iPlay Sights and Sounds Splash Table

I bought this for my son who is 19 months old. He LOVES playing in the water and so I thought he would enjoy this for many, many hours. While he does have fun with it, he likes spending most of the time taking the pieces off. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, except that when the lighthouse comes off and water gets into the base, the music plays OVER and OVER and OVER kind of a problem for a toy that is supposed to have water in it. Also there is NO on/off button for the music which is annoying not only when water gets into the base of the lighthouse, but when we are trying to empty the water out and put it away.

Great idea for a toy, but I wouldn't recommend it until they come out with a new and improved version.

My son is a huge fan of the magnetic crane on this water table.I love the octopus fountain.The major problem is that the lights and sounds began malfunctioning within a couple of days of opening it.Sometimes sounds don't work.Sometimes lights don't work.Sometimes sounds go off without being triggered.Why would you make a water table with electronic parts that malfunction when it comes in contact with... WATER?!?!Did I mention there's no "off" button?

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My son is almost 2 y/o and this looked like an amazing toy he could spend lots of time playing with. Unfortunately, now I wish I had bought something simpler with less small parts. The various pieces on it (the tree, lighthouse, crane etc) come off very easily. He spends most of his time taking it apart rather than playing with it. Perhaps he will like it more as he gets older, but I think it would be better if the fixtures on it were firmly attached. Very cute idea though.

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My mother bought this table for my daughter's first birthday.We were so excited that we even invited over her best baby friend (14 months) to have a 4th of July Splash Table Party.We were so dissappointed when the octopus did not work at all.The sounds were barely audible too.We decided to put new batteries in, thinking that maybe the batteries we purchased were duds.Sadly, it was the toy that was a dud!Fortunately, the girls had fun with the water, even without all the bells an whistles.But then again, they had just as much fun when I filled our big salad bowl with water and floated a few toys in there.

Needless to say, I exchanged the table for another one.I hesitated when they asked me if I wanted to exchange it or get store credit I should have just listened to my gut and gotten the credit, but I went ahead and got a new one (my daughter loves water more than any other kid I have ever known!).

Surprise, surprise...The octopus doesn't work!Well, it does squirt out a tiny tiny bit of water for about a half a second, but only about a half inch high (nothing at all like the picture on the box).

I am so sad to see such a horribly manufactured toy on the market and for so much money no less!Play in the bathtub, outside in a sprinkler, or even with a salad bowl full of water, but just please don't waste your money on this, it will be such a let down for everyone.

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My now 14-month-old received this for his first birthday.He loves it, but spends most of his time taking it apart.The problem is that the toys included on the table are not fastened on, and my son loves to take them off and throw them.The palm tree comes apart and comes off of the table, the little man comes off of the crane and the crane comes off of the table, and the lighthouse comes off.He's even recently figured out how to pull the store/station building off.That being said, he really enjoys playing with it, just not for its intended use.In fact, he is not nearly as interested in the toy when we put water in it.He also enjoys pushing the table around the house.If you don't mind hunting down the parts to this after your child throws them around, the table should provide lots of entertainment, just not for the purpose for which it was designed.

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Meerkat Cuddlekin 12" by Wild Republic

Okay, so this is what a meerkat looks like!It gets repeated looks from people, that's for sure.The stuffed animal is well made at least. Children like it.

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Prepainted Miniatures Set (4) Pathfinder

Wow!These little figures are far and away the best pre-painted figures I have even seen.The detail is quite amazingKyra's cloak even has the gold designs worked upon, to a unbelievable level of detail.

What you get here is four plastic (not hard but not soft, either. Slightly flexible, but can be broken under duress) figures of what is called 25MM scale but are actually a little larger. Their bases are sized for Pathfinder/D20/D&D.They would be perfect for any Fantasy Roleplaying game or just as little toys on their own (warning, not for little tots who could choke on them)

The price is very reasonable considering the quality. I also like the fact that there's no "mystery collectible sets"what you see is what you get.The best figure is likely the cleric, but all four are amazingly detailed and painted.

For those of you who have kids who are into Fantasy gaming but aren't sure what to get them (the array of books & modules is bewildering, I admit!) this is a perfect present.You will be "the cool aunt/Grandparent" etc for sure.

This review is for Neca Wizkids Game Pathfinder Beginner Minis 4-pack, by Paizo.

Another great product from Paizo.Amazing quality and detail on these sculpts, and hopefully they'll be able to continue this quality with new product coming out next year.

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The minis are well made, and not flimsy like a lot of pre-painted minis can be.However, it's the quality of the paint job on these minis is what impressed me the most. The details are impressive, and the paint job doesn't leave me with a desire to paint over them.

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Bought this over the holiday and I have to say that the detail and paint job on them are very good for pre-painted plastic miniatures. Way better than WOTC plastic minis! Also, these minis' weapons aren't as "floppy" or bendable when compared to WOTC plastic minis as well! I don't regret buying them!!

My only complaint is that packaging that these minis come in is extremely large for just 4 minis for they come in a big plastic box-like container. Since this plastic container is a #3 for recycling purposes, most recycling centers will not accept it and it will be just tossed in the trash. Very wasteful. I think the packaging could be more efficient size-wise and maybe being made of a plastic (#1 or #2) that is easier for people to recycle.

