We do.
Ever since we discovered one of the greatest joys a parent can experience during this time of year is actually sharing the countdown and seeing in the New Year with your kids.
We did it for the first time last year. Little party at home, playing Guitar Hero and having Grown Up and Little Grown Up Cocktails.
Playing games, giggling, watching TV, more games, more giggling.
This year they have spoken in awe of The Countdown as much as Christmas Day itself!
Mia has NO idea what it is, but there mere fact that it's a day Dan has given capital letters is enough for her.
So I've snaffled this idea I saw on Pinterest for the photos, we've got The Michael Jackson Experience and Just Dance on standby and we're ready.
I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions truth be told, but in my head I have one wish and that is to be the best parent I can be. I owe that to my two at the very least.
I've also written a guest post over at Tesco Magazine online if you're looking for some New Year Resolutions inspiration!
So from my family to yours, I wish you all all the very best for the New Year.
And a huge thank you to everyone who visited this blog or commented or offered the hand of friendship, or to those who just came to hang around.
I truly appreciate each and every one of you.
Wishing you all a fabulous 2012 x
I leave you with our year in photographs. Always so so many photographs!
That's what it looks like when I saw this photo, but she's actually doing an impression of Elvis.
The mind truly boggles.
Mia lost one of her front teeth this week (nothing to do with the sugar, I hope) and her terrible mother managed to lose it down the plug hole while checking it to see how clean it was (the Tooth Fairy only leaves £1 for clean teeth dontchaknow).
She's forgiven me though. Since it's SO COOL to have one front tooth missing apparently.
Read more...
After my last post I felt utterly overwhelmed with the amount of understanding and warmth and advice being afforded to me via comments, email, direct messages and text.
Totally and utterly overwhelmed.
Friends, readers, strangers even, reaching out and offering their love.
I read every single comment made - the good and the bad. For yes there were bad. "That child needs love not discipline" or "if a 6 year old is THAT naughty then the parents need to be punished".
She is not naughty, she is wilful. Single minded. Bloody minded. Infuriating!
And yes she's 'only' 6 but like no other 6 year old I've met.
Yes, it's easy to cast throw-away comments like that when you're outside looking in.
Also it's easy to cast comments like that when you haven't actually read the post properly.
But, I can hand on my heart say I bend over backwards to be the best parent I can possibly be for both of my children.
And I am prepared to do difficult things if it's in their best interest. I get that not everyone agrees with that, but, well tough.
I don't believe in short term gain. I'm in this for the long haul, and I want both of them to grow up to be considerate, well rounded young adults who know how to interact in the often difficult world around them.
So, back to my dilemma.
As suggested by many people, both Dan and Mia had a video message from Santa.
Mia sat there in darkness, bathed in the flickering light of the computer screen, and watched rapt as Santa revealed how proud he was of her achievements this year and how he will be making his way to our part of the world, despite the bad weather in the North Pole.
He told her how he'd like her to try very hard to be nice to people and her friends and that he knew exactly what she wanted to be waiting under the tree on Christmas morning for her.
And then he said it was time to ask the elves to reveal whether Mia was on the Nice list or not.
Dear internet, that little six year old sat there in total silence with her fingers crossed.
And as the lights flashed and party poppers banged on the screen in celebration that she was indeed on the Nice list, she reached out and held my hand and smiled.
And something unsaid passed between us.
I truly believe we have turned a corner.
Every now and again she holds my hand and squeezes. Like no words are necessary.
We've sat and written our letters to Santa to leave out with his mince pie and the reindeer's carrot and there is a warm glow in our house that I really thought would elude us this year.
And I have all of you to thank for that.
For your suggestions, your support and your warmth.
For that I thank you all and wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
x .Read more...
Look at that sweet face.
Today I sat in a corner and cried over this face. Cried.
Because I know deep down that we cannot let Santa visit her on Sunday.
Her behaviour has just been so bad.
Today just reached a peak and so I sat and wept. Because I just don't know what to do.
All the gifts I've lovingly picked out for her, poured over, got excited about giving her, she won't be getting.
Harsh? I don't know.
Hubby and I have talked about it, AGONISED over it.
But we just cannot let her behaviour go rewarded.
I've reasoned with her, told her she will regret her decisions to do the things she has been doing come Christmas morning. But she's not the slightest bit bothered. "Well, I'll get the ones under the tree now," she reasons.
I know that it's Christmas and she's excited and we need to cut her some slack I really do, but we cannot let her go on like this because, well, she'll grow up to be an unpleasant young lady. And giving her presents just feels totally wrong.
