VTech Jungle Gym: Ride & Learn Giraffe

VTech takes learning and fitness for toddlers to a new (exciting!) level with their new Jungle Gym: Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike. Kids get to bounce around and pedal with all of their might, while learning numbers, letters, and more! The faster they pedal, the more they learn!

Features:

· Encourages learning through five modes of active play

· Teaches your toddler letters, counting animals and objects

· Features an LCD screen

· Adjustable, bouncy seat with three positions to grow with child

· Features a wide, stable base

_____I was so excited for Lily Bean to try this toy! I wasn't sure how she'd do on it, as she's a little bit younger than the recommended minimum age. Well! She might not have complete coordination as of yet, but she just LOVES her giraffe!

____Even before we took it out of the box, she was laughing and pressing the buttons. She thought it was hysterical how the screen lights up and makes sound. She watched as we assembled the bike and immediately tried climbing on it when it was ready.

___This toy is one that she will grow into and continue to take to new levels. I am so pleased that she enjoys it so much- and I have to say- we have fun watching her play with it!

Ages: 18-36 Months

Price: $49.99

Available from: VTech, Toys R Us, Walmart

magicJack- The Perfect Gift to Keep in Touch!

Okay! You are going to LOVE this! Today's product up for review combines several things that I am crazy about: saving money, convenience, technology, and communication. They are most definitely my favorite features to look for in a great product.

Kiss your hundred dollar monthly phone bills goodbye, because with magicJack, they are things of the past. You may have seen the infomercials for magicJack... I have seen them several times, and was always curious as to how well it really worked. Here's a breakdown of how simple this product is.

magicJack is a small USB device. One end of it plugs directly into your computer's USB port. On the other end is a port to plug your regular old phone into. After you plug the magicJack into your computer, you will be prompted to set up your account. You are assigned a home phone number (over 200 area codes to choose from) and you can even set up 911 dialing. Here is mine plugged in and ready to go:

Basically what happens is the magicJack uses your internet connection and turns it into a phone line. Your phone is plugged into the Magic Jack, and can make and receive outgoing calls. I got mine installed in a matter of minutes and tested it out by calling Biker Bob and my neighbor. The clarity of the line was nice and clear. I just can't get over how simple this is!

magicJack isn't going to replace your cell phone. However, it could absolutely replace your land line or serve as a cheap alternative to a second traditional land line. I have talked to family and friends about how they use magicJack, and they had these great suggestions:

• Land line for the kids to use
• Great to take when traveling
• Perfect for vacation homes
• Good to have on hand if your cell phone dies
• Really awesome for members of the military or our families stationed overseas
• Used by college students studying abroad

The possibilities are really endless. Plus, with magicJack you get many of the same features that you enjoy on a land line, including voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID!

So, yes, it sounds great- but what's the catch? There really is none. Get this- the magicJack is only $40. And then it is $20/year. DID YOU HEAR ME? $20 a year!!!!! For unlimited phone use! That's $1.67/month. WOW!

I am so super excited to share with you- that you can actually get a free trial of magicJack just by heading over to their website! So what do you really have to lose? This would make such a thoughtful gift for just about anyone on your list.

WowWee Alive Baby Animal Collection

Here is yet another toy that makes me want to shout how extremely cool it is. As an adult, I definitely love and embrace technology when it comes to computers, cameras, phones, and other gadgets...but toy technology is in a whole other realm.

The WowWee Alive Baby Animal Collection will delight and amaze any crowd! These baby animals are life-like plush animals that are covered in small sensors which are triggered by touch. The animals blink their eyes, move their mouths, and make sounds. They have tilt sensors to "know" when they are upside down and react appropriately.

Each animal features animated facial and vocal expressions that are triggered by the users' touch. We had a sweet leopard cub (pictured) arrive at our house, and I wish I was recording the SHRIEKS that came out of Lily Bean's mouth as she discovered this toy.

The WowWee Alive Baby Animal Collection offers the following animals: lion, polar bear, white tiger, and panda bear cubs.. plus NEW for 2009 are: husky puppy, koala joey, leopard cub, and seal pup. Each animal comes with a birth certificate and family portrait.

Price: $59.99

Ages: 3+ (though with parent supervision smaller children can certainly enjoy this toy!)

Batteries: 4 AA (included)

WowWee also makes a smaller version, WowWee Alive Mini Cubs! They are $19.99/each.

Available from WowWee, Amazon, and Wal-Mart.

U Turn Digital Camera

COOL!!! Check out this new digital camera designed JUST for kids!

The U Turn Digital Camera features a 2.4" LCD Screen and holds up to 80 photos- no memory card required! The screen actually turns 180 degrees so that kids can see themselves while taking the picture!

This camera offers 12 morphing effects to turn any picture into a silly keepsake. Choose from big head, comic book, eye popping, tunnel vision, twins, face pinch, mirror head, thermal, stretch, twisted, slices, and ghost.

