Does anyone like to sweep or vacuum? I don't think anyone does, so any device that helps make these tasks easier is usually something worth buying. The most convenient of all are the automatic vacuums and this model from Moneual is designed to make the cleanup process more convenient and easier than ever before.

I have used robotic devices like the Roomba and others and my bottom- line opinion on them has always been mixed. They do okay, but they cannot compare to a full- fledged vacuuming performed with a Dyson or some other vacuum. I was always left a little disappointed, but also a little relieved because, after all, a robot was doing my work for me and even if its performance was only average, it was still better than nothing at all.

So, given my previous experience, I was a little skeptical with this robotic cleaner but now that I have used it a few times, I have found that it is a notch better than many of the others I have used in the past. First, it doesn't take too long to charge and once the charge is complete, it is good for about 90 minutes. It is quieter than others I have used and it does do a decent job collecting dust, crumbs, and other debris. My house has more tile than anything, so I was particularly curious if this unit would be able to sweep up the particles present. Most of my tile is white, so the mess really stands out and, for the most part, this little vacuum/dry mop performs as promised. The floor looks and feels cleaner than before and I like how the unit will slow down when it senses something in front of it and it avoids making a bump.

On the bad side, this device isn't very reliable at returning to its dock, but this is only a minor problem and not reason to avoid making the purchase. It can also use up a full charge before it finishes a large room, and this is due in large part to its slower movement. It seems more thorough than others, but the speed isn't very fast so it may die out before it finishes a single room.

Sweeping is no pleasure and the Moneual robotic vacuum is a good device for making life a little more trouble- free. It isn't perfect and it cannot be expected to clean up a really dirty floor, but it is better than most other robotic vacuums and is easily worthy of a try.

Experts at video production often need a more sophisticated product to satisfy their needs, but for everyone else, there is Video Studio Ultimate X6. It has all the tools you need to edit video and make it look more professional and presentable than before.

I am no professional when it comes to making videos, so for someone like me, this product has exactly what I need to improve my work. It is very user- friendly to use and doesn't use a bunch of tech- talk that only few will understand. It keeps things at a simple and intuitive level so that consumers are able to create the video they want with reasonable effort.

This video editing tool comes with multiple templates and several different functions to make your video look just the way you like. The motion tracking, variable speed playback, ability to add subtitles, and other tools work very well and the finished product looks just like it was created by a true professional. I was surprised when I used it for the first time because I expected it to be a little more cumbersome to use and I wasn't sure I would get what I wanted. But this product holds your hand every step of the way. It would be difficult not to get better results.

I am not sure how I would rate this product if I were a professional, but from a beginner's perspective, it is an excellent tool and another winner from the folks at Corel- an organization of people who never say die when it comes to making great, user- friendly software for so many uses.

Umbrellas are important when you live in a rainy climate like I do. The rain can start falling at any time and it can get rather intense. Even a short walk can leave you completely drenched, so it is important to have protection like that provided by the Urbanite folding umbrella readily available.

This umbrella is a nice size and one of its best features is that it opens and expands on its own, with the push of a button. A feature like this is, of course, nothing original, but I am still thankful that this umbrella offers this feature because it makes it that much more convenient. I usually keep the umbrella in my back seat, then reach for it when the rain starts to pour. A simple push of a button and the umbrella expands, sliding vertically, then opening up quickly, ready to protect you from the rain.

Another feature I like with this umbrella is that it does a better job handling the wind. Some umbrellas are so solid in design that the force of the wind can make you feel like you are being pushed over. There is no such problem here. The umbrella is designed in such a way that the wind is able to blow through it, to an extent, and this makes it much easier to handle. You are still protected from the water, and that is what matters most. But it is nice not to have that feeling that your umbrella is more a wind shield than a protective device from the rain. Those types of umbrellas often get damaged quickly due to the force of the wind against the fabric, but you don't get that feeling here.

I am a little concerned about the amount of plastic used in the construction of this umbrella, but when you consider the price, it really doesn't matter that much. There are more durable umbrellas out there, but this one is still a very good value and one I definitely recommend.

Purim Play is a book about kids who put on a play to celebrate the life and important works of Queen Esther. It is a book geared a little more toward those who know about or have actually taken part in this type of celebration, although its story and lessons could apply to anyone.

If you do not know much about Purim, you are not alone. Purim is a Jewish celebration that honors Queen Esther and it is well- known in certain religious circles. The characters in this story are putting on a play and some of the cast members are sick. The kids are placed in a difficult situation, but they make the best of it and complete the play, so everyone is happy in the end.

