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MAGGI Hi Fibre Noodles – worth the hype?
I sometimes wonder if my kids are trying to Leon Schuster me. I mean, one day they love peanut butter sarmies and nothing else, the next day they shun my specially prepared sandwich as if it’s the plague. Come on – there HAS to be a camera hidden away somewhere, right?!
Seriously though, if getting them fed isn’t enough of a chore, one also has to consider WHAT we are feeding them. Nutrition plays a vital role in a child’s development. Proper nutrients keep your children healthy and strong. And regular. (Need I remind you of the Big Constipation Debacle of 2009?)
So I was especially thrilled to discover MAGGI Hi Fibre Noodles. I mean, its our fave two-minute noodles, with like, super powers. AACK! BUT will a change in formula withstand my picky eater’s taste test?
In case you didn’t know: MAGGI Noodles contain no artificial colourants and no added preservatives. I usually stock up on the multipacks because it’s such a convenient meal solution for my whole family. I add fresh ingredients (proteins or veggies or both) to make it a wholesome meal when I’m in a rush.It’s the one to grab when my kids want a snack, and Miss Kari loves it, so I was a bit nervous to try out the new hi fibre variation on her.
Oh, and talking about hi fibre, did you know that a packet of MAGGI Hi Fibre Noodles has the fibre equal to one bowl of oats?! I mean, that’s kinda impressive for noodles, right? It’s made with Sunflower Seed Oil (so, lower saturated fats) and is a great source of Iron.
Anyways, our verdict:
I was pleasantly surprised to find that preparation is still quick and easy! Simply add your water, pop it into the microwave (or on stove top) and ta da! Delicious noodles, ready to devour!Miss Kari decided to be the taste tester. After sniffing it out (yes, she actually smelled it) and then proceeding to subtely nibble on a noodle, before chomping down on a mouthful, my precarious little girl finally declared that they are “delicious!” (Her words, not mine). Whew! The relief! So thrilled that I can give her a bowl of hi fibre deliciousness now!
Check out the MAGGI website for a bunch of lekker recipes you can make, for your family, using their noodles.
Disclaimer: This post was part of a sponsored campaign for MAGGI.
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Peaceful sleep with the Tommee Tippee Grobag {Win!}
I love sleep. There, I said it. I mean, I function better when I’m well rested, you guys. It’s just, like, a fact of life! And so, because of this fact (uhh of life), I’m always super keen when a brand tells me that their product promotes better sleep for babies.
Ash has always been a good sleeper, but truth be told, I’m always super anxious when he sleeps soundly. I check on him every so often, to make sure that he is the right temperature and that his breathing is regular. I mean, you can call me paranoid, but not to my face.
And now, with Autumn in our midst, the colder weather would mean more blankets. Well, usually, right?
But what if I told you that you don’t really need more blankets, to ensure that baby is snug and comfy? I know I told you about it before, but friends, these Tommee Tippee Grobag’s are perfect for this sort of thing!
For starters, the promoting of “safer sleep for babies” is not just clever words that they say to impress you. The prestigious Lullaby Trust – a UK based charity for safe sleep, highly recommends this multi-award winning product. And, a survey done in the UK actually proved that 71% of babies slept for more than 6 hours, in their Grobag. Legit, right?
The main draw card, for me, was the fact that I don’t need to use extra blankets in his cot. The togs come in various weights and sizes, so Ash is sorted during Winter AND Summer. And, with the ample leg room in the tog, he doesn’t feel restricted. (Also, have you seen his chubby thighs? Lots of leg room is needed to house those bundles of deliciousness.)
Ensuring that your baby is the right temperature is important, since overheating can result in cot death. *shudder*
Your Grobag comes with a cute Nursery Thermometer, helping you to ensure that baby is at a safe sleep temperature. I also like that the YKK zipper and chin guard helps to prevent chafing.
But more than anything, I do appreciate that it’s easy to use, 100% cotton AND machine washable (can I cry now?), so I can pop it into the washing machine if need be. The designs are gorgeous (check them out over here) and would make for such a cool babyshower gift!
