soon walked around instead of taking the stairs, or would have at least folded it up first. 

For a stroller with all these bells and whistles, it's pretty impressive that anyone is able to lift it, let alone down a flight of stairs.  And, the best part is that when folded, it's actually really easy to manuever and carry with you, or wheel along with you by the handle.  For this reason, it's definitely going to be the stroller we take this summer on our cross-country plane and train adventure when every pound will count but we won't want to sacrifice all-day comfort. 

Specs:
Stroller Weight: 23 lbs. / 10.43 kg.
Stroller Dimensions Folded: 10.5” H x 21.5” W x 43” D
Stroller Dimensions Assembled: 41.5” H x 21.5” W x 38” D
Rear Seat - Age - Max Weight - Max Height: 6 months+ - 45 lbs. / 20.41 kg. / 44”
Rear Bench Seat/Platform - Age - Max Weight - Max Height: 2.5 years+ - 45 lbs. / 20.41 kg. - 44”
Front Seat - Age - Max Weight - Max Height: 3 months+ - 45 lbs. / 20.41 kg. - 40”
Car Seat System - Age: Birth+

More specifically, the Joovy Caboose Too will be the stroller of choice whenever space and portability is an issue.  Whereas other double strollers just barely fit into my bare trunk, I have so much space around the Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight that I don't even know what to do with it all.  I'm ridiculously excited just thinking about all the things I can put in my trunk without having to remove the stroller completely, which will make it the perfect go-anywhere choice.  Whether we're going grocery shopping, to pick up stuff for our garden, or on a family vacation, all that extra space is going to very well appreciated.

To buy: you can buy the awesome Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight for $299 right on the Joovy website as well as check out all their other gear to take you from newborn to grade school.

A big thank you to Joovy for sending the Caboose Too Ultralight to facilitate this review and make us ultra-portable this spring and summer.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

Our own backyard beach with the Step2 Play & Store Sandbox

I'm a Step2 Test Drive Blogger and I chose these awesome new Step2 sand toys to review this spring.

My kids could sit on a beach all day long.  Even when the water is freezing cold and there’s no way they will swim, they still like to sit on the beach and play in the sand with a few good sand toys.  While we spend a good deal of time at the beaches around us during the summer, right now our beaches are cold, windy, and kind of miserable to spend a day at.

So, what’s a beach loving family to do during the off season?  Build our own beach, of course!

We recently got a chance to review the Step2 Play & Store Sandbox and Sand-tastic sand toys and you would have thought we were at a beach with how much fun the kiddos had with sensory sand play right in our own backyard.  While it was only in the 50s here in Seattle and we were wearing jeans not swimsuits, we jumped at the chance to get into the sandbox to play.   

{Please ignore the long grass and the fact that we really could stand to weed - we've been much too busy building beaches, castles, kingdoms and cities to start our spring landscaping} 

Even the fact that we didn’t actually have sand wasn’t enough to deter my kiddos who loved just laying back in the sandbox and bringing all their toys in one by one.  It turns out there is a sand shortage and all the stores near us were completely sold out for the past few weeks, so we made do with a medium-sized bag of sand for now and are planning on filling the sandbox full as soon as the sand rolls into town. 

But, we certainly aren’t going to sit by and stare at the Step2 Play & Store Sandbox until then – even a little bit of sand is more fun than no sand at all! 

And, I must admit, the Step2 Play and Store Sandbox is incredibly fun.  With four molded “seats” built into the corners of the sandbox, I love that I have a place to sit and play without having to actually climb in myself.  But, even if I do climb in, I love the fact that there is plenty of room for me and my two kids, but is not so big that I feel like I’m losing my entire backyard/patio/etc. 

Since I’m always worried about safety and cleanliness with outdoor toys, I love that the lid of the sandbox fits on securely to keep weather out and keeps critters from making the sand their home.  I also love that the lid is domed so even the taller sand toys and sand castles can stand inside with the lid in place.  Knowing everything is going to be right where they left it and ready to play the next day makes it easier to get the kids inside after playtime, so I love that they can basically drop their toys and leave all sand construction as is.

And, you should see how much the kiddos wait by the backdoor for “beach time” each day, already excited about what kinds of structures they will build and what games they will play.  While digging in the little bit of sand we have is pretty fun on its own, I love that they also develop elaborate play themes as well in the Play and Store Sandbox.  One day they might be unearthing dinosaurs and digging tunnels and the next they are creating a castle fit for a king.

