Be a Sky Rover Voice Command Helicopter Pilot!

   

Many kids dream of being a pilot, but not many actually get to try it out. 

While it may not be like flying an actual aircraft, the Sky Rover Voice Command Helicopter gets them age-appropriately close within an indoor environment. 

This remote control Sky Rover Voice Command Helicopter allows the user to speak twelve pre-determined voice commands into the accompanying headset, which will power the helicopter. Whether you want to turn left, right, go forwards or backwards, or even pull a U-turn, it does it all. It has real working lights, and you can also hover and fly on auto-pilot. Alternatively, you can also fly the helicopter in traditional mode using the accompanying controller. The remote controller requires 3 AAA batteries, and the helicopter itself contains a rechargeable battery which can be recharged by USB on your computer. This remote control helicopter is designed for indoor use only and recommended for those 8 years and over.

My son thinks this toy is pretty cool. Because he was initially nervous to try out the voice commands, he began by mastering how to fly it using the regular remote control device. Once he felt comfortable with that, he moved on to using voice commands. That got him pretty excited and feeling like quite the little pilot! It can be flown for about 6 minutes per flight and controlled up to 10 meters away. We found that it took about 20 minutes of flying before it required charging, which took about 30 minutes. 

The great thing about this helicopter is that if you accidentally fly it into a wall or crash land it, the helicopter will fall to the ground. Ours crashed quite a few times initially when my son was first trying to master landing the aircraft. So far, it's taken the beating well. It also comes with some replacement parts so that if it did break, you will likely have the parts to put it back together. Overall, while being a delicate toy by nature, it does seem pretty sturdy with regular, responsible use.  It has sustained all falls very well so far. One other cool thing it can do is prop itself right side up again if it falls on its side! 

The Sky Rover Voice Command Helicopter is available at most toy retailers across Canada and the U.S., and retails for approximately 39.99USD/$59.99CAN.

Happy piloting!

***** 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. *****

SheFit - Possibly the Best Sports Bra in Town!

   

If you've ever struggled to find a decent sports bra, particularly if you're bigger in the chest, then look no further! 

Months back, I was watching an episode of Shark Tank, the television show. Low and behold, on came a mother who created a sports bra called The SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra. At first, I thought it was for extreme fitness. But as I continued watching, I realized that it looked to be a great sports bra for anyone, not just those into high impact fitness. I'm glad I gave that woman a chance and listened to her whole pitch. In doing so, I learned about what might be the, if not one of the, greatest sports bras for any woman ever!

First thing the next morning, I immediately got to contacting the mother and creator of the SheFit bra. I was eager to get my hands on this bra to test it out and see if its claims were true. 

I am smaller in the band, but larger in the cup. As such, I typically have a hard time finding bras in general. But because I'm plus sized and have a larger cup, finding a sports bra with adequate support has always been a challenge. I have boys, and as such, I'm active with them doing all sorts of things throughout the day. In order to cope with my dangling duos, I would usually wear a regular bra, and then a crappy fitting sports bra overtop for added control. But no more! 

The SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra is ultimate alright! You can tailor it to fit YOUR body, not just some designer's version of what they think a person's body fit should be. It has a personalized bust band and 1" wide shoulder straps that you can adjust to fit the way YOU want and need. You can convert the shoulder straps from an X-Back to an H-Back style, similar to a conventional bra. The straps are fastened with a strong Velcro type material which keeps them locked in position. In total, this bra has 15" of shoulder strap adjustability and 8" of adjustability in the bust band. 

Not only can you personalize the bust band and shoulder straps, the bra has moisture-wicking properties. It also has a mesh lining that comes with removable pads. This was great for me personally as, like most women, one of my twins is bigger than the other, making it difficult to size. By taking out the pads, it gave me just that little bit more room in the cup that I needed, making for the perfect fit.  

The bra features a zippered front, making it easy to take on and off. In case you thought your tatas might fly out after you've zipped it up, there's no reason to worry. There are two zipper locks along the zipper, preventing your twins from blowing it open and exposing your goods. 

I also think that this sports bra would be fantastic for pregnant or postpartum women. Because the bands and shoulder straps can grow or shrink with you, it would be a great support for your ever changing girls. Taking the shoulder strap off to breastfeed or pump would be relatively simple as well. 

The SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra is made out of a Nylon & Spandex mix. To maintain the longevity of the bra, it is advisable to hand wash and lay flat to dry. This would also prevent any lint from sticking to the Velcro straps and band. If you much prefer to utilize your washing machine to launder your bra, then be sure to do so in a lingerie bag. Wash it on the delicate cycle, using cold water, and ensure that the front zipper and hooks are secured and that the band and shoulder straps are secured. Lay flat to dry. 

