Playmobil Eggs

Easter isn't far off and we were sent these chocolate alternatives from Playmobil for the big two boys.  The yellow egg contained a zookeeper with an alpaca and the red egg had a footballer with a goal in.  The boys loved the surprise of seeing what was inside, although the back of the box does have a picture of the inside toy.

The zookeeper was ready to play and the footballer took just seconds to put together.  They loved practicing scoring goals with the footballer and the zookeeper got taken straight off to join some of their other Playmobil toys.  They are a lovely gift but they are much better if you have a good set that they can go into as each egg contains a simple toy.

The eggs currently cost £6.99 each and make a great alternative to chocolate - something we need to think about with Finn, although he is far too small for these.  We would love to see a junior version with the 1,2,3 range as well, currently they are 4 choices all aimed at 3-10 year olds

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Ready for Advent with Playmobil

If you are looking for an alternative to the chocolate advent calenders, then check out Playmobil.  They have a choice for older children  (recommended for age 4/5 upwards) as well as one in the '1,2,3' collection which is designed for children 1.5 - 5 years and therefore perfect for my little ones.  Everyday a new piece is uncovered which means by Christmas day you have a whole play set.

I sneaked open the back of the packaging to take a look at it all, and the boys got to 'test' the toys before they were put away ready for December 1st.  We know already how fantastic the quality of playmobil is, how well it endures, how it encourages imagination and how it is the perfect toy for me to leave Dylan and Archie with if I want to spend some time with Finn as they get lost in their play.

These pictures also contain another Christmas set that features a simple nativity, also from the 1,2,3 range.

Yes, Mary is riding on the reindeer, straight after Father Christmas had brought baby Jesus a dinosaur present.

We were sent these products as part of our role as Playologists.  Be quick if you want to get one before Christmas!

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Playmobil Take along Zoo and Lifeboat station

As the boys get older, they are moving away from flashing lights and creepy American voices and towards toys they can narrate themselves and Playmobil has always been top of the list.  It captures their imagination and they can spend hours enthralled in play.  As part of our ongoing role as 'Playologists', we were sent two new toys, and they haven't stopped asking to play with them since they arrived.

Archie was sent the Take Along Zoo and Aquarium (£29.99) from the 1.2.3 range (suitable as a first introduction to Playmobil for children aged 1.5-5 years old).  It is perfect for storing and travel as the two halves fold together to form a case and all the parts can be safely stored inside.

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A Little Look at Christmas

My camera only came out a couple of times over Christmas, we were too busy laughing and eating that it was the last thing on my mind.  Our Christmas was spent with family, a day with mine and a day with the blokes, and then back to mine again.  We ate two turkey dinners, plenty of cake and our fair share of cheese too.

Dylan and Archie were surrounded by loving relatives and gifts and we are currently readjusting and having a bit of a Christmas comedown as we head back to eating a normal amount, chocolate being a treat and having some quiet time and TV again.  Our Christmas was magical, funny, delicious and special.  It was our last as a family of four and I can't wait to have four special guys in my life to share it with next year.

Dylan really got the idea of presents this year and wanted to open everything under the tree no matter whose name was on it.  Archie had fun but once he was done, he point blank refused to open any more.  Father Christmas had strategically placed the satsuma at the top of their stockings, and once they unwrapped it, both boys decided to sit and eat that before moving on to anything else.  When you let a one year old peel his own orange, it takes quite a time! 

Here are a few snaps from the day ( - I only remembered to get my camera out in the first place because Dylan had such fantastic bed hair)

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Our Advent Box

The first of December is withing touching distance and I am getting just a little excited! I have tried to keep away from most of the early festivities so that I don't have to wake up to 'Is it Christmas now?' every day for too long, but from December 1st we will be in full flow.  

Last year, we had a box of goodies downstairs for the boys on December 1st and this year we are doing something very similar.  It is partly practical things, but we want to start the magic early, so here is our Advent Box.

Both the boys have a new pair of festive pyjamas to wear from Gap, and some funky Christmas socks to keep their feet warm as the weather gets colder.  They have a book - The Grinch stole Christmas - which we choose as they both love the Cat in the Hat and the other Dr Seuss books we have, alongside an activity book full of things we can do and make over the month.

