5 Crown Royal Ratings!

**Scroll down to see reviews of :Maclaren Triumph, Valco Quad, Peg Perego Si', Mutsy Transporter, Maclaren Quest, Cybex Callisto, Britax Blink, Valco Ion,  Mutsy 4Rider/Fun seat,  Mountain Buggy Urban Double

APRICA CADENCE REVIEW

The Cadence of Soccer Fever!

 Brazil vs. Ivory Coast, United States vs. Algeria, Mexico vs. Uruguay, GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL...and the blare of the vuvuzela  horns...All across the country, you can hear it, The cadence of Soccer fever! Of course the World Cup has helped soccer to gain popularity in the US. And those who aren't watching, are out playing. 

 Now I get asked a lot, what stroller (s) are suitable for soccer fields? A lot of parents are taking little ones out to watch their siblings play, and a comfy stroller is a must. Usually I recommend, and take myself, an air tire stroller. But what if you are a minimalist, and don't want a whole fleet? What if you rarely use strollers, except for week-end shopping, parks, and soccer? What if you have an older child who doesn't use a stroller on a regular basis, but can use a ride when tired?

I decided to see how the new Aprica Cadence would work on a soccer field. It wasn't totally crazy. This little buggy has a two-fingered push on smooth surfaces. And it has shocks on all four wheels. So it was reasonable to assume that it was at least doable. And it wasn't bad at all!

The only thing is, that our particular field is Astro-Turf. Weird stuff, that is. ("No coffee on the field! Sir, bring that back!" the Coach hollered as he chased down the old man. "I'm 80 years old! How'm I gonna' stay awake for 3 hours!" the old man hollered back. The wife apologized as he shuffled away, uttering expletives deleted. ) But look how it clings to the wheels, ugh. 

The Aprica Cadence is the first umbrella stroller to hit the market that says it can hold 70, yes, a whopping 70 pounds! That is the weight of my 9 year old soccer player! (Who would sooner get Astro Turf under his finger nails than to have his friends see him riding!) But once you are an adult, who cares...

 Gotta' love the fact that the Cadence can double as a game chair, even if it displaces the toddler! 

 And speaking of a game chair, check out the fold:

 It's about the size of a Pack n Play, which has a certain symbiosis, since Graco has taken over Aprica. I like the fact that it stands alone, and you can roll it behind you.

 I love the fabric of the Cadence. It reminds me of, well, a soccer jersey.  It's very breathable for hot days, or sweaty little soccer watchers, or players. And it has a "heat reflecting panel" to help keep babies cool out on the field.

  Comes with a rain cover, too, for when the weather changes. The seat sits up higher than most umbrella strollers, which means you can fit a few soccer balls in the basket.

The handles aren't adjustable, but they are pretty high, so suitable for a taller parent. But for a shorter one, like me, they were still comfortable.

I think the black frame is stunning, and the design quite striking.

One thing interesting about the design is how angled back the seat is. Makes for a roomy seat and easy pushing. But maybe not the best choice for a younger child who likes to sit up straight.

Also, there is no front napper bar, and the recline is minimal. There is an extended leg rest, though. And don't forget, it holds up to 70 pounds--and more!

TRIUMPH OF THE SEAS

 "The dolphins surrounded our boat", my friend said. "Dozens, maybe more. Jumping and spouting and racing us. They swam so close the kids could pet them." That made up my mind. We would have StrollerPrinces's birthday party on her boat. But, what to do with StrollerPrince 2.0? How could I manage to keep him from falling off the side of the boat, climbing over the railing, etc. while managing a whole party of wild little boys? The answer, as in most everything in my life, was a stroller.

And not just any stroller. It would have to be small enough to fit, and not be overly obtrusive. Because, let's face it, you don't usually use strollers and boats in the same sentence. Unless, of course, you live in the Kingdom of Strollerland.

This would have to be a stroller with a reliable harness, to keep SP 2.0 safe. Comfy enough to keep him happy. It would need to have a rain cover, to protect from sea spray or wind.

One-handed steering is a necessity, for pushing it down the boat dock and using the other hand to carry party decorations, and the birthday cake.

 Or when you needed both hands free, a  carry strap so you could sling it over your shoulder.

A small fold is a must so you could stow it away.

