Playskool Dance Cam

My youngest son loves music, loves to dance and see himself on video (Do you think I have a rock star on my hands ?) so when I came across the Playskool Dance Cam I knew he would love it. When Playskool sent us the Dance Cam to try I was excited to see the Dance Cam and my son in action. What I did not know is that the whole family would have fun with it. My older boys would not admit that they like to join their little brother dancing ,but they do. This mom has also joined in the fun (shhhh….Dad has also).


One of my favorite things about the Dance Cam is the easy to set up !

1. Simply insert the 4 “AA” batteries (not included) into the console.
2. Connect it to your TV.
3. Adjust the camera angle
4. Select a mode.
5. Dance !

The Dance Cam is best viewed on a 27" television or smaller. We have a 57" and it works fine. We did try it on a smaller tv and picture quality was great, but since we are always in the family room that is where we keep the Playskool Dance Cam hooked up and ready to play.

To read my full review and a chance to win your own Dance Cam visit HERE !

Does Your Carseat have Side Impact Protection? Recar Signo Does.

Have you heard the buzz about Recaro carseats? Recaro is a seating expert. Not only do they specialize in Child Safety Seating, they also design motorsport seating! I felt that if they could design a seat that would assist in the safety of drivers going at immense speeds, imagine what they could do in regards to child safety!

The thing that sells me on Recaro carseats, like the Signo my son is sitting in, is the Side Impact Protection! Not all carseat have this. But the Recaro Signo has energy absorbing headwings and mid-section support, as well as structural support for their hip and thighs. That's great to know, since so many children are injured during a side impact collission. Plus, it just makes the seat more comfortable! When my son falls asleep, his head no longer slumps over! it helps him sit more appropriately, which looks more comfortable and safer in the event of a collission.

Recaro makes two convertible seats, as well as a toddler seat and boosters. The two convertible seats are the Como and Signo. So, what's the difference? Well, I love that the the Signo has an infinite adjustable headrest. The Como has 5 headrest and harness positions. And while both convertibles come with latch mini connectors, the Signo has an additional latch bar which makes the switch from rear to forward-facing easier.

If you would like to read more about my experience with the Recaro Signo, please visit the Mom Buzz and read my complete review.

You can view a demo of the Recaro Signo here: Recaro Signo Demo.

This is solely the opinion of the Mom Buzz. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you RecaroKids.com for providing a seat to review.

TutuLegz - Tutu Cute!

Finally, a tutu that is made to be worn as everyday wear for your child! Don't get me wrong, I think it's adorable when you see a little girl running around the store with them on or at the supermarket. But those times are far and few in between when you know how many other girls have those same tutus in their closet, unworn.

But two sisters completely solved that problem. They designed TutuLegz, "the everyday tutu". TutuLegz are stylish, comfortable and practical. The tutu is not overly poufy and it comes attached to comfortable "legz". So no more searching for tights to put under that tutu! Your little girl can wear her TutuLegz everywhere - school, daycare, playdates and grandmas. It's always appropriate and always cute.

Each TutuLegz also has complementing tutu tees that can be purchased separatly. The Penelope the Pony Tee is white with the same Pony on the front. It's 100 percent cotton. But you can choose between long and short sleeves when purchasing.

And right now you can WIN TutuLegz from the Mom Buzz! Contest ends May 13th, so don't miss out!

Fuzion Electron Scooter

I remember when I was younger, I used to ride my scooter all the time. It was mostly plastic and not very sturdy - but it was fun. So when my nephew asked for a cool scooter, I was amazed at the options that were available. I was especially impressed by the Fuzion Electron with its cool green color and sleek design. It features a 360 rotation, so he can maneuver easily. Plus, it has an innovative folding mechanism and ultra-light, compact design so we can take the Electron anywhere with ease! The park, grandma's house, vacation and more!

I knew he wouldn't be the only one that would love it - I am sure many of you have boys and girls that would love to take a Fuzion Electron for a spin. It's available from many retailers, such as Toys R Us!

You can also win one from the Mom Buzz! The contest ends April 7th, so make sure you get your entries in now!

MallyBibs: Stylish, Leather Bibs

I hate cloth bibs. They get ugly and stained after one use, it seems. I used plastic ones, but they are almost ALWAYS made in China. So then I have to keep an ear and eye out for recalls. But, there is another option. MallyBibs. These are leather bibs made in Canada! If something falls on the leather, just wipe it off! No stains! And there are so many other cool things about owning one.

