Breakfast With Santa And Wyevale Garden Centres

Regular readers of this blog will know that to help celebrate Easter this year we had Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at out local Wyevale Garden Centre in Wimborne. We had a great time so were thrilled when we were asked to see what we thought of their Christmas version...Breakfast With Santa.

Sadly our local centre in Wimborne wasn`t holding this event this time so we visited our next local centre called John Brown`s in Ringwood. Click HERE to see if your local centre is participating in this event.

We arrived just as the store was opening and made our way to the restaurant. We were greeted by two very authentic looking elves who showed us to our table. The table was laid out festively with activity sheet and crayons to keep the kids occupied, a cracker each and bag of chocolate coins for each child. Also we found a lovely card written to the family from the all the staff at John Brown`s.

Then the business of calling Santa started; the children were asked to all sit together on the floor and help Santa know where he had to come to by calling him. Now Ben is usually a bit funny with loud noises but he got right in with the rest of the children and helped to call Santa. And then on cue Santa appeared to the delight of all the children.

The boys then took their seats as our breakfast was ready to be served. With this event there are a few breakfast choices for the adults; you can choose from a cooked full English breakfast with a cup of coffee or a pot of tea for £7.99 or a lighter choice of a baked pastry and a cup of coffee or pot of tea for £3.99. We chose the full English...who wouldn`t??? The kids had a mini breakfast of sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, beans and toast.

All of our food was delicious, I honestly can`t fault it all. Hubby especially liked the fact that the baked beans were served in a little tea cup as for some reason he hates it when the beans touch his eggs!!??

As we were eating our breakfast Santa came round to each individual table, sat down and chatted to each of the boys. He asked them if they had been good to which they replied of course!!!

Once breakfast was finished it was time to visit Santa in his grotto to receive a toy each. Whilst we were waiting for our turn the staff brought out a Christmas biscuit, icing piping bag and biscuit toppings for each child to pass the time. The boys loved decorating their biscuits. One thing that I thought was amazing was that the children sitting next to us were allergic to eggs so couldn`t have the biscuits. The girls were quite sad until one of the members of staff came back to them with a little tin of cookies from the store which didnt contain eggs. The little girls faces were a picture of happiness. A huge well done to the staff for going above and beyond to help include the little girls.

After a little while it was our turn to visit Santa in his mini grotto. Each child gets to speak to Santa then choose a toy from a large basket of unwrapped gifts. I think its a great idea to not have the presents pre wrapped as it allows the children to choose something they actually want, plus its not gender specific. I saw at least 4 girls with the same crystal exploration set Alfie had chosen. Jacob chose a Monster crafting set and Ben of course chose the only thing he needs...another car, not!!!!!

The whole experience was amazing, we will definately be coming back next year and will highly recommend anyone to give it a go. It is so worth the £9.99 per child and £7.99 per adult.


We were invited to this event free of charge by Wyevale in return for an honest review of their services.

An Evening Off Dinner Duties With Table Table

With the manic run up to Christmas in full swing, why not give yourself the night off from cooking and treat the family to a lovely meal that wont break the bank? At such an expensive time of the year the idea of going out for a meal is honestly at the back of my mind, and I`m guessing most of yours too???

The guys at Table Table asked us if we fancied a family night out to try their great new Winter menu. We had been to Table Table a few times during the summer holidays and loved the food so were more than willing to try their new dishes!!!

Who are Table Table I hear you ask??

Table Table are a chain of family orientated pubs that became part of the Whitbread pub family in 2008. Their aim is to provide good quality pub food without splashing out the cash. The menus have a perfect balance of great value, tasty pub classics but also have some more interesting dishes to tempt your taste buds.

We visited our local Table Table restaurant in Holes Bay, Poole with my parents. We were served by the lovely Gillian, and from the moment we walked in nothing was too much for her; she was so friendly and even learned the names of the boys, which the boys thought was great!