One thing that sets this book apart is the illustrations. The colorful, artistic images are a little more complex than what you find in most children's books and for this reason, adults may find themselves gazing at the pages even more frequently than the children for whom the book is targeted. The images, and the story itself to an extent, are a little advanced for a kids book and this is why the book is really best for children who are a little older, say seven and up.

A book like this will make the most sense to those familiar with this type of event, but there are still many valuable lessons to learn from Purim Play. It teaches some good lessons and best of all, it exposes kids to traditions and cultures for which they likely know little about, but hopefully want to learn more about after reading. This, and the interesting illustrations, is enough to earn this book an easy recommendation.

A good book about a young girl who misses her mommy while at school, Eliza's Surprise is a book about imagination and using it when something you want isn't readily available. Eliza is placed in a school environment for the first time and feels rather lonely. While playing, she feels sad, but then finds things that remind her of her mommy. She finally puts everything together to make a doll that looks just like her mom, only to finally meet up with her mom and discover that her mother did something similar.

This book's main character is a little down and out at first and her situation is the type that many new kindergarteners will relate to. She isn't sure what to do or where to turn, but then she finds objects and notices that they remind her of dearest mommy. Her mood is quickly transformed and her day is bright once she has something with her that is, in her mind, the next best thing to having mom around.

The story told here is sweet and benign and most parents will award it an easy stamp of approval. The cartoon images are cute and the book can be read by most kids in the early elementary school age range in a matter of minutes. It gives kids something to think about and will resonate well with those who feel a little uncomfortable when they go away to kindergarten for the first time.

In most every kitchen, a few basic essentials can be found and measuring devices are almost always among them. Even the most inexperienced cook still needs measuring spoons and cups and, with the latter, an individual glass cup will usually do the trick, but it is often handy and more convenient to have individual cups pre- sized for greater convenience. And Oxo 4- Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups are a good choice of cups for this purpose.

This set of cups includes four sizes: One cup, one- half cup, one- third cup, and one- fourth cup. The cups are made from steel so they are more durable than plastic and are made to last. The handles are made with a rubberized coating so they do not slip out of the hands. And to help make the cups easier to identify, each cup shows the measurement in a different- colored inlay, indicating the size.

These measuring cups are very nice, attractive, and useful for any kitchen and they have been put to good use since making their way into my kitchen a short time ago. Previously, all we had was a glass measuring cup and while it certainly took care of the task, it is much more convenient to have a set of individual cups- particularly for dry measure. You don't need to eyeball things, like you do with a glass cup. You just stick the cup into the dry mix, such as flour, then scrape the cup on the side of the bag to level it off, and there you have it- the exact measurement you need.

This set of Oxo measuring cups is more durable than plastic cups and more attractive for most kitchens. My kitchen is overloaded with stainless steel appliances, large and small, so these cups blend in nicely. I also like the imprint, showing the individual sizes, because it is more likely to last longer than the markings on other cups. It could still wear off with continuous usage, but it should be fine for those who use their measuring cups on a less frequent basis.

Measuring cups are a must and a single, glass cup with markings for different measurements should be fine for most needs. But a set of individually- sized cups is still useful for it makes dry measurements faster and more convenient. This set from Oxo is very nice, attractive, and useful and I recommend adding a set to your kitchen.

Convenience in the kitchen is important in my household and for that reason, I often seek out food items that require very little preparation, are good tasting, and hopefully offer a decent level of nutrition. The latter quality is not always possible, but if the product is easy to make and at least tastes good, there is a good chance it could make its way into the family meal rotation.

The desire for the quick and simple led me to sample Thai Sweet Chili Lo Mein, from Knorr. The preparation for this product is quick as expected and there is little need to do much of anything. You just heat some water, stir in the contents, simmer, and serve. Other than a few quick stirs, there is little else to do.

So, the product passes the convenience test, but what about the taste? Well, I find it average overall and the type of food most will forget they ever tried. The noodles are tender, but the problem for me is that the seasoning is a little too weak. It doesn't remind me of Thai food, or at least not a very good Thai food. The spice is not as sweet as expected and is a little blander than I prefer.

Thai Sweet Chili Lo Mein could be redeemed if served with something more assertive. It really is intended as a side dish anyway, and as long as the other food you serve it with has a good deal of character, these noodles could find themselves a home. Otherwise, this is a very average food that has some redeeming qualities, but not enough to win over most consumers.

My girls love to have their hair done and they want to look pretty. Since they are in elementary school, they also love and appreciate anything made specifically with kids in mind and for that reason alone, they really enjoy this product from Suave. It is made for kids and it helps to keep hair from frizzing and make it look its best.