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I bought this set to go with the Pathfinder beginner box as my friends played through it using the premade characters, which are depicted in this set.The mini's are made from a semi-soft plastic that has enough flex that it won't break, but not so much that they get warped easy.The paint on the mini's is very well done, and includes a lot of small details that I found impressive.Especially the faces, which did not look like radioactive mutants when viewed up close, as many cheap pre-painted mini's tend to.

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Warlord Wraith Lord RPR 14033

I like the dynamic pose of this miniature. It is, overall, a simple and simple to paint mini. Werner Klocke is a brilliant sculptor, and finding his work in the reaper line is a double bonus, since these don't have the "wargame pricing" or the "premium prcing" of his own Freebooter line. A pleasure to paint.

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Wizards Of The Coast - Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures : Booster Savage Encounters

Great minis. Not as good as Lords of Madness, but great. Obviously there's a downside to ordering this pack of minis online you don't get to know what the large mini that would be shown if you're buying it in person is but the price difference made it worth it to me.

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Patriotic American Flag Centerpiece

Our family reunion theme last summer was to honor the military members of our family.I used these as centerpieces and they really made beautiful tables and everyone seeemed to enjoy them.

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Laugh & Learn: Musical Learning Chair

My 13 month old loves this chair.He plays with it on a daily basis.I would love to give it 5 stars across the board; however, I get a little worried when he plays with it.When he pulls up on the chair, it has turned over on him a few times.It's only if the pulls up on the part that has the lamp and book.It's sorta heavy on this side and him pulling up there makes it tumble.He hasn't gotten hurt, just a little frightened by falling backwards.Now when he goes near it, I always put my hand on the back of the chair to make sure it doesn't fall over.If they'd put a little more weight on the back of it, it would be more stable.

This was recalled because of the gap between chair and table.They say a child can choke or get their neck stuck.Once you get the recall piece it is just fine.My daugher had this since she was about 9 months and is now 2.From then until now she is still very interested.She says all the aminal names and noises.She likes to turn the clock.Very fun and also a nice chair to sit to watch cartoons or her shows.Very durable too.

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I got this for my daughter for her first birthday.It did come with the repair piece for the recall.However, I am not sure how any child's head could get caught, unless they were younger than the recommended age of 12 months.The spot between the chair and table is large enough for an arm, but not for a head.My daughter likes to stand around it and play with everything.I'm sure she will decide to sit on it at some point.I have changed the batteries since I got it 1.5 months ago, but she uses it all day.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

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I just have to start with how shocked I am at the price of this item.I mean SHOCKED.I own this, purchased from a yard sale for $5.00.Yep. $5.00.Brought it home, it looked as new as this picture does.Cleaned it for safety and set it down.My then 10 month old daughter went straight to it and sat on it.She started playing with it immediately.She has enjoyed in the several months since, very much.She finds it necessary to climb up in it, turn around and THEN sit down. But it hasn't flipped over yet.This is a great great toy if you can get for maybe $35.00 or less.I can't see paying $200.00 for this.It's great, but it isn't covered in gold.I can't believe this is the price.Still shocked.

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My twin girls received this from grandma for their first birthday. At first I thought it was cheesy and wasn't sure how much they'd like it since they get bored with a lot of their toys very quickly. They loved all the sounds and singing that come from it when they play with the little lamp, flip the pages of the book or sit in the chair. At first they didn't really sit in it but just stood on it or played standing next to it. After a week or two they started sitting in it and they would fight over who got to sit in the chair. They are 16 months old now and still like to sit in it and play with it or sit in it to watch TV. I would definitely purchase this again and recommend it since it was one of the few toys they would play with everyday.

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Kikkerland Imagine Crank Music Box

I bought a couple of these (Over the Rainbow and Fur Elise) because they are pretty, substantial, cheap and fun.They are made of metal, but a few of the parts, including the music cylinder's hubs, are plastic.The sound is pure, but tiny.When you put it on a flat surface like a table top or window the sound is greatly amplified somewhat mysteriously.This miracle of sympathetic resonance is addictive and everyone in the immediate vicinity wanted to repeat the trick.I'll wager my kids will love this activity.The box includes mounting screws and the frame has screw holes so it's pretty clear you are meant to mount these.To me that strongly implies making a music box which sounds like a really fun project with the kids.I'm going to get some bass wood, cut it, make a sound port hole and a little hole for the crank, and use little nails or staples to make a box.I'll have the kids paint their boxes and then we will mount the mechanisms inside.I'll wager they'll make a sweet sound.

This little mechanism plays more of the song than you might expect enough that there's no mistaking the tune for anything else. Take note, for the best sound you should lay it flat on a hard surface when you demonstrate it.

The particular appeal of this "bare" music-maker is seeing how it works, with the crank and tines interacting with the wheel. You can explain it to kids or whatever, actually seeing each note played. It can also make a neat little project to house it in a homemade box or setting. Because of the simplicity this manufacturer releases a lot of different songs on their music boxes. Find the right one for a gift and you're bound to make someone happy. I'll complain that the crank feels a little loose on all of them, you have to turn it pretty fast and steadily to make the song sound like the recorded version.