But, whether you have a castle builder, an explorer, or a mini construction worker, you will love the new Sand-tastic toys that take sand play to a whole new level.  With the addition of fun digging tools, sand molds, sand rollers, funnels and more as well as two characters apiece that can be placed in the vehicles as well as on the sand tools themselves, they really do have everything you need for hours of creative and open-ended play.

We received the Sand-tastic Construction Set and Sand-tastic Castle Set and I knew immediately which kid would claim which set.  But, what did surprise me is that they ended up playing well together with both sets, creating an elaborate story in which the kingdom needed to be rebuilt and they hired “the Boss” construction foreman to craft them a castle and village.

You can find the Step2 Play and Store Sandbox and these fun new sand toys by Step2 directly on the Step2 website, Toys ‘R Us, select local retailers, and on Amazon.  The Play and Store Sandbox retails for $49.99 and the Sand-tastic Playsets retail for $12.99 each.

Thank you to Step2 for letting me test drive these items as part of the Step2 Test Drive Blogger program.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

We love the wheelyBUG Ride-On Toy from Prince Lionheart

My son is all about anything that vrooms.  Basically, if it has wheels, he loves it.  But, if that thing with wheels happens to be something he can ride on?  Well, that’s just amazing!

Such is the case with the wheelyBUG from Prince Lionheart that we received for review.  He loves it so much that whenever we are home he basically spends all day zooming around my house on it.  While we've had other indoor riding toys in the past, the wheelyBUG holds a special place in his heart as well as in my daughter's. 

And, really, can you blame him?  Look how adorable the Mouse wheelyBUG is!

Made in two different sizes and with numerous adorable animal designs to choose from, the wheelyBUG is clearly something special.  But, even more than how cute it is, what really makes it special is the way it moves.  Designed with castor wheels instead of traditional ride-on wheels, the wheelyBUG is multi-directional and allows children to spin 180s with ease and to maneuver into spots they couldn’t reach otherwise. 

Since the wheelyBUG is an indoor riding toy, this ease of movement is my favorite feature.  Because I don’t have an indoor track set up exclusively for riding {say what?! Yeah, I know, bad mom alert!}, I love that they can get around all the obstacles {AKA furniture, walls, and fixtures} and still have fun vrooming around.   

But, all this riding wouldn’t be fun if the wheelyBUG wasn’t all-day comfortable, so I love that it has a super cushioned seat that molds to the kids.  This cushioned critter seat is made from thick sponge covered with polyurethane leatheroid which is incredibly easy to wipe clean.  It has a small sturdy handle for pushing or riding as well as ears, antennae, tails, or accessories on most models. 

Because you are not limited to moving in straight lines and all steering is done with your feet, getting moving is so much easier on a wheelyBUG than other riding toys and it’s virtually frustration-free.  In fact, the wheelyBUG is the first choice of all the little visitors we have over that have never been on a ride-on toy before. 

Really, no matter what age child hops on the wheelyBUG, they instinctively know what to do and start zooming right away.  It’s this simple and straightforward design that makes it perfect for really young kids just starting out like my little guy or bigger kids like my almost 5-year-old. 

What's really cool is that as the kiddos ride more and their skill level increases, watching them on the wheelyBUG gets even more fun.  From controlled turns to spinning out in circles, the experienced riders really know how to tear it up and it's almost as hard to pull them off of it as it is the little guys.  With no right or wrong way to ride it and endless ways to play creatively with it, this truly is a ride-on toy that will last for years and through multiple children.     

The wheelyBUG is available from Prince Lionheart in two sizes and multiple designs.  The large retails for $79.99 and the small for $69.99.

A huge thank you to Prince Lionheart for sending the beloved Wheely BUG to be reviewed.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Enjoying the sun and making smart Steps with Walgreens #BalanceRewards

This is a sponsored post.

One thing we are adamant about with our kids is that they grow up in an active family.  We try and go biking, hiking, and exploring whenever possible, but when we’re not able to do that, we simply walk everywhere.  With spring weather slowly arriving in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve been loving all the sun and taking every opportunity to get outside and be active. 

