I recently attended a course that our local school held all about parenting, and in particular parenting boys. It wasn't the first parenting course that I'd been on, but as I'd found before I learn something new with each course and this time what I learnt was all around the role of play, and in particular play involving screen time. Some parents hear the words "screen time" and just assume that it's all bad and something that needs to be limited for children, but I'm actually a little bit more relaxed than that. I agree that leaving your children alone to play mindless computer games or ... read more
Beauty on a Budget – the Braun Silk-epil 9
It can't have escaped your notice that summer is now well and truly here and as such my usual jeans or wooly tights have been abandoned in favour of summer dresses, skirts and cropped trousers. But, as all women, especially dark haired ones like myself, will know, pulling on a skirt or a pair of shorts isn't always that straightforward. Let's not get into a debate about whether or not women should remove body hair, but I think it's an accepted fact that lots of us choose to do so and want to have smooth legs when we head out - especially if our legs are on display. Now I've never got on ... read more
A sneak peak at the new Nickelodeon Store London #NickStore
Being a blogger has brought both me and the kids some amazing opportunities - things that money really can't buy - and today was one of those days. Imagine being a child and going in to a shop full of things with all your favourite TV characters on them. Imagine that happening when the shop is closed to members of the public and you're there as special guests. I'm sure you can imagine just how excited Little Miss C was therefore this morning when exactly this happened at the new Nickelodeon Store in London's Leicester Square. The Nickelodeon Store opens to the public tomorrow ... read more
Review and Competition: GoldieBlox and The Spinning Machine
GoldieBlox has been a firm favourite toy in our household ever since we first got to play with it when it was launched in the UK last summer. Being the first real engineering toy aimed mainly at girls I was always going to take a keen interest in it and I've been very impressed with what I've seen so far. We were delighted therefore to be asked to specifically review GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine as it's probably my favourite GoldieBlox set. The main concept behind GoldieBlox is that girls learn slightly differently from boys and as such GoldieBox features a unique story approach to ... read more
Review: Schleich Horse Riding Arena
I've blogged before about Schleich toys and how much my kids love them. They're always amazing quality and really encourage children to engage in role play which is excellent for their development. I therefore jumped at the chance of being able to review the Schleich Horse Riding Arena. We've only previously bought individual animals so I was intrigued to see what one of their larger sets is like. Firstly - what is included? As well as the arena itself, you also get a horse and rider, a couple of jumps and a few accessories like straw, carrots, horse blanket and reins. The ... read more
Review: Wicked Uncle – Brilliant Children’s Presents
I was absolutely delighted when an email came through from Wicked Uncle asking if I'd be interested in reviewing some of their products. You see Little Miss C and Master C have three uncles in total - all of whom consider themselves to be wicked - and they've actually received a few gifts bought on the Wicked Uncle site before. I've always been impressed by them and when I spoke to one of the Uncles involved he was really pleased with them too, so I thought I'd give them a whirl myself. I was sent £40 to spend on the site and I have to be honest and say that at first I kind of assumed it ... read more
Review: Bing Floor Puzzle from Ravensburger
Regular readers will know that Master C is the biggest Bing fan out there right now. Every day he asks to watch it on the BBC iPlayer and he is completely obsessed with Bing, Sula, Pando and their friends and carers. As I mentioned when I blogged about knitting him a Flop toy there haven't been any Bing toys available commercially, but that's all about to change with this Bing Floor Puzzle from Ravensburger that we were sent to review. When I unwrapped the puzzle from the packaging in which it had been sent I think I instantly qualified for Mum of the Year, and that was while Master C just ... read more
Exercising those mental muscles with Letterfall
There was a time when I was actually quite mentally agile. It may seem hard to believe that, especially if you've ever seen me at the school gate desperately trying to remember what it is I've forgotten to bring that morning, but back when I was commuting every day I used to be able to solve the most difficult sudoko AND the easy crossword by the time my 30 minute train journey was over. I even went as far as getting the application form for one year's national sudoko championships! Children and a lack of sleep means that my head is in much more of a fog these days, but the brain is a ... read more
Frozen Magic Snow Sleeve Review
If you ask Little Miss C what her favourite film is then I can tell you that she would answer within a heartbeat that it was Frozen. Heck, even if you asked two year old Master C you'd probably get the same response. There's something about the magic that Disney have created that has made it a huge huge hit with children and with the new Frozen Fever film due out on the 27th March, and promises of Frozen 2 to follow, there's no doubt that this obsession is going to run and run. LMC jumps on absolutely anything Frozen related and at the moment her bedroom looks like a shrine to Elsa and ... read more
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: May the Best Pet Win DVD Review
As a child I absolutely loved My Little Pony. There was just something completely magical about them that I adored and it seems Little Miss C is exactly the same. We were recently sent a copy of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: May the Best Pet Win on DVD to review and since it arrived she has been completely obsessed with it! Not only does she act out most of the stories but as the limited edition version of the DVD that we were sent came with a small My Little Pony figure this has become her favourite toy and Helia goes to bed with her at night and today is once again at school for ... read more