PSA: If you purchase your Grobag before end of May 2020, you can use my code: gb15spreadsheetbrain and score yourself 15% off!
Check out the Tommee Tippee online store for this and more amazing Gro products.
Win a Tommee Tippee Grobag!Tommee Tippee and My Spreadsheet Brain are giving ONE lucky reader a gorgeous Grobag! To enter, simply find this specially marked post on Instagram and follow the prompts!
Terms and conditions
Giveaway ends on 30 April. Competition is open to SA residents only. Competition is not affiliated with Instagram. T&C’s apply. Decision is final and we reserve the right to disqualify winners should entry mechanisms not be followed. Products are not redeemable for cash. Tommee Tippee will deliver goods to winner.
Disclaimer: This post was done in collaboration with Tommee Tippee
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Dress like a princess with Classy Baby Boutique {Win!}
Pretty dresses are my daughter’s jam. The girl believes that she is a princess (and I am the queen, duh), so she kinda insists on only wearing dresses, because this is what princesses wear.
Her princess-dress-wearing is not just for special occasions, mind you. In fact, her princess-dress-wearing is not limited to time or day or activity. We are a princess, so we wear a dress. Finish en kla.
And although it does cause my spreadsheet brain to short circuit because I obviously plan her outfits in advance, her attitude towards dressing up also reminds me to enjoy my beautiful things. I mean, who says that beautiful princess dresses are only to be worn on special occasions?!
So when I spotted the gorgeous princess dresses over on Classy Baby Boutique, I knew that I had to get my hands on one. I mean, even though they don’t fit me (and they wouldn’t because, uh, it’s a boutique for baby girls), I had a very specific little girl in mind who would totally rock a princess dress.
Yumna, fellow mom and owner of Classy Baby Boutique actually says that she started the boutique because she couldn’t always find those gorgeous princess dresses for her little girl.
And so her project soon turned into a fully fledged business where she sources the best dresses, for princesses, ensuring that quality and design is always on top of the list of boxes to tick.
Comfort also plays a big role in the type of garments she keeps in her store, because you know, princesses want to play all day too!
My niece, Ameera, tested the dress out (i.e. she played all day… dirty feet and all!) and agreed that it definitely was comfortable! I liked that the fabric is gorgeous but not too heavy.
Ameera says she liked that she looks like a super star. I concur.
After a couple of hours of playing in said dress, it still looked as good as new. (I mean, her mom had to wrestle her out of it, but that’s another blog post for another day). We made promises that she can wear it to her birthday party next week (our birthday’s are a day apart!). But seriously guys, I was impressed that the dress held up, considering the fact that Ameera plays hard.
Yumna’s range of gorgeous little girl dresses can be found on Instagram. Guys, they are simply stunning!The order process is simple: place your order via DM or Whatsapp. An invoice will be sent to you. Once payment is processed, her very secure courier company will make sure the goods arrive at your door in no time. You will receive a tracking number to keep an eye on your parcel.
Win a gorgeous Classy Baby Boutique for your little one!Classy Baby Boutique and My Spreadsheet Brain would like to give one little girl a gorgeous princess dress! To enter simply follow the prompt on this Instagram post!
The giveaway ends on 27 March at midday. Classy Baby Boutique is responsible for sending the prize to the winner.
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It’s Valentine’s Day – here’s how to do a Sunstar GUM #FreshBreathCheck! {And win a hamper!}
It was awkward. My Valentine and I were on the most perfect date, complete with roses, a moonlit walk by the beach and Leona Lewis. Until he leaned in to give me a smooch and it left me, pretty much, knocked out by more than just his good looks.
Bad breath is not cute, you guys.