With weather predicted to be in the 70s over Easter weekend, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to head out of the city and explore Chuckanut Drive and Bellingham as a family… and maybe even sneak in a quick hike.  Of course, that means snacks for the trail and for the trip up north so while my daughter was in school, little man and I decided to enjoy some sunshine and walk over to our local Walgreens to do a little shopping for the weekend.

In addition to snacks for the trail/road, I was also interested in learning more about the new Steps campaign at Walgreens through their Balance Rewards program that encourages their members to record their fitness achievement and awards points for each task.  Since hubby and I already wear smart pedometers daily, I was excited to see how we could use the data we’re already collecting and earn points for stuff we’re already buying.  But, in addition to earning points, I saw it as a great way to teach the kiddos about the importance of daily activity and was hoping to get a pedometer for our daughter as well.

We had planned on asking about the Steps program as soon as we got to Walgreens, but we got distracted as soon as we walked in the door and started our shopping instead.  We headed around the store and picked up nuts and seeds, granola bites, bars, dried fruits, beef jerky, and more, and then we headed over to check out their selection of pedometers, activity trackers, heart monitors and fitness gadgets to see if there was something we could use.

I was really surprised by the selection of fitness and wellness gadgets and spent quite a bit of time perusing the shelves.  I was seeing everything from basic fitness tools to electronics you can wear on your wrist, as well as some things I had never seen before that I was curious about, like the LifeStrength ionic bracelet touted as “the vitamin you wear”. 

Curiosity got the best of me and I took one up to the register to check the price while I purchased all our other treats.  Up at the register, a quick chat with the manager gave us everything we were looking for about the Steps program as well as an awesome Walgreens branded pedometer and bag that they had for promotional use that would be perfect for our hike.  And, then in the end, I surprised myself by adding the LifeStrength band to my order as well so we could check it out on our busy weekend ahead and see if we noticed a difference.

When we got home, I packed our bag for our journey, filled up some water bottles to chill in the fridge, and hopped on the computer to start earning Balance Rewards points for all the upcoming activities. It was mere minutes and I had successfully joined the Steps program and then I explored the site a little bit to see all that it offered.  I was really happy when I realized that you can actually sync smart activity trackers like the FitBits that hubby and I both wear right to your Steps account so you don’t have to remember to log each mile manually. 

You can also earn rewards for making fitness goals for yourself, weighing yourself, buying fitness related items at Walgreens, participating in local walk/runs/triathalons and more.  If you haven’t already, I urge you to start a Steps account through the Balance Rewards program.  It’s free to join, simple to sign up for, and it’s a great way to motivate yourself and your family. 

While the jury is still out on whether the LifeStrength I bought makes a noticeable difference in how I feel, getting outside in the sunshine with my favorite people certainly makes a difference in my outlook. Even though I woke up to a rather gloomy Monday, I still feel better knowing how active we were over the weekend and am excited to get out again as a family.

And, although my daughter is young and our focus isn’t on weight loss, I found that giving her the pedometer for the weekend was a great move on our part.  The energy and excitement she had about tracking her steps was contagious and we all pushed ourselves a bit more than we would have otherwise.  And, the best part is that instead of asking to be carried or saying she was tired only part of the way through our day, she was really excited to get as many steps as she could and was running circles around us the whole time.  

The bonus was getting home and logging on to the Steps Balance Rewards site to see that I earned 540 points just having fun with the family.  If you haven't signed up for Walgreens Balance Rewards program you will need to do that before you can sign up for the Steps program, but both programs are free and completely painless to sign up for.  Why not get rewarded to shop, stay fit, and meet your wellness goals?

Read more about our shopping trip, Steps program signup process and our day hiking as a family in our Google+ album.  You can also see more about Aisle Share FUN page.

Find out more at Walgreens.com and follow Walgreens on Twitter and Facebook.

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Walgreens #cbias #SocialFabric.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

Must Have Gear for Kiddos: First Ascent MicroTherm Down Jacket from Eddie Bauer

I’m a big believer in getting kids good, quality outdoor gear.  Whether it’s for hiking and biking or quick jaunts around town, quality outdoor gear just makes sense on many different levels.   

For one, I want kids that enjoy being outdoors, and I know that being comfortable is a big part of what will foster their love of nature.  This may mean that my kiddos miss out on having character themed jackets and backpacks, but in the end I feel they gain a lot more by having something weatherproof and lightweight that allows them to be… kids. 

