Brio Battery Operated Action Train - Review

BRIO Battery Operated Action Train - Review*

We love Brio, we were delighted to review* the Battery Operated Action Train. We already have a lot of Brio, some over thirty years old. It really does last. Bear has a few Brio trains but all are "Bear powered". What would he think of a battery operated one?

Learning Resources Playfoam Pals - Review

Learning Resources Playfoam Pals - Review

When we were asked if we would like to review* Learning Resources Playfoam Pals I knew straight away that Bear would absolutely love them. Little animal pals hidden in Playfoam, sparkles, and mess! What more could a boy ask for?

Bear was delighted when he saw them. "Look what we have today" I said "WOW!" he exclaimed, "I love them!"

The packaging state that they are mess free (oh yeah, I thought), so with tuff tray on the table to collect all the bits, Bear opened them.

Christmas Gift Guide 2018 - Something For Everyone

Christmas Gift Guide 2018  - Something For Everyone

*Contains PR samples

Christmas shopping, love it or hate it, we all have to do it. We all want to buy the perfect gift, something that they will love and use.

It can be overwhelming and so it often gets left until the last minute and then we fall back on the traditional, socks for him, perfume for her.

We have a selection of gifts that you may not have thought of, something for everyone. From children and the young at heart to the crafter and the home.

Not only are there gifts for everyone but for all pockets too, from a little luxury to a stocking filler for children that is free.

Christmas is about spending time with friends and family, not stressing about what to buy.

We have lots of ideas so grab a drink, get comfortable and enjoy browsing our 2018 Christmas Gift Guide.

Plantabox Personalised Wooden Apple Crates - Review

Plantabox Personalised Wooden Apple Crates - Review

Whenever I am asked to review personalised gifts I struggle. I do not use Bear and Bee's real names so can't have those, but when Plantabox asked me if I would like to review* their personalised wooden apple crates, I said yes.

As soon as I saw them I knew exactly what I wanted and what I would put on them. They make gorgeous toy boxes too which I would have loved but decided I would have something for Grandad and me.

If you are looking for a gift, Plantabox have something for everyone.

Our Weekly Journal - A New Year and Welsh School

Our Weekly Journal - A New Year and Welsh School

This week was our last week with having Bear full time. He is so small and only three but in Wales all children over three are entitled to some free care. This can be either nursery or pre-school. Bear lives in Caerphilly which has some excellent schools that teach in the medium of Welsh. None of us speak Welsh so thought going to Welsh pre-school would give Bear some understanding of the language before he starts real school in two years time.

Christmas Made Easy - Newsletter Number One

Christmas Made Easy - Newsletter Number One

If you haven't signed up to my Christmas Made Easy newsletter here is what you are missing!

I won't be sending emails every week, just when there's something that needs doing so you won't be overwhelmed, Christmas will just be spread across the year.

January

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas but now is the time to start planning next years celebrations. This is your to do list for January but firstly make sure you hit the sales before everything is sold out.

1. Things to buy this week while they are discounted in the stores;

• Wrapping paper
• Christmas Cards
• Napkins
• Christmas crackers
• Decorations
• Replace broken lights and trees

2. Christmas Cards;

Put all the Christmas cards with addresses in a pile and when you have a few minutes add them to your address book - don't tell me you don't have an address book!! Add it to the list above.

3. Make a note on the computer or in a book. (If in a book and you don't have one add it to your list above) you'll need this later in the year.

A list of the food and drink you ran out of and everyone loved

A list of all the food that you didn't touch/threw out or hated

A list of all the stuff you wish you had bought 

4. Open a dedicated savings account

Christmas is expensive. It is estimated that in 2016 people spent over £1000 on it. That would mean saving over £80 per month. Not many of us can afford that so start saving now to spread the cost. Decide what you can afford (even £20 a month will give you £220 by November).
Set up a direct debit or you will forget. Maybe have a penny jar? Put your loose change into it, it will mount up over the year. DO NOT TOUCH! it's for Christmas.

5. Set up a photo album called Xmas 2018

You need this to store photos of everything you buy or make in advance. By November you will have forgotten that perfect bargain you bagged in January.

Your Xmas 2018 photo album can be anywhere that's easy for you to access. Below are some free ideas but beware that some have limits on space and may cost you if uploaded using your mobile data;

On your computer
Facebook (don't forget to change the settings to only you can see it)
iCloud (Apple users)
Amazon Cloud Drive (Apple and Android)
Flickr
Google Photos
Dropbox

That's enough for January. Click on this link* for a simple, print friendly pdf version. I'll email with a very short reminder in a week or two; see how much you can tick off before then.

Happy planning


*this was only available to those who had signed up to the newsletter

This was a long newsletter as it's our first! They won't be as complicated as this again so don't despair just sign up here!

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Christmas Made Easy

Christmas Made Easy if only that was possible. I'm sat here exhausted with only two days to go. I keep reading parents struggling to get the presents wrapped, the food shop bought and the stockings filled. It's such a busy and stressful time.

Even though I always plan to be more organised next year, it sort of creeps up on me. I suddenly realise it's too late to bake my own cake or steam my own pudding. My cards start arriving and I've missed the scout post and second class post again, so they all have to go first class knowing that some won't even make it until the New Year.

