A first look at the Leapfrog LeapPad

We were really excited to be told we would be getting our hands on a Leapfrog LeapPad explorer tablet before it hit the shops later on this month.
It was a real honour to be chosen as one of the first people in the UK to get our hands on this amazing gadget pre release date.
So a big thank you to the great team at Toys R Us UK toyologists


So when the postman knocked on our door yesterday bright and early and handed us the box everyone was eager to get their hands on the LeapPad.

I quickly managed to take a few photos of what was in the box before watching as the Leappad disappeared followed by the three children with whimpers of 'is it my turn now'


I through out the day saw flashes of green and white and 'mummy say 'cheeesssseee' as they ran past, but every time I asked for a look they disappeared again! Initially Jake, my 9 year old said 'I'm not having ago, its babyish' but within 10 minutes of the 'ohhhh and wow look at this' coming from Chloe and Mikey he had changed his mind, and when he got his hands on it some time later he was less than eager to give it up!



Mikey who is 4, which is the lower end of the recommended age range could easily manage the LeapPad he seemed to instantly know how it worked and set about exploring its features with no trouble at all, Chloe my 8 year old loved it and was happily drawing away in the art studio and making a story, although the concepts of some of these are very simple aimed at young children she didn't mind at all and has cried about having to let her brothers have ago or put it down to eat and sleep!



So I sat and waited so very patiently for them to discard it, surely after several hours of play it would be eventually tossed aside... I waited, but no, not one of them choose out of their own choice to put it down, always had to be prompted to pass it along, and in doing so there was always 2 others, (no make that 3 including Dad) always wanting ago in front of me.


Eventually its batteries (which are not included in the box of the retail versions, so you need 4 x AA's) were running low and it was switching itself off, and then, and only then, I was passed it to have a look at!

After I figured out how to get into the battery compartments (no screws needed which is a bonus, just a coin or use the stylus to push down and open the doors underneath) I finally manged to hide away for 10 minutes with white lies of 'noo I've not charged it yet!' whilst I had a quick play to see what the fuss was all about. But sure enough Mikey heard me and so came rushing through with 'its my turn!' so I lost it again, however I did manage to get this film of Mikey, seems as I haven't had a proper chance to look at it and do you a full review of its features you ll have to for now take Mikeys review and I *Will* get my hands on it do do a review of what else this great new gadget does in the next day or so!

so here is Mikeys Review of the LeapPad playing one of the Aps (which was pre installed on ours for testing purposes - not quite sure which aps will be included in the box when they hit the shelves just yet) Roly Poly Picnic... enjoy.

I have now had a chance to do a more indepth review you can find it here : LeapPad in Depth

keep cool

Hasn't it been lovely weather for once, the summer holidays have not been rained off, the sun has shone and the temperatures have soared. We've spent a fair amount of time out in the garden or walking through the woods which is great, but in true British style, we're never overly happy with the weather and dare I say it, it has been a bit too hot!


the problem is when it gets so hot, we're just not used to it, and so things like making sure the children are sun creamed up, with hats on and properly hydrated sometimes slip our minds.


Drinking water on hot days is vital, and quite often children can be stubborn when it comes to the plain stuff.



But fear not SilverSprings has teamed up with HiT the childrens entertainment brand responsible for Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder and such like, to bring you spring water especially designed for children.


and we were kindly sent some to get our verdict.

These 300ml sports bottles of British spring water are the perfect size for lunchboxes, for slipping in your bag when you're off out for a walk or for handing out for that mid afternoon refresher. The designs on the packaging are Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Thomas the Tank Engine and Angelina Ballerina, everyone knows how much children love to see their favourite cartoon characters on everything so it does make sense to put a popular character on some good healthy foods and drinks rather than the sweets and chocolates often associated with character brandings.

Luckily my three have no problem with drinking water, although admittedly they normally if given the choice go for squash, however with the branded bottles it is easier to persuade them to choose water.

