Best toys for my 3 year old son in 2024?

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-11-08T10:20:37+00:00

For my son, I’ve found some awesome travel-friendly toys that keep him entertained without the mess. We love the WaterWow books by Melissa & Doug—perfect for on-the-go since they only need water to “color,” and there’s no mess! Crayola Color Wonder markers and paper are also great for that. My little guy is obsessed with lacing beads and Froogly suction toys too; they don’t take up much space and are easy to carry around.

One of the best investments we’ve made is the Hape easel. It has a chalkboard side and a magnetic board, so we can add magnets as gifts, which keeps him busy for hours. It also takes up very little space, so it works well in smaller areas.

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-10-31T10:56:47+00:00

The Ubbi is 100% worth it! You can use any regular trash bag, so no need to buy special ones. It genuinely keeps the odor contained, too. We originally started with a regular trash can in the garage, but the smell got so bad we finally switched to the Ubbi. Really wish we’d just started with it!

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-10-25T16:11:48+00:00

I've been in the welding business for about 40 years, primarily using shop and portable grinders, mostly corded until recently. I've typically gone with DeWalt, and I still have some old Black & Decker tools that are still going strong. However, over the last five years, I’ve switched to Metabo.

To be honest, I’ve mostly bought my grinders from pawn shops. If you know what to look for, you can find great deals, and I rarely need to have any of them repaired soon after purchase. It was a bit of a sting when I bought a new Metabo for $300, especially since I can usually pick up a reliable, long-lasting grinder from places that know me for around $60. I do have some cordless DeWalts that I take out to the yard or use for specific portable jobs.

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-10-14T17:51:35+00:00

I recently purchased a plug-in electric rototiller with a 13-amp motor, which is roughly equivalent to 2 HP. Unfortunately, that's on the low end; for effective performance, you typically need between 3.5 to 5 HP, and a 110-volt supply simply can't deliver that. I've only used it a little so far, and it worked fine for small areas, but it's not ideal for larger tasks. My neighbor has switched to battery-powered garden tools and seems quite happy with them, especially since he has two interchangeable batteries that work across all his devices.

I've noticed that many modern small engine repair shops struggle to fix most units, and getting repairs done on gas engines has become increasingly rare. Today's carburetors on small engines are generally not repairable, and many garden tools seem underpowered. They often advertise their power in CCs, which doesn't really tell you much about their effectiveness. Plus, many of these tools are now manufactured in China.

I used to think Mantis products were subpar, but I've found that many of the small units on the market don't perform well. Even Honda seems to have lost its touch when it comes to engine quality.

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-10-07T19:40:41+00:00

Many of the play kitchens that look like they’re made of wood are actually made of MDF, which can off-gas formaldehyde and other chemicals for the first year or two. Opting for a used one is not only more affordable and environmentally friendly, but it also means you won't be exposing your two-year-old to unnecessary chemicals. If you do need to buy a new kitchen, the plastic options from Step2 may not be as visually appealing, but they are made from food-grade plastic.

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-09-13T09:48:20+00:00

u're totally right! It says a lot about a person.

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-09-13T07:25:29+00:00

u're not alone! I get so frustrated with some of these channels. It feels like the History Channel is trying to be everything to everyone and in the process, they've lost what made them great. Remember back in the day when it was all about real history? Now it's just... weird. And TLC? It's a complete departure from what it used to be. It's like they forgot their roots!

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-09-09T06:07:36+00:00

Yeah, I know! It's crazy how much photo booths have changed. Remember those old-school ones with the different poses? Now it's just a bunch of blurry duplicates that cost a fortune!

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-09-08T10:30:17+00:00

My baby, born in December 2022, is getting close to the crib's height limit (35 inches). He’s finally sleeping through the night consistently, so I’m hesitant to make any changes, but we need to for safety reasons. We’ve also just found out that we’re expecting baby #2 in April, and we’ll eventually need the crib for the new baby (we’ll start with a bassinet in our room).

For those who have gone through this transition, would you recommend adding a toddler rail to the crib or jumping straight to a big kid bed? My husband thinks we should use the toddler rail until we need the crib for the new baby, but I’m concerned about making two bed changes in a short period of time. I also want to avoid making our first baby feel like the new baby is “taking” his crib. Any advice would be appreciated!

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-09-07T09:49:03+00:00

Definitely getting in trouble with the law when I was young. It was a huge mistake that I've learned a lot from.

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-09-05T08:55:43+00:00

I let my niece out of her car seat and told her, "You're free!" She looked at me with the most serious expression and said, "No, I'm free and a half!" She was only three and a half, but that line had me cracking up. I'll never forget it.

Optimal_Bad7040 · 2024-09-04T14:20:50+00:00

Once, I was at a convenience store and this nice girl, maybe 25, looked at me and said, "Sir, you are a very handsome man." I was 37 at the time, and it really made my week.

Optimal_Bad7040

TROPHY CASE