Competition: Meccano Build and Play

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Both my husband and I are fortunate enough that our mums saved our most favourite and timeless toys, which are currently residing in boxes in the attic. For hubby it was because his mother passed over the decision about what he wanted to get rid of or keep, from my mum it was because she wanted me to be able to pass them on to my children to play with.

Hmm, do you think The Boy will want daddy's Meccano or mummy's Flower Fairies?

The Boy's daddy is looking forward to the age when he is old enough to play with Meccano (so am I secretly, because I was always more of a tomboy) but that day is stil a year or two off in all honesty. Meccano do a fabulous range of 5+ Meccano including Build and Play, Construction and Rescue Team, and offered to send a set out to me for review. I was only too happy to accept as I have a five year old nephew who loves making things but hasn't encountered Meccano yet.

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Get Sporty With SIGG EcoBottles

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To coincide with the fact that hubby had a brand-new SIGG bottle all of his own for Fathers' Day, I am giving away another one of their fabulous bottles.

This time it's a Wide Mouth Sports Bottle in red, and very gorgeous looking it is too. Not only a stunning cherry-red colour, it's also incredibly practical. The opening to the bottle is wider than normal which is great for popping ice-cubes in to keep you fully refreshed while getting hot and sweaty, being all healthy! It then has the normal SIGG mouthpiece screw on top, so while it comes with a pop-up drinking spout, you can easily change it for any of the other SIGG mouthpieces.

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"Who Doesn't Love Meatballs?" Review: Little Dish

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I find this age really difficult to cater for. And I mean literally, 'cater' for. When The Boy was a baby, I made my own purees. When he was over one, I still made mini versions of our food for him but in smaller portions which were batch-cooked and frozen. Up to a couple of months ago The Boy, was quite happy to eat 'family foods', maybe they were more 'dry' than he was used to, but he was fine. About a month and a half ago he seemed to regress with his food; he had bad teething pains and a really nasty cold and sore throat, so for a little time he was almost back on jars! I've found it hard over the past few months to ensure that he is eating properly, and 'enough' to help him grow.

When we were offered the opportunity to test Little Dish meals I was more than happy to shout "YES PLEASE" at the kind soul at the other end of the tweet!

Little Dish meals are perfect meals for toddlers. They are fresh and natural food, with no added sugar or salt. For me this is an excellent option; I was very careful and controlling of what went into my baby's tummy for the first year and I fail to see why I should stop now. I want him to grow up healthy and strong, with a positive attitude to food. Little Dish meals are perfect to accommodate that. Each meal contains a portion of vegetables in them too.

Since returning to work part-time, I am no longer able to cook from fresh as often as I'd like. This is another reason why Little Dish meals are perfect. They can be either cooked from frozen or from the fridge, and can also be cooked in the oven or microwave. Perfection!

The range includes Beef and Spinach Canneloni, Chicken Risotto, Salmon and Broccoli Pasta Bake, Vegetable Lasagne, Chicken and Butternut Squash Pie, and Mild Chicken Korma amongst lots of other lovely recipes.

We were sent Monty's Favourite Spaghetti and Meatballs (in a really cute little chill-bag) to taste-test. This is due to be launched on 5th July in Tesco and 20th July in Waitrose and Ocado, so we felt quite important really. The Boy absolutely adored it and completely wolfed it down! He's never actually had meatballs before so this was a new one for him, and with him not being completely keen on beef I was even more happy to see him eating them! The portion was a perfect size for him, he very almost finished it all, an older child would find it very satisfying. The sauce was possible a little bit more spicy than he is used to, but that is more my fault for not introducing him to more varied tastes and sticking to the bland. It certainly wasn't a problem, The Boy was seriously keen to "eat it all up mummy!"

We're off to do a little shopping in a minute and I am using the voucher on the inside of the packaging to help buy another one for him to pop in the fridge or freezer for use in the week. Not only has having a voucher impressed me, but I am seriously impressed that they have included a voucher for use in the Republic of Ireland! Thoughtful people at Little Dish aren't they?

