Pooh's 1st Birthday Boy 54in x 102in Plastic Tablecover
Retro Arcade Pac Man TV Game
I did have one complaint, though.
This is very close to the logic of Pacman, but you can tell that it has different logic than the arcade version of Pacman. In the arcade version, the orange ghost follows a random pattern that is close to you but isn't chasing you directly. But in this version, the orange ghost chases you directly.
It does visually resemble Pacman exactly, but the logic of the ghosts is off. If you're just playing for fun or getting this for your grandkids, nobody will notice. But if you're trying to beat some world records on Pacman, then this product will probably throw your game off.
All the games are:
*Pacman
*Dig Dug
*Pole Position
*Galaga
*Galaxian
*Bosconian
*Super Pac-Man
*Xevious
*New Rally X
*Mappy
*Pac-Man Plus
*Pac & Pal
Pros:
+Appears to be a faithful clone of all games but Pacman
+Has a lot of old 80s games
+Lots of Pac-games
+Good, solid hardware
Cons:
-Isn't a true clone of the regular Pacman artificial intelligence
-Only has one audio out, so you either need a splitter, or sound will only play from half of your TVThis item is great, for just over twenty bucks at Target. It has a whole bunch of games that I remember from when I was young. Pac man, space invaders etc... really brought back memories. My kids love it since the games are easy to understand and there are only a few buttons. Also it runs off 4 AA batteries so no worries about younder children putting the adaptor end in their mouth. The unit itself seems quite durable, switches and the joystick are really of good quality.
Its a good buy. I would say better than the atari flashback 2.0 console (the only good game on that was Centiped).
would recommend this for sure I think I am playing it more than my kids.
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This is as close as I'll get to the original games.WOW. The old patterns work and the joystick is pretty amazing.I used to spend more than this in a weekend in the arcade so this is an amazing value and a lot of fun. I spent the entire weekend with it challenging my nephew to games he's never played before.I can't recommend this enough to someone who loved these games back in the 80s.
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First the software. The unit is great is this respect. The games are true to the originals, and the front end to choose the 12 games is made in a nice matching style. Great thing is this games stores highscores, where most original cabinets lost these when the games were powered off. One of the best ways to gain a legal working PCB with the (almost) original arcade games!Then the hardware. The toy is a great upgrade from the first pacman and ms pacman toy. The stick is more solid and the buttons look real. But there is one big mistake. The joystick must be on the left, and the fire buttons on the right! And those buttons are too stiff. So forget beating any Galaga high score on this. Firing the bullets will kill your left arm. It needs right arm muscles and good training to score reasonable. So the best thing to do with this toy is buy a real arcade joystick, 3 real arcade buttons, built yourself a nice stand up arcade cabinet, grab an old TV and put the things together with this toys PCB in the cab. Then this toy really becomes legendary!Although the makers took care to make it look and feel authentic, the joy stick's poor response time hampers thePac Man games.It's frustrating-even absurd-especially with regards to quick escapes and turning corners. Since Dig Dug moves around slowly, game play is more realistic and enjoyable.
Mega Bloks Mega Value Cat Construction Site
Wooden Railway Train Set
Lipper International 524WN Child's Round Table and 2-Chair set, Walnut
Guidecraft Art Activity Desk
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This has proved to be an excellent desk and drawing space for toddlers.Storage is very good.Desk is very stable.This is a beautiful art desk/table and I think my daughter is going to get a lot of use out of it, however it was very difficult to put together. The middle shelf on the desk itself didn't even fit. The holes and pegs wouldn't line up, even after I tried to move them a little. Our desk will not have that shelf. Also, there were two pieces that are similar, but different sizes, that weren't marked properly. And one of the knobs for the paper roll keeps falling off. Other than that it is an excellent table and I'd buy it again my husband wouldn't.
Alex Toys Little Hands, Clay Pictures
The clay alone would be more fun; don't bother with this if you have small children and don't want to "help" them do the whole thing.I don't think this is too hard for a 3 or 4 year old to do, but my issue is that some of the colors of clay do not work at all.The blue and green color were completely hard, and when you try to use them for the picture, they just crumbled like dried out play dough.Didn't seem to happen with the other colors.Just 2 of the colors.Not cool.
