Pumpkin themed messy play

After picking our own pumpkin we had few small ones left , as I didn't want them to go to waste and wanted L to explore something new I started searching the Pinterest for messy play ideas or things to do with pumpkin. 
I have found mess free play with pumpkin seeds idea which I was eager to try.
I have prepared a cloth mat, a pumpkin, a carving knife, a pan and a carving scoop and tissues.
I used a carving knife to cut the top for an easy access inside the pumpkin. I let L play with slimy seeds, to scoop them out or put them in a pan.

As L likes to play with mud when in the garden principal of scooping pumpkin seeds was familiar to her. We spent possibly good 20 minutes playing until L decided that she wants to cover me in seeds.

Later in the day once eaten and cleaned I decided to try Pinterest messy free pumpkin baby play. I have found a zip lock bag, I put slimy seeds in and locked the bag. The idea is that it keep babies clean and allows to play with seeds, feel different textures and explore something new. L didn't find this idea exciting and maybe stepped on the bag couple of times and grabbed it few times and then it ended up in the pile of toys. Which made me think that maybe not everything we see on Pinterest works?! Would you agree?

Christmas gift guide: Precious Parcels mice plaque

For me Christmas and New Year are like birthday- a very special day when you want to decorate the house, prepare delicious meal, looking forward to opening present and invite your close family and friends so celebrate that special day.

If you don't know what to buy for your loved ones or want to decorate you home but stuck with ideas Precious Parcels is the right place to visit.

" Precious Parcels was set up in October 2008 by Natalie Hickey. 

Natalie began making plaques purely as a hobby. She'd always enjoyed being creative and as she was at home looking after her newborn son, she thought it would be an ideal time to get creative. 

A few friends suggested she should list her work on eBay to see if anyone liked it, and when the first few items sold she continued to make more... and more.... 

As a result of this unexpected demand she set about designing the website and Precious Parcels was born...".

Natalie has kindly offered us to review personalised Christmas mice plaque worth £7.50.

The plaque arrived within few days of ordering it, smelling of fresh paint.

I have opted for a general customised wording "Merry Christmas to all" as I was planning to hang it in our hallway.

You can personalise the plaque with up to 4 words maximum which should be enough for a small plaque, measuring 17.5cm x 7.5cm.

This cute little plaque is manufactured from mdf, Natalie applies a base coat in Primer and few coats of white paint before applying the mice design and your preferred personalisation. 

Each mice plaque is supplied/ finished with a natural twine attached to it and red qingham ribbon.
                                       
It looks super cute and can be a great Christmas gift or an ideal decoration if you want to spruce up your home!

Please note, Precious Parcels are closing their books on 5th December in time for Christmas deliveries.

Disclaimer: I was sent the item mentioned above for the purpose of this review/gift guide. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: Goodness Gracious baby food

L have tried different well - known baby food products, some she food combinations she likes and some she hates. For instance L likes carrot, apple and parsnip pouches from 2 different brands because they are more sweeter and bearable to eat, where as 1 particular brand adds more carrots or carrot flavour is overpowering and L would never eat it.

When we came across Goodness Gracious baby food pouches I was intrigued to see if L will like or dislike them.

"Goodness Gracious Foods serves up an innovative line of organic purees in Switzerland, Europe and all over the world, using recipes that began life in the kitchen of founder Katherine Gubbins.

Goodness Gracious’ food is researched using nutritionists and the ancient healing power of Ayurveda – the Indian traditional health system dating back 5000 years: balancing the mind, body and soul. Whatever you put in your body has an effect. For our babies and children, naturally, we want to give them the best food possible so that they can grow and thrive and live their childhood in the most carefree way".

Pouches from 4 months old:

Apple Puree (£1.10 in Ocado)

I have tried to do apple puree myself but it never tasted right. I don't tend to give L single fruit or veg pouches but if she is not eating anything offered I' willing to try something else. I have offered apple puree pouch as a small snack after L's lunch and I can certainly say that L liked it. I have also tried it myself and it tastes slightly different than your usual apple pure pouch more realistic to what it would taste if I made it.

Pear Puree (£1.10 in Ocado)

Pear puree tasted strong but not too bad, same as apple puree pouches it tasted like a home-made puree.

Apple, Apricot & Cinnamon Puree (£1.28 in Ocado)

When I saw the combination of flavours I thought that it is different but wasn't really sure if L would like that, but she did and finished it all! I have tied it myself as well- overpowering apricot with a small cinnamon hint. 


Banana, Plum & Quinoa Puree (£1.28 in Ocado)

L has never tried quinoa before and I was a little bit worried that she wouldn't take it. Overpowering sweet babana flavour with quinoa texture. The pouch is a little bit too sweet for me, but L didn't mind it.

Carrot, Broccoli, Quinoa & Pea Puree (£1.28 in Ocado)

This is L's least favourite, she is not a big fan of carrots, peas and broccoli in general hence I didn't expect miracles. As I have tasted the pouch myself I couldn't taste carrot or peas as broccoli was overpowering but L just didn't like it regardless.

Pouches from 8 months old and older:

Chicken, Sweet Potato & Spinach Puree with Mint & Lemon Juice (£1.51)
L wasn't keen on this pouch either. She rarely accepts a chicken flavour pouch but will eat a chicken and veg jar, very specific I know. 

The moment I offered the pouch L didn't like it straight away and after few attempts didn't accept it. I of course have tried it myself, I could taste chicken and mint, the texture was a little bit "heavy" for me. I could taste spinach and if L was happy to eat it I think I would put it in a blender one more time.

Organic Mango, Coconut Milk & Brown Rice Puree (£1.28 in Ocado)

L has never tried coconut milk or brown rice and knowing how fussy she is with food I didn't think that she would try the pouch, but she did! When I have tried it myself I couldn't feel any rice, but it certainly had an overpowering mango taste to it.

Pros: Seeing how L eats this pouches I would like to try new flavours.Cons: the pouches don't really have any information in English language apart from attached "bookmark". At first I thought that the bookmark is merely a decoration and didn't look at it properly. I tried to read the words in French to see if they make sense to me, as I didn't want to give L something without checking the ingredients. I think it would be ideal if the label in English language would be glued to the actual pouch.

You can find Goodness Gracious pouches on sale in the UK via Ocado, Wholefoods and Planet Organic as well as quite a few smaller Organic and healthfood shops.
Disclaimer: I was sent items mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.