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These are time out pillows made in the form of friendly monsters. We never used time outs very much, but I can see these adding a touch of warmth to the time out idea.
PS: we found out that they are not that fun after all. A menacing voice threatens to eat the child the next time he has to go on the time out pad.
I o
nly have one boy (as a complement to his older sister) and must say, his aim and concentration in the pee-pee department has always been admirable. Without the aid of cheerios or other floating targets, he stays inside the lines, and rarely have I seen him paint the walls. However, I have known little boys who can barely stand still, and who likely unzip and let it rip, ricocheting their spray off the sides of the toilet. I imagine this is the everyday cleanup problem the inventor of the Flippee Toilet Shield had. Annmarie Vanini, the inventor, is the mom of three boys. I can only guess how wide of the target they must have hit before she took pencil to paper and invented this gadget.
At $24.95, and available from Potty Training Concepts and Flippee.com, you might be surprised at how simple it is. It’s lightweight and very flexible, but does what it says it’s supposed to do. If you need it, and you know who you are, this is probably a small price to pay. Necessity is the mother of invention, for strange, other-wise useless gadgets.
Now if we could only get my son to learn to be as self-sufficient when it comes to #2.
Sony Cyber-shot DSCW120MDG/P 7.2 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot
$180 – Amazon
I love this camera! We just got the DSCW 120 for our summer holiday and I was hoping it would work well and replace our five year-old DSC V1. The two cameras have several things in common: a Zeiss lens and many manual over-ride features, but the new camera is far smaller and easier to use.
This is a great little camera and represents how far Sony has come in developing an interface that is easy to use. This is the first camera I’ve seen where an explanation of the icons shows up on-screen when you dial a selection. No more trying to remember what an icon of a tree or a mountain is. The explanation is there in big type for you.
The 2.5 inch screen is super clear. One of the main benefits of the camera is the “Smile Shutter technology,” but you have to make sure you dial to the smile icon first, or you’ll miss the feature. At first, I couldn’t figure out how to make it work. Once dialed in though, it took a great photo of my four-year-old who is notorious for NOT saying, “cheese.” The camera also boasts “face detection” to reduce facial glare, shadows, and red-eye.
The buttons all appear to be strong and well-placed, though don’t look for industrial strength materials here. While sturdy, I did not get the feeling that the buttons and dial will last a lifetime. This may not be an issue but should be noted. The case feels strong and solid. No buttons wiggle or feel poorly made.
My eight year-old daughter had no trouble operating this camera, but said she preferred something with fewer buttons and dials. I noted only 2 more buttons than her Kodak EasyShare camera, but other features like the viewfinder and extra dial settings confused her. This isn’t a reason to not choose this camera, but it is a camera with more features, which, for some, means more daunting choices.
While other cameras deliver more megapixels, I was more than happy with the 7.2 MP in this camera. At this point, extra megapixels seem to me to just mean bigger memory cards. In fact, I set our photos at 5 MP so I could get about a third more photos out of the memory. This trick is good, but only if you don’t ever plan to do much cropping or enlargements beyond 8X10. With a 1 Gig memory stick, I was able to get almost 400 photos, enough memory for plenty of photos and lots of mini-movies.
Probably the most enjoyable feature of the camera though, was the fast shutter speed. Set on “no flash,” I had very little shutter lag, and could take multiple photos in a row. If you use flash, however, you’re back to the frustration of long shutter lag common to most point and shoot digitals. This is where the “Smile Shutter” technology, which is not unique to Sony, really helps out, since you can catch those fleeting smiles that used to be lost to shutter lag.
The biggest frustration I had was the use of the Sony memory stick duo (not included with the camera). My wife’s camera takes an SD card, which also fits directly into a Palm Treo, so I was hoping to eliminate one memory card and simplify our lives just a tiny bit. Additionally, to lighten our baggage a little, I decided to leave the bulky and proprietary data cable behind in favor of a small memory card reader that could read both SD and Sony memory sticks. Unfortunately, the reader could not read the memory stick duo format, and I was unable to transfer photos off the memory stick during the trip. Luckily, a 2 Gig card was enough to get me through about 320 photos and a few small movies with plenty of room to spare, but I was unable to send any email photos home along the way.
