http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/dustyL Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:45:04 GMT Reviews by dustyL http://www.viewpoints.com/Nintendo-Wii-Wii-Sports--115357-review-e23f1 This was the first WII game we got, and it's still my favorite.  I have two kids, ages 3 & 5 when we got it.  They both picked up the games very quickly, and love to play.  My daughter bowls a 200 game almost everytime she plays.  It's a game that can get us all up and playing.  It's not a lot of activity, but it's better than just sitting on the couch with a controller in your hand.  It's been great for parties as well.  The only rule in our house is to use the wrist strap!  The controller has been thrown, luckily missing the TV.  My kids are also pros at the tennis games.  And if you don't want to play a full game, there are training sessions that focus on a certain skill.  The golf game seems unrealistic compared to the real game, but it is a video game, not the real thing.  And the boxing is a good way to get your heart... Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:45:04 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Nintendo-Wii-Wii-Sports--115357-review-e23f1 dustyL 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Fisher-Price-Geo-Trax-Train-system-review-afa00 Geotrax are great for everyone.  My 4 year old son loves to drive the trains, my 6 year old daughter loves to build the tracks.  Even we parents get involved with the building and driving.  There are remote control trains, or you can hand push them.  The remote cars usually come with at least three cars.  There are many parts and pieces available for this system, so it's easy to go big or small.  We usually get a new piece to the tracks a couple of times a year.  My one big complaint is that it is often hard to find a box of just straight tracks, or curves.  Each set comes with a couple of pieces, but to make the track bigger, you need more.  The pieces are avilable online, but that isn't too helpful when you need it today to complete your building plans.  And if you have time to wait, you can always find pieces on ebay.  The tracks snap together very easily.  I'm sure this is a toy we'll have around for quite some... Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:36:56 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Fisher-Price-Geo-Trax-Train-system-review-afa00 dustyL 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Radica-20-Questions-Handheld-Game-review-f40d2 This toy is amazing.  It truely is right just about all of the time.  We took it to a family gathering last year, and it was a big hit.  It was passed around most of the day.  For us, it was a toy that was played with frequently, but in spurts, so battery life hasn't yet been an issue.  It's never been misplaced, but it has a "home" in a drawer with other hand held toys, and seems to always find it's way there when not in use.  I really don't have any cons for this, other than it is a game where reading skills are needed, so little kids can play, but only if there's someone to read them the... Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:28:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Radica-20-Questions-Handheld-Game-review-f40d2 dustyL 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Playskool-Busy-Ball-Popper-review-0979 My son received this toy for christmas, three years ago, and he still loves playing with it.  We have an older version, and my complaint with it is that he can easily take the top track off, making it easier to put cars and little people into the hole and get stuck.  We just bought the newer version for my niece, and they seem to have improved the top portion, making it more difficult to come off.  It plays cute music, though with the fan it is a loud toy, but so much fun.  When those balls shoot into the air, it still makes my son giggle.  When we have small friends come over, it's the one toy that always comes out.  We have lost the balls from time to time, but they always seem to be found.  Currently all balls are with the... Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:23:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Playskool-Busy-Ball-Popper-review-0979 dustyL 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/LeapFrog-Leapster-handheld-review-638b We've had the Leapster at our house for about three years now.  We actually own two, couldn't imagine my kids having to share this one.  This thing goes everywhere, but is especially nice in the car.  There are many games to go with it.  My daughter loves to draw, and there is a great drawing game.  Many of the games teach the same concepts, but with different characters to make it fun.  We're still playing the preK-1st grade games, most of which focus on letter and number recognition, as well as simple math.  My kids just love playing these games.  I've read reviews that complain about their durability and battery use.  Our Leapsters have been dropped a few times, and are still working fine.  They do burn through batteries, so we use rechargable batteries.  There is a battery pack available, as well as an AC adapter, though we don't have either.  We just use the rechargables, and on trips take a set of spare batteries just... Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:16:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/LeapFrog-Leapster-handheld-review-638b dustyL 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Graco-TurboBooster-review-90e7 This car seat is great.  It fits well in my car, and the kids love it.  They really feel like big kids being able to use the seat belt.  It is easy to remove the seat covers to wash. The "wings" at teh top of the seat are great for catching the head of sleeping children, thus preventing the dreaded head bob. And if your seats recline, this car seat can actually recline some to fit the angle of the seat.  Great for sleepy kids on long trips.  My only complaint with this seat is the design of the cupholders.  If there is stuff in the cupholders when it is removed from the car and tipped, the food, toys, or whatever was in the holders is now inside the carseat.  It will take a good 20 minutes of turning and shaking to get it all out.  Otherwise, this is a great seat.  We actually own 4 of them, two for each... Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:36:40 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Graco-TurboBooster-review-90e7 dustyL 4