Grrrrr! • Book Review •

Each year, for as long as the forest has stood, A contest is held for the bears of the wood...

Grrrrr! is the second book from the fantastic and captivating author/illustrator Rob Biddulph. 

Rob's first book Blown Away, won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2015! 

Fred is a winner, he has medals, trophies galore but he's missing something that is much more important than that. 

His award winning Grrrrr goes missing On his hunt for it, he finds what he was truly missing in the 

first place! 

The boys loved the story of Fred and his lost Grrrrr! 

Easy to read, it holds the attention of its readers by its rhythmic words.   

The twins weren't too touch by the story but Noah really was! 

He liked how it had a happy ending and that Fred was no longer alone!

Get your little grizzly bears to join in the fun by heading over to grrrrr.harpercollins.co.uk and 

Upload your best GRRRRR to be crowned the best bear in the wood!

You can purchase Grrrrr! From Amazon , perfect for a stocking filler! 

Moochie for Kids - the next must have!!!

A new must have was Launched this week...... What's that you ask???

Well my lovelies it's - 

Moochies for Kids! 

Are you on the fence about your child having a mobile phone? 

Think you need to let them have one just so you can keep in contact with them when they're aren't with you, but feel they are still too young to actually have one??

Well this may be what you're  looking for 

Moochies for Kids, a wearable GPS-enabled device, has launched in the UK in a bid to keep children safer and help parents keep an eye on their whereabouts.

 

Moochies are phones for kids. Worn exactly like a watch and coming in four colours (black, orange, pink and blue), a Moochie is a durable phone and watch combination, allowing two-way communication between parents and children. Working in tangent with the free Moochies app on the parent’s phone, it enables them to be in touch with their children at all times of the day, wherever they are - be it at school, on public transport or with their friends at the local park.

Working with a pay-as-you-go sim card, just like a mobile phone, Moochies allows a child to ring two phone numbers (mum and dad, for example), while also allowing up to twenty people to ring them. But Moochies also ensures no strangers can ring the child, with only contacts pre-approved by the parent given permission to ring the device. Parents can also set a pre-determined ‘safe zone’ for when their child is playing in the park, for example, and the app will notify them if there child strays outside of this space.

 

If a child gets into trouble, Moochies also has a SOS button - once pressed, it alerts the app holder that the child is in trouble and sends a 15 second recording of all the sounds around the child straight to the parent’s phone.

 

The GPS technology means the app holder can see where their child is at any time, for enormous peace of mind.

 

Adrian Lisle, founder of Moochies for Kids, said: “We designed the watch and app not to restrict children from having fun, but to put parents’ minds at rest once their children start making their own way to and from school and to see their friends. It’s a modern day problem which so many parents can relate to, and we’ve come up with an innovative solution through a fashionable watch for kids that helps to ease them into the process of being independent, with the support of a safety net.”

 

Moochies for Kids comes onto the market at £79.99 – the app is free to download for iOS and Android.

 

For more information visitwww.moochiesforkids.com

Hogwarts in the Snow

Step inside the magic this Christmas 

This festive season, film fans are invited to discover how special effects experts make snow that never melts, how set dressers transform locations for Christmas scenes, and how flames are created without fire, as Warner Bros. Studio Tour London opens the doors on its most magical makeover yet.

Launching on Friday 13^th Novemberand running for a limited time only, Hogwarts in the Snow will offer visitors the opportunity to see the Harry Potterfilm series’ most iconic sets decorated for festive scenes. Eight Christmas trees will line the Great Hall, the Gryffindorcommon room will be dressed for the season and a blanket of filmmaking snow will be meticulously applied to the majestic Hogwarts castle model.

In the Hogwarts Great Hall, visitors will spot wreaths and garlands, trees decked with golden baubles and topped with witches on miniature broomsticks, as well as a replica feast. One side of the Great Hall will be dedicated to savoury props, featuring roast turkeys, hams studded with cherries and bowls of potatoes, while the other will be devoted to sweet treats including flaming Christmas puddings and iced cakes.

For the first time this year, the Goblet of Fire will emerge from its original jewelled casket, rigged by special effects experts, and will be ‘lit’ with flames that change from blue to red. Featured in the fourth film, the impressive goblet was used as a way to select champions for the Triwizard Tournament. During production, the picture-perfect hero version was sculpted from a single piece of wood by the Prop Making Department, while a special effects replica was moulded in fibreglass and painted to look identical to its wooden counterpart.

