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Valco Baby Canada Stroller: Snap Duo Trend Stroller Review

This Valco Baby Canada Snap Duo Trend Review post has been in partnership with Valco Baby Canada. All opinions are 100% my own.

The Canadian winters are harsh, so when I discovered the Valco Baby Canada Tri Mode X Duo Stroller 3 years ago I fell in love with it’s high quality make and durability with 3 children. For the past few months I have now been testing out the Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Stroller and I am equally as impressed!

Of course, there are a few differences to take into consideration between these two strollers but I am happy to report that the exceptional Valco Baby Canada luxury quality reaches across both double stroller models I’ve had the opportunity to use.

Looking for a luxury double stroller for twins or young kids? Hannah, from the popular Canadian motherhood blog Honey & Betts, shares her 6 favourite features of the high quality Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Stroller. From lots of storage to it's modern design!

Looking for a Canadian luxury double stroller for twins? Hannah, from the popular Edmonton motherhood blog at Honey & Betts, shares how the Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Stroller is the best double stroller ever! With a metal frame, large tires to navigate the snow and off roading, smooth turning. Check it out!

My favourite features of the Valco Baby Canada Snap Duo Trend Stroller:

Five Point Harness: My youngest has grown into a strong willed toddler and this harness is the easiest to strap him in on difficult days (you know what I mean!). When it feels like I’m wrestling a crocodile into a stroller, the 4 clips make it much more manageable to keep him safe on walks.
Leather Bar Covers: This added touch heightens the feel of the stroller! I love the warm cognac brown toddler bar and the push bar covers.
Huge Storage Under Stroller: The accessible storage under the double is more than enough for all your diaper bag, snacks, purse, and much more! It’s uncomplicated to grab your things but they are secure that they do not fall out.
Extra Sun Shade: Keeping my children safe from the summer sun while enjoying fresh air, it’s a high priority for me! There are two canopies built into the Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend: mesh sun shade and a waterproof shade.
Extends To Full Recline: This stroller is newborn approved with the seat reclining down to a flat surface, and this is also ideal for snoozing big kids too!
Effortless Fold & Compact Storage: With a new fold down button built into the push bar, putting this double stroller is easier than ever! It folds tightly so that the interior of the stroller where your child is doesn’t come into contact with the outside environment. Keeping the stroller cleaner for longer!

The Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Stroller comes in 3 different colours – Grey, Charcoal, and Denim. We have photographed the Denim colour above, and I am obsessed with the effortless light greyish blue. It’s unique and chic for a baby stroller!

Some of my prefered Winter accessories for the Valco Baby Snap Duo Trend Stroller are the Snug Footmuff and Trend Sport Pack! I will be posting a few short reviews on those items soon, you will be able to click through to them in this post when they are live.

Have you ever heard of Valco Baby? What’s your favourite stroller model? Tell me in a comment below!

If you like this post, check out my Valco Baby Canada Tri Mode X Stroller Review in Phoenix, AZ post before you go!

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Hannah is a Canadian Mom Blogger from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who shares her life around motherhood to 4 kids, on-the-go beauty for moms, healthy and delicious recipes, bohemian home decor, family travel, and local Edmonton businesses.

10 Best Stroller Toys Every Mom Should Have

When I was a fresh new mom to my daughter, I barely wanted to leave my home as I healed from giving birth. I was tired (check out these 5 tips for getting a better sleep as a new mom), overwhelmed, and navigating our daily routines. Even into her first year I was a homebody, but I would force myself to take my baby for long walks in our stroller or ask new mom friends if they wanted to go for a group walk together. Walking was the best way to heal, to socialize, and to breathe fresh air. The most daunting factor as my baby grew was would she stay content enough while we went for a long walk? The key was to have the best stroller toys, and that’s what I’ve researched and tested for you!

Looking for a great gift for babies or for a new mom? Doesn't matter if it is Christmas, mother's day or a birthday - Hannah, from the popular Canadian mom blogger at Honey & Betts, shares the best stroller toys for babies from newborn to one year old. She shares her tips and tricks for making your baby love the carseat or stroller. Check it out!

Here are my 10 best stroller toys all moms should have:

When I started collecting my arsenal of stroller toys (that can also be used in the car for long errands or road trips!) there were a lot of duds, and for your baby it may be trial and error too! But you might be thinking” baby stroller toys cannot be that different…”, the truth is depending on their age and development different toys can stimulate them in different ways. It’s not one size fits all.

I found that in the earlier months (0-3 months old) my baby preferred soft toys that were quiet, then once she was rolling and more active (4-6 months) my baby wanted noisy toys with varying soft and hard parts to chew on, then once she was developing her gross and fine motor skills more she wanted anything that she could chew on and fiddle with. All babies will be different, even prefer different toys on a daily basis.

