• How much do you spend on your child's birthday party?

    How much do you spend on your childs birthday party?

    I think it’s ridiculous to spend thousands of rands on a kids birthday party. There I said it. *hides away* Hello? Is it safe to come out now, after dropping that bomb? I know, it’s not a popular thought but guys, the extent that some go through to throw that designer kiddies party is just plain crazy man! Moms, be honest: How much do you spend on your childs birthday party?

    Hundreds? Thousands? I mean, it is a bit loopy, don’t you think? Because those thousands could possibly have covered a pretty birthday cake, bought your kid a really legit gift and you’d have cash to spare which you could put away towards their education. The difference is that you would not have had an audience to cater to. You might not have had quirky theme related serviettes or a party pack that would rival the snacks section at Woolworths.

    Your “miniscule” celebration might not have had a professional photographer or designer cupcakes included in the budget. Or matchy-matchy decor. It might not have covered the costs of a fancy kiddies venue. But would your kid have enjoyed himself? Yes. Probably.

    How much do you spend on your childs birthday partySo why go through the motions of spending a crazy amount of money to host your kids party? Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’ve done it too. And a lot of fun was had by all (except my bank balance, that is.) I guess we do it because we love our little munchkins so much that we will do whatever it takes to ensure they have the BEST memories of their childhood. And hey, if you can afford it, then why not.

    But if you can’t… that’s okay too! In fact there are ways to be “extra” on a “basic” budget. Fancy doesn’t have to be expensive. But to be honest, all your kid needs is a couple of balloons strung up in your living room, a cake with candles on it, perhaps a hot dog and some ice cream and a bunch of friends to enjoy it with. Literally that is all it takes. All the other frills and bows are OUR doing, moms! We want those things. Essentially, you’re throwing a kiddies party for yourself, in honor of your kid. There, I said that too. If I had a mic I would drop it.

    Like I said, I’m not immune to the “fancy birthday party” disease. I mean, I’m planning Kari’s party as I type this (literally my brain is buzzing with ideas) and her birthday is only in October. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not totally opposed to parties held at venues (because guests would then have to leave after two hours and I don’t have to clean my house, win-win) but I’m also not totally opposed to putting the money towards her college fund.

    I know… what you spend your money on is none of my business. I get it. But please, humor me, I would love to hear your thoughts on this. How much money do you budget towards your kids birthday party? What’s the most you’ve spent? Do you have any birthday party budget tips? Please hit me up in the comments section below. But like, don’t physically “hit me up” because of this post. I’m fragile. And I have a birthday party to plan.

    Images: All the lovely pics in this post, of Kari’s first birthday cake smash, was taken by the talented Michelle of Cutepix Photography (she made the props by hand too!) Check out more in this post. 

  • never ready to be a grandmother

    I was never ready to be a grandmother

    Guys, I’m on the lighter side of 30 and so not ready to be anyone’s grandmother. Well, that’s what I discovered last week when my 16 year old came home, plopped a 2,5kg bundle of joy in my arms and declared “Congratulations! You’re an ouma!” I was never ready. I mean, seriously? A grandmother? Me? Firstly, no thank you, I’m too young. Secondly, no thank you, you’re too young! Thirdly, just no thank you. That is all.

    never ready to be a grandmotherAfter much debating, he politely let me know that it is in fact a school project, and even if he wanted to ditch the 2,5kg bag of flour (accurately dressed as a bouncing baby by his partner aka “babymama”) he couldn’t because he needed to pass his Life Orientation assignment.

    Anyways, I soon got over my feelings of animosity (mainly due to the fact that it’s actually a bag of flour and not a real baby) and we all found ourselves taking turns to hold the “baby” (who is oddly named Germaine for some reason) when Kyle had to go to the loo or wash the dishes. It was pretty awkward… and normal… in a weird way.

    The initiative is part of the schools plight to teach students about teenage pregnancy and what it takes to raise a baby. He’s not allowed to leave Germaine without a babysitter. He has to feed Germaine and make sure “he” is clean and “comfortable”. Germaine can’t be left unattended and can’t be stuffed into a school bag. He must be treated like a real life baby and visitation times gets rationed between Kyle and his partner.

    When asked how he feels about the project, he said that he already knows all about raising babies because he helps out with his baby brother and sister. It’s true though, he is an amazing big brother to his sibs! I sometimes joke around and call him our ‘deputy parent’. But he soon found out that having your own kid is not the same as helping out with your siblings. He had this to say about the flour baby project: “It doesn’t really affect me but it confirmed that I still only want to have a child when I am married.”