My eldest are 9 and 8 years old, so a bit old for the age range these characters are aimed at, but even still they were happy enough to see a brighter looking water bottle. My youngest is 4 and starting school in September and these will be perfect for his lunchboxes.

If your little one is reluctant to drink water I would say these might just do the trick, and if your little one already likes water then this is just an added bonus, because lets face it most other bottled water is rather plain looking! So keep your eyes out for these new designs in a supermarket near you very soon.

Heres some info from Silversprings themselves reminding us of some important info:

"These small bottles of spring water are ideal for little hands and feature their favourite HIT friends – Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder and the newest addition to the range, Thomas the Tank Engine! For parents, the handy 300ml bottles also mean it’s easy to work out if your child has consumed their recommended daily intake of water. 4-8 year olds should drink 1.2 litres a day and so will already be well on the way towards their quota after just one little bottle. With water being proven to aid concentration, it offers an extra reason to make HiT spring water a lunchbox staple, ensuring your child feels refreshed both physically and mentally throughout the school day.

Silver Spring’s HIT British Spring Water is nothing but pure spring water from the North Downs of Kent. Bottled at source and containing naturally present calcium, the small bottles of spring water are the most refreshing and hydrating drink around. With the added excitement of a fun and familiar character however, this simple and hugely important drink can become a permanent feature in your little one’s lunch box without any fuss."

Breastfeeding doll... why the uproar?

I first heard about the breastfeeding doll, which seemed to be causing quite an uproar in the parenting communities a while ago, and whilst I probably wouldn't buy the doll I didn't see the problem with its concept at all.
Yesterday it was featured on this morning, and daybreak UK morning television shows, the comments that followed these shows on the facebook pages shocked me, the comments were things such as:

'the doll will lower girls self esteem'

'its just creepy'

'teaching children things like this will increase under age pregnancies'

even some people going as far as to say 'you may as well let your children watch porn'

Breastfeeding is something I think gets seriously bad publicity, it seems no matter how you go about bringing it up in the media it always gets slandered, everyone shuns away from it and there are always people eager to say how sexual it is, or creepy or such like.

Its such a shame, when people say a doll 'sexulizes' young girls or 'makes them grow up too fast?' I disagree on both... a doll for a young girl is NOT making her too grown up, and Breastfeeding is NOT sexual... its terribly sad that anything breastfeeding related gets dismissed as 'an awful' invention.

I do understand not everyone can breastfeed, and a doll isn't telling you everyone should, its simply putting the other option in as much view as bottles, defending breastfeeding is a very very difficult thing to do because every time someone comments positively they get told they are being inconsiderate to those who were unable to breastfeed, which in turn mean positive breastfeeding gets absolutely no publicity or defence and that's why breastfeeding rates are so low.

It seems the breastfeeding doll is branded awful and creepy, sexualizing our girls and making them too grown up, yet their is no comment when popstars prance around in skimpy clothes singing songs which girls copy that are far from angelic!
Or boys get action men figures with guns to play with.

To say knowing about breastfeeding when young will lower self esteem is crazy, if anything it will give a girl confidence, she will be more aware that her body is not just a show for the male population, to say it will increase under age pregnancy is even worse, a breastfeeding doll is a role play toy, all children like to act out adult lives, dolls have been around for ever and just because you 'breastfeed' a doll will certainly not increase underage sex!

The main concern seemed to be that people simply thought children 'shouldn't know about these things!'

I breastfed all three of mine, and yes all my children know that mummys make milk, they all breastfed their dolls, and all hopefully have enough confidence and knowledge to not come across with such disillusioned views of breastfeeding when their older, but with the rate of breastfeeding at a all time low, even if they do manage to hold on to the view that it is ok to breastfeed and that a womens body is amazing for so many more reasons than to please a man, it will be a tiny drop in the ocean of those who are so anti breastfeeding, for whatever reason, be it simple uneducation, or resentment because their experience was not a positive one, whatever it may be there are far more children growing up without a positive impression of breastfeeding unfortunately the figures will continue to lower.

some interesting facts and statistics...

