Gear | The TaterTwins

Hold On!

27 Mar posted by Jayme

I came across the coolest thing recently- Hold-On Handles. I’ve been struggling with the twins lately when we are out and about. They don’t want to stay in the shopping cart or their stroller a lot of the time. They whine to get out, and I can’t hold two toddler’s hands while trying to push a cart and shop for what I need. So when I saw Hold-On Handles, I just knew I had to give them a try and see if the boys would use them.

They arrived about a week ago, and I was immediately impressed with the thought put into the creation of the Hold-On Handles. With a parent wrist strap, a huge, easy to work carabiner, and adjustable lengths for the handles, it’s perfect for so many situations. I’ve used it hooked to my purse when my hands are full, attached to the shopping cart, and looped on to my wrist- all with great success. I wish I had these years ago, I think they’d have been perfect for when I had a few older kids and a baby or two in a stroller to keep everyone together at malls, fairs, and other events.

The kid’s handles are painted adorably, and the adjustable straps have quick release buckles just in case your kids tangle themselves up. Our set is the one pictured above, the Ocean Odyssey Double Handle Set, but you can get them with just one handle, or purchase extra handles as well. There are two other handles that coordinate with it. Additionally, there’s another double set that is bug themed.

It only took the twins a short time to learn that they could either hold on to their handles or ride in the cart- and they clearly preferred to hold on as told. They enjoy the freedom to walk beside me, and I am not constantly chasing them or sending the girls after them. These are an amazing help, and I highly recommend Hold-On Handles to anyone with more than one child, especially multiples!

6 Comments
Filed Under: 1featured, gear, Review, twins

Little Helper

6 Sep posted by Jayme

The other day while Dylan was napping, Aaron was trying to get some housework done but Ryan was not cooperating. He was leaving a path of destruction behind him so it was impossible to get anything done. Finally Aaron decided to throw him in the Kelty so he could vacuum without stopping to pick up toys every two minutes.

I love this carrier. Kelty has six different child back packs, and currently 5 of those are on sale. When choosing ours, I decided we didn’t need the deluxe ones with sun hoods and changing pads, but I did like that there was a mini-backpack behind where the boys sit for a couple diapers, a wallet, or snacks. Because of that, I selected the FC 1.0 model.

With the auto kickstand, it’s easy to not only get your child safely buckled into the carrier, but also to get it up onto your back. In fact, I can do it myself without help. With many child carriers, I need Aaron’s assistance to get them on me properly. The padded straps and waist belt are comfortable and make it easy to carry the weight. Additionally, it distributes the baby’s weight nicely and I don’t feel off balance.

This particular carrier holds kids up to 50 pounds and the padded child seat itself is adjustable, letting you use it for babies and toddlers of different heights. There’s a five point harness and toy loops too. Yet, with all of these features, the Kelty FC 1.0 weighs just under 5 pounds!

I’m excited for fall and cooler weather so we can start going on walks with our new carrier. Both of the boys like to walk, but only have so much stamina, so this way they can take turns. It will be nice to be able to do things without the huge double stroller as well.

Do you think I’ll look goofy if I use it at the grocery store? Now that the boys are bigger, I can only get one in the front of the shopping carts, so I end up throwing the other in the back and they’ve been tossing food out or stepping on it…

All summer I’ve been bringing Lili with me to push the stroller so I can keep them both out of my cart, and she’ll be in school now. So I’m thinking if I put one twin in the seat of the cart and one in the Kelty I’ll be able to shop more peacefully. Do you think I’ll look ridiculous?

Maybe I’ll just shop in the evenings when I can bring along someone to help…

5 Comments
Filed Under: gear, Review

Silly Men!

14 Jun posted by Jayme

Sometimes my husband baffles me. The other day, he asked me if we should just get rid of our twin strollers since we don’t use them anymore. I swear I looked at him like he had just grown a third eye on his forehead!

He’s always been a really hands on parent, so it’s not as if he’s unaware of what it takes to deal with two toddler boys. I couldn’t believe he didn’t think we used our strollers any more! I keep one at the house and one in the van. Granted, I’ve been using our choo-choo wagon way more often than the one at the house lately, but the one in the van still gets plenty of use.

Remember my recent post about the day I went to put the twins in the stroller when we were at the mall and I realized it had a flat tire? That trip right there reminded me of just how necessary it is to contain Ryan and Dylan!

I’ve always loved strollers. I can’t even name how many we’ve had through the years! Singles, doubles, deluxe, simple umbrella, jogging- if it’s been invented, we’ve probably owned it at some point. I think different strollers suit different needs. I have one with big tires, for walks at the park and other outdoor places with potentially uneven ground. However, those wheels are huge and cumbersome while at the mall, so I have another, more compact one we use there.