    Never ready to be a grandmotherHe says that the hardest thing about looking after Germaine is not forgetting the “baby” when he already has a bunch of other things to carry. I was like, yeah buddy, that’s life with kids! Having to juggle everything and still provide your offspring with attention and intentional care. Welcome to my world.

    He also says that sharing Germaine with his partner has made him realize that being a married parent is easier than being a single parent. “Single parenthood is tough!” He exclaimed. Followed by a “Mom, you’re a super mommy!” (referring to the first 12 years of his life, pre-Hubstopher, when it was just Kyle and I.)

    As for me? Well, Germaine has taught me that I am not ready to be a grandmother. I have too much going on and even though we only help out when needed, this 2,5 kg bag of flour really slows me down. I blame it on the fact that I currently have two kiddies under the age of 4. They need to be grown first, before I can properly celebrate the idea of having grand babies. So let’s chill on the “grandmother” story, well atleast for a couple of more years, okay?

  • Are you a married single mom?

    I became a mom at a very young age. My baby daddy and I were not married. When our relationship ended, and he moved to another city, I suddenly found myself navigating the choppy waters of parenthood alone, as a single mommy, and let me tell you, it was hard work. Anyways, I eventually got married to my Hubstopher and to be honest I thought that things would change. But the truth is I still feel like a single mom sometimes. A married single mom. Does anyone else feel that way? Your reasons could be that your partner is not very hands on with the kids, or maybe he works a lot, or maybe, like me, your kids just prefer you. You find yourself somehow steering a ship designed to have two captains and you’re not even sure how on earth you got there.

    It’s not uncommon to feel as if you’re the only one doing the work in your household. I remember growing up and hearing my mother moan something along the lines of “am I the only person living in this house?!” while changing the the empty toilet paper roll for the gazillionth time. Well, I found myself thinking these very same thoughts this past weekend and the amounts of “uhhh HECK no!” that hit me full force in the face, was astounding! I was NOT going to be a married single mother. Heck to the no! Not me, not this lady. Not again.

    being a mother sucks

    Now, maybe your married-single-mom-ness is due to the fact that your husband works in another city, or maybe he works crappy hours. Fair enough. Maybe he simply chooses to not do anything. That’s another blog post for another day. But you see, mine is none of the above. Hubstopher is always eager to help out. I mean, granted he has his fair share of “I’m in my work bubble” moments at home, while I’m trying to cook, do homework and bath the baby all at the same time. But if I had to keep it real, I sometimes find myself subconsciously choosing to be the only one pulling the weight. Why? Well, because he won’t do it the way I do it. So I’d much rather pack the lunches myself, thank you very much.

    I know how to make the baby’s bottles, so I’ll do it. I know what Kari needs to wear to school, and he might dress her in her “going out clothes”, so let me get her clothes and dress her quickly. I’m able to bath both babies, at the same time, and leave the bathroom clean in the process. When he baths them (one at a time, and it takes forever!), the bathroom ends up looking like a bomb exploded in it. I’ll do it, thanks. Sound familiar?

    We can never compare being a “married single mom” to being an actual single mom. Single parents in general have way more challenges to overcome and there are other ways that Hubstopher supports me that I did not get when I was single. But I feel like I’ve inadvertently placed myself in a “married but single mom” box and it makes me want to punch someone. Me. I want to punch me. Because I’ve allowed this to happen! At times I’ve even chosen it! And guys, it’s NOT fair for one parent to be doing all the work.

    Whether you’re a stay at home mom or you’re “single parenting” because your partner lives in another place. It’s flippen draining. Is it possible? Yes, it is. I know lots of single parents who are doing a kick ass job. But if your partner is present, I believe that he should be just as involved as you are with the day to day raising of your kids. And uhm, Margaret, there is no such thing as “but it’s the woman’s job to do it”. I mean, I get it, he’s the man of the house and he deserves to get the biggest piece of chicken during supper time. But being “the man” in your home has nothing to do with the amount of work you are negated from. In fact, it means you have a bigger responsibility to make sure your ship is sailing smoothly, Captain. You can’t call it babysitting if it’s your own kids, Broseph. Mommy is not the majority shareholder… it’s 50/50!

    So this post is for all of you who feel as if you’ve drop kicked yourself into a “married but single mom” box, by mistake. It’s okay. There is still time to change things. Let go of the reigns a little bit and allow your partner to step in and assist you. Take your shoes off, grab that cup of coffee, sit back and let your man be the man in your home and in your family. You’re welcome.

