Hellobee Boards

I stalked our local Craigslist for the Learning Tower, and ended up getting one for $60. It's bulky, but I love having it.

A friend of mine actually converted a cheap Ikea step stool (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60178887/) into a learning tower type of thing. Her husband put together a pdf sheet with instructions on how they did it. It has pictures of her kiddo on it, so I'm not comfortable posting here, but let me know your email if you'd like me to share!

One Step Ahead has one for $150: http://www.onestepahead.com/product/Kids-Kitchen-Helper-Safety-Tower-Step-Stool/_/R-536981?cmSource=Search.

This one is more pricey but I love all the accessories for it! So cute and could easily DIY them: http://www.littlepartners.com/categories/Children%27s-Furniture/

@regberadaisy: which one did you end up getting?

I might get one when we move out to NM, but not before then. One less thing to pack!

We got one as a gift from my best friend and her hubby for E's 1st birthday and she LURVES it! They built it following the Ana White plans and it's just incredible. She's not usually very adventurous so I was afraid she wouldn't like being up high, but she'll stand in there for 20+ minutes right now.

I don't have advice, but it looks like it would be easy to DIY using an old crib. It's just a thought.

@prettylizy: look awesome - and like she's having so much fun!

We have the learning tower and like it. It is heavy to move around the kitchen.

@regberadaisy: I did it through Google Reader. Once I searched for an item on Craigslist, I would copy/paste the url into Google Reader and add it as a feed. Whenever that item was listed again, it would show up as item in my newsfeed.

I've gotten a couple of really great deals this way (Learning Tower, Stokke chairs for $20 (that was probably my greatest achievement), diapers, etc.). I am stubbornly holding onto Reader until the bitter end this summer, so not sure how this would work with other sites.

I wish, but there is no room in our apt to store something so bulky.

bump... want one!!

LO got the little learners one for Christmas from her grandparents. She has the whiteboard accessory and it came with a free slipcover so she can turn it into a puppet show stand. She's 25 months and can easily get into it (needs a little help getting out). She loves to stand at the kitchen island and play with dried pasta. I'm looking forward to cooking/baking with her!