Swimming Up

How can it possibly be that three years have passed and my little boy is swimming up to cub scouts? He was so inquisitive and loved the whole ceremony of the swim up! I was so proud of him and told him he was the best beaver of the group.

Zellers ~ Product reliability and customer service FAIL

Since I have posted close to two hundred product reviews in the last year and a half. I am pretty confident in saying I know what I look for when posting a product review. And, since I have a voice here I thought I would share my recent experiences with Zellers.

Zellers is a long-established department store here in Canada. It is part of a chain owned by the parent company The Hudson's Bay Company. I frequent the Zellers in Stratford Ontario. In recent years Zellers has had to pull up their boot straps with WalMart coming to Canada...or so I thought!

On November 5, 2010 I took my children to Zellers to buy their winter gear. After spending $290 dollars I walked out of my local Zellers with four pairs of boots, one snow suit, one winter jacket, one pair of snow pants, and several hats and mitts. We were all set for our impending winter weather.

However November didn't produce any snow. December did though! So the kids were excited to wear their new winter-wear. It is now January 9 and the kids have had 40 days wearing their clothing from Zellers. About a week ago I noticed that Matt's boots were coming apart at the soles.



We have since had to purchase a second pair of boots for him since his feet were wet and cold. (Not at Zellers.) I figured I would inquire with Zellers Customer Service Email as to whether they had a replacement guarantee on children's items. They responded asking for all the details of my purchase. Which I was happy to do, since I still have my receipt. They asked for the UPC# of the boot, day bought, transaction #, and method of payment. All, I could provide.

The next day I received a form letter saying they had passed along my concern to their buyers. While, I think that is a worth-while thing to do, it doesn't satisfy me. The boots have only been worn for 40 days (assuming he went outdoors every day during those 40 days). My expectation is that a product would and should last for at least the season it was intended.

My response was that I appreciated their form letter, but my question remained are they going to replace their defective merchandise?

Stratford doesn't have a WalMart YET, but, it is coming. And, I say it can't come soon enough!

Zellers is willing to sell sub-standard merchandise and then just shrug their shoulders. I can't wait to take my almost $300 dollars and spend it at WalMart next year when it comes time to buy winter gear. And, throughout the year. You can just imagine what I spend in a year with three children. I have tried to be loyal to Zellers, since they are Canadian, but, if they aren't willing to stand by their merchandise I will happily take my dollars elsewhere.





As always, these are my opinions and experiences, yours may differ.

Holiday Gifts from Bandai {Tamagotchi & Ben 10}

Holy Cow! Only a couple of days until Christmas....it almost seems surreal to me right now - how did a year slip by so quickly? If you are anything like me there are always a couple of last minute gifts to pick up, you know when your child's friend drops off a gift and you weren't expecting it.

Bandai has a couple of great suggestions! And, here is the best part these toys are available at your local neighbourhood stores, such as Zellers, Loblaws, Wal-Mart and Home Hardware. (check your store for availability)

Tamagotchi


The Tamagotchi family is growing...new for the holiday season is TamaTown and six new Gotchi friends.

Tamagotchi is the one and only virtual pet. TamaTown is the newest sensation, it includes the original nurturing play pattern and character customization.




Tamagotchi is geared towards children ages 6 - 10, which (in my opinion) is sometimes pretty difficult to buy for.


Ben 10 Ultimate Alien

Another great holiday release are a couple of new Ben 10 toys. I knew Ben 10 would be a favourite around our home, since my son (who is 7) loves watching Ben 10 on tv. He got an early Christmas gift when he was given the opportunity to review two new Ben 10 Ultimate Alien toys.

This is Ben 10 Ultimate Alien and Comic, as well as, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Vuescope Ultimatrix.


Matt is having such a good time with the Vuescope Ultrimatrix, he can pop the top and watch as the image of any of 12 different aliens appears on the Ultrimatrix. This toy needs batteries, which were included.



Then of course he is loving the Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Figures. He is always a fan of carrying around small toys such as these, so these were right up his ally. Plus, he loved the comic book!

Both of the Ben 10 toys we checked out are priced at the affordable price point of $16.99, and I think either would make any boy happy in the age range of 6 - 10. And, the best part is they should be pretty easy to find and pick up at neighbourhood stores.



Disclaimer: I was sent a sample for my review. Opinions expressed are mine, yours may differ.

Summer's Last Hurrah!

The kids are so excited....Cousin Lyla has jumped the border and come to visit for a few days! Yesterday afternoon (in sweltering heat) we played at the splash pad. Today, we are going for one last hurrah at the beach.



I may be a little MIA for a few days, as we wrap up summer and get ready for the start of school next Tues. I have a tonne of reviews to post and some great giveaways lined up. Next Wed. I have a great Fall inspired giveaway. So, stay tuned....

Enjoy these last days of summer, as soon they will be gone.

A long time coming....

Matthew lost his two front bottom teeth last Fall. Then, nothing happened again until this summer. Just as he was going to camp he said his tooth was loose and we thought for sure he would loose it while he was at camp. Even, when we picked him up the camp director said that a few teeth had been lost during the week...but, not Matthew's.

As the summer wore on the tooth hung on by a thread and then finally our neighbour friend pulled it out for him.

Happy Birthday Matthew ~ You are Seven!

Funny, I used to feel sorry for two of my kids having summer birthdays. I thought they would miss out on feeling special at school for the day. Now, I have realized that summer birthdays are the best....what other time of the year can you enjoy all this....





A birthday where all your family is together. Dad doesn't have to work and you can get up and open presents and then eat cake. And, you are at the cottage!


After lunch we drove over and spent a couple of hours playing at the beach.


Then, met Grandma and Grandpa and cousin LeeAnn for a fun supper.




After supper we went on a cool train ride.

Then walked along the beach waiting for this:


Matthew's 7th birthday was the kind of day which you wish you could re-play over and over.

Absolutely. PERFECT!

Go Wild!

Today, my son is going to African Lion Safari....with his school. The whole school, all 280 children! Since, the school is closing at the end of this month, they decided to go out with a bang and take all the kids grades JK - 3 on a special trip.

African Lion Safari is a free range zoo, where the animals roam and you drive through the park. You can either take your own vehicle or go on a tour bus. The animals just wander about and you stop your car if you have to. It is a very cool way to see African animals up close and personal.

Matthew's two concerns are if he would see an animal pooping and that a monkey may get him. The monkeys are known to climb all over your car.

The weather isn't looking too bad, overcast and about 20C. Before they leave to come home, they are giving the kids a chance to play in the splash pad, I imagine a lot will sleep on the way back home.