I love almost every single thing about this bra! The only thing I would change, is to somehow make this bra more smooth on the front surface so that you could wear it under a tshirt without the seams showing. If you were wearing this bra on its own while working out, then this would not be an issue at all.

Personally, I prefer wearing it in the H back position. I find that the appearance of my bosom is more flattering in this set up. With that being said, if I'm wearing a racer back style tank top, I will switch it up to match the style of the shirt. For my body type, I found the support was the same no matter which way I wore it.  

The SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra comes in 10 sizes, from XSmall all the way up to 6Luxe. To find your SheFit bra size, simply follow their simple instructions on the Size Chart page. They also have a size calculator to assist you in finding the right fit. If you for some reason you measured incorrectly, SheFit offers refunds/exchanges within 30 days of shipping, so long as it is in brand new condition with the tags still intact. It should be noted that you will be responsible for the cost of return shipping should this occur though, so be sure to do your best to measure accurately. The bra, at this time, is currently sold from XSmall to 3Luxe. The 4Luxe-6Luxe sizes are expected to be available sometime this month. 

The SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra retails for $58.99USD. Shipping costs on average are approximately $5USD for delivery within the United States, and approximately $19USD to Canada. 

For more info on the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra, please visit SheFit.com. 

***** 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. *****

Spice up your Kitchen Counter with this Spice Rack!

   

It's tough finding a spice rack that matches your specific needs.  I was recently looking for one that had a lot of jars, and would also accommodate my space limitations. Our old spice rack had 20 compartments, and was great for having all our spices handy. But the lids were getting weak from years of use, and it took up way too much counter space. 

I came across the Trudeau Maison Axia 16-Bottle Revolving Spice Rack, available both online & in store across Canada at Walmart. I immediately searched out a sample and put it to the test. 

This spice rack not only has 16 bottles, which gives you a lot of selection at your fingertips, but it also comes with 16 different herbs & spices. From Cinnamon, to parsley, to thyme and basil, you'll find many in between. Some of the spices included I have never personally used, so I opted to fill the others up with my own personal favorites to compliment what was already included in the set. 

Each of the 16 spice jars comes with a screw on/off cap lid which allows you to pour, sprinkle, or keep it closed for freshness. The spice rack itself is narrow and short, taking up little counter space. It revolves so that you can easily grab whichever herb or spice you'd like in a pinch. Pun intended! For finely ground spices, the sprinkle holes work fine. For the chunkier herbs like chives, you will have to utilize the pour feature, or screw off the lid. 

Overall, I like this spice rack. I think it'll be good over the long haul and is already a great addition to our kitchen. It is compact and handy and would be especially fitting for someone residing somewhere with little counter space. For the price point, it's definitely a good buy. 

I just wish that it would have come with a variety of commonly used herb & spice labels for those that were both included in the set, as well as, for those that a consumer would add themselves. Not including any labels with the spice rack, makes it difficult for the user to differentiate between some of the similar looking herbs. The one spice rack image online also shows it with labels on the lids, which can be a bit misleading. It should also be noted that the amount of herbs/spices that come in the packs fill up the bottles about 2/3 of the way, not full as is pictured on the box. 

This Trudeau Maison Axia 16-Bottle Revolving Spice Rack is available at Walmart across the country, and retails for $32.97CAN. 

***** 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. *****

Super Wings Transforming Characters Have Flown in to North America!

    

Super Wings toys are now here in North America! 

For those of you who are not familiar with the show Super Wings, Jett - the main aircraft character, delivers packages to kids around the world. Jett frequently encounters problems of various kinds, and therefor calls upon his cohorts for assistance in figuring it out.  In the show, these little planes can walk on their own two feet, and then transform themselves back into planes as the need arises.  

Given the theme of the show, it should come as no surprise that toy designers came up with the idea to create transforming figures for children to play out their own scenarios. These Super Wings Transforming toys come in 6 different designs - Jett, Jerome, Donnie, Paul, Bello & Dizzy. 

We sampled Transforming Jett & Transforming Jerome.  Like the show, these adorable little guys can stand on their own two feet while in the bot position, and then also change into an aircraft in order to complete their deliveries and solve problems. They switch from aircraft to bot, and vice versa, in 10 steps or less. In the bot position, they stand approximately 5" tall. 

