Santa Maria Family Night

It is no secret that I like my food, I have an appetite that could keep up with any man (even if I don’t care to admit it), and one of my favourite meals without a shadow of a doubt is Mexican, and more to the point, Fajitas.

There was a point where I was eating Fajitas on a weekly basis usually on a Friday night. The spicier the Fajita the better, and ample amounts of cheese are the recipe for my perfect Fajita. Santa Maria, formally Discovery Foods recently set us a rather exciting challenge, they wanted us to cook up the perfect Mexican feast with our families and very kindly offered to send us everything that we would need in order to do so. They even treated us to Madagascar on DVD so that we could enjoy a proper family evening, with tasty food and a good film on the television.

A few weeks ago Leo and I decided to have a selfish night, we shut out the world and cooked up a Fajita storm in the kitchen. The chicken was sizzling in the pan, the peppers and onions were all chopped and ready to be thrown together, and it all smelt beautiful. The table was set with grated cheese and sour cream, the wraps were ready to be filled, and Leo was excited about his dinner.

One of the reasons I have always loved fajitas is for the convenience of a family meal, it allows Leo to get involved with what he is eating. He can put in exactly what  he wants, which usually consists of chicken and cheese (obviously he couldn’t possibly have any pepper in there…), it means that Leo can enjoy exactly what we are eating and I don’t have to faff around with a million different meals. We used the mild spice mix as Leo was dining, but I love the spicier of the mixes for when I am cooking for just myself.

As always the food was incredibly tasty, and I came away weighing a few lbs heavier, but it was all worth it for that comforting full feeling that you only get after a delicious Mexican meal. With Leo and I now full to bursting we decided to snuggle up in bed and watch Madagascar, this was the first time Leo had seen the original film, and to say it was a big hit is a little bit of a understatement. He LOVED it!

We whipped out the Cadbury’s Chocolate and the Skittles that I had bought in especially and enjoyed some quality time, just me and my favourite 3 year old. It was a lovely evening and I have no doubt that we will be cooking up Santa Maria very, very soon.

Disclaimer: I was sent the Santa Maria samples and DVD for the purpose of this post. All views and opinons expressed are completely honest and my own.

The Jakayaan 3SIXTY Wooden Ride On Review

We absolutely adore wooden toys in our house, they stand the test of time and still look fabulous. Last year I told you all about our experience with the Jakayaan Balance Bike, a year later and it is still getting just as much use as it first did, and Leo is getting faster by the day.

In the year since the Jakayaan Balance Bike, Max who own’s Lloyds Worcester has dreamt up a new creation that means even younger children can enjoy the range. The latest product addition is the 3SIXTY, a toddler ride on for the ages of 12 months right up to 3 years.  It is a product that enables younger children to take part with their older siblings before they are old enough to use a balance bike, and has a number of different uses.

I first saw the 3SIXTY quite early on in its development process, before it had been through testing and I absolutely loved the concept. Max wanted to see how an older toddler got on with it, and Leo at the time was around 2 and a half, all be it a very tall 2 and a half year old. Leo demonstrated exactly what to do with it and had a great time taking it up and down the drive at home. We decided that Leo was getting a little bit too big for it due to his rather long legs, but for the average 2 and a half year old this would not be an issue.

The 3SIXTY has 2 main features, it’s a multi-directional ride on and a walker for the younger. On the front of the ride on is a handle that little one’s can pull themselves up against to aid walking. What I really love about this is that the whole ride on is so solid, you can rest assured that if your little one does decide to use it as a walking aid, it won’t topple or buckle. As it moves so freely on castor wheels toddlers can direct it wherever they wish to go, so if you have something you are trying to keep out of your little one’s way… You may want to rethink where you store it!

The 3SIXTY is set on top of castor wheels which gives toddlers the ability to scuttle round in any direction that they please. It means they don’t have to worry about steering, they really can just use their balance to push them any which way they like.