And when it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth and fresh breath, getting rid of dental plaque is essential. I don’t meant to be dramatic but bad breath totally has the power to make or break that special moment forever!!! *and end scene*
Seriously though, plaque is almost invisible – it’s not easy to spot. So, if you plan to take your dental care seriously, you might want to consider investing in the new Sunstar GUM Red-Cote Plaque Disclosing Tablets. I’m super impressed with it, because it makes it easy to identify exactly where you should improve your oral care routine.
Simply brush, floss and rinse as usual then chew a tasty, cherry-flavoured tablet to reveal any plaque you’ve missed. Then brush and clean in-between again, until your mouth is completely clean. As easy as pie… but, like, fresh smelling pie. If you know what I mean.Sunstar GUM has a range of amazing products that helps you to keep your teeth on fleek. (Does that sentence make sense? Well it does to me. I can’t help it if I’m hip.)
One of my faves is the Sunstar GUM ActiVital Sonic Toothbrush – a super stylish way to ensure a healthy mouth and clean teeth and gums. The ultra-tapered bristles are scientifically proven to remove up to 50% more plaque from between the teeth than a manual brush and reach deeper below the gumline.
The GUM Expanding Floss is perfect for those small gaps between teeth. GUM Expanding Floss is easy to insert, even between the tightest contacts, and expands during use for an exceptional clean.
I love the Sunstar GUM Dual Action Tongue Cleaner so much, man! It helps remove plaque and food debris from the surface of the tongue. The two sides provide a dual-action – bristles to gently brush and a serrated edge to wipe the surface clean.
My Hubstopher is a huge fan of the GUM Original White mouth rinse, because it contains StainClear to help remove stains from in-between the teeth and the tiny crevices in tooth enamel. Made with a patented combination of fluoride, Isomalt and vitamins, Original White Rinse delivers advanced mineralisation for stronger and shinier teeth, helping prevent further staining while strengthening gums and teeth.
BTW if you’re not sure whether your breath is fresh enough, take the online Sunstar GUM #FreshBreathCheck this February on www.ivohealth.co.za to find out. You could win awesome prizes! What’s more, Sunstar GUM will once again donate a toothbrush to the Dental Wellness Trust’s oral education programme on behalf of each person who completes their #FreshBreathCheck quiz in February. Legit.
Sunstar GUM is recommended by dental professionals around the world and available from Dis-Chem, Clicks, selected Checkers, Pick n Pay, SPAR, pharmacies and dentists.
Win a Sunstar GUM #FreshBreathCheck oral care kit, valued at over R700!This February – Fresh Breath Month – we’re giving away a Sunstar GUM #FreshBreathCheck oral care kit, valued at over R700. Each kit contains easy-to-use GUM Red-Cote Tablets plus everything you need to super-power your oral care routine for fresh breath and a healthy mouth, including a Sunstar GUM ActiVital Sonic brush, floss, interdental tools, a tongue cleaner, GUM Original White toothpaste and rinse.
To enter simply find the specially marked post on Facebook and on Instagram, and follow the prompts.
Terms and conditions
Giveaway only open to South African residents
Giveaway ends on 19 February at 12pm
Winners will be announced via my social media pages
Sunstar GUM is responsible for the delivery of prizes to the winner -
Pumping at work: tips for working moms
So when it comes to breastfeeding, it’s like, totally super fun, like, all the time!
Said no mom ever.Choosing to breastfeed your baby is a full time job, you guys. I mean, sure, it IS an absolute flippen joy to beable to feed your child with your very own bossom. Don’t get me wrong. BUT it’s taxing, for sure. And the thing about the commitment to breastfeed is that you often find yourself in the act of extracting milk from your body even when you’re not with your baby. (Pumping, it’s called pumping.)
It’s even more challenging when you’re at work and your baby feeders are needing to be emptied. But, there are ways to prepare for it, friends!
Here are a few tips (you can find more on the Medela website) to help you have a more pleasant, uhh, pumping experience, at work:
Get yo’ gear
An easy to transport bag should be holding all your breast pump equipment together. Be sure to include:
– Your breast pump (duh). I prefer the Medela range, because its sucking motion mimics that of my baby’s, which means I express more milk!
