Review: Graco Dynamo Lite Classic Connect Stroller, Oasis

I like this stroller, for the most part.

We received this after having problems with the folding mechanism on the Graco stroller we bought as part of our travel system (see that review here: http://reviewgeex.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-graco-spree-travel-system.html)

The pattern is cute (though I wish it matched our car seat, like our original stroller did). Very gender neutral. Canopy is large and works well. I like that it has a little flap check on baby without opening the whole canopy.  Parent tray holds most drinks fairly well, and the open compartment is great for phones, keys, wallet, camera, etc. Child's tray holds a bottle or sippy cup really well. I also like that it opens easily from either side (for my independent little one!)

Our Graco car seat snaps easily and securely into place. Basket underneath is very roomy and sturdy! Our 3-year-old likes to crawl in there while I'm pushing the baby in the car seat, and the basket easily holds her weight! The 5-point harness is great when we're not using the car seat. Straps are fairly easy to adjust.

The wheels have been squeaking for awhile but I think some WD-40 would solve that problem very quickly. The folding mechanism on the handle has never gotten stuck.

My only big complaint is that it's really awkward to unfold. Impossible to do it with one hand. You have to hold the handle with your right hand and use your left to pull the latch off the left side, and pull the handle out to unfold it. But if your left hand slips while holding the latch, you get to start again. Lucky you!

Folding the stroller is pretty quick: you push the button, turn the handle and fold. It folds in half and fits in a fairly small space, which is nice. It's just the unfolding that's a pain.

I wish the child's foot rest were wider, but that's not a huge issue.

Overall, a great stroller.

Click below to buy it at Amazon:

Graco Dynamo Lite Classic Connect Stroller, Oasis

Update: May 2014
We've been using this stroller almost daily for the past 3 years and it's still in great shape! Wish unfolding it were easier, but it works and we like it. :)

Review: Graco Spree Travel System, Barcelona Bluegrass

Overall: a decent travel system. Next time I'd probably get something different though.

First, the pros:

Car seat - Very sturdy, pattern is nice for a girl or boy, clicks easily into the base of all 3 of our Graco strollers, canopy is great for shade, padding is comfy, cover is easy to wash (we hang it to dry), seat belts work well and are easy for us to buckle/unbuckle.

Stroller - Love how it folds up! Basket is nice and roomy, pattern is pretty, canopy works great, cupholders are fairly deep, child's footrest is wide.

Cons:

Car seat - this may be a personal preference, but the seat belts can only be adjusted from behind the car seat. During quick weather changes (snowstorms, rain, etc.) it's a huge inconvenience to get the straps adjusted correctly when time is of the essence! We keep the base latched into our van, and it's nearly impossible to adjust the straps when the car seat is clicked into the base. So we end up doing a weird dance called, "balance the car seat sideways on the base and hurry to adjust the straps while the baby is screaming and the other kids are running in the thunderstorm." Next time, I'd buy a car seat with straps that can be adjusted in the front!

Stroller - loved pretty much everything about this stroller...until the folding mechanism stopped working. After a few weeks of having the stroller, the button and twisting part on the handle started "sticking". Sometimes they would work, other times we had to just shove the stroller in the back of the van without folding it (I don't know what we'd have done without a ginormous trunk!) After a few more weeks, the folding mechanism stopped working altogether. We wrote to Graco and they had us return the stroller in exchange for a different one. (Their customer service was fantastic in this regard!) Unfortunately, the stroller they sent us is a 'Graco Dynamo Lite Classic Connect Stroller'. It's an ok stroller, but unfolding it is really bizarre. (See my other review for more info).

I still love the Graco brand (and their customer service!) but next time I'd buy a car seat with front seat belt adjustment, and a stroller without folding mechanism issues.

Click below to see it at Amazon:

Graco Spree Travel System, Barcelona Bluegrass

Update: May 2014
We're now using the car seat with our youngest child and it's still in fantastic shape! Still wish we could adjust the seat belts from the front, but at least it's lasted us a good, long while.

Review: Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad

Love this changing pad!

We keep it on our changing table and I love the straps so I can strap in our baby when needed.

It's nice and thick, and the contoured sides help keep the baby in the middle of the pad. It wipes clean, though I made a couple of soft covers that can be thrown in the washing machine very easily.

Would definitely buy this changing pad again.

Click here to buy it on Amazon:

Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad

Update:
May 2014
Our changing pad is now 3 years old and still in perfect condition! We bought it for our 3rd child and are now using it with our 4th. Love it!

Review: Flexi Freeze Refreezable Ice Sheets 3 pack

Looking for the best ice packs for your cooler? The search is over!

Love how flexible and customizable these are. We keep them in our freezer and they're so easy to pop in the cooler for a picnic, camping, or road trip. They last quite awhile, and we never have to worry about them leaking all over the ice chest (I'm looking at you, ziploc baggies!)

Worth the price; recommend to everyone!

Click below to purchase at Amazon:
Flexi Freeze Refreezable Ice Sheets 3 pack

Update: May 2014
Just returned from a trip to a cabin for Memorial Day. It's a 3-hour journey each way, but our handy Flexi Freeze sheets did a fantastic job keeping the milk cold (and the chicken frozen!) for the entire journey! Still going strong after 3 years.

Review: Catan: Cities and Knights 5-6 Player Extension

Expansion Pack? Yes, please! Cities & Knights of Catan is one of our very favorite games. Naturally, we bought the expansion pack as soon as we'd saved enough money to do so! Pieces are the same good quality as the original game. Love being able to play with a larger group of family/friends.

Click below to buy it at Amazon:

Catan: Cities and Knights 5-6 Player Extension

Review: The Settlers of Catan 5 and 6 Player Extension

XP Pack for Settlers? I think yes! We love playing Catan and the expansion pack for an additional 1-2 players is awesome! Nice to be able to play with a larger group. Now we don't fight over the game (as much) anymore.

Click below to buy it at Amazon:
The Settlers of Catan 5 and 6 Player Extension

Review - Vista Explorer 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag

Bought this as a gift for my Mom (a professional photographer) for Christmas and it has been fantastic! She loved it so much that I ended up buying another for myself. :)

Favorite features:
Quick-release plate - easy to screw into both my large Canon SLR camera and my smaller Sony digital camera.
Pan Head - simple to adjust and get just the right angle.
Quick Release leg locks - very fast and easy to use.
Geared Center Post - moves very smoothly and has never gotten stuck.

I also like the included drawstring bag that makes packing it up a cinch. If you're looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use tripod for amateur or professional use, this is it!

Click below to buy it from Amazon:

Vista Explorer 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag

Update: May 2014
Still loving this tripod! It's light enough that I tote it along everywhere. It's also quite durable and I haven't had any problems with it.