"Imagine" is so universally beloved that it's obviously going to be a good choice for a gift, so it's my top recommendation for this kind of music box.

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I like the music boxes of this type. There is some magic in it and it is a good gift for X-Mas or New Year. But the package box can be more beautiful.

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Sounds great ~Looks great ~ Was a great gift to my lovah :) ( Now I'm just filling words for the review haha)

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This little music box is great! It's pretty basic and not too flashy, but when you consider how inexpensive it is it's a great buy. The cool thing about it's simple design is that a child playing with it will get an understanding of how it works. Mine has been played with by a child who is rough on his toys for a couple of months now and is holding up pretty well. I don't remember how quickly it shipped, so I can't speak for that, but otherwise it was a great buy. I plan on getting a few more for a variety of songs, because it does get pretty old listening to the same song over and over.

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Clear Diamond Confetti Sprinkles - 1 carat size

• Wedding reception tables
• Wedding shower decorations
• Flower arrangements

Got these for the tables at my wedding reception and loved them! They added just enough glitz and glamour, sparkle and shine. Everyone loved this little detail, and all the little girls went home with their own little pockets full of diamonds :)

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In conjunction with utilizing Diamond ConfettiHot Pink 1 Carat 2000 pieces these were used to be sprinkled on the tables at the bridal shower. Additionally the bride has requested the use of these at the wedding as she loved them so much! They look beautiful in a variety of different lighting scenarios.

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I bought these to decorate the buffet table at an outdoor bridal shower, they will add a great sparkle in the sunshine.I think the size is perfect, as if they were larger they wouldn't have as much sparkle and would look tacky.Love 'em!

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I ordered these and some larger ones to fill a vase.No big decision, no big design element.But these little things are just too small to make an impact of any kind.I am hoping I can return them.The larger ones I got were fantastic!!

I ordered these to act as a vase filler, at the bottom of some small 5" vases for wedding favours. We are filling the vase with water, and topping it off with peace lilies. I counted and counted, estimating how many per jar, I knew that the 1 carat size was 6mm, ... but somehow it still seems like a tiny amount. I ordered 2 bags of clear, 2 bags of black.. and I will likely have to buy some more jewels elsewhere. I feel like the price is a bit high, especially for little hunks of plastic...

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My Girl Salon Chair

I choose this chair for my girls doll she got from American Girl. The straps on the chair are way too small and does not fix an 18 inch doll. Very disappointed.

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Doll House Furniture Miniature -- Hepplewhite Side Table Circa Early 1880s -- Complete Kit -- New O

• Authentic Reproduction Furniture Miniature

Hi,

I have several of this brand of miniature furniture kits. This one was a little tough because the shape of the legs doesn't take kindly to being clamped (it's round, not angles). I would use rubber bands from the top, if I did it again. Also, this type of wood (basswood? decent quality, but certainly not high-endy wood, such as mohogany) does NOT like to be dyed mohogany stain. Any glue spots you get (or glue from the factory) will not dye well being stained in a dark color. Either very light, almost non-existent colors of stain, or the reddish maple stain is what I would use if I re-did this one, as you get the best finish. Also, contrary to what the Gorilla Glue label says, it does not stain at all where the glue is. That's a great glue, however, you just have to clamp it tight (tho not tight enough to bend the piece, but solid enough to not move), it does expand as it bonds, so don't go on any long trips while it's setting so you can wipe out the excess, and NEVER ever ever get this stuff on your skin! It burns like a mo-fo, and will make some people sort of sick (ie, me). It also eats through rubber gloves, but the gloves do give you time to be aware of having gotten it in the wrong place. I still love the product; it makes for an exceptionally stong bond. I've dropped my pieces on a ceramic floor, and once bonded in 24 hours, I guarantee you the wood will split before the glue bond will.

The kit is nice, as it's only 6 pices. I've done their dressers, and lemme tell you, drawers are normally a pain in the butt. They always are, no matter whose kit you use, becuase wood never forgets it was once a tree. These kits (any of them) have very little grain, so unless matching to a light-colored decor in the first place, you might miss some of the beauty of the "stripey/speckley pieces." Of course, you could just paint them and be done with it, but be aware the paint thickness might affect how the kit works where it has to move.

I do like this kit (and the other HOM kits). However, avoid the cheap garbage ones (15 bucks for a room of furniture); they stink. I did have a few spots that didn't quite stain the way I planned, but I still like their stuff. I may still have some things to learn about how to get a good finish on my furniture. I prefer to stain/varnish after assembly, but BEFORE you stick on the doodads such as pulls--they get in the way. When you have to sand drawers down becuase they don't quite slide right, you'll be glad you stained/varnished post-assembly; as it's hard to get the finish to match right a 2nd time.

