Alvin and the chipmunks:Summer of sport

I can vaguely remember as a child watching Alvin and the Chipmunks on tv and they are still going strong today and have changed since they first started out even before I was born. 

Even though Blake is only 18 months I was excited as it means as he gets a bit older he will be able to enjoy Alvin and the chipmunks too. 

I was more than happy to have a look at the preview of the upcoming DVD release of their computer animated Nick Jr TV series Alvinnn!!! And The Chipmunks. Volume 1, Summer Of Sport,  which was released on DVD on June 13th and contains the first 14 episodes from the show.

The new animated series Alvinnn!!! and the chipmunks takes us on a roller coaster of a ride with music, laughter and stories. Featuring all of the regular characters, including the guys - Alvin, Simon and Theodore, the Chipettes - Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor, and their long-suffering carer David Seville. Like most parents David's patience will be pushed to the limit forcing him to end most sentances with "Alvinnn!!!" 

The DVD has 14 episodes  which overall is 2 hours and 36 mins

The episodes are: 

What a Gem

Family Spirit

Mutiny

Reality or Not

Safety Third

Mister Manners

A Room of One’s Own

Carts and Crafts

Kiss Conspiracy

House Guest

Mystic Mountain

Candy Confessions

Alvin’s Got a Brand New Bag

Warbie

On watching the DVD the first thing I noticed was how different the chipmunks look and how more human and less animal they are. With the change of how the chipmunks look it places David as a single parent in charge of their care. The story lines are easy to follow and will be enjoyable for older children from about 5 years and over. Blake has no interest yet but I'll definitely be keeping the copy until he is at the right age. 

ALVINNN!!! AND THE CHIPMUNKS: SUMMER OF SPORT was realesed on DVD on 13TH JUNE 2016. 

Now why not check out how far the chipmunks have come over the years with this infographic below. 

Blockpod

Living in a fairly small flat has meant for us that storage solutions are essential. 

We don't own Lego yet which I am sure will change but Blake loves playing with 

Megabloks at the moment. When I was asked if I was interested in trying out Blockpod I jumped at the chance as I thought it would be ideal for storing Blake's Megabloks in so that we could save room in his toy box but also have them on display in his room.

When it arrived I was very impressed with the design of it. 

I love that it is clear so that you can see the Lego, Megabloks or any other toys you may choose to use it for.  The plastic is quite sturdy too which is obliviously important when you have adventurous kids.  

To open it you have to turn the lid anticlockwise I had to have a few goes at this as it was tricky to open to begin with. As I've got use to it though its now pretty easy to open. 

Basically you have 4 layers of storage  where you have 3 different plastic grids in the bottom of each section, each a different color. And the holes in the grid are different sizes as well for your different sizes of Lego to sift through. 

One of the things that grabbed my attention to it is that you don't have to use it just for Lego you can take out the grid's and use it as toy storage. I also love that some point this year Blockpod are going to be releasing more grids, layers and lids. I love the idea that by buying more layers and grids you can increase the size meaning you can store more Lego and/or toys. 

Another great thing is the 15 year warranty on any of the parts that become faulty during its ownership. 

We've been using the Blockpod for over a week now and love how its such a handy storage solution for us. Once Blake gets Lego I know this storage solution will be used even more and I would consider buying the additional grids and layers.    

What do you think of the concept of Blockpod? 

Would this be a handy storage solution for you? 

*Disclaimer I received this product  in exchange for an honest review all thoughts and opinions

are my own. 

Our bedtime tips and routine

When it comes to sleep Blake has always been relatively good.

He started sleeping through the night at about six weeks old and only wakes up during the

night very occasionally. 

I'm a believer that sticking to a good routine is key when it comes to children so that they feel safe and secure. 

Blake's routine is near enough the same every night. 

Here is our routine: 

Bath

Blake has a bath every 2 nights and he has had this routine since he was

quite young and we try and stick at it unless something crops up and we don't have time to bath at night. 

Getting changed for bed

Once Blake has had a bath we dry him and get him in a clean nappy and his PJ's and sleeping bag

Brushing teeth

We make sure that part of his routine is that we brush his teeth as its

so important to start getting into the habit. 

Bedtime story 

Sometimes Blake is very tired so we don't always read him a story as he can get rather grumpy but

It's a lovely moment of quality time before bed when we do. 