Besides the kid- friendly factor and obvious kid appeal, this mousse is good for other reasons. It does control frizz, as promised, and the smell is very nice- fresh and clean, and not too heavy. It only takes a small amount applied to the hair to make it look its best and hair looks natural after applying. This is better than some other kid's hair styling mousse my girls have tried, some of which makes their hair look like an oil slick.

Suave seems to have hit the mark with this product. It does dispense very quickly and is therefore easy to waste, so you need to be careful when you use it. Otherwise, it is a very good hair care/styling product for kids and most any young girl- and parent- will find it better than average.

Adults often like to occupy time when they head to the bathroom throne and they usually accomplish this by bringing along a magazine or book. Given that the commode can double as a quiet reading place, it makes sense that someone, somewhere would get the bright idea to extend this convenience to children and that is exactly what has happened with CTA's invention of the 2 in 1 ipotty with Activity Seat for ipad.

The way it works is simple. Little John or Jane sits down on the potty for some quick relief and places an ipad in the holder for some fun and entertainment. While slowly waiting for the pressure to release, junior can have a little fun playing games or partaking in educational learning on mom and dad's prized possession, the ipad. The idea is that youngster's will be so entertained and have so much fun, they won't fuss about toilet training any longer. They will look forward, in fact, to taking a whiz high atop their own plastic throne as they enjoy the endless entertainment that only an ipad can bring.

If this all sounds a little silly, that's because it is a little silly. When I heard about this product, I thought it was a joke, but a quick check online and it turned out to be a perfectly legitimate product. When it arrived in my home, my disbelief was officially put to rest because, well, there it was, sporting its urine and fecal matter cup, ready for use. Seeing was believing and knowing how much my girls love their ipad, I was anxious to see how this device would work and how they would like it. I must confess that my kids are past the potty training stage, but this device has a cover so it can be used with or without toilet paper. That meant it did have practical use in my household and might prove to be more popular than I expected.

So, how was the 2 in 1 ipotty for ipad received by my young ones? Well, they love their ipad and that was reason enough for them to find it fun. They liked the fact that the part that holds the ipad can be twisted at different angles and since they had no desire to use the potty, the cup underneath them made for a nice storage space for small items. It even has a touchscreen cover to keep the ipad screen safe from accidents- no, not that type of accident, but I suppose anything is possible. After all, this device does double as a potty trainer, so anything that could happen might happen.

Ipads are popular with kids and adults and I appreciate a creative way to display and ipad and protect it from the elements. The idea of a potty chair created for ipad usage is certainly silly and for that reason, many will consider this a novelty item more than a serious potty training tool. It could actually be used either way and while it does have practical use, it is bound to produce more chuckles and snickers than anything. I'm going to give it a middle rating of three stars but I can understand fully why some rate it lower. The overall ridiculousness of something like this makes it difficult to take seriously, regardless of the manufacturer's intent.

CTA Digital Kids Activity Drawing and Activity Case for IPad is a handy little case for kids who either have/use and Ipad or who simply want something for carrying supplies and for use as a base for drawing and creative expression. The case holds a standard Ipad securely in place both for usage and basic storage and is ready to go when you are.

Most people who purchase this device will do so because of its Ipad capabilities and this is certainly reason enough to purchase it. I like that it holds an Ipad firmly in place and can be used to display the Ipad either flat or vertically. The lid, where the Ipad is held, can be turned 360 degrees so it can be made to face any direction you like. This is perfect for those times when kids want to get comfy and want the ability to move the device around to maximize comfort.

As its name indicates, this device is intended for an Ipad but the fact is, your child can use it for other purposes so one shouldn't turn away from it just because its primary use is to hold an Ipad. There is a built- in dry erase board on the opposite side of the lid and the section that holds the Ipad can be used for other things, too. It offers a good deal of storage as well and it even comes complete with a dry erase marker and eraser.

The CTA Digital Kids Activity Drawing and Activity Case is very good not just for holing an ipad, but also for keeping it protected. My kids do not own their own ipad yet. Instead, they borrow their mom's ipad and it does tend to make her a little nervous. One false move could mean the end of an expensive piece of electronic equipment, but this device helps put fears at ease by offering a protective place to store the ipad. With the lid locked in place, the ipad's screen cannot be damaged, even if the device comes crashing to the ground.

Children like to play games and be creative and this case is very good for its use as a storage/play area for an Ipad and for encouraging drawing and other activities. It is durable and made to last and it makes a good choice for those parents who want their child's ipad to survive its physical abuse and remain intact for a decent amount of time.