My nephew Josh has been enjoying the 3SIXTY over the last couple of months now, and he has been thoroughly enjoying his new set of wheels. At 1 years old he has been able to make the most out of the different features, and although he already walked prior to receiving the 3SIXTY the first thing he wanted to do with it is push it around. Of course Leo soon showed him how to ride it, and since then there has been no stopping him.

Josh can make the 3SIXTY go in any direction he pleases and has absolutely no problem getting where he wants to be. He uses his feet to propel him along and is getting faster all the time. I love that the 3SIXTY is set on castor wheels as I think it is a great way for little ones to learn to navigate around, they have to use their balance and weight to get where they want to go which of course encourages them to use their motor skills.

In terms of the 3SIXTY itself I really cannot fault it, it’s well made and provides a solid base for little ones to learn to walk and ride around on. It is made in the UK (about 20 minutes from where I live) and is constructed out of European Birch Ply, complete with a smooth finish.

The 3SIXTY can be purchased directly from Lloyds Worcester,and at £68.99 it doesn’t break the bank. This would be an ideal first birthday present that really does have the promise of growing with your child. We are all big fans of Lloyd’s Worcester and love being able to support a local business that we are incredibly passionate about. The 3SIXTY is the perfect first step before moving onto a balance bike, and the idea is that when your little one outgrows the 3SIXTY… They will be ready for the Jakayaan Balance Bike!

Disclaimer: We were sent the Lloyd’s Worcester 3SIXTY for the purpose of this review. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

The Britax Evolva 1-2-3 Plus Review

I have told you all before how much we adore Britax as a brand, when it comes to car seats I believe that safety is everything, and I know that by choosing Britax I am getting the very best for Leo. When the time came to choose Leo’s next stage car seat around the age of 9 months, I knew I was going to go with Britax, there was no doubt in my mind about this decision. People recommended them and the reviews I read spoke for themselves, and since making the purchase back in 2012 I have not looked back or regretted my decision.

Last year my little blog and I joined forces with Britax as part of their Mumbassador programme, I was so pleased to be representing a brand that I truly love and respect. As part of the scheme from time to time I share product reviews with you, and this is one of those occasions. Leo has been sent the Evolva 1-2-3 Plus to try out in my shiny new Mini Cooper, so we took the opportunity to move Leo’s second Britax seat from my car into Daddy’s van, as I am much more assured knowing that he is in a solid car seat just in case anything should happen. I hadn’t been happy with the existing car seat brand he had been using for a while and feel a lot better knowing he now has a Britax in both vehicles.

The Evolva 1-2-3 Plus is an ergonomically designed seat that adapts to the changing needs of a growing child, it can be used with a child from the weight of 9kg (19.8 lbs) around the age of 9 months old, and can be used up to 36kg (79.3 lbs) or around 12 years old. For a child’s seat that will see your child through to an age where they no longer need a seat, £174.99 seems very reasonable, and that’s before I even tell you about all of this particular car seats extensive features.

Product Features

Forward Facing Installation

Multiple Recline Positions   

Deep, Soft Padded Side Wings

Adjustable Width Positions

Performance Chest Pads

Click & Safe Audible Harness System

Height Adjustable Head Rest and Harness

Harness Retainers

Belly Pad

Pull Out Drink Holder and Snack Tray

Quick Remove Cover

Softly Padded Cover

Lightweight

Installation with 3-point seat belt

First Impressions

As you can see the Evolva 1-2-3 Plus has a number of desirable qualities that we all look for in a car seat, getting it out of the box for the first time I was impressed to see just how sturdy and strong it felt. Everything looked as I expected it too, and the high Britax qualities that I demand were not disappointing.

I instantly liked how soft and padded the seat is, the side wings provide great support and can even be heightened or lowered to meet your child’s needs.

Installation

In terms of installation I am not going to beat around the bush, it all goes straight over my head and I manage to complicate the most simple instructions. So after I spent an hour trying to fit it into the back of my car in the complete wrong way, I handed the seat over to Luke to fit properly. And sure enough within minutes that is exactly what he had done. It was simple and now safely secure in the back of my Mini. The seat is secured by the car’s seatbelt and basically straps it into position, it is so secure in there that even if I jiggle it around it stands firm.