– Your storage bottles or bags. I use Ziplock bags, but you can totally purchase the handy Medela storage bags or bottles for this.
– Your marker, if you’re using Ziplock bags. Use this to date the storage bags.
– Breast pads or something to clean up with. (Leaky “other” boob, anyone?)
– Wet wipes are always handy.
– Something to read, or a pic of your baby, that can help to stimulate that let down.It would be great to have a pack like this, at work, and a separate pump at home. Take this advice from a mom who totally forgot half of her breast pump at home one time. My boobs were not happy.
Get yo’ space
You are entitled to two 30-minute breaks per day, for expressing milk for your baby at work. Did you know that? Well, you are! This right is protected by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.Drop your HR an email, before your maternity leave ends, to let them know that you will be expressing and to find out about the allowed time for this and the required private room (not a toilet) for you to pump in. We don’t have to be dramatic about it, moms. I mean, an interview room or a private boardroom will do, provided there is privacy, a comfy chair and electric outlet.
Get yo’ timing right
As your maternity leave comes to an end, begin to jot down the times when your baby would usually breastfeed. This gives you an idea of when to schedule your expressing time, at work. It will also help you to express more milk since your milk supply will usually follow the same schedule as baby’s feeding times.Hey, you could even arrange a practice day, yo! While on maternity leave, allow baby’s carer to bottle feed for the day, so that you can do a trial run of pumping at work. I usually schedule my first day back at work to be on a Friday so that I can get the hang of expressing and allow my body to adjust slowly to the new routine.
You need a Medela breast pumpOkay, I’m not just saying so because I was sponsored to. My Medela breast pump totes changed my life, you guys! This award winning breast pump does the job, and then some! Most pumps feature 2-Phase Expression technology, which mimics babies’ natural sucking rhythms, allowing mums to express more breast milk in less time. HOW COOL?!
The Medela range of breast pumps are all high standard and high performance. From a hospital-grade Symphony, to a high-performance manual Harmony pump (I love mine – it’s handbag friendly!) to the double side Freestyle electric or the mini-electric (this one is great for my night time pumps), there is basically something for everyone.
I like that Medela continuously works with researchers and developers to provide us with the best feeding and breast feeding devices and products. I mean, they take their job seriously. I appreciate that. Although challenging, your season of breastfeeding your baba is so short and special. Choose products, like the Medela’s range, that will help to make the experience of breastfeeding and the collecting, handling and storing breast milk easier and more convenient.
Disclaimer: Medela gave me one of their pumps. But I’ve owned a few over the years and I love them all! My comments in this post are completely honest.
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Making up for lost time this festive season
You’ll often find me flexing my Genius Mom status ’round about these parts because… well… I have five children, people. That’s five whole human beings whose lives I contribute to in a major way. I mean, let’s just say that three of them won’t have clean bums if I’m not around. So that’s, like, a pretty big deal.
But, because there are that many children under my care, I also have to find new ways of
making them believe that I’m amazingentertaining them. This was especially challenging this December because we’ve added our latest member to the troupe a mere four months ago!So, the other day, when our eldest turned a whole 18 years old (yes, I do realize that I am now parenting another adult) I decided to flex that Genius Mom muscle once again by incorporating as many kids as possible into baking Now-Adult-Son’s birthday cake. The result? Pretty epic, even if I do say so myself. (Which I do.) I mean, homemade baking just tastes better, right?
Now, I need to add a teeny tiny disclaimer right here: I don’t bake.
Like, if you had to rate my skills and abilities on a scale of 1 to 10, I would probably score a solid -11 when it came to baking. Yep, it’s real bad.But I know that baking is a labor of love. I needed to remedy this situation AND gain the respect and awe of my children simultaneously.
