Bathtimebuddies

We are all a bit under the weather high temperatures, chills etc so a soothing bath seemed a fabulous idea. I was sent these fabulous bathtimebuddies Alphabet set to review. We would love to be a product ambassador.

Follow the link to see their extensive range of toys.
http://www.handa-uk.com/product/kids-bathtime/bathtime-buddies/

Firstly some music to set the mood http://youtu.be/4KmKkV3ddAo

The set comes all packaged in a sturdy plastic container which acts as a storage tub when not playing with the letters.

The letters are brightly coloured and tactile. Ideal for little hands. http://instagram.com/p/yokbHpw1Ai/

At first there were just letters amongst the bubbles. The children had great fun touching them and gathering them up with a plastic sieve.
We then introduced some other bath toys boats, ducks and frogs. My pre schooler -aged 4 and Primary one – aged 5 enjoyed sounding out ‘b’ for boat, ‘f’ for frog etc

My 5 year old enjoyed finding the letters to make up the word to match the object. A great hands on learning tool in a very different learning environment.

We also sorted the letters into different colour groups and practiced our colour recognition counting them as we went.

One of the features I liked best is the very well designed draining aspect on the storage tub lid. Children are able to play with their toys, join in the tidying up of the activity then tip the tub upside down and watch the water drain away till next time.

We have owned bath letters before and these are so much easier to use and enjoyable to play with. As the tub serves as a fantastic storage vessel the letters are kept neat and tidy. I can see these letters being used a lot during summer in the water trough.

As we went downstairs after bathtime my 4 year old shouted ‘ I loved those letters’ – straight from the mouth of babes happy, happy children.

Mark making in the snow

Yesterday I was the grumpiest woman alive, a combination of testing toddlers and general coldness. I started today in a positive manner putting the darkness of yesterday behind me.

So obviously we had scones for breakfast. I always keep a few scone mixes in the cupboard and we had ran out of bread and not enough milk for cereal. Tesco delivery coming later.

Once our teenager has gone off to catch the school bus it’s a quick throw on of clothes and tidy up for me and off to school we go. Today I’ve pinched my husbands under armour top he uses for cycling to wear under a jumper dress. Warm Mum =Happy Mum

Once children deposited at school we have a leisurely stroll home exploring the surroundings.

There is always a plethora of twigs and no toddler can resist a stick. So we all picked a stick and decided to play in the little snow there was.

Our two year old was happy creating any mark swirls, squiggles enjoying seeing her action creating an imprint in the snow.

Our 4 year old however was able to create an ‘H’ for his name, and some ‘x’ marks the spot for treasure and kisses like in a card. He could not quite decide.

It was rather chilly and we knew our food delivery would be here soon so we dug our sticks in deep to the snow on the path and made a trail all the way home.

Dinosaur themed lunch

We are all enjoying Dinosaur train on Netflix. Picking up Harris from preschool involved a long walk home in the rain so we all fancied a hot lunch.

We love dinosaurs and the little ones are thoroughly enjoying learning about all the dinosaur species through the well made kids programme. It’s informative, educational and entertaining.

I had a pack of Bernard Matthews dinosaurs so we popped them in the oven and they were served with a wrap. Alongside our dinosaurs we had Twiglets which are left over from Christmas and reminded us of bones, some mint sweeties which we thought looked like dinosaur teeth and some honeycombed matchmakers chocolates which are representative of all the large tree trunks in prehistoric times. Our drink to accompany our meal was a lovely glass of ice cold milk, which we know makes our bones big and strong like dinosaurs. 👍

My Sunday Photo

Christmas sensory play

If you have children you are bound to have a craft cupboard full of shiny paper paints etc.

This morning after our #elfontheshelf had fun with our button stash we decided to play too.

Your craft cupboard need not be expensive shop bought crafting materials most of ours are salvaged ribbons, birthday present bags and decorative wine carriers. Squirrelling them away saves a fortune.

I wanted to create a wintery sensory experience. We have a variety if materials and mediums to use.

*christmas buttons in red, green and white
*christmas tree and star shaped buttons
*holographic card
*glitter white card
* silver ribbon
* silver thread
*feather boa pieces
*silver metallic shred
*a few snowflake adornments removed from a wine bag
* and some white paper to place items on

I decided against gluing as we can package the materials up and play again rather than fixing them down. The materials available providing a tactile play experience during the run up to Christmas.

I will leave this activity open to my 2 and 3 year old all morning.

I sat with my 2 year old and we created a little Angel.

