Swimways Gobble Gobble Guppies - So Cute!

Publisher's note:  Swimways Gobble Gobble Guppies are one of the top picks for 2012 among the ten best swimming pool toys.

When I was little, I aspired to be a Marine Biologist. I spent countless hours in the waters of my home pool and the pools at countless hotels (my family took alot of trips together). So, imagine my surprise when my 4 year old takes an immediate interest in ocean life and all things water related. Since I bought the Swimways Gobble Gobble Guppies, she's been enamored with our backyard pool! She loves to swim now, whereas before I bought this toy, she was fonder of bathtime because that's where all her toys would be.

We've developed an interesting and amusing summer routine. It's wake-up, eat breakfast, get dressed in a swimsuit (a hint to me), and wait for me to put on her little floaties. We'll spend at least 2 hours every morning out by the pool with me being the ever-watchful mother and my little girl playing with the Swimways Gobble Gobble Guppies to her heart's content. Not only are they fun to play with in the water, she loves the smiling shark and cute little fishies! They're numbered so she can easily make a scored game out of her progress; plus, they don't float too far away which means I don't have to worry about her venturing to the forbidden deep-end of the pool.

She's morphed into my amazing Marine Biologist, examining what she calls the "shark's tummy foods" after she catches all the Swimways Gobble Gobble Guppies. My only problem will be getting her out of the pool when the weather turns chilly! I've made a promise that these will become bathtime toys when it gets too cold to swim; a deal that she's happy with for now. I imagine the Swimways Gobble Gobble Guppies will be a long-lasting playtime favorite for her and her 15 month old brother when he takes an interest in pool playing.

To compare prices on this toy, or to compare it to the other pool toys available this year, visit:

http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-swimming-pool-toys

Swing-N-Slide Chesapeake Wooden Swing Set - A Mother Of 4 Reviews

Editors note:  The Chesapeake Wooden Swing Set comes in at first place among the best wooden swing sets for 2012

When I was little, I wanted a tree-house that was unmatched in my neighborhood; it would be the envy of all my friends and we'd spend hours playing and telling secrets. I know what it's like to want a little haven, so when my 9 year old daughter asked me for the Swing-N-Slide Chesapeake Wooden Swing Set, I couldn't say no. So, I took the plunge and it arrived one week later.

Since I imagine many parents will be reading this, I'll begin with the benefits.

-- There are decks, slides, swings, monkey-bars, and secret little areas that makes the Swing-N-Slide Chesapeake Wooden Swing Set one of the best for adventurous kids. My children are constantly playing their version of "fort" and I could listen to their delighted giggles all day long. Even my youngest (age 3) has no problem climbing, swinging, and bounding from one play station to the next.

-- No splinters! I was surprised at how smooth and durable the wood was. It's also resilient to the kicks and punches of small children; a great thing when you have kids who like to pretend their little ninjas. I have yet to have to kiss or bandage any splinter-related boo-boos that came from the Swing-N-Slide Chesapeake Wooden Swing Set.

However, with the pros come the cons...

-- I had two professional carpenters work build this playset and it took them a matter of 3 days. It simply cannot be put together any faster than that. There are a mass of instructions that can be tough to read, even for the seasoned constructor.

-- Some of the nuts and bolts were missing. I've seen this happen before with other playsets, so it's nothing I wasn't expecting. Fortunately, my husband had spares lying around the garage for such an occasion.

Overall, as a mother of 4 children, I wanted this playset to be their dream "tree-house" the way mine was when I was growing up. So far, it has been. They've logged countless hours outside and I couldn't be happier with the decision to buy the Swing-N-Slide Chesapeake Wooden Swing Set.

To see this model and the entire list, visit:

http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-wooden-swing-sets