http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/avs123 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:36:07 GMT Reviews by avs123 http://www.viewpoints.com/Britax-Regent-Car-Seat-review-437d0 I initiallly looked at the Regent because my daugher is tall and thin, so she outgrew the shoulder height on every carseat without weighing enough to move to a booster (at 40 lbs, I think the ones that say 30 lbs aren't safe).  As I researched more, I became a believer that a booster is not the best option even after 40 lbs.  My daughter is now 6 and still hasn't hit 40 lbs, but is comfortable in her Regent and will be for a long time to come.  She still has several shoulder height positions to grow into.  The seat is heavy, but to me that adds to the feeling of safety - it is built like a tank!  I am confident that it is the safest option for her, and while the price was painful, you can't put a price tag on your child's safety.  The fabric is easy to wipe clean and she says the seat is comfortable.  The LATCH connections installed easily in our Kia Sedona.  I am about to purchase a second Regent for my 2 year old and have already used my... Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:36:07 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Britax-Regent-Car-Seat-review-437d0 avs123 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Mattel-Polly-Pocket-Cool-Careers-Gift-Set-review-33372 My daughter loves all of her Polly Pocket sets, but was really excited to receive the career playset.  She likes to role-play with the dolls and uses the career wardrobe pieces very creatively.  I love that she is using her imagination and making connections to the real world in a positive way.  This set is very wholesome and the clothing doesn't push the line on being too suggestive (in our household Bratz dolls are a "no way").  Because of their size, even a larger collection of Polly Pockets doesn't take up too much room, but this is also the downside - it is easy for little pieces to get lost all over the house.  The only thing I do not like about this set is that some of the accessories are cardboard and are not durable, but that didn't seem to concern my... Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:15:50 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Mattel-Polly-Pocket-Cool-Careers-Gift-Set-review-33372 avs123 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Kenmore-Oasis-Canyon-Capacity-Dryer-review-ed1f0 We moved into a different home and had a rather small laundry closet to work with.  I knew I wanted to get a HE washer and dryer, but the front loading sets just wouldn't fit.  We also were concerned with having a long distance to vent the dryer.  The Kenmore Oasis Canyon Capacity models from Sears were perfect for us.  It offers the benefits of an HE model but fits like a standard sized model.  It also has an extra blower to accomodate longer dryer vent runs.  I am very happy with the options and ease of operation,... Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:05:19 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Kenmore-Oasis-Canyon-Capacity-Dryer-review-ed1f0 avs123 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Kenmore-Oasis-HE-Washer-review-8ca01 When shopping for a new washer and dryer, I knew that I wanted high efficiency models, but also new I had limited options because of the size of our laundry area.  The top-of-the -line front loaders are just too big for many older homes with built-in laundry closets.  At Sears I was directed towards the Oasis HE Canyon Capicity, which at first glance looks like a standard washer, but is huge inside!  It works like the HE front loaders, but is sized more like a traditional model.  It fits in my space, and it gets my laundry done in half the loads while offering the other benefits of High Efficiency models.  —... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:13:08 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Kenmore-Oasis-HE-Washer-review-8ca01 avs123 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Little-People-School-Bus-review-919a0 I love all of the Fisher Price Little People sets!  I started buying them or requesting them for gifts when my first child was 16 months old.  At that age, she mostly was interested in carrying the little people around, but soon moved into more imaginative play.  So many of the sets are easy to relate to real-life, which really inspires kids to make connections in their play.  My oldest is now 6 and still plays with the Little People...there isn't much out there that a 6 year old girl will play with her 2 year old brother!  My son is really into the vehicles, and especially loves the bus because he watches big sister get on it in the mornings!  If you love toys that inspire imagination and role playing and do not simply make noise and light up to entertain kids for 5 minutes, Fisher Price Little People are perfect!  I think the secret to encouraging frequent play is to make the sets very accessible.  We leave all of the Little People set up in a... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:05:54 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Little-People-School-Bus-review-919a0 avs123 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Baby-Trend-Diaper-Champ-review-b6ea1 I have used two diaper champs for my two children and will continue to use them for my third.  They are not completely smell-proof, but I am not sure any diaper pails are.  The main advantage of the Diaper Champ is that you get fairly good odor control without buying special bag inserts.  I think the secret is to buy good quality trash bags for better odor control and not try to save by buying the thinner bags.  I like the one hand operation and the easy empty process.  While I can't rant about it being smell-proof, I do think the advantages make it worth the cost as long as you aren't opposed to emptying it frequently enough once you hit the really smelly diaper... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:57:01 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Baby-Trend-Diaper-Champ-review-b6ea1 avs123 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Dyson-DC07-Animal-Bagless-Upright-Cyclonic-Vacuum-review-e43c2 I originally purchased my Dyson when we had a dog and it was fabulous at removing every bit of dog hair from every surface.  Now that our dog is no longer with us, I have seen how much other yucky stuff the dyson pulls out of the carpet that I never saw before due to the dog hair filling the canister.  I initially had a hard time with the price tag, but once you see how much cleaner the floors are with this vacuum compared to cheaper models, there is no question that you paid for something good.  I also love that you do not have to buy replacement filters, which can be pricey for many... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:49:03 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dyson-DC07-Animal-Bagless-Upright-Cyclonic-Vacuum-review-e43c2 avs123 5