1. It is reversible, with a catch pocket on the other side
2. They are so stylish that it is even okay for toddlers and preschoolers to wear
3. It is magnetized so you can hang it on your fridge
4. You can easily adjust the magnets in the tabs so that it can fit the chubbiest or tiniest of babies!

Honesty, no other bib compares! This is totally a favorite of the Mom Buzz!

Win:
You can WIN a MallyBib from the Mom Buzz. Simply head on over to the review post and follow the contest entry requirements!
Contest ends March 17th.

PlasmaCar: Out of this World Ride-On

I found the perfect ride-on for kids and even fun-loving adults! PlasmaCar! It is this space-age looking ride-on that is powered by Kid Energy. Nope, I am not talking about foot-power Flintstone-style. You actually put your feet up on the footpads, then you swivel the steering wheel left and right. And there you go - the car is powered by that action and starts moving!

Here you can see me with my little one riding it in the house. It's so easy to steer, I can easily maneuver it in my living room! But, do take note - PlasmaCar is not recommended for use on hardwood or laminate flooring.

The PlasmaCar can hold up to approximately 220 pounds on a smooth surface. So I can easily ride with my 1 year old until he gets the dexterity needed. But 3 year olds can ride it with EASE! My niece was zooming around the Daytime studio in it! You can also see Cyndi the host riding it at the very end of my Daytime segment. Click Here for Daytime Segment.

There are wonderful colors to choose from, we have the purple. There is also red, pink, blue, green and yellow. And you can buy parts as needed from PlasmaCar.com.

What I love about PlasmaCar:

• Durable - it can withstand being ridden on by me, my niece and my kids!
• Simple - simple move the steering wheel and the PlasmaCar is powered by inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction.
• No pedals - so it is a great beginner ride-on
• No batteries - Ride-ons nowadays seem like they have to impress us with moving, singing and beeping. Then we are replacing four D batteries every week. But there are NO batteries in PlasmaCar

The boys and I ride the PlasmaCar daily. It is the most fun ride-on we have in the house. And I love that it will take them FOREVER to outgrow it. I mean, when exactly are they going to weigh the maximum weight limit (on a smooth surface) of 220? The only person in the house too big to use it is my bodybuilding husband. I think he weighs 265?

But, don't just take my word for it! It has also won these awards recognizing it for it's unique qualities:

• Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
• Today's Parent Top Toy List
• Canadian's Toy Association Hot Toys of the Holiday Season
• 2003 Gold Star Toy Award

But don't just take my word on it. See what other real moms are saying!

Jenna from For the Love of Baby:
"Kelsie loves outdoor time and the PlasmaCar will add to her fun we have outside as a family."

Susan from Life in a House of Blue:
"As a mom of 3 very active boys the PlasmaCar is a great toy to burn off that extra energy."

Samantha from As They Grow Up:
"My 2 year old drives it around the house and even my husband and I have been on it a few times. Not to mention that our daughters use it every chance they get."

Heather from Grab Bag Reviews:
"The Plasma Car sits nice and low to the ground and this means even my 15 month old enjoys it!"

You can purchase a PlasmaCar for only $69.95! Just visit PlasmaCar.com and choose your child's (and your) favorite color. Honestly, I will be getting another one for my household so both boys can ride together. It is a perfect holiday or birthday gift! The must-have ride-on for every household!

PlasmaCar is a PlayDate Pick!

PlayDate Pick & CONTEST: Skuut's Beginner Bike

I remember learning to ride a bike. It was not easy! I remember my dad taking off the steering wheels yelling at me to, "PEDAL, PEDAL, PEDAL!" as I wobbled like crazy. In fact, my parents still laugh and groan at the biking mishaps my sister and I had.

Like how I refused to use the handbrakes, I would just jump off.

Or the time my sister's shoelace got caught in the wheel and she tumbled off.

Or the time my tire got stuck between the that "attractive" gap between the sidewalk and the grass and I fell on my head. (A rush to the ER happened shortly after! My dad has an inner NASCAR driver in him, by theway).

