Summer Infant 3D lite Convenience Stroller | J.L Childress Cargo N Drinks Parent Tray

When we were planning our recent trip to Disney World in Florida, we knew even though baby Beauty was almost four when we went, all the walking was sure to wear her out.  So then we thought about stroller options.  Renting was out - germaphobe central over here wouldn't love that so much.  Bringing our Baby Jogger City Mini GT or Baby Jogger City Select was also a little scary due to possible theft.

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Solution: An Umbrella Stroller.  Requirements: Nothing over $75, in case it did happen to get stolen, but nothing like a cheap $20 that would give baby girl no support and us backaches from bending over it.

Enter: the Summer Infant 3D lite Convenience Stroller

Stats from Summer Infant's website:

The 3D lite® Convenience Stroller is a durable stroller that has a lightweight and stylish aluminum frame and is one of the lightest and most feature rich convenience strollers on the market. With an easy to fold frame and carry strap, you can be on-the-go or stow and go with ease.

Durable, stylish frame (12.0 lbs) with large seat area and 5 point safety harness

Anti shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels

Multi-position recline

Extra large storage basket

Adjustable and removable canopy with flip out sun visor

Rear storage pocket

Easy compact 3-D fold w/ carry strap

I ordered the 3D lite in Carribean Blue on Amazon and it came with Prime in two days for only $63 (it's often advertised for $89.99) - so it fit the bill perfectly!

Summer Infant 3D lite Stroller

The stroller is super sturdy for the price, and our 30-ish pound daughter fits perfectly.  She isn't squished or cramped at all.  Her feet hit the footrest nicely without her knees being up in her face.  The handles are also at a great height for mom and dad (I am only 5' 0") not being super high, but not having to bend over and break our backs either.

Storage is pretty good on the 3d lite considering it's an umbrella stroller and the basket is a nice mesh on all sides.  You can't get into the basket if the seat is all the way reclined, but I don't see that being a problem for us. 

Side View - Summer Infant 3D lite

A big bonus here is the carrying strap, which not all umbrella-style strollers have.  Getting on and off buses or Monorails at Disney, the carrying strap was a huge seller for us.  There is also a handle that you pull up as you hit the disengage button on the right (with your foot or hand) to fold it.  That handle came in handy to pick it up quickly and get on the bus with it.

There are four recline positions, but we always kept it upright because baby beauty was too animated and excited in the parks to sleep!

Summer Infant 3D lite Stroller

The only downside might be the sunshade not being super huge, because we have been spoiled with the size of the sunshades on the Baby Jogger strollers we have.  This shade is still bigger than those on Graco strollers I've seen, or the Jeep stroller we used to have.  There is no peekaboo window to see baby either but that's a non-issue for us.

We tried out the 3D lite several times around our block before we went to Disney and baby Beauty loved it!  By the time we went to Disney, she knew how to pull the sun shade over her head when it was too bright for her and hopped in and out easily.  Baby Beauty find it's very comfy and we are all very pleased with it.  This was definitely a great choice for the trip.

Summer Infant's customer service is also top notch!  I ended up calling them twice as: the first stroller had two same sides of velcro to attach the sun shade; the second stroller they replaced it with had a dirty sunshade.  They replaced the first stroller completely, and replaced the shade the second time.  No questions, and they even knew who I was the second time.  Awesome service; super-friendly people on the phone.  A+ Summer Infant!

Back of Summer Infant 3D lite - with JL Childress Console

The stroller does come with a removable cup holder on the right side, which you can move down to the child's level as well (but can't fold it with it attached at that level, just at parent height).  We decided to add our J.L. Childress Parent Console we had on our City Select where it wasn't the best fit.  On the 3D lite it's PERFECT.  It's like it was meant to be on an umbrella stroller.  It was perfect for our waters that we brought into the parks, our EPCOT Food and Wine Passport where we could check off which kiosks we had tried, and sunglasses for Baby Beauty.

Back of Summer Infant 3D lite stroller

There is a pocket on the back of the stroller behind our parent console, which is plenty big for keys, cellphone, wallet, etc. if you didn't want to add the console.

Overall, the Summer Infant 3D lite Convenience Stroller is a great fit for us and for any parent travelling, or just wanting a quicker, lighter stroller for errands that doesn't take up the whole darn trunk!

Check out the 3D lite here on Amazon!

Toddler Restaurant Busy Bag | Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick

As I have mentioned before I watched a lot of diaper bag videos before baby beauty came along.  I always loved the idea of a small activity bag for children for restaurants that you can pull out while you wait for your food.

If you saw my recent post, you know that I switched from my Skip Hop Duo Double [full review here and packing post here] to a Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. because we carry less now and wanted something more compact with a backpack style [read my full review of the B.F.F. here].

