AFTER a hectic day riding her bike, picnicking and seeing how many ways she could throw herself down a slide (oh, it can be tough being a preschooler), Princess Ella needed something to settle her before dinner. Actually, she just needed something to settle her full stop.
It seemed the perfect opportunity to download the free CBeebies On The Go app via The Bloke in The Shed’s iPhone.
The look on his face was akin to a dog whose bone was taken away from it, never to be seen of again. He had every reason to worry.
I’d barely finished explaining to Ella what to do and she was confidently flicking and tapping the screen like a pro. Perfectly pitched to the (nearly) four-year-old princess, it features games and short video clips from its popular shows, including one of her favourites, Charlie and Lola. Among the games are Teletubbies matching pairs picture game and Kerwhizz jigsaw game.
Ella’s favourite was the 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge, mainly because it inspired so much excitement as she tried to tap the fruit before it passed across the screen. The puzzles were quite challenging for her to begin with, until we realised the idea was to click on the two images you wanted to swap, instead of sliding them. Once she got a handle on this, the puzzles became much easier.
Her favourite video was by far Big Cook Little Cook – who can refuse decorating a chocolate train cake? She watched this five times!
I was particularly drawn to the Get Squiggling program. I love the idea of drawings coming alive, further fueling their imaginations when it comes to creating their own Van Goghs. As far as the games, Number Jacks was an opportunity for her to start recognising the difference between a 6 and a 9 by listening for the number and then matching it with one on the screen. I’ve already seen an improvement thanks to this game.
It’s this mix of being hugely entertaining, while still learning vital information for her age that makes this so appealing. There’s great variety, so little chance of becoming bored easily. It would have been particularly handy during our recent trip to Hobart, where a lot of patience on Ella’s part was required. And mine, I might add.
My only concern is the short videos could wear thin if on repeat. However, in all, this brightly coloured, easy-to-navigate app from BBC Worldwide is a wonderfully entertaining and educational app from a trusted brand.
The CBeebies On The Go app is now live at ITunes and FREE to download on an iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The CBeebies channel for kids is on Foxtel and Austar.
What’s your child’s favourite CBeebies program? Have they tried the CBeebies On The Go app? What other apps would you recommend for preschoolers?
Disclaimer: I am being paid by Kidspot to write this post in order to review the CBeebies On The Go app. However, all opinions are my own.
Princess Ella excited about her “favourite things''.
WE’RE doing it Mary Poppins-style with a little giveaway we’re calling These Are A Few Of Ella’s Favourite Things. Mainly, it’s things Princess Ella has loved that brands have sent through. Yes, she is one spoilt little princess. Come her birthday, she’s going to be a little blasé about the gifts we’ve given her.
Among the products Ella is loving are the Tiger Tribe Boxset Beach Villa from Cadootje and Tiger Tribe, a Hallmark Recordable Storybook of Winnie the Pooh, Stephen Joseph Gifts accessories, Rhys Muldoon’s latest album and Teddy Rock’s new CD and DVD.
Tiger Tribe Boxset Beach Villa
With her love of doll’s houses already evident, Ella’s eyes lit up when she spotted the Tiger Tribe Wooden B0xset Villa with summer approaching, this one is going to come in particularly handy when travelling.
This ingenious two-storey beach house, aimed at the 3+ age group, packs away into its own box making it portable and compact. It’s stylish and wonderfully designed using eco-friendly birch plywood. Ella was particularly taken with the art work, including crabs, waves, decks and little windows.
It also comes with a host of accessories. The boy and girl (dubbed Jackie and Wacky by Ella) are made using wood and bendable rope arms and legs. Rope is also used to easily fasten the box shut. Plywood and felt are combined for items like the wind surfer, beach umbrella and sun lounges, which add to the painted wooden kitchen, bedroom dresser and bed. It certainly has one little girl – and her mum’s – imaginations running wild.
The only downside for us is some parts being a choking hazard for Baby Holly. Overall, I’m incredibly impressed and quite keen to check out the other box sets and box extensions.
Favourite part: Sunnies and hat-wearing girl and boy, now named Jackie and Wacky. Valued at: $59.95.
Since The Bloke in The Shed has taken on his new job, it means he’s more often missing out on one of our favourite parts of the day – bedtime books. However, we’ve now found a way for the two li’l princesses to not miss out on hearing their dad read to them. It’s our Hallmark Recordable Storybook.
