New Baby Alive Gear is Simply Adorable!

   

I've got boys, and I love the life. However.... every once in a while, I see something adorably pink and think about what it would be like to have a daughter. There are so many adorable things geared towards girls!

I recently received some really cute Baby Alive items that many kids would go crazy for. 

The Baby Alive Travel System is simply adorable, and is quite life-like. The streel framed stroller features a shopping basket, a retractable canopy and even has swivel front wheels like a real buggy. It comes with a plastic moulded car seat that clicks into the stroller to form the travel system. The stroller fits dolls up to 18", and the car seat fits a smaller doll up to 16". This item retails for approximately $49.99 in the US, and $59.99 here in Canada. 

The Baby Alive Play Yard is one of items that warms my heart. Like the travel system, it is life-like as well. It comes with a mobile that has a heart, star and moon hanging from it, and is easily put together by connecting the steel bars into plastic connectors. This play yard can accommodate a doll up to 16" in length and retails for approximately $29.99 in the US. In Canada, it retails for about $34.99.   

The Baby Alive 3-in-1 Swing & High Chair Combo allows for the swing to be converted to a high chair, and the seat portion to be carried as a standalone car seat. The swing actually move back and forth to soothe the doll and the high chair is constructed of steel click-to-connect tubing. This item retails for approximately $24.99 in the US, and $34.99 in Canada. 

The Baby Alive Tickles 'n Cuddles Doll is as sweet as sweet can be. This doll is dressed in a cute fleece sleeper, and comes with a bottle & rattle. When she drinks from the bottle, she makes little slurping sounds and giggles when she's tickled. The more you "tickle" her, the more she giggles. When fed her bottle, her fits of giggles will quiet down. She also enjoys playing with her rattle, will move her arms and legs, and can also hiccup. She's really quite adorable and comes in both a Caucasian and African American version. This item retails for approximately $39.99 in the US, and $44.99 in Canada. 

All of these items are geared towards ages 3 years+. They are all simple to assemble thanks to the easy click-to-connect system and would no doubt bring a lot of joy and delight to many a child. 

With the exception of the Tickles 'n Cuddles Doll, all aforementioned Baby Alive items do not come with their own doll. For that reason, I do find the travel system in particular to be a bit on the pricey side at $49.99US/$59.99CAN. With that being said, these items do seem quite sturdy and the fabric is not only adorable but durable. I am sure that they are worth the money, especially when purchased on sale. Plus you don't have to have a Baby Alive doll to use these products, you just need to make sure that a pre-existing or more cost effective doll is under 16" long so as to fit the car seat, etc. 

Given their price point for me personally, these items would be a great special occasion gift like a birthday or for Christmas. They would be especially great for kids expecting a new sibling. The recipient would likely enjoy "taking care" of their new baby alongside the new addition to the family. 

As I've previously said in other reviews, I'm all for interactive items that teach life skills and keep kids off of their devices. In addition to the pricing for the travel system itself, the only thing I personally would change is to have the play yard be collapsible like a real one, and to add a bit more diversity with regards to the Tickles 'n Cuddles doll. While many Baby Alive dolls in general come in a variety of complexions, it would be nice to have the same selection available on the market for the Tickles 'n Cuddles doll. Right now, it only comes in a Caucasian and African American version. 

These Baby Alive products are available at both Toys R Us in Canada as well as in the U.S. 

I'm sure these Baby Alive products will be on many a child's Christmas list this year, so be sure to watch for them on sale to get the most bang for your buck!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

    

The Easiest & Cheapest Way to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

   

Fruit flies are plentiful this time of year and I can't stand them flying around my kitchen. The best way that I've found to get rid of them is both easy and free, and you can't get better than that!

You basically put a ripe banana peel or some cut up fruit inside a cup or glass, seal it with taut plastic wrap and poke small holes into the plastic wrap so that they can get inside. In my experience, the riper the fruit - the better, especially overly ripe banana peels. You can use a toothpick or another tiny implement to poke small holes into the top. You don't want the holes to be too big, or they will be able to get back out.  Use a rubber band to seal the plastic wrap tightly. 

Leave it sitting out on your counter or wherever they are most concentrated. Then occasionally bring it outside and empty the contents into a shopping bag tied tightly so the flies can't escape back into your house, and throw the bag in the trash. Or alternatively, set them free out of the container while outside and reseal the plastic wrap for reuse. Keep doing this until all the fruit flies are gone, which for me typically takes a couple of days. 

While it can be a bit unsightly to see the flies flying around in the cup while on your counter, you'll be amazed at how quickly they will be eradicated. That is, until the next time you bring produce into your home! If you don't want to see the flies inside the cup, then consider using a cup or container that you can't see through. 

After all, out of sight is out of mind!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****