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Most times if we are at a restaurant I just leave the diaper bag in the car and grab the Be Quick and bring that in - so quick and easy.

Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Charcoal Roses

Here is what we keep in our restaurant busy bag/clutch for our 3 year old:
Table Toppers in Minnie Mouse and Hello Kitty - Baby Beauty loves to count all the different activites and tell me what colors she sees and what characters.
Doc McStuffins Mini Coloring Pages - these come with markers and my daughter loves Doc!
Crayola Crayons - Regular and Triangle (the Triangles don't roll off the table)
Play Pack Grab & Go - fantastic because they're an all in one with crayons, coloring book, and stickers
Extra Stickers - who doesn't love stickers?!  These are ballerinas - she loves them!
Crayola Actvity Pad - this doesn't fit in the Be Quick but it does fit in the bottom of the diaper bag and has great activities.  It's almost like a bigger version of the Grab & Go.  It comes with markers and has different activities.  We love the Doc McStuffins, Finding Dory, Frozen, and Minions ones so far!

Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Charcoal Roses with activities

We keep the crayons, coloring pages, and tables toppers each in their own small plastic bag, so each is easy to pull out.  This keeps the activity kit nice and organized.

Many of these items will work for kids of any age and you can rotate out what you put in based on age and what characters they like at the time and to keep things fresh and new!

Updated packing/what's in my diaper bag post up next!  Stay tuned!

What do you keep in your busy kits and what do you store them in?  Comment below!

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. in Charcoal Roses | Diaper Bag Review

You all know I loved my Skip Hop Duo Double {read my full diaper bag review here and my "What's in My Diaper Bag" here}, but as Baby Beauty got bigger and wasn't needing as much, we decided to downsize to something more compact.  I also wanted something easy to carry, and easy to clean.  Enter: the JuJuBe B.F.F.  Being able to use backpack straps and/or a messenger strap PLUS the ability to machine wash it?  I was SOLD!

Ju-Ju-Be BFF in Charcoal Roses
Stats from Ju-Ju-Be's website:
This bag will be your BFF. It will also make you new BFFs because all the other ladies will want to be your friend. It might make your current BFF a little jealous, but that’s OK because she wasn’t all that good of a friend anyway.

• Front mommy pocket holds keys (stretch key fob) and sunglasses (cleans lenses too!) with plenty of room for more! 
• Memory foam changing pad included ... nice 'n comfy, super cushy. 
• Quick reach pocket for cell phone. 
• 2 exterior insulated bottle pockets … with Thinsulate by 3M. Keep it warm? Keep it cold? Sure!
• Unique main zipper closure system makes for easy access. 
• Picture pocket to keep photos handy when bragging to friends. 
• Detachable and adjustable messenger strap has removable memory foam shoulder pad & can be shortened to tote strap length. 
• Optional shoulder straps ... so versatile! 
• Inside organization includes 4 gusseted pockets, 3 zippered pockets & lots of wide open space! 
• Back pocket works great for diapers and wipes organization. 
• Structured bottom with luggage feet. 
• Teflon™ fabric protector … helps repel stains.
• Agion® treatment protects the liner by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.
• Crumb Drains ... bye-bye mess! 
• Metal Hardware ... we don't trust any of the cheap plastic stuff. 
• Light-Colored Linings ... you can actually see what's inside; it's not just a big black hole in there.
• Machine Washable ... air dry.

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. in Charcoal Roses

The B.F.F. is amazing!  It's the perfect size for what we need right now, and I could still fit more in.  You could easily use this for a baby, even with bottles and formula, change if clothes, and all those other emergency 'just in case' items baby needs.  I don't even use the back two zippered pockets inside, however, I could put what I have in the interior bottle pockets in those and still have room for more cups or bottles.  As an overpacker, I always thought I needed a bigger bag but with the right organization and all the pockets in the BFF, this bag could even work for more than one child.  I love all the interior pockets for organizing, I just wish the picture holders were another big zip pocket (like the one below them) or two smaller zip pockets for added storage.

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. inside and pockets

I love, love, love the backpack straps!  This was my major reason for getting this bag.  It comes with a messenger strap as well so you can change up how you carry it.  The straps are super padded and so comfortable.  I always keep the backpack straps on and the messenger strap inside folded up in case I want to ever change it up.  I love the handle on top too - it's easy to grab when you're trying to get out of a booth at a restaurant or wherever - just grab and go!