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I agree that the clay is hard. Harder than it should be and yes a kid won't be able to make it without assistance. That said it does provide great practice for fine motor skills. My son was engaged with it for quite sometime so it could also depend on the patience level of the kid. We proudly gave it as a birthday gift to his uncle who loved getting it. I hope Alex toys read this and makes the clay softer. Else like someone suggested get your own clay ! I like the fact that there is no messy glue, or glitter or pieces that create a clean up situation later. I think it would be great for an inflight situation too.Read Best Reviews of Alex Toys Little Hands, Clay Pictures Here
I agree with the other reviews.This toy is too hard for a three year old to push the clay (which is not very soft) into the holes. I had trouble myself making it neat enough to result in an attractive picture.In addition, the toy is boring.Within the first five minutes of taking the project out of the box, my child was just interested in playing with the clay.I bought this toy at clearance at TJ Max for a very small price. Usually Alex Toys are a good value, this one was not so great. As another review stated, it was too hard to fill in holes with the clay they provided, I had to do most of the pushing myself. My daughters (4 and 2 at that time) used leftovers to build something else, but overall not much fun.24''W x 48''L Rectangular Activity Table with Thermal Fused Laminate Top and Height Adjustable Pre-
Milton Bradley Scrabble Board Game Dictionary
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The Scrabble Dictionary was a good find and cheaper than the hardback. The seller delivered timely and the condition was great when it arrived.
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This book has every word, even letters which is pretty ridiculous but great to bust people who swear "it's a real word!"Want Milton Bradley Scrabble Board Game Dictionary Discount?
This is a grat book to use for scrabble and a game we have learned how to play called Quiddler.Evil Human Warrior RPR 20020
VTech - InnoTab Interactive Learning Tablet - Pink
how to install music on your innotab?
when you get your innotab and SD card you will need to install the card, turn on the system, click on the icon for music. there will be one free song in there, do the same for the video icon. you need the innotab to create the folder you will use later. once you have clicked on music and video and backed out. turn off the Innotab, NOW your card is ready for receiving the files,you can install files by using the USB wire or remove the SD card from the Innotab and install it into your PC SD card reader. (the later is faster)
if your using the USB wire connect it to your PC, go to the Vtech website and download the Vtech Learning Lodge, and install it onto your PC, open that program and click on file manager, there you will see the Tabs for Music, Movies and Pictures. the music and pictures install simple, but you wil notice that the movies feture doesn't work. to install movies just use windows to install the movie file into the folder thats Marked "MOVIE"...open my computer, then look for removeable drive, then LLT, then open the folder that says Movies and just paste your movie in, eject and your done.
let me also say that the batteries die pretty fast so i recomend getting the AC adaptor. i feel that considering the Price Vtech should have included one for free. also the pouch is pretty well made. its a neopreen so it offers a little padding.
oh also i want to note that the touch screen doesn't work that good. when your try and swipe the screen it sometimes eccedently chooses an item rather then moving the screen. i'm not all that sure if thats me or the screen. but the pencil seems to work better then a finger.Fantastic Bang for your buck, great technology!, Originally purchased the leappad, but returned it for this product. The battery life in both the leappad and innotab are comprable and a problem! I bought 2 sets of rechargable batteries and switch them out. Batteries last about 2 days max with lots of play. I also purchased the ac adapter ($9), solving much of the battery issue, and can plug it in while they play for battery free play. The touch screen seems easier for my 4 year old, and the games using the touch feature ROCK, vs leappad which requires more games and reading the ebooks with the pen, which can be easily lost as it is magnentically attached to the side. The mp3 player is awesome and can be listened to WITH headphones! THe art studio is unbelievably creative and keeps my kiddos occupied for hours! You can color and change photos you download as well, super fun. The e-reader is amazing! The words as highlighted as they are read, and is completely interactive as the kids touch individual words, characters etc. The story can be read as the kiddos move their fingers or pen over the words, or it will just read it for you(as the words are highlighted across the page) as the characters act out the story. The games (although it seems that there are much less than the leappad) are actually a much better buy. They come with 5 individual apps per $20-25 purchase (e book, 3 games and 2 creative activities) vs leappad, where you pay $20 for each individual book, game or app. (you get 5 for the same price as 1). They are expanding their library and the v-tech online Learning Lodge has many more apps, books and games not available in stores, many of which are free or very low cost ($5-15) vs leappad, where they start at $7 and go up. Motion games are super cool, but not super easy for my 3 year old to navigate, but my 4 year and 6 year old have mastered it! With a lower initial price tag, and more value in the games and apps, and many freebies plus bonus of mp3 player, it is much more bang for your buck. Don't buy into the name......it is awesome!