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Disney Tangled Featuring Rapunzel Magical Tower Playset

My daughter received this toy as a birthday gift from a friend and was very excited and grateful.however for those looking looking to purchase a theme toy with tangible values be warned that this toy is a real bust. cheaply made and misleading.first, like most all the other reviews state, very misleading that the flynn and maximus figures are not included!just include them and charge a couple of dollars more!the repunzel figure is almost the same quality as a mcdonalds happy meal toy so hearing that others are happy to buy seperate figures for $20.00.... well! this tower structure is very flimsy and not well designed for play the top room closes, but not with the accessories that are appointed to go into the tower, and even without them does not fit well. when open the accessories WILL fall out because it is flimsy and will tilt and the pieces barely fit the space. so my daughter has resolved to play with all the items on the table and the tower stands empty.also the "hair" that lights up is a molded plastic "cap" that only lights up on a bald doll, the long flowing "hair" that flows from the tower to the ground below is a molded rigid plastic tube, not even much designed to look like flowing hair, that is attached to the ground below and to the window above and again misleading to the packaging does not light up with the plastic cap on the doll.my daughter tried in vain to position the hair on the doll against the pole of hair to light it up... (the plastic tube just strangely dead ends from the top of the window to a blob on the floor of the tower) it is in no way intended to fit to the doll or to light up. so you have a tangled figure with short plastic molded ball-cap hair and a long hard plastic tube sticking out of the tower window like a fire pole.worse even is that the accessories include a plastic harness that must be installed upon initial assembly for the not included flynn to slide up and down the tube on (repunzel does not fit the harness). also includes an armoir to hide the not included flynn however this armoir is one of the accessories that is supposed to fit in the tower but must be removed in order for the tower to be closed (and barely fits with the tower open and blocks the "hair" window). cute packaging, cute concept, even looks cute standing on the table of her play room, but a REAL BUST in ALL other respects.

This toy was cute but does not come with the Flynn Rider or Maximum figures.It was very misleading because all the pictures show all three figures but doesn't state they are not included unless you read the fine print on the box it came in.Then, it's very hard to find the other figures, they are not sold ANYWHERE.Not even on Mattels online store.So not only do you pay a lot for this toy you have to go search for the parts that should come with it.I don't understand why they just don't sell it all together and charge a little more.Toy manufactures are stupid at times!!!!

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This is such an awesome toy! Got it in the mail today. I'm tempted to go play with it myself it's so nice! Reason it costs a lot on here is cause it is sold out almost everywhere. But the toy is fabulous and my daughterhave not stopped playing with this tower. She love how it opens and closes, and all of the accessories inside keep her very busy. Looks much like the tower in the movie;-)))

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We have quite a collection of the Polly Pocket sized Disney Princess dolls, Disney Fairies dolls, and all their clothes/accessories, so it was important to us to keep within that sphere.When the first tower toy came out we loved it and wanted it but at $99 it wasn't going to happen, plus it was for the larger Barbie sized dolls, not the Polly Pocket sized ones.When we saw the pre-order for this tower we were psyched!The description left me confused as to whether or not the Flynn or Maximus were included, from the box it looked like they were but the description did not say they were, and since no one had them in person yet there was no way to verify.This was supposed to be release 1/1/11 but Mattel was backordered already and Target did not get them in until just recently.We found the boat ride toy right away at Target and waited and at last found the Magical Tower today.Flynn and Maximus are indeed NOT included which is of great complaint in my book and the reason this did not get an overall five starts but a four instead.The correct sized Flynn is available via the boat ride set, but there is currently NO small sized Maximus available.My only thought is that just like Mattel held back the release of this smaller tower and the boat ride toys to allow their larger more expensive tower to sell for Christmas, that perhaps there will be more of the Polly Pocket sized Tangled play sets to be released around the time of the release of the DVD this spring.I gave this a 4/5 on durability because the floor on the top part of the tower keeps coming off.The Rapunzel's hair lights up when you push on her head, at first, while still in the box in the car, the girls loved this an giggled incessantly when they made her light up through the tester hole in the box.But once home and out of the box the Rapunzel doll is creepy because of how the hair fits/moves/comes off and both girls went straight for their other "real" hair Rapunzel dolls.they do love all the tiny little accessories that come with it too, they loved putting the Flynn from the boat ride into the wardrobe.So, buy this toy if what you want it for is the TOWER as this is all this really fulfills.Keep in mind this toy retails at Target for $29.99.

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I ordered this toy early for my daughter's 6th birthday, before it was even available.The pictures were cute, and I thought she would enjoy the romance of it.After she opened it, I will say that the tower itself is darling, and the tiny furniture and dishes are a big hit.However, the boy (Flynn) is not included, though pictured, and neither is the horse.Rapunzel herself is very odd, with a bald painted head and a large piece of foul-smelling plastic that attaches and lights up to her head/back.The same awful plastic is used for her rope of hair which reaches the ground.Overall, it's alright, but I will be looking to replace the Rapunzel figure and add the missing characters.

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Russ Yomiko Maltese Dog, 17"

I bought another Russ Yomiko Dog and the fur was really soft.This one is not at all.It did not look very good out of the package either.

Gave this to my friend who loves Maltese dogs and cannot have one .It is so lifelike and well made.

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American Girl Crafts Doll Size Plates Cups And Napkins

We used these for my daughters 7th birthday. Clearly it was American girl themed. This set was perfect for the dolls! All the girls adored them and even took them home to use later. My daughter still uses the cup and plate when playing with her AG doll.

Super cute great for my daughters doll party, love that they make them wish they were made of plastic so they could play over and over with them little pricey at $1 a place setting that you use one time wouldn't feel so bad if they were reuseable! oodles of fun thought!

