Epinions Recent Reviews for illini

It's a BLAST!

Wed, 5 Sep 2001 00:10:20 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - The Fisher-Price Pull-Up Ball Blast really is a blast! Levi received this as a gift for his first birthday back in April and it’s one of only a couple of toys that still gets playtime. It has been the favorite toy in our house for the...

The Wheels on the Bus...

Fri, 31 Aug 2001 23:39:17 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - “Hi. My name is illini and, well, uh, I have a problem. I admit it. I drive a Suburban. There, I said it. I’m one of those annoying people who terrorize subcompact cars and make parking lots a living hell. It feels so good to finally come clean.”...

Twirlin' The Night Away...

Fri, 15 Dec 2000 20:58:39 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Please note that this is a repost of a review. When the Twirlin’ Whirlin’ Garden product was added, mine did not link, so I am now reposting it in the proper place. My apologies if you’ve already read and rated this review.

My Mom...

Is There a Bilingual Alien Inside This Spaceship?

Mon, 11 Dec 2000 01:34:26 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - I’m always on the hunt for exceptional toys for my children. I don’t insist that every toy we own is educational, but most of them are. Of course, in order for the education to be transferred from toy to child, the toy has to be fun enough to be...

Pull My... String! (Revised 9/04/01)

Sun, 5 Nov 2000 00:20:36 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Please be sure and read the update at the bottom! Recall information!

Teachers, Teachers Everywhere

My brother, a teacher, called me a few weeks ago to see if I, a former teacher, had any suggestions for an educational gift...

It's Almost as Sharp as Me...

Thu, 19 Oct 2000 18:37:19 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - My Husband Picked It Up

As part of Mr. illini’s quest to replace all of our electronics, he insisted on a new television. After comparing prices online, we headed to Best Buy. Mr. illini insisted on a Sony 32” television. I...

Say "Cheese" & Ham It Up!

Sat, 7 Oct 2000 11:38:44 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - We’ll Have Subject Matter

I’ve always loved taking pictures, but have never had much talent. Then again, the cameras I’ve owned have always been low quality. When we learned I was expecting Sofia, I knew we would need a good quality camera...

Sofie wants to be a Dancer! What do you want to be?

Wed, 4 Oct 2000 17:50:31 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Blue’s Big Musical Movie is a just released full length movie based on the hit show Blue’s Clues. The movie stars Steve, an actual person, who lives in a cartoon house with his cartoon dog, Blue, and all their friends. What kind of...

"Honey, It's Raining!"

Mon, 2 Oct 2000 00:23:37 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Phew!

Our household was in chaos last year. I was newly pregnant and suffering from morning sickness. My husband, as a reward to himself for putting up with my incessant whining, purchased the Pioneer VSX-D508 as part of a home...

"I Tinkle! I Tinkle!"

Fri, 29 Sep 2000 09:08:30 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - She Got My Hopes Up

I was ecstatic when a 16 month old Sofia announced, in her gibberish only I could comprehend, that she wanted to use a potty. Of course, we headed over to my home-away-from-home (Babies ‘R Us) and purchased a potty seat...

RCA 9" AC/DC TV/VCR Combination T09081BC: Perfect for the Technologically Challenged

Fri, 22 Sep 2000 20:02:38 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Are We Nuts?

Last winter, we were planning a trip out of state. I was nearly seven months pregnant and flying would have involved several layovers and small planes, an idea I did not relish. However, driving would entail twenty hours on the...

Evenflo Secure Advantage V Convertible Car Seat: Move Over Britax!

Mon, 11 Sep 2000 22:13:03 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - I Can’t Believe I Did That!

After having my second child last April, I was aghast to learn that I had placed my daughter in a forward-facing car seat too early. Like many others, I thought that once a child was twenty pounds or a year...

'Flo, The Playtime Engineer

Mon, 4 Sep 2000 12:21:10 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the resident Evenflo Supersaucer for illini’s household. You can call me “Flo” for short. Now, I don’t like to brag but I really am the favorite toy (I prefer to be called playtime engineer, but I’ll let it...

Zzzzzzzz.......

Thu, 17 Aug 2000 14:47:23 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Oh, how I wish I'd discovered this a couple of months ago. We've tried several crib toys to try to amuse and/or soothe 4 month old Levi, but have been unhappy with all for one reason or another. My search is over!

Structure

The...

Sometimes I'd Like to Kick It!

Wed, 16 Aug 2000 18:38:56 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author illini - Well, our first activity gym didn't last past our daughter. So this was yet another item we had to re-purchase for #2. I chose this due to the kicking activation, figuring that it could be used at an earlier age.

The Design

The...

DOSEY-DO!

Tue, 15 Aug 2000 15:37:18 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - WOW! This is the most incredible baby book I've ever read. Granted, Sandra Boynton always produces high-quality books, but this one takes the cake. It is hands-down my 21-month-old daughter's favorite, and has been since she was about 4 months old...

Can't Keep Her Hands Off It!

Wed, 9 Aug 2000 22:32:58 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - In my never-ending quest for toys for 4 month old Levi that 21 month old Sofia will not steal, I purchased the Melody Bug.

The toy is very simple. It is shaped like a bug, although I cannot identify the species. The front of the toy...

Pass the Earplugs, Please!

Tue, 8 Aug 2000 23:46:02 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author illini - The Tiny Touch Phone Plus by VTech is a toy cordless/cellular phone. It is made of a hard plastic and is battery operated. It sings, rings, talks, barks & meows. The volume can be adjusted-- low & high.

When it is operated in the...

Good Vibrations? Maybe....

Wed, 2 Aug 2000 21:01:19 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - We received the Osh Kosh B'Gosh version of the Evenflo Snugli Car Ride as a gift. It's exactly the same as the one featured except it does not include the headrest and has a different pattern (navy blue and white stripes/plaids).

The...

Down on the Farm

Wed, 2 Aug 2000 10:03:22 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - This toy is a smash hit at our house, and well worth the $30 price tag. In the month we've owned it, it's gotten more play time than all our other toys combined. Please note, however, that it is a newer version than the one pictured.

The...

Puree to your heart's content...

Tue, 1 Aug 2000 16:08:13 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - I fell in love with the style of this KitchenAid blender, but was afraid of the $130 price tag. When I got married, however, I took the plunge and used some gift certificates to purchase the blender on sale for $99.99.

I was very relieved...

Tefal 8743 Avante Toaster: It's So Hot I Almost Got Arrested! (Revised)

Tue, 1 Aug 2000 15:55:16 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author illini - I am extremely particular about allowing appliances to remain on my counter when they are not being used. I insist on uncluttered countertops and any appliances must have a sleek, stylish design in order to stay in plain view. Up until a few months...

Karate Kick 'N Play Piano???

Mon, 31 Jul 2000 18:12:10 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author illini - We received this toy as a shower gift for our second child, who arrived 17 months after our first. I was thrilled to receive it as it came out too late for our first child and I desperately wanted it this time. The commercials made it look like the...

From a former USAA employee

Mon, 31 Jul 2000 16:39:18 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author illini - I worked for USAA for 5 years as a claims representative/adjuster and quit last year to stay home with my children. We still carry USAA insurance and probably always will. They are an exceptional company.

As for the rates, I've always felt...