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I'm pretty sure, despite the few "less than perfect" reviews, that the LeapPad does not have expandable memory.....which is why I went with the Vtech Innotab in the first place.From what I've seen, the Leappad only has 2 GB, and does not have expandable memory.I put a 16 GB SD card in both of my daughter's tablets and modified the specs so that I could put some kid movies on it.It looks like I can put about 5 or 6 movies on it (leaving room for the educational stuff, of course).The picture quality is great.I'm giving these as Xmas gifts, so I'm working with the tablets at the moment and getting them set-up with movies, etc.So far, I'm impressed.My only concern is the screen.....I'm considering putting a screen protector on them just so that my littles don't end up scratching them, some how.I put screen protectors on everything so that they last.My goal is that they'll leave my iPod alone.:)
Read Best Reviews of VTech - InnoTab Interactive Learning Tablet - Pink Here
()The Vtech is less expensive.Looking at the current Amazon listings, much less expensive.
The Vtech is "faster".By that I mean it powers on and off more quickly.Also, games seem to start more quickly.
Voice prompts. They are about equal.I think the same guy recorded the lexicons for both machines.
Clarity of instructions.Both machines are very good.
Screen responsiveness.From my experiences the LeapPad is better.There are some times when the Vtech just doesn't respond.
Styli.The LeapPad comes with a soft tipped stylus to protect the screen.It broke right away.However, by daughter manages just fine with her finger.The Vtech comes with a hard tipped stylus and is not likely to break.That's good because with the Vtech there are times when you need a stylus.That's bad because I can see the screen getting damaged.
Durability. The LeapPad feels more durable.
Sharing.The LeapPad supports four named accounts and a guest.The Vtech only one named account and a guest.
Ability to take pictures and videos.The LeapPad is the clear winner since it has a camera and the Vtech doesn't.
Ability to transfer pictures and videos.The Vtech is a clear winner.After putting in an SD card I connect the device via USB, it shows up as a drive, and I drag/drop .JPGs and .AVIs from my camera to it.I still haven't figured out a proper combination of parameters to get ripped DVDs to be recognized.(The ones in the manual are both non-stadard and don't work.)
"Funness" of games.For the games I've tried that are similar on both devices the LeapPad version tends to be more interesting and fun to play.At least judging from my daughter's reactions.
Educational value of games.For the games I've tried that are similar on both devices the LeapPad version tends to offer more educational content.
Bottom Line:For even money I believe the LeapPad is the better choice.At current prices (except, apparently on Amazon) where the LeapPad is about 20% more I would still got with it.However, there are things that speak for both devices and neither would be a bad choice as a gift for this holiday season.
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I was very excited when I found this product, especially for its capability to load videos. However, when I received the product I was disappointed.....it has no memory whatsoever (so you will need to purchase a separate memory card if you decide to purchase this).
The touch screen is not as responsive as I would have hoped for ( I understand it is a child's toy and not an iPad, but I expected something a little better than this)
The biggest disappoint I had(even though I am very good with computers) was that it was very difficult to upload videos. I think its video upload capability was referring to uploading home videos vs movies, which the preview of this product mislead you to think with the Cars 2 preview.
In all it is not a horrible product. My girls do enjoy playing with it. My expectations were too high for it I guess.
