Ben 10 Transforming Omni-Cycle Review

Ben 10 Transforming Omni-Cycle Review*

Bear often asks me when are we going to have a toy to "take pictures of" and I have to tell him that I don't know. I turn down many reviews because I don't think he, or his little brother Bee, would like them. When I was asked if we'd like to review the Ben10 Transforming Omni-Cycle I knew Bear would love it.

We collect him from school each day and I thought it would be a great toy to play with while he waited for his parents.

Ravensburger Mothers and Babies Jigsaw Puzzle - Review

Ravensburger Mothers and Babies Jigsaw Puzzle - Review

Bee was delighted to be sent a Ravensburger mothers and babies jigsaw puzzle for us to review*. Something designed for his little hands, something just for him. Bear gets quite a few toys and puzzles to review but this is Bee's first.

We love the quality of Ravensburger puzzles, they are beautifully printed and accurately cut. Would the mothers and babies jigsaw puzzle live up to our expectations?

Brio Builders Starter Set -Review

Brio Builders Starter Set - Review*

Anyone who reads our blog will know we love Brio. It's well made (we have some over 30 years old) and children love it. We didn't know they made construction sets until we were asked to review the Brio Builders Starter Set.

Bear loves making things and this set quickly became his favourite.

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.

Crate Creatures Surprise Blizz- Review

Crate Creatures Surprise Blizz- Review

Christmas is such a busy time for us and we are asked to review* lots of toys. We only say yes to those I think Bear or Bee will love, sometimes we get so excited we shout YES! Crate Creatures was one of these. We didn't know who we were getting - would we love it?

We were sent Blizz. A creature from the frozen land of Icicia. No matter how hard he tries, he can't get out of his crate! Can Bear release him?

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.

Brio Police Station - Review

Brio Police Station - Review

Sometimes we get sent toys to review*, many are just lovely and we enjoy playing with them. Some are fabulous and become Bear's favourite. The Brio Police Station is awesome (Bears words) and quickly became his favourite toy. 

We have had Brio in our toy box since Bear's daddy was small, that's going back to the early 1990s. We still have that Brio, although it's now a little battered. We love that little hands can fit it together and each time it is played with the layout is different. Bear is fascinated by police and bad guys, this is just perfect for him and any child 3+.

Boxwild Children's Big Bird Gift Box - Review

Boxwild Children's Big Bird Gift Box - Review 

We love feeding the birds in the garden and every year we participate in the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch so we were delighted to be given a Boxwild Children's Big Bird Gift Box to review*. 

The parcel arrived and Bear couldn't wait to open it, it was packed beautifully and was full to the brim. We had a wooden bird box, four tiny pots of paint and a paintbrush. There was also a bird feeder, a scoop and two packets of wild bird food. The bird food is a special mix for either blue tits or Boxwilds blend for other songbirds, such as dunnock, robins and blackbirds. The packets are illustrated with the birds that would usually feed from the mixture. The contents are clearly marked on the packets and along with a mixture of seeds, both contain peanuts and wheat.

Bear chose the bluetit mix, he couldn't wait to try the scoop. We struggled a little to scoop the seeds directly from the bag but once poured into a bowl it was easy. 

I loved the quality of the items. Everything looked well made, the bird box was joined well and no rough parts or splinters. The bird feeder was of similar quality and quickly replaced my old, rusty one. 

The food mix was a good mix of seeds and pellets with no dust. I usually buy the premium brands and this looked equal if not better than those.

Bear loved filling the bird feeder with the metal scoop

Once we had the bird feeder in place we started on the bird box. I didn't give any instructions to Bear,  I just told him to paint it however he liked.

The gift set comes with four small pots of paint. Red, blue, yellow and green. The pots are really small, I doubt if there is enough to fully cover the exterior but this didn't stop Bear. I was very impressed with how carefully he painted the roof. He chose green, a good choice I think. Then he chose red, and painted around the entrance hole. I must admit it did look like something from a Tarantino movie but I bit my tongue and let him continue. A little bit of yellow and blue and we had a rainbow house.

Bear concentrating hard and trying to be careful.

The red around the entrance may not be to everyones taste haha!
Bear thought the birds would love it because it is so colourful

As Bear was adding more colours he declared;

the birds are going to love this! It's so colourful

Yes! 

I think he's right, it is colourful and quite delightful.

The finished box - perfect for a family of blue tits

Bear loved this gift set. I wouldn't hesitate in recomending it as a gift or just as a craft for your child to enjoy. We spent ages talking about birds, what they ate, where they slept and so on. It was so much more than just a bird box to paint.

Boxwild do all sorts of gift boxes, suitable for adults and children. Pop over to the Boxwild website and I am sure you'll find something you love. Our box cost £28.

* Disclosure - We were given the gift box for the purpose of this review. All opinions are honest and our own.

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Mothers Day Gift Guide

Mothers Day Gift Guide*

Mothers Day this year is next Sunday, 11th March. It is a time to reflect on all the wonderful things that makes your mother so special to you.

If, like me, your mum isn't here anymore, then maybe you have a special woman in your life - your granny, an aunt or the mother of your grandchildren who deserves a gift on Mothers Day.

There is still time to buy a thoughtful gift without breaking the bank. If you are looking for something from the children or a gift to supplement a traditional bunch of flowers then here are a few ideas to inspire you.

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).