One last recommendation: I got a geeky Sony (LCS-TWF/B) Soft Carrying Case to make carrying the camera easier. While belt holsters really aren’t my thing, I must say that this made taking photos a lot simpler than trying to get my camera out of a bag or even out of my pocket. This holster has a strong magnetic closure, is pretty lightweight, and holds the camera very snugly. I wish they had built a tiny tiny pocket into it to keep an extra memory stick or battery, but otherwise, it’s a very practical addition that I’m sure helped me take more pictures.
Strengths: 7.2 MP, Big clear screen with bright picture, 2.5 inch LCD, easy to read menus, Carl Zeiss 4x optical zoom (you can’t beat the images from these lenses).
Weaknesses: Uses the Sony memory stick duo, so less flexiblity, USB cable is bundled with video, so has proprietary plug. This makes it more convenient (one cord to store), but you’re out of luck if you lose it since it isn’t a common USB cable. Memory sticks seem to have more issues than SD cards for compatibility so there may be some issues with older card readers that can’t read your stick.
If you haven’t found a father’s day gift yet for dad, here are few suggestions you can still get on-line that he might enjoy for father’s day.
Better yet, have the kids draw up a big poster and serve him breakfast in bed. Presents are over-rated, though Bill Cosby said part of being a dad is pretending that soap-on-a-rope is the best present ever.
1. “Bushnell Powerview 12×25 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black)” (Bushnell)
With slightly more magnification (12X versus the usual 10X) in a compact package, these are good portable binoculars for travel and sporting events. At around $20, this is a great little binocular.
2.. Belkin conserve – Here’s gift ideas for dads trying to make all those subtle changes to our lives that conserve energy. By now, everyone has heard that a lot of energy is wasted on all those devices that sit drinking up juice while in “stand-by” mode. This power strip allows you to really turn off six of its eight outlets using a tiny remote control (you can glue it to the wall – I think it’s mostly there to save you the energy of bending down to the wall outlet). Two plugs are left unswitched so you can keep the DVR or VCR (does anyone have those now?) on while you’re out or away.
3..We love the Swiss Tech key tool. It folds into a keylike object that fits unobstrusively on a key ring. It doesn’t take any space, looks just like a key, yet has so many features that any boy scout, pre-adolescent or middle-aged will be pleased. In a small space, you have a phillips and regular screwdriver, a bottle opener, a knife, and a file. Sure, you wouldn’t want to use these tools to renovate your kitchen, but like any pocket knife, all that stuff comes in handy often enough to be glad you’ve got it. My wife and I both have one and never travel without it. In polished stainless steel A bit pricey at $19.99, but worth every penny.
Swiss Tech 6-in-1 Key Multi-Tool
4. If you have a daughter, it’s hard not to get a little emotional reading this collection of anecdotes compiled by Gregory Lang (author of more pithy books like “Why a daughter Needs a Dad: 100 reasons”). This is not a “deep” book, but it does get at a lot important truths about the importance of a father to little (and big) girls. Sometimes, that’s also what dads need to give an extra push to their efforts. We all need to know that all those hours pushing swings and replacing toy batteries are the foundation of an enduring relationship that doesn’t end suddenly at adolescence. There has been plenty of research that shows this to be true, but Mr. Lang, in this compilation of his own and others’ stories relates how this plays out in different ways. For the dad of a young girl, it also gives a not-always-comfortable (read morbid) look into the future when kids are grown up and dad is looking at what he’s leaving behind as a legacy rather than what he is building in the here and now.