I also know that, despite her bravado and 'I don't cares' she will be utterly crushed to discover Santa hasn't left her anything.
Quite frankly I find her unpleasant at the moment.
My own beautiful little girl.
There you go, that's me off crying again.
I feel like she's started down a path and doesn't know how to pull herself back. When I talk to her she rolls her eyes or fiddles with her top or does something ANYTHING to show me she's not taking in anything I'm saying.
I give her every opportunity to rescue the situation. We know telling her off just doesn't work; has the opposite effect even.
But honestly? I don't think we would be the parents we want to be if we let her wake up to a room full of presents in front of the fire on Christmas Day.
And that makes me desperately sad. Especially given that her 9-year-old brother has been golden.
We are hoping and PRAYING that she can pull something out of the bag in the next three days.
Mia I love you very dearly and know you will be OK. I really do.
But right now? Right now I feel like a failure as a parent and that makes me cry. .Read more...
The year is 1983.
I am deliriously happy because my mum and dad, grandma and granddad have all clubbed together to buy me a ZX Specrum and I believe it to be a thing of beauty.
And I also had this album: Duran Duran's Seven and the Ragged Tiger which I listened to over and over and over and over. Hence the enforced headphones.
I look at this photo and remember the simple Christmases we had - a few well chosen gifts which we utterly adored. There were no stockings brimming with 'stuff' and mountains of carefully-wrapped gifts. Just a modest pile of goodies.
But I remember each and every one with fond memories and warmth in my heart.
And I wonder, have we lost some of that?
This post for for week 83 of The Gallery: Christmas of Yesteryear.
If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go andread here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too.
This is the last Gallery for 2011 so go forth and show some big blog love.
This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
And I'll see you again next year - on January 6th.
So yesterday I was your own personal toy consultant and revealed what you should (and shouldn't) be buying your 9 year old boy for Christmas.
Today it's the girls' turn.
We've tested/pulled apart/jumped on loads and loads of toys as part of the Toys R Us Toyologist programme and also just through items sent to this blog.
And now I'm going to share with you the best - and the worst - to make that Christmas shop a liiiitle easier.
So, in no particular order:
Barbie Fashionista, £19.99 each ★★★★★
Oh god. She sheds glitter and has the most annoying, repetitive song ever.
Barbie is now, it seems, a fashionista. A fashion, fashion, fashionista.
And when you press a star on her tummy, she sings this song. Over and over and over and over.
Plus did I mention that she's wearing glittery clothes . . . yes, I'm really enjoying that scattered everywhere around the house! Mia loves her though. We've come to blows over this toy.
Hello Kitty Vanity Case, £19.99 ★★★★★
An impressive looking case with a light up vanity mirror when you open it up.
There's lots of things for you to worry about ending up all over your bedding inside: lipgloss, eyeshadow, blusher, brushes, nail varnish, hair bobbles, hair clips, a comb.
BUT the plastic moulding which holds the items in place is nigh on impossible for a child to get the stuff out on their own. I had to employ the use of a knife to prise the body glitter tubes out.
Rather on the expensive side I thought, but then I guess you're paying for the brand.
Gasdon Ironing Board/Dyson Ball Vacuum, £19.99 each ★★★★★
How do I say this without sounding too harsh? Utter rubbish.
Honestly, if I'd paid that much money for either of these toys I would have been marching right back to that shop with an angry face on.
The ironing board couldn't be built because one of the parts was too darn fiddly to attach, and even when we improvised it was really poorly built and felt cheap.
The vacuum was OK, but not £20 worth. Especially as the darn thing never stands up.
Not at all impressed. Even if Mia vacuumed the whole house enthusiastically.
★★★★★
Awfully expensive for a heap of plastic. Maybe I'm being a bit unfair, as it is a nice pad for Barbie and her crew with it's 7 rooms and 'star gazer balcony'.
But like I said, £100 . . .
Teacup Piggies, £14.99 ★★★★★
I mean come on, what will they think of next?
This is a talking pig in a teacup. But my 6 year old thinks it's marvellous!
Not so sure about the phrases: "Hi, my name is Copper and I love the beach"and"I want to go for a ride in my limo" but it is actually rather cute.
The teacup was abandoned after just one day and at nearly £15 I think it's quite expensive. Also be warned, there are clothes and a limo (?!) to buy in this range, so the threat of pester power is great!
Moon Sand Candy Factory, £14.99 ★★★★★
SCREAM
I am a bad mother for I cannot abide this stuff.