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the description is wrong. The one I got says doll sized plates, cups and placemats. Not napkins as the package says. I actually liked it more. Just be aware that the description is not accurate. my daughter loved it! I will probably get a couple more for them to play with.

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...OH HOW I LOVED THESE MYSELF

but MY GRAND DaUGHTER could not care less, and THESE ARE PRICEYand swoosh

in the trash in a flash...

hent

if you want tiny cups that r pretty , MAKE SOME and FOR A KIDget plastic and let them, reuse

THESE ARE JUST PAPER PARTY SUPPLIES IN THE DOLL SIZe and are very sweet

BUT IF YOU DONT MIND THROWING MONEY OUT THE WINDOW...

let the children have cake!

and serve it up doll size

at 6-8 bucks for 4 of each......cup plate and knapkins,,I WOULD NOT RECOMEND...for this

,and felt it was a waste,and not appreciated LIKE I LOVED holding and LOOKING AT THEM

it felt awful to see them dirty and in the trash..save the $$$ and do something better!BUY one sheet of scrap book paper, pull appart a paper cup,REDUCE on your home printer and make as many copies you need,glue, take normal sized knapkins, refole down,cut in half.....for plates,cut downactual large sized, maybe 2 from ONE plate? GET THE IDEA.... THESE r for PLAYING RIGHT ,PLAY BEFORE TOO.....now go get crazy and make center pieces from the left over cut plates and paper..take water bottles and make plastic flowers, ??I HAVE DONE STUFF LIKE THIS ALL MY LIFE and going strong......

IM JUST TELLING YOU WHAT I WILL DO WHEN I GET THE URGE TO HOLD A 2' or so CUP!

and this is what I HONESTLY WILL DO!

linda

linda-chartier.commy art is good,and I can do anything and I have fabouless IDEAS JUST DO NOT ASK ME TOSPELL OR WRITE!

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Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Musical Activity Walker

This is a fun toy. There are a handful of musical instruments represented on the front of the walker piano, guitar, saxophone, etc. Each one, when activated, plays cute, upbeat music that makes babies happy. There's a volume switch to make mommy/daddy happy, too. We received this as a gift when my son was about 6 months old, and he loved sitting in front of it and activating the songs and sounds. When he began cruising, we merely propped it against an end table for extra support and left it out for him to cruise around and continue to play with. Great.

Until he began wanting to walk independently, but needed a little support from a walker. That's the point of this, right? Umm, not quite. We quickly realized that this is a fun toy, but NOT a good walker. It's very lightweight, and easily pushes away/tips when a newly-walking-toddler leans into it. It also can easily tip back when a toddler sits down, too, coming down on his head. After my son suffered a few painful faceplants and head bumps trying to use this walker, we took it away for his safety.

As a musical activity toy for a sitting/crawling/cruising baby, this is quite cute. As a walker for new toddlers, this doesn't do the trick. I'd recommend looking for something more sturdy.

We bought this item after reading a lot of reviews and doing research. At the end of the day, my goal was to have something for my 12 month old to practice walking with (so far she cruises along furniture... but I don't want her only walking sideways!) When we put it together and gave it to her, I have never seen her so happy!!! She walks back and forth across our carpeted room like she has a new found freedom! We got nervous when she went near our tile floor, but she did just fine. The ONLY time it might tip is when she runs up against furniture and tries to keep on going. However, we are usually right there (as responsible parents) and turn her around facing her in another direction. She has flipped it on herself twice (or, rather, flipped herself over it) but neither time was she hurt or even phased by the fall. I can't stress enough how perfect this was for us. I don't think it is cheaply made at all. She can pull herself up on either side, loves the buttons, loves the music... it's great!!!! BUY IT!!!

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This item offers absolutely no resistance against the wheels.If you don't hover over your child while they are walking, eventually you'll end up with some busted teeth or a bloody lip.If your child runs into anything with it, they will go over the top of it(as if over the handlebars on a bicycle).The plastic bends and the screw tips 'almost' pop through the plastic.It is very light so if your child is learning to walk... get them something else...Amazon customer support was willing to allow me a return, but we kept it as it does entertain my son.We have removed the wheels and the unit now sits stationary.

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Was wearing after reading other reviews but my goodness they made it seem like I was purchasing the start of a horror movie for my child. Purchased it for my daughter before xmas so she was about to turn 10 months. She's almost 11 months now and is doing better with it than when she first got it. From the help of her 1 month older cousin she picked up how to properly start using a walker. Unfortunately my child does want to PLAY with the front WHILE WALKING BEHIND. Hilarious to watch. She always uses it backwards. A bit easier for her to play and walk.

I believe this toy works better on none shag-ish carpet (idk what to call it exactly). The carpet in our upstairs portion of the house it does not allow the wheels to roll she gets frustrated and stops playing with it. Kitchen tile can you say WEEEEEE*faceplant* .... ok lesson learned, don't allow child to use in kitchen Didn't really think of using quite there ANYWAYS. Downstairs carpet ok cool, she uses it great. She crawls over and plays with just the front as well (we do have to have wheel stoppers of some form behind to back wheels while just playing with the front part otherwise it rolls away when she slams the piano keys haha)

Music is very short (does not play forever and ever and ever). Nice sounds actually 3 settings for sound. OFF, LOW, HIGH. High really isn't that bad, just helps her hear if there is something like the TV playing or other family members having fun elsewhere in the same room.

