Tuesday 28 August 2012

KIDS DAY OUT WITH NANA AND DIDI



My mum and step-dad recently had a few days off work and promised the kids they would take them out for the day, I was asked if I wanted to tag along, but said no, I thought it would be nice for the kids to have some time alone with them, and also for me to get some peace, although I only ended up staying in and cleaning the house from top to bottom.
They decided to go to chester zoo for the day and set of at 10am, and didn't arrive home until 8pm that night, DJ took my camera with him so all the pictures are taken by him,
The morning they left it was pouring with rain but DJ still wanted to go, but luckily once they arrived there the sun was shining.




They got to see lots of different animals with the meerkat being both their favourite, and had a burger and chips for dinner whilst they were there, and each came home with 2 little presents each,
I'm glad they both enjoyed their day and they have asked nana and didi when they can go again, although I don't think there in any hurry to take them any time soon

Tuesday 14 August 2012

MONSUNO STRIKE SECTOR REVIEW


I was sent the monsuno strike sector combat set and cores to review with my son DJ who is 6years old, 7 next week.
The monsuno strike sector combat set is aimed at children age 4 years plus and to be honest when we first got it and took it all out of the packaging I looked at it and felt really confused.
The strike sector combat set includes 1 strike sector base, 2 launch ramps and 2 rails, the box we got also included a bonus battle bag. We also got the extra cores and another set which included figures, cores and cards.
The strike sector set was easy to put together as you just needed to clip the rails in and open the base and put this down, so although at first it looked confusing it was actually really easy to put together and to share the cards, sort out the cores and figures it only took me around 10minutes.
Up to 4 players can play this at any one time, Below is a picture of DJ playing this with a friend of his (I have not included his friend in the picture as his parents don't like pictures of him being on the Internet)



I found the game went over my head but I don't really seem to understand these card games very well, Or if you ask DJ he would say it's because I'm not cool and young enough (I'm only 28)
The game can be played quite quickly or can last for an hour or so, I do think it depends on how many people are playing the game.

DJ has said that he enjoyed playing the game but it is not something he will play with often, but he likes how he can leave it set up as it is easier to play then and keep under the bed when not in use.
I do think that some of the reason he doesn't like to play this is because you have writing on the cards and DJ is dyslexic and suffers with his reading so often has to ask for help which he doesn't like to do.

This can be purchased from http://www.flairplc.co.uk/

The prices are

Monsuno combat set - £24.99
Four (4) cores - £27.99
Wild core - £14.99

Now I have to be honest and say that I do think it is expensive for what it is and for what you get and it's not something I would spend that much money on although I would let DJ spend his birthday/christmas money on it if it was something he really wanted.

GEOMAG WHEELS REVIEW



I was sent the GEOMAG WHEELS set by a pr company to review with my son DJ

The geomag set is suitable for children age 5 years plus and contains 68 pieces all together, This includes wheels, magnets, ball bearings and more, The set we received also has some parts that glow in the dark, You can purchase this from http://www.flairplc.co.uk/ and from http://www.smythstoys.com/ for £24.99 which in my opinion is well worth it.
The instructions that come with this are fairly easy to follow which is great for some one like me who can't seem to follow instructions, Although my son who is 7 didn't need them.

When the geomag set arrived for me to review my son got really excited when he seen what it was especially as you can crash the cars and helicopter into each other without the worry that they will break as if these do come apart they are easy enough to put back together.
I will admit that I struggled to put these together and started to panic so I sat with DJ and I pulled all the parts out and he sat their with pure concentration on his face as he put them together and within 15 minutes he had built the helicopter, admittedly the police car and jeep did take him slightly longer but he was quite happy to sit their doing it all.
This is something I would purchase as a present for my son if he didn't have this set and will also be keeping in mind as a Christmas and birthday presents for friends children and family members, I think that the recommended age for this is the right age as it may be a little hard for anyone younger, DJ is nearly 7 and has enjoyed playing with this and putting it all back together and pulling them apart.


In the picture above is the box when opened and the contents that come with it, the picture below is the helicopter after being built, unfortunately I don't have pictures of the others as they have been pulled apart again but I will add pictures of them in a few days when DJ has re-built them.