Warmachine Talon Light Warjack PIP 41008
Fisher-Price Loving Family Beach Vacation Mobile Home
The vehicle does require some minor assembly.The luggage rack needs attached to the top of the vehicle using three Phillips head screws.Another Phillips head screw goes into the bottom of the vehicle into the driver's seat.Note that the screw on the bottom goes into the seat at an angle.As with the luggage rack on top, the intent of the screw on the bottom is to hold the front portion to the rest of the mobile home.A ladder attaches to the side of the mobile home via a series of snaps.As with the screws on the top and bottom, the ladder is yet another mechanism that holds the front part of the mobile home to the rest of the mobile home.While this paragraph is lengthy, it only takes minutes to assemble the four screws and the ladder.
Now comes the fun stuff.The driver's compartment has a steering wheel that turns.The dashboard is all one piece and one color, but it has various controls and a navigation system formed as part of the dashboard.The driver's seat has a seatbelt, though it is an integral part of the seat.
Aft of the driver's compartment is a kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, and microwave.The kitchen includes colorful elements molded into the kitchen, such as utensils, towel, oven mitt, and range.The kitchen also includes an open window.While the refrigerator and microwave doors close reasonably easily, the microwave I found slightly difficult to open.I can imagine the door might be a challenge for some children.The refrigerator door seems to open more easily.
The back end of the mobile home has a couch and fold down portion that appears to have a "carpet" molded into it.The fold down portion opens to reveal a full-sized bed for the parents.The back end also has a bathroom with a toilet that has a lid that lifts, a sink, and a mirror.The outside wall of the bathroom has a pivoting portion that reveals a showerhead, molded into the pivoting portion, along with a control, also molded into the pivoting portion.On the top of the back portion is a lid that lifts to reveal a child's bed and an arched window.As with the kitchen area, the walls and lids have many decorations that are colorful and fun to see.
Several separate items are included with this set.The picnic table provides a place to put two plates of food, one of which has a hot dog and a salad, the other of which has a hamburger and fries.A thin plastic mat that looks like a beach with water surrounding it is part of this set.The thin mat had many wrinkles, but placing it between two large, heavy books or under anything flat and heavy should take the wrinkles out within a few hours.Two lounge chairs are perfect for sitting on the beach.A plastic sand castle is perfect accompaniment to the beach.A "Loving Family Calendar" is also included.The "calendar" does have spaces to add dates, but the primary purpose of the "calendar" seems to be as an advertisement for other "Loving Family" toys.
The mobile home closes up to take the family home.Naturally, the wheels roll.The first time I tried closing the home it seemed a little difficult to engage the mechanism.After closing the home several times, it seemed to close more easily.I think a younger toddler might have some difficulty closing the home at first, until the mechanism wears a little.
We have been a big fan of Fisher-Price toys for decades.We purchased them for our children, and now we are buying them for our grandchildren.The toys have proven to be durable and enjoyable.While some of the features of this mobile home might be slightly difficult for toddlers to use initially, with time, wear and practice I think those features will become easier to use.The only thing missing from this set is a family to go into it!
Enjoy!
()I wasn't sure what my 3-year-old granddaughter would think of this.As far as I know, she doesn't really know what an RV or camper is, and since she already has a deluxe Loving Family dollhouse, I thought the mobile home might rank a poor second.
It turns out the opposite is true.She immediately peopled it with some of her Loving Family dolls (be warned, there are no play figures included) and has continued to play with it every day for nearly a month now.I wasn't too impressed with the small beach-scene mat, but she likes it and makes up stories about the things the people are doing at the beach, even insisting that I help one of the baby dolls use the duck float that's actually only a picture on the mat.She loves to open up the sleeping areas and put everyone to bed, and as a recent graduate of potty training herself, insists that everyone use the realistic bathroom before bed; the lift-up toilet lid was a hit, but she did comment that she wished the toilet had a flush handle, her favorite potty feature.
I thought this might make a nice accompaniment to her Loving Family dollhouse, but she actually plays with the RV more often and has heavily accessorized it with things from the dollhouse.She really enjoys the Loving Family line of toys, and although it tends to be pricey, it's sturdy, creative, and makes a nice ongoing collectible for gift-giving.
