Friday 15 October 2010

Igglepiggle's PJ fun! - Goodnight Friend Igglepiggle parent review.

I was very lucky to be sent a Goodnight Friend Igglepiggle to review. I have to say, I'm not sure who was more excited! Me or 15month Blake!


Firstly he got a bit confused for a minute - I'd forgotten to hide his old Igglepiggle and he kept looking from one to the other as if they were having an invisible tennis match....


The age guide on the box is for 2+ and Blake will be 18M at Christmas and I do think that, with obvious common sense and parental supervision, this toy is a lovely one for this age group!


You get a lovely big cuddly Igglepiggle who is dressed in his Pyjamas - these are removable and Blake is loving watching Igglepiggle get dressed! Igglepiggle's PJ's are really cute "wincy" ones with in the night garden print and excellent detail, right down to a collar!


Igglepiggle also has his signature red blanket with a velcro corner so it can stick to Igglepiggle's left hand ( I love that he's a lefty!) and matching red slippers! - It may just be that Blake is a little under the 2+ age guide but so far we have lost (and found) the slippers several times - I've now put them somewhere safe for a little while.


Goodnight Friend Igglepiggle also comes with a working lantern, it comes with batteries already fitted which is always a bonus! (and the way all battery powered toys should come!) You press the little red button on the lantern and it glows for a minute or two before switching itself off. Blake's already grasped how to push the red button so it's easy to use!


He also comes with a book - for me this was a teeny bit disappointing, it's not really what you would call a book - more a leaflet, although all the main characters from In The Night Garden are featured too - I think it would be nice to see a proper book included on future editions.


A great big plus point for Goodnight Friend Igglepiggle is that you can bung him in the wash! (In a pillowcase, cold water, gentle cycle)  Perfect! - especially if you have a boy! Our Igglepiggle's get taken outside for walks a lot, fall off the smart trike, go climbing and exploring, get chocolate covered kisses and often get to share pizza on treat night!


We've had lots of fun playing with Goodnight Friend Igglepiggle, he came with us in the smart trike to meet Blake's daddy from the train station, we've been on a bear hunt with the lantern before bath time, taken Igglepiggle's PJ's off and sat in the bathroom while Blake had his bath - Igglepiggle's blanket was a great pretend towel! We all got our PJ's on at the same time (Yes! Including me!) and we had a story together, we started with the little book that came in the box, followed by Dear Zoo - where Igglepiggle did an excellent Lion roar (with a little help!)... After Blake had drifted off to sleep, Igglepiggle remained tucked up in the bed too.




What a lovely Christmas gift In The Night Garden Goodnight Friend Igglepiggle will make for any toddler, I've spotted him on sale in both the Bromley Argos stores - there is only 6 left today so be quick!


You can also buy him from the ELC - although the Bromley store is out of stock at the moment - He is available online. 


SRP £19.99


For more product information, please visit the Hasbro, Playskool website


Emma in Bromley x

Thursday 14 October 2010

Sara Lee gâteau in Bromley?

Ok, bit of a strange one here but I'm trying to buy a Sara Lee chocolate gâteau for my lovely hubby!
I personally didn't like then but hubby recently has been asking for one!
Everytime I do a grocery shop either online or actually in a supermarket I look out for one.
Thing is, I've been looking for a few months now!
Please can someone point me in the direction of a Bromley or surrounding area, stockist!
Thank you!

Emma in Bromley

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Raising a Son who refuses to say "Mummy"

When my lovely baby boy was about 8 months old, he made plenty of mummy type sounds - including "mummumumumumumummumuum" when he wanted a cuddle or a feed from me - I was quietly smug - he made mum sounds far more than dad sounds however, the smug look on my face was soon wiped off - the mumum sounds stopped as soon as they started and he's now 15 months with not a single mummy sound!

He says Daddy, his first word was Oh Dear! and his vocabulary includes many words and  things such as Duck, Ball, baby, chicken, tiger, dog, dragon, thank you and a sound which means both balloon and bubbles....

He refuses outright to say mummy or anything close to mummy :( in fact, he makes a more of an Emma sound and hubby keeps teasing me saying that our lovely little boy isn't going to call me mummy...

When I was reading up on separation anxiety, I came across an interesting little way of looking at it and it goes something like this...
Because you grow your baby inside you and are attached by the umbilical cord, baby doesn't realise that you are both separate people but actually the same person. I like to think that instead of my son refusing to call me mummy, he just hasn't realised yet that we're not the same thing and therefore, doesn't need to call me anything!