That is why I have a little collection of stroller toys in my diaper bag for when we are out and about in the stroller!

My tried and true favourite stroller toy is the Fire Fly! It is well made and versatile in age for new babies to older babies – it lasted through 4 of my babies and will be hand-me down to future baby cousins!

I hope this list of the best 10 stroller toys encourages you to get outside more for long walks with your baby in their stroller! The fresh air in rain or shine is wonderful for both you and your baby.

Did I miss one of your favourite stroller toys? Let me know in a comment below! I would love to add them to my collection for my youngest baby.

If you like this post, check out my The Best Gifts For Newborn Babies and New Moms post before you go!

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Evenflo SecureKid Platinum Harnessed Booster Car Seat Review

Who knew our family was in the market for another car seat or booster seat! But here were are! Our youngest child is a tall kid, and my goal was to find a car seat that is not bulky but can extend to accommodate our growing child.

My previous experience with Evenflo Booster Car Seats is great! I love our older model of this Evenflo SecureKid Platinum Harnessed Booster Car Seat, from 2019. This model is super comfy and safe and sturdy.

If you are looking for a car seat that will see your child from birth to school age, take a look at the highly recommended Evenflo EveryStage DLX All-In-One Car Seat! Expect to get 10 years of use out of this car seat.

But don’t mistake the Evenflo SecureKid Harnessed Booster Car Seat with Evenflo Maestro Sport Car Seat – the latter is less expensive and just as comfy, but has fewer features. And the Evenflo Chase Plus 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat is similar to the Evenflo Maestro Sport Car Seat.

P.S. If you are ever able to purchase car seats during Black Friday, that is the best time to find car seat deals in Canada!

Looking for car seats for tall kids? Hannah from the popular Canadian blogger, at Honey & Betts, shares her experience finding the perfect car seat for her tall toddler that is super safe.

Here are my favourite features of the Evenflo SecureKid Platinum Harnessed Booster Car Seat:

E3 side-impact protection with three layers of foam designed to absorb up to 50% of side-impact forces.
Changes from a harnessed booster to a belt-positioning booster.
Double cup holders attached to seat, not removable.
Outlast Performance fabric naturally cools in heat, warms in cold.
SureLATCH technology makes it easy to install the car seat in 60 seconds or less, I was able to do it in 30 seconds. The LATCH connectors and pushing down until the seat tightens automatically.
Car seat pad is easy to remove for washing in a washing machine.

I’ll keep this blog post up to date on any issues or problems if they come up with this car seat in the future, but if it’s anything like the older model I hope I’m satisfied!

If you like this post, check out my review of the Evenflo Pivot Stroller before you go!

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Great Baby-Friendly Edmonton Indoor Play Place You Must Try!

Looking for an Edmonton play place that you will not lose your baby or toddler in? A play place that you can relax with a latte and crunch out some work on the computer? It’s hard to find clean and cute play places like that where your toddler can feel safe and secure but also independent. We found a place like that in Edmonton – it is Pom Pom Play Cafe!

Looking for a cute, modern Edmonton play place for your babies 1st birthday? Check out Pom Pom Play Cafe in South Edmonton! Hannah, from the popular Edmonton mom blog Honey & Betts, shares the delicious menu, the recommended ages, and photos of the fun play place! Check it out!

It is so cute, so modern! There are two levels to Pom Pom Play Cafe – on the main floor are lots of climbing toys, kitchen and home toys, and sitting inside the baby gate by the front counter. On the main level, there is also seating for eating outside the baby gate at the bar table, where your kids can see you.

On the upper level is a stairway, with double baby gates at the bottom and top, to the younger baby and toddler play area. There is also seating and tables up on the second level.

There are two large individual bathrooms accessible on the main floor with baby changing tables.

I loved the menu at Pom Pom Play Cafe! So many options – they have homemade-looking cake pops, baked treats, sandwiches, fresh waffles, smoothies, and a whole coffee menu. I tried the iced latte and it was delicious!

The admission prices are so reasonable! The awesome part is this Edmonton play place is specifically for younger children. The age limit is 5 years and under, though children that are 6 years old and up are welcome to inside the seating areas and sit. There are typically tablets at Pom Pom Play Cafe that they will sign out for your older children – check their website for any questions on ages!

A few things to keep in mind before you check-in or go to Pom Pom Play Cafe:

No strollers are allowed inside.
Sign the waiver online before you go, must be done for each child attending.
Socks must be worn inside, shoes are removed at the front doors. Socks are for sale at the front if you forget them at home!
No outside food or drink, beside water, is allowed inside.

