Babies And Kids Archives - Page 21 of 125

Lego vs Mega Bloks vs Kre-O

Lego, Mega Bloks, Kre-O? Which brand do you like most? Which is the sturdiest among the three leading building block/ construction toys brand? What’s the difference between the three? Which is the cheapest?

History first!

Lego is the oldest among the three, in fact, Lego is the original or the mother/father of all building blocks. Lego building blocks is already 65 years old! wow (check out Lego at Wikipedia for a detailed history)

Mega Bloks is a Canadian company founded in 1967. In 2006, it changed its name from Mega Bloks, Inc. to Mega Brands, Inc. Last February, Mattel acquired the brand.

Kre-O is manufactured by a Korean company, Oxfor. This like of construction toys is marketed by Hasbro.

This is how a Lego brick look (photo from Lego website), each stud has the Lego logo on it.

A brick from our Mega Bloks collection, Mega Bloks logo is embedded on every brick/ block.

This is from our Kre-O collection. Each brick has a hole on it.

Price comparison: Lego vs Mega Bloks vs Kre-O (all prices from Amazon)

Lego tub with 6o7 pieces is $29.99
Mega Bloks tub with 450 pieces is $24.99
Kre-O Tub with 700 pcs is $41.00, sale for $27.91

For themed products

LEGO Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter (560 pcs) is $75.95
Mega Bloks Caterpillar Heavy-Duty Transporter (778 pcs), $39.99
KRE-O Transformers Sentinel Prime Construction Set (386 pcs) is $44.99 on sale for $20.15

Judging from the prices I got from Amazon (no theme blocks), Lego is the cheapest…and along, I thought it was the most expensive! Nyaks!

When it comes to themed products, well I guess the theme matters a lot. For example, while shopping for blocks last week, Toys R Us staff mentioned that their Mega Bloks Barbie theme is more expensive than their Hello Kitty product line. I guess licensing has something to do with it.

Quality Comparison: Lego vs Mega Bloks vs Kre-O

We haven’t tried Lego (one of these days maybe..) and we’re still new with Mega Bloks and Kre-O but here is what I noticed so far:

Kre-O looks more polished than Mega Bloks, but Lego beats the two.
In terms of interlocking, Mega Bloks is better than Kre-O. I still have to see and experience it with Lego
Kre-O has a shinier finish than Mega Bloks
Kre-O’s non brick parts (like the door part of Bumble bee’s car mode) chips easily

Which to buy: Lego vs Mega Bloks vs Kre-O

Well, it all depends on which character your kids love! I opted for Kre-O because it was on sale.. much much cheaper than Lego during that time. And the kids love Transformers although they were rooting for Lego Movie sets. Our little girl on the other hand, got her Hello Kitty from Mega Bloks.

Here’s a list of some products/ theme from each building blocks brand:

LEGO Themes (click here for the complete list)

Disney Princess
Friends
The Hobbit
Marvel Superheroes
Mine Craft
Lord of the Rings
Star Wars
The Simpsons
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Mega Bloks Themes (complete list)

Barbie
Cat
Dora the Explorer
Hello Kitty
Hot Wheels
Power Rangers
Smurfs
Thomas & Friends
World of Warcraft

Kre-O Themes (complete list here)

Transformers
G.I. Joe
Star Trek

I grew up playing Lego but when I became a mom, I fell in love with Mega Bloks Maxi blocks because of its size. In a way, my family grew up loving Mega Bloks, from their Maxi line to Micro line…my loyalty is with Mega Bloks.. but I guess it is just me! wahaha because for them anything small is called Lego (whatever the brand is) while the bigger blocks is Mega Bloks LOL.

For cheaper building blocks, here are some brands that might interest you:

EMCO from Indonesia
COGO from China

I’ll try to look for these brands and see for myself if the quality is closer if not the same with the 3 brands I mentioned above as well as the price and themes of the two brands.

Thank You My Babies!

Have you seen this cute #ThankYouBaby moments from Pampers? Cuteness overload!

I was thinking of writing a serious thank you baby post, pero seeing this cute video, I changed my mind! hahaha

Let’s see how fun motherhood was to me courtesy of my kids:

Thank you Mahat, because of you I learned I can be a good swimming teacher!!

Thank You Mico, because of you, I learned I can be a good party planner and a baker!!

Thank You Chico, because of you, I am now a Picasso in the making:

Thank you Sati, because of you, I have finally understood the concept of mommy and me fashion.

Thank you my boys, because of your achievements, I was able to change outfit twice in one occasion (please let me change outfit 4x next year ha hahaha)

Most of all, thank you my babies, because of you, I am a mom and got to celebrate Mother’s Day (and be showered with gifts!)

How about you? Share with me your own #ThankYouBaby moments and 3 of the funniest or most unique comment will win something from me! This mini giveaway is open to Philippine residents, I will announce the winner on May 23 🙂

3 winners will receive this 🙂

Here’s what you need to do:

Share with me your own #ThankYouBaby moments by leaving a comment on this post (example: Thank you my babies because of you I go to celebrate Mother’s Day!)
Share this post on your wall: @Mommy Pehpot (don’t forget to tag me), I thank my kids because (the one you wrote at the comment section) #ThankYouBaby
Fill up this FORM for your details (if you’re done from my previous giveaway, you don’t have to do it again).