After installation we realised that we needed to heighten the seat, and the side wings so that Leo could sit comfortably.  I thought that we would be able to do this while it was still installed in the car, but you actually have to remove the seat and make the adjustments prior to re-installing. It’s definitely worth sitting your little one in the seat before installing it so you can see exactly how they are sat, and whether you need to make any adjustments. This is again a task I assigned to Daddy, who read the instructions and then made the adjustments without any issues. Then it was just a case of putting it back in the car again, which again took him mere minutes.

What I really like about this car seat is that it can literally grow with your child, this could be the only seat you need to buy as a follow on car seat. We are using it with Leo with the 5 point harness, as I am much happier knowing that he is completely restrained and safe, but as he continues to grow we can actually use the seat with the traditional seat belt, we can even continue to adapt the seat to cater for our growing boy. Not only can we heighten the height of the car seat, we can even adjust the width to make sure that Leo has exactly enough space to be comfortable.

Even in the back of my Cooper the Evolva sits perfectly, and Leo is really pleased with his new seat. I have never seen a child so excited at the prospect of a new car seat before, although I think it was because he was a little bit excited at the prospect of a new convertible…

Overall Thoughts

As always we have been really happy with our Britax experience, they are a brand that I used and loved long before my blog was around. The Evolva lived up to my expectations and has continued to do so each day since. We have been using it in the Mini since the end of July and it suits us perfectly. I don’t tend to take it out very often, and it will be a job for Luke as and when the scenario presents itself, but for how sturdy and comfortably it sits Leo, I really cannot fault it. The only point that I would raise with the Evolva is that you have to remove it from the car in order to alter the height.

Over all we are really impressed with the Evolva 1-2-3 Plus and will be continuing to use it with Leo over the coming years.

You can purchase the Evolva for £174.99.

Disclaimer: I was sent the Evolva 1-2-3 Plus for the purpose of this review. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest and my own.

Disney On Ice Presents: Magical Ice Festival

With Leo getting older I find myself looking at new ways to show him the magic in the world. Being a big Disney fan I have often thought about Disney On Ice, but until this year I haven't really felt that he was ready for such a grown up event. Now at 3, and with his growing love for all things Disney, especially Toy Story, Cars and Frozen, I thought that now may be a fantastic time to show him all the magic that comes along with an event like this. Having never been before myself, I know that the experience is going to be one that we both remember for a very long time to come.

Disney On Ice have just announced a rather splendid addition to their 2015 tour that commences from the 11th March and runs through until the 17th May 2015. The magical addition that is sure to have kids all of the UK jumping up and down in excitement (And the grown up's too!) is that Disney's Frozen is joining the much loved Disney On Ice ranks in the new Magical Ice Festival!

As always the show promises to be full of your all time favourite characters, kicking off with Mickey and Minnie Mouse guiding fans through the winter wonderland where you will meet Sebastian and of course King Triton's daughters, including Ariel herself from Disney's The Little Mermaid, not to mention favourites from Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Of course what you all want to hear about is Frozen, where the audience will journey up the North Mountains with that much loved snowman Olaf, accompanied by Kristoff and Sven as they each try to assist sisters Anna and Elsa along their way. Expect action, adventure, magic and songs you cannot help but sing along with,

2015 will definitely be a great year to visit Disney On Ice, or even introduce little one's for the very first time. I will most certainly be taking Leo along next year, and I cannot wait to see his little face light up when he see's all of his favourite characters right before his eyes.

Tickets have gone on sale today for 2015, and you can book from a wide selection of venues:

- Aberdeen

- Liverpool

- Glasgow

- Birmingham

- London

- Cardiff

- Nottingham

- Leeds

You can click here for further ticket details and show times.

Disclaimer: I have not been compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions shared are completely honest and my own.

Octonauts come to Birmingham SEA LIFE Centre

Birmingham National SEA LIFE Centre is a day out that I have always enjoyed, and since Leo’s arrival 3 years ago, it is an attraction that I have loved being able to take him along to and seeing how his experience changes with each visit. The great thing about a trip to the SEA LIFE Centre is that not one visit is the same, the aquatic life is always moving and providing a unique visit no matter how many times you go.