So we gave it to the school to test out for us and the kids all loved it.
Moon Sand is strange stuff. It looks like sand and has the texture of soft brown sugar I guess but moulds really easily and doesn't leave a gross smell on your fingers like say PlayDoh. Plus you can use it over and over again as it doesn't dry out
It's easy enough to clear up I guess. But urgh.
Squidgy moudable fun.
Disappointing that there are only two colours of sand (on the box front it shows three) though.
Great way to get creative - just make sure you prepare for a mess!
Paper Jamz Pro Mic, £29.99 ★★★★★
If you can bear the noise and the terrible showmanship, this is a great gift.
It's essentially a karaoke machine. No no, wait don't run for the hills!
It is in fact made of plastic, not paper, and comes with a small amp with touch sensitive buttons.
And it has lots of built-in features to make you sound 'like a star'. Mia wanted to sound like Abba.
The sound quality is surprisingly good for such a small thing and can be carried around on your person for maximum in-house flexibility!
You can also connect to the computer and download more tunes (as the ones it comes with I'd never actually heard of).
Nail Art Activity Pack, £5.99 ★★★★★
For £6 you get nail varnishes, a nail file, temporary tattoos and a whole bunch of gems and holographic strips to adorn your nails with - manna from heaven for a little girl!
Mia and a friend whipped the lot out and spent an hour adorning their fingers and toes with the stuff - and there wasn't even that much mess. SCORE.
There are no instructions on how to apply the tattoos/holographic strips but it's easy enough to make up as you go along
A cracking present idea.
Singamajigs, £9.99 each ★★★★★
Pointless, annoying and slightly creepy. But strangely addictive.
Playmobil, £various
We've built and played with many sets. Here is our guide to which ones to opt for.
You can see many more reviews from myself and other parents on the Toys R Us Toybox - a one-stop shop for loads and loads of honest toy reviews.
So you stand in Toys R Us and are faced with wall upon wall of stuff, tear your hair out, spend an hour walking around like a zombie, swear to never step foot in the shop again, spend an hour looking at one game . . .
Or is that just me?
Anyway, these things are always infinitely easier if you have some idea of what you're looking for in the first place.
You want your mate down the road to say 'I've bought this and it's brilliant'. Or 'I've bought this and it sucks/wasn't worth the money/broke the minute it came out of the wrapping'.
So today, I'm being your mate.
This year we have been part of the Toys R Us Toyologist programme. Which basically means my kids had the amazing opportunity to test toys. Lots and lots of toys.
We gave some away, donated to the school, roped friends in, but essentially I have a lot of info on what you should - and shouldn't - be buying this year.
So, in no particular order here is what boys will want/be disappointed in this year.
Star Wars Ultimate FX Lightsaber, £39.99
Trust me, we are BIG Star Wars fans in this house. So when this arrived we jumped around a little bit. Yes, yes OK, I did too.
But we found it a bit of a let down. I mean it didn't lop anyone's limb off. And we tried and tried.
Great sound effects and brilliant in the dark, but for the price, well, I didn't want my boy to put it in his wardrobe and leave it there after half an hour of play. ★★★★★
Nerf Vortex Vigilon Blaster, £14.99
Ah Nerf, how you are very much loved in this house!
Only this one is different. This one doesn't have the 'bullets' (ie long, thin orange missiles) we're used to. This one has flat, green discs which, oh my goodness, you can fire even further!
BUT it only holds 5 discs. In fact the blaster only comes with 5 discs included in the box which is woefully inadequate, meaning you end up having to buy additional 'bullets'.
Plus you can pretty much guarantee that those first 5 discs get lost within 15 minutes of playing.
And when you're playing Nerf wars, this is BAD.
A minor disappointment it seems as all his friends are asking for one this Christmas! ★★★★★
Hot Wheels Wall Tracks, £29.99 (starter pack)
Just genius. Now you can put your Hot Wheels tracks ON THE WALL.
Don't go into a tizzy just yet mums and dads, it comes with snazzy strips designed to go on your wall without damaging your paint job.
These are fab fun. It is worth pointing out that you really should read the instructions first however, and not put them on a wall that's too small and have to start again . . . *ahem*.
Great fun, and not a bank breaker at £30 for the starter set. ★★★★★
Smelli Gelli, £4.99
Hell if you're a parent, heaven if you're a kid.
It's basically a packet of foul-smelling crystals that you add to their bath to make the water turn to jelly.
I wanted to hate it but my kids think it's the most wonderful invention in the whole wide world.