Daddy’s Little Girl: Stories of the Special Bond Between Fathers and Daughters by Gregory E. Lang
5. Hometown Map Jigsaw Puzzle – Centered On Your Home
From the New York Times store, this unique, made-to-order jigsaw puzzle features a map that centers on your home. The map, an extract from the renowned U.S. Geological Survey, has fascinating details and provides names of main roads, contour lines, transport infrastructure, water features, vegetation, and shows notable buildings/structures. Personalized for $44.95
6. Permission to buy a video game console. It now seems univerally permissable to add a Wii from Nintendo to the family entertainment options. Either dad already has one or he’s waiting for you to say it’s okay to let one in the house. Now with the addition of Wii Fit, even mom’s can rationalize getting in a round of Mario Tennis before dinner. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a strategy, it’s still impossible to walk into a store and buy one of these. You’ll either have to scope out deliveries at your local electronics store or plan to pay $100 over the MSRP to buy one online. We have found no other real options other than signing up for S the “now in stock” Google group at NowInStockWiis | Google Groupsand hoping you’ll get lucky very quickly in time for Dad’s day.
6. For the beer lover, the 
, a countertop “kegerator” frot he 5 liter minikegs of Heineken beer. The tap keeps the beer at 39°. Beer keeps 30 days according to 30 day freshness counter. Attention: meant only to be used with Heineken mini-kegs.
7. Time to get a new family digital camera. We’ve had great luck with our little Panasonic Lumix D9 with it’s Leica lens. Now Panasonic has a new model that shoots at 9MP (far more than mortals actually need), but also sports HD output. The optical stablization is top notch and it has a 10X zoom. $350. 
“Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
8. You may have read an article in the New York Times on carbonated beverages at home that covers the options out there. Some of these machines cost up to $2600. I can’t say the Club Soda version is the hottest design, and maybe even it’s bubbles aren’t as “delicate” as others (could that even be true?), but it worked well enough for our kids and makes a pretty good Pelligrino/Perrier stand-in. The Penguin is significantly more expensive at $249.99 versus the regular machine at only $79.99. Both are available at SodaClubUSA.com. Either way, both should pay for themselves in a fairly short amount of time, and also cut down massively on throw-away bottles. The starter kits come with two reusable bottles. The machine takes no added batteries or power, but does require a refill of the CO2 cartridge ($19.99) about every 110 bottles.
Best of luck finding a great Father’s Day. Some times the best gift is a handmade card from the kids and a little break from the chores he hates the most. Take that from a dad who will want to spend most of “his” day napping on the couch.
We’ve previously reviewed the Soda Club sparkling water maker. For literally $.20 a one liter bottle, versus $1.5 for Pelligrino, you can have sparkling water at home without carting bottles back and forth to the store. If there were any complaints about the Soda Club maker, it would only be that the plastic bottles weren’t elegant enough to bring to the table. Now, Soda Club has the “Penguin,” which carbonates water in glass bottles rather than plastic. The bottles are a fairly nice design with a subtle penguin logo that could be mistaken for a European crest. No one ever has to know that you make your sparkling water at home.
The Soda Club’s big promise is also to allow you to make your Coke and Root Beer at home. We’re not soda drinkers, except for root beer, so we were skeptical about this use. While we didn’t really like the imation Coke, 7-Up, and Root Beer (all of it has imitation sweeteners and ingredients we didn’t understand), we did like the natural lemon and orange flavors that added just the essence of the fruit to our water. No calories but a little added flavor.
You may have read an article in the New York Times on carbonated beverages at home that covers the options out there. Some of these machines cost up to $2600. I can’t say the Club Soda version is the hottest design, and maybe even it’s bubbles aren’t as “delicate” as others (could that even be true?), but it worked well enough for our kids and makes a pretty good Pelligrino/Perrier stand-in. The Penguin is significantly more expensive at $249.99 versus the regular machine at only $79.99. Both are available at SodaClubUSA.com. Either way, both should pay for themselves in a fairly short amount of time, and also cut down massively on throw-away bottles. The starter kits come with two reusable bottles. The machine takes no added batteries or power, but does require a refill of the CO2 cartridge ($19.99) about every 110 bottles.
IIf your mom told you never to pay retail, buying a Nintendo Wii even at the manufactured suggested retail price may seem like a violation of mom’s warning. You just can’t find one on-line or in stores without superhuman efforts (tipping the manager, waiting outside the store before opening hours on days when shipments are expected, or paying a $60+ premium on eBay or Amazon). Here’s another option that worked for me though it took a while. Warning: this idea is not for those in need of a quick Wii fix for a birthday or upcoming holiday. It is purely for those who can’t spend the extra cash, or who want to brag to their friends that for once, they “paid retail” and that was the best deal you could get.