2018 is going to be different. I am going to plan it and stick with it. The difference is that I am going to share it with anyone who wants to join in. I'll send out a newsletter when appropriate (no spam - I promise) with alerts, tips and shopping lists.

BabyHub SleepSpace Travel Cot Review

BabyHub SleepSpace Travel Cot Review

Christmas is such a busy time and I am always so unprepared so I was delighted to be offered the Babyhub Sleep Space Travel Cot to review* as it really got me out of a pickle. I had nowhere for Bee to sleep when he stays over. Bear and Bee will be visiting with Mummy and Daddy over Christmas and whilst Bear has a bed in his own room I have nowhere for Bee. Previously Bee has slept in his Moses basket but he is now way too big for it. A BabyHub SleepSpace travel cot is the perfect solution for so many reasons.

A Christmas Carol - to Deck The Halls

It's almost Christmas and I am nowhere near ready. I panic at not getting it all done but still leave it all to the last minute. Next year....

Our Weekly Journal - 18th December -Naughty and Nice

We didn't have snow but our neighbours still have a snowman. look at that face! What a little poppet.

Our Weekly Journal - Naughty and Nice

We try not to label Bears behaviour as naughty or not but sometimes it can't be helped. We started the week on Tuesday with a child that is certainly on Father Christmas's nice list. He was wonderful from the minute he arrived until he left. It is lovely to see him well and happy.

Megableu Tumball Game - Review

Megableu Tumble Game - Review

Last week Bear was feeling very poorly, he had a nasty ear infection and nothing was distracting him. I had been sent the Tumball Game by Megableu to review* and so took it with me when I visited, not expecting him to want to play with it at all. How wrong I was! He loved it.

Prestige Festivity Christmas Flowers

Prestige Festivity Christmas Flowers

I love flowers and was overjoyed to be sent* a Christmas bouquet from Prestige Flowers. I have been lucky enough to have reviewed their bouquets before and they never disappoint. They arrived by post in a huge box and in pristine condition. I love the scent of the flowers gently seeping out of the box, giving a hint of what's inside.

The Tradition of Christmas Wreaths with Amara - Review

The Tradition of Christmas Wreaths with Amara - Review

I was asked to review* something Chrismassy from Amara. This was not as easy as it sounds as they have so many wonderful Christmas decorations and gifts. I eventually chose a Robin and Birdhouse Christmas wreath. It is beautiful, a little quirky whilst still being very traditional and it made me wonder about the history of hanging wreaths on doors and how it became a Christmas tradition. So I did a little research (well I Googled it).

Hallmark Itty Bittys Star Wars and Disney Christmas Collection Review

Hallmark Itty Bittys Star Wars and Disney Christmas Collection Review*

We are very lucky to have the opportunity to review products on our blog. Bear knows that we have to take photos and then he is free to play with the toys, but he is only little and sometimes he forgets. Sometimes the toys are just so cuddly and cute that all he wants to do is give them a big hug. That was the case when we were sent some of Hallmarks itty bittys to review.

WOW Toys Town Advent Calendar - Review

WOW Toys Town Advent Calendar - Review*

It's nearly that time again, CHRISTMAS!! It wouldn't be Christmas without an advent calendar and one of our favourites is the WOW Toys Advent Calendar*. When Bear was one I bought him the WOW Toys Farmyard Advent calendar and he loved it. He didn't open a window a day, he opened them all and took them all out at once, but he was only one and quite adorable so I didn't mind at all. He still plays with the toys from it. None are damaged or broken at all so we were really excited to be given a Town advent calendar to review.

Bears Boxing Day Christmas

Where is Bear? I don't know..

Our weekly update is very late because something happened, yes! Christmas happened!! We only have Bear when Mummy and Daddy work so we are on holiday except everyone came over on Boxing Day - Bears Boxing Day Christmas.

#MySundayPhoto Number 52

#MySundayPhoto Number 52. Well I've managed to post a photo ever week thanks to Darren Coleshill and his linky. Even weeks when my photos were rubbish, or we have been poorly with flu we still managed to find one photo.

This week is a selfie of Bear and me. I never get any photos of us together as I am always the one taking the pics. 

You may have guessed that I have added a couple of filters and embellishments this week :-)

Merry Christmas to you all

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Thoughts On Saturday - Christmas

When I started Thoughts on Saturday a couple of weeks ago, I wanted somewhere to reflect and express myself on things that have happened, or that I've read, that make me think. This week though it's Christmas Eve and I wanted something a little lighter.

I haven't forgotten the awful events that have happened in the world this week, in Berlin and elsewhere. My sympathies and thoughts are with all those who have been affected by these tragic events and with those who have lost someone they love.

As it is Christmas Eve, Thoughts on Saturday is all about Christmas.

The Christmas Tag

I was tagged by the lovely Jenni over at Chilling With Lucas to answer some Christmas related questions for 'The Christmas Tag', so here we go... 

Handmade, Not Homemade, Christmas Gift Guide

I'm always looking for something a little bit different for Christmas Gifts and although there are some wonderful gifts in the High Street Stores something handmade always feels a little bit special.

Why Handmade, Not Homemade, Christmas Gift Guide? This is not a how to make but a where to find guide. Those personal and unique items that you possibly could make with years of practice and you just can't find on the High Street.