 Oh, the fold must be quick and easy, too, so my attention would be diverted from the party boys.

Aesthetically, must not stick out like a sore thumb. Must blend in. 

And the perfect choice--the Triumph of the seas! 

Our day was quite a success, and even more so because I could keep SP 2.0 safely harnessed in to the seat. No, he didn't sit there the whole time. 

  But for the times he needed to, like loading and unloading the boat, it was invaluable. Even gave him a nice spot to nap, or kick back!

Yes, we saw dolphins, lots! Rows and rows of them diving and spouting. Yes, they swam close enough for the kids to pet them. They even dangled their feet into the water, and put them on the dolphin's backs. Unfortunately, they were to fast for me. Every time I clicked the camera shutter, I got pictures like this:

Or this:

Honestly, I think this one was even cackling at me, though he did allow me a slight glimpse. Look to the lower far right.

I'm stickin' to photographing strollers! They don't move, unless you make them, lol!

I must say I love this racing green Triumph. Love the color (and the new Majesty purple. So deep and lush! Not as apropos for an ocean venture, though. ) Love how solid, and "non-rattly" it feels.

Oh, and yes, it has the hinge covers. And they match.

Love the nimble steering, love the  light weight, love the tiny size. A 5-Crown Royal Ranking to be sure!

THE PERFECT DISNEY STROLLER

  The girls were standing in the long line for the Matterhorn, and SP 2.0 was taking a snooze. Disneyland can be tiring for little ones, so it is important to have a comfy sleeper stroller for them. Then my friend squealed, "It's Donny Osmond!" And sure enough, his handsome self and beautiful family strolled by.

He glanced down at SP asleep in the Valco Quad, and flashed that dazzling smile. 

Next up was the "Autotopia ride, and another long line. By now SP 2.0 was awake, and watching the cars.

  He seemed a little restless, so I took him out of the Quad to stretch his legs.

 

 Next thing you know, he takes off running. Run, run, run. Darting through the legs and by the feet of the passer bys."Excuse me, can you stop that boy?" I asked as I chased him along. No one tried. And then, he crashed smack into someone's legs, who then picked him up. I looked up to see that familiar dazzling smile. "That kid again", Donny Osmond said. And continued strolling along. "How did he notice SP 2.0 before?" my friend said. "He was sleeping!" "Well", I said, "It must have been the Valco Quad that caught his eye!"

And likely admiring all these great features!

To start with, it has the canopy that pulls all the way down to shade from those hot Disney rays. 

Then you have that mega comfy footrest, for napping or just resting.

 And the front napper bar, to rest your hat on. 

Some little side saddlebags for extra storage.

  It is small enough to zip in and out of the crowds. 

And the bouncy air tires really make for a gliding ride.

You can dial the front wheels to the position you need, Fixed, swivel, or tilt, if you want to add on a toddler seat.

 Yep, it does take that infamous Valco toddler seat, to add on a second child!

For even more versatility, you can add a snack tray, foot muff, husssh bassinet, full bassinet, or hitchhiker riding board. Think of the possibilities!

And I don't think I ever used more than one hand to push it the entire day; the steering is so easy.

The handle is height adjustable, so it works for a tall or a short person. 

 

The fold isn't bad. You lift up a couple of side latches, and a red safety catch.

 Then you step down on the basket. It kind of crumples itself into a compact little package. Ah joy! No seat removal, it's a one piece fold!

Of course I did see smaller strollers there. But if you are planning on staying well into the night, as we did, then you really need something more full-featured. The Quad was just right.

Small enough to fit on the trams, nimble enough to avoid running over people's feet, and big enough to load down with bags.

And nope, no tipping.

VALCO QUAD:

Weight:                     23 pounds
Seat Back:                20.5"
Seat to canopy:         23"
Seat Width:               14"
Seat Depth:               10"-17"
Drop to footrest:       8"
Seat to ground:         20"
Length:                      29"
Width:                        22.25"
Height:                       29"-44"
Folded:                       31.5"L x 22.25" W x 15"H (11" w/out wheels)

Peg Perego Si' Review

Easter Si'

Every time Easter rolls around, I look forward to choosing a stroller. Since I am usually travelling to visit family, it has to be a lightweight. One year there was the aqua Maclaren Daytripper. Another year it was the lavender Inglesina Espresso. But this year, instead of going with a pastel, I chose the Easter-eggish "Corallo Stripes" Peg Perego Si'.