For another, good quality gear just lasts.  Even if you buy big and your child wears it for two years straight, it’s still able to passed down to the next kid in line.  If you do the math, it actually makes good gear seem frugal in comparison to $35 a pop every year and then a new coat for each kid.

Knowing that we love pint sized outdoor gear, you can bet we were thrilled when we heard that Eddie Bauer had recently expanded their clothing and gear for kids, baby and toddler as well.  We had been hunting the kid’s line down locally and found that it was in select stores right now {for all of you Seattlites, you can currently find them consistently at U-Village and Redmond, and popping up in other stores occasionally} as well as online. 

And, once we saw the First Ascent MicroTherm down jacket for kids, we knew we had found the perfect grow-with-us coat.  Besides being absolutely adorable in that they look just like the grownup jackets but miniature, they also didn’t scrimp on features when they shrunk them down to kid’s sizes.  Packable, lightweight, and layer-able, these are the epitome of great gear for kids. 

With features such as StormRepel durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that sheds moisture, interior pockets for storing essentials, and cuffed sleeves to keep the elements out, this coat really does have it all.  I'm not sure if it's the fact that they match daddy, or if it's the fact that they really are gear connoisseurs at 2 and 4 years old, but my kiddos straight up adore these coats.

Instead of the on-off on-off routine, the MicroTherm coats are the first coats that our kids actually keep on and don’t complain of being too hot in as soon as we step inside.  But, not only do they keep them on indoors, they are still perfect temperature for the cold, wind, and rain of the Pacific Northwest year-round. 

One of the details that make this such an amazing all around jacket is that it isn’t the giant puffy coat you are picturing from your childhood.  Made with row after row of tiny baffles stuffed with 600 fill power premium European goose down, it is amazingly thin for how warm it is. 

Another part of what makes the MicroTherm jacket so thin is that it is made with a slim fitted design to keep you warm as well as for layering, but with stretch panels built into the sides to aid in flexibility, breathability and movement.  These details also make it perfect to buy large since it is more of a fitted coat it doesn’t look out of place a size too big. 

In fact, you might even be able to go two sizes bigger and really extend the life of the jacket.  Our kiddos are in sizes 5-6 and 3-4 for tops and they are currently both modeling a size 8 MicroTherm down jacket.  Admittedly, the coat looks like a dress on my son since the 21.25” length isn’t meant for toddlers, but I don’t want to be the one to break his heart. 

Speaking of heart breaking, when we do force the kiddos to take them off, I really love that the compressible down makes it easy to stuff away in the bottom of a stroller or an overnight bag, or even its own pocket.  But, this compressibility also means you can easily fold up the sleeves inside the cuffs if they happen to be too long, as was obviously the case for my son.

While I wouldn’t recommend buying 6 sizes too big for everyone, he certainly doesn’t look like he’s complaining now, does he?

Whether you are looking for an under layer for skiing and snowshoeing or you want a lightweight and compressible all-weather coat for your little one, I would highly recommend the MicroTherm Down Jacket from First Ascent as the perfect year-round coat.  It may not make a mountain climber out of your kiddo just by putting it on, but you will have better luck convincing them to try as well as keeping them comfortable no matter where their day takes them. 

The MicroTherm jackets for boys and girls are currently on clearance at EddieBauer.com and can be picked up for 50% off, which makes them a crazy good deal at $39.99 each.

A big thank you to Eddie Bauer for sending the MicroTherm jackets for the kiddos to adore... and never want to take off.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

Help Saving Tiny Hearts Society with Step2 {Easy Turn Coupe Giveaway}

My son loves anything that vrooms, so it’s really no surprise that he would love a ride-on car from Step2.  But, what is surprising is how much he adores the Easy Turn Coupe that arrived at our house last week.  If you know my son, you know his obsession with Volvos, so the fact that he dubbed his Easy Turn Coupe a “Volvo” should be some indication. 

He literally wakes up in the morning, his eyes still fuzzy from sleep, yelling into the baby monitor “mama! play Volvo!”  And thus the days of zooming around the house, cruising down the street, and pushing every single toy he owns in it, begins.

Really, it’s not hard to see why the kid loves the Step2 Easy Turn Coupe.  For one, it’s a car.  A foot-powered car that he can ride in.  And, he doesn’t treat this baby as if it’s a toy; he treats it as if it’s a real car and it’s his job to take care of it.  When he’s not riding inside or being pushed around in it, he’s busy handling all the car maintenance: polishing the “chrome”, gassing it up, and even tinkering {loudly} under the hood.  And, no, he doesn’t get this taking-care-of-cars thing from me, it’s safe to say that’s all hubby.