We were given a copy of Winnie the Pooh’s Plan Bee: A Story about Friendship. I would have been more than happy to keep the calming demo voice and beautiful background music already programmed into the book. However, the opportunity to record our voice reading it was too great to pass up.
I’m particularly taken with the illustrations which, as is typical of all Disney releases, are beautifully done. The hardcover book also features a wonderful message about friendship and what it takes to be a good friend as Pooh goes about trying to be a bee.
While each page is recorded separately, the downside is Ella changing the pages too soon during reading and cutting off the recording. This means we have to start from the beginning for that particular page.
Favourite part: Ella said it was when Pooh endeavours to fly (although, she didn’t use the word “endeavours’’ obviously). Retails for $34.99
You can purchase the book, and the other titles such as Lightning McQueen and his Winning Team, via Hallmark Australia www.store.hallmarkcards.com.au, with all orders shipped out within 48 hours.
Stephen Joseph Gifts:
Each day Ella changes the message on her new rewritable door hanger on her bedroom door. Some days it says “good morning’’ and others “stay out’’. I might add these are merely just a series of random letters and squiggles, but she assures me that’s what it says.
The door hanger is from Stephen Joseph Gifts, featuring colourful children’s accessories for children aged two to eight. She also received a beautiful drawing pad with crayons, a turtle Go-Go purse and matching coin purse.
This is a seriously cute range, with high quality and, most importantly, safe products. The accessories also come in a number of coordinating designs, so you can mix and match to your heart’s desire. They include butterflies, ladybugs, robots and trains.
The purse has been a lovely place to put the $2 coins her Nan keeps giving her. It fits snugly inside the bag, which was perfect for her to take to a wedding we attended two weeks ago. The ladybug notepad with crayons helped during the long, boring trip south to that same wedding.
Stephen Joseph Gifts includes backpacks, lunch bags, stainless steel drink bottles, photo frames, raincoats, handbags and sunglasses. I’m so taken with the designs behind the gift ideas, I’m already eyeing off quite a few items for Christmas.
Fave part: Door hanger she can write messages on and rub out daily. If only we knew what those messages were. Pack retails for $77.85.
Despite my favourite CDs collecting dust, I’m still pushing for the princesses to listen to a variety of genres – even if it is still all kid based. So the past week we’ve swapped our pretty pop music for down and dirty rock courtesy of Play School favourite Rhys Muldoon’s I’m Not Singing and Teddy Rock’s Nursery-wave Party!
I’m Not Singing is TISM meets Play School. Start with Kram from Spiderbait as your co-writer/producer, add guest vocalist Tex Perkins, some tongue-in-cheek lyrics and yep, Rhys’ album ain’t for the faint hearted. Except that Ella loves it – every head-banging moment. She’s lured by the silliness, catchy tunes and mention of… bodily noises. Along with punk-style Footy Dad, her favourite is the rockin’ Bob the Bear, with the well chanted line “who, who, who did a poo?’’. The Bloke in The Shed is likely to be listening to this one even without the girls in the car.
Teddy Rock is kids’ music with the cool factor. Expect nursery rhyme favourites like This Old Man and Twinkle, Twinkle turned up a notch with Buzz, Belle and Bop. We were given the 24-track CD and 18-track DVD to review and were taken with the rockin’ Incy Wincy Spider. It’s the same old lyrics, but the tune is just a little hardcore. I should have broken out the leather jacket for Ella. While both albums caused plenty of laughter, beware: they are best enjoyed in small doses.
Favourite part: Ella just can’t get past the “who, who, who did a poo?’’ lyrics from Rhys’ Bob The Bear track, especially right after Baby Holly has done her business. CDs retail for $19.99 and DVD $27.99.
To go in the draw to win a Tiger Tribe Boxset Beach Villa, a Hallmartk Recordable Storybook, Stephen Joseph Gifts pack (drawing pad, handbag, door hanger and kids tote), Rhys Muldoon’s album I’m Not Singing and Teddy Rock’s Nursery-wave Party! CD and DVD OR the runner-up prize of a Hallmark Recordable Storybook, leave a comment telling us what are some of your child’s favourite things. The giveaway closes Monday, October 17 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three entries.
Want extra entries? Then here’s how you can up your chances in the draw. Each task is worth one extra entry, but must be included as a separate comment (or it won’t count).