The Hogwarts castle model will be transformed for the occasion by a team led by Model Effects Supervisor José Granell, who worked on the Harry Potterfilm series. The snow is hand-sprinkled onto the incredibly-detailed model and is made from a combination of granulated paper and grains of salt – chosen because it clumps like real snowflakes and catches the light like ice. Visitors will be able to touch samples of the different types of ‘snow’ used during production, each selected for its ability to float like falling snow, crunch under foot or glisten in the light.

The scale model was first built for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, with a team of 80 model makers working for almost seven months to create the original version. The crew updated it over the years when the story required it (the bridge was added for Prisoner of Azkaban, the Owlery for Goblet of Fire, and the Astronomy Tower for Half-Blood Prince), and the model was used for nearly every exterior shot of Hogwartsseen in the first six Harry Potter films. The specialist work was so detailed that it would have taken one person more than 74 years to complete!

Fireplaces throughout the attraction (including those in the Leaky Cauldronand Great Hall) will be ‘lit’ with special effects fire, created by filmmakers using a combination of water vapour and lighting effects. The Gryffindor common room and Weasley kitchen will also be dressed for the occasion with streamers, Christmas crackers and oranges.

Festive facts:

·         The food featured in the feasts throughout the early films was real; however, the Set Decoration Department later used artificial food created from powder and resin.

·         While the film series’ Christmas scenes feel very festive, many of them were actually filmed at unexpected times of year (even during summer) depending on the production schedule.

·         Christmas puddings were rigged with real flames for the Great Hall’s Christmas feast, with gas pipes hidden along the floor and running up into the tables. This special effect will be recreated at the Studio Tour this year, especially for the attraction’s festive feature.

Hogwarts in the Snow will run from Friday 13^th November – Sunday 31^stJanuary 2016. Tickets must be pre-booked and all extra activities are included in the ticket price.

#HogwartsInTheSnow

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October Half Term ideas - The RAF museum London

RAF museum London

If you are looking for family friendly things to do this half term why not head to the RAF museum London.

Why do I think the RAF museum will be a fun place to go?

Well ..... It is full of history!!

History, I know can be a bit dull and when trying to excite the kids with a day trip where they will actually learn something can be a bit of a tricky but when face to face with a Avro Lancaster plane it's hard not to get excited! 

Boys, girls, mums, dads and grandparents are sure to all have a great day out at the RAF museum London and will leave with memories that will last a life time!

I remember my father taking my brother and I on a day trip when we were kids and it was one of the best days out we had. 

My dad was an army man so he was in his element. 

We have taken the boys to a few aircraft museums but have yet to take them to the RAF museum, it's something Jon has on his "must do list" as he is very into WW1 and WW2 so loves being able to see the aircrafts which took part in the battles and wow the boys with his knowledge.

Noah has just really started to get into war planes and is constantly drawing them and googling them on his Hudle. 

Now not only can you look around the hangers and exhibitions you can now find out what it actually feels like to soar amongst the clouds and to participate an intense aerial battle!!! 

You can now experience all the thrills and exhilaration of powered flight by entering the Museum's newest attraction - there  4 Dimensional Theatre.

Ticket Prices:

Single - £4 per person for each film.

Family Ticket - entitling up to 4 people to travel together - £1

This is something I'd very much like to have a go on! 

As well as being family friendly they offer that little bit more by offering a Autism Friendly Trail, I think this is great!!! A few friends of mine have autistic children and they do worry about taking them out to busy places such as museums!  

   "To help those of our visitors who have autism prepare for and get maximum enjoyment from their visit to our London site, we have prepared an autism friendly aircraft trail which may be downloaded free of charge.



The Royal Air Force Museum London offers a fun, enthralling day out for the whole family: and, best of all, admission is free.

With over 100 aircraft on site, nowhere else in London enables you to get close to so many historic and groundbreaking aircraft without paying an entrance.

In addition to this the Museum offers a full calendar of free events and exhibitions that not only bring our world beating collection to life but also educate whilst entertaining visitors. 


They have a special event on -

'From 24 until 30 October 2015 our popular First World War Airfix Make and Take workshops will return to celebrate our First World War in the Air exhibition winning Best Heritage Project in the National Lottery Awards 2015. 

Take on the Red Baron's Albatros or fight your way to victory with the classic British Sopwith Pup. 

All paints, glue, instructions supplied with Airfix each kit.

Dates: 24 - 30 October 2015

Cost: £3 per Airfix kit

Location: Dermot Boyle Wing 

Times: 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm 

Recommended age: 7+ '

RAF museum London 

Pooch & Mutt Need YOU!

Pooch & Mutt are calling all dog owners to take there survey and get your say on what you what to tell the pet industry!!