Be careful how much water you put in the bath or your goo will be too runny. And fear ye not, you get another packet to 'disolve' the goo once you're finished.
Also, they'll need to get out the bath and have a shower to get the goo off!
But this is a great little present and a perfect stocking filler. ★★★★★
Fyrflyz, £7.99
SUCH a simple toy, but my boy just loves it.
Two different coloured LED lights on either end of a small paddle of plastic which is in turn attached to two lengths of string and you spin them around to make a light show.
Dan loves it so much he's insisting we buy his best friend one for Christmas.
It's such a simple idea (two lights on a plastic paddle which you spin around to make a fabulous light show.
If you can get passed the fact that they spell the name WRONG, it's a great stocking filler. ★★★★★
Children’s World Map puzzleball, £19.99
Educational, a bit of a challenge and it builds in to a great globe to keep on your bedside table.
It's a 3D jigsaw with numbers on the reverse of each of the hard plastic pieces.
Excellent product - but definitely one for ages 8 and over if they want to complete on their own. ★★★★★
Light Strike, £Various
Being big fans of Nerf guns in this house, we were a bit 'what? A pretender to the Nerf crown? Really?
These guns are basically laser quest at home. So no bullets. No someone firing a missile at your head. Or your bum as you bend over to empty the dishwasher.
These guns use light. And so it's brilliant fun if you turn the lights off and play in the dark.
Trouble is they work out very expensive. Our basic gun was around £40 but then there a whole heap of accessories you can add on (Scope, Rapid Fire System etc at £9.99 each) all of which bump the price right up.
Also, the included targets are a bit rubbish so you end up wanting to buy the target vest too, but that right there is yet another expense.
A great toy, but can be costly. ★★★★★
Lego, £various ★★★★★
Any of it, frankly. Every boy should have a stash of Lego under their bed.
Skylanders, £49.99 ★★★★★
This game for the Wii, Xbox or Playstation3 is apparently a 'must have' toy for many youngsters this Christmas - and judging by the number of Dan's friends who have it on their list, I'm guessing those in the know have got it right.
The Skylanders are basically plastic characters that come to life. Or at least, you pop them on the Portal of Power and they 'leap' into the computer game.
Unfortunately there are 30 characters to collect . . .
Dan has had his for about 3 months now and his love of it shows no signs of diminishing. In fact he has some character called Voodood on his Christmas list . . . ,
The mind boggles.
You can see many more reviews from myself and other parents on the Toys R Us Toybox - a one-stop shop for loads and loads of honest toy reviews.
Happy shopping!
TOMORROW: What to buy a 6 year old girl. In which I slate lots of stuff! . . Read more...
Dan says this is his 'nerd' look.
I just think he looks ruddy gorgeous.
Glasses: Courtesy of our local 3D cinema (with the lenses popped out).
Flat cap: Courtesy of the school's VE day celebrations (I know, I know, in December, right?)
Cheeky smile: Courtesy of his mum. .Read more...
1. Look the part
Obviously the first thing you need to do is look like you're going to be professional about this.
To Dan this meant popping the plastic lenses out of a pair of 3D glasses we snaffled from the cinema, slicking his hair down and looking like a modern day Joe 90. Dan: "Who's that then?"
I start to explain who Joe 90 is, but it sounds beyond daft so I give up and say 'he's a cool kid that's really brainy.
That seems to satisfy him.
2. Get something really dirty
Like a rugby kit?
From the day dad and Dan came home from a game and I SCREECHED at them at the front door to get their stuff off before they came any further in and left a trail of destruction across the kitchen floor.
What, did you bathe in mud? Look at the state of you both, I say in a high-pitched, slightly hysterical voice.
I have turned into my mother.
3. Review the results
The machine is soooo quiet, it doesn't take as long as my old machine AND it has settings for Outdoor gear (rugby/footy/running kit), Daily Wash (everyday items), Denim (higher water level, extra rinse), a 15 minute wash (FIFTEEN MINUTES) and - oh my fav - a setting to clean your drum.
I am so middle aged.
It also claims to be uber energy efficient by throwing loads of bubbles into your wash which does some jiggery pokery and means it cuts your wash time right down as well as the amount of water used. AND you don't even really have to read the manual to get it going.
I am a middle aged MAN.
We were given a new Samsung Eco Bubble to review which has to be the most bizarre thing I've been offered through this to date, but given the fact that my current machine was limping through each load I was shoving into it's mouth, I snapped their hand right off!
We've been using it for a week now and I still look forward to loading her up.
