Mom and baby product reviews on The Mommy Insider

Kids Central Kitchen baking mixes - review, coupon, and giveaway

Playing with kids can be a chore for parents.  Kids play by their own rules and often with toys that are missing pieces which gets very frustrating for me.  If you are looking for something more structured, fun, and educational to do with your young kids, look no further than Kids Central Kitchen.  My kids LOVE to help me cook and love the end result even more.

• Kids Central Kitchen has 7 different baking mixes including Flap Jacks, Propellar Energy Bars (my favorite), and Brownies. 
• You provide minimal ingredients, mostly water, milk, oil, and/or yogurt and the rest is in the baking mix. 
• These baking mixes provide an easy, fun way for older kids to work on basic skills like measuring and reading.
• Simple yes, full of yummy delicious flavor.. yes!

You'll also find kitchen utensils, bakeware, and baking supplies at Kids Central Kitchen and while you're there check out the Kids Baking Party in a Box!

WEBSITE

COUPON CODE: MOMMY15 - get 15% off your order (expires 12/31/09)

GIVEAWAY: One lucky reader will win a $25 Kids Central Kitchen gift certificate!
Leave a comment below telling me what color the BIG mixing bowl on the Kids Central Kitchen homepage is and your email address will be entered in the giveaway drawing!  GET TWO ENTRIES when you tell me a short story about a funny cooking experience you've had in the comments area below.

Diaper Cakewalk diaper cakes

If you want to surprise your friend with an incredible baby shower gift, get her a diaper cake.  I didn't know these existed until after I had Madelyn, over two years ago.   Had I known, I may have asked for one.  Packed with diapers, toiletries necessary for baby's first days and weeks, and in some cases a toy Diaper cakes make a great gift for expecting or new parents.  Diaper Cakewalk's diaper cakes are available in different styles and colors including gender neutral for those who don't know if they are having a boy or girl.  Did you know that the average new born uses 6-8 diapers a day?  I think I used more than that!  These diaper cakes have new parents covered, at least for a week or so, with size 1-2 brand name diapers.  The eco-friendly diaper cakes come with Seventh Generation diapers and Baby Avalon products.  I used Seventh Generation diapers for Madelyn and loved them.

Some other things that are or can be included in a Diaper Cakewalk diaper cake are baby booties, diaper rash cream, baby wipes, a teddy bear, and scented diaper sacks.  See, I'm not kidding when I say that these diaper cakes have everything a new parent needs for the first few weeks.  I think the Transportation diaper cake is adorable.  In addition to all of the essentials, this diaper cake has three plush baby vehicle toys that make sounds and are the perfect size for little babies.

The presentation of each diaper cake is beautiful and will make a great center piece at a baby shower.  I have no doubt that a Diaper Cakewalk diaper cake will make lots of expecting and new moms very happy.  What other gift gives parents everything they need for baby for in the hospital and for when they get home?

Parents or gift givers can create a diaper cake that fits their budget and needs starting at $39. Diaper cakes start at 3 tiers and can be built with up to 5 tiers and a couple of Diaper Cakewalk diaper cakes I really like are the gingham and cappuchino eco-friendly.

Where to buy: Diaper Cakewalk

SimplyMobile™ Mom - Take your favorite content with you.. on your cell phone, FREE!

SimplyMobileMom is a new online service that gives me the ab ility to copy online & computer content to my cell phone whether it's pictures, recipes or snippets from a favorite blog (The Mommy Insider, for example).  An example of how I use SimplyMobileMoms is copying content from a news website like FOXNews.com, to my cell phone so that I can read it later when at the doctor's office, in the school pick up line, or at the park without having to find the exact article on the website. 

If you don't have a cell phone with a web browser, or just don't use it, the SMS version of SimplyMobile is what you need.  Instead of receiving a text message with a link to the content, you will receive the content in the form of a text message.  For example, if you want to save a news story to your cell phone, you simply select the text, right click on it, then click on the "add to simplymobile" text in the menu that pops up.  The SimplyMobileMoms application on your computer will open and you will then choose a category in which to place this content for quick access on your cell phone.

The content I add to my phone creates a "portal" where I can access my saved content when I am away from the computer.  Organized by buckets (phones/people to receive content), categories, and then content items, you can always gain access to the content you've added to your phone, even if you have deleted the original text message.

There are lots of ways you can use SimplyMobileMoms.  Here is a list of what I regularly use it for:
1. To do lists
2. News snippets  -  I send news snippets to my cell phone so I don't have to visit each news website individually to read the news I am interested in.  I just go to my SimplyMobileMoms on my cell phone and can see all of the stories I copied in one place.
3. Finding local products - The "TheFind" plug-in makes it easy for me to find just about anything in my area.  I type "organic vegetables" and I got a list of stores in my area that sell books on organic gardening, stores that sell organic cosmetics, etc.. This plug-in is really fun!

