Epinions Recent Reviews for pblanco

A Really Useful addition to your wooden railway layout

Sat, 30 Mar 2002 04:27:23 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - For a while I resisted the temptation to keep up with the Jones' and buy my toddler a Brio/Thomas wooden railroad system, but when I saw a compatible generic starter set for $20 at Target I pounced on it.

However, this set did not allow us (my...

This Sky Pilot should be grounded. Back to the drawing board, Discovery Toys!

Thu, 7 Mar 2002 03:59:55 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I beg to differ from the other reviewers of the Sky Pilot kite. I had problems getting this kite to perform in the field, under the impatient scrutiny of my eager but disappointed child. However, I did find some better choices available in a first-time...

Build 'em up and knock'em down: best value in "giant blocks" land

Thu, 14 Feb 2002 00:05:19 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - Although I own the Imagiplay Imagibricks Giant City Blocks set, much of this review applies to Imagiplay corrugated cardboard blocks in general...

Last Spring I visited Legoland with my toddler; one of his favorite play areas had large,...

Basic training for your little firefighter

Mon, 11 Feb 2002 06:30:26 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - This video was one of a batch I purchased on a whim at a family swap meet 6 months ago; for a few dollars I thought "why not?". Well, my 2-year-old son still watches this video at least twice a week, and I mean he really watches it. Here are some...

Kids can teach kids, and this video proves it

Mon, 11 Feb 2002 05:29:11 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I picked up this video in a bargain bin for my 2-year-old son, despite already owning and enjoying the excellent Alphabet Train documentary for kids, which I have also reviewed.

I knew that any video about trains would be a winner, but what...

Aiwa VX-F20DV1 20 in. TV/DVD Combo: Cost-effective and good quality if you need a TV and DVD player

Sun, 10 Feb 2002 18:19:21 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - When I moved with my 2-year-old into our own apartment, we were lacking a TV, and since I already had a VCR, I decided it was also time to buy a DVD player, having used my roommate's in our previous home.

I found that with a small child, DVDs...

There MUST be a better space video for kids out there.

Sat, 19 Jan 2002 04:22:07 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - My 2-year-old has a few board books and picture books about stars and planets, and recently received the video "Barney in Outer Space" (which I shall review some day) for Christmas.

So when I saw "Blast Off! A Kids Introduction to the Space...

I'm a BAD babysitter...

Sat, 12 Jan 2002 20:38:03 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - My review's title is the second track on Princess Superstar's latest CD, which I heard on NPR of all places. ("I'm a bad babysitter/got my boyfriend in the shower/Woop! I'm makin' 6 bucks an hour"). After listening to the whole track I was too...

Instep SA002 Padded Seat Liner: Worthwhile upgrade to your stroller, if you need it..

Sun, 30 Dec 2001 04:33:53 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - On buying and assembling an InStep ZII single stroller for my 1-year-old, I noticed a flyer in the box listing accessories including this seat pad.

My son seemed fine in the stroller seat which suspends his butt from the main frame. However,...

If your kids don't like this video, I'll refund your money! :)

Wed, 19 Dec 2001 05:42:55 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - Well my review title is in jest but I would be very surprised if any child under 8 failed to enjoy this video.

First let me say that I try hard to avoid exposing my little boy to too much TV, and so I feel some guilt and concern when I "give...

Nice idea in theory - fails in practice (at least for us)

Thu, 11 Oct 2001 15:09:46 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I picked up this video at a discount store for $4, mainly out of curiosity.

Toddler Takes shows various scenes of toddlers at play, mostly outdoors. In every scene there are 6-8 toddlers running around, with a central theme - a wading pool, a...

MANUFACTURER'S SAFETY ALERT on 1996-2000 models (replacement armrests)

Sat, 14 Jul 2001 21:31:02 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - If you already own a Prima Pappa with 5" long armrests (sold from 1996-2000), there is a safety alert issued by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). I heard about it indirectly from a friend, not from Peg Perego, so I hope this will be...

Larry said what? Who? Indistinct speech + no closed captioning (DVD) = frustration!