And you'll say YES! when you "see" it, too! If you are a Peg fan, you will adore it. To start with, it has an incredible canopy; remarkable for a lightweight umbrella stroller.
It pulls all the way down, and there is a dark mesh visor in the front.  













There is also a mesh peekaboo window, with a little pocket on the back.












The recline is very deep, although not all the way flat. I would be comfortable using it at about 3 months and up.
There is a long, extended legrest which makes it very comfortable for a younger child. No "dangling legs" here!












The fold is very easy, just two steps. Pull up the lever, yank on the handle. And in case you forget, Peg was thoughtful enough to mark them for you--1 and 2, lol!
Good thing the fold is fast, too. We had five! different Easter Egg hunts to go to this year. In fact, they held the last one for us until 6:00, heehee!

The basket is very big, for an umbrella stroller. You can see how much stuff you can carry in there. The handles are height adjustable. And there is a side carrying handle. It comes with a cupholder and raincover, and stands alone when










folded. Ideal for all your travel adventures! But I saved the best for last. Notice something different/unusual/special about the Si'? Despite what we have discussed, I mean? Take another look:Give up? It's the WHEELS! And they are MAGNIFICO!







They are made of some kind of a wonderful hard rubber, with suspension and ball bearings. That is why, even though they are only 6.5", they can easily glide over all moderate outdoor surfaces, like cracked sidewalks and grass. We agree that the Si' gets a Royal Rating of 5 Crowns!


http://www.pegperego.com/page.php?sid=05d8ecdadad0d3c3fd0cafde2dd610f3&pageid=UJVNL001&idp=0000000197&pg=01&cl=N









          Peg Perego Si' stats:

• Weight: 16.5 pds.
• Length: 29"
  
• Width: 17" front, 20" back
• Seat back: 19.5"
  
• Seat width: 13"
• Seat depth: 9"-15"
  
• Seat to canopy: 25"
• Drop to footrest: 10"
• Handle height: 35"-43"
  
• Seat to floor: 19"
• Folded: 11" x 40" x 12"
• 

 

Transporter to a Winter Wonderland
MUTSY TRANSPORTER REVIEW

Stroller bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening,
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
Strolling in a Winter Wonderland...
It's a common Christmas conundrum...you need a stroller wicked enough to tackle the snowdrifts, yet your car is packed to the roof with luggage and presents. So you don't have room for a massive air tire pram. What to take, what to take...and oh yeah, the color needs to right, hmmm, gold would be nice...
Ah, it's the Mutsy Transporter! The perfect sleigh for your happy little reindeer! Folds compact enough to fit in car, yet is strong enough to glide through the snow.The Transporter also has a front napper bar, which helps keep the footmuff in, that keeps your baby toasty warm. This one is a Valco, but you can get one from Mutsy, too. Other nice features include a deep recline, height adjustable handle, and big basket. The Mutsy Transporter is a really gorgeous stroller. That you can see. But, and here is one thing you can never know from a website, unless you have someone like me to tell you... how a stroller pushes. And I am happy to report, that the Transporter is as smooth as silk. I *would* say it pushes like buttah', but that is an overused cliche'. OK, smooth as silk is, too.
Let's just say, it has a superb one-handed push, in all kinds of terrain. The wheels are small enough for indoor shopping, yet big enough for the great outdoors.In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
Until the other kids knock him down.If a stroller could be horrified by this appalling snow joke, then the Transporter would be. But hey, in SoCal, building a snowman is not something one does very often. http://www.mutsy.com/products/transporter/options Weight: 23 pds.
Width: 25"

Quest for Justice


The Shanhai Tang Quest is perfect for celebrating. Look at these festive colors! This is a beautiful pattern, very colorful, and very original.
At 13 pounds, with a decent recline and tiny fold, it is a great choice for quick trips or travel. The back pocket comes in handy, too.