But, beyond the fact that it’s a car just for him, there’s some really cool features about the Step2 Easy Turn Coupe that make it amazingly Rave-tastic.  The first thing I love is how easy it is for kids to maneuver.  As the name would imply, the thing can turn on a dime {okay, not really, but comparatively speaking} thanks to a front castor wheel that spins easily and allows the car to make sharper and smoother turns than other ride-ons and push toys.  And, because the steering wheel is just for looks {albeit cute, and arguably necessary, looks}, the steering is very intuitive since it’s foot-controlled, which means little ones don’t get frustrated.    

The second feature I really love is that the Easy Turn Coupe is part kid-powered ride-on and part rest-for-the-weary push car that’s much cooler than a stroller to roll around town in.  Simply slide in the removable floorboards {which can also be screwed down} and you can push your little one to the park to play, down to get the mail, or simply to enjoy a fun nature walk in the comfort of their coupe. 

I personally love that the translucent sunroof is also an integrated handle that allows parents to push their little ones, and I especially love how comfortable it is to push, even for long distances.  Because the coupe moves very fluidly and because of the angle of the handle, it’s not at all awkward as I had feared, and I can easily do it one handed, while carrying another child and my purse and all our mail.  Boo-yah.  The extra bonus is that the awesome sunroof is easy to see your child through as well as allowing them a greater field of vision while still staying better protected against the elements.

Can you believe it?  All this raving and I haven’t even mentioned the cupholders.  We all know this is an essential thing to consider when buying yourself, or your kiddo, a car, and you will be happy to note that this baby has three.  Yes, three!  One for the driver, and two in the back, presumably for mom and pop.  Brilliant, right?  And, if anyone is keeping score, that means this “Volvo” has 3 more cupholders than our real Volvo.  True story. 

Okay, enough about turn radius, sunroofs, and cupholders, you probably want to get to the crazy exciting part where I give one away, right?  Well, before we get to that, there’s one more important thing to discuss: giving back in a big way to the Saving Tiny Hearts Society.  I love when great brands support such worthy causes, which is why I can get behind this promo in a big way by sharing it with you and giving a Coupe away to raise awareness.

"On February 10, 2013, at the New York City Toy Fair, Step2 will be launching a campaign entitled the, “I ♥ Easy Turn Coupe”.  The Step2 Company, LLC focuses its charitable efforts on programs designed to enhance the health and education of children while enriching their lives and their family experience.  It is that mission that has made The Saving tiny hearts Society (StHS), an organization that funds life-saving grass roots research of congenital heart defects (CHD’s), a non-profit that Step2 has supported for many years.

Several years ago, Step2 learned that CHD's are America’s #1 birth defect affecting over 40,000 babies every year.  With that type of statistic, it should have come as no surprise when one of Step2’s own, Tena Crock, was impacted by a CHD.

Step2 would like to continue its support of the StHS with our “I ♥ Easy Turn Coupe” campaign. We will be donating Coupes to various children’s hospitals and will be inviting folks to watch a quick video on the Easy Turn Coupe and tell us what feature they ♥ most about it.  For every comment received on the Easy Turn Coupe Facebook tab, Step2 will make a $1 donation to StHS."

One lucky Rave & Review reader is going to win an awesome Easy Turn Coupe for themselves!

To enter, simply comment with a caption for the picture below using these simple rules 1) keep it kid friendly – no profanity and 2) one caption per person per day

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Step2 for sending the Easy Turn Coupe to facilitate this review as well as offering one to our fabulous readers.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

We're cruising with the Prince Lionheart chop balance BIKE

My kids love our family bike rides in their trailers and front toddler seats and are dying for the day they can take off down the trail on their own.  Unfortunately, they don’t have the balance or coordination necessary to send them off without training wheels, which is why we love Prince Lionheart’s line of balance bikes that are just like kid’s bikes but without the pedals.

If you haven’t seen a balance bike before, the concept might seem a little foreign, but if you’ve ever been to a park and watched a little kid who can barely walk tearing it up on a little wooden bike, it suddenly makes sense.  Once you take the pedals out of the equation, it allows kiddos to focus on the balance portion of learning to ride without the fear because their feet are always ready to catch them or slow them down if they should get scared.

