Reviews by slenkey

slenkey says "My mama was right!" about Eddie Bauer Natural Wood High Chair

slenkey — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 06:41:05 GMT

When I was registering for a high chair, I was determined to get a classic, wooden chair. I wanted quality. I wanted something that would blend in with my house. I didn't think as a practical mom because I had never been a mother at that point. I'm not sure why I didn't listen to my mom who had experienced four kids before. The wise woman looked at me and said, "Buy a plastic one. It's easier to clean."

Of course, after two and half decades of ignoring her, I continued on the same path. I should have known better. When she'd said boys weren't good enough for me she was right. When she'd said to take a sweater, she had been right. And when she said I'd regret not getting a plastic high chair, she was right too.

First of all, a note to would-be mom's out there. Forget trying to buy baby items for your house that will blend into the decor. After the Exersaucer, Thomas train set and spit-up-on shirt you will no longer worry about your house not looking like kids live...

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slenkey says "I don't know about school, but it's a Color Wonder for my car!" about Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free School Tote

slenkey — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 22:48:53 GMT

I love Target, and this product is one of the reasons why. Target happens to put their school supplies on clearance at this time of year. I love it when they do this! You can stock up on craft supplies, pens, even tissues at 30-50% off. Even though I have always considered tissues a stretch for school supplies, this year they have gotten even more creative. I picked up a few products that, as a former teacher, I feel have no school value but LOVE for my boys.

The Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free School Tote is one of those products. Those of you familiar with Color Wonder products know that they are amazing. I don't know what kind of voodoo Crayola uses, but they have actually created craft products (finger paint, markers, crayons, etc.) that only make marks on a special kind of paper. Usually these products can be pricey. However, this tote on clearance was only $5! I found the tote online for $15!

In the tote, I found a 24 page Color Wonder coloring book , a 20 page Color...

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slenkey says "I don't get this... it's just a seat for your baby!" about Bumbo Baby Seat

slenkey — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:27:27 GMT

Let me be the first to say, I don't understand the hype behind this product. While I was pregnant with my second son, my mother-in-law saw the Bumbo Baby Seat on a talk show, bought one, and gave it to me because "her grandson needed one." Why? Don't babies sit up on their own when they are ready? Don't doctors always tell you that tummy play is most important? Can't a baby sit upright in a walker or Exersaucer? What was special about a Bumbo?

First of all, the Bumbo has won numerous awards. However, when you look at the individual awards, the majority of them are for being the top new product of 2003 and design awards. None of these awards attest to it being an indespensible parenting tool. I still don't see the hype. Supposedly it is integral in allowing parent-child interaction during play. I'm not convinced of this. I think the parent is integral in causing interaction during play.

I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but I have found nothing special about this seat. ...

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slenkey says "Your better off with a regular Boppy and some rattles." about Boppy 5 in 1 Fun Activity Gym

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:39:01 GMT

I registered for this product with dreams of sparking my child's curiosity and entertaining him at the same time. The package promised a toy that would make him smile and it was a Boppy! All of the parenting magazines said that I needed a Boppy. I figured I could detach the toys when I needed to use it for nursing. None of these things came true.

When we took it out of the package, we had to assemble the toy. It looked simple enough. It was two bendy poles that attached to the Boppy with Link-a-Doos and then the three toys attached to the Boppy with more Link-a-Doos. However, the bendy poles didn't want to bend and the Link-a-Doos barely fit on the tags they were supposed to slide on to. After some wrestling with a Boppy, I was ready to see that sweet smile on my son's face as his curiosity sparked and he grasped for his golden ring... or purple elephant rattle.

This didn't happen. Not only did he keep sliding down off of the Boppy, putting his neck in awkward angles, he...

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slenkey says "I wish they'd make a cellulite paste that worked this well!" about Boudreaux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Cream

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:16:54 GMT

I was very reluctant to try anything that called itself Butt Paste. The ideas that the name conjured were far from pleasant. However, my pediatrician actually suggested it for my son's extremely bad diaper rash. This is the only stuff that actually works for him!

When I opened the packet I couldn't believe that the ointment was actually flesh colored. This was far different from the ominous white stuff I have previously tried. I was also surprised by the pleasant odor that it had. I was used to the overly medicated creams that made my child smell like an old man with ben-gay.

The paste spread very easily and did not have to be worked into his skin. It didn't irritate and so I closed the diaper and waited for a couple of hours until his next change.

When I opened up the diaper three hours later, I was amazed. I swear that his diaper rash was better. I know this seems highly impossible, but I promise as a former girl scout that this stuff started working within hours.