And did I mention it comes with a matching boot? It was a good choice for our New Year's fun.
 http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/content/view/434/88889568/lang,en/

Now, I grew up with a lot of Armenian friends. When I was at their house, at some point (usually after a few shots of Raki), their grandmother would want to read our fortunes. She would brew these little glasses of dark liquid with a mound of mud on the bottom (love it now, didn't then), have us drink them, and turn them upside down on our plates. The first thing she would say to me is "I see a camel."

What the...I'm a teen-ager in California, what do I want with a camel? It has since been explained to me that a camel means travel, or good luck, or good fortune. I guess if I was living in a desert, I would be fortunate if I had a camel to ride on outta' there!
So for the New Year, my friend's mother offered to read our fortune. I said yes, but mostly because I like the coffee now. I drank it, and tipped it. All the while SP 2.0 is snug and cozy in his Quest. Now I am prepared to hear "I see a camel." And sure enough, she says, "I see...
HANDCUFFS!" Huh? She looked again. "Yes, handcuffs. Look, you can see it right here." I squint, and see some sqiuggles in the grinds. Then she says she sees a rat. And it is following me around. Nibbling at my heels. OK, got it. It's still that motorcycle cop from the Baby Jogger story. He's been following me around the neighborhood, up and down the street. When I see him on my heels, I pull over, smile, and wave at him. He drives by verrrryyyy sloooowwwwly, staring over at me all the way. Hopefully the next time I see him is in court. And the date is set, for Friday the 13th! Wish me luck. Happy New Year!

Maclaren Shanghai Tang Quest:
Weight:  13 pds.
Width:  17.5"
Length: 24"
Handle Height: 41"
Seat Back:  19"
Seat to Canopy:  27"
Seat Depth: 9"-14" (footrest extended)
Seat Width: 12.5"
Drop to Footrest: 8"
Ground to Seat:  13"
Folded:  11 x 11 x 41

It seems that everywhere you turn these days, you see a celebrity pushing this:Ooops, sorry, wrong picture! That's because we're not in Manhattan today, nor in Beverly Hills. We are at the ZzzzOOO, with the Cybex Callisto.The Cybex Callisto had some tall orders to fill this trip. Had to be comfy enough for all day at the Zoo, warm enough for a visit to Santa, hardy enough to tackle the underground caves, elegant enough for the Nutcracker Ballet, fold small enough to fit in a horse and carriage, and easily enough so as not to annoy the husband, who would be using it a lot. Start with the ballet suitability...did it pass? I would say so. The Callisto is very sumptuous, very rich. Love the design on the canopy. They are a little different on all the models.
But you can push it back, to better see the lions, or tigers, or Zebras, oh my!
There are currently four Cybex models for sale in the US. The feature rich, top of the line Callisto, and the Topaz, Onyx and Ruby. The main differences are that each model down is a step down in features--i.e. umbrella handles instead of the single bar, less recline, no napper bar, no suspension, etc. But they all have cool designs, you should check them out.
A "hidden benefit"is that Cybex is being distributed by Regal Lager. They are the company that used to distribute Phil and Ted's. Anyone who has ever dealt with them has been impressed by their helpfulness and class. Customer Service is something that everyone needs to consider when buying a stroller. Especially since the higher-end ones aren't cheap anymore. And a lot of people have no choice but to buy online, since they don't have the retailers nearby.
The suspension on the wheels made for a very smooth ride to the underground caves. Check out the aluminum rims! And the deep recline means SP 2.0 could take a long noon nap, after a long day of animal watching.The fabric is a soft brushed cotton, so very inviting. The foot muff I used is the faux fur Maclaren, but you can get a matching one from Cybex. Here you can see some other "designer" features. There is a front visor to help with the low sun rays, a front napper bar, a rain cover, and the single bar handle makes for a great one-handed push. It's height adjustable, too! Yet the Callisto DOES fold umbrella style. How is that possible? Well, to fold it, you first reach down and lift up a latch in the center back, down by the basket. Similar to most umbrella folds, except you lift it with your hand, instead of kicking it. Then, you push the top button in, and the both sides of the handle magically fold inwards, towards each other. So voila! it becomes an umbrella. Pretty cool, actually.
One of my favorite things about the Callisto is the super smooth recline. There is a little handle in the back, which you lightly squeeze. Then the seat gently comes all the way down, to four different positions. The harness is interesting, too. It's a puzzle buckle, like on a car seat. And the strap adjustment is also like your car seat. To loosen the harness, you push on the button on the seat, and pull it out. Then to tighten it, you pull the bottom of the strap.
Another thing I like is how long the leg rest extends. This feature is a make it or break it for us right now, in terms of baby's comfort level. And when baby ain't happy, ain't no one happy! But here, you see he clearly is. Just chillin' and watching the 'Roos.http://www.regallager.com/cybex.aspx 