Do this: Sign up for the “now in stock” Google group at NowInStockWiis | Google Groups . This Google group only exists to alert members that some online retailer has an inventory of Wii consoles at “regular” prices and if you hurry, you might be able to get one. When you sign up, make sure to go to “edit my membership” and make sure to set your email delivery option to: Send each message as it arrives. You do this so you get an email as soon as there is a new Wii sighting. You need to click and try to buy as soon as you get the email. The inventory flies fast, perhaps much to the 3000 NowinstockWiis members.
Alerts come at all times of the day, though I found that there are more postings in the early morning hours East Coast time, much to the disadvantage of Westerners. I clicked and clicked for about a month and half, but finally scored a Wii console from BestBuy.com for $249, not a penny over retail.
One added note: along with the $249 single console offer, there are a lot of offers for package deals, costing upwards of $600. These are around all over anyway, so usually you can just skip over them when you see the elevated price in the description.
Happy hunting. I am no longer a member of the NowinstockWiis Google group, but I remember my days there fondly.
Nerf Vortex Mega Howler from (Hasbro) We like this new invention from the Nerf people. It reminds us of the lawn darts of our youth, without the fear of spearing the cat. The principle is somewhat similar: a light football that is attached to the rear-end of an arrow, making for an aerodynamic missle. The spin is that it’s a football, so the arrow tip is blunted and the Nerf, or course, is soft; not soft enough to save mom’s crystal vase, but safe enough not to snag a passing cat.
What’s also cool here though is that the ball is small enough for a five year old to get his fingers around it. His throws, aided by the rear fins, give him or her confidence in his natural throwing ability. Dads will enjoy the ability to really throw this ball a long distance even if you were a wimpy passer in high school. It’s not quite as easy to catch this little ball, but it sure is simple to toss.
We demo’d the Vortex Ultra Light so I can’t vouch for how the whistle works on the Howler version, and if it makes too much noise to use in the house. In general, this is not an indoor item, however, so plan for beach or yard use.
When I saw the Fred Twist and Spout Kitchen Pour Spout, I thought, “what a cool idea.” It attaches to any twist open bottle turning a throwaway bottle into a pitcher or watering can. Great idea, but at the price, why not just buy a pitcher or watering can. It’s not as if all the stuff you pour out of a bottle needs a holder with each new bottle. In the end, it’s just one more gadget in the drawer. Thought I had to have it, but cooler minds prevailed. Thank you Super Ego!
Yeah, like you really need this, but after tonight’s meal where i was scooping ice cream out of a ice cube-cold vat, I’m thinking maybe, yes, I do. The Cuisipro® Ice Cream Scoop & Stack is basically a big ice cream syringe. You stick it straight into the ice cream, the ice cream fills the cylinder, and you push it out making a circular, but noo scoop-like serving of ice cream. Purists beware, the “scoop” does not look like your regular ball of ice cream, nor can you place it IN a cone. Rather, the round hunk of ice cream would more sit ON a cone, rather than in it.
Still, its a cool little toy and may find it’s way into our crowded kitchen gadget drawer one of these fine days. Christmas is only 295 days away!
This product is no longer featured on the Cuisipro site, so it may be on it’s way out, to be replaced by the Cuisipro Ice-Cream Sandwich Maker.
We really like pop molds. They are great way to give the kids an ice cream-like snack, while letting us modulate the sugar intake. And, we make our home-made popsicles out of regular juices and yogurts, so it’s cheaper and greener since there is no extra packaging, say nothing to preservative my kids definitely don’t need.
Previously, we’ve said we like SiliconeZone Popsicle Mold. It makes popsicles in a cool castle-like shape. But, here’s another idea I like even more: Cuisipro Sailboat Pop Mold . Not only does it create a cute-looking popsicle that looks like a sailboat with its keel as a popsicle stick, but the deck of the “boat” also collects the inevitable drips. Only drawback is that these are plastic where we now prefer silicone.
Another simple product for catching ice cream and popsicle drips is the Dripstick for only $3.99.
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