Music

Blake loves having the music playing on his My Pal Scout to help him off to sleep. 

Once he has dropped off we sneak in and take it out so he don't roll on it and 

turn it on during the night. 

My tips: 

1. Stick to a routine this helps children to feel safe and secure

2.  Use lavender scented products 

we use Johnsons night bath and lotion which has a calming relaxing lavender scent. 

3. Make before bed quiet time 

read a story and/or play gentle music.

4. Make sure the temperature of the room is normal

we have a Gro Egg which changes color to let us know if it is too warm or too cold. 

5. Make sure that the curtains/blinds are closed if light is still getting in

a black out blind is good idea.

The people over at the Bed Guru kindly sent me over hamper that will help me  to unwind after Blake is finally tucked up in bed. The hamper includes; Bettys tea room tea and biscuits, Yorkshire Soap co. candle,  coconut and Shea butter face mask and Sally Hanson French manicure kit. 

I also have a hamper to giveaway to one of you lucky readers. 

All you have to do is complete the rafflecopter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Twirly woos magazine

If you have a little one you may have seen Twirly Woos over on Cbeebies.

Well now your little one can enjoy some more of the Twirly Woos with the new 

magazine which is filled with activities and fun things to do. 

We were kindly sent a copy of the magazine a week or so ago. 

The Twirly Woos is a brand new magazine with each issue being based on a theme from an episode. 

It's packed full of pre-school activities so more suited for children older than Blake. 

I definetly think this magazine will be great for older children as there are loads of fun activities which they

will be able to do such as coloring in.

I was also able to do some stuff from the magazine with Blake though such as rhyme time and the stories. 

One thing Blake did love was sitting on my lap and helping pat the stickers in the right places. 

When Blake is older I am looking forward to getting him magazines such as this one as I feel

that he will love them and be able to do more of the activities and he'll be able to entertain himself. 

In The Night Garden Live Discount Code

If you read my blog regularly you will know that Blake loves In the night garden and Iggle Piggle. 

Even though he is only going to be around 19 months when shows start I really want to take him to 

In the night garden live. 

I am super excited that the tickets go on sale tomorrow and that I have been given a discount code

so that you can get a discount for ordering your tickets. 

  

The shows takes place in its own Showdome with plenty of toilets, baby-changing facilities and buggy parking. Which is obviously just what us parents will need.

  With just 13 rows of seats, wherever you sit you'll get a great view. Using a purpose built venue allows us to create a space that's completely family-friendly.

The Showdome will be visiting;

Blackheath, London

26 May – 11 Jun 2016

Richmond Old Deer Park, London

18 Jun – 2 Jul 2016

Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

9 Jul – 23 Jul 2016

The Trafford Centre, Manchester

30 Jul – 20 Aug 2016

See Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka brought to life before your eyes with beautiful costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music, and breathtaking projections that make it feel like you're actually in the Night Garden.

There are two different shows to choose from, one where Igglepiggle loses his blanket and one where Makka Pakka washes everyones face. Both of the shows will include all the main characters. The shows are just under an hour each and you can choose to meet a character after the show. 

You can book to meet Igglepiggle and/or Upsy Daisy (£15 for one character, £30 for both)  when you book your tickets as well as pre-book a goody bag. 

Goody bags are full of exclusive In the Night Garden toys and souvenirs that you can’t buy anywhere else. The 2016 Goody Bag has a total value over £60 and contains a light-up windmill, a set of four puzzles, a hand puppet, a Tombliboo soft toy, a souvenir story book set, a drinking bottle, ‘Magical Times’ DVD and a copy of In the Night Garden magazine. Pre-booked goody bags cost £29 and they can be bought at the show for £39. 

I just know that Blake would love to meet Iggle Piggle and I can just picture his face light up. I am very tempted by the goody bag for the price that it is as I know Blake will love each of the items included.

Tickets for the show are priced between £12.50 and £35 depending on the time and demand of the show. Every ticket includes a Souvenir Activity Brochure worth £7!

So if you want to take your little one/s to see In the night garden live you can get £5 off orders over £60 or 5% off orders under £60 by quoting 

EARLY78W

The code is valid up to 29th February 2016

Will you be going to see In the night garden live this year? 