According to the World Health Organisation, which strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, breastfeeding reduces the risks of breast and ovarian cancer later in life, and helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster.

According to a survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics in 2005, 35 per cent of British babies were being exclusively breastfed at one week,
21 per cent at six weeks, only seven per cent at four months and three per cent at five months.

3% at 5 months... and that is the reason that a breastfeeding doll is instantly frowned on.

Is it just me who is shocked and saddened at that figure

Zoobles Review

We received a Spinmaster Zooble mama and zoobling set via BlogMatch.


These are a new range of toys released in 2010 by Spinmaster, the idea behind these cute pretty little mystical creatures is that they roll up into a ball and can magically spring to life when they interact with their playsets. The set we were sent was part of the mama and zoobling range.

The packaging is nice and clear, it shows exactly what you receive inside, with a clear fronted bubble pack the names of the zoobles included is displayed on the front, along with the product number, these little creatures make a great collection piece with over 300 to collect there is plenty of scope for presents in the future, and with their pretty markings and cute look they are sure to be a hit with lots of girls.

As soon as Chloe (whos 8) saw the pack she couldn't wait to open it up and have a look at the zoobles, we have never seen them before so were interested in what they were.

In the pack we received there is a little tree habitat with a swing which comes unattached, which simply clips on to the tree, we did find this a bit loose fitting and it kept falling off, but it didn't interfere with the playability factor. The Baby zoobling is very small, about the size of a 5p so the age rating of 4+ is definitely worth noting, as younger children are likely to find them abit fiddely and the small parts may be easily broke or put in a very young childs mouth. the mama Zooble is a fair bit bigger and when she is rolled up she is 2 and a half cm in diameter, and she springs out to a little bigger. Which seems a good handy size, and if you are going to start a zooble collection you could fit a fair few on a shelf.

The Spin to life feature is activated when the rolled up mama zooble is placed on a special spot on the habitat and she instantly springs open, when you press her head she flaps her ears and eyes. The baby zoobling fits inside the mama and then can be rolled up together.

Chloe who is a bit picky with toys, and alot don't interest her for very long at all, thought
this is a real sweet toy and has already decided that she wants to grow her zooble collection, which isn't surprising the people at Spin master have got it just right, such pretty detailed to the zoobles, with a novel function of them rolling up and springing open they can be popped in a bag or pocket and taken out and about with you where ever you go, and retailing from about £5.99 for a single zooble they are reasonably priced, with the ute designs they are a great collection piece for the older children.

Also Zoobles have a lovely website all to themselves found here: zoobles.com which is as pretty as the zoobles themselves, showing some of the available zoobles in their different lands, it has some fun games and a collection area, for you to see which zoobles are available and store which ones you already have in your collection.

Overall I think these are a great toy for the older girls (aged 6 -10) who are still intrested in toys and would enjoy collecting a set, they are fairly priced and they certainly are sweet looking, the fact they roll up and pop open again means the play factor is good, and they are a great size to be popped in a poket and carried around.

Take a look at my video review :)

Wordless Wednesday

Connect 4 Launchers Review

As part of the Toys R us Toyologist 2011 program we were sent Connect 4 Launchers to review.


This is a new take on the classic connect 4 game.

Giving a 3d element and a more action packed game play this is a great game for any age, My youngest and my eldest could all play this together.

In the box you get 4 pillar corner pieces, 2 clear grid trays, 21 yellow counters, 21 red counters, a red launcher and a yellow launcher. the instructions are printed on the inside of the lid. (which is great as they can't get lost!)


The board itself is easy to put together the 4 legs are sturdy enough and the trays simply press into place very easy to set up and take down.

The concept is the same as ever with making a row of 4 tiles to win, however in connect 4 launchers there is a 3d board with two tiers, and you now have 'launchers' to propel your counters onto the board, and land in the groves.