My daughter was lucky to get a chance to use the Prince Lionheart whirl balance SCOOTER last year as she’s been very interested in learning to bike on her own.  She’s loved cruising around the yard and neighborhood on her adorable little Vespa-inspired wooden scooter like she’s in Paris, on the way to an art museum or corner café.

The neighbors all love seeing her cruise down the street and she gets lots of smiles with her helmet and pink scooter.  The only issue was that now we have two bike-loving kiddos and only one Prince Lionheart balance bike, so we’ve been on the hunt for a second bike so the two could ride together. 

But, last month we got to see how ridiculously cute two kiddos on balance bikes are and it is heart melting. Don't say I didn't warn you.

The Prince Lionheart chop balance BIKE arrived just a few days before Christmas when it was raining almost every day, so we were thrilled that there has been a break in the weather so we’ve been able to get out with the two of them and enjoy some {cold} fresh air and get back to biking. 

Like the whirl balance SCOOTER, the Prince Lionheart chop balance BIKE is adorable and durable, with high quality rubber tires, padded seat, rubberized gripping pads, and smooth steering.  But instead of a Vespa-inspired design, it looks more like a chopper, which is perfect for my son.  Just look at this happy little guy on his motorcycle, I mean bicycle.   

I should note that the seats of the Prince Lionheart balance BIKES are adjustable for height, but because of the way the chop balance BIKE is designed, it cannot adjust as low as the Prince Lionheart balance SCOOTER.  Even on the lowest setting it’s a tiny bit tall for my little guy, but he has mastered balancing on his toes and doesn’t mind a bit as long as we go slow.  However, if he’s looking for serious speed, he always reaches for my daughter’s balance SCOOTER so he can get some flat-foot launching speed. 

When we’re not able to make it to the trails, the Prince Lionheart balance BIKES are fun to use on the porch and driveway, making our own Balance City with roadways, gas station and more.  And, for those days we just have to get out but only have a small break in the weather, it’s a great way to run down and pick up the mail and say hello to all of our neighbors. 

As the weather gets nicer in spring, I know we’re going to have a ton of fun cruising the trails and parks near us watching their balance and coordination improve until they can really go zooming off.  I know that even after they have mastered the balance portion, the Prince Lionheart balance BIKES will still be fun for trying new tricks and then up until they eventually graduate to their own 2-wheeler without training wheels.  

If you have a little one who is getting ready to ride and wants to try heading out on their own, I would highly recommend the Prince Lionheart Balance Bikes as the perfect way to familiarize them with biking without all the worry.  Whether you go for the classic balance BIKE, the chop balance BIKE or the whirl balance SCOOTER, you and your little one will be thrilled that they will be one step closer to riding on their own, without the use of training wheels. 

Take a minute to watch this short video Prince Lionheart put together to show how they put safety first... starting with the littlest Prince Lionheart fans.

 A big thank you to Prince Lionheart for sending their chop balance BIKE to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours.

JumpSport ProFlex Basketball System for Even More Trampoline Fun {Review & Coupon Code}

When I was young, my family bonded over basketball.  It was where we talked through any problems we were having, celebrated our successes, and laughed about the funny things that happened that week.  No matter what was going on in our lives, getting out in the fresh air with people who loved you made everything else just disappear.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are practicing layups, playing H-O-R-S-E, Around the World, and more with my parents and siblings until the sun went down and we were forced to come inside.

Because I really wanted to share this form of bonding with my own children, my one regret with buying our current house is that it came with a very “urban yard” and there was simply no place to put a basketball hoop.  Well, I’m happy to say we’ve come up with a solution that might make this a positive instead of a negative: Bouncy Hoops.  Bouncy Hoops is the very made up name of our new favorite game with our favorite new accessory, the JumpSport ProFlex Basketball Set.

You may remember our JumpSport Elite 12ft Trampoline review or perhaps our #1 post of all time, 50+ things to do on a JumpSport Trampoline that continues to get hundreds of views every single day.  If you read either one of those, you probably got the gist that we were head-over-heels in love with our JumpSport Trampoline.  Well, I’m happy to say that after months of bouncing and jumping and playing, we actually love it even more than we did before.  While I could go on and on about the ways it has changed our lives over the past few months and made getting out and staying active a family affair, it’s nearly impossible to explain just how much we love it.

