Product Review: Coleman LED Quad Lantern

With summer just around the corner, we have started to look into toys for the kid to play with in the backyard. Rather than buy a bunch of plastic crap that will break the minute after I spend three hours screwing it together, we are focusing on buying "imagination toys" that also have a tangible use beyond play. Our first purchase is the Coleman Quad Lantern. If you are not familiar with this amazing little lamp, then sit back and regale in what might potentially be the coolest thing I have ever bought for my children.

So here are the product description and features from Amazon.com:

Combining an area light with four portable lanterns in a single clever unit, the Coleman LED Quad lantern is a versatile choice for indoor or outdoor use. The Quad is equipped with four removable LED panels that hold 24 LED lights total. Users can remove any of the four panels and use them independently, such as when needing a portable light for the bathroom or tent, or they can keep all four attached to the lantern and produce 190 total lumens of light. As a result, the Quad is the perfect light for group camping trips and any other occasion where folks might splinter off into smaller groups during the night. Each of the panels is a fully functioning light, with six 5mm white LEDs, a rechargeable NiMH battery, an independent on/off switch, and a top handle for carrying or hanging. The NiMH battery--which recharges when stored in the lantern base--provides up to 1.5 hours of light on its own. The lantern base, meanwhile, requires eight D-cell batteries (not included), which provide an approximate run time of 75 hours for the entire lantern. Other features include a main on/off switch located on top of the lantern, a light range of 26 feet, and a limited five-year warranty.

• Area lantern with 4 removable LED panels that function as independent lights

• Each LED panel includes 6 white LEDs, top handle, and rechargeable NiMH battery

• LED panels recharge in lantern base; provides 190 lumens of light with all panels

• Lantern base requires 8 D-cell batteries (not included); runtime of 75 hours

• 26-foot light range; each LED panel runs for 1.5 hours per charge; 5-year warranty

So here is what I see when I read that:

• Four lights...enough to go around for everyone...no fighting
• Bright LED light ensures that I can see the little ones when they get too far away
• The lights recharge in the base. Let me say that again...the lights recharge in the base. No need to futz around with battery chargers, constantly searching out D batteries in drawers that have not been opened in years...it charges in the base. 
• Run-time of 75 hours...this means that the kids can leave these things running for at least 9 nights without having to worry about changing the lights. 

The most awesome part of this lamp is that, unlike the plastic junk toys and the lingerie my wife got as a gift for her wedding shower, this is actually going to get a lot of use in our house. We have already used it to camp in the basement, play flashlight tag, go on mystery hunts throughout the house, play transformers and more. And as the little ones get older, this "toy" will grow with them. 

Do you have any "imagination toys" that you would recommend for the Stunt Dad nation to look into? Let us know in the comments below. 

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New Dads: Bond With Your Baby More Than You Ever Thought Possible

Do you feel like Mommy has had a leg up in the bonding department? Of course she has. She's had a 9 month head start over you, which has pit you as the underdog since day 1. Mom's ensured your baby has stayed warm, provided the essential nutrients needed for survival, and in layman's term—she's single handedly kept the kid alive. Much props to Mom, but before we crown her Queen of Baby Bonding, Dads now have an opportunity to give her a run for her money,  thanks to the fine folks at TICLL: Touch Instinctively-Communicate Love for a Lifetime.

We're all familiar with the saying, "It's not how you start, it's how you finish" and Dads, let's face it, we crawled while Mom ran—no, she sprinted to an early lead. But, this is America, and our country loves nothing more than a sappy comeback story. And Dads, you can be the hero of that story with  TICLL's latest and greatest product called the Blissful Baby™ Bundle.

This product will give you an instant connection with your newborn or infant. It uses the power of touch and massage, something that gives you a physical, immediate bond with your baby. The Bundle includes the following:

• Blissful Baby Robe: a soft and cuddly infant massage garment that comes in pink, blue, brown, or white
• Blissful Baby Guide: a 30 page book of detailed, illustrated, fact filled and wonderfully whimsical infant massage content
• Detachable Towel
• Matching Carrying Bag

Did you know that skin-to-skin contact lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system? And, according to a study in 2000, fathers who gave their infants daily massage 15 minutes prior to bedtime for one month displayed more positive bonding moments with their infant. Now, I am not suggesting that you give your infant a bath every hour on the hour to make up for the previous 9 months, because that would be disturbing and likely warrant uncomfortable conversations with local law enforcement. But, I would recommend subtly commandeering a new bedtime ritual for the next year: snuggle time on your chest, bath, cuddle, massage, bottle, bed.  

Your baby can see you,  feel you, and understand that you are the one who's taking over these precious bonding moments, so take advantage of it and make her aware that Daddy is now officially the Transmitter of Touch, the King of Kuddle, the Master of Massage.



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Tub Time=Road to the NBA

Getting kids to take baths comes with its own unique set of challenges. Encouraging him or her to remain seated, diverting attention away from the faucet handle, and minimizing the splashing.

To keep the little one focused, I highly recommend: Little Tikes Bathketball.