So I was especially chuffed with myself for remembering that I had a box of Golden Cloud Cake Mix in my cupboard. Although, let’s be honest friends, I wasn’t going to pass out in shock if I flopped on this too. I mean, I’m okay with it. One can only have so many amazing talents (this is me trying to make myself feel better).Anyways, I whipped out the cake mix box and quickly scanned the pretty straight-forward instructions. I only needed to add the “wet” ingredients… the rest was in the box, including yummy icing! That was such a score already!
I was also impressed that I didn’t need to have special cake-making-things to make the cake (you guys know what I mean, right?) There was no mention of fancy cake making tools and equipment. Needless to say, I felt like I was winning and the cake wasn’t evens made yet.
We finally got cracking (literally, cracked the eggs, I know, I’m a lyrical genius) and, with the help of my kids, had the cake in the oven in no time! The icing was super easy to make and we got so much out of it, I could keep some aside for our Golden Cloud cupcakes (also so easy to make, my five year old practically did it by herself!)The kids enjoyed decorating the cake. I enjoyed eating the cake. Both for obvious reasons. The result? It was super yummy and moist! Honestly, I was a little bit shocked… why didn’t anyone tell me that it’s this easy to bake a cake, yo?! I feel like the universe has been holding out on me!
I’ve now stocked up on as many Golden Cloud mixes as possible. It’s such a great way to make up for lost time AND, if you involve them, you get to be creative with your family. We are loving the cuppacino muffin mix and my kids are begging me to try the bread/dombolo mix! My sussie and I whipped up some scones for her Ma the other day and, I must admit, it felt good to beable to casually mention that I had just “popped them into the oven earlier”. Watch out Cake Boss, I’m coming for you!Have you tried the Golden Cloud mixes? Which are your faves?
Disclaimer: This post was done in collaboration with Golden Cloud
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=729439874223131
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Baby’s First Christmas: 5 gifts that are totally legit
Okay, so a serious topic popped up at the dinner table the other night. My kids (mainly the most dramatic one) wanted to know if baby Asher will be receiving a Christmas gift from Father Christmas. They firmly advocated for their baby bro, explaining why our four month old shouldn’t be left off of the Christmas gift list just because he’s still little.
They made fair points, I must admit. And I totally could get the kid a small gift just to, you know, have his name on something under the tree. But then I had a brain fart you guys. (Yeah, flexing Genius Mom muscle).
My brain wave is this: I’m going to give baby Asher a useful gift that will benefit me too. Woohoo! *raises hand for a high five*
Don’t leave me hanging. Do you think this is a brilliant idea, or what?
Well, fortunately for me, my friends over at Chicco and Prima Baby usually have us parents in mind too, when devising all their nifty kids toys and accessories. These are my top five Chicco finds, this festive season and would make totally legit Christmas gifts… uh… for your baby.
1. Chicco First Dreams Mobile I didn’t know how much I needed one of these until I installed Asher’s mobile and found myself baby-free for a good while! He was so fascinated by the four removable plushies and, the soothing classical music made bed time that much more calmer. It also has a diffused nightlight and can be attached to wooden and travel cots, as well as co-sleepers.
My boy permanently wants to be in my arms, so it really helped that I am able to lay him in his cot for a tad bit longer, while I see to my other kids. It also gives him something to focus on (other than, you know, crying) when he wakes up and I’m not around. Double score, in my opinion.
2. V-Tech Baby My First Gift Set I love the idea of the V-Tech Baby hamper. I mean, it has four really legit tech toys that can serve as entertainment (uhh, aka mom hands-free time) all while helping your kids reach his/her milestones. The boxed set includes a soft hippo teether, a rattle and a cool musical piano that has three light up music buttons, introducing your child to animals, numbers and colours.
3. Chicco Move and Grow Tummy Time Pillow A tummy time pillow fascinates me because, to be honest, tummy time makes me nervous. I mean, who else hates laying your baby on a flat service while they strain to lift their heads to find you. There is usually lots of tears and crying involved (baby cries too)… so I’m not a fan, but I know that it IS important for baby’s development. The Move and Grow makes tummy time a bit more pleasant. It’s made of memory foam and has lots of entertaining accessories attached. The book, mirror, textures and colours are designed to keep their developing minds busy and active. I also like that the pillow was made by Boppy – leaders in the nursing pillow market.