Click the Facebook button below and share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Facebook’’.
Click the Twitter button below and share this giveaway with your Twitter followers (Twitter handle is @ThreeLil). Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Twitter’’.
**DISCLAIMER: I received review copies of all of the above. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
LAST month we welcomed adorable twins into our home. What? You missed that news? So you don’t remember this Zhu-rrific good time?
This is Zhu Zhu Pets Zhu-Leopard and Zhu-Zebra. They’re part of the newly released Zhu-Fari range.
Let me introduce you to them.
Zhu-Leopard: She’s the sweeter of the two. She makes little cat noises and is always happy to rub up against your leg when you’re cooking dinner… then scoots off again in another direction, before doing a 360 and returning to your leg again. Yes, just a little clingy is our Zhu-Leopard.
Zhu-Zebra: He’s the boisterous one and also Princess Ella’s favourite. In turn, he’s always looking out for her (see photo). Most likely because they have similar personality traits – they’re noisy (cue: galloping horse-like noises before he takes off), won’t sit still and if there’s a door open, they’re off exploring before you even realise they’re gone. I did find him in the pantry the other day trying to sniff out the cupcakes.
They also came with their own little habitats. Although, they do tend to encroach on ours more often than not. Particularly the kitchen, as you’ll see:
There were plenty of giggles as the pair catapulted off the end of the ramp. Yes, this was an obsession for a while there. Poor pets!
Further laughter was had when one of them went around in circles and couldn’t get out of the jungle roundabout.
Again, poor pets. Although, after watching this video, you’ll be saying “poor mum”.
Ella’s favourite part is the little green and purple worms. They’re placed into the top of the tree and, with the help of a lever, come out a hole at the bottom.
With Christmas fast approaching, they’re an ideal gift for children 3 years-plus looking for their own “pet’’. And much cheaper. They’ve been voted Australian Toy of the Year Winner for Girls, but the range also caters for boys, with Ninja Zhu Zhus. They’re small, about the size of a real hamster, similar in weight and are easy to use – press the cute paw back button and away they go. They’re fast, so just watch out.
The noise factor can irritate some parents. However, the fact they make my girls giggle, makes me happy. And I find the noises quite cute, with the decibel level not piercing. So I don’t have a problem with them. NOTE: To turn them off, press the back buttons or the nose a second time.
The only other issue is the wheels can play havoc if they come anywhere near little girls’ hair, so heed the warning on the side of the box.
Lastly, the duo are from a good breed: here’s the rest of the Zhu-fari tribe:
The Zhu Zhu Pets retail for $20 each and the accessories range in price. They are available at Target, Kmart, Big W, Toys R Us and all major toy retailers.
Kissing cousins
To go in the draw to win TWO fabulous Zhu Zhu accessories and TWO of the wonderful furry critters, leave a comment telling us what gets your children excited at the moment (toys, food, music, TV, sport?). The giveaway closes Sunday, October 2 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three entries.
Want extra entries? Then here’s how you can up your chances in the draw. Each task is worth one extra entry, but must be included as a separate comment (or it won’t count).
Click the Facebook button below and share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Facebook’’.
Click the Twitter button below and share this giveaway with your Twitter followers (Twitter handle is @ThreeLil). Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Twitter’’.
**DISCLAIMER: I am an ambassador for the Zhu-fari range. I received two Zhu Zhu pets and two accessories for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
THERE’S cause for celebration on the blog today. We’re talking champagne popping and streamer throwing kind of celebrations. One of my fave mummy businesses has been named as a finalist in the AusMumpreneur Awards, conducted by connect2mums. My Posh Baby Boutique was selected for the Customer Service Award and Best Boutique/Store. Yes, it doesn’t do things in halves.
If you missed our last review and giveaway or haven’t heard of My Posh Baby Boutique before, the business was started by work at home mum Samantha Bellas to offer children’s designer labels that were fashionable, unique and had an element of exclusivity to Australians. Its slogan “putting big smiles on little faces’’ stems from Samantha only selling items she’s head over heels in love with.
To celebrate (other than the virtual champagne and streamers), Samantha offered Princess Ella and Baby Holly items from her popular Mud Pie range. I know! How spoilt are we? This time it was the cute Ribbon Ruffle Dress and Ribbon Ruffle Bubble.