For instance, when it’s my daughter’s turn to pick what she would like to do for the day, her answer without fail is, “I-want-to-jump-on-the-trampoline, please” and any day that it’s not raining {and some days that it is}, you will find my son longingly looking out the back door at the trampoline saying, “bounce?”.  Whereas most kids choose ice cream and treats, ours choose the trampoline for rewards.  30 minutes for that glowing teacher report, 15 minutes for helping mama clean up, and another 15 minutes for staying quiet during that important conference call is an hour of good exercise and a great way to motivate without sweets. 

But, now we’ve got even more motivation to get outside and stay active with the addition of the JumpSport ProFlex Basketball system.  It comes with everything you need to take your jumping to a whole new level, including a full-size backboard, cushioned hoop with heavy-duty ProFlex hardware, a 5" soft rubber inflatable basketball, and my favorite feature, triangular side nets to divert stray balls back into the trampoline. 

It’s no joke when I say that this basketball hoop is literally the only thing I wanted for the holidays this year, and it really was like Christmas morning when we got it all installed and ready to play.  I had visions of all of those nights we spent playing basketball when I was young and all the family memories we’re going to create throughout the years with our own hoop and it honestly made me a little weepy. 

All a mom wants is to see her family laughing and bonding together, and this is a sure way to do that even into the dreaded tween/teen stage and beyond.  There’s something special about the combination of physical activity, friendly sport, and fresh air and I was thrilled that we won’t have to miss out on that bonding because of our lot constraints.

And, once the kiddos got outside to check it out, I realized quickly how incredibly right I was.  Between gales of laughter and fits of giggles, the kiddos made their first baskets and were so proud of themselves. 

Here’s my daughter showing off how many baskets she made. Wait, is that 2... or 4?

And, look at these DIMPLES! Doesn't he look like an NBA pro?

While we did make very good use of those side nets that help us contain all of their {many} air balls, they actually did better than I thought they would at hitting the backboard and rim.  I’m pretty sure I’ve got basketball legends on my hand, which is a good thing we got them an amazing hoop so early on.

The kiddos were even nice enough to let hubby and I try it out and we were both impressed with the quality of the hoop and the ingenious design.  The first thing we both loved is that instead of merely being mounted on top of the safety net, the ProFlex Basketball System is actually integrated into the safety enclosure frame itself to give it extra stability.  But, in addition to offering more stability, moving it onto the enclosure frame moves it out of the bounce area and leaves less opportunity to accidentally hit the padded rim. 

Which leads me to my biggest rave: like the trampoline itself, the ProFlex Basketball System has all sorts of safety features built into the design.  From the reinforced and durable backboard that was made to withstand the elements to the padded and cushioned hoop with heavy-duty ProFlex hardware, this is not some doorway basketball hoop rigged up to a trampoline, it’s the real deal and built to last. 

I have absolutely no doubt that the ProFlex basketball hoop that our kids are making their first baskets on will also be the one they learn their first layup on and the one they reminisce about once they leave home.  We may not have our own half court, but you can bet my kids are going to grow up around basketball and bonding over games in our backyard now that JumpSport has made my dreams of owning a hoop a reality.

I know many of you are thinking about getting a trampoline this Christmas, and this is the perfect time to bring home one of the world’s safest trampolines.  Your kids will think you are the best parent ever and you will wonder why you ever waited so long. 

And, if you act fast you can get the ProFlex Basketball set for a shocking discount just in time to have it delivered for the holidays.  From now until December 25, 2012, simply enter the coupon code ABLOG50COUPON at JumpSport.com and you'll receive 50% off your purchase of a basketball hoop when you purchase a trampoline.

To find out more about all of their amazing products and hear about all of their promotions, connect with JumpSport online at JumpSport.com on Facebook and Twitter as well as on Pinterest.

A big HUGE thanks to JumpSport for providing the ProFlex Basketball System for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.  NOTE: I am not a physician, do not work in healthcare and in no way should you take medical advice from me.  As with all sports and exercise activities, you should consult a doctor before attempting anything you see above.  This is especially true when small children are playing, but goes for all ages.  We supervise our children during every activity outdoors and this includes the use of the trampoline. 