Everything Your Kids Will Need to Nurture Their Hobbies

In a child's developmental years they are going to need to develop hobbies and interests. These are vital for shaping the people they’re going to become. Social interaction is important for children, It gives them contact with others, and helps them to enjoy interests with their peers. Everybody needs to have some kind of interest in order to nurture their skills, and get the most out of whatever it is they do. When kids are young, their interests will be changing rapidly.

However, they will start to develop some definite interests from a young age. A lot of the time this will be an interest in sports or activities. It’s vital that children nurture their hobbies so that these grow into serious interests. They might even have enough ability that these hobbies could develop into career paths somewhere down the line. This is a list of what your kids will need in order to nurture their hobbies.

Options

The best way for kids to nurture their hobbies and interests is for them to have lots of options. It’s so much easier to select or identify something you’re good at when you have a lot to choose from. When you’re left with just a few choices, it can be more difficult to develop skills at something you’re really interested in. So, you should see to it that the kids have a lot of options for hobbies and interests they might take up. That means you need to check out local clubs and societies in the area. It also means you should find out what their interests are and see to it that they can enjoy and experience these things.

Encouragement

Children thrive on encouragement, and everyone knows this. So you need to ensure that you encourage and motivate your kids. The happier they feel about something, the more likely they are to stick with it. You see, kids are going to experience defeat and upset when they take up hobbies. But they need to realise that this is okay, and it’s part of the gig. They need to be motivated into sticking with what they are doing. And this is where encouragement comes in. This is one of the most important roles you can play as a parent.

Reward

It’s a proven fact that children respond well to rewards and incentives. If they have something tangible to aim for they are likely to become more invested in what they’re doing. This is an excellent way of helping to nurture their hobbies. For instance, their club might provide end of season trophies from the trophy store. Or, you might decide you’d like to promise them a reward if they accomplish something. Use this system to get the kids more excited in their hobbies and interests, and make sure they stick at them.

It’s very important for children to have and develop hobbies from a young age. This is key for them to adapt to the world around them and to discover interests. As a parent, there is plenty you can do to help your children nurture their hobbies. A lot of it is down to the approach you take with them, and how much you encourage and inspire.

Gift Guide: For Children (Toys)

Hi Everyone today I have compiled some toy ideas for your little ones. 

Most of the items included are gifts that we have got for Blake for either Christmas or Birthday and also some from his amazon wishlist or that I have come across and thought that's a great idea. 

Tomorrow I've got a non toy item list coming up which includes clothing, books etc. 

Playmobil City Life Car*

This playmobil city life car is suitable for ages 4-10 years. 

The car accommodates two figures the front window is removable and the trunk can be opened. An ideal gift for children who love the Playmobil range. 

£14 Sold in most toy stores. 

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Piggy Bank

We purchased this toy for Blake's birthday its suitable from 6 months . 

This piggy bank introduces counting, colors and music. 

There are 10 colorful coins that drop into the piggys back.

There are a variety of developmentally appropriate songs, phrases and sounds within two levels of play - just slide the switch to choose the right one.

Level 1 - Explore - 6 months+ First words and sounds spark baby's curiosity

Level 2 - Encourage - 12 months+ Prompt baby though questions and simple directions. 

In The Night Garden Explore and Learn Musical Activity Table

We have also got this for Blake for his birthday. 

I can't wait for him to play with this he loves In the night garden especially iggle piggle. 

There are many fab features of this activity table: 

-  Table,hammer, bridge, carousel, cave, Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka figures

-Dimensions: 40L X 60W X51H cm

-Iconic In the Night Garden bridge which the figurines can stand on

-Put Makka Pakka to bed in his cosy cave

-Use the character figurines to wind up the carousel for a gentle lullaby

-Flip the page on the electronic book to hear short stories

-5 light up stepping stones featuring character images

-5 electronic learning games – use the squeaky hammer or hand to play

-Store accessories within the table

-Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)

Sold in most toy stores

Fisher price Beat Bo

This is said to be one of the popular toys for Christmas 2015. 

Suitable for 9 months and upwards. 

 Press  Fisher-Price Bright Beats Dance and Move BeatBo’s tummy or any of the buttons on his feet to  activate fun songs, learning content and dance moves. 

 BeatBo is your futuristic friend even allows parents or baby to record a phrase, and he’ll remix it into his favourite song.