Emma in Bromley x

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Bonfire Night 2010 in Bromley, Chislehurst, Beckenham and Blackheath

OK, so fast approaching is the wonderful bonfire night! - I think its fair to say that everyone loves a good firework display! Thank you Guy Fawkes!

I'm going to be busy making toffee apples, Hot Jacket potatoes, (Veggie) Sausage sandwiches and shoppping for bonfire toffee - if there's time, I may even make Parkin cake! (I'm northern!)

But who's doing a firework display, when and where! I'm not sure which one we're going to go to as a family this year - My son will be 16 months with an 8pm bed time so we will have to see what we do this year! We may go to the Chislehurst one for the 7.30 show.

Here's a guide to what I can find so far, let me know if there's any to add! ...
Bromley

Date: Saturday 6th November 2010
Venue: Norman Park, Bromley
A fireworks display at Norman Park in Bromley, Kent. There will be a children's funfair and refreshments.
Timing
5pm - Gates open
7.30 - Bonfire lit
8pm - Fireworks
Price
Adults £5
Children £3

http://www.normanparkfireworks.co.uk

Chislehurst

Date: Saturday 6th November 2010
Venue: Chislehurst Recreation Ground.
Timing
Gates open 6pm.
Bonfire lit at 7pm
Fireworks at 7.30pm
Price
£3.00 (children)
£6.00 adults


Beckenham

Date: Saturday 6th November 2010
Venue: Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Beckenham
The Beckenham Round Table annual charity fireworks display, at Croydon Road Recreation Ground.
Timing
Gates open - 6pm
Display - 7:30pm
Price
Under 5s - Free
Children (Under 16's) and concessions - £3
Adults - £5


Blackheath Common

Date: Saturday 6th November 2010
The Blackheath display is one of the most anticipated London fireworks displays each year, bringing colour and light to the skies of Lewisham and Greenwich with a truly dazzling display.
Timing
Fireworks: 8pm
Price
Admission: free


Hope everyone has a fantastic time! Let me know which one you plan on going to!

Emma in Bromley x

Friday 24 September 2010

Give Blood in Bromley

I'm a rare blood type and always feel the urge to donate blood whenever I see the adverts - however, because I had a kidney removed, I'm not allowed :(

So, because I can't, I'm challenging all my readers to go and "do something amazing" and donate some of your blood!

Has anyone ever done this? I can remember going with my dad when I was little and watching him give blood (and I always got a biscuit too).

There are plenty of up and coming dates at the Central Library in Bromley for you to pop along and save someone's life (and get a free biscuit too!)



Wednesday 29 Sep 2010
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00

Tuesday 19 Oct 2010
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00

Wednesday 10 Nov 2010
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00
Thursday 02 Dec 2010
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00

Tuesday 07 Dec 2010
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00

Tuesday 15 Feb 2011
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00
Wednesday 02 Mar 2011
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00

Wednesday 23 Mar 2011
  
13:00 to 15:30
  16:30 to 19:00


Emma In Bromley x



Thursday 23 September 2010

Chislehurst, The Big Draw. Saturday 25th September 2010

Chislehurst Big Draw 2010

Saturday 25 September 12:00-5:00
Chislehurst Common

(between Manor Park Road and School Road, BR7 5PQ)

‘Artists in Common’

The Campaign for Drawing
London Art Treasures Come to Chislehurst Common

Stroll through our woodland gallery of Art direct from your doorstep. (The National and Tate Galleries are only half an hour away by train.) Come and Master a Turner, Study a Stubbs Horse, Sculpt a Tinteretto Dragon, or Create a Matisse Snail. How about Splattering a Pollock with Giant paintbrushes, making magical Sargent lanterns and sculpting like Hepworth with soap? You can even sign your masterpiece in the style of your favourite artist. There will be storytelling through paintings, greek mythology tales, helium balloons, face painting, a Hog Roast, tea tent and lots and lots of drawing fun.

Come along and create an Impression on your Commons.

Be sure to come early to have a go at everything.

£3.50 Children £1.00 Adults

Click here for more information.

Emma in Bromley

NCT Nearly New Sale 25th September 2010, Bromley

I'm so sorry, I've neglected my little blog - I would like to say there was a good reason, but there isn't. My only excuse is that I have been too busy!

So what's happening in Bromley for little ones this weekend...

