Play Day 3rd August

Did you know Wednesday 3rd of August 2011 is the National Day for Play? The idea behind Play Day is, that according to recent findings, we don't take our children to play outside as much as we used to when we were younger.

Savlon undertook some research about outdoor play which revealed some shocking results:

• 42% of children have never made a daisy chain
• 32% have never climbed a tree
• a quarter of children have never rolled down a hill
• a third of children have never played hopscotch
• 1 in 10 children have never ridden a bike

These really are such sad statistics and a sign of our times now. Times have changed so much from when  we were small but that is no reason not to get out there and enjoy these simple childhood adventures. I think these figures should be a reminder to everyone to get outdoors, even just for a little while.

You can look here to see what is going on in your local area or for more information on how to host your own event visit Play Day. The venue or size of the event doesn't matter, it's simply about encouraging children to experience and enjoy outdoor play. Events are already being planned up and down the country, from Jubilee style street parties to backyard play dates.

I am teaming up with Not Yet a Yummy Mummy to host a Play Day in Richmond Park. So if you live local (or not so local like me) and would like to join us then feel to tweet us @mummyandbeastie and @NotYetaYummyMum or you can email us at mummyandbeastie@live.co.uk and notyetayummymummy@gmail.com. 

We would love to see you and your little ones, the more the merrier!

Bob's Big Build Event

I heard about this event today and will be so thrilled if we are lucky enough to receive some tickets. It will certainly be a day jam packed with activities and one to remember.

If your little ones love Bob the Builder then this fun extravaganza is not to be missed! Register now to get building with Bob this August Bank Holiday. The event is at the O2 Live Quarter in London on Saturday the 27th of August and is FREE for families to attend. There will be nine different activity zones to make for a perfect family day out.

The day will include activities such as digging for dinosaurs, building soft brick walls and whizzing around a scooter track to name but a few. Any boys (or girls) dream!

There will also be the opportunity to see Bob's new feature length DVD special 'The Big Dino Dig' as well as a live Bob the Builder theatrical show. Bob himself will also be making an appearance along with Wendy to meet their eager fans.

To register you need to visit www.bobthebuilder.com/bigbuild. Tickets to the event are limited so you need to register early to avoid disappointment.

Good luck and maybe we will see you there (if we're lucky)...

VTech Digi-Fun workshops for kids

I was kindly given the opportunity to sign up and attend one of these fantastic workshops, there was just one small problem, that being my son is too young to qualify. I am finding more and more now that two is between ages and although he is not quite old enough for some activities he is too old to be classed with babies...

However, what I would like to do is tell everyone about it so that if it's suitable, you can book up and attend the sessions at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum of Childhood. If the mere mention of it sounds like something you and your family would love to take part in, then you must read what it has to offer below:

V&A Museum of Childhood launch VTech Digi-Fun workshops for kids

This summer the V&A has teamed up with the number one manufacturer of children's electronic learning toys, VTech, to offer a truly unique series of workshops which will introduce children to the exciting possibilities of the digital word in a fun and engaging way.

Ideal for children ages 4-9 years old; the Digi-Fun workshops are running every Saturday over the school summer holidays at 2pm from the 23rd July to the 27th August. These free sessions each last one hour and will give kids the opportunity to explore, invent and create with the very latest kid-friendly technology.

Bringing the digital revolution to a new generation...

One of the workshop highlights will include an exclusive preview of the VTech InnoTab, the first ever Tablet computer for kids, which will be in shops from September (available at some workshops). Budding Bailey's will also have the chance to get hands on with the Kidizoom range of digital cameras and videocams.

As part of the sessions children will learn how to take pictures, film, and edit their own footage as they embark on an adventure around the museum to find a bunch of mischievous toys that have decided to have a bit of holiday fun!

So if you're looking for family fun activities to keep both kids (and adults!) entertained this summer holiday, sign up for a Digi-Fun workshop and get down to one of London's best tourist attractions for kids. As well as the workshops, there's also plenty to explore in the museum itself...the collection of childhood related objects and artefacts spans the 1600s to the present day and includes toys, clothing, furniture, art and photography.