The kids menu is amazing, the choices are laid out with photos so that that can choose their own dinner. My boys chose to have chicken dippers chips and beans, burger chips and beans and a hot dog with chips and tortillas....a random combo I know but that`s what Jacob wanted!!! Each child`s meal can have a dessert added to which my boys chose banana splits and a chocolate sundae. Also each child who orders receives an activity book with crayons which is a god send at keeping them occupied whilst waiting for their food to arrive.

Cool dude!!

The portion sizes for kids are huge

Ben was chuffed with his huge sundae!

Alfie being kept busy whilst waiting for his tea

I decided to push the boat out and have the Mixed Grill. Now I`m quite fussy when it comes to how my steaks are cooked, I asked for medium-rare and it was cooked perfectly. The steak melted in my mouth as did the gammon...in fact the whole mixed grill was delicious.

Hubby and my mum both chose the Salmon Wellington which was served with buttered potatoes, asparagus and peas. Chris was very happy with the portion sizing and loved devoured it all. He couldn`t find a single negative with his meal.

My step-dad chose the classic Fish and Chips, which he too thoroughly enjoyed.

For pudding between us we had a After Eight mint sundae, Sticky Toffee pudding with custard and crepes. I didn`t have a pudding as was so full from my mixed grill, but did find some space to help Ben demolish his chocolate fudge sundae!!!













Value for money at Table Table is unbelievable....we had 4 adult mains, 3 desserts and 3 kids meals including desserts all for under £70!!!!


All in all we were very impressed with the new winter menu at Table Table and have no hesitation of recommending them to anyone who is looking for a value quality family meal out.

In exchange for an honest review of this restaurant I received this meal free of charge.

Learning Another Language with FlashSticks

I have always wanted my boys to learn another language but with the age differences between them I had to find a system that allowed their different reading levels to be catered for.

FlashSticks to the rescue!!

FlashSticks is a revolutionary method of learning a new language quickly and easily.

Richard, the founder of FlashSticks, wanted to learn Spanish quickly. He was taking lessons but wanted a more efficient and fun way to learn.
He found himself starting to write down the word he wanted to learn on a sticky note with a simple picture of the meaning of the word, the word in Spanish and the pronunciation underneath the picture. Different coloured notes helped him remember the gender of the word.

Being on sticky notes you could then stick the note on the actual item, the idea is that you repeatedly see the item and the language description next to it and learn to associate them together making learning quicker and more fun.

FlashSticks are available in many languages including Spanish, French and even Sign Language! There are multiple levels to each language starting at beginner right up to advanced when you are becoming fluent in your chosen language. Each pack has around 100 sticky notes to stick around your house or workplace. Click HERE to see the while range of languages available to purchase.

When I was approached to try FlashSticks I had never heard of them. After some research I was pleased to find out that the price of each pack is very reasonable with a RRP of £4.99. I have looked at many other teaching methods but was put off by the high cost of each method, the price definitely got my attention!!

After explaining how each note worked the boys were really keen to start learning...to begin with we decided to stick the notes on the wall next to the dinning table so we could go through each note during dinner.

Only after a few days of the notes being there the boys were actually starting to pick up the words and quizzing each other. Every few days I tested them and amazingly they had remembered the words! We add new words to our learning area every few days so not to over load the boys; they are loving it. I honestly cant believe how quickly they are picking up each new word...I think that the pronunciation section makes a big difference as it allows them to break the word down phonically.

The FlashStick App has been created to run in tandem with your sticky note learning path. Available on both android and ios operating systems you`ll be very unlucky to find a device that wont run the new app.

The app is FREE and is a digital version of the sticky notes; you can track your progress on the app which shows you just how much you are learning.

FlashSticks app has a unique feature of the Worlds first object translator...you use your devices camera to scan an object and the app will tell you what the object is in your chosen language.

The boys love to scan random things when we are out and about to see what the app comes up with!

I would strongly recommend this learning system to anyone looking to learn a new language whilst having fun, the price is great and the different levels available will suit everyone.