Holiday Bonding and Gun Safety with Daisy Outdoor Products #BB4me {Daisy Prize Pack Giveaway}

If you told me a few years ago that I would belong to a gun-friendly family, I would have never believed you.  Growing up with three sisters and one brother meant that pink and girly were hot topics and guns were almost non-existent in our world. 

Fast forward 20 years and most of us sisters are married off, which has brought a healthy dose of testosterone to the family tree along with a propensity for shooting firearms of all kinds.  So, now the boys of the family spend their time at the gun range bonding and talking about foreign things like .22s and scopes and laser sights while us girls search for something else to do.

This isn’t to say that the boys haven’t been trying their hardest to convince us girls to join them, in fact, they even brought us there once, with a lot of kicking and screaming and I-think-I’m-busy-that-day excuses.  The one and only time I went was enough excitement to last me the  5+ years that have passed and I haven’t been talked into holding a gun ever since.

Or, at least I hadn’t held a gun.  Last weekend, I actually went gun shopping to buy a present for my niece and held quite a few guns willingly.  Okay, so I wasn’t shopping for handguns or rifles, I was shopping for Daisy BB guns, but that counts, right?

It turns out Daisy Outdoor Products, the company that makes the iconic Red Ryder BB gun that every little boy dreams of someday owning, also makes a pink version, the Model 1998 Carbine that even I got excited about.  As soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect for my teenage niece as it’s a great quality BB gun with classic style and appeal.  Not too childish and not too powerful, it’s the perfect gun to learn about gun safety and proper handling with, which is exactly what I was looking for.

We found the Daisy Pink Carbine Model 1998 at Cabela's near our home and picked up some fun accessories to go with it like peel and stick targets, and a package of BB's that we put into a special hunting box we found at Walmart.  And, then of course we had to throw in some safety goggles that even a teenage girl would want to wear - bright pink, naturally. 

Then we wrapped it up all pretty and got it all ready to gift.  She will never, ever guess what's inside, even with the hunting box as a hint.  In fact, she couldn't even believe it when she finally opened it and saw that she had her own pink BB gun to practice with.

Once the Daisy Pink Carbine 1998 was opened at the get together and my niece got over her surprise, we had a whole line of girls that wanted to try it out, along with some of the boys who weren’t scared off by the pink handle and leather tassel.  Even though I hadn’t intended on actually opening the gun up and shooting that day, our gracious host insisted, and soon had a specially designed BB target, safety glasses for everyone, and within minutes he had a “BB gun range” set up for us.     Being an avid gun lover who is big on gun safety, he went over the basics of shooting safely with us, gave us all safety goggles, let us all get used to holding the gun, and supervised us rookies while everyone over the age of 10 {the recommended minimum age for BB guns} gave shooting a try.  Most of the safety rules of BB guns are pretty basic – no pointing the muzzle at anyone, ever, and treat every gun like it’s loaded, etc. – but we also went over the ten shooting safety rules on the Daisy site to make sure we were all up to speed.  
After we were all safe, protected, and the target was set, we took turns shooting the Daisy Pink Carbine Model 1998 so us girls could figure out what we’ve been missing all these years.  As it turns out, we’ve been missing a lot.  We’ve been missing out on the bonding that comes from shooting guns together, the friendly competition that inevitably arises, and the bragging rights of showing off your first ever target with a bulls-eye.   

Having not been around guns my whole life, jumping into shooting at a gun range was a little bit of a leap for me, so I loved the idea of going back to the basics with Daisy to learn why shooting stuff can be such a bonding experience.  For me, it was nice to discover that there’s more to shooting than gun ranges and kickback. 

And, as it turns out, I’m not opposed to guns at all and in fact had a great time seeing all the different generations shooting together.  I love the fact that, starting with my niece, the younger generation is now going to grow up being comfortable around guns, understanding gun safety, and bonding in a way my generation missed out on.

We all grew up quoting the line from the movie A Christmas Story, “I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle”, but up until now I never dreamt I would ever utter those words truthfully.  After seeing how much fun all the girls had shooting the Daisy Pink Carbine, even I want an official Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, too.  

This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted and prize sent! Thank you to all who entered. 

You can see more about our shopping and our shooting by checking out our Google+ album.  Find out more information about the entire Daisy range at the Daisy.com.  Be sure to follow them on Twitter @DaisyOutdoor and like Daisy Outdoor on Facebook to stay connected!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Daisy.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours. #CBias #SocialFabric #bb4me