I know, I know, I’m not REALLY here – but I couldn’t resist sharing this blog post from Sally at Who’s the Mummy – it just seems a perfect final Blog love for 2009, and won’t be the same in the New Year.

So go; read and enjoy.

Then get thee to thy kitchen and bake. With whatever seems appropriate ;)

So here we are – today is the day the schools break up, so from here on in, our days will be filled with baking, sausageroll-making, cheesy movie watching, paperchain creating, walks and frolics in the snow (pleeeease let it snow!) . This is our last post for 2009 and we thought we’d take this opportunity to thank you all for joining us during this most bonkers and wonderful year. It’s been a tremendous one for us – can you believe we looked like this last January?!?:

Ever looking forward, we’re really excited about the changes afoot for 2010 (no, we’re not telling yet). Don’t forget to let us know what you think of what we do; what we do right and (we suppo-o-ose) what you think we’re doing wrong too. Now’s your chance so make the most of it – we only ask but once a year!

You can wish us a Merry Christmas too if you like… ;)

So have a wonderful wonderful time over the holidays. Drink too much, eat too much, laugh too much and snug up with your small people to play silly games as much as you possibly can.

See you next year!

Laura & Katy

xxx

So, here we are – just a few more sleeps to the big day. Presents all bought, wrapped and stashed away? No? *gasp*

Nightmare. If you haven’t finished (started) yet…. well, quite frankly we’re shocked and disappointed in you. But fear not – here’s a quick round up of our top tips, things we’ve spotted, and also things we’ve loved enough to buy ourselves.

Firstly, our Top 25 Christmas Gift ideas can be seen in one place right here, if you haven’t been following avidly our daily post (tsk). Make sure you click for older entries at the top – you can even browse last years if you go far enough back in search of inspiration.

As for what we’ve splashed upon our own small people: well – here’s what I’m personally really pleased with this year:

The My Pal Violet from LeapFrog – I do so love Leapfrog toys. Mostly because they have thought for more than one second, and created a British voice for those sold this side of the pond. Violet is lushly soft and snuggable, has a sweetly non-irritating voice, and best of all actually knows Ella’s name! I can’t WAIT to see her face on Christmas Day when she presses Violets paw and is greeted with “Hi Ella!”. The songs are fully customisable through connecting to the LeapFrog website, and you can tell Violet about your child’s  likes and dislikes as well as keeping an eye on how your child is learning with the toy.

Playmobil Police Station + 6 year old boy = Many hours of Absorbed Happiness. That is all.

Mr Men Mugs – at last, Gifted Penguin have them back in stock! Hurrah! (Also rather taken with the Gruffalo milk and biscuits set on that page…).

Nerf-n-strike Maverick – How much bedlam can we create with 3 boys and these in the grandparents house on Christmas day? *beam*

Books… we’ve discovered Hiccup the Viking for Joe (8), Mr Gum for Toby (7), and Cam (10) will be delirious at not only getting the last in the Power of Five series, Necropolis, but also at the fact that there is a new Alex Rider out this year. Woohoo! And for Ella there’s the oh-so-brilliant Fairy Princess palace pop-up, the latest edition from Louise Comfort.

I would say more… but certain not-so-small-boys-with-their-own-computers may be reading… *sssshhhhh*…

So? What are your can’t-wait-till-they-open-THIS picks this year?

I have to admit I’m a bit of a late convert to slippers. Never wore them myself, and never really got why a thick pair of socks wasn’t better for the childrens feet than restrictive slippers.

Then I started to wear them myself (get thee away from me, cold feet), and was persuaded that they were quite nice – but still felt a pair of socks was better on small growing bones.

Then the lovely Caroline at Ollipops sent me a pair of Bobux leather slippers for Ella. She took one look (pink, with a cat on – need I elaborate?), slipped them on -and they’ve not been off since. Except for going outdoors of course. And sleeping. But even then we’ve been known to have to remove them once she’s actually asleep…

Because they are such soft natural leather, there is no restriction – but lots of warmth and comfort (and also non-slippy-ness). Lots of people get new pj’s for their children for Christmas Eve – may I suggest you add some of these to the pile? The designs are countless, and unlike most childrens slippers they don’t stop at mini-toddlers: these little pieces of foot-heaven go all the way up to 6 year old sizes.

Go on, you know you want to…

Oh oh OH! How amazing is this set? I know we featured a Cloth-ears item yesterday, but browsing on the site I couldn’t resist this (do go and have a pootle round the site, it’s just stacked to the ears with yummy retro and vintage items that you’ll go ‘ooh!’ over).