Check out the video below of he boys showing just how easy it is to learn with FlashSticks.



We were provided the starter pack in Spanish to review free of charge in exchange for an honest review of the product.

Darkmouth 2 - Book Review

I am so glad that one of my better traits to be been passed down to my boys is my love of reading. The two older boys love to read and are getting rather good at it!!

At school Alfie is reading at an age level of 11 years...not bad for an 8 year old!! Because Alfie is quite advanced for his age I do find it hard finding books for him to read that are challenging enough for him to keep an interest in the book but not too advanced in its context for him to understand.

Whilst searching on the internet for some new books I came across the Darkmouth series.

Aimed at a higher age range of 12 years onwards, Darkmouth and Darkmouth Book 2 -World`s Explode are 2 books in the new series about a boy who finds out that his family has a calling...they are Legend Hunters and its Finn`s turn to keep up the family reputation. Legends...A.K.A terrifying, human eating monsters are trying to invade our world but not if Finn has anything to do with it!! The books tell his story from finding out he is a Legend Hunter to how he tries to defeat them.

Alfie was sent Darkmouth 2 to read and give his opinion.























He was a little worried he wouldn't understand the book as it is a lot more advanced than any other book he has read as yet.

I`m not going to lie...he did struggle to begin with to understand how the book was written as it swaps from the main story to stories telling of previous battles etc but after a while he got the hang of it and began to really enjoy it.

He hasn`t finished it as yet as it is quite a long book with 455 pages but is thoroughly enjoying it and has even told a few of his friends to give the series a go!!

Darkmouth Book2 - Worlds Explode is available to order in kindle and paper format from Amazon by clicking HERE.

Alfie was supplied this book to review free of charge.

Keep Calm - Colour and Create. Review and Give-Away

Unless you have been living under a rock recently then you would of seen or heard about the new thing in relaxation therapy....adult colouring in books.

I will openly admit that I have been caught may a time joining in with the boys in colouring in their pads and books. It is strangely relaxing and therapeutic!! So I am very happy now that books for adults are being brought out.

There are many one-off books on the market but Redan, a leading publisher of children`s magazines, have branched out into the adult sector with Calm, Colour Create.

Calm, Colour Create is an monthly adult special interest colouring magazine. Each issue has a different theme with 64 pages of calming black and white designs for you to colour in. There is a mix of patterns, mandalas and triangles with beautiful designs on the right hand side of the page to colour and a corresponding smaller image on the left leaving you loads of room to create you own doodles. Each issue comes with a free gift.


The first issue has the theme of Oceans and include amazing designs of turtles, dolphins, jellyfish and water flowers. Each design is so intricate leaving you with multiple choices of colour schemes.

This issue comes with 5 free pencils so you can get stuck into colouring in straight away.

I love this magazine and will definitely be getting the next issue which is all about florals plus another 5 pencils to add to your now growing collection. Priced at £4.99 this would make a great gift for a friend or a must have holiday companion.

Redan kindly sent me a copy of their first issue to review and two copies to give away to you lovely lot!!

Fill out the Gleam widget below to be in with a chance of winning one of two copies I have to give away.

Open to UK residents only.

Calm Colour Create Magazine Giveaway x2 copies RRP £4.99

Mi Local - The New and Updated Version

Last year I reviewed a great new FREE app called Mi Local For Mums. An essential parenting app which helps you find classes and activities local to you that are relevant to the age of your child/children. Check out my first review HERE.

Available on ANDROID, IPHONE and WINDOWS platforms there is no excuse not to have this app in your life!!

I have been using the app for the last year and have loved it so was intrigued when I heard that there was a new and updated version being released.


So what has changed??

The whole app has a fresh new look to it with the addition of 2 great new features - `Ratings and Reviews` and `Special Offers and Discounts`. Allowing you to review each activity as you do them so making it a better experience for the next mum to use it.

Each page has been changed to be easier to read and gives you all the information you need with no fuss.

