BABY Secrets Weekend Fun

We have been recently challenged to do some duck themed activities with BABY Secrets characters and I just couldn't say 'no' as firstly we find ducks very cute and secondly L just adores those cute and sometimes naughty BABY Secrets babies.

So whilst the weather was perfect for picnics and long walks, little L and I decided to make ourselves comfortable in the garden and do some painting. 

We looked at the paint pots that were included with the duck money box, looked at the colour mixing instructions and the main picture of the duck form the packaging so that L is clear on the end result. Having said that I didn't want to control the process as it was an activity for L more so, and as a free spirit that she is, L decided on her own colour theme for the money box. 

Once the money box was dry, on the fresh air it took few minutes, L was ready to feel the box with the coins out of my purse. Money box was an apt gift for L as she is very much into counting coins and playing "shop" games.

On a little bit duller day we decided to cheer ourselves up by baking yummy chocolate chips cookies out of the mix provided with our bundle. Cheeky Baby Secrets babies just had to be included in the process. 

To my surprise the process was very simple and didn't take long: pour the mix into the bowl, add could of tablespoons of water and stir until it looks like dough. Creating duck shapes took a little longer as I think I put too much water in the mix and it was a little too sticky but I think we pulled it off!

Disclaimer: We were provided with the products mentioned above for the purpose of this feature. 

Review: yummy veg and fruit snack for kids- Googly Fruit

When L was smaller we had a little obsession with buying certain veggie pouches for her to eat as it seemed the only way of filling her little stomach with goodness (or so we thought!). Until family member started to mention that L looks jaundice, which was later confirmed by doctors. It wasn't liver jaundice but carotene one which was cause by excessive amounts of carrots in L's meals. 

Upon investigation we found that every single pouch and every single jar L had consisted of small or big amounts of carrots which was the cause for L's orange tint. Since then we are more cautious about what goes into L's mouth and ours for that matter, we try to eat healthy and stay away from nasty ingredients in our food.

Few weeks ago L was very delighted to receive a yummy package from Googly Fruit, who are on a "mission to help kids make a lifelong friendship with fruit and veg...The Googly Fruit range is made from 100% organic fruit and veg with no added nonsense".

We have received a selection of fruit and veg pouches, freeze- dried crunchy fruit pieces and crunchy fruit and veg puffs, Goodly Fruit activity book, sticky googly eyes and "learn your ABC" book all with cute googly characters on the packaging! 

L was very eager to test everything and perhaps would have eaten all at once but eventually picked crunchy strawberry(£1.50)! 

"Our tasty Googly Fruit Made Crunchy are made from 100% fruit. Their secret is that they’ve been freeze-dried to turn them into delicious crunchy bites! They’re additive-free and 100% organic, naturally! From Bella Blueberry and Rory Raspberry to Suzie Strawberry, they’ve all got one thing in common: they’re yummy scrummy and super crunchy!"

The smell was divine and as I have tried them too I can tell you first hand that strawberries taste yummy! The package itself can be re-sealed, same goes for other crunchy fruits from the range. I would love to see veggie crunchy crisps added to the range!

Pouches (£1) "taste them and you'll realise just how good they are. As with all our Googly Fruit products, we don't like nonsense so you won't find any artificial ingredients. Each pouch contains 100% organic fruit and veg (often hidden from your kids) and counts as one of your five-a-day. Don't forget we're super handy and (almost) spill free. 

Fruit ones  have always been my favourite part of weaning, probably L would agree with that, but as this is not about me but about L and other kids wanting to eat more fruit and veg (especially veg for us) I offered L to try a pouch with sweet potato, apple and clementine first. If with the first taste L wasn't sure about it, she didn't mind to try the pouch few more times. I had a little taster too and found that sweet potatoes are slightly overpowering other 2 flavours.

With crunchy puffs (£0.75) "are a great alternative snack to fat-filled crisps. These easy to serve crunch sensations are the ideal size for kids’ little hands - and suitable for small teeth. Once you’ve got a taste for them, you just can’t stop crunching!"

You can't go wrong- great snack, settle flavours, perfect for when out and about or a great, healthy snack for nursery/pre-school.

Googly Fruit branding follows throughout the packaging and activities that can be found on the brand's website and in the paper activity book that can be purchased separately.  Activities help kids to discover the love for fruits and veg through fun colouring, getting to know fruity and veggie characters and much more.

I would love to see how the brand expands it's range and looking forward to see lots and lots of Googly Fruit (and veg) fans! If you would like to give these funky snacks a go you can find them in Superdrugs, Ocado, I have also seen them on Amazon and Kidschoo.com

Disclaimer: We have received products mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Back to School with Stickerscape name labels

Since L joined pre-school we were constantly reminded to label all the clothing. I have tried few other products before and even though they would last long, it turns out they are too good and perhaps not as practical as I wanted them to be (I am talking about re-selling labeled items).

With new term and new season fast approaching I have a new pile of clothes to label, I don't actually mind doing it as I am super excited to try new brand- Stickerscape.

"At Stickerscape we make gorgeous, high quality wall stickers especially for children.Our multi award-winning wall stickers can give any nursery, bedroom or playroom a super-speedy makeover and transform plain walls into fun backgrounds for exciting, imaginative play".

I have opted to review Mixed Name Labels with a bird theme as the set provides a nice variety of sizes and types of labels for most surfaces. This set also comes in 2 sizes- little pack for £7.50 and big pack for £16.

'Each pack type contains the following:

Big pack
30 x Mini stick on labels (4.7 x 0.9 cm)
32 x Medium stick on labels (4.5 x 1.8 cm)
14 x Round stick on labels (3.3 cm diameter)
8 x Large stick on labels (10 cm x 1.8 cm)
60 x Mini iron on labels (4.7 x 0.9 cm)
27 x Iron on care labels (3.5 x 1.75 cm)

Little pack
30 x Mini iron on labels (4.7 x 0.9 cm)
16 x Medium stick on labels (4.5 x 1.8 cm)' 

Stickerscape can also offer to order Mixed Name Labels set with either stick on labels only or iron on labels only which could perhaps be more suitable for those parents who have a particular preference. 

Order process was extremely easy:
- click on the product required with a chosen design
- write the name of your child  (and school ID) in a box when ordering a set
- add to shopping basket

How to:
At the beginning I didn't read instructions (which can be found at the back of the label's envelope) and tried to peel off and cut out iron on labels- this is not the right way to do it. It was incredibly easy to apply stick on labels-just peel off and stick on any surface and spot, with iron on labels you need to gently peel them off, apply facing upwards to the correct spot, cover with parchment paper and by using hot iron slightly move back and forth with it until the label sticks, which will be in no time! 

I like variety of colours and designs and will be sure to use these labels in the future.

Delivery was super quick too, from the moment I have ordered them (on extremely snowy day) it took approximately 2 working days!

Super service and super quality too!

Disclaimer: I was sent the product mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!