ShowOff ShowCase: The One That Should Have Done Better

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This weekend is your opportunity to link-up a post that you wrote that filled you with a sense of satisfaction. You typed that last full stop, pressed 'publish' and thought "yes, this will be a good one!" and waited.

But no bugger actually bothered to read it, or if they did they certainly didn't comment on it!

Why? I can still hear you shouting it at the stats counter/comments log.

Heaven only know why. They didn't deserve it, they were good posts. It's not their fault that they were published on a Bank Holiday or when people were experiencing blog-apathy. Or at Cybermummy! They don't deserve to feel inadequate, not when they've done nothing wrong.

This weekend, I'd like you to help that post to hold its head up high! Brush them off, stick my badge at the bottom of the post and show them off for everyone to see. Don't be ashamed of them, help them shout at everyone:

I SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER!

ShowOff ShowCase

Toy Genius: Djeco Animal Puzzle

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You may have seen me rave about an amazing independent online shop called ToyJeanius in the past or on twitter, and quite frankly I don't think I will ever stop adoring the toys that they sell. Over the past two years I have come to realise that there is a lot of old tat out there, especially bright and garish plastic which ensnares the child with it's fairground style flashing lights and noises. Yes, we have some but I'd rather The Boy play with better quality, more traditional style toys, and I am fortunate that he seems to prefer them as well. I am fortunate that we have recently been chosen to be Toy Geniuses/Genii (the debate ensues) and therefore will get to enjoy a lot more of the amazing toys that are chosen by Jean personally and with much thought.

With that in mind, we were recently sent this gorgeous little toy to review, made by the fabulous French company Djeco. It really is completely stunning and it has become one of The Boy's favourite toys. And Mummy's. And Daddy's. Oh, and Nana's.

The toy is a traditional wooden box with a slide lid, inside it contains fifteen colourful wooden pieces; five animal heads, five arms/torsos and five sets of legs. They fit together to make five different animals; bear, owl, cat, dog and a mouse. Each 'set' is colour-coded in attractive colours and patterns, which is great and awful for my OCD tendencies. Great because they look fabulous laid into the hollow holder in the lid; awful because The Boy mixes them all up, just like a two year old would!

The Boy loves making up the different animals, and has started to lay all the pieces out onto a surface selecting a head and legs and inserting all the arms in between. He them makes a cat-erpillar, or a mouse-erpillar, or an owl-erpillar with the pieces. Seeing him choosing the different pieces, fitting them into place and then disagreeing with his choice is so funny. From such a simple traditional toy, he has had hours and hours of pleasure. Everyone who has seen it has admired it, and quite rightly so. The box is a really handy size being approximately 16x13cm, so it fits into a handbag or changebag with no problem whatsoever. It's hardwearing wood, and the quality of the paint on each piece is extremely tough as he's been playing with this for three weeks with no damages whatsoever. Also I am happy to report no lost pieces, because that would really screw with my OCD!

One last thing that I have to mention before you 'coo' over the video is that it carries both the CE mark and the FSC logo, meaning that this long-lasting, heirloom of a toy has come from a well-managed forest. Now isn't that better than bright orange plastic?

I am lucky enough to be able to offer a 10% discount available for my readers. Simply enter the code 'theboyandme' at the checkout. Happy shopping!

We were sent this toy without charge to review. My opinions are as always honest.


I'm a Toyjeanius toy genius

A Coloured World

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When I was little I often wondered what it would be like to be inside a bouncy castle. Not when people are jumping on it you understand; I'm not a complete fruitloop. I was curious to think about what it would be like to wander around inside the inflatable walls and passages.

Next week, I will ponder this great mystery of life no more because I will be able to do so, but in a far more arty and grown-up manner!

Starting today (and running until the end of the month) there is an amazing attraction in the Forest of Dean that, if you live within an hour's drive, I thoroughly recommend you visit. I am not sure that there are that many phenomenums like it in the world and I can't wait to experience it, knowing that The Boy is going to have a brilliant time.

For we are going to experience a Luminarium!

Doesn't it look amazing?

The rather clever people behind the Luminarium are the Architects of Air build who build these monumental inflatable structures "designed to generate a sense of wonder at the beauty of light and colour." These amazing luminaria have for the past twenty years been exhibited over 500 times in 37 countries, from Berlin to Brooklyn, Hong Kong to Hawaii, Taipei to Tel Aviv, Sao Paulo to the Sydney Opera House. And now Lydney, Forest of Dean!