4. Disney Baby Mickey and Minnie First Abilities 25CM PlushWhat’s better than a cuddly soft toy? A cuddly soft toy that keeps your kid busy for long periods of time, giving you a couple of minutes to enjoy your coffee while it’s hot. Right? These Disney Baby plushies are designed to do just that, friends. It features various activities to keep your baby engaged, while developing those fine motor skills. It’s a great cuddle buddy too!
5. Chicco Move and Grow Happy Hippy Walker I love the colourful and interactive Happy Hippy Walker from Chicco. With fun colours and activities designed to stimulate, the walker is a fun way to encourage your child to take their first steps. The walker also serves as an activity station and is perfect for kids aged 9 – 24 months.
Find these toys at selected stores including Babies R Us, Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Thekidzone.co.za, selected Kids Emporium stores, Hamleys, Lilliputs and others.
This post was done in collaboration with Prima Toys.
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Make bath time oozy, gooey fun with Zimpli Kids! {Giveaway}
Our kids are going crazy for the Zimpli Kids Gelli Baff and Slime Baff products. And this is me being nonchalant about it. When I say they are “going crazy” I mean they are totally freaking out!
I always try to keep my small ones out of the pool when it’s super hot outside, simply because I’d rather them not be in the sun for too long. The baby pool is fun, for a while, but I soon have a pair of hot, bored small people who are driving me cray cray.
Enter: Gelli Baff and Slime Baff! (Yes, this is me flexing my Genius Mom muscle again). My friends, you’ll thank me for this bit of information. Simply add this amazing product to your baby pool water to turn it into fun goo! This instantly turns the boring ol’ baby pool into a super cool gooey, oozy bath of gunk!Slime Baff turns your bath water into a gunky bath of slime. By just adding more water, the slime can be diluted into coloured water that can be safely drained away. I hide small toys away, in the slime, to make a fun interactive sensory game fit for most kids and toddlers!
Gelli Baff is a totally unique fun bath time product that lets you turn water into goo and back again. By adding Gelli Baff powder to water, you create a thick colourful goo. Add a ‘dissolver’ powder, to turn the goo back to water. Pretty darn clever. I mean, if your kid isn’t into bathing, you could totally use this as a draw card.The Glitter Gelli Play is super fun and, yep you guessed it, glittery. My daughter is obviously a fan of this one.
These amazing products have been designed with bath time in mind. So, because of this, they are non-irritant and 100% safe on skin, stain free and non-toxic. Pick them up at Want It All, Takealot and Toys R Us.
Win a Zimpli Kids Gelli Baff/Slime Baff hamper!
Zimpli Kids would like to give one My Spreadsheet Brain reader a cool Gelli Baff/Slime Baff hamper!
To enter, simply follow the prompts below find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instructions!
Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 27 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with Zimpli Kids.
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Christmas gift idea: Roly Polyz for the win! {Giveaway!}
Since it’s Jojo’s first Christmas as an actual person (aka he’s old enough to know that it’s Christmas) I knew that we had to make it extra special. An extra dollop of festivities and a special Christmas gift is a must!
Festivities and cheer, I can do. I mean, come 1 December, I pretty much jingle as I walk. But I wasn’t really sure what type of gifts to get him. I don’t know about you guys, but I always find gift buying for boys a lot more challenging than it is for girls.
Jonah loves music and sport… so getting him a musical instrument or a ball is kinda… I don’t know… obvious. I wanted to add something else to the mix.
When I spotted these super cool construction and monster trucks from Roly Polyz, I knew that they’d be a legit finishing touch to his gift!
The Roly Polyz monster trucks come in a variety of colors and you are even get a monster truck launcher that propels the truck and makes fun monster truck sounds. Build your own ramps and set up your own off road adventures, then use the launcher to propel your truck over the obstacle course.They come in a variety of designs and colors and are super sturdy, making it perfect for outside play.