Last month we were invited along to experience the new Octonauts Mission that is launching from Saturday 11^th October, and both Leo and I were really excited to be one of the first families through the door. Leo enjoys watching the Octonauts over on CBeebies, so the mere thought of actually getting to meet some of the characters was a really big deal to my over excited 3 year old.

We decided to train it over on this occasion, and we took an entire day for just Leo and I to have a special day together exploring the wonders of the deep (even if he did get more excited about the train journey!). Upon arriving at the SEA LIFE Centre, we were handed an activity sheet with a series of questions for you to answer as you move around the attraction. I liked this as it gave us an additional something to do together as we explored, and at the end got Leo a sticker reward!

It had been a while since we last visited the SEA LIFE Centre with Leo, and in that time frame they had added in the rather amazing Penguin tank. This was the first point we came to, and this is where Leo and I spent our first half hour. I was really impressed with this one part of the attraction, and it was magical to see the Penguins swimming and diving around under the water.  It was here that Leo decided he would like to swim with the Penguins.. I pointed out a child in another view point that was situated under the water level, it took me everything to keep him dressed because my boy was adamant he was going to go swimming with them!

We saw many different sea creatures that day, Sharks, Rays, Turtles, Jelly Fish and Clown Fish, each captivating in their own way. Big hits for both Leo and I were the Sea Horses and the Jelly Fish!

Throughout the day there are a number of character experiences, and you can find the full list of appearances on the website. We had a great time walking around the building and Leo was in his element when we ran into our first Octonaut. They allowed us to pose for photographs and a helpful employee even took a few snaps of both Leo and I together.

Leo and I had a great day exploring the wonders of the SEA LIFE Centre, and Leo even got to experience his very first 4D Cinema… Now each time I ask him if he would like to go to the cinema he replies ‘No water this cinema!’. Apparently he was caught a little off guard when it came to the splashes of water that flew at him, but for the most part he seemed rather impressed with the concept!

We followed our exciting visit to the SEA LIFE Centre with a trip to Pizza Express, where Leo and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch before hopping on the train back home.

The Octonauts Mission is running from Saturday 11^th October through to Sunday 30^th November 2014, so if you are wanting to visit it is advisable to book early!

Disclaimer: We were invited along and provided with complimentary entrance to the SEA LIFE Centre. All views and opinions are completely honest and my own. 

40 Months Old

40 months have come and gone since your arrival, 3 whole years and 5 months that have brought smiles, adventure and mischief. In 40 months you have transformed from a small helpless baby into an independent, happy little boy. A boy who is determined, wise, stubborn, charismatic and cheeky, a clever little man who wants to know more about the big old world around him. A boy who loves trains without a shadow of a doubt, and will chat to no end about anything and everything to do with them.

This month we submitted your application to school, and this action alone seems absolutely bonkers. I cannot get my head around the fact that come September you will be starting school, in my mind this milestone should still be years away and not a mere 10 months. I wonder how you will feel at such a big change? I know that when you do start you are just going to seem even more grown up, and life really will never be the same. Starting school means you will become more independent than I have ever known, you will have new friends and activities. Where has the last 40 months gone!?

October saw a rather large milestone for you, and you finally (deliberately) did a number 2 on the toilet! Yes I had to bribe you, yes it involved purchasing another train and yes you haven’t done it again since… But you tried and succeeded! It was all your decision as well little man, you decided to days after we had a conversation about the treat you would get if you used the toilet. You got up and told me you needed to go, we held hands as you lead me to the bath room and then you just got on with it. I couldn't quite believe it and I was so proud of you, you may have noticed the round of applause and the excited cheers you received!