  • Stuttering in toddlers: should I be concerned?

    A couple of weeks ago Kari started stuttering. It came out of the blue, no warnings, and over a day or two the stutter was so severe that she gave up completing her sentences. “I can’t say it!” she would sigh, dramatically. (Always the diva) Freaked out? Why, yes, yes I most definitely was! I had read up about stuttering in toddlers a few years prior because Hubstopher also has a stutter and I wondered if it was genetic. I mean, I was prepared for it, but I wasn’t, if that makes sense. To see my 3-year old show symptoms of the speech impediment shook me!

    We immediately brushed away the idea that this was learned behavior. I mean, Hubstopher’s stutter has simmered down to a slight stammer and he sometimes has whole conversations with out you even noticing his speech impediment. So it wasn’t likely that she was mimicking her daddy. And anways, his stammer was more syllable focused. Hers was pretty intense… she was stuttering whole words (not just syllables). What on earth could this be?!

    Anyways, I did what any rational, modern mom would do. I asked Google. Look, I was prepared to take the kid to a speech therapist like, yesterday! Judging from the stories Hubstopher has shared about his struggle growing up with a stutter, it wasn’t something I was looking forward to seeing my daughter try to work through.

    Guys, what I found on Google surprised me! For starters, Google literally told me to take a darn chill pill woman. Okay, maybe not literally, but that’s what I read between the lines.

    Tommee Tippee sippy cupApparently stuttering is not uncommon in kids between the ages of two and five. Language dysfluency is basically a coping mechanism that occurs when little ones are learning to form words into sentences. The dysfluency usually manifests in word or phrase repetitions and, surprisingly, 5% of all children are likely to be disfluent at some time in their development.

    When kids feel rushed to speak, or they have a lot to say (but their brain is still catching up with what their mouths want to do), the stutter can occur. It’s also more evident when the child is excited, tired or stressed. The disfluency can come and go but it usually only sticks around for a short period of time. Experts say that if the stutter lasts for more than six months, you should then consider taking your kideo to a therapist. But wait it out. Educate yourself. Know what to look for and how to respond to the stutter.

    There is some debate with regards to whether genetics play a role in stuttering. But we are confident that this is not our girl’s portion. In fact, the stuttering has since subsided and has been reduced to a stammer. Kyle has been a super sweet big brother, telling her to take a breath when she’s struggling to get a word out. It seems to be helping. We also try not to finish her sentences for her and of corse, we don’t show impatience towards her. We will be monitoring her for a few months to see if it worsens. But until then, it’s business as usual. Which means I get to listen to her endless Barbie bedtime stories. Yes, she tells ME a bedtime story.

    Has your child ever showed signs of disfluency? Share your tips and advice in the comments section.

  • Educating Your Kids About What They Eat

    Educating Your Kids About What They Eat

    When it comes to teaching our children, it is not all just down to what they learn in school. Some of the most important lessons are the ones that we teach them at home, key life skills such as how to wash themselves, complete chores, and of course what to eat and how to cook it. Here are three top tips to educate your children and encourage them to get involved.

    Make it part of your daily routine

    Children learn best when things become a habit. So, from teaching them stain removal techniques such as how to remove ketchup from clothes when doing the laundry, to getting them to help pick out foods on your grocery list that will make up their meals, allow them to join in completing every day tasks. Each thing they do can be a learning tool to talk about where food comes from, what health benefits certain foods have, and how flavours and textures work together.

    Take them to the source

    Getting out and about is not only fun and good for your health, but it is also the perfect way to give your children an education in where their food comes from. Visiting local farms for example is great way to show them which animal is the source of the meat they eat, and shopping at a butcher’s shop as an alternative to a supermarket gives you the opportunity to talk about different cuts of meat.

    Teach them easy recipes at home

    Teaching our children about where their food comes from is the first step, next they need to know how to prepare it. Spending time together in the kitchen will both strengthen your bond with them and also teach them invaluable lessons that will benefit them once they leave home and have their own families to care for.

    Here is a quick and easy recipe to help you get started with getting your children involved in the kitchen. Kids all love pasta!

    Ingredients

    Pasta of your choice
    Olive oil
    1 Large Onion
    1 Can of chopped tomatoes
    1 tsp tomato puree
    1/2 tsp Salt

    Method

    1. Fry the onion in the oil, stirring often, until it turns pale brown.

    2. Add the tomatoes, the puree and the salt. TOP TIP: Herbs such as basil add a great extra oomph to your sauce, while peppers can add the perfect crunch.