I'm looking forward to taking my granddaughter and the mobile home to the real beach to play next summer!
December 2012:Just thought I'd come back to mention that the mobile home continues to be one of my granddaughter's favorite toys a year later and is played with almost daily.This toy has really captured her imagination.I found her a vintage Fisher Price pop-up camper, which she likes because it's like her family's camper, but the Beach Vacation Mobile Home continues to be the solid favorite.
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()The already chock full Loving Family doll "series" just got chock fuller with this latest addition.Some of the other add on playsets to the LF doll house made me scratch my head and wonder what kid would want that, but this camper is pretty awesome (and fun).All three of my kids (6, 4 and 1) play with this, probably more than any other LF item besides the house itself.
The only real drawback is that there are no "action" items on this...would have been nice to add head lights that work, or a horn, or even a lamp that works inside (but thankfully not another radio...the one in the minivan drives me crazy!).
Construction is similar to the rest of the series, which is not great (esp. the minivan, whose doors fall off very easily), but it does seem slightly better constructed than the van.
The fold-upbeds are cool, and the bed on top is a nice touch too.
PROS:
Very nice addition to the LF set
Seems a little more sturdy than the questionable minivan
Nice variety inside with plenty of different rooms, and cool little items to discover like the built in shower.
CONS:
No light or sound items (lights or a horn would have been cool)
General complaint about LF stuff...it's slightly too small IMO...just a tiny increase in size of all the items would make this set perfect!
Doors don't open (maybe they learned their lesson from the van after so much negative feedback, but come on, the doors should open!Just make them a little sturdier than the van doors)
Overall, I can easily recommend this camper to any kid that has Loving Family dolls and/or houses.
4/5
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Bought this so my kids age 4 and 6 would stop fighting over the FP Loving Family mini-van. It takes some time to assemble, but is not difficult. It has a lot of nice details and allow the kids to take the dollhouse family on a road trip, an experience they are quite familiar with. It's fun to hear them re-enact memories from our own visit to the beach. This vehicle does not have any doors prone to popping off like the mini van, so that's a plus.
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()My family loves Fisher-Price Loving Family toys!When this Amazon Vine review product arrived I was disappointed at first because it didn't have the instruction sheet and assembly was a little trickyI managed to eventually get it all put together but then noticed two chips in the picnic table.That is kind of unusual as most Loving Family toys are totally well built.
I called the 800 number and talked to customer service.They were quick and efficient and what they chose to do totally exceeded my expectations.I did have to find numbers on the box and she guided me patiently as I found the appropriate numbers.She made special note of the suggestion I made regarding the product line and was a joy to work with.I have no qualms about doing business in the future with Fisher-Price and their products.
Now about the product.This is a cute camper.Past large well used motor homes often have missing doors, windows and issues.This one is smaller, sturdier and has cute pop out beds and looks pretty darn rugged.The picnic table and chairs don't seemquite as strong as some of the other accessories in this iine.I'm looking forward to lots of great play time with outstanding product by an outstanding company.
Coaster European Style Game/Dining Arm Chairs with Nail Head Trim, Set of 2
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WHEN I SAW THESE CHAIRS ON LINE I KNEW THAT THEY WOULD BE PERFECT FOR MY DINING ROOM , EVERTHING ABOUT THE CHAIRS WAS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR , WHEN I RECIEVED THEM THEY WERE PERFECT AND VERY WELL MADE I AM SO PLEASED THAT I PURCHASED THEM.Very happy with chairs, especially for the price!They look great in my kitchen.Easy to put together. I did it myself took me less than an hour!Want Coaster European Style Game/Dining Arm Chairs with Nail Head Trim, Set of 2 Discount?