For only $10, you get a suction hoop, 3 squirting basketballs and 30 minutes of blissful distraction. This gift has made Munch go full-on berzerker-style-excited when its bath time.

I say the words “tub time” and the kid beelines for the bathroom, no matter where he is or what he’s doing. To determine if this was a passion or a phase, I tested it out in 3 random locations, with varying degrees of familiarity, while he was otherwise preoccupied.

• Grandma's House. Familiarity: High. Munch is throwing acorns into the pond. I say "tub time" and he races over to her back door, pointing inside and chanting, "Ball, ball, ball."
• Brother's House. Familiarity: Medium. Munch is playing with his cousins in the basement. I say "tub time" and he climbs the first set of stairs to the main level, another set of stairs to their 2nd level, waddles over to their guest bathroom, and starts pounding on the bath tub, chanting, "Ball, ball, ball."
• Aquatic Center . Familiarity: Low. Munch is eating grapes. I say "tub time" and two grapes fall out of his mouth, he charges into the men's locker room, and starts slaping the shower curtain (empty shower stall, thank god) and chanting, "Ball, ball, ball."

Verdict: Passion!

And who knows, maybe this drives him to become the next token 6' sharp shooting white dude in the NBA? Steve Kerr? John Paxson? Bobby Hansen? All of these guys fit the description AND have NBA Championship Rings - GIDDY, GIDDY.

Anyone else have tub toys that are Stuntastic?

- Not a parenting blog, not a daddy blog, not a mommy blog — it's a Stunt Dad blog.

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T-Shirt + Sports Logo=Perfect Gift

With the announcement of K2 coming in November, friends and family were quick to provide us with “big brother” clothes for Munch.

One of the best came in the form of a silk screened T-Shirt reading: Blackhawks logo + BIG BRO 1 via Gafy.com.

Significance?

Winter Classic. January 1, 2009. First-ever hockey game at Wrigley Field. An "Original 8" match-up between my beloved Chicago Blackhawks vs. the hated Detroit Red Wings. And, it was our first date (Wifey + Me).

I stole, err, adopted this idea for a few friends. You can go as straight-laced or as wacky as you want to get. Some of my personal creations are below:

• Mahoning Valley Scrappers mascot on front and RyGuy #1 on back (The Scrappers are my friend's fantasy baseball team and Ryan is his son's name)
• Face of Keyser Soze on front and Big Earl #3 on back (The Usual Suspects was the movie my co-worker and his wife were watching when she went into labor and Earl was their 3rd child)
• Panda Express logo on front and TBD #99 on back (My distant cousin spent a year backpacking China, and no one will ever know how many kids he left behind)

For a "cost-effective" alternative, check out our previous Stunt Dad posting Onesies That are The Twosies.

Has anyone else gave or received other fun "custom" made t-shirts?

- Not a parenting blog, not a daddy blog, not a mommy blog — it's a Stunt Dad blog.

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Product Review: Swoop Bags

My wife recently found an interesting product called Swoop. And in all honestly, I am not sure if it is a smart idea or just swoopid (see what I did there). Swoop Bags are designed to be a one-stop toy storage area and play area for all of those little pieces of plastic that somehow seem to flood out of the little one's room. Made out of high quality cotton canvas and nylon cording, the bag/play around is made for quick access and storage.

The thing I am struggling with is whether or not the same outcome could be accomplished with a couple of $5 laundry bags. Also, what are you going to do with this large lump of plastic toys? Maybe future models will integrate a bean bag feature, but right now, it just looks like another pile of stuff to jam into someplace else. This idea might be a better solution when my little one turns 18 and I throw all of his stuff into a Swoop and chuck it into the front yard. At this point, for $45, I think I am going to have to vote Swoopid.

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Product Review: Baby Jogger City Select Stroller

I don't always agree that bigger is necessarily better.

It would be nice to live in a house, but I have a 1 bedroom condo. It would be nice to listen to music through a surround sound speaker system, but I have a computer. It would be nice to watch television on a projection TV that rivals a movie theater, but have a small flat screen TV.

However, when it came to pushing my son (and soon to be daughter) around, I selected the biggest, baddest baby stroller I could find: the Baby Jogger City Select Stroller. And, nothing could be better.

Everything about this stroller is big. And nowhere else is its presence felt more—than at the playground. It's the stroller that scares the children. It's the stroller that dads envy. It's the stroller that moms want to look at it, touch, and take for a test drive.

• It's the SUV of strollers
• It's the Big Bertha of baby carriers
• It's the Cadillac of child transportation

And, apparently, it's features are meant to embarrass, rile, flaunt, and intimidate.

• Tires which could make my small-car-owning co-worker blush (12" rear tires, 8" front tires)
• An underneath basket which could make my recycled-grocery-bag-toting neighbor bitter (~2' wide by ~3' long)
• A primary seat which could make my lazy-boy-reclining uncle envious (4 different positions with a padded, adjustable, 5-point harness for safety)
• A standing stroller height which could make my undersized-over-compensating-muscular neighbor envious (41".5 stroller height)

The stroller is big enough to accommodate up to two children, using 16 different seat combinations, and adaptable for a car seat or bassinet. To be fair though, with big power comes big responsibilities. The price tag comes with a premium at $400 and, when folded, is the size of a preschooler measuring 28" long x 25" wide. But, its also considerably less and more functional than the Uppa Baby or other yuppie strollers of the world.

