Britax B-Agile Double Buggy Review

Lara and Holly have been using the Britax B-Agile Double Stroller for a couple of months now after we were sent it to try out in late summer. Even though Lara has now more or less grown out of the pushchair after a mammoth growth spurt last month, the B-Agile Double has become my stroller of choice on most of our family trips and there are lots of reasons why...

Two monkeys at Beale Park, Theale in their Britax B-Agile Double Stroller

When we first received the Britax B-Agile Double, Holly had still been using our lay-flat pram so I was REALLY glad that the two seats on the B-Agile reclined separately so that I could fully recline Holly's side of the buggy to lay her completely flat. The hoods also expand and collapse seperately so if I want to shade Holly from the wind or sun I can do so without cramping Lara's style.  To be very honest, Lara has now outgrown the B-Agile (it is officially rated from birth to 15kg) but Lara quite regularly needs an afternoon nap when we are out and about and will request to sit in the buggy when she is tired.  When she isn't in the buggy, I use the spare seat as storage!!!

As a side-by-side double stroller I was expecting the B-Agile to be a bit of a beast but honestly, it is VERY compact for a double buggy. It is only 2cm wider than my existing Mothercare travel system and, if I am in the right frame of mind, I can just fit the B-Agile Double through my front door (I can't then fit it through any of the internal house doors though!).

I find the B-Agile double easier to manouvre than my pram. There are two wheels at the back and two sets at the front. The wheels are hard and someone had warned me that I would find this a bit of a shock after having used inflated tyres before but I much prefer the feeling of pushing the B-Agile and despite having put it through its paces on grass, farmland and pavements I have yet to experience any problems; I also like the peace of mind of knowing I'm not going to suffer a blow-out! The fact that the B-Agile is remarkably light for a double pushchair also contributes to its good manouvreability.

Saying that, the B-Agile double isn't a lightweight stroller - I do have to muster up some energy to lift it into the boot but thankfully it is incredibly easy to expand and collapse. The stroller expands with just one clip to undo and then whoosh it pops open. The first time my next-door neighbour saw me unfold a double buggy with just one hand he stood there speechless! To collapse it you have to press a button and pull a strap; its not as easy as opening it but it is still one of the least faffy strollers I have ever come across.

The Britax B-Agile oozes quality. The fabrics of the seats and hood are smart, black and very sturdy. The buckle of the belt is a bit plasticy and in order to adjust the straps you have to pull the straps out of the buckle which caused me two broken nails, then tears, then total collapse on the floor in an angry heap to wait for my husband to come home from work to help me!

In terms of size, I am sooooooo happy with the B-Agile double.  Because it folds in one piece the double buggy actually takes up considerably less space than my old two-piece travel system.  In fact, I am quite enjoying having space in my boot for more than just a buggy!

Important features for me were:-

• An easy-grip handle that adjusts effortlessly (my husband and I like the handlebars to be at totally different heights).
• A big storage space under the buggy for me to put parcels and coats and stuff into. the space on the B-Agile is very large but can be difficult to get to due to the low ride height of the seats above - parcels don't often fit but coats for the whole family definitely do.
• Adaptors for an infant carrier included so that you can turn it into a travel system for Britax car seats.
• Availability of a bumper bar (although I was a bit disappointed that one of these didn't come as standard with the B-Agile double).
• Raincover included.

The Britax B-Agile Double Stroller is available exclusively at Mothercare for £349.99.

Lara is a Petalina Doll Tester

In our house Lara is just as likely to be found bashing things with big sticks or getting muddy in the garden as she is to be found baking pretend cakes in her kitchen or tucking her toys into bed.  I don't consider her to be particularly girly but I'm sure that there is something in a little girl's genes that means, regardless of upbringing, they like to bake cakes, play princesses and cuddle dolls.  I've never bought Lara a doll.  It just never seemed the right time even though I know she is always playing "mummies and babies" at nursery with her friends.

But now is definitely the right time.  I have very fond memories of my own Tiny Tears dolls who came into my life at about the same age as Lara is now.

Lara and I have been invited to pass on that dolly gene by Petalina.  Petalina sell dolls of all shapes and sizes to suit all budgets and tastes.  They also sell dolls clothes, accessories, furniture and lots of generally lovely bits and pieces.

Lara and I are both pretty excited about her being an official Petalina little doll tester so stay tuned for reviews and competitions over the coming months.  Lara's doll arrived in the post this morning so I can't wait to show her when she gets home from preschool.

Fisher Price Disney Princess Songs Palace Review

The Disney Princess Songs Palace from Fisher Price is part of the ever-popular Fisher Price Little People range.  Little People in their various forms have been a firm favourite in this house ever since Lara was a toddler and the combination of Disney Princesses with Little People was one we couldn't miss when Fisher Price offered Lara the chance to review the Disney Princess Songs Palace!

The palace is a very grand castle indeed and, as with many of the Little People play range, has a number of points throughout the castle which make noises when your child interacts with the toy.  I think the doorbell chime is pretty neat when the grand palace doors open and close!

On the reverse of the castle there are a few different rooms for your child to role-play with their little princesses.  A bedroom with a double bed, a dressing room and a tall tower.  There is also a moving balcony that slides up and down outside one of the towers.

Inside there is a ballroom floor which plays music when you rotate it.  And the most impressive part is that, when you place a princess on the dancefloor, the toy knows which princess it is and plays different voices and sounds depending on which princess you are playing with.  The Disney Princess Songs Palace comes with Snow White and Cinderella included but there are lots of others that you can buy in sets or pairs, perhaps as special treats in the future.

The palace comes in several parts that you have to construct yourself - trying to do so brought me to my wits end and even Lara, who had been eager to play with the toy from the minute we unwrapped it, told me to take a break and come back to it later when Holly had stopped crying!!! Armed with a screwdriver, Mr. B came to our rescue!

I was also frustrated that some (but not all) of the imagery on the castle came as stickers that you had to apply yourself.  Lara, being a 3-year-old girl, helped herself to the stickers and plastered them all over a piece of paper while I was building the castle - sigh.

I would say that the entertainment value of the Little People Princess Songs Castle comes from the princess characters and the moving dancefloor.  The dining table and chairs are really a bit big for using inside the castle itself which reduces its effectiveness as a doll's house.  I also think that a little girl like Lara expects a few more pieces of furniture and accessories in a doll's house to keep her absorbed for very long.  I think that as a plastic doll's house it is very sturdy and could withstand usage from children as young as 18 months but very honestly, it isn't the best quality or most exciting doll's house I've ever laid eyes on.

The Fisher Price Disney Princess Songs Palace costs around £49.99.