But still, HOW do we generate so much bloody washing? HOW?
Answers on a postcard please.
Read more...
They're sucking up all kinds of new information, but now they can actually understand it. They can make decisions based on it, store it away, use it, manipulate it.
I love to watch my kids learn. Dan is studying World War II at school and loving every minute of it.
And I love that he's taking a keen interest in our history and asking questions and being amazed by what has helped shape our world.
I don't normally mention advertisers on this site, but Mia has been trying out the Reading Eggs over there on the right and she's totally and utterly hooked.
(Plus you can sign up for a free trial).
This is the sight I see most nights after school.
It never ceases to amaze me how much kids can tap into modern technology to learn and flex their little grey cells.
And after this, she goes and sits up in her bed, books scattered all around her, and I can hear her trying to read them. Sounding out the letters, jigsawing the sounds together and slowly but surely becoming a bookworm. Just like her mum.
Hello and welcome to week 85 of The Gallery. The final one of the year.
2011 is nearly over. How the HECK did that happen?
So, in keeping with the time of year and all that, this week's theme is: Christmas of Yesteryear.
This is a chance for you to dig into your dusty old albums and air those embarrassing old photos!
It can be last Christmas, one from your childhood, one before children, one from your mum's childhood even.
I love love love all the traditions different families have at Christmas and nothing reveals them like an old photograph!
So dig them out and let's have a festive fest of photos.
And, as always, absolutely ANYONE can join in.
Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up on this blog.
Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, you will get out of The Gallery what you put into it, so go have some fun.
Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.
NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.
Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...
Oh and don't forget. If you want a copy of the Blogger Calendar for FREE you need to get your act together. Get those entries in and get your hands on a piece of blogging history. And you don't have to have appeared in the calendar to get a copy - it's up for grabs from anyone.
There is no right or wrong answer to this surely?!
So before I reveal the answers given to me by a group of UK male bloggers and the wisdom of Twitter when I asked, I give you what a 9 year old boy believes makes a good wife:
"Girls? Urgh. I don't need to even think about that cause I've got you mum."
Head. Swell. I'm recording this and playing it back every time he brings a girl home as a teenager.
So here is a video of what some men think the answer is . . .
And then I asked Twitter . . .
The fact I have no idea of an answer to this should really be telling me something shouldn't it? @Cheshire_Claire
My wife is a good wife. Infact the best :) We are a team. That makes a good wife. Helps to be good with food also ;) @Zaaden
Compromise, respect and fairness. And a lot of gin! @moetandmuffins
Someone who isn't afraid to be herself even though it is easy to get swallowed up in the relationship and knows how to do "stuff" @th_purpl_lady
Someone loving and supportive, non critical and accepting of the other person. Same both ways to be honest! @MotherScuffer
Hubs says ~ patience and understanding, and knowing you can't change him. @MuddynoSugar
I guess a good wife would have the patience of a saint, a damn good sense of humour and a big heart :) And my OH just piped up "she has to have a nice bum".....if that counts....lol @Muddleduck
My mum gets up with my dad to see him off to work with a cup if tea and breakfast even if it's at 4am. #whatmakesagoodwife @1978rebecca
A woman who knows her own mind and her husband's, well enough for the two of them! Kitchen and bedroom skills a bonus! @InsomniacMummy
Hubby says: 'Pleasing to look at from the front, always got your back and gives good head:)' Then he spilt glass of pepsi over 2 MacBooks! @geekisnewchic
Feisty make good wives, just need strong husbands else they become doormats (or not husbands....!!) @BumpWearClaire
So you tell me, what makes a good wife? .Read more...
My 6 year old is being particularly challenging at the moment.
NO.
Poo head.
Blah blah BLAH.
NOT listening. NOT listening. La la la.
These are quotes from her not me.
I tell her, tell her, tell her, tell her. I don't think a word of it goes in and instead all she hears is 'go on Mia, do what you like, say what you like. Drive mummy mad. Go on Mia. Go on girl'.
So I say to her: "Mia, I'm going to have to have a serious word with Santa about your behaviour. He really won't be happy to hear you've been so naughty will he?"
And I swear to you dear internet, she gives me the sort of withering 'I'm only tolerating you' look you expect from a mother in law, complete with hands on her little hips and an eye roll and says: "Mum. Christmas isn't just about presents and stuff. It's about family and being together. Surely you should know that?"
And she stalks off leaving me in her wake. Mouth agape. .Read more...
Back in June, myself and Jay at Mocha Beanie Mummy set ourselves a massive task.