Hasbro has set out different game modes one is simple, everyone fires as quickly as they can until someone gets 4 in a row, no turn taking just simple fire the counters and try and match up 4 in a row, then a more advanced version of the game where you take it in turns and so more strategy is involved decided where to fling your counter, also in this more advanced mode you can use the special counters which have black and white bands on the edges to do special moves, like clear a row of counters, adding more thought to the game.

this is a great game for the whole family, with the different rules it can be a fast fun game for younger children, or a more thought provoking game for the older ones, either way its alot of fun.

Hasbro have also got an online version of the game on their kids website which can be found by clicking here : HasbroKids This is a website my children like to play on often with lots of fun games on there, we did have a look at the online connect 4 launcher game a few weeks ago and it was working fine, however now it seems to not be coming up when you click on the link, so I have just linked to the main hasbrokids website and hopefully the connect 4 launcher game will be online again soon!

Pop on over to the Toys R us Facebook page to read my reviews in the Toy Box App along with all the other reviews from fellow Toyologists, plus get all the latest news and informations on new products!

Heres my video Review for you :)

social media - good bad or ugly?

I have had my blog now for 8 months, its come along way, and I have actually stuck with it, I love it, I love writing on here, although I struggle with what to write and half the time I start a post then decided not to post it, I have been very fortunate to be included in the amazing Toys R us Toyology program and I count my blessings every day for this opportunity.
I love posting photos as part of the silent Sunday meme, and I love storing the memories of my childrens lives.

I love social media, the buzz that flies around on twitter and facebook when people get involved in something, I love watching companies promote themselves, seeing the 'real' people behind the brands and feeling apart of something, even tho I tend to stick to the side lines and only poke my head in here and there.

I also love a good competition, of course I do, but I have trouble with the whole competition business, I am quite a modest person, I don't ask for much, and would rather go without than ask for things for myself, so competitions kind of grate on this reasoning, I enter competitions more so to spread the news not to win, to let my friends know about the chance, but I'm not sure if my friends appreciate this, or see me as greedy entering them, sometimes I don't enter them at all and just share them. I love entering the ones with a bit of skill factor, making a video, taking a photo or such like, makes me feel more deserving, if I do win.

Don't get me wrong I do love to enter competitions, I only enter ones which have prizes I really would like or do need, I don't just enter for enterings sake, and I know I have been 'lucky' and have won a few amazing cometitions and the thrill of seeing your name shortlisted or called as a winner really is amazing.

not to mention the fact my blog has brought me lots of opportunities and I'm thankful for them, it has enabled us to do things this summer, which I couldn't of done without it, and I feel bad for this, knowing that makes me more fortunate than most, so to enter competitions whilst being fortunate is greedy, isn't it?

You see greed worries me, I have had so many things happen where greed has spoilt the most perfect things, I have truly seen how people who want it all can become quickly the most horrible people you could meet. I have seen some horrible actions, all born out of greed. I've watched and observed peoples attitudes change when their minds cloud over with self centered thoughts, I don't dwell on the things that's happened to us, I am a naturally positive person and I hate to think that people think I am acting in a way that appears greedy.

So this is where I watch the amazing things on facebook pages like Lola Lola, who seem to give things away in random acts of kindness, and where I think this is an amazing concept, one really to be thankful for, I watch people entering competitions and winning some pretty stunning things, and instead of joining in with these I sit on the sidelines. Then question why I'm doing so, is it right to feel like you should not benefit from something because you already have been 'lucky' in another area? Even if you might have just as troubled personal circumstances, what makes you anymore deserving than the next, or is it a simple matter of if you take the intuitive to join in, and you win then you're deserving? I don't know.

I do know tho that if you are looking for a fab place to hang out who give away a fair amount of freebies then go see Lola Lola on facebook (I do genuinely 'like' this page in the sense of I think its great - but I haven't actually joined in any of their giveaways... I'm just sitting watching them make everyone else happy, and would love to see them make my friends happy )