Anyways, my point is that learning to ride a bike doesn't have to be that CRAZY! Ease your child into it with SKUUT! Skuut is an AWESOME, ATTRACTIVE, wooden, beginner's bike that will teach your child to GLIDE and BALANCE before they have to worry about braking and pedaling. There are no pedals or training wheels on this wooden bike. All your child has to do is sit, scoot and glide to ride Skuut. In fact, your child can transition from his Skuut to a regular bike without ever having to depend on training wheels! It's meant for ages 2 to 5, so I knew it would be PERFECT for my oldest, who is 2.5.

When you receive your Skuut, you only need to do minor assembly. I attached the seat, the handlebars and the front wheel. The seat is adjustable so the tiniest of riders can Skuut! If you want measurements, the height of the seat can range from approximately 13.5 inches to 16.5 inches high.

Now, you know the Mom Buzz wouldn't steer you wrong. But if you want to hear more accolades on this awesome first bike, then feel comfortable in knowing that it has won awards from:

• The Toy Man - Editor's Choice
• The Toy Man - Award of Excellence
• The Toy Man - Seal of Approval
• The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Winner
• Top 10 active children's products for 2006 by Dr. Toy
• Winner of the Education.com A+ Award
• Picked as a top Ride-on Toy in The Great American Toy Test 2006

And it is a PlayDate Pick, as well!

Samantha from As They Grow Up says:

"My son loves riding it indoors and outdoors. He prefers the skuut over the tricycle that he has. It turns corners really well and goes as fast as his little legs can make it go."

Heather from Grab Bag Reviews says:

"My oldest found this bike to be super fun, and he loves skuuting around inside the house! The construction is very sturdy, and the whole bike comes together with less than 5 minutes of assembly time."

And Erin from the Mom Buzz (Wait - that's me!) says:

"Everyone loves this beginner bike, from my 14 month old (who IS too short too ride, but he thinks he can) to my 5 year old nephew! And of course, my niece and 2.5 year old love it too!"

So...are you looking for a birthday gift for a little toddler? A beginner bike is a great idea! So scoot on over to Skuut.com to purchase one! Or you can ...

WIN WIN WIN
Would you like to win a Skuut for your beginner biker?

REQUIRED FIRST ENTRY: Visit Skuut.com and tell me ONE THING I haven't already mentioned in this review.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Enter to win a Skuut at As They Grow Up. Leave a comment here so I know. This Extra Entry is only good until March 5th!
• Enter to win a Skuut at Grab Bag Reviews. Leave a comment here so I know. This Extra Entry is only good until March 4th!
• Add PlayDate Picks to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave the tweet link in a comment.
  
• Blog about the contest - add a link to PlayDate Picks and the Sponsor. Leave your permalink in a comment.
  
• Add PlayDate Picks button to your site OR add PlayDate Picks to your blog roll. Leave a comment so I know!
• Join the PlayDate Picks Forum and post how you learned to ride a bike! Or how you are teaching your kids? Leave your screen name and post link in a comment.

Contest Ends March 11th. Please refer to complete contest rules. No other entries are permitted other than those listed.

The Shrunks

The Shrunks offer very cute and cool product to help your child face their fears. Are Your Children Having Trouble Getting to Sleep at Night? Do they hear strange noises? Do they imagine things lurking in their closet or under their bed? Are they frightened of the unknown sneaking into their room? Or, is it what goes bump in the night?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above The Shrunks have something for your child ! I am sure you will find the right thing to fight their fears ! To read my full review & enter my Shrunks contest go HERE !

Baby Rock Apparel

I have to say, Baby Rock Apparel is a PlayDate Pick! Both Susan and I love the styles available for little rockin' boys! And there are so many sassy options for girls too! Whether you are looking for a skull baby hat or a so-soft-so-hip tee, Baby Rock Apparel has something cool for your child!

They have a range of sizes from baby to 8T. So there is no excuse to be dressing your child in bunny and teddy bear outfits all the time! Here is some Buzz about Baby Rock Apparel.

Cherish Thy Father girls tee--oh so cute (and hip!) Kate would love it :)
- Nicole

The shirts are cute, but OMG, the shoes! The skull slip on ones are my favorites. And ohhh, I've never seen those socks before, the Baby Boy Socks - Assortment #2. I've seen the prissy Mary Jane ones and boys' loafer-looking ones, but never the ones featured there. Those are ADORABLE.