The Boy and I have been invited to visit the Luminarium, unfortunately due to work I couldn't make it to today's launch day, however we are going next Thursday (and meeting up with a couple of other lovely bloggers). I am extremely excited to be going to this amazing event and experiencing the wonderful colours as the light floods through the coloured panels in the inflatable walls. I thoroughly recommend that you pop along to investigate the Luminarium as well.

The Luminarium is at Taurus Crafts, Lydney from the 22nd July – 31 July 2011.

I have not been asked to blog about this, I wanted to. We are being provided with free entry tickets but my opinions are my own and honest.
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Linked up to the fabulous Thinly Spread

Thinly Spread

The Gift that a Present Brings.

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Today was the last day of term for the children, and of course the school corridors have been filled with the squeals of delight, laughter and happiness of the children as they get to play with their own toys and wear their own clothes.

The chatter in the staffroom has consisted of "how many boxes of maltesers have you had?", "I've had three bottles of rose, my children know me so well" and "Little Johnny brought me a beautiful bunch of flowers, look how gorgeous they are!" and it is lovely to hear such jollity from everyone at such a fraught time of year. But I've had a little cry in the toilets four times today.

I have worked in that school for six and a half years and been a teacher for ten years. Since I've gone back after having The Boy, I work part-time and cover the teacher's non-contact time.

Not one child or parent has given me a card or present as a 'thank you' present, and I am the only person in the school to not receive anything. Cleaners, secretaries, dinner ladies, cook, caretaker, LSAs, head teacher and teachers all had something. Even the lollipop lady had flowers and chocolate. But me?

It is not about the chocolates or wine or value of anything. It is not that I am having a sulk because I am the one who has been left-out. Presents from children at the end of the year are a token to show that they and, let's face it because they buy them, the parents appreciate your work with their child.

I have read much this week on twitter from people complaining about having to buy presents for their child's teacher and I understand that frustration. But no-one is forcing you to spend £10+ per adult. Just a home-made card from a child is brilliant. The nicest present I ever had a was a German chocolate-cake from one of my students who knew that it was my favourite and had helped her mother bake it. (Incidentally, my most awkward present was £30 cash in an envelope)

Don't think of it as a tip or an obligation; think of it as a token of your thanks for how hard that the teacher has worked with your child. Think of it as a sign of recognition that teaching is an all-consuming job. Think of it as just a small gesture to show that they are appreciated.

Because I currently feel worthless and unappreciated.

ShowOff ShowCase: The One That Should Have Done Better

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You know the drill by now.

On Saturday at 8 0'clock then I will open the linky that enables you to have another bash at getting one of your posts read. The post that you spent ages typing and for some unknown reason had hardly any views. It might have been the day that you published it (sunny days or CyberMummy days for example). It might have been the time of day. It might have been an early post in your blog's life. Who knows? Either way, it should have been more successful than it was, and quite frankly the poor little thing is sat quivering at the bottom of the stats pile pleading you to get it more comments. This might be it's chance.

Come back and link it up on Saturday morning and shout out to the world:

This is: "THE ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER"

I close the linky at around 10pm on Sunday night, or when I remember!

The Gallery: Vintage

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Oh that Tara is a minx. The last few weeks have seen her set themes that have made me all emotional, and to be honest they've been slightly cathartic. So having reminisced plenty about my long-gone relatives, she's now given us the theme of Vintage. Eeek! I do hope this isn't going to get all teary again!

This week's theme is: Vintage.

Vintage/retro, call it what you will. It can be something old you own (I still have my typewriter from journo college!), an heirloom, a saved bottle of wine, some ancient scales passed down from your grandma, old books, vinyl, vintage clothing, an instrument, clothing – the list is endless.

I want to share a couple of items with you. They belonged to the aforementioned Aunty Nell or my Nan; some of them were my mum's that she's passed on to me because she knows how much I love them.

You see, I have a little bit of a thing for vintage glassware. They nestle comfortably in my modern, white, Ikea cabinet behind glass doors, and when The Boy is old enough they shall become a feature of his 'party memories' as well as inhabiting mine. These are the serving dishes that came out for birthdays, Christmas, special dinners, etc. Who knew glass could evoke such memories of the past?

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