A lovely task, but a massive one nonetheless.
We wanted to create a blogger calendar for all the wonderful parenting bloggers we've come across over the years.
We wanted to celebrate blogging, give everyone a big high five and bring you all together in one glorious piece of work.
And ultimately, we wanted you to have the opportunity to have a piece of it for yourself.
So, as many of you milled around the blogging conference Cybermummy, in the background Jay and I were organising and taking photos for our calendar.
The germ of the idea was taking shape.
Then we managed to gain the support of online photo service Snapfish by HP who very generously stepped in and offered to make the calendars for us. AND print 100 of them to distribute to you lot.
For FREE. All you have to do is pay for the postage and packaging (£1.99).
Awesomeness.
Who is Snapfish? They are the world's largest online photo service with 85 million members, offering quality prints and unlimited photo sharing and storage.
And they are our very good friends.
So today dear internet, here it is. Our final product in all it's glory.
Of course, in order to see the innards you need to own a copy.
How do you get your grubby hands on one of these works of art, I hear you cry?
Well, it's really really simple . . .
We want you to tell us about you.
You need to post a photo of your blog's inspiration - your kids, your home, your garden, your laptop, the contents of your crafting cupboard. Whatever, it's entirely up to you.
Then we want you to post a really simple blog CV. Your history, your plans, your achievements, your goals, maybe a favourite post, your first post. Whatever. It's entirely up to you.
It's all meant to be a bit of fun, so let your hair down and have some.
It can be 10 words, it can be 100.
Then all you need to do is add your post to the Linky below (on mine or Jay's blog). The first 100 will get themselves a free calendar. All you will have to pay is the £1.99 postage and packing.
You've got until Christmas Eve to enter. And once the Linky closes THAT'S IT. If you're not on the list you're not coming in. Or getting one.
And it doesn't matter if you didn't appear in the calendar. You can still apply to receive this piece of blogging history and laugh, err, marvel at all your chums!
AND as if that wasn't enough awesome for one blog post, Snapfish are also offering you all a fabulous 50% off any of their calendars (excluding post and packaging) for readers of mine and Jay's blogs.
Just visit the Snapfish site, build your calendar using their really simple online tools, and then use the code TARAJAY at the checkout - but be quick, the offer is only valid until December 18, 2011.
There is no Gallery this week, just Blogger Calendar awesomeness
The Gallery will be back on Friday (December 16th) for the final one of the year x .
If you cut my 9 year old in half, through his belly, he would have Lego printed through and through. Like a stick of Blackpool rock.
Sorry about the imagery, but you get the picture. He is a fan. A raving fan.
His 6 year old sister however, is a Playmobil girl through and through.
We bought her first set when she was nearly four and she still plays with it even now.
It's one of those toys we're actually glad we bought and won't be passing on for quite some time!
So, in no particular order, here are our recommendations for which Playmobil sets to buy this Christmas. I consulted the experts (the kids) who gave this a great deal of thought as they know how cross parents could be with them if they direct them to something rubbish.
So, with the full weight of that responsibility on their little shoulders, here are their suggestions:
1. Vet Operating Room
This was Mia's first foray into Playmobil a few years ago now and can honestly say it's been one of the best toys we ever bought her.
She still plays with it now. She is obsessed with all things animals and sits and patiently puts that dalmatian dog through it's scanner like it's very life depends on it.
Lots of little fiddly bits and pieces but we've managed to hang on to every bandage, plaster and scalpel.
(Around £20 but you can get cheaper if you shop around).
2. Large Zoo
We were really lucky to be sent this to review and it is truly awesome. Expensive at almost £70 but you get a lot of mobil to your buck.
And when I say you get a lot of mobil, you need to have a decent size space to set up as it takes up quite a bit of room.
But if you don't want to spend quite so much money, Mia's very favourite addition to the zoo is this vehicle and trailer (around £20).
Followed by the Children's Zoo (£30) which is basically a petting zoo with duck pond, animal shelter, fencing and various farmyard animals.
3. Vacation Family Motor home
I think this is the set which switched the husband onto Playmobil!
The cosy camper comes with roof storage, a bike rack, camping equipment and a compact and bijou kitchenette.
And it means all the bits and pieces can be stored inside so it's easy to store away or carry around.
Husband wants the adult-size version.
Around £40 but I've seen it online for around £35.
4. Hand launch glider.
I was a bit meh when we got one of these to review. There is no way my 8 year old is going to buy into this surely?
I was wrong. He took it to his friend's house and they built it and played with it together all afternoon.