Vtech Digi-Fun Family Workshops, Saturdays, 23, 30 July and 6, 12, 20, 27 August 2011 1400 - 1500.

So if you're looking for family fun you can book by visiting www.vam.ac.uk

For more information visit the the VTech Facebook page here.

Silent Sunday...

 

Dance Star Mickey

Beastie and I were very excited to review Dance Star Mickey. Ok, well it was just me who eagerly anticipated his arrival but he was worth waiting for. We both squealed when we unwrapped the box and took him out. I couldn't get him out of his packaging quick enough but as usual toys are designed to simply not take apart from their packaging. Eventually we freed him and the fun commenced...

In case you aren't aware of what he is all about you can see the official YouTube link showing street dance group Flawless having a battle of the bands style dance-off with Mickey himself.

Before I knew it Beastie had found a new friend and they were inseparable for the rest of the day. He treated him very much like a new puppy (poor Mickey) and took him everywhere. Now Mickey isn't your average cuddly friend, he's decidedly 'uncuddly' but then that's because he has a very important function, he dances (amongst other things). We were impressed to see he can work his way across the room, turn, wave his arms around, clap his hands, move his head and talk/sing along with the music. There are six different tunes, for some variation and Mickey even moonwalks!

He was very much missed overnight and here is their reunion the following morning...

The only negative aspects to Mickey are that he is quite noisy and clunky when he moves around. However this is understandable, he has a lot going on to keep him going and perform all his moves. Although he is pretty robust I wonder how he will fare with a heavy handed toddler. He is grabbed mainly by his ears and arms and I am not sure if they are up to this rough treatment, but so far he has managed to survive. He has even hugged him so tight that you could hear the motors wurring as the arms and legs couldn't move, again no harm. He even warns you that lying down is not a good idea!

Mickey is a great interactive toy and has provided lots of fun this week and I expect he will remain a hit for some time to come. He is great for encouraging children to dance along to the moves and it's an added bonus that he is interactive depending on what button is pressed, if Mickey is left standing, he will let you know.

Beastie demonstrates some of his moves along with Mickey. Some of the tunes are really good and some are to say the least, annoying but then you have to expect that with children's toys. When anything is on repeat it will start to drive you crazy. Having said all that, it's a toy and that's what kids want.

Our verdict? We think he is a whole lot of fun and is a toy that can be brought out again and again and still be great entertainment.

Dance Star Mickey is available from Fisher Price and if you want to find out more about him you can visit the interactive site here.

Nb. I was kindly sent Dance Star Mickey to review. I have shared the experience and expressed views that are entirely my own.

MUMenTUM - Thinking Slimmer

I have been waiting to do this post for Monday's linky as I wanted to get started on my slimpod from Thinking Slimmer. I have been so excited to get started on what seems to be a revolutionary product. We all read about gimmicks from time to time and you read testimonials on websites revealing how good their products are and I always think they sound too good to be true. Now in this instance I might have thought the same had it not been from the fantastic feedback I have heard word of mouth through blogging and predominantly twitter.

I have admitted that I am not someone who can diet easily, my willpower is pretty pathetic and I will have a good week and then that will be it, all good intentions down the pan. This is where the slimpod got me interested. Now if it's possible to change the way I think about food then it might unlock the secret to keeping some unwanted weight off and help me make better food choices. I have a tendency to eat quite quickly, I can't even blame it on my son as I used to eat quickly before I had him. I know it's bad for digestion and more importantly I don't think I am savouring the taste and really enjoying what I am eating. Practically inhaling food is never a good idea but yet I continue...

So finally I am all geared up for 21 days of using the slimpod. After a lovely chat with Sasha from Thinking Slimmer outlining my goals and expectations it was suggested that I try the Drop a dress size slimpod. I like the fact that the slimpod's are just ten minutes long, this means that realistically you can find time to listen to it every day without it becoming difficult.

