V-Tech Phone

     Piggy’s birthday was last month.  For it, she got a few toys.  She got the Go! Go! SmartWheels Police Station, Go! Go! SmartWheels Fire Rescue Station, bedding set, motor skills balls, and, last but not least, a V-Tech phone.  This post is just about that.  The phone I mean.

     The main reason why Hubby and I decided on getting Piggy this for her birthday is that she is ALWAYS playing with our phones.  She’s dialed several people off my phone, text people off Hubby’s, and – dare I admit –called 911.  That last one is very embarrassing no matter who you are.  We just HAD to do something about this.  It also helped that when we were in the store buying her birthday stuff (perks of a one year old), she grabbed it and wouldn't let go.  That made the decision of getting it a lot easier.

     This nifty little doo-dad acts very much like a real phone without actually being a real phone.  You can slide between two screens with a “swipe.”  One of the screens is the music screen with your typical play/pause, rewind, and fast forward.  There are also spots to add instrument sounds like maracas, xylophone, drums, and a triangle.  The other screen is the “app” screen.  There’s an “app” for a camera, messages, calendar, weather, a…dog (for some reason), music, alarm, ball (also for some reason), lullabies, ABCs, shapes, and home.  The home “app” can be set to recite your home phone number.  This is to help the child in learning it.  How awesome!  By pushing the green button, the numbers mode is activated and your child can dial in numbers.  By a simple press of the red button, the mode goes back to the app mode.

     So let’s sum this thing up:

          Price: $13 (including tax)

          Size: 6.5” X 3”

          Assembly Required:  No

          Ease of Use:  Simple

          Interactive:  Yes, several components

          Star Rating:  4.5

     If it weren't for it being so bulky, I would give if five stars.  Other than that, it’s great!  Piggy loves to play with it and I get a break from my phone being hijacked.

     I remember being three years old and living at my grandmother’s house.  She felt it to be very important that my brother and I know our “information.”  Every morning, before going out the door (for school, grocery shopping, museum, etc.) we would have to recite our information.  I still remember the rhythmic feeling to it.  123 Some Road, Somewhere, Georgia 12345 123-555-1234.  Of course, that’s not the actual information, but you get the gist.  At the time, I didn't fully understand why she had us   do that, now, it makes complete sense to me.  Heaven forbid if one of us got lost somewhere, kidnapped, or just needed to call 911 for whatever reason.  That is some good stuff to know.  With this phone, I at least don’t have to worry about teaching Piggy the phone number.  She’ll probably hear it so many times that she’ll recite it in her sleep.  I’ll just have to teach her the address.