WINNERS:

Michelle Jaguimit Namilit

Thank you my son, Allen Hale, because of you I have learned to play to boys toys especially the “Trumpo” I have mastered it just to teach you how to play it. Thank you my baby Ashley, I am so proud to have a talented daughter because of you my dream to ramp on the stage came true. Thank you my babies because of you I have the right to join Mommy Pehpots contest and other mommy contest online.

____________________________

Ivy Gazelle Buama

Thanks you my dear baby Sheehan Kyros, the one and only super kulit na bata katumbas 10 kids. At your age (2 years and 4 months) you thinked and talked as if you are already my big man. Sobrang hirap mong utuin kasi alam mo na kung ano ang joke and hindi joke. Before hindi ako mahilig sa bata, ang gusto ko lang magpaiyak ng bata. But now, binaliktad mo na sa sobrang likot and kulit mo ako na ang napapaiyak mo minsan. But at the end of the super tiring day you make me feel that i am your one and only love. Lagi mo kong kiss and hug before matulog specially kapag nafeel mo na galit na ko sayo, ask mo ko ng “nanay, galit?” pag hindi ako sumagot sayo, maglalambitin ka sa akin then kukulitin mo ko sa isang kiss para mawala ang galit ko sayo. Dahil sayo, tumatakbo na ko sa labas ng bahay ng hindi minsan nakakapagsuklay or pulbos man lang. Nabawasan ung kaartehan ko sa katawan. Nakasama rin ako sa pagiging Mombassador sa isang brand ng diaper, and sobrang nag enjoy tayo nun together ng ibang mga mommies na nagpunta. I love you son!

____________________________

Jobelle Agay

I really do have a lot to be thankful for since you came into my life but on top of my list is #ThankYouBaby Keilah for the stitches and scar in my belly, because it reminds me of the happiest and bravest moment in my life. These are indeed “battle scars” that I am proud of

at dahil ang tagal bago ko naasikaso ito.. wala na akong mabiling Olay like dut! LOL
But I still have a few Olay items.. so relax and I will try to ship your prizes before the year ends..

Dear winners, please Mommy Pehpot Facebook Page your delivery address

Baby On Board: Tips for Flying With A Baby

We love travelling but never tried flying, yet. I don’t think I can handle flying with 4 kids haha maybe a few more years from now,or maybe next year (*wink). For sure flying with an infant is a lot more difficult than flying with kids. So if you have plans on travelling by plane this summer or any time soon, this helpful tips from Mommy PRO can save you a lot! (Italics are my opinions)

1. Travel light.You’d be surprised at how laborious it will be to pass through security gates with a baby and heavy luggage in tow, especially if traveling without help. By packing lightly, your transitions from door-to-door or gate-to-gate can become breezier.

Travel light? with an infant? sound impossible no? When we travel, it helps that I am breastfeeding, we don’t have to bring cans of milk, feeding bottles and sterilizer. But for those on formula, limit your feeding bottle to 3 or 4, and use milk dispensers instead of bringing the whole. Bringing a few diaper change will also lessen your baggage, for sure you can more diapers to your area of destination.

2. Bring a travel and space-friendly baby stroller.Your top three considerations when buying one should be: portability, ease of folding, and storage space. If it ain’t all three, then re-consider bringing one.

My sister traveled with his a few years back, alone. I can’t imagine how she did it but she said that her portable and light weight stroller made it possible. I’d go for sling instead of stroller.

3. Always ask for help.Flight attendants are trained individuals and would be more than glad to help. Seeking assistance can range from having them help you with your hand-carry, grab something from your baby bag, or even carry/supervise your baby so you can take a bathroom break.

And ask nicely, having a cranky baby does not mean, you have a ticket to crankiness too.

3. Get breastfeeding information ahead.Inquire in advance on the breastfeeding policies of the airline you are taking. There never seems to be a consistent “policy” when it comes to breastfeeding even if it is generally allowed. Discussions remain torn on whether breastfeeding moms should apply full discretion or go about her nursing duties unabashedly. Wear clothes that make it extra easy for you to breastfeed (like buttoned or zipped blouses) or have a thin blanket to cover up if you are uncomfortable nursing in public.

Here’s a tip: Wear a tube inside your blouse, it makes breastfeeding easier without exposing too much (specially the tummy area).

4. Bring a pacifier.With the root word being “pacify,” they are perfect when it comes to avoiding that dreaded crying fit inside the plane. They minimize the pressure in the ears, too, which could be bothersome for infants (and we don’t want bothersome!) during take off and landing.

I don’t use pacifier, never tried using it but it works to some, so go ahead bring one (as I have mentioned before, I breastfeed, that’s a good “pacifier” too)

5. Choose front seats.You can request for front seats when you check-in at the airport. You and your baby might move a lot during the trip – shifting positions to be more comfortable, standing up to reach the overhead cabin, and rummaging through the baby bag. Having ample space to stir around will give you less stress during the flight.

I don’t know you can request for a front seat but I am sure when nicely asked, a airline attendant will gladly oblige.

Have you tried flying with an infant? How do you prepare for the flight? How was the flight? Please do share your expereince with us so we can learn a thing or two from you. 🙂