I think it will be awhile before my guys are officially too big to be strapped into a stroller. It’s different with twins as well- when we just had one toddler, Aaron or I could carry a sleepy baby if we left the stroller behind. With two, it’s so much harder to juggle everything. I think even when we do ditch our double strollers, I’ll be sure to keep a single on hand, just so I can at least let one ride (and hold any potential shopping packages!) Maybe a nice Maclaren stroller- I have yet to own one of those…

What age were your kids (especially if you have twins!) were you ready to get rid of your stroller(s)?

6 Comments
Filed Under: Aaron, spon, strollers

School Supply Lists

9 Aug posted by Jayme

I totally understand that kids need to bring their own supplies, and I have no issues with sending pencils, paper, crayons, etc in on the first day like always. However, I swear each year the lists get longer, and they want more of each thing. And then… usually at least two-three more times through out the year, we get notes home saying the classroom is running low on glue or tissues or something, and could we please send more in.

I’ve been scouting out local stores like Walmart- they always carry each school’s shopping lists. I’ve had no luck finding our elementary school until tonight- when I came across the lists on the school’s website when I was working on my weekly Macaroni Kid newsletter.

Kindergarten

1 Backpack
1 Pair of Scissors
1 Full Set of Clothes in a Labeled Ziploc Bag
1 Container of Liquid Soap
4 Boxes of Tissues
1 Box Fine Point Markers
1 Box of Wide Point Markers
4 Pkg. Crayola-Brand Crayons
1 Box of #2 Pencils
1 Gallon Size Ziploc Bags
2 Plastic/Vinyl 3-Hole Punched Pocket Folders
1 Composition Notebook
24 Glue sticks
1 Bottle of Elmer’s White Glue
1 Pint Size Ziploc Bags

Here’s Mia’s list. First of all, I am hoping they mean 2 – 4 glue sticks, because I am NOT buying 24 of them! Secondly, I hate when they don’t say how MANY crayons- do they want the 8 pack, 24 pack, what? They always want Ziploc bags as well, and I always wonder what for, since I never see bags used for anything. And four boxes of tissues? We go through about that many a year for our whole house, and if each kid is bringing four… where do they store this crap? I’d think ONE box per kid should be sufficient.

3^rd Grade

7 dozen wooden pencils (NO mechanical pencils)
2 24-Pack Crayons
1 Pair of Scissors
3 inch Binder with Clear View Cover
1 inch Binder
Quart Size Plastic Baggies (Boys)
Gallon Size Plastic Baggies (Girls)
1 Sturdy Plastic Folder
3 Packs of Wide Rule Paper
3 hole Punched Pencil Pouch with a Zipper/Velcro (NO Boxes)
2 jumbo glue Sticks
2 yellow highlighters
1 Bottle of GermX
1 Ream of White Copy Paper
1 USB/Thumb/Flash Drive (256 mb minimum)
1 Box of Kleenex

Ahh one box of tissues… whew. And only two glue sticks, nice. But SEVEN dozen pencils? Is my kid going to go through 84 pencils in one school year? I’m glad they let us know what count crayon box to get as well. And the thumb drive- man, third grade is getting high tech!

So what is on your kids’ back to school shopping lists?

19 Comments
Filed Under: gear, school supplies, shopping

Cloth Diaper Wholesale (Review & Giveaway)

30 Jul posted by Jayme

I have another amazing cloth diaper giveaway for you guys today- brought to you by Cloth Diaper Wholesale! If you are looking to cloth diaper on a budget and would prefer the simplicity of one sized pockets to prefolds and covers, Cloth Diaper Wholesale is the place for you!

I’ve been cloth diapering my kids since Mia was in dipes, and I know that typically new pocket diapers go for about $20. While in the long run, the cost of cloth diapering even for even at that price is far cheaper than disposables, but the thought of shelling out the money to get enough cloth at once can be daunting.

With these diapers, not only are they even MORE affordable, but they are one size- which means they’ll fit through potty training. With the snaps on the front of the dipe, you can adjust the sizing from XS to Large in a snap- literally! In addition, each diaper comes with an insert. Not all diapers are sold with them included, so that’s another additional expense you don’t need to worry about with Cloth Diaper Wholesale!

Cloth Diaper Wholesale sent two of their diapers to try out on the boys. While these diapers are way less expensive than other brands, I definitely do not notice a difference in the quality! They are just as reliable and cute as the more costly diapers. No leaks, strong snaps, absorbent inserts- not to mention cute prints and a great fit. I really couldn’t ask for anything else in a diaper!

Available in several cute colors, Cloth Diaper Wholesale diapers are available for purchase to the public directly from their site! Not only can you buy the diapers singly, which is often not the case with items that are wholesale priced, but you can also buy them in packages of 8 and 15, with FURTHER discounts! Pricing starts at $10, and shipping is only $2.50!

Or, you can win one!

To enter to win this plum one-size Wholesale Cloth Diaper and insert, just comment on this post by 8/14.

The winner will be chosen on 8/15.

US only please!

For additional entries: (Please leave an extra comment for each entry you complete.)

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