These toys are geared for kids 3 years and over. Personally, I think they are best suited for those around 5 years of age. My 3 year old has so far been unable to figure out how to transform them without help, as they do require a bit of a firm hand. With that being said, he does very much enjoy playing with them in both positions and likes to have them switched back and forth.  They are perfect for small hands and both my youngest and my oldest have been playing with them quite a bit since they arrived. It should be noted that, like many toys, they have some small parts. As such they could pose a choking hazard for children under 3. So be sure to keep them away from little ones, if you have any. 

These Super Wings Transforming characters are available at retailers such as Toys R Us and Walmart and retail for approximately $17.99CAN/$9.99USD.

Happy flying! 

***** 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. *****

Finding Dory Dive Characters, Pool Shooter & and Mr. Ray Ride-On Make Great Waves!

   

Swimways Corporation is known for its selection of water toys and accessories.

This summer's line up offers a number of Finding Dory themed items in their Finding Dory Pool Shop. From themed life jackets to swim masks, to body boards and a sprinkler, you'll find all sorts of cool stuff! 

I reviewed 3 products from their 2016 Finding Dory summer line up: 

The Finding Dory Dive Characters come in a 3-pack and include Dory, Nemo & Hank. They are made of flexible plastic and will sink to the bottom so that kids can practice retrieval drills without even realizing they're working on their swimming skills. These are also fun for kids to play with in the bath tub. They retail for approximately $16.99USD and are geared for kids 5 years and over.

They have a Finding Dory Pool Shooter which has Hank affixed on the end of it. When the shooter is activated, water will spray out of 6 of his tentacles. It retails for approximately $12.99USD and is geared for those 3 years and over. This pool shooter has some weight to it, but fills up and sprays very easily. You can rotate the shooter chamber while spraying, allowing you to change up the direction of the output.  When full of water, this shooter will reach lengths of over 6 feet in any given direction! This would also be fun in the tub, but I would avoid using this item at the beach. The tentacle shooters have small tubes and debris could get stuck inside.When not in use, it floats, which makes it handy for any impromptu water battles that may arise. My 3 year old loves playing with this, particularly when he gets to blast his older sibling, or one of us parents with a surprise spray! 

We also got to sample the Finding Dory Mr. Ray Ride-On inflatable pool float. This stingray is pretty big! It measures 53" long and 42" wide, and is quite simply, an adorable floaty. Not only could you partially lie on it, you could use it as a flutter board. This inflatable retails for approximately $15USD, and like the Dive Characters, is geared for kids over 5 years of age. It also comes with a repair patch. While I did not notice anything on the packaging indicating weight capacity, I did see that 150lbs was listed on the Target webpage for this product. My oldest is approx 90lbs and he had no problem being on it, so that 150lbs is likely accurate. It does require a fair amount of air to fill, so you as the parent will likely be blowing this stingray up. 

It is important to note that the Mr. Ray Ride On inflatable toy is not a flotation device. It is simply a toy. As with any water or bath activities, it is imperative that you never leave children unattended while in or around water. All of the above mentioned water toys should only be used under the supervision of an adult. Vigilant care needs to be taken to ensure that children do not enter a body of water that is deeper or more challenging than their swimming skills can handle. When using these or other water toys and accessories, be sure that they are not located in an area in or around water which could be way too deep for their abilities. This has nothing to do with the products, and everything to do with basic parenting. So, just as you would watch your kids in a pool in general, be particularly vigilant when playing with toys that could get them closer to the deep end, or farther than their swimming skills can handle. 

Swimways products are sold at a variety of retailers. To find one near you, visit their Store Locator page. 

Enjoy your water play this summer! 

***** 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. *****

Get Your Read on with DK's Summer Book Boutiques! There's Something for Everyone!

   

Summer is the best time to put your feet up and kick back with a great book. Whether you are a child, or an adult, DK Books has something for everyone.

My favorite thing about DK Books is that they have so many titles which appeal to kids. Like most parents, I think it's important for my kids to read and do my best to encourage them any way I can. In the summer months, my kids participate in a book reading rewards program and they can read anything they want. My oldest son almost always gravitates towards LEGO levelled reader books, as well as, super hero and other character books.

DK Books' Summer Reading Boutique has a wide variety of levelled reader books. From various LEGO themes, to Star Wars, to animals and everything in between. In addition to the Summer Reading Boutique, DK Books has so many other topics & titles that are not mentioned in the boutique. The levelled readers go from Level 1 to Level 4, which is perfect for readers who progress in their skills over the summer months. Some of these levelled reader books also have new covers with foil embellishments on them that are sure to catch the eye of your little reader. My youngster is currently reading the Level 3 LEGO Nexo Knights Monster Battles, and will then be moving on to LEGO Ninjago Team Ninja.

DK Books features a number of Canadian Editions on a variety of titles in their Oh Canada Boutique. I sampled the Pocket Birds of Canada. I was eager to get this book in particular as we've set up bird feeders around our yard this summer and have been curious to see which feathered friends have been visiting us. This book has 285 pages of different birds here in Canada. The book breaks down identifying features, where they are commonly found, as well as, what their feeding, nesting and habitat tendencies are. It's been neat to use this book as a reference, and gets the whole family involved.

Not included in a particular boutique, but definitely worth a mention all the same, is their LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes Character Encyclopedia. My son had seen this in a book store and was goo goo for ga ga over it. Aside from breaking down all the minifigure characters, it also comes with an exclusive LEGO Pirate Batman minifigure. The book is hardcover and contains 208 pages of engaging data. He thinks he's getting a cool book, but does he know that I'm all for it because he's reading without even realizing that that is exactly what I want him to be doing this summer? ;)

DK Books Canada is also featuring other boutiques this season. Their Summer Living Boutique offers titles related to smoking your own meat, growing vegetables, as well as, books for kids with regards to bugs, sleepovers, outdoor activities and a whole lot more. Their Food & Drink Boutique states the obvious, and their Back to School Boutique offers all sorts of educational material.

Get your read on people, it's the perfect season!

***** 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. *****

Finding Dory Robo Fish Play Together Swimmingly in the Coffee Pot & Marine Life Institute Playsets!

   

Finding Dory has got to be one of the hottest movies to hit theatres this summer, and many a kid has been eagerly awaiting Finding Dory toys. I know mine have!

Zuru Toys, makers of the self-tying Bunch O Balloons, has brought a few Finding Dory toys to the market. I sampled the Finding Dory Coffee Pot Playset, as well as, The Finding Dory Marine Life Institute Playset. 

 The Coffee Pot Playset consists of a life-size commercial style coffee pot that you'd commonly see in a diner. It also comes with battery-powered and water activated Robo Fish Dory. For those of you who might think this seems like a random toy, it mimics a scene in the movie where one of the other characters help Dory escape by use of a coffee pot. You fill up the coffee pot with water, and let Dory swim around inside. This toy pulls double duty not only as Dory's escape vessel, but also as what it actually is - a coffee pot for pretend play. I can't tell you how many times I've had a cup of "coffee", poured by my little guy! It's amazing how realistic Dory swims inside. If it was painted more life-like instead of cartoonish, you'd think it was real at first glance. To preserve battery life, she will go dormant after a minute or two. To "wake" her back up, simply knock on the side of the coffee pot and she will perk right up. Dory requires 2 LR44 button cell batteries, which are included. They even include extra batteries inside the package. We've been using her for a while now and the original batteries are still in use so far.  This Coffee Pot Playset is geared for kids 3+, and retails for approximately $15USD/$25CAN.

The Finding Dory Marine Life Institute Playset is essentially interconnected open tubes of water that is placed on top of a Marine Life Institute decorated plastic mat. This playset comes with a battery-powered and water activated Robo Fish Nemo, as well, a little scoop. The intent of the toy is to put Nemo inside the water-filled tubes, and let him swim around to the different sections of the Marine Life Institute. If you have the other water-activated fish, such as Dory or Marlin, you can put them all inside the tube track to swim together. There is also a water-activated beluga whale Bailey, but, like a real whale, is way too big to fit into the tubes. Like Dory, Nemo requires 2 LR44 button cell batteries. There are also extra batteries included with this toy. Nemo will also go dormant within a few minutes, so just be sure to knock the side of the tube where he's at and he will "wake up" like Dory does. The Marine Life Institute Playset is geared for children 4+, and retails for approximately $30US/$40CAN.

While I did not notice any of these toys marked for indoor or outdoor play, I would highly suggest you use them outside, or inside a bathtub. Because little hands would likely be using them, you run the risk of getting water all over the place. We never used them inside at all, instead took advantage of the season and brought them straight to the backyard to set up. They are both fun toys, and my children have enjoyed them. Both are very easy to assemble and take no time to set up. If you are going to use them outside, just remember to bring them inside or to a shady area when you're done. I'm not sure if the extreme heat and humidity of summer would eventually warp or otherwise damage any of the items if left out for prolonged periods. I would also personally take the fish out and bring them inside as I would be concerned about any batteries being left out in the hot sun for extended periods of time. 

The Dory and Nemo Robo Fish are really neat. Their swimming patterns do look so life-like. They speed up and then slow down and then putter around and then go up and down. If you take them out of the water, they go to sleep. But if you put them back in the water, they activate immediately. I love the fact that it has the power-save mode, which allows you to preserve battery life. This is every parent's dream! 

I do find the price point of the Marine Life Institute Playset itself to be a little on the high side for what it actually does. With that being said though, I suspect that you are paying more for the technology of the Robo Fish. They are pretty ingenious! The plastic rock decor that comes with the playset doesn't seem to attach firmly to the play set, and my older son said he would have liked the tube track to be able to be re-configured to switch up the shape. Truth be told, we haven't had a chance to put much thought into trying to re-configure the tubes, so it may actually be possible if you are blessed with designed skills. At some point, we will attempt this. Be sure to keep the playset on a flat and even surface, as the fish seem to swim a bit quicker when it is filled to the brim with water. Overall, they move rather slow in the tubes. They move much quicker in the Coffee Pot or in the pool. The fish will putter along and then speed up a bit and then appear to look around. Don't be alarmed. It will eventually make it around. To empty, you will either have to dismantle a portion of the tube track, or just flip it over to dump.  

As a consumer, you can help to justify the price a bit as you can also use Dory & Nemo, as well as, Robo Fish Marlin & Bailey in a bathtub, regular sized pool, or in a kiddie pool. We pulled out the kiddie pool and put the fish inside. The kids loved watching them swim around and also enjoyed sitting in the pool while they swam around them. These little fish do seem sturdy but I would recommend you remind your children to be gentle when using them. The little fin that powers them I'm sure is delicate and you'd hate to have it break when they are the real stars of the show. I also personally take the fish out to dry when we're done playing with them. 

These fish do swim all over the place, so if you are going to use them in a pool or other body of water, you must be vigilant with regards to drowning. Never leave your children unattended or unsupervised. This has nothing to do with the product, and everything to do with basic parenting. So, just as you would watch your kids in a pool in general, be particularly vigilant when playing with toys that could get them closer to the deep end, or farther than their swimming skills can handle. While on the topic of safety, also remember to always keep batteries away from children. Button cell batteries in particular are a choking hazard, so be sure to keep them out of harm's way. 

Overall, my kids think these toys are pretty awesome. They will be a summer favorite for outdoor play, both backyard and poolside. If you can get the Marine Life Institute on sale, then you'll definitely be even happier with the bang for your buck. 

In true Dory style, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"!

***** 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 PAW Patrol Air Patroller Flies Straight to your Heart!

   

Spin Master has recently added another great toy to their PAW Patrol line up! 

The PAW Patrol Air Patroller is a 2-in-1 rescue mission vehicle which goes from plane mode, to helicopter mode, simply by changing the direction of the engines. It has real working lights, and also has aircraft sounds that change based on which mode it's in. It also has propellers on each side which you can manually spin. Included with the Air Patroller is Robo Pup! Quite simply, the toy just wouldn't be complete without its pilot after all.

On the top, it has a carrying handle which allows greater manoeuverability for little hands. The handle is also particularly helpful when you bring it in for landing onto the ground, or on top of the PAW Patroller truck. Spin Master was smart, and knew exactly what they were doing when designing these toys. The Air Patroller will fit right into custom slots on top of the PAW Patroller truck so that it's secure when you need to utilize the Paw Patroller to transport the aircraft. 

Inside its cockpit, Robo Pup has a predetermined area that will secure him when in use. There is space for Ryder, or one other lucky pup, to be the co-pilot. In the cargo bay, you can fit up to 4 other pups to bring with you on your mission. For lights and sounds, simply depress the button on top of the plane.

The Air Patroller is designed for kids approximately 3-5 years of age, and weighs about a pound from what I can tell. 

Overall this toy is cool! The kids love it. My 3 year old in particular plays with it a fair bit, creating quite a few imaginary scenarios.  I love that you can incorporate this toy with others from the PAW patrol series, or simply play with it on its own. 

We did find the cargo bay to be a bit tough to open at first. After using it a few times, it has loosened up a bit, making it much easier to access. My oldest son said it would be nice if the batteries also made the propellers turn. While this may be true, we as parents, know that having that feature would drain batteries real quick! 

Speaking of batteries, they are included with this toy. It takes three LR44 batteries, which you can sometimes find at the dollar store. They can also typically be found where other regular household batteries are sold. 

The PAW Patrol Air Patroller is currently available at most toy vendors. It retails in the U.S. for approximately $35, and in Canada for approximately $50. 

Now, I'm off to the ruff-ruff rescue!

***** 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. *****