Camere connects to the television and package includes the following:

• Digital Camera
• SNAP! Photo Editing Software
• Wrist Strap
• USB/TV-Out Cable
• Quick Start Guide

Requires: 3 AA Alkaline Batteries (not include)

Ages: 6+

Price: $49.99

Buy a U Turn Digital Camera now!

LeapFrog Tag Junior Reading System

You know the LeapFrog name. It is synonymous with learning, reading, and fun all in one. Their products are innovative and unique- and best of all they use technology to make learning fun. When you make learning fun, you make it memorable.

LeapFrog Tag Junior is the latest and greatest product to hit the market. Aimed at 2-4 year olds, the Tag Junior will bring books to life and engage your child into the wonderful world of reading.

The Tag Junior Book Pal is perfectly designed to fit into tiny hands. It helps children to explore Tag Junior Books using touch technology.

The Tag Junior Book Pal even connects to your computer so that you can go online and check out your child's progress!

Requires: 2 AAA batteries (not included)

Price: $34.99


Ages: 2-4

Buy LeapFrog Tag Junior now!

Fundex Electronic A to Z Game

The Fundex Electronic A to Z will provide hours of entertainment, whether you'd on a long car ride or just relaxing at home. This electronic 2 player game presents you with a question and your job is to try to come up with the most answers- one answer for every letter of the alphabet!

Game features: built-in score keeping, lights and sound, card storage, team or individual game play.

Requires: 3 AA batteries (not included)

Price: $22.60

Ages: 8+

Buy Electronic A to Z now!

EA SPORTS Active for Wii

Oh YEAH! I was so completely PSYCHED when I got the chance to review the new cutting-edge fitness program for the Nintendo Wii.

EA SPORTS Active packs quite a punch into such a small box! Inside you'll find: the game disc, leg band, resistance band, and hand straps.

It was easy enough to set up- basically you use the Wii remote connected to the nunchuck for the majority of the workouts. The nunchuck slides right into the leg band and its sensors collect data on your lower body movement! If you happen to have a Wii balance board, EA SPORTS Active also gives you the opportunity to incorporate it into your workout if you'd like to.
I have to say, I could not believe what a workout this game was! I have heard from others that it is intense- I was seriously sweating in about 6 minutes! Biker Bob & Lily Bean found it pretty entertaining. :p

EA SPORTS Active has so many fun features and activities to explore! After only a few times using it, I had gone for several runs, kickboxed, done squats & bicep curls... plus a whole bunch of other stuff!

One of my favorite features is the 30 Day Challenge. You can actually have this game record and track your progress over 30 days- it offers a custom workout just for you over the duration!

The best part is, I have only just tapped into everything that this game has to offer! "Dancing, inline skating, tennis and volleyball are just a few of the more than 25 exercises and activities that combine fitness and fun in an EA SPORTS Active workout. This is the kind of game that your entire family will enjoy and benefit from!"

I can't WAIT to explore EA SPORTS Active more and continue on with my own 30 day challenge!

Want your own copy of EA SPORTS Active? You can purchase this game at stores all over the place (Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc.). The average selling price is $59.95. You can save a few dollars by taking advantage of the special promo in the EA STORE- it's on sale for $52.99.

Yep, Lily Bean wanted to give EA SPORTS Active a go as well! I told her that as soon as she starts walking without hanging on to furniture, she's got a deal! :)

EA SPORTS provided me with the product reviewed above free of charge. I was not paid or compensated in any way for this review, besides receiving free product.

Keurig Platinum Gourmet Single Cup Brewing System

The day that these packages arrived at my door, I had a feeling that life as I knew it was about to get exponentially better. I was right.

Allow me to introduce you to the Keurig Platinum Brewing System. This machine revolutionizes the act of making coffee. I never thought that I would get excited to make a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. I thought wrong.

Simply put, the Keurig Platinum Brewer takes the guesswork, measuring, and frustration out of brewing a cup of coffee. It brews one mug (or travel mug) at a time, ensuring that each and every delightful beverage that you make is sheer perfection- the temperature, the strength, the flavor. Coffee is brewed in less than 1 minute from start to finish, so whether you're late for work or about to read the Sunday paper, there is always time to make a fresh cup of coffee.

Carrying around a fussy infant and desperately need a coffee fix? The Keurig is so simple to operate, you can hold the baby in one arm and make a cup of coffee with the other- for real!

Coffee, iced coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, iced tea, hot water... all are possible in no time flat.

Some of the Keurig's fantastic features include:

• 5 cup sizes (6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, and 4 oz for iced beverage)
• Removable 60 oz reservoir
• Fully programmable features
• Blue Backlit Display
• Quiet Brew (TM) Technology
• Award Winning Design

Want to see what I love the most about my Keurig? Watch the video here:


At $169.99, the Keurig Platinum is THE perfect gift, hand's down!