As soon as you had done your business though you wanted your prize for being so grown up, and I promised that we would go later that day to pick it up. Time ran away with us and for one reason or another I didn’t make it to Tesco with you. That evening I put you to bed and told you I would pick it up on the way home so that you could have it first thing the next day. Only my mind went completely blank, and when I arrived home to find that you were still awake I felt so incredibly guilty. So at 9:30pm I put on your warmest PJ’s and slippers, strapped you into the car and took you to get your just desserts. You were so excited and the adventure was so totally worth it, you went to bed one happy little man, and couldn’t wait to wake up to play trains the next day! And I of course kept my promise!

You have been coming out with more sentences and been making a real effort, even your nursery key worker has commented on how chatty you have been. What made me giggle was when you brushed past me the other day and said ‘scuse me Mummy, I need a wee’ and took yourself off to the bath room.  You spent half term week telling me ‘school closed’ and I think you really enjoyed the weeks rest. Yet when it was time to go back you were so excited, I seem to remember lots of excited ‘YAY YAY YAY’ filling my ears.

You have been chatting lots about Christmas and have firmly decided that you would like a Nintendo DS as your main present. Now whenever Christmas does come up in conversation you tell me that Santa will be bringing you one down the chimney. Not to mention your comments about just how many presents you will have under the tree, somewhere in the region of ‘Lots and lots and lots!’ if I recall correctly.

It’s hard to believe that 40 months ago back in June 2011 you had only just graced us with your presence, and now 40 months on it is hard to in vision a time before you, a life before you. A life without you. This time of year always puts me in a reflective mood, and it was on the 5^th November 2010, that I first discovered you were coming along. It was scary, unexpected and amazing all at the same time… And now here we are about to take on a new month and many new challenges.

Halloween 2014

Halloween seems to grow bigger each year, the costumes become that little bit more extravagant, the candy transforms into spooky surprises and you see more and more decorations popping up welcoming trick or treater’s.

2014 was Leo’s third Halloween experience, and as with everything else, this Halloween was extra exciting because he could get more involved than ever before. This year we had been invited along to a friend’s Halloween party, and although Leo had reservations earlier that day when presented with his Halloween costume, it only took me bribing him with a bucketful of Halloween sweets to get him to wear it… And you know what? Once he was wearing it he had the best time! The initial reservations were that he didn’t want to be scary, he told me ‘I want to be Leo!’. After explaining that he was still Leo and that he would be able to go trick or treating for the very first time he waved those initial fears away.

Unlike previous years where I have carved my own pumpkins, this year time ran away and I neglectfully forgot to purchase a single pumpkin. Leo didn’t seem to mind as he was far too excited about the party he was attending later that evening. We made our way over only to find that the host had gone all out, the house was dressed to the nines and the driveway lit with pumpkins welcoming guests.

Leo was away like a shot, no fear just pure excitement. He had awoken from his nap only half hour before we left and the first thing he had said was ‘I want to go to the party!’. So here he was finally at the party and on the hunt for cake. He didn’t have to look for long to discover where it all was, and he soon found a very festive Halloween spread laid out in the kitchen.

With darkness consuming the daylight on this All Hallows Eve night, we disappeared off into the night for Leo’s very first Trick Or Treating experience. Leo being the youngest at 3 years old followed the lead of the older children as they began to decide where to visit first. We kept our eyes peeled for signs that they wanted trick or treater’s to visit, and Leo couldn’t quite believe that knocking on the doors would reward him with sweets. I will have to make sure that he realises this is only acceptable one night a year…

Leo has such a great time running around with the bigger kids (Closely followed by myself!) and when the time came to head back to the party, he was not ready to wave goodnight to Halloween’s door knocking. I enticed him back under the pretence of cake, and that seemed to do the trick.

After everyone had indulged in Halloween dinner, more fun and games presented themselves. I had always imagined Apple Bobbing to be apples submerged in water, but the kid’s (And adults) participated in a slightly different version. The apples were all tied to string and then to the washing line in the garden. Everyone then had to eat their apple without using their hands! Of course Leo gave it a great shot.. Even if he did proceed using both hands!

Halloween concluded with one sugar filled 3 year old drifting off to sleep after a rather amazing evening, full of the spooky and unexpected.

Until next year…