Look out for the lovely NCT girls having a nearly new sale at the United Reform Church hall on Widmore - this is the one at the bus stop behind Boots, the Glades.

Starting at 11.15am on Saturday 25th September and offering all sorts of "nearly new" bargains. The sale offers items from clothes, toys, books equipment and more suitable from pregnancy to 5 years. Entry costs 50p and the sale runs for just 1 hour!

Emma in Bromley x

Monday 21 June 2010

New baby clothes shop in The Glades - Little legs

I don't wonder down that little extra bit in the Glades very often - you know, that little extra arcade of shops underneath waterstones - especially now The Pier has gone - there's rarely a need to wonder down - but yesterday I did and I spotted a new baby clothes shop called Little Legs. 

Little Legs has been there for 6 weeks already so I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it - considering how many local mums I know! It's got a lovely mixture of trendy brands such as No Added Sugar and Mexx and has a mix of newborn clothes up to about 3 years old. 

Monday 14 June 2010

The campaign for a birth centre at PRUH Princess Royal University Hospital Farnborough Bromley

The Bromley and Chislehurst NCT branch brought the current campaign to my attention and it's something I feel the PRUH needs - a birthing centre located inside the PRUH would be perfect for so many Bromley mums to be. A birthing centre allows a more relaxed home from home environment, more choices and lower medical intervention whilst still benefiting from the excellent medical expertise available at the PRUH.
I gave birth to my gorgeous Son almost a year ago at the PRUH - I had wanted a home birth but because I have a long term medical history ( I have just the one kidney!) I had been advised to have a hospital birth ( and ended up really needing one too!) for me it was catch 22 - because of my history, I'm actually terrified of hospitals! A birthing centre would have been most welcomed by me!

Here is the NCT Campaign - please show your support - it's only a quick email :-)

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Gymboree in Bromley free open play session

I first reviewed Gymboree in Bromley last August but since then there have been a few changes so I thought it was time to review again!

As part of the Glades Mummy Monday club, you can claim a free play session at Gymboree - so that's what we went along too!

It's important to know that the enterance to Gymboree is actually outside the Glades - Between Boots and the Church hall.

Theres a really nice looking cafe area and the toilets have got plenty of room for buggies/ baby changing etc... and there is a secure buggy park.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Fox attacks on babies, children and everyone!

Yesterday's news reported about nine-month-old twins, Isabella and Lola Koupparis, who were attacked by a fox as they were asleep in their cots. It seems that everyone has now gone crazy responding to this story - so yes! I am also going to put my opinion out there too as its something that feels close to home for me.

I grew up in the north west of England - just half an hour away from Lake Windermere so I'm more than aware of the countryside, the first time I saw a fox was in the woods. It was beautiful - absolutely glossy reddy brown with pure white patches, exactly as a fox should be, it was very shy and timmid and ran away!

When I moved to London, and saw my first urban fox - I had to do a double take! I didn't recognise it as a fox at first - it was dirty, manky, scrawny and smelly and had no fear of being near me! I will never forget the first time I heard a fox in the night - it was the most horrific and terrifying thing I think I've ever heard - It sounded like someone was being murdered, if I someone else in my student flat hadn't told me what the hell it was, I would have called the police!

Monday 10 May 2010

Mummy Mondays in Bromley - Join the Club!

Loving the Glades in Bromley's latest promotion! - Mummy Mondays - Join the club by signing up for free at either of the two Customer service desks and receive your membership card which entitles you to special offers on Monday Mornings (shame its not all day! - I know I'm not the only new mummy who finds afternoons easier to get out and do something! and lets face it - first time mummy still in PJ's by 11am - rings a bell, anyone else?) 
There are some fab offers such as buy one get one free on hot drinks in the lovely Patiserie Vallerie, in fact, here are the May 2010 offers ...

Thursday 15 April 2010

gambado soft play centre in beckenham and adventure kingdom in bromley

A small group of us yummy mummies headed over to gambado in beckenham with our 8 and 9 month old babies to explore the soft play area whilst we had a chat! Only thing was when we got there it was a whopping £9 per baby!

So we turned round and headed back to adventure kingdom in Bromley instead and we had a lovely time for £3.60 instead!

For babies and children under 5 I would say adventure kingdom wins hands down but gambado did look more exciting for older children having said that, if it's £9 for a baby who knows how much it is for older children!