You can buy Little Dish meals in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Waitrose Deliver and Ocado.com. Find out more about Little Dish on Facebook, Twitter or at www.LittleDish.co.uk. I thoroughly recommend a visit to their website, lots of fantastic information on there, there's even recipes posted each month taken from the Little Dish Favourites Cookbook.

I was sent this product for review free of charge, however my opinions are my own.

Review: Bit Bike

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We have been very lucky to be asked to review one of the fabulous BitBikes,  from Barcelona duo Sergi & Marc.


And it really is fabulous, The Boy is a child obsessed! He had recently become very interested in the Tiger Trike that he'd been given for his first birthday, but with the advent of his second birthday we thought he might find this innovative design more interesting. I do like being right.

The BitBike is a different style of ride-along to others already on the market. There are no traditional handlebars, instead there is a handle cut into the chassis of the bike which promotes the correct riding position from a young age. The forward position which the rider sits in allows good control and The Boy can steer really easily.

My husband has always been a keen cyclist, but hasn't had much chance to get out on his bike for the last few years. I'm a scaredy cat on a bike, I learnt in the lane behind my friend's house. Problem is that it was a straight lane so I never learnt how to steer! When it comes to teaching The Boy in the future, it's going to be hubby that teaches him, not me. When he saw this, he was thoroughly impressed with it. There aren't many ride-ons nowadays that have only two wheels, the BitBike does. There are two really wide wheels which are so sturdy that there is hardly any wobble when The Boy is riding about.

It's a really attractive and smart bike. It's also incredibly light. Not only does that make it easier for The Boy to steer, but it also makes it really easy to carry if you're out and about. The integral handlebars also make for a great carry handle, or there is a lightweight canvas bag with a shoulder strap.

Practical points aside, The Boy loves this bike, he finds it easy to climb on and off, to steer and to push along. Aimed at 18-36 months olds, The Boy at 2 years is really reaping the benefit and enjoyment out of it.


For more information on The BitBike, click here.

I was provided with the BitBike for review purposes. My opinions are, as always, honest and unbiased.

The First Box: Anticipation

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Today we received our first box of toys to review as part of the Toys R Us Toyologists scheme. Yesterday we had received the larger item which funnily enough wouldn't fit in the box! I'll be posting proper reviews of the items within the next few weeks but for the moment I thought I'd share the moment that The Boy opened them up.

 

Two New Books

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One thing that I never thought that I would describe myself as is a 'Yummy Mummy'. However Top That Publishing have decided differently because they have selected us to join their elite bunch of book reviewers. Oo-er! That makes me rather chuffed. Not just the 'Yummy Mummy' bit, but because we adore books in this household. The wonder of turning over a fresh new page, inhaling the aroma and discovering new words is sacrosanct in this abode. If anyone in my vicinity even contemplates creasing a page the gasp is audible. Hubby winces if I crack the spine of a book; I'm serious, I can see him stiffen with disdain at me.

It's only natural that a love of books is handed down to The Boy, and so being sent copies of new books for review on a regular basis is like elixir to the gods for him. For our first selection we were sent the following two books:

'When I Dream of ABC' by Mr. Henry Fisher

This beautiful paperback book is visually stunning and excellent quality. When I Dream of ABC is a book about the alphabet, but not just any book. The illustrations and characters used to depict each letter are inhabitants in an enchanted dreamworld. From the dragons who 'are very polite, but are best avoided on account of having smelly breath' to the Queen who 'eats too much chocolate and have lots of shoes', this book is captivating and very funny. There is a page per letter, with a facing illustration in beautiful muted pastels. I am very impressed with this book, as both a primary school teacher and as someone who did Art as my minor during my teaching degree. The Boy likes to look through the pictures and has certain favourites, he likes the O is for Octopus page.

I'm not the only one who likes this book, it has been nominated for a People's Book Prize in the Children's category, which is pretty impressive! If you fancied popping over and voting using that linky then I'm sure that would be most appreciated.

'The Wide-Mouthed Frog' retold by Graham Oakley

The Boy has progressed recently from the normal board books, past lift the flap books to pop-up books. To be honest, there are an awful lot of badly made pop-up books out there. The Wide-Mouthed Frog is not one of them; it is excellent and he loves it! There are two pop-up books that he wants read again and again at bedtime each night, this is now the third! Don't be fooled by his reaction with the toucan; he's laughing really!