My boys all LOVE playing bingo – its a timeless classic that they may groan at when it gets pulled off the shelf, but within two minutes of ‘eyes down’ the competitive spirit kicks in and they are glued to their boards. And of course it’s a fine chance for Daddy to ham up his bingo calling skills. And at £8.99 it’s a steal.

Cloth-ears have a range of fabulously retro traditional games – top picks I’ve spotted (and currently have in my shopping basket) are a deliciously retro SNAP!, a beautiful seaside Snakes and Ladders and the endlessly amusing Heads and Tails game, which at £2.99 will make a brilliant stocking filler.

PS – thanks to Keris (of slopsville fame) for the tip-off on Cloth-ears. Though I’m not sure my groaning credit card is so grateful…

All small boys love their tool box, don’t they? But the trouble is always the hammer. Making contact with your knees. And the television. And baby sister.

But look at this one: everything, including the bag, is made from fabric; and is therefore SOFT!!

The set includes the tool box, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, and an adjustable wrench, is 100% cotton – and is just £19.99. Would make a small boy happy, eh?

‘Shiver me timbers’, (whatever does that mean)? Anyway, this award winning wooden painted Barbarossa Pirate Ship is stunning.

Features; working cannon with cannon balls (caution: low flying ankle-stingers…), opening stern, working anchor, crows nest with elastic rope ladder.

Whilst you’re there, don’t forget to buy the most gorgeous pirate crew to work on it!

Adorable soft Christmas snowmen for your Baby’s First Christmas!

Hang them on a tree, the mantelpiece or in the nursery, and afterwards store them as keepsakes.

In two ‘baby’ colourways, pink heart with blue scarf and hat (on the left) or blue heart with pink scarf and hat (on the right), available from our very favourite childrens lighting shop Miniline.

How cool is this: real old fashioned fun with this wooden bow and arrows set. The bow has been reinforced in the central section to help prevent snapping if pulled too far back and it even has a central guide hole to assist with lining up arrows. I have it on the very best finally-grown-out-of-his authority that this is an ace version! And at £11.50 it’s a bargainous price too. We just love Berry Red (could an online shop feel any more traditionally Christmassy?)o be sure to have a meander around the site whilst you’re there.

My son would LOVE this Pinhole Photography kit! He’s keen on photography, and like all boys he loves science experiments – to me this is the best of both. On top of which, he learns in this oh-so-easy age of the digital camera the theory and craft behind the art of photography.

The kit supplies everything you need to take and process a photograph; a slot-together wooden camera, photographic paper, developer and fixer, tweezers, and gloves, plus a step by step guide of what to do. £22.95

There I was, in an efficient Christmas shopping whirl, feeling like a trader as I hit buy, buy, BUY. Once the parcels started arriving, I realised that I had ordered a duplicate annual, and a couple of things I wasn’t impressed with in the flesh – always the risk of buying online. But living in the depth of rurality, it’s the price you pay for convenience.
So I duly went though the returns process, printed off my return label, and sent a neat little parcel back to Amazon – I elected for them to sort out the postage, and deduct that from my return.
Today I received my returns notifications:
One Annual –

Cost: £3.97
ReturnShippingFee Refund Deduction: -£2.75

One (Very) small globe

Cost: £5.73
ReturnShippingFee Refund Deduction: -£2.75

One book

Cost: £3.97
ReturnShippingFee Refund Deduction: -£1.67

One book

Cost: £4.89
ReturnShippingFee Refund Deduction: -£1.67

So for those four things, which cost me £18.56, I have actually received back £10.58. For items which were all packaged together in one small box.

Shocking, Amazon – really shoddy.

We’ve had one of these Grandmothers Handbooks on review from the always-lovely people at Jam Products, and I have to admit that I wasn’t sure if my MIL would be thrilled with it. She’s not a list sort of person, and definitely not an organised keep-everything-written-down type either. But she volunteeerd to be good and give it a go…

First hit was the winning cover ‘Oh! Gosh, that’s pretty!”

I left it with her, and heard no more. Thinking that 6 weeks later she really ought to be looking at it, I gently nudged her “oh, I’ve been using it a lot! It’s just lovely – and so handy!”. And sure enough, she produced a filled-in version – she’s tried some of the recipes (*jaw hits floor*), has filled in the details of the boys likes/dislikes/clubs etc (the boys have been impressed recently by how how much Gangy remembered about them), and has planned some of the activities for next time we see them.

She did comment that some of it is more useful for grandmothers ‘in situ’ – they live 200 miles from us, so knowing daily routines isn’t so important – but even so she loves her handbook, and wouldn’t be without it. And for £10? Top gift!

