Easy Stroll- Best Thing Ever

Easy Stroll is an ergonomic handle that allows you to easily maneuver your stroller one handed. It can also be used as a handle extension.

I ordered one because I wanted to be able to keep a full stride even when the Freerider stroller board was attached.

I had some trouble during installation because my stroller handle is oval and the spacers provided are round and made of ridged plastic. I ended up only using the top spacer and was able to install it but noticed right away that when I rotated the grip the ridged plastic piece tore at my foam handle. My fix was to wrap my foam handle well in electric tape under both installation points. This doesn't hinder the rotation of the Easy Stroll but does save my foam handle.

I got to use it for the first time today on a trip to Fairyland in Oakland (basically an amusement park). The Easy Stroll works really well as a handle extension for use with the Freerider but what really impressed me was that it allowed me to comfortable manipulate the stroller with one hand.

What freedom! What a revelation! I had no idea how great it would be to have a free hand while pushing a stroller. Now the promotional photos for this product always show relaxed looking mothers blissfully sipping fancy coffee or joyously swinging tiny boutique bags. That was not my experience. Instead, I was able to carry my fussy one year old while easily zipping after my rambunctious two year old- on road, off road and through throngs of little kids-pushing a DOUBLE stroller with a stroller board attached!

What can I say...Easy Stroll- BEST THING EVER!

Mountain Buggy's Freerider fits Kolcraft Contour Options Lt

I wanted a stroller board so that my oldest would have the option of hoping on and off instead of being constantly strapped in.
When I saw Mountain Buggy's Freerider- the stroller board that converts to a scooter...I was blown over by the concept!

Of course there was no info on whether this stroller board would fit the Options Lt. I called mountain buggy customer service and was told that they hasn't tested the Options Lt for fit... So I spent way too much time looking at the stroller specs and installation instructions for the freerider. I concluded that it would probably work with the included connector so I crossed my fingers and ordered it ($99 on Amazon).

Conclusion it fits with some caveats...

Details:

The freerider installs via connector to the axel of the Options Lt no problem.

You can still engage the brake on the stroller.


The rider has plenty of room as long as the back seat is facing the parent.

Recommended

Not Recommended

Since you install the scooter to one side of the stroller it doesn't really interfere with the available legroom of the backward facing rider.


The connector doesn't interfere with folding the stroller.

I also purchase a stroller handle extender so I wouldn't have to change my stride when we used the freerider. You can use the freerider without one you just have to push a bit from the side. Not really a problem but a tad annoying ( to me).


The free rider easily comes off and you can just flip the back wheel and voila!... you have a cool little beginner scooter.

Caveats:
Because of the brake configuration on the Options Lt you can't leave the scooter attached to connector and fold it up and out if the way when your not using it. I resolved this by hanging the scooter as shown in the instructions and attaching the bottom of the scooter to the stroller axel via a small bungee cord...this has worked pretty well so far.

The Perfect Stroller- Kolcraft Contours Options LT

When my first child was born I got a jogging stroller and used it for jogging and nothing else. I didn't even own an umbrella stroller. Instead I just wore my baby everywhere. I would see parents at library story time or at the farmers market pushing heavy cumbersome looking strollers and I admit it I scoffed. My baby wearing seemed so much more effective..so much more efficient. My daughter had been walking 2 months when I started seeing the potential appeal of a stroller. I remember the exact day...I took her into a bathroom stall with me, sat down to do my business and stared mouth agape as she slide happily under the stall divider and ran merrily toward the door. We got an umbrella stroller the next day.

Still I didn't really 'get into' strollers. When my second child was born I simply wore them both- my oldest in the Ergo and my little one in a sling. And when the little one was a bit older I switched to wearing her in an Ergo on my front and my oldest in a backpack. Still this utopia in which I did not have to fold and unfold a huge stroller was too good to last.

My youngest started walking and became a vicious hair puller and my oldest, always a 'spirited child', became very excited by running off and hiding from me at every opportunity. Needless to say, I started looking for a stroller and almost immediately, I fell in love with the Baby Jogger City Select Double. The price tag $400, not too bad I though..."oh, no"...the salesman explained with a big grin...you have to buy everything separately-the second seat $100, the car seat adapted $100, the glider board $100, the rain cover $100.....You get the picture. And while I maybe able to rationalize the purchase of a $400 stroller there was no way that I was buying a $1000 stroller. Enter the Kolcraft Contour Options LT- basically the exact same stroller as the City Select at a much lower price point- $270.

Review of the Kolcraft Contours Options LT

1. Does the stroller come with a second seat?
Yes! and what is even cooler is that it folds wit the second seat attached. On the City Select you have to pop  off the second seat to fold it.

2. Is it easy to fold?
Yes, all you have to do is pull up on the release while stepping on the emergency brake and it folds right up. In addition it can stand when folded which is great if you have to move some stuff around in your car before you can throw it in.

3. How much does it weight?
33 lbs with both seats on which is really good for a double (my kid weighs more) but it would be awkward to carry too far.

4. Can it fit in my car?
We have a van and a Honda fit and we have had no problems but I haven't tested it in any other cars. It is not too wide but it does have some height so I am not sure if it would fit in the trunk of a sedan. You can check the dimensions on the Kolcraft website and measure your trunk.

5. Can I attach an infant car seat?
Yes, one comes with the stroller but you can attach two you just have to buy the second car seat adapter.



6. Is it made well?
It seems to be really well made. The recline feature is different than the City Select in that it has levels while the City Select has the pull cord that lets you customize the recline. The sunshades are also a little smaller than the City Select- still tall but not as wide.

7. How is it to maneuver?
It is incredible. I can't tell the difference between this and the City Select at all.

Here are some pictures of mine with the seats in different positions. I love that it has a narrow profile and isn't too long. And I love love love that it is modular.