I will...

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slenkey says "Why is everything wonderful named isomething?" about Graco iMonitor Multi-Child Digital Baby Monitor

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 19:55:40 GMT

This is kind of a follow up for those of you who enjoyed by Fisher-Price monitor review. The Graco Baby iMonitor Multi-child Digital Baby Monitor is the replacement for the Fisher-Price monitor we hated. Aside from the length of it's name and it's price, the monitor is TONS better!

The iMonitor is designed to allow you to monitor either two room or two sleeping children at the same time. The parental units come with dual lights that signify which room the noise is coming from. My husband origianally had difficulty remembering in the dead of night which color belonged to which kid. If you find yourself as out of it at 2am as he is, just label your unit and you will be fine. Of course getting up and wandering down the hall knowing that one of them needs you would work too (my approach).

The sound quality of the iMonitor was a vast improvement over any analog monitor I have heard. There is not constant droan, hiss or static that we had become accustomed to. This monitor never...

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slenkey says "Kid-friendly music that is adult-friendly as well!" about Dan Zanes and Friends - Catch That Train

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:30:53 GMT

Please pinch me! Dan Zanes has created music that I can listen to with my children and enjoy. I love to dance around my living room with my toddler and sing his songs. Yes, they are created for kids. However Dan Zanes has realized the beauty of creating a kid-friendly song that isn't sugar coated and rolled in simple sounds. Their music is catchy, easy to remember and danceable.

Dan Zanes, a former member of the 80s band the Del Fuegos has a mission to show everyone that all people can play together and feel good while doing it. This message of diversity is found in every facet of his career. First, his videos are filled with people from every background, age and race. Second, his music includes many different influences, including a singer who calls himself "Father Goose" who lends a rastafarian, almost Tone Loc sound to the music. His albums are filled with guest appearances (my favorite being Deborah Harry of Blondie fame).

Amazingly wonderful. Never boring. If your...

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slenkey says "I'm vicariously on a road trip with Alton Brown!" about Feasting on Asphalt

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:06:00 GMT

I don't usually get into the Food Network. That's my husband's thing. However, I have always been a fan of Alton Brown, mostly because he adds history lessons and stories to his programs partially because he's easy on the eyes.

Feasting on Asphalt is a TV program that celebrates the great American roadtrip. The basis is a group of guys who ride their motorcycles through the American landscape, avoiding major highways at all costs, and revel in the diners and local fare that they find. They refuse to partake in processed fast food and only stop at one-of-a-kind venues that first created the dining atmosphere of the open road. Along the way, Alton and the folks he meets share stories about themselves, their business and the food they enjoy and sell.

Never boring, the show allows you to go places that are hidden to the majority of America. If you are tired of the traditional, mind-dulling reality shows and can't stand another summer comedy re-run, try the Food Network's original...

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slenkey says "I hate being in the Kitchen. I love this!" about Pampered Chef Cut-N-Seal

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:22:56 GMT

As my husband will attest, I am not a cook. In fact, I hate everything about the kitchen. However, this little gadget has come in handy more than once and makes quick, fun work out of lunches and desserts.

My toddler loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but eats them with such abandon that I end up having to scrub most of the sandwich off of him by the time he's done. With my Cut-N-Seal, I am able to make him a PB-N-J and he eats it without the mess. I'm not sure what the magic is, but it works. He also loves the fact that they are "Mommy's special circle sandwiches".

I've even been able to use this gadget with other healthy snacks and sandwiches for him. I loves the fact that whenever I pop it out, he's getting something special. Plus it helped him learn what a circle was. Nice side effect!

The only complaints I have with the Cut-N-Seal is that it wastes a ton of bread and is really sharp. Even though my son wants to use it, I can't let him because I'm afraid of...

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slenkey says "Cheaper, better and less guilt than Starbucks." about Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:54:03 GMT

True fact: When my students would enter my English class, they would look for my coffee cup in the morning. If they saw it in my hands and the pot brewed, they knew it was safe to joke around and speak. In fact, my first year teaching they used to call my coffee cup a bowl because it was so big.

I love coffee. My life has always been busy and I thrive on caffiene. I am aware that I can get this drug through a variety of sodas, water and even gum now, but I enjoy the deep, full body, smooth taste of a great coffee at all hours of the day. I happen to be one of the few people that do not have trouble sleeping if I chug a cup or two at nine at night. I am aware of the oddity of all of this, I just don't care. It's a love affair that has developed over the last decade or so.

That said, I have always felt refreshed and somewhat ashamed by Starbucks. I love their coffee, it is wonderful. However, you have to wonder at the company that can open three locations in one shopping...

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slenkey says "The best sandwich I've ever had at 3 am!" about Mr. Spots - Bowling Green, OH

slenkey — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:23:07 GMT

I met Mr. Spots during my college years in Bowling Green, Ohio. It was love at first sight. I was a hungry girl on the way home from a night of bar hopping, he was a hoagie and philly cheese steak shop. Perfect!

Mr. Spots is a college student's dream. Not only are they open until the wee hours of the night, but they also deliver just as late. AND they deliver a wide variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to wet your whistle... yes, they card. Just as impressive is their list of food. They do offer Philly's and Hoagies, but they also offer wings and other deli sandwiches. Please don't forget their waffle fries. They are wonderful.

But, sadly, my days at BG came to a close and I thought that the break-up with Mr. Spots would forever leave a hole in my heart. However, due to a job relocation, my family just moved back to the BG area and I can again enjoy the company. Granted, there is something lost after you are old enough to be a staff member at the university,...

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slenkey says "Is it possible to love a washing machine more than your husband?" about LG WM2233H Front Load Washer

slenkey — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:04:46 GMT

When we moved I vowed never to own another GE washer or dryer. Our previous house had them and they were awful. I hated laundry. When we welcomed our LG front loaders to the house, I changed my mind about laundry. It has never been easier!

The LG front load washer is wondeful! I swear that my clothes have never been this clean. If I forget to pretreat a stain, the LG still gets it out. The first time we used it, we didn't know for sure if it was working. That's how quiet this machine is! And the salespeople were right, our water bill did cut itself in half! My clothes come out incredibly dry.

I was worried that some of the things I had heard of front load washers would come true. Things such as a musty smell after a few months of washing and water leakage. None of these things happened. If you run a bleach cycle once a week, your washer will not smell. Other brands may have problems, but LG makes a superior product.

The only downfall is that this machine rocks......

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slenkey says "Heaven for the heavy reader." about PaperBackSwap.com

slenkey — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:53:34 GMT

Paperback Exchange is so much more than just paperbacks. At this website you are able to request hardcover, children's books, audiobooks, workbooks, etc.

Here's the idea. You create an account at this website. After doing this, you can peruse used books until your heart's content. If you can't stand the thought to get rid of your books, you can purchase credits that will allow you to request gently used books to read, otherwise you just upload the ISBN numbers from your gently used books and receive credits for swapping them with other members. Think of the book swaps from school and then modernize it. The idea is genius.

As a former English Teacher, my basement is crowded with (not an exaggeration) seventeen boxes of books. My husband, when helping me move from my old classroom, banned me from buying more books and asked me if I told my students about a place called the library. Now that my career is going in a different direction, I am no longer in need of all of these...

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slenkey says "Cheap and Tasty.... what's not to love?" about Five Guys - Reston, VA

slenkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:03:56 GMT

We were in the D.C. area and out with friends who lived there. My husband and I like to eat local whenever possible to find fun, new places... especially holes in the wall. While Five Guys doesn't qualify as a hole in the wall, it did fill a hole in my heart for a great burger.

The burgers are amazing, the fries to die for. Which is appropriate because if you ate here enough, you would. However, this is a great place to treat yourself if you are in the area!

As far as not having ambiance.... it doesn't in the classy sense of the word. This place is fun because you want it to be fun. Think of the times in college when you ate at a place and it was fun because the food was great and everyone was having a good time. Five Guys would definitely qualify in this situation.

If you are out and about and have never eaten at a Five Guys... stop. Enjoy. Indulge your inner greasy food loving child. So you have to work out two more times this week... it's worth every calorie.

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slenkey says "I wanted to hear my baby, not the neighbor's phone calls!" about Fisher Price Sounds and Lights Monitor

slenkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:48:48 GMT

We purchased this monitor for our first child. It had everything I thought I wanted. Two channels to switch between, it lit up so I could turn it down and watch TV without the sound, and it had a night light. The only thing I still like about it is the night light.

Every little thing is picked up on this baby monitor. This should be a good thing for a concerned parent. However, every little thing includes our neighbor's phone calls, radio stations and extra sounds from other rooms. The great thing is that the radio stations come and go, so you can be woke up at 4 am to either Rush Limbaugh or Eminem... whichever it picks up that day. Neither one is welcome in my bedroom at that hour, thanks. And while my husband thinks our neighbor's phone conversations were entertaining, I didn't really want to listen to them. Switching channels didn't really help either. We'd either get a different cell phone call or eventually a different TV/radio station would be heard.