    3. Cover the pan and simmer gently until your sauce is nicely thickened. TOP TIP: Adding a stock cube stirred in a little lukewarm water can help to thicken your sauce quicker.

    4. While your sauce is thickening, prepare your pasta as normal.

    5. Stir your pasta into your sauce and enjoy with a sprinkling of cheese on top!

    If they get peckish for a snack, try this great sweet potato fries (that are actually baked) recipe! And in case of a mishap, I’ve got you covered on how to remove ketchup from clothes.

    Ingredients

    2 Sweet potatoes

    Olive oil

    Sea salt

    Black pepper

    Paprika

    Garlic powder

    Method

    1. Start by chopping up the sweet potatoes lengthways into chips and soak in cold water for about an hour.

    2. Remove the chips from the water and dry them in a cloth, then toss them into a baking tray and drizzle over with olive oil.

    3. Sprinkle over the pepper, salt, paprika and garlic (and whatever other herbs or spices you like)

    4. Next, place the tray in a preheated oven for about 35-45 minutes, or until they are cooked through and looking scrumptious!

    5. Serve with some ketchup or guacamole, if you’re feeling adventurous.

    You now not only have a couple of fabulous recipes to try at home, but also have some great tips to help educate them about their food, how to prepare it and of course how to clean up afterwards!

     

     

    Guest post by Katherine Mosquera and Naomi Hassan of Mavens of London. Naomi has written for various food and lifestyle blogs and continues to work alongside Mavens of London to create immersive articles and blog content.Katherine has written and edited a range of articles from home and lifestyle, to food and fashion, and is currently a content creator/author at Mavens of London.

  • mommy blogger

    Want to meet some of my fave South African mommy bloggers?

    mommy bloggerIn case you’ve missed the news, I am in fact a mommy blogger. “Argh, what does this even mean for your social life?!” I hear the masses cry in shock and horror. Calm down people, it’s not as bad as it looks. Being a mommy blogger is actually a really great way to meet… well… other south african mommy bloggers. And pretty soon these “on screen friendships” develop into pretty deep real life relationships and before you know it, you’re able to have an emotional conversation, via Whatsapp, at midnight with someone sitting on the other side of the country, who totally gets you.

    Why am I telling you this? Well, because I do believe that our local mommy bloggers are gosh darn amazing! They have a lot to say (and that’s where the blog comes in) and they are all so eager to give their readers the BEST content.

    south african mommy bloggersBesides for the interesting product reviews and awesome giveaways, one of my favorite thing about mommy bloggers is that they share real life stories. I appreciate that they are brave enough to overshare with their readers. Parenting is tough, yo! I mean, sure it’s all unicorns and rainbows and fluffy clouds… until the glittery poop hits the fan. Which is why, if you’re feeling particularly loony toons, it’s so great to be able to read someone else’s personal testimony and be like “yeah! me too!”

    It’s with this in mind that I thought to feature a couple of my favorite South African mommy bloggers on my blog every week. I think that these ladies are pretty rad, Brad! And I want you to meet ’em! My Meet The Mommy Blogger series commences tomorrow and will run every Friday, over the next couple of weeks. If you happen to check them out, do me a solid and visit my mommy blogger friends websites and show them some love! They’d love to hear from you.

    Clip note: Pic above was borrowed from Venean Bosch of In The Meantime (bottom left), to her right is Eleanor Douglas-Meyers of Just Ella Bella, Mandy Miller of Pregnant in Cape Town (bottom) and Tracey Grammar of The Milk Memoirs. On top is Cindy Alfino of 3 Kids 2 Dogs and 1 Old House and then lil old me. 

  • HICH

    HICH South Africa – a fashionable way to teach your kids about animal cruelty

    HICH

    When it comes to kids fashion, I’m pretty sure my children dress better than I do. Can you feel me, moms? We sure do love dressing our kids up! And with the large selection of boutiques and kiddies brands popping up, we’re okay with spending that hard earned cash on the latest trends too. What if I told you that you are able to spend money on a funky item of clothing for your kid AND help to raise awareness about animal cruelty, at the same time? Well, this is exactly what HICH South Africa had in mind when the brand launched in December 2017.