I have asked DJ what he thinks of the geomag wheels set and this is what he has had to say.

I have really enjoyed playing with this and putting it all together and smashing it all up and building it again as I don't have to worry about breaking anything and having my mummy shout at me and tell me off, My friends have been and played with this as well and they like it to, I like that it glows in the dark as it means when mummy turns the light of I can still play with them, I won't let my sister play with this though because I don't want her to lose any of the bits because if she does it might mean I won't be able to build everything together again, It was quite easy to do but mummy found it hard.

I have not been paid to review this product but I have been allowed to keep the geomag set that was sent to me free of charge, Opinions in this review are mine and my son's.

Friday 10 August 2012

SKINNY SPRINKLES


SKINNY SPRINKLES

I have kindly been sent a box of skinny sprinkles by the wonderful Jane to review so as it is going to be around 2 weeks before I write up a review giving my opinion on them I thought that I would write a little about them and my weight now so that myself and my blog readers will know how much weight I lose whilst using skinny sprinkles.
Skinny sprinkles can be used as a snack or half an hour before a meal and this will suppress your appetite
It is also recommended that if you exercise to have this 30minutes before and it will help you get more from your workout as they also give you extra energy. They do recommend though that you use with a weight loss programme or reduced calorie diet, These are also suitable for people who follow weight watchers as they are 0 pro points.
To make these up is simple you just add the sprinkles to water and stir well, it then starts to thicken ready to drink, They contain glucomannan which is a special fibre and this is what helps the stomach to think you have eaten and fills you up.

I have to say I am looking forward to trying these out and giving my full honest opinion, including before and after pics and weight loss in about 2 weeks time.
So now it's time to give you my weight and measurements
I am 8stones 9lbs and have measured round my stomach and if I have measured correctly it is 35 inches.
So from tomorrow I will be starting my skinny sprinkles along with some exercise and healthy eating, and will note down what I eat and what exercise I do and report back with weight loss and inch loss.

Why not check out skinny sprinkles on facebook, twitter and their web page, links below


Tuesday 7 August 2012

TEA PIGS REVIEW



Teapigs kindly sent me a box of 50 teabags to review and offer some for a competition,
I received 10 different flavours and 5 of each flavour.
The flavours I received are

1) Lemon and ginger
2) Chamomile flowers
3) Popcorn tea
4) Darjeeling earl grey
5) Liquorice and peppermint
6) Rooibos creme caramel
7) Mao feng green tea
8) Peppermint leaves
9) Chocolate flake
10) Super fruit

All the bags are biodegradable and unlike normal teabags don't contain what looks like dust, they contain whole leaf, real fruit pieces.
Each tea temple needs to be infused in boiling water for at least 3 minutes before being drunk, with some you can choose to add milk/cream if you like, or to allow to cool and store in the fridge and drink as iced tea, which is perfect on a hot summers day (When we get them).
Most of the tea temples are also caffeine free which is great as it means you can drink them just before bedtime without having a caffeine hit and being kept awake


Above is a picture of the Rooibos creme caramel flavour tea, I tried this as it is before adding anything to it and although it tasted quite nice it does say on the packaging to try/drink with milk so I added a dash of milk and have to say that it tasted like heaven then, This is my best one as it has a rich caramel taste to it.
I enjoyed all of them but the one that I liked the least was earl grey, but I don't normally like earl grey tea, so that could be the reason.
Chamomile flowers is a great one to have before bed, I had mine whilst having a relaxing soak in the bath and between the tea and the bath I felt quite relaxed and had a great nights sleep.
Why not check out the teapigs website at http://www.teapigs.co.uk/ where you can not only purchase the tea bags but also enter competitions, view there blog and buy gifts.
If you would like the chance to win some of the tea pigs teabags in 10 different flavours why not enter the competition below