Overall I am so impressed with the cleanliness, friendliness, and interior of Pom Pom Play Cafe! We will definitely be back! And I hope they have big dreams to open another play place location in St. Albert one day soon!

Stay up to date with their Edmonton small business by following them on social media!

If you like this post, check out my List of Best Edmonton Patios post before you go!

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Jurassic Forest | Amazing Edmonton Family Day Trip Ideas

Jurassic Forest Review & Feature

Looking for the best dinosaur day ever? Driving to Drumheller for the Tyrell Museum (but you should do too! Check out this other Alberta dinosaur blog post!) can be too long for a day trip for Edmonton families, but there is a place a bit north from Edmonton that will entertain you kids just as much…the Jurassic Forest!

Looking for the best dinosaur birthday in Edmonton? Check out Hannah's, the Edmonton mom blogger for Honey & Betts, recommendation for the Jurassic Forest! From toddlers to big kids - kids love the sand and the moving dinos!

Both my oldest children’s (7 and 5 years old) favourite part of being at Jurassic Forest was playing in the main sand area with the dinosaurs that you can climb on. Next time we may spend majority of our time there, because it is so fun!

Here are some in depth questions and answers for what to expect when you go:

How far from Edmonton is Jurassic Forest?

The drive is about 45 minutes from Central Edmonton, but from St. Albert it was 30 mins.

Can I buy Jurassic Forest tickets online or in-person?

You can pay and print your own tickets, or you can now purchase them at the entrance. Check the Jurassic Forest website for current prices, here.

What is in Jurassic Forest? What is there to do?

When you enter the Jurassic Forest, there is a large sand space with climbable dinosaurs and pretend excavation sites with paint brushes for kids to brush the sand off dinosaur skeletons in the sand.

There are two different dinosaur discovery trails from the main area, North and South. You walk the discovery trails to see and read more about prehistoric life – from plants to insects to motion activated dinosaurs with the forest.

Can I bring a stroller? Is it baby friendly?

Yes, the walk ways are boarded and wide enough for strollers. There are also rentable dinosaur carts to put a toddler in, the carts are first come first serve – the price for renting was about $5.

Can kids touch the dinosaurs on the discovery trails?

Both – yes for the area with sand and climbable dinosaurs. But when you are on the discovery trails, do not leave the roped off trails. The dinosaurs are far into the forest but very visible from the trails.

How long does it take to walk the trails?

It took my children and I about an hour to enjoy both trails, and then we spent a total of another hour playing in the sand area.

Is there a place to buy food and drinks inside?

Yes, there is a concession inside Jurassic Forest that opens around 11-11:30am for lunch. They serve hotdogs, popcorn, pizza, pop, coffee, water, and a variety of different snacks. The closest restaurants to Jurassic Forest are in the town of Gibbons, that is about 5 minutes South of Jurassic Forest.

Are there bathrooms available?

Yes, there is one inside the main building – between the entrance and gift shop. And then two more bathrooms accessible from outside the front entrance.

The Jurassic Forest is a great spot to take your toddlers and older kids – what a place to host a dinosaur birthday if you are from the Edmonton area! I hope this helps you make the discussion to venture out on a dinosaur day with your family!

If you like this post, check out my 3 Reasons You Need To Add Slave Lake To Your Summer Travel List post!

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Prairie Pine Creations | 3 Reasons Why Big Kids Love Pikler Triangles

This Pikler Triangle post is in partnership with Prairie Pine Creations. All opinions are 100% my own.

Before you continue reading why big kids love pikler triangles, check out my previous review of the Prairie Pine Creations extra large pikler triangle, extra large climbing arch, and slide! It will give you lots of answers I do not cover in this post.

While my toddlers use the pikler triangles the most, because they’re at home more than my two big kids – my big kids (5 and 7 years old) love the Prairie Pine Creations climbing structures just as much!

Can you use a pikler triangle with big kids? Hannah, from the popular Canada mom blog Honey & Betts, shares how her big kids have been playing with the extra large pikler triangle and ramp. Check it out!

Here are 3 reasons why big kids love pikler triangles:

Practices Hand-Eye Coordination: Just like toddlers and preschoolers, encouraging practice of gross motor skills, boundaries, and body awareness.
The Perfect Reading Nook: If you have a small or large family, finding quiet time can be difficult for playtime or reading time. My big kids love to throw a sheet over the pikler triangle and escape into their pile of books.
Encourages Imagination: Pirate ships, mountain climbing, superhero headquarters, camping adventures and more are many of the games my kids have created with the pikler triangles.

