Our half term: We went on a bear hunt!

How was your half-term? I know this was a couple weeks ago, but it has been really difficult to sit down and update my blog. Nevertheless I am catching up more often than use to!

Our half-term was spent at home, but we were able to do a lot of activities... The local libraries and our local art gallery were offering diverse holiday activities for both toddlers and young children. I do try to be creative and to come up with crafty things for both kidos to do, but if I can have the fun and have less mess up to clean up afterwards, the better. So we went to our local library, we read lots of books... And for crafty things we went to our local art gallery and made some pinatas! However,  our favourite activity was attending for the very first time the Nuffield childrens' theatre, which was featuring until the 2nd June 'We are going on a bear hunt'!

The kidos absolutely loved the show, and to be honest so did mummy! The activities and the excitment began even before the show. The Nuffield theatre prepared an actually 'bear hunt', a treasure hunt really. We could ask at the ticket office for a map to look for bears around  Highfield Campus. My oldest was so excited to follow the map and find the bears! My youngest, its just fun to run around tailing his older brother! The actual 'bear hunt' was a fun way to release some energy before the show! And it was also educational, not only had my oldest to read a map, as the bears had letters and we had to form a word. And after finding all the bears and the missing word, it as theatre time!

The show was really engaging, with catchy songs  -  which until today are sang 'we are not, not not, not not scared!'

The dog was absolutely delightful to hear sing, extremely funny  and so very expressive therefore it became instantly the favourite character for both kidos: wof...!

I was concerned that since my youngest since he is only two, that staying for almost an entire hour watching a show might be too pushy, particularly since he is really active. However, as the show was full of surprises, splashes and so engaging that the  hour went on a flash, and both my oldest and youngest were attentive following the show. The actors  began by asking what does a bear look like, which every kid was so excited to answer and explain... The contributions were dutifully noted... Nobody has seen a bear live did we? 

 Every now and then in the middle of the show we could hear a bear roar. A footprint was also found! All kids were eager to let dad, girl and boy about it! This kept my kidos inquisitive, so where is the bear? Did you see the footprint? Mummy did you hear a bear? Unsurprisingly, the best part for both was when we finally met the bear. My youngest screamed with delight when the gigantic Teddy Bear made his appearance on the stage.... He could not stop saying 'Its a bear' 'Its a big bear' 'Muuuuummmy its a bear' he was so happy! 

We all loved this show... And we are definitely going 'On a bear hunt' when given the opportunity again.  Here is a sample of the show:

Since we enjoyed going to the theatre so much we are also making plans to watch another show! Actually, it was the kids that when seeing the 'Gruffalo' said that wanted to see that show as well! And we most certainly will!

xx

What I read: Strictly Between us

*This post contains affiliate links, all opinions are my own* 

I recently finished reading a book by Jane Fallon, “Strictly between us”, which was sent to me by Penguin Random House. By the way, thank you so much Penguin books! It was the very first time I ever read Jane Fallon and I was overall pleased with her story telling.This was a really easy novel to read, however, I am an avid reader, and since I was missing reading something as chick lit, far from any scientific book or scientific journal article (which  are my only reads lately),it may have been a huge factor in my appreciation...

The book is divided in four parts, though all part of the same plot.  The first part introduces us the main characters, best friends Tamsin and Michelle, and Tamsin’s assistant Bea. The second and third parts are all about the plot, which thickens, where we get to discover lies,some twists and more betrayals….  And finally, the fourth part, the conclusion and where we discover the different characters destinies.

This story is mostly about  two characters, Tamsin and Bea, which are complex and flawed. In the very beginning we learn about Tamsin’s betrayal. This could lead you to dislike Tamsin, the main character, however while reading the story I found myself cheering for Tamsin and whishing for her friendship with Michele to continue. Even though we know that Tamsin deceived Michele several times, we also learn how much she deeply cares about her. Its quite mind twisting!

What I really enjoyed about this book  is how Jane tells the story.  We get to unravel the plot through two different perspectives, firstly through Tamsin’s eyes, then Bea’s, and so on.  Every time  she switches perspective, a little piece of the story is discovered.  We get to learn how each characters feels about what is happening, through their own words,  their role in the storyline, their deceptions and reasons for it.

The reality is not always black and white, and this story clearly shows us this.  In Bea, we find an antagonistic character and while her duplicity might not be justifiable, I still felt for her,  as I knew why she was acting as she was.  Although I was not cheering for her as I was with Tamsin, still I did not dislike her terribly.  In the end, it was Tamsin who was responsible for the outcome, as she was the instigator of the situation that leads Bea to act as she did… Intricate situations played by flawed characters.

I also enjoyed the ending… Every character had a deserving conclusion. The ending was not fabulously happy for all characters as usually is, as it was not a terrible destiny for all antagonists….

Overall it was a good read, the novel is funny, lighthearted and if you are looking for a weekend (or afternoon) easy read I definitely recommend it.
The book is available to purchase online through amazon:

as other retailers as well.

 

Magnolia reviews: Tommee Tippee Explora Baby Food Blender

My baby now is one year old, and we have been going through some ups and downs when tackling weaning...

But there’s one purchase that we made that has been incredibly helpful in preparing well-balanced and diversified meals for my cute baby boy, and that is Tommee Tippee Explora Baby Food Blender.

I use it every day to prepare his meals but then I usually cook on a daily basis. So the blender size is great when it comes to prepare my baby's meals, and I usually can get two portions from it (for my 1 year old now I get two portions, when he was younger I could easily get four portions from its cup). Do bear in mind that the cup size is small (it is a mini blender after all!) but as I previous mentioned, I am interested in keeping diversified meals, so I wouldn't be cooking large portions anyway! If you are expecting to use it to blend larger portions (for instances to freeze and user later) I would recommend that you choose a different tool for this purpose.

When blending, you can select two different speeds, and it also has a pulse action where you are in total control. This way I can easily control the food texture, from lumpy food or mash it completely.
I also have to add that the blender is a bit loud. My little one is definitely not happy with its sound when I am using it… But again he is not a big fan of other loud sounds!

The blenders cup, lid and blade is dishwasher safe, which is also very helpful. 

I typically use it often for snacks, as fruit smoothies. And here’s my mango smoothie recipe as an example!

Ingredients:
1 natural flavoured yogurt (125g)
 Mango (you will use approximately ¼ of a regular size mango)

Preparation
Cut your mango into small portions, add it to Tommee Tippee Explora Baby Food Blender cup. Add the yogurt. Blend it!

And it’s easy as that! 
See your little one enjoy his just prepared smoothie!

There’s one other fact that I would also like to add, related to Tomme Tippee’s costumer service: they are incredibly helpful! 
When I first purchased the blender I had a small misfortune with the blade, and I had to contact Tommee Tippee's consumer service online for a new one. Almost immediately they contacted me back and I received a new one two days afterwards. 

I believe that this blender is a very good product, its definitely a good value for your money and I recomend it. I am using it almost daily for roughly 7 months and it still performs as   its first day.  In conclusion, I am very happy with my Tommee Tippee Explora Baby Food Blender!

You can buy it on several stores as Mothercare,  ASDA or Amazon. I got mine at ASDA, as it was on sale at the time.
Check Tommee Tippee´s website for more informatins about Tommee Tippee Explora Baby FoodBlender. 

Disclaimer: I was not paid or offered any products to write this review, and I have no material connection to the brand, products or services mentioned above. All opinions expressed are my own.