 

 

The Land Of Me

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I am many things in my life (mainly exhausted), but the bit that pays the bills means that I'm a primary school teacher. More than that, I am ICT co-ordinator for a primary school of over 450 children. This means that not only do I have the responsibility of ensuring that Information Communication Technology is taught in accordance with the National Curriculum, it also means that I have to oversee that it is taught with enthusiasm and that the children are instilled with a lifelong interest in, and motivation by, technology.

The world in which our children will continue to grow up in is inconceivable. The technology that they will be using in ten years time, or as an adult, has not been dreamt of yet. This is why it is so important to instill an enthusiasm in learning through technology. Now don't get me wrong, I also trained as nursery nurse studying psychology and I know the stages of a child's development and the different phases of play. Which is why it is important to immerse them in a mix of the traditional physical toys playing with a person, as well as developing their technological awareness.

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Are you there Charley Bear?

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As readers of this blog will know, I'm a fussy mother-hen when it comes to what programmes, and channels, that I allow The Boy to watch. The all-time favourite channel before any other is CBeebies, and our favourite time is 'Discover and Do' and therefore any of the programmes on during that time. He has particular favourites, one of them is that cheeky little bundle of teddiness called Charley Bear.

I like the silent little fella for several reasons. James Corden is an amazing narrator, I liked him on The Gruffalo, and love his voice for this. The other reason is the development of the imagination that happens when Charley visits all his marvellous little places. I love the episode on the beach when he's trying to take pictures and the penguin keeps popping up in every shot. One minute Charley is a sheriff in the wild west, the next he's taking photos on the beach. The simple animated images against unfussy backgrounds really draw the attention of The Boy. He's happy, I'm happy: win-win!

We've been lucky enough to have been sent a copy of Charley Bear's first-ever DVD for a preview, and it's good! It's very good. There are seven fun-filled episodes, including PopStar Charley, Big Little Charley (love this one) and Art in the Park. Also on the DVD are a host of DVD extras including a bonus episode, an introduction to Charley and his friends and some downloadable colouring sheets, plenty to do once you've seen the DVD twenty seven times.

Competition

To celebrate the release of Charley Bear's first ever DVD, Are you there, Charley Bear, tomorrow (Monday 6th June 2011) I am able to offer one lucky reader a copy.

To enter, simply tell me why you like Charley Bear below in the comments box and then tweet this message:

I've entered to win a CharleyBear DVD with @TheBoyandMe's blog https://www.theboyandme.co.uk/?p=3024

T&C

Competition closes on Monday 13th June 2011 at 8pm. I'll draw a winner at random and notify them that night. If they have not replied within 24 hours, I'll draw another winner. UK entrants only.

Canvas Windbreaker

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Knowing how much time we spend on the beach, the lovely people over at EcoFriendlyBag have recently sent me a stunning canvas windbreaker to review.

It really is quite gorgeous and far nicer than the other options that I've either seen on display on the beach or in the shops! All too often they are made of horrible nylon, more akin to an old woman's shopping bag on wheels. Not this one, it is bright, colourful, attractive and made from 100% environmentally friendly cotton material. When we'd toddled off to have a splash in the sea, it was also very distinctive on the beach. The material works just as well as the manmade fibres at blocking out the wind, and allows for the added bonus of being able to go in the washing machine!

I was able to press the poles in with minimal force. Possibly, I was a little too forceful at first as the whole thing fell over. In my defense, I'd like to add that I've never put a windbreak up before, let alone whilst watching an almost 2yr old not fall over in the sand. Having picked it up along with my dignity, the windbreaker was in the ground within a minute or two, and before The Boy had got his foot stuck in the bucket for the second time. At the top of each pole is a hook to loop the canvas onto it, and the whole thing rolls up into a nifty carrycase which has a decent-sized shoulder strap.

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SIGG EcoBottles

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A little over a month ago I was chosen to be the first mummy reviewer for SIGG EcoBottles.