Thu, 7 Jun 2001 06:34:09 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - This is my first Veggie Tales video, which I bought partly for my 2-year-old, and partly for my own curiosity. Also, I was drawn to trying out the Veggie Tales on video by the excellent series of books they produce for toddlers (Pa Grapes Shapes, How...

Forget Disney - your kids will love this movie (even after 20+ viewings!)

Mon, 2 Apr 2001 05:53:50 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - If you are looking for a movie which will engage your toddler, provide a wholesome storyline, and yet still entertain older members of the household, this is the one!

Doggies, balloons, a fast ride on a choo-choo train - all in the first five...

The best walker you can buy, and more - great 1st birthday present

Thu, 15 Mar 2001 16:27:23 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - After looking at some of the contraptions advertised to help my son learn to walk, I am so glad that I chose this one!

However, if for some reason this walker is not for you or your child, I would suggest you also look at a wide-stance...

A great "bike" for my son, after a couple of mods...

Mon, 26 Feb 2001 04:49:16 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - My 20-month old son already has a few ride-on toys, including the Little Tykes Push & Ride Racer, which he loves. Obsessive parent that I am, I wanted to get him a vehicle which was:

1. Foot-propelled - toddler batteries outlast anything made...

Excellent for indoor/automotive projects - and now a bargain

Thu, 21 Dec 2000 16:29:24 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I just picked up one of these at Home Depot for $25 - what a deal! This will be a great gift for a friend who has just bought her first house.

I bought this drill/driver myself last year for the full $50 price and it has seen a fair amount of...

JVC GR-DVF31 Mini DV Digital Camcorder: Good choice, but there may be better models out there by now

Mon, 11 Dec 2000 22:03:33 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I bought the JVC GR-DVF31 last year to document my baby boy's early years. Once I received it I quickly bought (1) the longer-life battery (JVC part # BN-V214u; $90 from JVC or about $45 from Ebay or Yahoo! Auctions), and (2) a UV filter to protect the...

Great product if you need one now...

Fri, 1 Dec 2000 20:23:18 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I have owned a Garmin GPS II, then a GPSIII, which I traded in for the III+ under a manufacturer's buy-back program. All have been great units - full-featured and easy to configure - and I have little to add to the other reviews, except that if you don't...

Capable SUV, but stick to later years ('95+)

Fri, 1 Dec 2000 20:00:21 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I have a 1991 Cherokee Laredo 4WD, and it has served me well on- and off-road. I shall assume that you are looking for a capable and strong SUV, not just a grocery-getter.

This vehicle is the best off-road SUV for the money, with solid axles,...

I have a fix for those twisty straps...

Wed, 29 Nov 2000 21:28:11 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - My son could not wait to get out of his rear-facing infant seat and into a forward-facing one, so as soon as he hit 1year/ 20lbs I bought this one for him. (It seemed that only a few forward-facing seats were recommended for weights as low as this).
...

The Ford Escort of Push & Rides

Wed, 29 Nov 2000 18:43:04 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - I bought this for my son when he was 1 year old and learning to walk, and he still uses it (in both "push" and "ride" mode) at 18 months. He is just learning to propel himself with his feet.

As a walker this vehicle is a...

Buy this and you won't need a high chair!

Mon, 27 Nov 2000 02:12:06 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - Having spent $70+ on the top-of-the-line Peg Perego high chair, I shelled out a few extra dollars for this booster, thinking that it would be good just for visiting family and friends with my 1-year-old.

This little seat is a liberator. It...

inStep ZII Single: Where no stroller has gone before...

Sun, 26 Nov 2000 07:39:40 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - After reading that this model was a Consumer Reports "Best Buy" I saw one at Wal-mart, so had to snap it up for my one-year-old son. I am not a jogger, but I use this stroller for terrain where no other stroller has gone before (or since...

Works best for me

Sun, 26 Nov 2000 07:15:44 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author pblanco - After my older-model Norelco trimmer died, I tried switching brands to a cordless/rechargeable Remington. However I could never get the length settings right with it (too big a gap between "stubble" and the next length up), so I returned it...