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday 6 August 2012

WRIGGLY RASCALS

I thought I would write a post about a website I have done a guest post for but also a website that I use often.
Wriggly Rascals is a web site that is for parents and parents to be where you can read posts by guest bloggers and get advice about parenting, pregnancy and other issues you feel you may need some help and advice.
You can choose to ask a quick question or to get a more detailed answer, and this question will then be asked to the members who will include some details and advise for you to go by, The form to fill in for this is quick and easy to use.
You can also choose to offer questions and advice as a member or non member, but as a member you will earn points for each one you answer and give advice, These points can be saved until they open a pop up shop which is open once a month for approx 3-5 days with so many items and brands to choose from, You don't have to purchase anything you can choose to save your points until you have enough to get what you want, upon purchasing an item points will be deducted from your account and your item will be with you within 14 days.
You will also be sent regular news letters to your email address and be notified when the pop up shop is opening and closing, your points are also clearly stated and if you go into your account you will be able to see how much these points are worth.
At the top of the page their is a contact us tab that gives you an email address should you need to contact wriggly rascals at all, I will say I have contacted them a few times and always had a reply within 24 hours that has been friendly, helpful and polite, I now feel like Shona is a very good on line friend.
Wriggly Rascals is run by husband and wife, Shona and Mike who have twins and the reason the site was set up was because whilst pregnant Shona found it difficult to find help and answers on the web and found that the most helpful advice was given to her by other mums.
I also like that whilst trying to offer my help and advice to other mums I am earning points which I will use to get an extra treat or 2 for my own children, and it is nice to know that their is somewhere to turn and ask and be given a range of advice.
I have included the links below for the wriggly rascals web site, facebook page and twitter, why not take a look and join yourself.

http://www.wrigglyrascals.com/

http://www.facebook.com/wrigglyrascals.UK

https://twitter.com/wrigglyrascals

Sunday 5 August 2012

DJS SCHOOL TRIP

On July 16th DJ had his school trip, parents were also given the option to go with their children this year so I decided to go with him, Ruby had been ill the week before so my auntie offered to look after her for me and I'm glad she did as the weather wasn't good at all, As you can see from my jeans in the picture above I'm soaked, this pic was taken at around 1pm.
The morning of the trip I asked DJ if he would like to go and do something else instead but he said he didn't and he wanted to go to greenwood especially as this would be his last trip with this primary school as I'm transferring him to another.
It was pouring with rain so we both made sure we were wrapped up warm with waterproof coats and are packed lunch wrapped and packed well.
Greenwood forest park is all outdoors, their are 2 indoor areas, this is a small gift shop with a variety of gifts starting from just 99p and a cafe area which also has a small soft play area.
There is quite a lot to do and see and although it rained all day and we were soaked to the skin DJ still said he had a good day which is good and what matters.
We had a ride on the pedal karts and a walk around the crocodile maze to see if we could find the crocodile, we even climbed the big wooden climbing frame and came down the plastic slides.
Although my friends son lost his boot climbing over the ropes, so I had to make my way down to find it and then all the way back up, Just so he didn't get his sock wet.

DJ with his pink brolly to try keep him dry, it's a picture to keep and show his girlfriends when he's older, in the next pic is DJ again with my friend and her son, We had fun posing for this and took it in turns.


DJ on the pedal karts, I had to pedal us around the circuit and managed it just 3 times before my legs started to hurt, they hurt for the rest of the day, and DJ again after he had found the crocodile in the maze


Coming down the slides on the smaller climbing frame and a bees nest which was massive, I've never seen a nest before so was amazing to see all the bees and the honey.
If you live in wales or are visiting north wales at all I would recommend visiting greenwood as it is a lovely place with so much to do and see, but I would advise you to go on a day when it's not raining.

Thursday 2 August 2012

Personalised Teacher Cup

Find me a gift kindly sent me this cup to review for them, What makes this cup more special is the fact that it is personalised and delivery is still fast.
The cup came packaged well and arrived within a few days of me supplying them with the information I required to be placed on the cup.
The cup itself is well made and has a picture of books, pens and rulers on, Then on one side of the cup it has the wording I requested.

I like the fact that there is some colour on the cup so it's not just plain white with some writing on.
My son couldn't wait to give this to his teacher and it made it all the more special as Mrs Owen has been fantastic with DJ over the past year.
Mrs Owen actually gave me a call at the end of the school day to say thank you so much for the cup, it was one of the nicest gifts she had received in all her years as a teacher

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/personalised-gifts/