I am liking the new bright coloured sections which make it a lot easier to navigate around the app.

The app shows you what activities are on in your specified area from your postcode. Choose from the huge list of activities listed; here are some of the categories to choose from -

• Clubs and classes
• Parent and Toddler groups
• Nurseries
• Indoor and Outdoor Play Centres
• Classes for Mums
• School Holiday Activities 
• Attractions, Places of Interest and Days Out

Also another feature that I have noticed is the yellow button on the home page of the activity, which when pressed the activity provider will contact you for a natter.

The app covers over 7,000 different activities around the country. If you cant find any in your area why not give Tessa a message at tessa@milocal.info to see what they can do. 

Alternatively if you have a business that you would like to have listed on Mi Local give the team a shout on the email above or register your activity on the Mi Local website under the CONTACT section of the website.

There have been some technical problems with the previous versions which Tessa and Charles have been tirelessly working to resolve but inevitably there are problems with any app. If you do find a problem when using your app please feel free to contact the guys at tess@milocal.info and they will try sort it for you.

If you have children then this is a MUST HAVE app....it FREE and it works xxx

Book Review - Be A Happier Parent With NLP

A few weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to review a new book from the author Judy Bartkowick called Be A Happier Parent With NLP.

To tell you the truth I jumped at the chance!! All 3 boys seem to be going through a phase of testing the limits in their own individual way and I have been feeling frazzled and worn-out for a while with none of my methods seeming to make any difference at all.

To begin with I was very sceptical as to how a book could change the way you parent your children. We all think that we are doing it the right way..am I right??

Now I hear you asking what does NLP stand for?? Well NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming. "Neuro" is what we think; "Linguistic" is what we communicate verbally and non-verbally; and "Programming" is how we process the communications and experiences we have.

NLP is ideal for working with children to help develop their confidence, internal referencing and communication skills. It shows you how you can show your children how to use these tools in everyday life to become happier and ease their passage through life.

The book helps you identify situations in everyday life that could be a trigger for stress or confrontation and teaches you how to approach the situation differently and so have a better outcome. You are taught to see the good in every situation and take that good and project it onto your child. Also you are advised to say different words as some words are limiting.

Instead of saying to your child never, should, can`t, must and should, you change them to a positive. So for example if you normally say "You should wash your hands before eating" you can change it to "Lets go and wash your hands before tea because they are dirty", same request just put differently.

The book is divided into many chapters...to many to list here but it breaks down NLP into easy, manageable sections for you to read.

I have really enjoyed reading this book and have taken a lot from it, I admit that I wont be sticking to it 100% but I`d say 90% of the time!! I have definitely seen a difference in the boys since using this book and would highly recommend it to any parent friends.

Below is some more info on the author and where to grab your copy of Be A Happier Parent With NLP.

Judy Bartkowiak is the author of ‘Be a happier parent with NLP’ a guide to using life coaching skills to enhance your parenting. Judy and her husband Edward have four children – Lucy, Alex, Jess and Paul and live in rural Berkshire with their dogs Roxy and Holly and nine hens. Other NLP Family (www.nlpfamily.com) titles are:

Workbooks

NLP for Parents

NLP for Children (5-10yrs)

NLP for Tweens (11-14yrs)

NLP for Teens (15yrs+)

NLP for Teachers

NLP for New Mums

NLP for Weight Loss

NLP for Work

NLP for Back to Work

Self-Esteem Workbook

NLP Workbook

Secrets of the NLP Masters

Judy Bartkowiak comes from a business background where she worked with Toy companies and TV production companies helping them to understand children and their relationship with brands such as LEGO, Baby Born, Bratz, Thomas the Tank Engine, Pocoyo, Fireman Sam and many other well-known names. She runs Kids Brands Europe alongside her NLP training and coaching www.kidsresearch.co.uk and has a Facebook Kids Panel for Market Research which is done online or from her home.