The Roly Polyz construction range features construction vehicles AND a construction worker uniform and tools, making imaginative play that much more interesting for your little one.
My kids enjoyed using the construction trucks to really dig up and transport dirt (so fun for me to clean up afterwards). I love that it’s more than just a pushing around of mini cars. They really get into it!
I love the idea of these novelty trucks because, well, they are flippen cool! But also, I like that there are various items in each range, making it a great gift that you can add on to for birthday’s and special occasions.When it comes to Christmas gifting and toddler boys, I never spend money on toy/pretend weapons, simply because I don’t want my kid to grow up thinking that a gun is fun or something to be desired.
I also don’t want to spend copious amounts of money on intricate toys that they will probably lose interest in or rip apart after a while. Also, while I am a firm believer in books and puzzles, I know that my two year old is a rambunctious scallywag and he needs a bit more than a good ol’ book to keep him occupied.
So the Roly Polyz construction diggers and monster trucks kinda hit the mark for me! They are available from Toys R Us at a sweeeet R70 each! How’s that for a great deal?
Win a RolyPolyz trucks hamper!
RolyPolyz would like to give one My Spreadsheet Brain reader a cool trucks hamper complete with 6 monster trucks and 4 diggers!
To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 27 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
This review and giveaway was done in collaboration with RolyPolyz.
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Girltivity: helping to restore the balance of girl power, one box at a time!
My favourite thing about raising my daughter is that I get to show her that the world is her oyster. I mean, growing up as a girl child I felt very limited. You could blame it on my own personal misconceptions, my upbringing, society or the mindset of the community I was raised in… point all your fingers or just one, either way, you won’t be wrong. And I say this as politely as I possibly can.
Now, I don’t know about the rest of my girlfriends, but I’ve always felt as if it were my fate to find a nice office job, marry a nice boy and, you know, settle down. Nicely. It was only later on, when society and the media celebrated the successful woman more openly, when I realised that I don’t HAVE to be a receptionist or a teacher or the lady who did the books. Not that there’s anything wrong with those vocations… but, I mean, I finally saw that there are MORE OPTIONS.
I know that I’m not the only female who has felt restricted… limited… unable to reach her full potential because she wasn’t given as many options as boy kids had. According to UNESCO statistics, women make up only 23% of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent globally, and this inequality is often felt in South Africa’s science, technology and engineering industries. Meh.
Geared to tackle this daunting problem head-on is an Umhlanga based mom, Romona Mahadeo, and her daughter Kiara, an ambitious kidpreneur. Together they have built the Girltivity™ brand – to inspire and empower girls aged 3-12 through a monthly subscription ‘STEAMED UP’ box. How rad, right?!‘STEAMED UP’ stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Design, Understanding and Practice. The Girltivity Box is thoughtfully designed by educational experts to encourage creativity, curiosity and support literacy development.
Each box includes a 20-page Girltivity™ activity book highlighting a Female role model and her unique story, with 10 to 15 hands-on ‘STEAMED UP’ activities. Also included is a creative play prop, a featured character trait that helped her succeed and 2 to 3 practical tips for parents to easily nurture that trait, experiments, games, collectibles plus so much MORE.
I love the Girltivity™ mission: “to restore to the balance of girl power everywhere!” Yasss queen! I see this as more than just a subscription box… it’s a phenomenal way to invest into a girl’s future, inspiring her to be confident, brave, fearless and to… well… do it like a girl!These boxes are filled to the brim with gorgeous and interesting activity and, friends, a box like this will be a BOMB Christmas or birthday gift as well! There is an option to subscribe to receive a monthly box and I love that there’s an option to gift it too! Your gift will include a personalised message. Very, very cool. The Christmas orders close on 16 December, so visit the website now to place yours!
Disclaimer: The Girltivity box was sent to me and some of the pics in this post was taken from the Girltivity website.