I am pleased with how much my big kids love the Prairie Pine Creations pikler triangle!

What is one thing you wish you had for your kids to keep them moving inside?

If you like this post, check out my Awesome Double Stroller Review post before you go!

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Evenflo Pivot Xpand Travel System Review

I love reviewing strollers! Strollers get better and better each year – smoother, more features, more compact. I love see the changes throughout the years. And my enthusiasm for strollers extends into this Evenflo Xpand Modular Travel System review!

This is a good city-living stroller but takes “off roading” smoothly too!

The only thing I regret with my first stroller (the Mountain Buggy Terrain) is that I didn’t take into consideration that we planned to have more children – it was a beautiful, single, all-terrain stroller. I wish in retrospect, I would have chosen a stroller that could convert to a double like this one!

So, if you’re a first time parent I highly recommend this stroller if you are planning on have a second baby at some point!

A few features I love about the Evenflo Xpand Modular Travel System are:

Extra-Large Storage Basket | This is the best under-stroller storage basket I have seen in a stroller! There is so much space – up to 2 feet in length, and it’s accessible from the front and back.

Self-Standing Fold | This stroller is big, but thankfully it stands upright by itself and I love that because it makes it so much easier to fit in the trunk of a van (sorry to those who don’t own vans, I’m not sure how it fits in other vehicles). It’s ability to stand upright and be compact makes it so that there is still a lot of room for other things in your trunk besides your stroller.

Large Cruise Tires | These bad boys are responsible for smooth maneuvering and cushion any bumps that your baby may feel.

Single To Double | There are 22 configurations that accommodate one or two kids – at varying heights, forward-facing or parent-facing, upright or reclined. The toddler seat can hold a child up to 55 lbs or converts to a bassinet. My favourite is to have the baby facing me in the car seat, and then the toddler seat facing forward – it keeps both my girls happy!

Light Weight | As a pregnant mom with 3 girls running circles around me, I love that the frame of the stroller is light weight and easy for me to unload and load into the trunk. I’ve tested out some really heavy strollers, and the lighter the better!

What is your favourite single to double stroller? Let me know in the comments below!

If you like this post check out my Valco Baby Tri-Mode X Duo Stroller review post before you go!

Make sure you pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it later!

Hannah, from the popular Edmonton mom blog Honey & Betts, shares the best 2019 baby stroller that converts from single to double for growing families and busy moms of two. Read more about the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Travel System review!

Hannah from the Canadian blog Honey & Betts shares her life.

buybuy BABY | Best Convertible Car Seat For Tall Babies

This best convertible car seat for tall babies post is sponsored by buybuy BABY. All opinions are 100% my own.

Quick jump on this amazing sale at buy buy BABY with their Graco® 4Ever™ All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat in Rockweave™! It’s $100 off, and if you sign up for their email list you get a 20% coupon.

It is crazy how much baby products change year to year, but I’m thankful they do because 5 years ago there were not a lot of options for car seats for tall babies. And all my girls have been tall babies that out grew their bucket seats before they were walking! How hard or easy is it to find the best convertible car seat for tall babies?

If you’re unfamiliar with the Canadian car seat guidance on when your baby/toddler can be in a forward facing car seat they must be: 1 year old, walking, and be at least 22 lbs in weight.

But even if your child meets those requirements it’s recommended that your child remains rear facing until 2 years old!

For my older daughters I was hasty and as soon as they were walking I put them in a forward facing car seat – just like Adeline they were tall babies and their heads were within an inch of the top of the car seat, which is a sign you need to move them into the next age car seat.

You know me, anytime I am going to invest into one of the more expensive baby gear items (car seat, stroller, baby monitor, etc.) I do extensive research. I want my baby gear to last a long time and for my purchase to be an intentional one.

The best car seat for tall babies I found at buybuy BABY is the Graco® 4Ever™ All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat in Rockweave™, and I chose it because:

- children can be rear facing from 4 lbs – 50 lbs

- there is an extension panel for rear facing that provides additional leg room

- the head rest extends the tallest out of all the convertible car seats, I stood them side by side
- grows with your baby from newborn, to extended rear facing, to forward facing

machine washable car seat cover

One of the biggest helpers finding the best convertible car seat for tall babies was the car seat expert at buybuy BABY. She was so patient as I tested out all the head rest extensions and compared their heights to each other! The first car seat she suggested was the Graco Extend2Fit but it wasn’t until I had done my hands-on research that I can to the same conclusion.

I highly suggest talking to a buybuy BABY car seat expert if you have car seat questions of your own!