She has an NLP training and coaching practice NLP Kids www.nlpfamily.com, specialising in child and parenting issues and runs Kids Brands Europe (www.kidsresearch.co.uk) as well as writing for children as JudyBee.

Judy loves playing tennis and reading as well as spending time with her family.

Email Judy judy@nlpkids.com for your FREE mini book ‘Be a happier parent with NLP’ and apply code ‘Blog’ to get 10% discount off Judy’s books  at www.nlpandkidsbooks.com 

Mum`s School Diary Review

For the last few years I have been an independent trader for a stationery company supplying diaries, organisers and calenders to help busy mums become more organised. The company ceased trading to its independent traders last year so I have been on the look out for a new product.

Mum`s Office to the rescue!!!

Mum`s Office offer a massive range of diaries and planners to help keep busy families organised and up-to-date with each others busy lifestyles.

Each product is designed to help minimise the stress of daily life by allowing easy viability of the day, week or month ahead`s schedule in one place.

All the diaries and planners are printed in Mum`s Office signature pink (except the Dad`s To Do list!!) and come in lovely pastel or bold colours, suiting every style and taste, with lush snake skin detailing. I am lucky enough to of been sent a Mum`s School Year Diary in Sea Green...I love the cover, I keep stroking it!!!!

The diaries and planners comes in either an academic -13 month, or calendar format. With the boys I prefer the academic format so I can see the whole school year in one hit rather than having it split over two standard year diaries.

The layout of the products are great with easy to navigate information sections at the front including -

• your personal details
• individual children`s info
• pocket money records
• dates to remember
• notable dates
• need to know dates
• friends numbers (in case you loose your mobile!)
• month to view pages
• travel plans section

Then you have the diary section, each double page is split into two. The left side is all for you to list your activities and plans for the week and the right side is for the other members of your family with 4 columns, one for each person.

I personally love this diary and even though it doesn`t start for a few more weeks I have already started entering in our plans for the summer holidays as I need to be on top of things with the 3 boys, their never ending parties and play dates!!! And with a RRP of £14.95 it is definitely worth it!! xxx

I was supplied this diary free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Nanoblock Review - The Alternative Construction Toy

Both my older boys are Lego mad. They have boxes upon boxes of them in their bedroom and play with them so much that I`d say that they are qualified construction workers by now!!

When I was offered to review the alternative construction block toy to Lego - Nanoblocks -  I was intrigued to see what the boys thought of them.

Nanoblocks have been around since 2008 but to be honest I hadn`t heard of them before. They have taken Japan by storm and are featured in some of the biggest department and toy stores throughout Japan.

The main distributor of Nanoblocks in the UK is Marbel, check out the whole range available HERE

At just 1/8th the size of standard construction blocks, the things that you can create with Nanoblocks are so intricate seeing is definitely believing.

The amount of Nanoblock`s in each construction set varies between 80 for the miniature sets to 6000 for the ultimate in Nanoblock creations - the Behemoth!! Prices range from £4.99 - £199.99.

We were sent the Statue of Liberty set to test out.


All I can say is WOW, these pieces ate TINY!! I`ve taken a photo next to a one pence piece to get a perspective of just how small they are.

Alfie and I sat down and laid everything out that we received on the table. Straight away I realised that even though at 7 1/2 years old and an avid Lego constructor that he was going to struggle. The pieces are just so tiny that he found it hard to hold them and press together, also the instructions were very complicated for him to understand.

If you have an older child; I say 10 years plus than this toy is absolutely amazing and will keep them entertained for hours. In the end Alfie gave up and I was left to keep building, it took me a good 2 hours to complete from start to finish. I cant imagine how long it would take to do the Behemoth, the ultimate in Nanoblocks!!

I have to say that I am very proud of my creation and wouldn`t mind if I was to get another set for Christmas...hint, hint hubby!!

 I received this kit free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

El Rhey - ColourMe Wellie`s Review

Isn`t social media amazing??