    The local mother-daughter trio (headed by mom, Nicky) are passionate about the well-being of animals. HICH was actually born when founding member, Melissa, was planning her son’s 1st birthday party. In lieu of traditional gifts, guests were asked to bring a bag of dog food to donate to the local animal shelter for a #bekindtoanimals themed celebration at an animal farm. HICH South Africa was birthed shortly afterwards and officially launched into the online market on 15 December 2017.

    I love the heart behind this business! I mean, I’d much rather have my kid wear something that can influence society for the greater good, than have her wear a tshirt that says something totally mindless and narcissistic. The HICH tshirt designs are fun and quirky – thanks to team member, Lisa – and the fit is great!

    From the website:
    The reason behind HICH is quite simple. George Thorndike Angell once said, “I am sometimes asked, ‘Why do you spend so much of your time and money talking about kindness to animals when there is so much cruelty to men?’ I answer, ‘I am working at the roots”. This is exactly what HICH is all about! The brand aims to support local and national animal shelters as well as wildlife organisations. Individual support has also been given as HICH aims to help all animals in need, big or small.

    HICH South AfricaI’ve taken this opportunity to once again teach my kid more about animal cruelty and how to be a kinder human being. If you’re looking to do the same, check out the ultra cool designs on the HICH South Africa online store.

  • Day Zero: The day the taps will run dry {And 10 ways you can save water}

    It sounds very “end of the world movie starring Will Smith” but authorities have recently reported that our water resources are running low… yep, we are on the brink of facing Day Zero. And by on the brink I mean, they say it’s going to happen in the next few months. What is Day Zero, you ask? Well, it’s the day when most taps will be turned off and residents will have to queue for water due to drought and water shortage. There has been no relief for our looming water crisis and authorities have urged residents to continue to be water smart. I mean, can you imagine not having flushing toilets? If you haven’t begun to conserve water, I urge you to do so now. To help you do this, I’ve put together a bunch of really cool tips on how you can get your household to conserve water.

    In the kitchen
    1. Keep the plug in the sink to collect any extra water (which can be used for rinsing). If you have a double sink, consider leaving a plastic bowl in one of them, to catch any water that can be reused again.
    2. When washing dishes, save the water to mop the floor afterwards. Rinse washed dishes in a tub of water which you can reuse to water the garden.
    3. Save a small container of water in the fridge to wash fruit in. Water the garden once you’re done.
    4. Using paper towels (and not cloth towels, that may need to be washed afterwards) is a good way to conserve water.
    5. If you’re using a dishwasher, wait until it is fully loaded before switching it on.

    day zero

    In the bathroom
    1. Save your bathwater and use it to flush the loo.
    2. Only flush the toilet when absolutely necessary. Some moms have allowed their boys to urinate outside. Yep, the struggle is that real!
    3. Use a facecloth to clean your face, and a small cup of water to rinse your mouth, instead of a running tap.
    4. Take a shorter shower or hey, have a competition to see who can do it in the shortest amount of time. When showering, turn the tap off while you’re lathering yourself, and turn tap back on to rinse. Want to be extra? Take a bucket with you into the shower, to catch any excess water.
    5. Share bath water (usually the kids will hop in first, and the adults later).

    Moms, are you teaching your children how to be water smart? Are they aware of the water crises? Are they treating water like the precious commodity that it is? I certainly do hope so! If not, that’s okay. You can always start today. Consider turning it into a little game to see who can save the most water, or come up with the best ways to save water.

    If you have any great water saving tips, please do share them below or on the Facebook thread on my Facebook page. We’re in this together guys.

  • flying with children

    Flying with children – Uh, yes you can!

    I sometimes think that going places with your children should get you an award or something. I mean, I’m sure you’ve taken your little ones out in public and said a silent prayer, hoping that melt downs are at a minimum and that no one needs to poop while you’re standing in a very long queue. Come on, pat yourself on the shoulder, you’ve mastered the art of taking quick trips to the the shopping mall. The beach? Waxed it. Play park? Sheesh, walk in the park (pun intended). Movies? You’re probably a pro. But hey, have you ever considered flying with your kids? Flying with children?! Yep, I said it! It’s totally doable! Book those flights to Cape Town, girl!

    I know you’re probably looking at me with crazy eyes and wondering if I’ve ever met your children and gauged the amount of damage they could possibly do during a 90 minute flight. And trust me, I get it. (Have you met MINE?!) But having a positive and fun flight experience is totally possible.