I am fully aware that there are people who strongly dislike the mere thought of a monster motorcage meandering through sidewalks or shopping malls, but I am ok with that. This is my 4 bedroom house. My Bose speakers. My personal movie theater.

And it's big. Really, really big. And, I wouldn't have it any other way.

What is one of your BIG things?

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There’s No Place Like...Children’s Place

When Munch was born, we spared no expense. Truth be told, it happened before he was born—long before.

On August 30th, 2009, we found out Wifey was 6 weeks pregnant. On August 31st, we were at Buy Buy Baby. It happened that quick, and by it, I'm referring to the spending.

And, while the spending hasn't stopped, we've definitely managed to contain it.

But—he was our first. And who doesn't spend their life savings on showering their first born with over-priced clothes? You're probably thinking about that $25 embroidered onesie you bought for your little one. Or, the $45 dress that was too-adorabley-cute-not-to-buy that she wore just once.

Go ahead, smile, you know you did. Well, my friend, you are not alone. I'm one of the most cost-conscious dads out there, yet I still paid $32 for a Jungle Jam Elephant Sleeping Bag. For the first few months of his life, he was a walking billboard for our favorite Chicago infant clothing stores:

- Giggle

- Bullfrogs & Butterflies
- Little Threads

Surely, it was completely normal to spend $40 on an Alpaca Mouse Hat when the kid hates anything that goes on his head. And, why shouldn't I have spent $50 on his first Chuck Taylors that he grew out of in a month?

Because there is a place. A beautiful place. With beautiful clothes. And beautiful prices. A place so beautiful that onesies are under $2, dresses are under $5, shoes under $10, and you simply just can't get enough. This place is....THE CHILDREN’S PLACE.

I’m not sure how Wifey stumbled upon this magical world of cost savings, but I do give a slight nod to the Shopping Gods whenever I see Munch in his latest $9.99 OUTFIT (meaning a top AND a bottom). In fact, we got 3 sleep stretchies for $4.99 a piece. I know what you're thinking Dads, "Impossible! Not a chance!" And yet, it's true. So wonderfully and blissfully true. 

Munch grew so quick as a newborn that if we got him to get at least one wear out of a $50.00 outfit from Janie and Jack before he outgrew it, we considered it a win. Now, if it doesn’t come from clearance or cost less than $15, we don’t buy it. We’ve saved so much $$$ and the kid still looks adorable. Llet’s face it, you could put a garbage bag on 90% of the kids out there for their first year and you’d still get oohs and ahs. Oh, the wisdom one gets after six months of having a child. 

So, for those of you who are prospectin', preparin', or plannin' for parenthood, here's a Wardrobe Tip: at their age, spend smarter, not harder, Stunt Dad Nation.

Anyone else know of some cheap, err, cost-effective children clothing stores?

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Are you a Dufflebag?

Let's face it, carrying an infant car seat sucks, even if the little one isn't in it.

They are cumbersome and are usually held 1 of 3 ways:

- The Dufflebag: Straight-arm, straight-down, straight shredding of your thighs

- The Grocerybag: Two hands, two arms, total security, total emasculation

- The Handbag: One arm, one crook of your elbow, one humbling experience

More often than not, we typically fall into the Handbag approach, right? Which means, as a dude, we suck up our pride and take ease over aesthetics. Thank you Louis Vuitton for not marketing to men.

But even still, the Handbag has its issues. The crook of my elbow got more and more sore as Munch began to grow. Two months post-Munch's arrival, the 10lb. carrier + the 10lb. Munch (which us Dads know, doesn't really equate to 20 lbs., right?) began to take its toll on the important things in life...

• Raising and lowering my morning coffee
• Perfecting my jump serve on Wii Beach Volleyball
• Practicing for the 2015 Super Dad Arm Wrestling Championships

That's when a friend introduced us to the Wrap and Roll Infant Carrier Arm Pad, from Itzy Ritzy. This arm pad is a cushy bumper that wraps around the top of the infant carrier. Not only does it help with your arm going numb, it folds out to be used as a tummy time mat, changing pad, and blanket.

Your wife will love it and you will to.

What type of Bag Dad are you?

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First Gift for K2: Rufflebutts

Last night, I broke down.

I can admit that shopping is not really one of my things. I wasn't for Munch, and probably won't be for K2. However, Wifey and I were checking out Zulily and we came across "irresistible cuteness" in the form of Rufflebutts.

I’m not going to say how much we spent (gulp), but I couldn’t help it. I broke my own rule (no more than $10/item), but I didn’t care.

And to think, this little girl already has daddy wrapped around her finger and she’s not even born yet.

Crap, I’m in trouble with this one. BIG trouble.

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