I just needed a couple of decent looking chairs to go with an antique parlor table and I liked the look of these and the price was awesome so I ordered them...they came within a week and although one of them had a broken arm assembly, the company immediately placed an order from the factory for a new one...we got the other one put together (which was fairly easy i might add) and all I can say is WOW!These are big, oversized, very comfortable and VERY NICE for the price! I am amazed at how nice they are...they look like they would cost a lot more and they will work great with all of the antiques in my home.I am very pleased and if you're a tall person or larger person, you will fit great in these chairs!If you're short, your feet may dangle.My husband is 5'9.5 and his feet just barely lay flat on the floor!I love them!!!!!very masculine! thanks!!Killerspin 603-05 Aurora Table Tennis Net and Post Set
The groove where the net string sits, to allow you to adjust net tension is far too shallow to provide a solid place for the string to sit.This would result in the net string frequently slipping out of the groove, thus ruining your net tension.Not to mention, I was not satisfied with the quality of some of the other components of the set.
Overall, for recreational play at home, this net set is not all that bad for the price.Considering a really good set can set you back anywhere from $80-$150. That said, after a little digging I was able to find a much higher quality product at a cheaper price than this one from another online table tennis retailer.I am no expert but I can't stand playing table tennis with inferior products.I just got this net and installed it on our table and it works great.It is very solid and holds it's shape perfectly.It did not come with any instructions and it took me a few minutes to figure out how to install it without breaking it.I do not see any issues with the frame holding up and the net is super durable.The only part I worry about at all is the metal rings that are used to apply tension on the top string.I am sure if anything happened to them however, it would be easy to replace.
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We love this net very sturdy and durable and was easy to put up.Affordable price would recommend to any serious table tenis players or any beginners as a great net.Read Best Reviews of Killerspin 603-05 Aurora Table Tennis Net and Post Set Here
This is a nice quality net for the price.Is being used for college Table Tennis Club and is working out just perfect!Want Killerspin 603-05 Aurora Table Tennis Net and Post Set Discount?
The post are heavy duty with a quality clamping system. Once you figure out the net installation process and set the tension, you can quickly remove and install it without having to make fine adjustments every time. The post and the net is exactly the quality I expected;Good Stuff .Thomas And Friends Wooden Railway - IslAnd of Sodor Wooden Playtable
When the table arrived the box was dinged, but thankfully the contents inside were well packed with styrofoam and cardboard protecting each piece.
The wood is high quality with easy to connect fastners.Very stable.The train images on the side of the table and on the legs are great.They weren't stickers, but actually some kind of high quality painted image that has a very durable finish on it.Some of the train images even have a full plastic face piece for Thomas and each of his friends.
The table is well designed for a toddler's height and the allows them to reach to the center.
Needless to say my 2 year old son loves it!He wakes up in the morning, says choo choo and runs out to go play at the table.
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This is nice for the Thomas the train set but it is way to expensive for the quality.My son is 4 and I have had to repair the bar across the middle.It was very close to breaking.It is not made for little boys to stand or jump on, which they will do when you are not watching!Read Best Reviews of Thomas And Friends Wooden Railway - IslAnd of Sodor Wooden Playtable Here
I umm and aahh about spending this sort of money on a train table for my children but after doing my homework I decided this is the one I would buy.Other train tables I have seen in stores are often wonky and seem quite unstable and this is after they've been played on in the stores.So after seeing poorer quality tables for similar prices I decided to save up for the Thomas branded one (also bought the one-sided play table board to go with it).
Yes, it's expensive, but as with all any "brand", it's the name you are paying for.If you want a Thomas collection of trains and accessories you are going to have to pay.I'm just starting our collection and am buying the "Thomas" trains and buildings, but found a compatible generic track for less than half the price.I was lucky enough to get this table at almost half price at a after Christmas sale.It's worth waiting for sales and price comparing.
Having said all that we have found the table to be excellent.It's at the right height for all our children (4, 3 and 1 year old) and me when I'm sitting on the floor playing with them.There is also plenty of room underneath to have some good sized storage containers for all your pieces of train track and other accessories.
The table frame is packed very well to protect the 3D train faces that are on two sides of the table.It's beautifully painted and when it's put together is extremely strong (although I wouldn't recommend standing on it).