Yes the sounds do make noise when child isn't play a quick piano roll, or guitar sound TO GET THE CHILD TO COME BACK AND PLAY. This shouldn't be the ONLY toy to show cause and effect my child will play for with it knows the sound will go off in a few moments when she stops , waits for it to do the sound on it's own, laugh like there is no other joke told like this one, and get more into playing with it. The child will read it as an interactive game with them not confuse them completely on the short bit they learned on cause an effect. They still are getting that here AND hopefully else where if you're teaching them properly. /rant

You may need to be close by while they are learning to walk just like you would if they were learning to walk without the toy. Once they start cruising and are walking like a crab by going side to side steps, this toy will really help them cruise and learn the proper movement of the steps moving forward and back.

Falls may happen in life anyways will or without toys. Realize your child's milestone capabilities and follow proper parenting actions as it suits. Don't diss a product because your child may not be completely ready for all the aspects they are really really wanting to have.

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We received this toy as a gift for our 3rd daughter. We have gone through several walkers before, so I have others to compare this one to. Our little one was not yet pulling up when we received this.

Pros:

Assembly: there are only a couple screws(2 on each side I think?)to attach the "legs" to the top piece. It took me 2 minutes

The front part of the toy is actually really neat. They should have stopped there. There are several different activities requiring different types of actions from baby. The music played for each is cute and not annoying like other toys we have had.

Cons:

Once my baby tried to pull up on this toy things went downhill. When pulling up to a stand from either the front or back, the entire toy falls over. More than once it bonked her in the head and once it gave her a good bruise. She was actually DISCOURAGED from pulling up after that! Then, once we convinced her to try to use the toy from a standing she got going way to fast, the wheels caught on the carpet and she fell face-first into the toy.

We ended up taking the "legs" off of the toy after that. She played with it propped up on the table on a regular basis. it was constantly falling over, however, since this isn't what it was meant for...

Overall, I would not recommend this toy at all, and it's just not worth the price to not use the legs and just play with it on it's own.

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Beka Rigid Heddle Childs Loom 10"

This product is not a toy. It is built solidly and can be used to create real textiles, just limited in width.Exactly the same loom is sold as small loom (rather than a toy) in this listing Beka Rigid Heddle Loom Rigid Heddle Loom but at a higher cost.

I recently became interested in weaving and purchased this loom to see if I would enjoy weaving.I have completed several projects on this loom and I really do enjoy it.I was able to create several scarves and sashes which are 4 feet long.

Here are some things that I learned about the loom and the process.

I am attaching several photos which I will be referencing in this review.

1. This loom does not limit you too much in the length of the textile you produce, just the width. I made 4 feet long scarves and could have made them a few feet longer if I wanted.The threads that will be used in the textile are wrapped around the board at the top of the loom (called warp beam) and the finished textile tangles from the front of the loom.This loom does not have a cloth beam on which the fabric can wrapped. As you make fabric you upwrap the threads from the warp beam and pull it down between the boards at the bottom tightening the hand screws to put the threads in tension for weaving.You can see this illustrated in the photos I am attaching to this review.

2. This loom does not come with a few items that you will need for weaving. I read a few books and watched a few videos to understand what tools are needed and made most of them myself.

(1) You will need a warping board. This is a tool that allows you to measure out threads to put on the loom. I created one by purchasing a 1 foot board and 1/2 inch dowel from a local home improvement store. I asked the clerk to cut 1/2 inch dowel in two 9 inch pegs. I drilled two 1/2 inch holes in the board and put dowels into it gluing them for extra security. My dowels are 4 inches apart. If I were to do it again, I would put them 5 inches apart. I put a piece of felt on the bottom of the board. I also bought two C clamps to attach the board with pegs to my work table to create one end of a steady warp board. The leftover length of the 1/2 dowel is the second end of the warp board. I tie it to the chair and this allows me to place the second end as far as I need from the pegs on the board to measure out the length of the threads I need for the project. So for example, if I am planning to make a 4 foot scarf, I would put the dowel attached to the chair 5 feet away from the 9 inch pegs to give myself a foot for thread salvage. You can buy a warping board for about $120 dollar at a loom store. My solution cost under $10 dollars.

(2) You will also need a pick-up stick, which will allow you to pick up threads if you want to make a design.I got a stick which is used for mixing paints, and used sanding paper to create a pointy end.This took only a few minutes and made a tool which otherwise would cost a lot more.See photo of the tools I created.

(3) If you want to change colors in your design you will need another stick shuttle (the loom comes with one).Having more than one shuttle allows you to keep weaving without having to unwind the thread from the shuttle that comes with this loom which is time consuming and cat get your threads tangled.You can make your shuttle stick from the paint mixing stick by making notches at both end of the stick and then using sand paper to smooth out the notches.

What I like about this loom:

1. It let me try weaving without payinglot of money for a big loom

2. It is built solidly and works well

3. It is easy to use, it did not take me long to figure out how to weave

4. I liked that the loom came threaded, so it allowed you to start with weaving rather than "dressing" the loom (which is more tedious and complex than the weaving).