HOW IT WORKS: SimplyMobile is software you install on your computer. It lets you add any content to your phone like directions, to-do lists, grocery lists, contacts, and more from Web and your computer.  You can even share that content with other people's phones.  If I want to share a news story with Tim while he is at work, I can! 

WHAT YOU NEED: All you need to use SimplyMobile is a computer with Windows and any cell phone with any carrier because content you add is sent in a text message. SimplyMobile covers the cost of the text messages I receive and I don't get spam text messages.

Like with any new software or service, I have experienced a few small issues such as not receiving a text message when I add new content and not being able to add a photograph from my computer sometimes, but all-in-all, I think SimplyMobileMoms is a great service for moms and dads!

WEBSITE: SimplyMobileMom

20Q the little round gadget that knows what you're thinking

20Q has been around for years and is now available in a smaller, smarter, pastel version.   20Q is an "artificial intelligence" game that tries to guess what you are thinking about by asking questions such as "is it alive", "does it make you feel good", and "is it hard".  Much to my amazement, 20Q figured out what we were thinking 8 times out of 10.    How does it work, you ask?   By process of elimination.

I thought of an elephant, a balloon, and a piece of grass.  20Q guessed the elephant and balloon between the 15-20th guess but the closest 20Q got to guessing a piece of grass was guessing that I was thinking of a leaf.  That is still pretty good.  I was impressed. 

If 20Q doesn't guess what you are thinking about (read your mind) by the 20th question, you win! When 20Q asks the player a question, the player responds by pressing one of four buttons.  Yes, no, sometimes, or don't know.  Based on your response 20Q asks the player another question.

20Q is a great game to take on vacation as it doesn't blast annoying beeps and boings, nor does it take up much room being about the size of a child's palm.  Recommended for ages 8 and up, 20Q is now available in spring colors.

   Learn more about 20Q or buy here

Oakley RAZRWIRE sunglasses

What man doesn't want a pair of Oakley's?  When our testers put these on for the first time, I thought they all looked like spies.  It took me a while to get past the fact that they guys looked like 007 but once I did I realized that these are not only really great looking but they are also one of the coolest gadgets (for adults) that I've reviewed.

Oakley's RAZRWIRE's are the first ever eyewear to combine patented Oakley optics with Motorola wireless BLUETOOTH®  technology.  How gadgety does that sound?  A wearable link to your cellular phone, RAZRWIRE™ offers the freedom of mobile hands-free communication. The integrated design frees you from cumbersome wires, allowing you to quickly answer and place calls with the touch of a button.  RAZRWIRE’s detachable Motorola Bluetooth wireless headset lets active and style conscious parents (and other consumers) experience hands-free, cable-free communications which is a necessity when traveling to and from sports, ballet, school, and appointments. It is very important to use both hands when driving.

Our testers agreed that call clarity was not compromised nor was comfort.  RAZRWIRE sunglasses are not heavy and do not feel bulky said our testers.  The sunglasses proved to be comfortable for extended periods of time.

With RAZRWIRE™, a hands-free link to your cellular phone is always at the ready, and there’s no need to remove it between calls like a clumsy headset. The technology you need is part of something you’re already wearing. RAZRWIRE™ is science wrapped in art that turns wireless mobility into fashion.

Thanks to Oakley, we are giving away a pair of RAZRWIRE's to one lucky reader! Check back later  (April 1st 08) for details on how to enter to win.

Oakley RAZRWIRE sunglasses

Pixie gloves

Keeping kids hands warm on cold days is a challenge.  Sebastian ends up with two fingers in one finger hole and I simply have a hard time getting full-fingered gloves on Madelyn's little hands.

These tightly knit pink fingerless gloves from Frosty Petals feature a ruffle making them perfect for little girls. Madelyn is able to color, pick up sticks, and toys while wearing these gloves unlike with full-fingered gloves. 

Frosty Petals also sells gloves for little boys and parents that are just as well made and nice looking.  Prices vary depending on style and size and start off at around $10.  Full-fingered styles are also available as well as other colors including black, dark blue and more.

 

  Pixie Gloves at Frosty Petals

T-mobile Sidekick Slide, LX, and iD

The T-Mobile Sidekick series offers sleek looking devices with many functions.  I reviewed three Sidekick devices; the Slide, the LX, and the iD all of which have a look of their own as well as differing specs.

The Sidekick devices are all great for messaging. Texting is great for parents when we need to relay a short message such as 'please get milk', or 'I'm going to be late'.I found that all three Sidekicks have superb messaging capabilities.  The QWERTY keyboard on all three Sidekick devices is easy to use however, I prefer the keyboard on the LX because of its 'clickability'. I like to feel the click when I push on a key and the LX gives that sensation.  The keyboard keys on the Slide are softer than the LX keys.

One major difference between the T-Mobile Sidekick Slide and the other two Sidekick devices I reviewed is the slide-up screen. Instead of a swivel screen, you just push up the bottom of the display to access the QWERTY keyboard. The sliding motion is smooth and the screen clicks into place for a very sturdy feel.