Now that we have this table I no longer have to nag the kids about getting their train tracks off the lounge room floor, they can leave their "town" up for days until they want to change it.We also have a great table for their other car/train sets, or Little People towns or Duplo Creations.
It's up to you to spend to decide if you want to spend this sort of money but I see this as something I won't ever have to replace and it's something my son can keep for his children.Toys like this will last!
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The Thomas train sets are great modern versions of the classic indestructible wooden train sets.Simple enough to avoid the toddler age frustrations of getting the cars to run on the track yet complex enough to engage a wide range of ages (up to and including Grandpas).All the stories help with the imagination part....the books & videos provide an endless source of adventures that can be acted out, although most kids are perfectly capable of inventing their own episodes.
Here is my advice, if you are trying to work your way through the maze of start-up options:
First of all, you can spend a fortune on a huge set....even if you can afford it, I would start with something small and give the child the joy of receiving a chain of small but intriguing presents over a long period of time.It fosters the joy of giving/receiving and helps teach them to come back again and again to the same toy...watching it grow, asking for specific items from the stories they hear, etc.Several reviewers suggest painting an old coffee table and this is a great idea.
I suggest the Figure 8 set (the most popular one) or if you want to spend a little bit more, the Conductors Figure 8 set.Both are complex enough to be interesting, but simple enough to give lots of room for growth.Almost immediately I would add a new present of one of the inexpensive engines (you can ask the child which story they like best and get that engine for them....or buy the engine to go with the video or book in the same gift)....these would be Percy The Small Engine, Bill The Yellow Engine, Treavor, (or a bit more $ for:) The Lady Engine, James The Red Engine, Gordon The Express Engine (he's one of the best stories, I think), or Henry The Green Engine.
Now for the good stuff!Give it a month or so, and then reward the child with something really cool like the Barrel Loader or Rusty the Construction 3 Car Set.
I honestly can't see the point in the huge multi hundred dollar system sets.If you want to impress the neighbors or something, go for it, but I'm telling you.....most kids will enjoy a large number of small thoughtful gifts, not a "keep-up-with-the-Jones" effort on your part.
Good behavior can be rewarded with a pick-your-own trip to the store (there are sometimes when a real time shopping trip can't be beat)
By the way, the Thomas stories are based on real restored engines that run in England on the Mid-Hants Railway Watercress line near Winchester (you can read about them an even plan a trip to ride on the real Thomas trains by checking outwatercressline.co.uk).They are a day trip from the London rail stations, although I recommend using a B&B in the Winchester area and staying overnight if you decide to go.Winchester was the center of the old Saxon kingdom of Wessex of King Alfred as well as a major early medieval site (the Cathedral has the tombs of many of the Saxon Kings as well as Jayne Austen and Izaac Walton and it was where Richard the Lionhearted was crowned.)
Fisher-Price 2012 Space Saver High Chair
Here are the problems I have:
1.The seat back in its upright position does not come close enough to vertical, so my baby, who is completely capable of sitting up on her own, is forced to recline.And than her butt slides forward toward the saddle horn (what's that called, anyway?)So she kind of looks slouchy in it.I want her to be able to sit on her butt and be upright, not sit on her lower back and lean back.
2.The seat under the butt is not smooth AT ALL.There's a cut out right under the butt that's about an inch and a half wide and a couple inches long.I wouldn't want to sit in it.Maybe it wouldnt be a problem if the seat cover was more padded.But its a pretty thin (read easy wash/quick dry) seat cover.
3.The last thing, I suspect is universal among trays, but I don't like it.The underside of the tray is like a honey comb; tons and tons of little crevices, probably necessary for pouring and molding plastic trays,I don't know.But my baby, who's hands are covered in moosh, touches the underside of the tray, which makes for a less quick clean up.Think of it as potentially being like the underside of a table at a diner.
Buy Fisher-Price 2012 Space Saver High Chair Now
The purpose of this chair is to save the space a conventional chair would take up, but in my opinion, all it does it take away one of your regular chairs from your table & eat up space where the normal high chair would've gone. . .Once attached to a chair (& I've seen/used it on different types of chairs) it won't slide under the table, defeating the purpose of it NOT being a high chair.