I bought Archie a new nappy as I couldn't resist this TotsBots Frugi print, and I got Dylan a reindeer mug for those snuggly evenings with hot chocolate.  The boys also have a lovely plate sent to us by Born Gifted with their names on the bottom, so we can start getting excited about the big day.

As well as a more traditional advent calender, they have this gorgeous playmobil one which I know is going to be a big hit! I can't wait to see the little santa and reindeer!

I can't wait for Monday knowing that Dylan understands so much more, although I am a little scared of putting Archie and a tree in the same room! 

Disclaimer:  The plate and the advent calender were sent to us but everything else has been paid for by myself.

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Top Toys for 3 year Olds

Dylan turned 3 in August, and I can definitely see how his play has changed over the last months.  He rejects all the baby toys (unless his brother has them of course), and instead wants figurines, pretend play and other toys that push his imagination.  We have been testing a few toys, and I wanted to share our absolute favourites.

Playmobil Caravan

Although technically meant for 4-10 year olds, I think if your three year old is quite sensible then this is perfect to introduce early.  Dylan absolutely adores his Playmobil caravan and it is played with every single day without fail.  The small pieces and people allow him to act out so many situations, and the build up to our recent caravan holiday was made all the more exciting with his own mini version.  The pieces are all strong and durable, and despite 19 month old Archie joining in with the play at times, nothing has ever broken or snapped.  Playmobil is deinfitely something I can see slowly taking over our living room over the coming years, as both boys are fascinated by it.

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Playmobil is 40

I was born in the eighties, back in the days of playbus, cupcake dollies, tape recorders and of course Playmobil.  Playmobil had already been around for a while when I entered the world, and 40 years since those first plastic figures were created, we are celebrating the fact that it is still here and still entertaining generations of children.

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Playmobil 123

There are some toys that our children will love for a few months and then we pass them on to family and friends, or put them in the loft ready for a future baby, but there are also those that really stand the test of time.  Playmobil is one of those things that will capture imaginations from as young as 18 months, and still be interesting many years later.  It is the kind of toy I have already earmarked for the grandchildren, as the toys are classic, timeless and hardwearing.

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December 1st Advent Box

This year for us is about starting our own traditions.  Dylan will understand so much more than last year, and I can't wait to show him how magical and fun the festive time can be.  From putting up the tree and covering the house in festive red and gold to watching those classics like Miracle on 34th street and Elf.  This year we will be visiting Santa, seeing the reindeer at the zoo and making gifts for family and friends.  It will be Archie's first Christmas too and I want to make it perfect for him.

For me, December 1st marks the beginning of Christmas, and from that day on, anything is acceptable. Christmas music, films and socks, decorations and glitter.  This year on December 1st, there will be an advent Christmas Box waiting for us when we wake up.  A box to symbolise that our festive fun is just beginning.

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The contents will be what we need to put us in the mood for everything December has in stock.  We will each have a pair (or three) of festive socks and the littlest member of the house has a lovely penguin bib that I bought from Funky Giraffe when I was pregnant.

I have included a picture bauble to make with Dylan, and a First Christmas decoration for Archie that I picked up at the Baby Show.  We have some crafty bits; stickers, festive sprinkles and paper chains to keep us busy for a few days as we decorate the house.

There is a seasonal film to get us in the mood, perfect for those cold and cosy evenings and I want to add in a new story book too, but I haven't found the perfect one yet.

Alongside this box, will be the homemade advent calendar that I have been busy creating and a Playmobil advent calendar that we were sent as part of our role as Playologists.

Last but certainly not least, I want to fill the box with ideas of things to do together in the month of December.  From creating Christmas cards, finding the best Christmas lights, decorating gingerbread men to making snow angels.  I want the box to be the beginning of a month of celebration in every sense.

It is only something little, but I hope that it will be something big to my boys, the promise of magic to come, the start of an exciting month and a little cheer on what will undoubtedly be a chilly day.

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A Day in Our Life - The Hospital Edition

This may not be a typical day for many and two weeks ago it was not a typical day for us.  For the next few weeks though, this is our reality and I thought I would share a day in the life of Dylan, Archie and I.

Our alarm clock goes off around 6am, and by alarm clock, I mean the first of the little people that we share a ward with wakes up, in turn waking us all.

A little chat and a cup of milk and possibly a cheeky episode of rhyme rocket on the laptop whilst Mummy adjusts to the bright lights and noise of a busy bay.

It is 7am

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