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Backpack Straps

The other game changer for me was this bag is fully machine washable - not just spot clean as most diaper bags are.  I have washed it probably 8 or 10 times and it still looks brand new!  Throw it in the wash with some delicate detergent on your machine's delicate cycle and hang to dry - it's as easy as that!  It does take 12-24 hours to dry, so I do it during the week when I know we are home and won't need it ASAP.  The changing pad takes the longest to dry so sometimes I repack the bag and leave that part at home.  It does include crumb drains so if your bag just needs a good shake out but not a wash you don't need to take everything out - just push the ickiness through the vented holes.

Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Mommy Pocket with Felt Sunglasses Case

The details on this bag are much better quality than most bags.  The all metal hardware doesn't break and includes little rhinestones (that Ju-Ju-Be replaces if lost!) on each one and it has sturdy zippers that don't get all out of whack.  The gussets on the pockets let them open wide enough so you can see everything without it all falling out.  The outside bottle pockets stretch to the size of what you put in there and are insulated.  All the stitching is super strong and the fabrics are top notch quality.  This bag is going to last you a long while.

My iPhone 6s does fit in the pocket but won't zip (it might be because of my LifeProof case) but I don't always bring my phone with me if Hubby has his.  This felt lined pocket is great for cameras, sunglasses, or any other little items you want to grab fast. My phone does fit easily in the mommy pocket.

You can find Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bags, organizers, and accessories on their website or at BuyBuyBaby.

I will do a Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. packing and 'What's In My Diaper Bag' post again so you can see how I pack this bag, but I can fit everything I had in my Skip Hop Duo Double in here.  This is definitely usable for two kiddos!  It hold a LOT more than I thought it would.  I also have a Toddler Restaurant Busy Bag post coming up using the Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Charcoal Roses.  Stay tuned!

Ethan & Emma Stroller Organizer

We recently upgraded our Britax B-Agile for a Baby Jogger City Mni GT (I love trying new strollers - we've been through a small arsenal).  After doing a lot of research into what stroller organizer people liked best for the GT and what was the best value for the money, what I found over and over again was people recommending the Ethan & Emma Stroller Organizer.

Ethan & Emma was founded by parents who, like many of us, couldn't find the exact product they desired within a budget.  So they made the stroller accessories themselves!  

I have to say I totally understand their plight over at Ethan & Emma because I too, found many organizers too expensive, too flimsy, or not able to work with a variety of strollers.  The accessories at Ethan & Emma are made with high quality, durable materials that are made to last both through the daily spills, messes, shopping, as well as the more rugged trips with the stroller.

Their stroller organizer has so many pockets and add-ons that you won't even find yourself needing a whole lot extra in terms of diaper bags or purses with you.  It features two extra deep insulated cup holders to keep drinks hot or cold, a middle compartment with a silent magnetic closure with a mesh storage pocket on top, a zip off pouch, a mesh cell phone holder in front, and a large roll up bag for extended storage.

I always have a water bottle for myself and my daughter with us so the generous cup holders are a must have for me and the added insultsrion is awesome.  I love the middle compartment for keys if we're out and about.  The mesh pocket on top can be used for money, store cards, or coupons to keep them within easy reach.  I hate losing coupons in the bottom of a cup holder.

My iPhone 6s with a Lifeproof case on it fits perfectly in the mesh cell phone pouch but I don't think a 6+ or anything bigger than a 6s would fit.  Still a great sized compartment, and could be used for coupons, change, keys, etc. as well.

The little zip-off pouch on the front is great for money, credit cards, store cards, ID, or anything else you might need when you run into a store, or perhaps those little baby sunglasses (my daughter loves hers and calls them her "eyes") that need to be stored safely but still within quick reach.

If you need to being a jacket or sweatshirt for baby, the roll down bag is fantastic for that.  It rolls down and anchors to the back of the stroller frame.  It can easily fit a jacket plus snacks, and a changing station like the Skip Hop Pronto one we use and love {see my diaper bag review here for a mini spotlight on the Pronto}.  This would save you having to lug a diaper bag around with you if you didn't want to.  When you don't need the mesh nag anymore it rolls back up and velcros to the bottom of the organizer out of the way.

I can see this organizer being great at a park like Disney World and will be awesome for our trip to DC coming up.  So much storage and do many options make this the perfect organizer for light errands to all day trips and vacations.

The City Mini closes perfectly and stores in our Jeep truck with the organizer attached.

Overall, this is a great addition to our City Mini GT and I would use it on our City Select as well.  The organizer is super sturdy and so well made at a great price.  I would defiantly recommend it!

Check out the Ethan & Emma Stoller Organizer on their site here!

Disclaimer:  The super nice folks at Ethan and Emma were enough to send me their stroller organizer for review purposes.  I wasn't otherwise compensated to write this review, nor was I paid for a positive review.  All reviews are 100% honest.  Always.