The LX and the Slide are bluetooth enabled so you can talk hands-free and sync your phone up to a bluethooth enabled computer.  The iD is not bluetooth enabled. All three devices have a speakerphone function which I love.

While having customizable face plates, the Sidekick iD is the least feature rich of the devices.  However, it includes features that I think are sufficient for social teenagers including a talk time of up to 5 hours, text messaging, email and games.  The iD does not have a camera like the Slide and LX.

Overall, I prefer the LX over the Slide and the ID.  The back of the LX has a nice texture which makes for easy holding while texting, and I actually prefer the heavier weight of this device which gives it a more substantial feel.  When a phone is too light I find it hard to hold on to.  Both the LX and the Slide produce good photographs.

The Sidekick LX has a built-in music player that w ill play MP3, WAV, WMA, and AAC files. You can search for songs by artist, album, genre, or composer, as well as organize tracks into playlists. To get songs onto the Sidekick, use the included USB cable and then drag and drop tracks from your PC to the Sidekick.  Transferring songs is very easy.  Other Sidekick LX features include a calendar, notepad, task list, and a download catalog.

WIN ONE!!  Sign up for our newsletter using the box in the upper right column to be notified when we are running the contest and to learn how you can enter to win a Sidekick Slide!

  T-Mobile Sidekick Slide, LX, and iD

Honey Buns Boutique: bringing simple back

Honey Buns Boutique is truly an exceptional shop.  Stepping away from frilly dresses (not that we don't like frilly) and high prices, Honey Buns Boutique brings simple, and affordable, back.   The designs were created by a mom with a super handsome 6 month old son so you can rest assure that she knows what moms want in both style and durability.

You will find a variety of cute and sassy shirts, onesies, and accessories for mommies, babies, toddlers, and children up to size 16 at Honey Buns Boutique and best of all, Honey Buns clothes are exclusive - you won't find their designs anywhere else! How cool is that? 

I love the Bubbles mommy tees and the Sugar & Spice tote bag. The simplicity of these designs is refreshing.

Honey Buns Boutique: clothes & accessories for mommies, babies, and toddlers.

Motionbox: online personal video managment

I have been using the Motionbox.com premium service for about two months and I couldn't be happier. When I started my Motionbox membership, I was paying a 'big name' online video storage website.  Motionbox totally won me over and I am not paying the other service any more!

Motionbox premium allows for unlimited storage, the ability for your family to download the videos you have uploaded to Motionbox, and I think uploading a video to Motionbox is so much easier than to YouTube.  You can sort your videos into folders. I created a 'Sebastian' folder, a 'Work' folder, and a 'Product reviews' folder to name a few. The folder feature makes finding the video I am looking for quickly.   

What really makes Motionbox stand out from the rest is their Flipbook product.  Do you remember those?  I used to make them when I was a child.. with the ball bouncing up and down.  You can create a Flipbook from any of your videos and you can choose a custom cover for your flipbook.  One other feature that I absolutely love is the ability to edit and 'mix' videos.  For those of you who have a website of your own, you can embed a video onto your website.  Simply click on the 'embed' link below the video and choose to include the filmstrip or not and the code is supplied for you.

Like I said, Motionbox has a lot of great features.  The website itself is very easy to get around and once you log in to your Motionbox account, uploading videos is very easy. I highly recommend Motionbox as a great tool for parents to share their videos with far away family and friends.  You can sign up for a Motionbox premium now for only $29.99 a year as opposed to the regular $34.99 yearly fee.  This offer is available for a limited time.

Motionbox: Online personal video storage

Q-BA-MAZE construction toy + giveaway!

We received several Q-BA-MAZE kits to review back in December and the feedback from parents and kids alike has been aMAZing!

When Sebastian gets out his Q-BA-MAZE construction toy I know I won't see him for a while.   Like most  children, Sebastian loves to build things then take them apart.  If he could he would try it on my car.  When I received Q-BA-MAZE to review, I knew right away that this is a toy to play with when Madelyn (almost 2) is not around.  With small marbles and pieces that stack, the combination is a sure disaster. She would have Sebastian's project scattered on the floor in no time.

Q-BA-MAZE is unlike any toy I've ever seen. Not only is this a construction toy but it is also a marble maze.  Structures can be designed and built using the included architecture plans, your child's imagination, or from architecture plans found on the Q-BA-MAZE website. 
The fun isn't over when you've used all of the construction pieces.  When you are finished building a structure, drop the included marbles in and see where they come out!   What I love about this toy is that there are so many design possibilities and little inventors can spend hours making their own buildings, bridges, or other structures and then watch the marbles roll down and out!  The structure above is one of the simpler designs. Visit the website to see the design possibilities for each set.

Q-BA-MAZE packs come with 20 or 50 very durable pieces and include several marbles.  We have three 50 piece Q-BA-MAZES to giveaway and will do so in March.  Sign up for our newsletter using the "Get our newsletter" form to the right to be notified when we run the giveaway contest.

Q-BA-MAZE construction toy