- Reiza

Now, visit Baby Rock Apparel and find the perfect style for your child. After all, you know your child is cool. Show the rest of the world.

WIN:
Right now you can win a shirt from Baby Rock Apparel if you enter at Life in a House of Blue or the Mom Buzz. Go and enter before the contests are over!
Life in a House of Blue: Ends February 15th, 2009
The Mom Buzz: Ends February 20th, 2009

Smart-e-bear is a Playdate Pick

A toy for the tech parent has arrived. With a user friendly website that’s similar in function to ITunes, Smart-e-bear has modernized the stuffed animal. A huge leap up from the 80’s toy Teddy Ruxpin, Intellitoy's Smart-e-bear allows for countless downloads of music, interactive games and stories with its small electronic pack and USB port. Even though this is an electronic toy it is as cuddly and soft as a stuffed teddy from that “mall” place.

Smart-e-bear arrived and my youngest daughter was literally climbing on my husband to see what it was. Being a stuffed animal I knew she would immediately fall in love and her reaction was exactly what we expected. She grabbed the bear and ran away; not giving us a chance to turn on Smart-e-bear and show her what it was all about. Finally after some examining and cuddling she brought it back to us, we were then able to turn Smart-e-bear on by its very discreet hidden button.

As soon as my daughter found out it talked she smiled and begged for more. We showed her the buttons on the feet and paws and pressing away she went. While she is too young to appreciate the stories and most of the interactive games she loves the music and singing. Head Shoulders Knees and Toes is her new favorite song, even the Japanese version.

I also invited a little friend to try out Smart-e-bear. He’s four years old so I figured he would understand the games and the storytelling functions much better than my 18 month old. And he did, he immediately walked over to Smart-e-bear and took a seat. He sat so quietly with his head in his hand listening to stories. He then chose to play Simon Says, he didn’t fully comprehend the game at first but he laughed every time Smart-e-bear said oops if he touched the wrong hand or foot.

Preloaded with tons of songs, games and stories and the ability to add more is incredible. No way is a child going to get bored with this. Software installation was quick and uploading to Smart-e-bear was simple also. Simple words and instructions get toddlers doing and interacting rather than just sitting and watching. I would recommend a minimum age of 2 but to really utilize all of the great features 3 years old would be a more appropriate age. I’m just glad we get to grow with Smart-e-bear over the next few years.

The one feature my husband wanted me to talk about is the easy packaging, one fastener and Smart-e-bear was out. That is something any parent can truly appreciate.

Silver Dolphin Books

What should we read today? Gossie & Gertie? Elmo's Birthday Party? A Day Out with Thomas? Okay, those are all fun books for their own reason. But... what if you want a book that really makes the pages come alive? Something that you and your child not only read, but you can both interact with, as well?

Let me introduce you to Silver Dolphin Books. Where every turn of the page leads to a new surprise. From reading about dragons and then MAKING YOUR OWN, to learning about dolphins and then viewing a 3-D model inside the pages of the book. You can get a more in-depth look at some of the books at the Mom Buzz. Plus, you can enter to win $41 worth of Silver Dolphin Books, accepting entries until January 15th at Midnight!

Justin Roberts Pop Fly CD Giveaway!

Rockin tunes, great messages, silly songs, and fun times with your kiddos. What mama wouldn't love all of the above all wrapped up into one? My little one's favorite CD, Pop Fly by Justin Roberts, has all of this and more. With melodies that even a mama will love, and beat to make your little ones' tushies twist, this is the perfect collection of music! Visit Justin Roberts' website to listed to songs from Pop Fly and his other albums, and then go to Grab Bag Reviews to read the whole review and enter for your chance to win Pop Fly!

Zoobies: A plush toy, a blanket, a pillow - Oh My!

I just discovered the perfect travel pal for toddlers and preschoolers! They are called Zoobies. What makes them great for traveling is that these huge plush toys turn into pillows and hold a HUGE blanket. Plus, there are so many choices in the collection! There are safari animals and zoo animals, like giraffes, hippos, baboons, orangatans, lions and so much more! Keegan has the baboon - totally my favorite. I am thinking that Lochlan would like the rhino... hmmm. Go check out my review at the Mom Buzz to learn more about your options. Plus, there is a contest to win one that ends on January 15th! Eek! Go to the Mom Buzz Zoobie Review: Click Here.