Last night was the first night I embarked on my Thinking Slimmer journey. I hadn't thought it through properly by installing it on my iPhone as it could easily be disrupted by a text message or twitter. However it's on there now and last night I listened to it uninterrupted. My son didn't even wander in for his daily bed hop so I was very grateful for that. The recording is straight forward and extremely easy to listen to. Trevor the voice behind it has a soothing voice and one that puts you at ease. I have listened to hypnosis downloads before and the voice can really make or break whether you listen further.

Now I am on day two so it's very early days but you have heard it from the start and how I mean to go on. Along with the slimpod you receive a handbook to document how you are doing and a contract to sign and stick on your fridge! (don't worry it's not binding, only to yourself).

This is the start of a 21 day experiment for me and I can't wait to see what effect it might have on me. After that there is a bonus slimpod for maintaining the weight loss for a further few weeks. Once that is finished then my relationship with food should have changed for good. If I feel myself getting into old habits, all I need to do is listen to the original Slimpod again. I am looking forward to the journey!

Worries for the future

I feel my heart feels heavy at the moment with worrying about the future. I know that I am very lucky in many respects, I have a loving husband, a wonderful son and supportive family. We have jobs and we make ends meet, our home is nice and we don't go without food. I know that there are so many people less fortunate, I know this.

What is worrying me right now is what does our future hold? At the moment I feel our hands our tied financially and of course this has a bearing on our lives and I feel our happiness. Take just earlier, I popped out of the flat to take the bin out.  I was immediately struck by how warm it was outside and how lovely it must be to sit out in the garden, at this time of the day, just relaxing letting the world go by. I walked down the road thinking how nice it is to be outdoors in the summer, seeing as we spend so much of our time indoors during the winter months. Unlike other countries, our outdoor living is comparatively short lived.

I have these terrible guilty feelings lately, for Beastie. Before he came along my priorities and outlook were different. I felt that we could change most aspects of our lives if we so wanted to. I have upped sticks and moved a few times around the country and have never been afraid of embracing change, I like change. What has struck me now though is that although we would dearly love to move, we are financially unable to. Every now and then I have a brain wave about how we can get out it but it always ends up with the same conclusion, we can't.

My worries are centred around what kind of childhood we can offer Beastie. I don't expect a long sweeping garden complete with a tree house (although that would be nice), I would just like some outdoor space with some sunlight and a place for him to run about and let off steam, mess about with a sand pit and water table and career round in his car, if he so wishes. Our childhoods mould who we are and I am aware of that lately. At the moment it feels like we might be living here for many more years, something which we never banked on when the market was at it's peak when we bought. We were lucky to get a mortgage when we did but it feels like a mill around our neck now. The fact we didn't choose a house will always niggle away at me. Quite simply we were living the lifestyle that suited us then, not really thinking ahead to when two become three.

Now the babyhood stage has passed we are faced with much more, a small person is being guided by my husband and I. We decide what he sees and experiences and I wonder whether he is experiencing what he should. I dread him having memories of being confined to a flat and even worse having no real memories of outdoor fun (at home) when he was little. It doesn't help the fact that I don't like the area that we live in and I don't always feel comfortable visiting some of the local parks and even walking around the area surrounding us. I worry what life will be like when Beastie is a teenager and what living in this area will be like then, times have already changed so much from when I was little, it's scary.

I guess we always think the grass is greener on the other side, that's part of human nature. If we didn't want to try and better our lives and look forward to new things then life would become a little dull and samey. I wonder whether we are ever truly happy when we reach our longed for goals?

What I have concluded is that something needs to change in our lives, I know that much. More than anything I need to make a concerted effort to take Beastie out more, to try and enjoy as much as the great outdoors can offer us. We need to focus on getting more financially secure (even though it feels like an uphill struggle) and look to the future with a positive outlook. It's just remaining optimistic and a glass 'half full' type of approach, something that's not always the easiest thing to do.

Nb. This is in no way meant to make anybody think that I don't know how lucky I am, compared to all the problems around the world, my problems fade into insignificance. It is just an account of my worries at the moment.