What I did not like about this loom:

1. The instructions that come with the loom are not sufficient to get you started if you are a novice

I had to read several books and videos to get me started.This not a big deal, just letting you know

that you would need extra information to avoid being frustrated

2. The screws that create tension at the bottom of the loom tend to catch threads

3. When the piece is long and it tangles from the front of the loom you need to be careful not to step on it or run it over with you chair

Overall, I am very pleased with the loom and my new hobby!

Updated 9/6/11

Since I started to weave the most helpful book for mastering weaving has been by Deborah Chandler Learning to Weave

Update 11/20/11

Dressing the loom can be challenging, if you don't keep all the threads straight it may take much longer then necessary.The most important thing is to come up with a way to hold your heddle while you are dressing the loom.I am attaching a photo of the system of clamps I came up with. I speeded up the dressing of the loom tremendously with a few simple clamps and brackets I found in a local home improvement store.I wish I came up with this system earlier I hope sharing this idea will save you time and frustration.

A paint mix stick is attached to the loom by a small clamp.This gives clearance on both sides of the heddle so you can approach it from both sides for dressing.The paint stick is attached to a metal bracket with another small clamp. And the metal bracket is attached to the table with a big clamp.The whole system takes about 1 minute to set up, and saves at least 30 minutes of fussing with threads.

Ali Julia review

I have never used a loom before and this seems a perfect starter piece. I already finished the "starter" project and am happy with the capabilities of my loom.

My biggest issue with the product is that the instructions are not detailed enough for a true beginner, trying to teach themselves. I don't mind using other resources for guidance, however the product says it comes with full instructions and I was a bit confused by some parts.

regardless, the product itself is lovely and just what I expected.

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This is a great starter loom.I got it for myself to see if I would like weaving, and for my daughter to use when she got older.I now have moved on to a larger loom but will continue to use this for smaller projects.Very simple in design and usage, it would be a good for children ages three to seven with supervision but anyone over the age of eight could easily weave on it.

I like that it is entirely made of wood and is made in the USA.

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I found this easy and fun to you use I have made several scarfs!I really enjoy this loom and I mean it is a real loom not a toy

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This loom is great for someone who wants to start out weaving, or just wants to weave on the side. The tension can get a little wonky sometimes, since tightening it requires flipping the block of wood, but its still a great piece. I upgraded to a 32 in Ashford loom, and still use this one for simple little scarves when I dont want to string up my big loom

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Thomas And Friends Wooden Railway - Water Tower Figure 8 Set

This is by far the best deal I've seen on a Thomas set. The water tower retails alone for $24.00 and the bridge for $18! My son is absolutely wild about Thomas and the water tower and bridge are the two things he plays with the most. I am thrilled that they have combined them into a set along with track, and plan to give this as a gift to my nephew.

The water tower contains liquid that appears to "drain" when you lower the spout (this alone is worth hours of entertainment for a toddler). The bridge has 3 parts and is very easy for young hands to assemble. It's reasonably stable, although the top piece is not held in place with anything other than gravity and can be knocked over accidentally. There is plenty of room underneath for trains and track. Some cheaper sets have bridges that are so low that the trains don't fit underneath.

Thomas brand track is excellent quality and features indented "ties," unlike less expensive versions. However, it's fully compatible with Brio, Imaginarium, and several generic brands on the market. This set also includes a Thomas train and cargo car to start your Thomas collection (Watch out! It's addicting). These would retail for about $10 apiece if you bought them separately. If your child already has a Thomas train, don't worry. To a 2 or 3 year old, two identical trains are more fun than one.

A simple figure-8 track layout is best for young children who are being introduced to wooden train sets for the first time. You can also rearrange the pieces to make a loop or simple circle. I highly recommend this set as a first train set for any boy or girl age 2 and up! A great companion is Thomas Wacky Track, which allows for a wider range of curve diameters, and reduces the frustration level of beginning engineers.

I purchased this set and the Figure 8 Expansion Set for my son for Christmas 2005. He is just over 2 years old, and he loves Thomas the Tank Engine in particular, and all things train related in general, so this was a very easy decision to make. The quality of Learning Curve's wooden track is very good; the pieces are made from hardwood, and are quite sturdy. While we have expanded using other generic tracks which are compatible with Brio/Thomas track, there is a noticeable difference in the quality.

I would offer one caveat. This set is very similar to the Conductor's Figure 8 Set, which is typically offered for the same price. While the water tower that comes with this set is a pretty neat accessory, I think that the Conductor's set offers a bit better value, as it comes with Thomas and two cars (Water Tower set only comes with one engine and one car), as well as an additional switch track and a conversion ramp. These offer a bit more flexibility in layout and play, especially since my son is not terribly interested in the water tower right now (though this may change when he gets older).

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Tons of stuff come in this set, for a super price: a Thomas, cargo train with cargo piece, a tree, a Sir Topham Hat figure, two signs, a 3 section bridge, a water tower, and tracks that form a figure 8.