I know some of you maybe wondering who SIGG are, and that's kind of the point of this post isn't it? Ok, so SIGG was founded in 1908 in Switzerland and today is the leading brand of reusable water bottle in the world. SIGG bottles are made from a single piece of pure aluminium and use modern and very funky designs, trendsetters like Vivienne Westwood, Sienna Miller, Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Zac Efron and Cameron Diaz know what they're talking about don't they? There is even one in permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

This video of how the bottles are made is actually really fascinating, please take a few minutes to watch it.

Since The Boy and I (see, I can do grammar) have taken charge of our SIGG EcoBottles, we've found them invaulable. The Boy had a few drinks bottles, mostly well known brands of tippy cups and made of plastic, which of course we never left the house without. However, I would often forget my own water bottle. Mainly because I didn't have one! Or I'd end up fishing out a battered plastic one from the recycling and trying to wash it in a hurry to refill, making myself stressed and late. Although being honest here, I'd forget and end up having to buy yet another plastic bottle that gets binned or recycled. In the UK alone 250,000 plastic bottles are dumped every hour.

This is not good. I pride myself on being a little bit of an eco-warrier, in areas that I can be. We recycle everything that we can, and I am always amazed at how much plastic there is, but really we should make more of an effort to prevent the need for this. As a primary school teacher who has taught the theme of environmental impact for several years, I know the importance of teaching about the four 'R's: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Really they should come in that order. Refuse to accept that extra packaging in the first place. Reduce the amount of waste that you are creating by reusing and recycling (Plastic bottles constitute close to 50% of recyclable waste in landfill sites). However, recycling should really come last of all in order to reduce the impact on the world's resources by having to use a process to create another product.

This is where the SIGG EcoBottles come in to adjust an area of my life which impacts on the world in which we live. By cleaning and resuing my SIGG EcoBottle I haven't bought a single plastic bottle of spring water in over a month. I would normally have bought, maybe fifteen? That's fifteen less items of plastic that need a process happening to them in order to be reused. There is of course another issue here. We live in Britain. We have good, clean and healthy tap water and there is no need whatsoever to have to buy spring water.

The reasons why I love my SIGG EcoBottle in a nutshell:

  • it is environmentally responsible to reuse a bottle rather than recycle (and saves money!)
  • it is funky and pretty with a nifty little design on it (all the girls in school admire it)
  • because it's made of metal, it keeps the water cool for ages
  • it is lightweight yet very robust
  • it has a variety of accessories, like a fliptop lid to suit your needs.

This is where you can get your mitts on a SIGG EcoBottle and be one of the cool people that is frugal and environmentally conscious.

Competition

I have teamed up with SIGG EcoBottles UK to offer one lucky reader the chance to win this Barnyard Fun bottle for their child. They normally retail for £14.00 so this is a treat indeed and one that your little one will adore.

In order to be in with a chance to win this funky bottle we would like to know how you would make the world a better place! It can be comical or serious, it can be as simple as teaching children to say 'thank you’ or as complex as ‘building clean water fountains across the world’. This is our example.

TheBoyandMe would make the world a better place by cheering people up with our silly and funny antics.

Comment below completing the phrase: "I would make the world a better place by…"

  • One more entry can be gained by tweeting:

I want to win a @SIGGEcoBottleUK with @TheBoyandMe's blog https://www.theboyandme.co.uk/?p=2868

Again please leave an additional comment for this.

T&C

Competition closes Saturday 18th June 2011 at 8pm. I will draw the winner using random.org and notify them that evening. If they have not replied by Monday 20th June 2011 I will redraw. UK entrants only. Facebook and twitter are not affiliated with the running of this competition and have no responsibility for it.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

Thank you so much for all your entries into the SIGG EcoBottle competition. There were some fantastic thoughts on how to make the world a better place, from ensuring that everyone was allowed to have at least 3 duvet days a year to by smiling at random strangers.

But of course, in true Highlander style, there can be only one. So using my faithful companion www.random.org I have a winner:

Congratulations Helen Jessup from The Crazy Kitchen! You've won a fabulous Barnyard Fun SIGG EcoBottle for your little one. He's going to love it! And who says being the first to enter doesn't pay off?

Thanks to everyone for entering, please check out my other competitions over here.

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