Category Archives: Fun stuff for parents

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

Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Electronics, Fun stuff for parents, Gadgets, Games, Toys, Travel

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.

Icon_website2   Learn more about 20Q or buy here

Oakley RAZRWIRE sunglasses

Dad, Fun stuff for parents, Gadgets, Travel

OakleyrazrwireWhat 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.

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Oakley RAZRWIRE sunglasses

Pixie gloves

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Baby & Kids Clothing, Fun stuff for parents

PixieglovesKeeping 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.

 

Icon_website2  Pixie Gloves at Frosty Petals

T-mobile Sidekick Slide, LX, and iD

Dad, Electronics, Fun stuff for parents, Gadgets, Organization

Sidekickslide_2
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 clickSidekickid_3s 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 Sidekicklxprefer 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!

Icon_website2  T-Mobile Sidekick Slide, LX, and iD

Honey Buns Boutique: bringing simple back

Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Baby & Kids Clothing, Clothes - mom & dad, Diaper Bags, Fun stuff for parents

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.

Icon_website2_2 Honey Buns Boutique: clothes & accessories for mommies, babies, and toddlers.