I love Alex Clarks farm animals, and this breakfast set is just too sweet! Not only do you get the plate, bowl, cup and eggcup, but you get that gorgeously lovely tin too, which as everyone knows would be a Useful pot to Put things In. Like lunches. And Cars. And Special Secret Shiny Stuff. A bargainous £19.99 too – all small people should have one. (Father Christmas? I’d quite like one too).

Mugs are such  handy ‘small’ christmas gifts – and this one is such a nice shape too! Very retro 50′s styling, it would make me happy greeting me every morning. And unusually for my (big, bucket-like) mugs, my Mum would love to drink form this one too.

Have a nose round Hunkydory Home while you’re there – we’ve talked about these small duvets before, but i just wanted to provide a little nudge as a reminder while you’re shopping – how gorgeous would one of these be for curling up by the fire and watching old Disney films under over the school holidays?

The trouble with childrens tea sets is that they are nearly always pink. And (putting aside the current anti-pink-for-girls brigade) boys love tea sets too!! This Gisela Graham one from the Gifted Penguin, however, is just a bit special. Not only is it NOT pink and girlie (I’m sure Mummy will be offered the one pink cup), but it is just that bit more than your average tea set. For a start it is actually porcelain, not plastic. You get the tea seet, of course, but also full functioning cutlery too – and it comes complete with a tablecloth in a simply gorgeous wicker picnic hamper.

So in winter it’s going to be busy with teas, and then in summer it will come into its own on garden picnics. All that for just £21.99. Fab.

We think children will love making gorgeous group from Dolly Blake – my sons (fresh from a theatre trip) are convinced it’s a ‘panto scene’ and are keen to make it themselves.  Each kit comes complete with all the fabrics, trimmings, patterns and instructions to make the prince & princess, king & queen, wicked witch & fairy Godmother.

A needle & thread has been included for older children who want to experiment with sewing but cutting, gluing and sticking are all that’s really needed. Just the thing for a  dull afternoon in the holidays!

So we have the most adorable knitted dog on review from the lovely lady at Linden French. Once I had seen the handsome chap in the ‘flesh’ (knits?), I just adored him – and clever ole me thought I’d withhold the beautiful creature for a perfect Christmas surprise extra.

Hmmm.

Whilst carefully stashing the latest batch of deliveries in the ‘Christmas cupboard’ (ie trying to add more books without the lego and playmobil cascading down onto my head), I was unaware that a small person had snuck in behind me. Until, that is, I felt a shove on my legs and leaped to hold up the previously mentioned large boxes of head-pain-inflicting plastic toy whilst listening to a crooning

“Oooh! mummy, its a dog! He’s Byootiful! Is stripy and WAY gorgeyus! Is Ellas!”

Once I had extracted myself from the waiting-to-be-wrapped toy pile, the deed was done. Ella and Stripy Dog (Fred) were friends, and never to be parted. now, bear in mind, the girl is a professional reviewer. She has more gorgeously beautiful soft toys than she can sleep ON, let alone WITH. But Fred is her pal, now, and woe betide anyone who gets any other funny ideas.

Early morning Ella and Fred (with visiting Tiger) in MY laundry bin. She's telling Fred to 'smile'...

Ella with Fred in his usual sleeping position. Can you see him? (no, that's Red Cow) No?

Maybe the close up will help (feel free to coo at uber-sweet sleeping girl, of course). Yes, Fred sleeps UNDER her tummy of course.

Just how delicious ARE these boots? Ella has them in the plum colour (pictured) and they are insanely adorable. Equally perfect with skirt and woolly tights as they are under jeans, tough enough to jump in puddles, pretty enough for a night out at the theatre.

And to top it all they’re currently reduced to £27.50.

Yum yum yum.

No longer available – but lots of other fabulous Girls Boots at Vertbaudet

Look look look. Dancing mice. Pink ribbons. Emma Bridgewater.

What’s not to love?

Ella has this set, and it makes us both very happy. Enough said.

We’ve just received a long-awaited parcel from John Lewis, and I opened the bag to check the contents, feeling a bit bemused by the soft and swingy nature of the expected large cardboard box of Lego… and found inside two oh-so-sorry for themselves boxes. The lego box had actually been folded in half – and then presumably the parcel had been thrown under the van and run over a little bit. Or maybe used for the warehouse football match. Whichever, they are certainly in no fit state to be wrapped and served up as a gift.
Straight on the phone, hackles raised, sleeves rolled, ready for battle to commence. Instead I received a lovely, apologetic voice, agreeing it was entirely unacceptable, and would a re-delivery tomorrow of both items be a good resolution?
Bearing in mind the actual products themselves are not broken, I was ready to battle for a replacement under the 10-day average delivery system I had already used.
Fail on the packaging front JL (but tis the couriers fault the parcel was so shoddily looked after), but Top Marks on keep your customer happy.