 His 3 modes, Dance ‘n Move, Learning and games, and customized Sing-Along, "grow" with baby to make him a fun, entertaining companion for years to come. All the while, he’s introducing baby to letters, colors, counting, music and much more!

Barbie Malibu House

Barbie loves her Malibu House there are tons of possibilities for play. 

From relaxing quiet time to a house party with her fabulous friends and family. 

With six rooms, stylish furniture and awesome accessories, you can recreate favorite scenes and imagine new Malibu fun adventures. 

Suitable for 3 years and above 

Megabloks time to build 

60 builders blocks for hours of fun play. 

They are in  classic primary color theme although you can buy pink ones too. 

I personally don't like the idea of pink for girls and would have the classic ones

for both genders. 

They are eco friendly with PVC-free packaging with strap for storage and portability.

compatible with other megoblocks products to continue the fun. 

Fisher price smart stages scooter

This is Blake's main Christmas present and it looks like so much fun! 

It has the smart stages learning technology meaning it will grow with him. 

Every baby develops at his or her own pace, and Smart Stages technology gives you the ability to select the stage that’s best for your child! 

There are a variety of developmentally appropriate songs, phrases and sounds within three levels of play,just slide the switch for level changes.

 Level 1  is Explore  suitable for  12M+ First words and sounds spark baby’s curiosity.

 Level 2  is Encourage suitable for 18M+ Prompt baby through questions and simple directions.

 Level 3 is  Pretend  suitable for 24M+ Imaginative fun and early role play.

Leapfrog My Pal Scout/My Pal Violet

Give learning a personal touch with a soft, cuddly puppy pal. 

My Pal Scout/Violet can learn your child's name and likes such as favorite food.

This is done via connecting to your mobile or tablet and using the app. 

If your child has a very unique name though its worth looking to see if that name

is in the list of names.

Suitable for children 6-36 months. 

The cute puppy teaches:

- Learning about numbers: children are introduced to number names and number order through counting games and activities.

- Introducing daily routines: learning about daily routines help children develop a sense of time and sequence.

Learning about feelings: even very young children can begin to recognise and express their feelings, as well as the feelings of others.

Lego Duplo my first  farm

Introduce farm life to little ones with Lego Duplo 

my first farm. 

An ideal gift for helping with fine motor skills.

Includes chunky, special decorated bricks which help to teach your toddler about farm life.

Features an easy-to-build farm with opening doors and windows, a feeding trough and two child LEGO DUPLO figures.

Also includes a sheep, cow and chicken animal figures, plus three brightly coloured bricks decorated with farm animal produce.

Suitable for children 2-5 years

Leapfrog Sing and Play Farm

Keeping with the farm theme the Leapfrog Sing and Play farm 

is a great toy that has many buttons to push, keys to turn and switches to flip. 

The farm has lots of great little features, including an illuminating lantern, a chirping chick, a hidden owl and lots, lots more! Every touch triggers familiar tunes, sound effects, and voices.

Ideal for 6 months and up

Connect 4

I love traditional games for Children that we grow up with.

Connect 4 is one of them games which is why I have included it in

this gift guide. 

suitable for children 6 years and up. 

Orchard Toys Shopping List

I use to work in a Nursery and studied childcare at college, so this 

was when I first came across this game. 

I really love it and the children in the pre-school had so much fun.

It's suitable for children ages 3-7 years. 

I will certainly be wanting Blake to have this game when he is a little older. 

So there you have it my Christmas Gift Guide for children. 

I have tried to include a mixture of ages so that you can find something suitable. 

Check back for tomorrows gift guide on non toy items for children. 

The Reindeer Girl Children's Book

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

The people from The Little Tiger Press who publish children's books 

have sent me this lovely little book " The Reindeer Girl" 

By Holly Webb. 

I am hoping I will have time over Christmas to read this to my little 

nephews as having read the book myself I think it's such a lovely little story. 

I am actually going to keep this book for when me and Stuart have our own children. 

The book is a magical and wintry story of a little girl who makes a very special friendship 

just in time for Christmas. 

One Christmas, Lotta is visiting her great-grandmother in Norway.

 Soon, she finds herself drawn into a magical adventure

 – travelling by sledge, herding reindeer from the snowy mountains to the summer pastures. 

But when a mother reindeer is lost, Lotta must find her before her calf starves…