HHH Christmas Photo Challenge

I’m joining in the challenge over the Christmas month following the prompts up above. I will add photo daily. Join in too #HHHChristmas

Day One Advent

First day of Advent so decorated my children’s bananas for their lunchbox

Day 2 Red

Day 3 Green

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Day 4 Love

Been decorating sequinned baubles for local Autism Group I am involved in

Day 5 Tradition

I always buy tickets for our whole family to attend a Christmas panto. Good festive fun for all age groups.

Day 6 Comfy

Our wee #elfontheshelf enjoying an Oreo and marshmallow bath.

Day 7 Scenery

Our local town had a major revamp of the town square I think it looks fabulous.

Day 8 Breakfast

Banana muffins for my gang nice and warm on these cold mornings.

Helensburgh Winter Festival

As a family of 8 we travelled into our local town to join in with the Winter Festival. The darkness of the few days pervious had lifted , the sun was shining and the town bustling with people.

Colquhoun Square was full to the brim of activities and stalls alike. The local buffet shop was the place to meet Santa and express your Christmas wishes. Also nearby there was the opportunity to meet Reindeers and small Shetland ponies. The younger half of our tribe were thrilled with a go on the merry go round.

We saw a few fancy cars, which the boys enjoyed, participated in activities and competitions and soaked up the overall community spirit which was so apparent all around. Stall holders were full of festive cheer displaying some beautiful wares.

We chose to sample lunch at the newly opened Logie Baird. It was perfect for us good service, and excellent value food. The kids also came away with some helium balloons from the re opening night. An ideal distraction for our 2 year old who was ‘hangry’. I opted for haggis neaps and tatties all covered in a tasty whiskey sauce.

After our nourishing meal we made our way to see the display of fireworks. The children were mesmerised. I was doubly delighted as we missed the annual fireworks night recently due to chickenpox. Smiley faces watching starbursts in the sky in wonder.

As promised after a hearty lunch and the display we went to seek out sweet treats at I love Candy, Helensburgh.

The children were not disappointed. Although the much sought after candy floss still needed purchased. Luckily as we went through the square stalls were packing up and we got a fabulous deal on the left over bags. Sometimes being a big family has it’s advantages.

We had such a lovely day at a well planned and thought out event. It was exactly what we needed heading into the first day of advent tomorrow. It built excitement up in the children , finally we can embrace Christmas !

What did we buy?

Chutney, piccalilli, jam and marmalade from Glengarrys kitchen
German handmade gingerbread cookies – a steal at £2 for 12
Festive tea towels from the PDSA stall
Two vintage scarves at £2 each
Handmade ornaments
Lomond Soap bars in whiskey and ginger, patchouli and lavender and geranium and rosehip
Vampire Bite Hot Sauce from lomondchillies.com
Beautiful handmade Merry Christmas bunting £12
I pre ordered a Billy Connolly mug from a talent local artist for a Christmas present Emma £7
And an array of sweeties, fudge chocolate and popping candy.

Silent Sunday

Christmas Shopping

At this time of year sometimes the demands of meeting all your children’s Christmas wishes can put a bit of a financial strain on you.

I want to encourage you to pop in to your local charity shops and see what’s available.

Feeling festive and cheerful I popped into town. It just so happened my local Salvation Army charity shop, Helensburgh was also having a special ‘Christmas Extravaganza ‘.

Staff were all dressed up in costumes and the shop looked fabulous.

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Santa was on hand to ask visiting children what they would like for Christmas, whilst also ensuring the festive tunes kept playing throughout the day.

Gifts for all occasions were available. Whether you were looking for a kilt or glamourous dress for a Christmas night out or beautiful stockings to hang on your mantelpiece for St Nicholas to fill on Christmas Eve the shop had so much to offer.

I spent under £10 and walked away with some fabulous gifts and trinkets. I purchased festive cooker cutters a snip at 99p and a fabulous table cloth to adorn our dining table on Christmas Day.

I shop in charity shops often as my budget does not allow to buy everything brand new and with six children it helps the purse strings.

My next mission is to declutter my house for Christmas. I’ll trawl through the kids toys and clothes as well as my own and see what we can donate locally.

This will enable the children to understand the lovely feeling of ‘giving’. Thinking of others before ourselves. Whether it be time, money or donations charity shops will welcome anything you have to offer.

I’d like to thank the Helensburgh branch of Salvation Army shop for being so co operative and posing for photos. Lovely bunch of guys x

Silent Sunday