On a trip to the store yesterday, my kids initially wanted to face each other which was cute until my big one started kicking my little one. I then turned the little one's seat forward (with her in it) which seemed to solve the problem momentarily....then scream scream...the big one was kicking the back of the little one's seat. I then turned the big one's seat to face me... permanently resolving the kicking crisis.

Anyway if you are thinking about getting this stroller and have any questions I'd be happy to tell you about my experience. No one paid me or gave me anything to gush about this stroller. I truly am just really happy with my purchase. Here are some picture of the stroller with the seats in different positions.  

It reminds me of a Transformer- I call mine Bumble Bee. 

Best Gear for Plane Travel with Babies and Toddlers

Our extended family lives across the country from us so we do a lot of plane travel with our two little ones (1 and 2 1/2). Travel is unpredictable. Toddlers are unpredictable. Put them together and you have a very combustible combination. Between the load of gear, the screaming, the running away in the security line and the on-plane crying jags even the most even tempered parent can feel a bit like a homicidal axe murderer by the end of a flight. In this post, I am going to recommend some of the gear that has really made plane travel with our baby and toddler much less stressful. *I'll do a follow up post specifically on things that have helped us survive in-flight.

Awesome Gear:

1. Brica travel booster- $25 Amazon
This great booster works well for any kid that can sit up independently but is too short to eat at the standard table. The best thing about this booster is that it folds completely flat which means you can stick it in your luggage (even your carry-on luggage) with no problem. My husband and I credit this little beauty with making it possible for us to get sustenance on our trips (have you tried to eat while holding a baby?-I don't recommend it!). And we don't use it just on trips- we throw it in the car or diaper bag (yes it is that compact) so we are always ready for situations where we need a booster. 

2. Kelty TC 2.0 Child Carrier- $150
Wearing you kid in through the airport is the only way to go. The Kelty TC not only carries your child but it carries all their stuff. When we fly my husband carries our oldest in this and we take it on the plane as our carry-on. Now I am a baby-wearer who loves my Ergo totally and completely...but...there is not a lot of storage in an Ergo. There is however, a ton of storage in the TC- you can fit loveys, sippy cups and diapers galore. It has an adjustable lumbar panel so it fits me at 5'6" and my husband at 6'5" with no problem. It also it has a couple pockets on the carrying belt where you can put your ID and plane ticket.

We also use this all the time on the Bart- way easier than lugging a stroller or carrying an additional diaper bag. It is a bit pricey but not crazy expensive. Look out for sales we got our on Zulily for $60. Also, their is a sun/rain canopy that you can buy separately that fits on the TC beautifully. It is great for that stage where your baby keeps taking off their hat...

3. KidCo Pea Pod Travel Bed- $89
Ok, this seems like it is constantly sold out on Amazon, why?...because it rocks. Anyone who has dragged around a "portable" pack n' play will throw up their hands in a hallelujah when they get their paws on this. It weights less than five pounds and fits..yes...in our carry-on. We have two; a pea pod with a self inflating mattress and a pea pod plus with a mattress that inflates with a small pump which is included. We have used these SO MUCH and what is more our kids love them. We have used them everywhere..on camping trips, at friend's houses etc... No more worrying about where your baby is going to sleep when you get to your destination. We love them!

4. Traveling Toddler Car Seat Accessory- $13 Amazon
This has made getting through the airport a breeze. We just strap our car seat to our carry-ons, put our youngest in the Ergo + the oldest in the Kelty and off we go...zip..zip. When we get to the gate we pop the strap off, throw our gate check bag on or take the car seat on the plane with us. As a bonus you can actually strap your kid into the car seat and they can ride. This would be a great option for families with 3 or 4 kids or when you are traveling alone with two small children.

5. Kidco Go-Pod- $48 Amazon
This is basically an excersaucer that folds small enough to fit in most standard luggage. It has a lot of straps to add toys to and you can change the toys out once your baby gets tired of them. We use it for travel but we also use it for the playground where I often have to stick my baby in it and run off to save my toddler from imminent disaster after imminent disaster.

Cheap and Fast Tutorial I- Rainbow Dance Hoop

Sometimes it is the simplest things that make our kids the happiest. My daughter got to use a rainbow dance hoop at her mommy and me movement class and lovvvved it!
So of course, I quickly put a couple together for Sunday night dance party. I made three for $8 bucks with supplies from the dollar store (ribbon + small wreath) and about 15 minutes of construction time. My kids love them. Yesterday, I even walked in on my husband doing a little interpretive rainbow dance piece.

Cheap, Fast...and most importantly Super Fun!

Score: Mom-1, Toddler-144

Recently my toddler has gone on bath strike. It has been horrible...getting her into a bath has literally been like trying to force an unwilling cat into a carrier. I have been reading a bunch of parenting books trying to figure out what to do and my husband has been taking her swimming to get the stink off...
Then I had an idea. My toddler loves to paint so I filled up a muffin tin with cheap shaving cream ,added some food coloring and handed her a brush. Ta-da! I win for once!!!!

The Blacksmith

I am so excited! My seriously awesome husband got me a Blacksmithing class for Christmas and it starts this Thursday. I have always been fascinated by metal work and I am really looking forward to pounding on some hot iron!
In related news, I actually got an opportunity to go out this weekend alone (blissful) and I wandered into this little thrift shop I have been meaning to checkout and found this.....


Isn't he awesome.. He's called The Welder. I had to have him and the price was right so of course he came home with me.

I love art especially unusual portraits. I've never seen anything like him. I think I am going to hang a copy of Longfellow's The Village Blacksmith beside him. That poem is so beautiful..

Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands...