Build a Bear Worklshop A boys Perspective

I think that I must have been living under a stone for the last 5 years, as I had never heard of build a bear workshop and I wasn't sure that it would be something that the boys would be interested in.  I couldn't have been more wrong.

We went to the Build a Bear Workshop at the Metro centre and I have to say I have not seen Mini as animated over something, as he was about building and making his own bear.

We were aided on our bear making quest by the wonderful Jade and she really did make the experience wonderful for the boys.  Not only was nothing too much trouble, but see made sure that she remembered the boys names and she got down to their level to talk with them.

Mini unsurprisingly chose a star wars bear and a Darth Vader outfit and was ever so serious about kissing his bears heart and making his wish (just take a look at the video)!  Maxi surprised me by choosing a lovely looking bear and dressing it in an outfit he chose too.

My Mum came with us too and she purchased a set of pajamas for each of the boys bears and they are both cuddling them in bed tonight.  We had a wonderful experience and I wold like to say thank you to Estelle at Publicasity for arranging for us to visit Build a Bear, you really did make the boys half term.

Ladybird Books

Sometimes I think there should be a 12 step program for people like me who love books and are keen to pass on that love of books to our children.  We have books everywhere round the house, the boys have a bookcase in the conservatory, one each in their rooms and one on the landing too.

So when I was asked to be a Gurgle Girl and offered some lovely  ladybird books, I did a great big jump and said yes please.

Ladybird books have come on a lot since I was younger, but saying that I still love them and do collect the old ones from charity shops when ever I see them and I have some from my childhood too.

Reading Topsy and Tim - A real blast from the past

We were sent a selection of age appropriate self readers and also Topsy and Tim go to school sticker book and Topsy and Tim go green.  Mini adored the Topsy and Tim books, they were a great big hit and I would recommend them to anyone.

In fact we loved all the Ladybird books, I especially liked the Read it Yourself range which has traditional titles like The Gingerbread Man and Jack and the Beanstalk and Maxi read all of them with ease.  Mini loved listening to the story's and also read some of the level 1 book himself, but as they are well know story, he could pick up any of the books and tell us the story from looking at the images.

Ladybird books have moved with the times and have bright and bold illustrations and a great weight to them, but they are traditional enough to really appeal to parents and grandparents buying them and reading them with their children.  

I liked the fact that the Read it yourself books all had a page of questions about the story, so you can tests your child comprehension of the story.

A real great addition to any child bookcase.

Penny and the Pirates

Penny and the Pirates is a book which is is produced by Guernsey Post and tells the story of Penny The Positie and what happens when she comes across a strange old post box.

I have to say that both the boys really enjoyed this, it might not be the best written children's story book, but Maxi enjoyed reading it, although it does have a couple of tricky words in it (island and Fierce), he managed to read it all and loved the treasure map and then was delighted by the Guernsey stamps at the end of the book (which you can use).  I am not sure if there is such a thing as a bad book as long as it encourages children to read and enjoy reading.

 

My boys love anything to do with pirates, maps and stamps at the moment, so this was perfect timing for them.  Mini has recently been to the post office, sorting office and posted a letter home, so was very apt for him too.

There is also some sheets you can download to colour available on the website.

Review from a free sample

Boost Your Wash

Does your washing need a helping hand.  Mine does sometimes, especially with two rambunctious boys who just love to roll around in the mud and play about outside.  Plus Mini is know as "noise with muck on" in family circles.

So when I was offered the chance to review Boost Your Wash I decided I had nothing to lose.

Boost is designed to work in partnership with your washing solution and turn it in to "power cleanser" their words not mine.  Now I use a non-bio ecological product for our clothes and Maxi  and I have pretty sensitive skin, so I have to say I was pretty sceptical.  You use one to two capfuls in addition to your normal detergent and it is priced at £3.99, which makes it around 25p a wash.

I have been using the product for a number of weeks now and have found it to be pretty effective on mini's white school shirts, getting out the tomato stains and general grubbiness that he carries round with him.  It has had no issues moving grass stain from both the boys trousers too.  It had a pretty tough test on Saturday as the boys white football socks were covered in mud, which would usually require a pre-soaking and a scrub, but with Boost they came clean the first time.

But the test is will I buy it again?  I have still got a number of washes left in the bottle I have (16 washes per bottle), so will not need to buy it very often and if it gets the boys clothes clean then I am all for it.

Liz Earle Products

Back when I was a DINKY (Duel Income No Kids Yet) Liz Earle was my beauty brand of choice for a number of reasons.  I hadd very sensitive skin (at least I did have till I was pregnant) and Liz Earle worked really well for me.  I really agreed with their philosophy and also the fact that they do not use parabens and that they use organic whenever possible.

Believe it or not Maxi was first washed in their orange flower botanical body wash.  I still use their Cleanes and Polish every day, although I can not afford much else nowadays and I rely on birthdays and Christmas to keep me in stock.

Liz Earle kindly sent me a set of their Cleanse and Polish, Instant Boost Skin Tonic and a Skin Repair Moisturiser to try.  It has been a revelation to be using the whole system again.  My skin has visibly improved, even MadDad has noticed the difference and it feels smother, more moisturized and an even texture.

Not only has it made a real difference to my skin, but it has also been a great pick me up too.  Liz Earle products smell divine and using them is a real treat and I have got back in to a really good morning and evening routine.

They also sent me some botanical shine shampoo and Botanical shine conditioner for dry hair.  I have been using this for the last three weeks and it is wonderful.  Firstly, the smell is divine, making it a real treat to use.  I have been conditioning my hair and then cupping my hands to breath in the wonderful uplifting scent.

But smell isn't everything and yes I have seen improvements in the condition of my hair too.  It is more manageable and less frizzy.  At £7.50 a tube it is pricey, but it seems to last well, it lathers very well and the shampoo has no SLS in (which is great as Maxi has issues with SLS).

So I have made a decision, I am going to save my money and rescue the number of things I buy, but I am going to be purchasing Liz Earle's cleanse and moisturising products and also the haircare products and keep on enjoying this wonderful routine I have been using.

ZingZillas The Album - A MiniMad Dance along

Right before I start, I just wanted to answer a few questions with regards to review  and blog becoming too commercial, which have been raised amongst a number of the craft blogs at the moment.

Yes I do reviews, especially if they fit in with my blog and my family.  We do not have lots of money at the moment and reviews do make a difference with the household budget.  We get things we wouldn't have normally purchased, but no one can buy my opinion.  I am a tactless honest northern mother, I tell it as I see it and I will always give an honest review.

I actually think that reviews by real people can be invaluable and have become involved in The Great Toy Guide this year and become a Toys R Us Toyolgogist because I actually used The Great Toy Guide to help purchase toys for the boys last Christmas.  It helped me stop making expensive mistakes and please don't think that we keep everything because we certainly do not.  I am keen for the boys not to become spoilt and they know they are review toys and they have them for 2 weeks.

Any way what I am trying to say is that if people think that my blog is too commercial that that is their issue, not mine.  I started this blog as a record of family and my crafting and the boys artwork and it has changed and grown just like my family has.  The small income I have gained has been invaluable in keeping us afloat during hard times.

Anyway on to the main event, which is MiniMad as it should be.  We were given an advance copy of ZingZillas the Album on Monday and this clip is Mini's first time listening to it.

Since then it hasn't been off, in fact it is playing this morning as I type this and will be going in to the car for our Sunday Family trip out.  It is a children's CD which we all like, which is says it all really.

Edited to add - I am now stuck singing ZingZillas songs and the CD is in MadDad's car - I bet he listened to it again this morning!