It's basically a polystyrene body that you attach Playmobil bits too and then your launch it and fly it.
A brilliant buy at around £15 and makes a great gift.
5. Top Agents
I have to admit, Playmobil have really made an effort to hook older boys into their range of toys. And these are bang on the money.
Dan informs me the best of the bunch is the Robo Gangster Truck (£30 see video below), with satellite launch pad and missiles. AND best of all, you can buy an extra kit to turn it into a remote controlled vehicle (£50).
AND even better than that, you can also get a Spy Camera Set (£60) which you can also attach to the truck and spy on everyone around the house even when you're nowhere in sight!
Of course all of this means it goes from being a reasonably priced car to a rather expensive set up; but phwar what a set up!
And then there's the daddy of the Top Agents stuff. The Secret Agent Headquarters (around £60 at Toys R Us).
We were sent this to test out as part of the Toys R Us Toyologist programme and boy what a set!
A rotating wall reveals a secret mission room, there's a prison cell with trap door, a rocket launcher on the roof and even an alarm system to make sure your little sister doesn't get in on any of the action!
We've reviewed more of the Top Agents range over at the Toys R Us Toy Box page, where ordinary parents give their honest opinions of this year's top toys. And by ordinary I obviously mean awesome. Ahem.
Note: I've just spent the past 3 hours building the above HQ set on my own in the kitchen, long long after the kids went to bed and said they'd finish it in the morning. I'm telling myself they'll be chuffed to bits to see it finished when they come down in the morning . . .
Note#2: They weren't chuffed. I have been reprimanded. . .Read more...
I took this photo last spring when I was tinkering with my camera off the 'auto' setting and just loved it.
You know when you look down at the back of your camera at the image you've just taken and SQUEAL with delight?
The light was right, the depth of field was right, the colour was fab.
I may or may not have done a little dance to celebrate. Ahem.
This photo for for week 84 of The Gallery: My Awesome Photo.
It's the week I'm giving someone the chance to have their awesome photo made into a giant canvas to hang on their wall.
Thanks to Photo World, I am giving this week's winning photo one canvas upto the value of £100.
That's right, your awesome photo made into something like mine pictured here . . .
It was a 60x80 cm and it looks wonderful.
If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go andread here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too.
Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
To enter all you have to do is show me which awesome photo you would use and why and then link your post here.
The closing date for entries is Friday December 9th at midday and the winning entry can be posted to the UK only.
This post was going to be all about the fabulous day we had as a family for my son's 9th birthday.
How we borrowed a Lexus for the weekend, had a day out and then came home to family, a fish and chip supper and games on the Wii.
But actually I wanted to highlight how a social media campaign managed to bring a smile to my whole family's face and make me realise that, for all the companies who get social media outreach really really wrong, there are some who really do know how to get it right.
We were asked if we'd like to try out the Lexus Hybrid car (basically it's a part petrol, part electric engine). Or bionic as my 6 year old decided.
It's part of an idea to make test drives more social. You Tweet them at @drivelexusuk and use the hashtag #socialtestdrive and they basically set it all up for you. Yes, really, go on, give it a go.
So, I told them it was my son's birthday that weekend and I wasn't sure what we were up to.
They offered to send us to the West Midlands Safari Park for the day. They simply said 'go enjoy'.
And from the moment the lovely Nick dropped our car off I was blown away by their attention to detail.
On the backseat of the car was a box of goodies for the children: A camera each to record their day, a birthday card for Dan, a whole array of age-appropriate novels for him and a tub of sweets for the journey. "What lovely people" Dan declares. "They totally thought of us". Lesson learned: Make my kids happy, you make me happy.
We arrive at the park where Dan is the star of the stage at the sealion show - something he has since boasted to everyone about but was very cool about on the day! "I touched a dead fish's EYEBALL" was all he said after getting to meet, greet and feed said sealion.
Next we go to lunch to find a corner of the restaurant decorated for us and after dinner a birthday cake (along with singing elves).
We go to collect our photo of Dan's sealion encounter to discover we've also been left an 'Adopt a Buddy' box. We're adopting a white tiger for a year. The kids are beyond excited. Lesson learned: Make the day easy and fun and totally up our street and we will love you forever.
So we tour the park, with cameras in hand.
We get a car full of camels, up close and personal with a zebra and Mia nearly hyperventilates with excitement when she sees the white lions.
We come home with big smiles on our faces and a very good feeling about Lexus.
I was at no time asked to write or do anything about our day, except enjoy it and enjoy the Lexus experience.