If you add up the price of the red water tower, one train with attached cargo train, a bridge, and several track sets and accessories, you would be at a price 50-75% more than the cost of this excellent Thomas starter set.This set is even worth it if you already have other pieces in the line.My son wanted a water tower, and I figured why pay the price of a single one, when for a few dollars more, you get 2 trains, a bridge, signs, a figure, a tree, and tons of track.While some of the larger Thomas sets don't really save you cash and can be very pricey, this one is probably the best value out there.

One other note, the differences between the red and yellow tower are not just the color.The red one, sold by itself, has the train track piece attached to it as one unit.The yellow one in this set does not have a track attached, but comes with two little magnets in front, and there is one straight track piece that has the two magnets on the side, so you can make it stay put.It may take a few minutes when you disassemble it, to find the right track piece with the magnet, and if you have a lot of track like we do, it can take several minutes!! In a way, it's better than the red one, in that you can place it where you want, even around a curve, by just using it alone.On the downside, if you lose that magnetic piece of track, you won't get it to attach to anything anymore.

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This is a great starter set that I bought for my children.The water tower is a big hit--it looks like the water runs out when you move the handle down.

The set up: younger kids will need help putting it together.

Adults will want to find a safe place to keep the paper that tells you exactly how to set it up.It is a figure 8 shape and if you don't put the right pieces in the right place it won't make it all the way around.

FYI: I also did not know that the Thomas the Train pieces you buy at Target do not fit all Thomas tracks.

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I bought this for my grandson for his birthday and he loves it!He had another Thomas set that had grey plastic track which is horrible.The track will not stay together and he was very frustrated.I think the carnival set is that same track so beware.This set has sturdy durable wooden tracks and he plays with it EVERY day!He has fun moving the track in different designs and is mystified with the water "disappearing" from the water tower.This is the best Thomas set to start off with and it appears additional extension sets are very reasonably priced.I recommend this highly and suggest you stay away from the grey plastic track Thomas sets.

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Juliette-Wizard

A simple non-decript female wizard.And that is exactly what I was looking for.Detailed enough to be useful, but simple enough to not consume a large amount of time painting.

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TableTopics Gourmet

I gave this as a gift to a 'foodie' friend and she absolutely loves it.The questions are a great way to start conversation, keep a dinner party talking, and engage just about anyone.Another friend has the basic table topics cube and she and her husband take it in the car for road trips.

We have several versions of Table Topics and really enjoy the conversations they initiate. We bought this particular set as a gift for adult children that are self-proclaimed "foodies" and they had a blast using them at a party with friends.

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I picked this up as a gift for an amateur chef who loves to entertain.We've played it numerous times and it's extremely fun.Great for people who consider themselves "foodies" but also good for us everyday eaters.It's ended up prompting some recipe swapping and the sharing of a number of funny "meals gone wrong" type of stories.

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When I first learned about TableTopics in general, I thought it was a great idea but ridiculously overpriced.Why wouldn't someone just write down a bunch of conversation starters on their own on index cards and save $25?Well, I answered my own question when I was in need of a birthday gift for someone hard to please.TableTopics went over a lot better than I think index cards would have!What you're paying for is more than just the individual questions; what you're paying for is the presentation, something nice enough to leave on a dining room table and withstand (one hopes) years of use and enjoyment.

The box the cards come in is actually surprisingly pretty far better than I had expected it to be.It's just a clear cube with edges about 4 inches long, and thick, nearly 1/2 inch walls.It looks like glass or crystal, though it's plastic.The cards are 3 inch squares on a durable heavy-duty sort of cardstock or thin cardboard.It's a very attractive package and makes for a substantial gift.In fact, it's now my go-to gift for people I don't know well not the Gourmet version specifically but one of the TableTopics many varieties.

As far as the Gourmet version goes, I purchased this for myself, and was pretty pleased with it.My qualms?A good number of cards had "yes or no" type questions, like whether you've cooked for your pet, which failed to foster much conversation around my table.Even worse was a "would you rather" type question about living off celery or being overweight, an awkward topic to discuss over dinner no matter who's eating (or subsequently self-consciously not eating).As food-lovers would expect, there are a number of questions about wine (hope no one is a teetotaler!), technique, ideals and your own cooking and eating habits.I thought many vegetarians/vegans would be pleased with how few questions were related to meat eating (under five, if I'm remembering right).

My final complaint, which is undoubtedly a pet peeve more than a true problem with the product, is that none of the TableTopic questions have question marks.The conversation prompts are questions; punctuate accordingly!

Anyway, I would recommend this product overall.(I gave a low educational rating because although you will learn about your fellow "players" the game itself isn't designed to be educational.)It's a fun way to spark conversation and at least a few of the questions should lead you down paths you hadn't thought of before.

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I gave this as a gift to my 27 year old nephew.He and his wife had great fun with it together, and were looking forward to sharing with their friends at an upcoming dinner party.Excellent idea for grownup conversation!

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Gund TD Bear Brown 25" Plush - Large

Awesome this bear is so soft you never want to put him down I have him on my bed I love him you have we to buy this bear after all its a Gund one of the most collectable bears in the world.

Teddy is a lovely deep brown color and very soft and I'm quoting the recipient.

And Teddy is obedient and pleasant.

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The bear is a perfect size for a toddler to hug as an equal. In addition, it clearly feels good to hold and is very comfortable soft.

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