I first `met` the great team at el Rhey through twitter; purely by chance I came across their twitter account and realised they were only down the road from me in Bournemouth.

el Rhey are a new company hoping to take the outdoor clothing sector by storm with their customisable products. The first of many products to be launched is their ColourMe Wellies.



These wellington boots are made from super-soft rubber and come in a choice of either a moth or zebra design ready for you to let your budding picasso`s loose on. The idea is to let your children colour them in as they want and so in turn wear them more often.

Each pair of boots is supplied with 3 dual ended permanent pens of various colours. One end has a broad nib for large area colouring and the other end is thin which can be used for fine detailing.

Because the pens are permanent you really need to colour the boots in on a covered table or on an old towel, and adult supervision is required at all time when using the pens to ensure the kids dont draw on themselves instead of the boots!!

el Rhey kindly offered Alfie the chance to try a pair of these cool boots to see what he thought of them.
When I told him about these boots he was really keen to get his hands on them and start scribbling. He took a good hour or so to finish them which was great as not many things keep his attention for long.

The only downside to these boots that I have found is the amount of pens and the colours provided. Alfie was ok to use the pink colour but would of preferred a blue or black pen, saying that he decided to colour the front of both boots in pink!!

Typically we haven`t had any good rain to test these beauties out in so we christened them at the beach.

 

These boots are an amazing idea as it helps nurture your child`s creative side in creating a work of art that they can wear anywhere.

Prices start at £20 for the boots and pens, all in a drawstring bag or £25 for the boots, pens and colouring book of all the artwork created in the design of the boots and a lovely keepsake box.

Keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the next product in el Rhey`s impressive range. It`s amazing, I have been privileged enough to see it months before launch and all I can say is "WOW"!

Check out el Rhey`s product video below




I was given a free pair of boots in exchange for a true and accurate review of the product.

Getting Hot And Bothered Over Shoes!! Hotter Shoes Review

I hold my hands up and admit that I HATE shoe shopping; I LOVE clothes shopping but for some reason loathe shoe shopping.

Since having the boys I have noticed that my feet have seemed to of spread a lot so need wide fitting shoes or a size bigger than normal.

My hatred of shoe shopping has been quashed by the lovely people at Hotter Shoes!! Have you ever heard of Hotter Shoes?? I had but thought that they were more aimed at, um how do I out this nicely??..the older population...how wrong was I!!

I was invited along with a handful of other amazing local bloggers to attend a Hotter Shoes event that showcased their current and new styles of shoes.

So along I went to their Bournemouth store and met up with Laura from MaxAndMummy, Elaine from EntertainingElliot and Natalie from onebusyWAHM.

We were treated to some lush nibbles and allowed to peruse and try on shoes and boots from their new AW14/15 range. The lovely Mel who is the head of PR for Hotter Shoes then gave us a really interesting talk on how Hotter Shoes came about and their journey from humble beginnings in 1959 making comfortable slippers to today being a worldwide brand.

Hampshire 

Lomand

Whilst looking around the shop I was instantly drawn to the boot section and fell in love with the Hampshire boots; a gorgeous looking pair of just below the knee boots with a full length zip and mid height heel. Now I have always wanted a pair or knee high boots that I could team up with some leggings or skinny jeans but was worried about how practical and comfy they would be.

When I tried these boots on it was literally like putting on a pair of slippers!! They were so comfy that I couldn`t even tell that I was in a heeled boot, they felt as if I was wearing flats.

If I had my way I would of had a pair in each boot in the AW14/15, the Lomand definitely came a very close second in my wish list to the Justina boots, they were all gorgeous but I had to choose the Hampshire boots.

Check out below their first trip out on the school run......finally yummy mummy!!!!

I am soooooo in love with these boots!

You MUST check out the Hotter range, I promise you that you will be pleasantly surprised at what you can get for your money. Also just in time for Christmas they have some amazing offers on.


I received a pair of boots from Hotter Shoes free of charge in return for an honest review.