The reclining option is well, stupid.Babies shouldn't learn to eat in a reclined position unless they have a physical delvelopmental delay that requires a little extra aid.The "bucket-seat" style is more like a carseat & restricts arm movement in older babies.Also, the idea of a cloth cover on a childs chair just means more to clean, you have to clean the cover & underneath.Then there are tons of cracks & crevices for food to get stuck in.
The Tray is HUGE, I have yet to find a dishwasher that it fits in.
So if you're looking for an actual space-saver, try one of the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat, Green/Blue options.I bought that one for my own after the trial-and-errors of using this one as a nanny.The tray fits nicely in the sink for a quick hand-wash OR the dishwasher, The seat is simple, compact, & fits under the table.It cleans nicely & it folds up if you need to take it with you.A MUCH better option!
Read Best Reviews of Fisher-Price 2012 Space Saver High Chair Here
I received this high chair as a gift when our second daughter was born...we needed a second one because our first daughter was/is only 17 months and therefore still using hers.We LOVE our first daughter's chair, however this one seems to be somewhat more cheaply made and just not as well made as the version from 2 years ago.The recline is also significantly different only the top part of the chair reclines, where as the entire chair reclined on the older version, which made for a much more comfortable recline for the baby.In general, it's still a really great seat and I have no major complaints.I just don't like the "improvements" that they've made in the past couple of years!I've had this chair for a little over 6 months now and while I've been happy with it mostly, it is a really pain to clean. My daughter gets food everywhere and this thing is impossible to get 100% clean without getting out a screwdriver and taking it apart. I'm so done with cleaning this thing that I'm switching to a seat that's all one piece (no tiny cracks and crevices for sticky drippy food) and has no fabric lining (which is impossible to get clean once it's been stained).
Marvel HeroClix Supernova Booster Pack
Large Puzzle Packer (1500 Piece Puzzles and Smaller)
It comes in a perfect fitting box. So far, so good. I opened the box and pulled out the Puzzle Packer and it felt like it might come apart as I lifted it out of the box. The frame is unfinished and some edges were still rough from the saw cut. It has a nice wood grain finish but no stain or varnish to give it a "finished look". When put together it does look like the photo. Also, the felt surface is applied well.
The frame is not attached at all well. I had to completely re-nail the bottom of the center base to the frame, as it was nearly falling off of the frame. Also, it comes with 8 rods; 6 long rods for holding three of the four side boards at an elevated angle and two rods for elevating the back of the base section. It also has a handle, which will need to be attached to the frame by two screws.
The rods do not actually attach they are to be slid into drilled out holes in the sides of the frame. This right away invites disaster in loss of a rod. There should be attached rods which are set in hinged brackets and fold out from the sides when the frame is in use.
The holes in the sides meant to hold the brackets were not nearly deep enough. I had to deepen each hole so that the rods would stay in the frame.
The concept of the Puzzle Packer is a good one. It was not "broken", so I did not return it. I just did the above mentioned repairs and repacked it into the box to give to my son for Christmas. Needless to say, for this much money I will find something else for my wife.
Harvard G01888W Mid Fielder Soccer Table
Like one of the other reviewers we have this at work.It gets a lot of use.We have had it for about six months and it's falling apart.I'm sure this would be fine if it was in someone's home but getting used tournament style will kill it quick.
Buy Harvard G01888W Mid Fielder Soccer Table Now
Wanted a solid table for my game room and got exactly that. Table weighs in at 180 pounds so it stands up to heavy play and won't dance around the floor. Not the same as a heavy bar quality table but more than holds its own. Directions were pretty straight forward and easy to follow and construction didn't take too long (about 2 1/2 hours). All in all, am very pleased with the table and the price.Read Best Reviews of Harvard G01888W Mid Fielder Soccer Table Here
This table is falling apart at work LOL. We have two foosball tables at work and this one is the "bad foosball table" LOL. Is seriously a health hazard, it's going to fall on someone's toe for sure and it's going to be a lawsuit.

