/

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Imaginabox *REVIEW*

Hello everyone,
Recently we were very lucky to be sent an Imaginabox for review.
Imaginabox is a arts and craft box aimed at children ages 4- 8 years old that is sent out monthly. Imaginabox send a themed box full of instructions, templates and materials for at least 4 things to make with your kids (one of which will transform the box into something fab). On top of that Imaginabox include activity ideas for the things they’ve made to encourage imaginative play and learning about the world around them – you don’t want the kids making stuff just to sit around collecting dust after all.
As mentioned above each box has a different theme, We were sent the pirate themed box which was a big hit with pirate mad James!
The box arrived promptly and the packaging was great! The box came wrapped in brightly coloured spotty paper with a personalised sticker with James name on it which we thought was a great personal touch!

The box contains 4 crafty activities and each activity comes in a cute paper bag labelled with a number which corresponds to an activity within the booklet that is provided within the box which contains instructions on how to complete each activity. The box comes complete with everything you need to complete all of the activities and your first box comes with scissors, paintbrush and a glue stick!


The pirate box contained 4 main activites which were..
- Make your own tele-kaleidoscope and check out the pretty patterns whilst looking out for desert islands.
- Decorate and draw a treasure map then follow our clues to find Ol’ Seadog Bob’s treasure.
- Create a super pirates costume to act out your seven seas adventures.
- Make a treasure chest from your box to keep all of your precious things inside.
James had lots of fun sticking and gluing although we did find a few of the activities (particularly making the treasure chest out of the original box) as it required a lot of fiddly cutting and sticking. He particularly enjoyed making the map and drawing his own treasure map.

















We thought the Imaginabox was a fab idea! All of the items that James made in the box were used for varies different things during play time after finishing the box. We didn't need anything extra to complete the activities as everything we needed was included which was a big bonus!
Some of the activities are a little fiddly and I would say it is more of an activity for a parent and child to sit down and do together rather than something for the child to do on there own. The instructions were clear to read and easy to follow for an adult but may need a little explanation for the younger children.
The prices of the boxes are as listed below and all prices are inclusive of postage and packaging...



  • 1-month taster box – £19.95
  • 6-month subscription – £96.00 (£16 per month)
  • 12-month subscription – £180.00  (£15.00 per month)




  • Overall we loved the Imaginabox, We thought it was a fab idea to get creative with your little ones and the cost was quite reasonable for everything that is included within the box.
    xXx


    * I was not paid for this review. All opinions given are my own.. As a thank you for my review, I was allowed to keep the product.
    * If you would like me to review your product or service, please email me on xJessLegresleyx@hotmail.com.

    Sunday 27 October 2013

    We're back from our holiday!!

     
    Hello everyone,
     
    We are back from our holiday at Devon Cliffs and we had a fab time! There was so much to do that there wasn't a dull day despite the wintery weather!
     
    The swimming pool at Devon Cliffs if fab and use of it is included in your stay. The pool has 3 main water slides and then a smaller section with the water fountains and 2 smaller slides for toddlers. We obviously have a dare devil on our hands as at 4 he wanted to go on all the main slides lol!! I was a little hesitant but he enjoyed them all!!
     
    We also decided to try out some of the free activities on offer that are put on my the Haven and Devon Cliffs staff.
     
    First up we tried archery. They have 2 different age groups for this 3-5 and 5-8 and these are held at different times. 
    James was in the younger group and he really loved this activity! It lasted 30 minutes and started with a small demonstration of how to use the bows and where to shoot and then the kids were off. There is a large target area for them to shoot and the target is a picture of knights on horseback and dragons which they have try and hit.
     
    Here he is having a go....
     
     
     
    Next up we tried an activity called Walking with dinosaurs. It didn't really have any description in the leaflet as to what it was it just said to meet at the beach. Again this was a free activity put on by the Haven and Devon Cliffs staff and was open to all ages.
    We headed down to the beach intrigued to find out what it was all about.
    Walking with dinosaurs turned out to be an educational talk about the Jurassic coast and the man who did the activity spoke about the changing coast and about fossils and where dinosaurs came from. It doesn't sound very child friendly but it really was aimed at the children and every effort was made to include them and it was spoke about in a way the children could understand and join in answering questions.
    After the talk the children were put into groups and armed with spades, buckets and rakes (provided by the staff) they constructed there own sand dinosaurs!
    Here is James enjoying the beach in his wellies and some of the Jurassic coast that was spoke about during the activity....
     
     
     
    James also enjoyed lots of other free activities including little cubs arts and crafts club, Rory the tiger workout session, Petting session with some small animals (the goat was James favourite!), parachute games and lots more!
     
    The evening entertainment was also great! There was plenty of staff who really got into dancing with the kids and nothing seemed to be to much trouble for them! There seemed to be a variety of activities in the evening including a tots disco and them a themed story performed by the Haven character's! The drinks are also very reasonably priced! James loved dancing around and taking part in all the actions and was always straight to sleep when we got back to the caravan!!
     
     
    Overall the holiday was great! The caravan was spacious, clean and well maintained and only a short distance (easily walking distance) from all the amenities. The swimming pool is well kept and clean and has plenty to entertain kids and adults of all ages. The site offers tons of free activities for kids of all ages that run through out the day everyday!
    The staff are fab and really go out of there way to ensure that you enjoy your holiday which we thoroughly did!
     