The lights...

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slenkey says "Just keep watching, just keep watching, just keep watching, just" about Finding Nemo

slenkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:20:34 GMT

Finding Nemo is a great movie by Pixar that kids and parents will enjoy watching over and over again. I fell in love with Nemo before I was a parent, but I have to tell you that the story actually gained something after the birth of my first son. I know it's corny, but you understand the father fish's point of view more. Hey... my husband won't watch it anymore because it makes him cry... seriously.

This is a great film to watch with your kids. It's also a great film to have a discussion about. There are so many different characters that are highly developed. Many different plot happenings that could be developed. The ideas are limitless. If your child loves this movie, you could develop it into an educational experience and ask for alternative endings, comprehension questions, persuasive speeches ( why was Dory your favorite) etc. I used to use this movie with my high school students in English because they knew it and loved it. It's a great way to get kids thinking...

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slenkey says "Great little Point and Shoot to keep in your pocket." about Canon - SD900 Digital Camera

slenkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 05:58:37 GMT

I absolutely love this camera.

No surprise... Canon makes a superior product. This camera is a great little point and shoot that takes amazing pics. It offers clear shots that compromises no detail.

We bought a camera case for the PowerShot and it goes everywhere with us. Even with a case, it fits in your pocket. The Canon picks up details you didn't even notice before taking the picture. Don't let the little package fool you, this PowerShot has quite a bit of extras that come with it. You can sit down to read the manual to learn about all of them, but why do that? Take it out of the box, slip in an SD card and start to shoot. The menu system is easy to read and follow and will tell you almost anything you need to know.

Retails for about $350-$400. For the work capacity and professional looking pics you will take, it's worth every penny. Do yourself a favor and pick up a 2GB memory card as well. You won't want to stop and change cards when you start shooting...

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slenkey says "After you break them in, you won't give them up." about Birkenstock Milano Leather for Men and Women

slenkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 05:25:11 GMT

Yep... that's right. My husband calls me a hippie because I own these. He also claims they are the ugliest shoes out there. I have to ask him if he's seen Crocs...

Anyway, I absolutely love my Birks and have for years. I started my love affair with this shoe brand in high school in 1994 when wearing socks with them was cool. I have since come to my senses and started wearing them only as a summer staple to run to the store and other daily living dictates.

They are AWESOME and last for a really long time. If you are familiar with Dr. Martens quality, you understand this idea. Just like my docs are my winter indistructable shoe, these are my summer. Birkenstocks can be pricey, but that's because they will last you for many seasons.

Now that my ramble has come to an end, I do have a warning. These shoes will hurt your feet when you first buy them. This is because they need to be broken in (perhaps with socks at first... it helps). The cork bed will eventually mold to...

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slenkey says "A commercialized bit of fun." about Day Out With Thomas

slenkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 05:04:25 GMT

About a year ago, a dear friend gave me advice that I should have taken. Over brunch, she looked at me and said, "Whatever you do, keep him away from Thomas the Tank Engine. You will spend money on Thomas stuff like crazy if you don't."

I laughed off her warning, dismissing her good intentions as a joke. It was no joke. I have a basement to prove this point. Thomas the Tank Engine is the greatest marketing scheme deployed on the toddler market. They are cute, fun and entertaining. It also doesn't hurt that my husband's side of the family has historically worked as engineers. His grandfather drove trains in WWII and did it when he returned stateside. His father just retired last year from his rail career. Thomas was something that we couldn't have hidden from if I'd have thought to listen to her anyway.

My oldest son has since grown to love Thomas. We have his trains, hat, shirts, pajamas, toychest, watch, books and yes, even underwear. When I happened upon an advertisement...

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slenkey says "Do not pack a diaper bag without it!" about Tide-to-Go Instant Stain Remover

slenkey — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:10:20 GMT

The Bard's review is wonderful! Yes, this is a product that effectively erases stains from fabric. It does so completely and doesn't leave any remaining residue either.

However, there is something that should be mentioned for moms out there. I regularly kept a tide pen in my desk when working because I was a klutz. It would get coffee out of my sweaters at work and I was happy at that. This summer, while we were on vacation, I stowed a tide pen in my diaper bag. During breakfast, I not only managed to get coffee on myself (why do I bother wearing anything but black?), but also had cereal on my right sleeve from the baby and grape jelly on my left sleeve from the toddler. I was a mess, as most moms can be after a meal. The Tide Pen got all three stains out of my shirt and allowed me to look like a pulled together wonder.

This thing is amazing. Put one in your pocket/purse/baby bag and fearlessly walk through life!

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