Posted from Blogium for iPhone

Tuesday 13 April 2010

I've been nominated for a MAD award - Mummy and Daddy Blog awards

I'm absolutely over the moon to have been nominated for a MAD award!
The MADs celebrate and recognise the wonderful world of Mummy and Daddy bloggers who put every inch of their lives out there in cyberspace to help, inspire and entertain other parents the world over!
My little blog focuses mainly on the Bromley area and has a modest following, it's scary, a thrill and an honour to have been nominated up there with some of the most renowned and establish bloggers of the parentsphere!

Things to do in Bromley with a 1 year old baby / toddler Talking Tots

This post is work in progress, so check back for regular updates!

My baby is now 10 months old and I'm starting to look into things to do with him now he is more toddler than baby!

Our Baby sensory sessions will end in a matter of weeks, we have loved every moment and to be honest, I'm a little anxious of keeping my very active little man busy!

So far I have come across Talking Tots which sounds interesting. The sessions are held by Nicola and classes promise to be " lively and fun, with a wide variety of activities for your little one to enjoy, including songs, games, rhymes and much more! Each session is carefully designed to help boost children's social confidence, communication, listening, turn-taking and sharing skills, vocabulary and pre-literacy ability"

Friday 26 March 2010

Vicks Comfort touch forehead thermometer £10 off

I feel having a thermometer at home is an important addition to any family first aid box - weve used ours endless times!
I came accross one by Vicks which has a green, yellow or red indicator as well as reading your little ones temperature which I think is a nifty idea - it can get confusing sometimes as to whats normal and whats hot! Lets face it, the difference can be less than a degree and when you are talking decimal dots when you are worried about your baby a clear indicator would be nice!

Thursday 25 February 2010

Bromley Baby & Family Fair - Saturday 27th February 2010

Bromley Baby & Family Fair - Saturday 27th February 2010 for Tommy's charity


United Reform Church, Widmore Road, Bromley, Kent (the one at the Boots bus stop!)

10am - 4pm

Fun event for all the family, expectant parents, new parents...

Katies Playpen Superstore will be selling everything you need for babies

Cbeebies, Sarah-Jane Honeywell will be making a guest appearance 10am-11am

Thursday 11 February 2010

First Aid for Babies and Children courses in Bromley and Downham

I keep wanting to do a first aid course now I'm a mum, I feel it's important to know what to do especially with things such as choking now Baby is weaning. I've managed to find two upcoming courses in the Bromley area specifically for parents with children under 5 teaching basic skills in life support and first aid for both you and your child.


Course one -
North Downham Training Project, 103 Boundfield Road, SE6 is running a first aid for children and babies course on 26th feb 2010 for 2 fridays 9.45 - 2.30.

Course two-
There is a new children's centre which has only been open for a few weeks - Downderry Children's Centre, Shroffold Road, BR1 5QL. 0208 695 2440

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Llanelli toy making workshop 18th feb 2010

I know it's not my usual area but next week we may be visiting relatives in Llanelli and I was having a nosey to see if there was anything to do with Baby while we are there and I came across this!

Louise Evans who's the lovely lady behind gorgeous baby slings Rose and Rebellion is holding a toy building workshop at the discovery centre in Llanelli on the 18th feb 2010 at 11am and 2pm.

Sunday 31 January 2010

Raspberry Leaf Tea and where to find it in Bromley.

Ok so before I was pregnant, I had heard of Raspberry tea but not Raspberry Leaf tea (the difference is important!) and I did a fair amount of research before I made the decision to try it.


There is a common myth / old wives tale that it can start labour - this isn't true at all - it doesn't start or induce labour. - So what does it do?


It helps to prepare your uterus for labour and can help the second stage to be quicker, it also helps your uterus to return to normal afterwards so you can keep taking it after baby arrives if you want to.


It can come in different strengths but the norm is to start off on one cup a day after 32 weeks and slowly increase your dose as you get closer to your due date.

Friday 29 January 2010

Bromley (TFL) buses 261 & 126 and prams - shame on you!

This morning for me was just the last straw so RANT ALERT! I'm a mum of a 7 month old baby and in these last 7 months I have repeatedly felt victimised by bus drivers and I know I am not alone.



If I have the pram - a bugaboo - so nice and compact, many bus driver don't stop to let you on the bus, even when there is clearly room for a pram. Some don't acknowledge you at all and others think it's ok to point a the pram, shake their heads and not even bother to open the door or speak to you like your a humanbeing!