    Some things to consider when planning that flight
    1. Prepare your child by explaining the protocol to them. This creates a familiarity and gets them excited to comply! Cover topics such as using that ‘inside voice’, the safety belt and the fact that you’re not allowed to leave your seat.
    2. Make sure you visit the loo before boarding and right after landing! It’s also helpful if you could limit your child’s liquid intake about 2-4 hours before your flight.
    3. Your kid is just a kid! Bring along games, electronic devices (that has an “airplane mode”) and other fun activities that would help to keep them entertained. Don’t forget that portable charger!
    4. Create special airplane related games (such as eye-spy or airplane bingo). You could even focus the activities around your destination (airplane/destination trivia for the older kids) and hey, how about going next level and having little prizes for motivation.
    5. Don’t forget to bring along the chewing gum to avoid air pressure discomfort. Yawning or swallowing frequently can also help to alleviate ear discomfort during the flight, so those gummy chews are your friend!

    Here are some more tips from our friends over at Travelstart

    Travelling with your children shouldn’t have to be a pain! In fact, teaching your children the do’s and don’ts about travel should be priority. So, for 2018, I dare you to book that flight, go on that adventure, make that memory, and hey don’t be afraid to take the kids with you. Check out the Travelstart website for great deals and cheap flights From Johannesburg To Cape Town

    Disclaimer: This post was done in collaboration with Travelstart. Photo by Paul on Unsplash

  • christmas stocking fillers

    Christmas stocking fillers for kids

    One big gift, on Christmas morning, just makes sense. Well, to us big people, that is. But the truth is that most kids want to open a whole bunch of gifts, come December 25th! And let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like hearing the rip of wrapping paper and seeing festive inspired gift bags laid strewn across your living room floor. Fortunately there are some really cool Christmas stocking fillers for kids that work well at making your Christmas tree pile look a bit more impressive.

    Crazi Erazi

    Crazi Erazi
    Kids love to collect! How about topping up that Christmas stocking with the latest craze – Crazi Erazi mini collectibles. I love this new series of collectibles, which features tiny versions of a bunch of South Africa’s best loved stationery products. The full Crazi Erazi collection consists of 13 erasers that really work. Unlike the retailer specific free collectibles seen over the last few years which rewarded shoppers with a collectible item per specific amount spent in store, Crazi Erazi collectable erasers can be purchased at a variety of participating retailers and stationers for only R 6.99 each. The plastic collector box, which doubles as a pencil case, retails for R 39.99 and is fitted with exact compartments where all the erasers can be housed. The replicas of actual stationery products include brands such as Pritt, Mondi, Treeline, Artline, Uni, Penflex, Staedtler, BIC and Butterfly with mini versions of glue sticks, multi tack, paper reams, counter books, pens and markers, highlighters, pencil cases, pencils, crayons, pocket files, paper pads and colouring books. So cool! Find these at your nearest retail outlet.

    Action BibleThe Action Bible Guess-It Game
    Discover and learn about the Bible in a whole new way with The Action Bible Guess-It Game! Designed for ages 8 years and older, this game can be played with 2 or more players and tests and expands your Bible knowledge. Includes 100 oversized, laminated cards with 20 questions on each card that point toward the answer (a person, place, or thing from the Bible) and feature artwork taken from The Action Bible. Guys, this really is so much fun! Great for traveling or family game night, these action-packed cards will help expand youngster’s Bible knowledge in a fun and interactive way. Available at CUM Books, or online.

    mini me legoMini-Me Personalised LEGO
    Wow your kids with their very own personalised mini LEGO! The super cool Mini Me online store allows you to build your own LEGO ‘people’. Yep, you get to personalise everything… torso, face, hair, even the accessories! Theare are 1000’s of categorised items, on the website, and you are able to purchase a special stand for your creation too. Visit the online store for more.

    Gelli BaffGelli Baff and Slime Baff
    Guys, I was so excited when Zimpli Kids sent us some Gelli Baff and Slime Baff to try out at home. I think that these would make such great Christmas stocking fillers! The product basically turns your kids bathtime into an exciting, slime (or jelly) filled experience! Both products are 100% safe on skin, manufactured in the UK, non toxic and environmentally friendly, which means they can be drained away and disposed of easily. Gelli Baff is a totally unique, fun, bath time product that lets you turn water into goo and back again! Slime Baff turns your bath water into a gooey, oozy bath of slime. By just adding more water, the slime can be diluted into coloured water that can be safely drained away. Such a fun time! You can pick it up at Toys R Us or Takealot. Check out the Zimpli Kids website for more deets.