Lesson learned: Don't make demands or assumptions or try to force feed me information or make demands that are inappropriate to the blogs you pitch to.
I have two kids who have gone to school this week telling everyone how awesome Lexus cars are! And a very cynical husband who said that actually they're a great car. And that's HUGE coming from him!
Liz at The Mum Blog asks what is our favourite Christmas song.
Simples.
This is the one was sing at the top of our lungs to every year.
Only this version though. None of those other pretenders.
I give you Eartha Kitt singing Santa Baby (video is a bit by the by, but the song is awesomeness).
I love that in a more recent live performance, she sang this song and remarked: "I used to have a lot of fun with this song . . . Then Madonna sang it . . ."
First up MummyBarrow won the Tassimo machine.
It was a totally random draw, but her answer to the question: 'what would you have written on your ideal mug' was priceless!
Next up the winner of Amazon vouchers, provided by Netmums, was Mummy, Daddy and Me Makes Three.
The competition was to produce a photo which showed what you were doing on 11.11.11 and this was her lovely winning entry:
Well done to all and many many thanks for entering everyone.
Read more...
Last month I boasted and bragged about a new canvas I'd been given to review by Photo World.
It's huge and it's beautiful and it's had the grandmas in raptures.
It's the kind of picture that makes a statement. And that statement is: I took this awesome photo.
So enough of my boasting . . . do you want one?
Because I loved my picture so much I asked Photo World if they would give one away on The Gallery. And they were delighted to.
So, this week's theme is: My Awesome Photo.
If you won, which photo would you use?
That's it. Here is your chance to have an amazing Christmas present - either for yourself or for a loved one.
The prize is any one photo canvas at Photo World upto the value of £100.
Mine (below) was a 60x80 cm and it looks wonderful.
To enter all you have to do is link your photo post to the Gallery when it goes live here on this blog next Wednesday (December 7). And there will be a shorter than usual entry period this time - entries will close on Friday at midday.
So take the time this weekend to get snapping, or dig out that awesome photo you'd like to see make a staring role.
It can be anything: Your kids, a scenic shot, a holiday, a pet, a flower, something abstract. Whatever you like.
And absolutely ANYONE can join in.
Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up.
Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, you will get out of The Gallery what you put into it, so go have some fun.
Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.
NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.
Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...
This week my 8 year old son asked me point blank if there is such a person as Santa. "Or is it you and dad? One of the boys at school is telling everyone that his mum told him. Is it true mum?"
He looked me right in the eyes. He was even holding my one hand at the time and giving me a Look.
I felt SUCH a heel lying to him and telling him that yes indeed, Santa is real and his friend at school was probably just teasing them all.
Last year we had the amazing opportunity of travelling to Lapland to meet Santa in person in his log cabin in the isolated forests.
It was nothing short of magical as we travelled to meet him in a reindeer-driven sleigh over glistening snow and my two awe-struck children were invited in to sit either side of the great man and chat about their lives.
Utterly magical.
And I don't want that magic to end.
Dan is definitely on the cusp. To be honest, I'm chuffed he's remained a believer for 9 years. I fear this is the final year.
Next year my boy goes to middle school. Where he will mix with older kids for whom the magic ended years ago. Kids who will laugh at anyone who still believes.
It's sad, but it's true.
And so I'm giving my boy this year and then we're going to tell him.
Sob.
We're going to entrust him with the real truth about Father Christmas. That he was a very kind and generous soul called Saint Nick who lived many many years ago and that people decided that they wanted to keep the spirit of his kind ways alive and so that is where Santa Claus came from.
And then we're going to ask him to help us keep that magic alive for his little sister, so that she can enjoy many more years of believing.
And THEN I'm going to hope and pray that like me, he will carry on believing anyway. Because we all need a little magic in our lives. .Read more...
Whatever age your youngsters, we have a huge range of toys bound to excite. With household-name brands that have been keeping children entertained for decades, let the fun begin!
Have fond memories of Lego from your own childhood? Classic design and up-to-the-minute themes mean that this toy never goes out of fashion. See what you can build now.
Help your young ones create exciting worlds all of their own with Playmobil. From farm to safari, pirates to Egyptians, find the perfect set to ignite their imagination.
Up there with swing-sets and slides, the trampoline has become a must-have piece of garden play apparatus for today's kids. And who needs the gym with exercise equipment like this?
The classic racing toy that gets all the family involved, Scalextric makes for the perfect present. Get started with My First Scalextric and rev it up with Scalextric Need For Speed.
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