    We would really recommend checking out Haven if your looking for a family holiday packed full of fun!! They have lots of Haven sites dotted all across the country! We visited the Devon Cliffs site this time and it was great!
    Why not check out more Haven holidays here ... www.haven.com 
     
    xXx
     

    Saturday 19 October 2013

    Lunch ideas

     
    Hello Everyone,
     
    I don't know what it is about the winter but it makes me want to get my cook books out and start baking and cooking up new things.
     
    This week I am going to get my cook books out and start looking for new recipes to try for lunch time. I often find I cheat at lunch time and just revert back to the usually sandwich and crisp or mini pizza for James which as much as he loves must get a bit boring!
    I also want to try and look at some new hot lunch ideas for him as he goes to nursery in the afternoons so it would be nice for him to head off for the afternoon with a nice warm meal in his tummy.
     
    I have a soup book so I think I am to try making some chunky style soups which me and James could both enjoy with some crusty rolls/bread.
     
    So this is where I need your help!
     
    Please comment below with your lunch ideas it doesn't matter if they are hot or cold just something a bit different that mummy and kids can enjoy. I am going to pick some of the ideas and try them next week and post about our new lunches!
     
    I look forward to hearing your lunch ideas.
     
    xXx

    Sunday 13 October 2013

    Dino Bite game **REVIEW**

    Hello Everyone,
    We were recently very lucky to receive a Dino Bite game from Drumond Park to review.
    James was really excited and loved the fierce dinosaur shown on the front. He was really eager to play the game. The game was really simple to set up and just required the dinosaur and the base to be clicked together and 2 AA batteries (not included) popped into the bottom.  
    Here are the pieces as are in the box.
    Dino bite is an exciting game from Drumond Park for 2-4 players aged 4+. The game sees players taking on the wrath of the King of the Dinosaurs as they carefully try to pluck out the Dino Babies from right under his ferocious, gaping jaws.  But they must beware … with one wrong move, the Dino will roar out loud and lunge forward, revealing his massive blade-like teeth - to scare them away from his prize!
    Each player takes it in turns to roll the dice which will decide which colour dinosaur egg you will need to rescue. Once you know which colour egg you must rescue you take the tweezers provided (although the instructions do state that younger players may find this a little difficult and are able to use there fingers instead if preferred) and slowly (and carefully!!) lift the leaf and try to rescue the dino baby eggs. However be carful because one wrong move could see the dinosaur leaping forward and roaring to guard its precious eggs!
    We had great fun playing the game and the added jungle/ dinosaur noises the game makes whilst playing make the game really stand out from other games of this type.
    The game was easy to set up and easy to play even James who is 4 picked up the way the game worked straight away.
    Here is a short video of the dinosaur lunging forward...
    He was a little shaken when the dinosaur launched forward for the first time however he soon got used to this and found it funny whenever it happened afterwards.
    The game retails at £19.99 and can be found in most toys shops. I would really recommend this game if you are looking for a fun game the whole family can play that's a little bit different.

    You can find out more about this game and many more games that Drumond Park offer by visiting their website just click Here.

    xXx


    * I was not paid for this review. All opinions given are my own.. As a thank you for my review, I was allowed to keep the product.
    * If you would like me to review your product or service, please email me on xJessLegresleyx@hotmail.com.

    Friday 11 October 2013

    Birthday!!!

    Hello all,
     
    Today was my little boys 4th birthday!!
    I really cannot believe he is 4 today. He is so grown up and intelligent I just don't know where the last 4 years have gone and when he grew up so much!
     
    He told me he had a lovely day which makes all the stress worthwhile lol! He came down this morning and opened all his presents before heading off to nursery. We took a cake into nursery and everyone sang happy birthday to him and they even gave him a little party hat and played a few games. After nursery we headed to nanny and grampys to open more presents! Then we went out for a lovely meal where James ate all his dinner and pudding (and some of dads pudding lol!!) and now and he has finally headed of to bed with his helium balloon in tow.
     
    He has had so many presents and cards he really is such a lucky boy!
    He has his birthday party tomorrow at our local soft play with all of his friends and nursery friends!
     
    I have taken lots of photos so will share some with you all tomorrow :)
     
    Hope you are all well and have a lovely weekend!
     
    xXx
     
     

    Sunday 6 October 2013

    Sorry Ive been quiet

    Hello everyone,
     
    Sorry I have been a little quiet I have had a busy week/weekend and have only just had the chance to catch up on here!
     
    Well on Friday I went to the first school opening day. I was so sad inside thinking in September my little boy was going to be heading to school! It felt like such a big daunting task choosing a school for him but attending open days really does help.
    The school was lovely a few little niggling issues however I am not sure whether I am maybe looking for issues just because I don't want my baby heading to any school lol!!
     
    Then Saturday James went to the toy shop with nanny and grampy. He goes every other Saturday and nanny and grampy come and pick him up from our house and take him to the local shopping centre where he picks out a few new toys then goes back to there house for a little while to visit the cats and dogs! He loves going and always waits at the window for them to pull up on a Saturday lol!
    He especially loves helping grampy clean the motorbike when he goes back to there house. Grampy lets him sit on the bike and polish the top!
     
    Here he is sitting on the motorbike with Nanny and Grampy! Bit to young to ride yet though James although James would be riding along with grampy now if he could lol!!
     
     
     
    Sunday we had a party to attend so in the morning we had a quick trip to the tip to get rid of some rubbish in our garden. Then James helped clean out Greg the guinea pig and then we got ready to go to the party.
    The party was at our local soft play and James had lots of fun running round with all the other kids and then tucking into his party bag afterwards!
     
     
    So we had a very busy weekend!!
     
    What have you been up to this weekend?
     
    xXx