 Britax Blink Review

I've always been fascinated by the story of Pompeii. The leisurely class, relaxing at their Romanesque stolen from Greek style marble villas, outside gazing at their fountains and gardens, or indoors at their magnificent murals and frescoes...when suddenly, a wave of molten lava roars down from Mt. Vesuvius, encasing men, women, children, dogs, art, and everyday household objects, under layers and layers of ash and pumice...It is not the gory details that interest me, it is the details of their lives and how they lived, forever frozen for 1700 years in bedrock tombs.


So I was very excited when I heard about the "Pompeii" exhibit opening at the museum. And naturally, seeing as how I am Strollerqueen, I started thinking about what stroller to take! I think the Britax Blink was a good choice. Small enough to zip around the statuary, yet stable enough to carry enough bags of stuff for all day. You can see it loaded up here, in front of the statue that greets you at the entrance. Which alas, was the last photo I was allowed to take

inside. Which was fine. There was still more "art" to see outdoors. The kids had fun in this "Tupperware display." And notice how well it matches the "Double Dots" pattern. How could I have known? Heehee.


The Blink reclines with a back drawstring, which is what we are seeing on most strollers these days. It goes down about half-way, similar to the Maclaren Quest. It is sufficient for an older baby to nap.

It has some nice features, like bigger than average wheels, a sun visor in the canopy, and a back carry strap. The basket and fold are pretty Mac-like. In fact the whole stroller is pretty Mac-like, though it's weight is more Techno than Quest.

The legrest is pretty long, which is a feature we really like at this age. Oh, and one other cool thing--it comes with it's own travel bag. Great for keeping it clean in an airplane or train cargo hold, or even just in the car, or for storage.


http://www.britaxusa.com/

 High on the ION

Mutsy 4 Rider and the Mansion, Partie Deux

Mutsy 4 Rider Joey Seat Fun Seat Review

 

I don't know what it is about the Mutsys and Beverly Hills mansion, but they just seem to go hand in hand. So when we was invited to an all day, and into the evening pool party, the 4 Rider with Joey seat AND Fun seat seemed like the best choice. Why? Aside from the fact that is strikingly beautiful, elegant, and well-made?

Well for one thing, the Fun Seat comes with a HUGE basket, and even HUGER optional beach bag. I could fit all of our clothes, towels, bags, bottles, toys, with no problem. As you can see, the seat on the Fun seat is a hard plastic. So if a baby in a wet swim suit is sitting there, who cares?

There is also some sort of steering apparatus that turns back and forth, to help keep them occupied. The seat sits up high, and is very open. So no obstruction of a view. And the flat Euro canopy (not sold in the US) was perfect to keep the sun at bay. You can adjust it in so many ways. Oh, the seat has a nice 5-point harness, too, so no worries about falling.

Now, a lot of tall people complain that many stroller handles are too short for them. Check this out! Look at the Lion. I have the handle first in the shortest position.

Then I just pull it out to the highest. Tall, tall, tall! This means it is also great for their optional riding board.

I would say these big air tires are a little wasted in this environment. They are just crying out to plow through snow! But, the other main reason the 4-Rider was my choice today, was the ability to switch seats! How many strollers can you say THAT about? After the swim, I knew SP 2.0 would be wanting a nap.

The Fun seat doesn't recline, so voila! Pop it off and switch it to the Joey seat! (There are other "regular" seats available, or a bassinette for a little baby.) This has a wonderful canopy, thick fabric napper bar, flat recline, and a looong leg rest. SO comfy for sleeping!

And if baby wants a snack, you can even add the large "Dinner Tray."www.mutsy.com

Stats (chassis only):

Weight: 25 pounds

Width: 26”

Length: 29”

Height: 38”-45”

Seat from ground:

Fun Seat:

Weight: 11 pounds