For your time they will give you £5 off a bag of 10kg of their amazing dog food!

Ray swears by his favourite pooch & mutt food! Since being on Calm & Relaxed he's a completely different dog! 

They want to make sure that they are doing the very best that they can for there customers and all dogs!

There company ethos is to help dogs lead happy, healthy lives. 

They're well connected to the pet industry through the buyers and suppliers that they work with, the shows that they exhibit at, the articles they publish in trade journals and the talks that they give within the pet trade.

What they say ...

"We want to use these connections to help you get your voice heard! Companies need to make products that you, our customer, wants for their dog. We live in a connected, internet age, where consumers do not have to just settle for the same, low quality, mass-market, mass-produced brands that, in the past were the only ones that could create products on a national and international scale. In today’s world it is the small, agile companies who can make new products very quickly and have international distribution set up within days. This means that customers should get the products that they want!

This survey will collate what customers want, while publishing this information to the pet trade industry. Instead of companies telling customers what to buy, this survey is all about customers telling companies what to make. You have the power!!

We value what you have to say and we value your time, so as a thank you for taking the time to fill in the short survey we are offering everyone who completes the survey a £5 voucher towards a 10kg bag of any of our grain-free dog food."

 

To complete the survey visit www.poochandmutt.com/petsurvey2015

FlutterByes Christmas Pop up shop!

For the second time FlutterByes have opened up a Christmas pop up shop in Bluewater!

The shop did so well last year they have up'd their stock by 70%!!

Stepping into the store, it feels just like stepping into a winter wonderland!!

You feel the excitement of Christmas wash over you! 

Christmas songs pumping softly into the store and twinkerling lights all around! 

It's hard not to smile when stood inside flutterbyes Christmas pop up shop! 

The staff are lovely and there's two jolly Christmas elves to help you out if you need. 

There is something to suit everyone's budget and style.

From glass to traditional, black and copper to glitz and glam!

This Christmas shop will be hard to beat! 

My favourite bit of all.......not a single bit of tinsel to be seen!  

If you head over to my Instagram  you'll be able to see more of my pictures from the shop! 

If you can't get over to Bluewater over the Christmas period never fear you can shop online from their shop ... 

www.flutterbyes.co.uk 

Double ear infections and me time

Soooo guys you ready for a truly exciting update .......

Well ok it's not too exciting but it's an update of the going on's of me and the beasties. 

Let's start off with the good!

My bumchum Jenny came to visit and with her she bought along a lovely goodie box to cheer me up!

I have said this before but she really is the best friend I could ever ask for! 

So Jenny I know you're reading this ..... Thumbs up to you my friend!!! 

When she was here we went out to lunch to Rochester Frankie and Bennys  

Ru was a monster but the twins were well behaved and loved their rainbow juice! 

The food was slightly cold but the service was great. The boys all went away with a smile and a balloon! 

Ru has had an amazing jumper made for him and there will be a post all about it!!! 

I love it and Amy over at  LittleBearBots is amazing. 

Noah's second tooth came out .... At school! He's officially a cool boy now lol! 

On Saturday I went to Bluewater  to take some snaps of Flutterbyes Christmas shop opening.

I felt like I'd stepped into a winter wonderland! 

I'll be sharing more pictures in a post this week, and if you are near or around bluewater in the lead up to Christmas you really should really pop in!!!

Me time:

I'm taking the time to look after me. 

I'm fed up of feeling poo and the only way to change that is with a little bit of TLC!

All mums need a time out for themselves. Looking after our little beasties needs a me time reward once in a while! 

As you saw yesterday, I Henna'd my hair and I have to say I'm really pleased with it, the colour is great and it actually feels smoother today!

I also had another Lush treat last week which was a Brazened Honey face mask 

Sorry if my masked face offends you and no I'm not naked! 

Not only did It leave my skin feeling utterly amazing, I could have eaten it, it smelt luscious! 

This was my first face mask from lush and I'll defiantly be buying more. 

I also came off the wagon this weekend!

I caved in and ate a lot of chocolate! 

There will be a post about this   divine chocolate goodness and I'm now back on the wagon and trying hard to reduce my refined sugar intake! 

I will be stronger this time! 

I'm going to blame the chocolate over dose on one being sent a whole box full of yummy bars and having no self control 

And two being ridiculous Ill with a chesty cough and cold which now has resulted in a double ear infection :( 

One last thing....

I shall be at the Tots100 London #blogcamp on Thursday! 

So if any of you reading this are going please come and say hello I don't bite  :)