And here’s the “big smiles on little faces’’ that Samantha talks about.
Yes, OK, a little cheesy. Once Princess Ella put her dress on, I couldn’t get it off her. Which is probably better than the usual nudity that happens around here.
While my photos of Ella wearing the dress couldn’t compare to the studio shots, I did get a few close ups of the detail on the dress.
I love that it embraces being a girl, with sweet bows and gorgeous necklines. The pink against the white and black is divine and the ruffles of the skirt add an extra element of cuteness. The quality of the material and its softness against the skin make this appealing, knowing how too often party outfits can tend to itch senstive skin.
I think both outfits will be perfect for their upcoming birthday parties. Coincidentally, Samantha confessed to having lost count of how many of these she’s sold, due to their popularity for birthdays and special occasions. While there’s nothing immediate I could find that could be improved upon, my only real concern (and it’s minor) is wondering how the black of the dress will wash against the white and pink.
If you love Samantha’s taste in clothes as much as I do, please consider casting a vote in her direction via www.connect2mums.com.aubefore midnight on August 21. Winners will be announced in Sydney on August 27. The awards are aimed at the brightest and most innovative professional business mums. “What I love most about operating My Posh Baby Boutique is the opportunity to stay at home to raise my beautiful daughter but at the same time, keeping my mind active and utilising my business skills,’’ she said.
Now, there’s one more reason to celebrate. Yes, you get to go shopping. My Posh Baby Boutique is giving away a $50 gift voucher to spend on anything in its range. As I’ve mentioned before, the boys’ outfits are just as cute, including the Knuckleheads range, which is a fave of Kourtney Kardashian. You can check out the other labels on the www.myposhbabyboutique.com website and on Facebook.
To enter to win the My Posh Baby Boutique $50 gift voucher, simply leave a comment telling us which outfit you would love for your little one. The giveaway closes Sunday,
August 21 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only.
Want more entries? Then here’s how you can up your chances in the draw. Each task is worth one extra entry, but must be included as a separate comment (or it won’t count).
Click the Facebook button below and share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Facebook’’.
Click the Twitter button below and share this giveaway with your Twitter followers (Twitter handle is @ThreeLil). Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Twitter’’
Disclosure: I received a Ribbon Ruffle Dress and Ribbon Ruffle Bubble to review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
WHEN Princess Ella was asked not to sit on top of Baby Holly, her response was: “but she’s my best friend’’. Ah, right. It’s fair to say, everyone’s her best friend. But one of her “best’’ best friends is Dora. That’s Dora the Explorer to you and I.
Ella is one of Dora’s biggest fans. Saturday mornings can’t come around quick enough for her weekly fix. Our house is filled with Dora.
The bathroom
The bedroom
And the loungeroom
Yes, that’s Dora’s cousin, Diego.
So there were mini squees of excitement when Ella was told about the limited-edition, interactive DVD, Dora’s first ever karaoke title, Dora The Explorer: Singing Sensation!
There’s another reason this one is just a little bit special, because it has a
yes, a microphone. A limited-edition inflatable microphone as a free gift-with-purchase to be precise. Although someone kept pulling the plug so it ended up a little
limp.
This takes the usual Dora concept of finding her way around the map with friend Boots to a new level, as they go on a sing-along adventure to get to the Pirate Piggies’ Ship. On the way, they pass the Friendship Mountain, The Music School and El Parque.
There are more than 30 songs with a mix of English and Spanish, along with traditional songs and Dora-inspired tracks. Everything from La Musica to Mary Had a Little Lamb and The Backpack Song. (Hmm, now guess what’s stuck in my head?).
Yes, I’ll be honest and say that at times Dora drives me a tad crazy. Maybe it’s the high-pitched voice. One of those in the house is bad enough. However, if it makes this all-singing, all-dancing person happy
then I’m happy. Plus, readers of this blog will know I’m a big supporter of children learning a another language, after Ella learnt sign language from her child carer. If she can learn Spanish from Dora, it saves me a lot of money in tuition.
She hasn’t learnt all the songs yet, but she’s quickly picking them up. The melodies are frighteningly catchy. For children who love to sing and dance, then this one will be a hit.
To go in the draw to win a copy of Dora the Explorer: Singing Sensation!, simply tell us your favourite karaoke song. The giveaway closes Sunday,, July 31 at 7pm and a winner will be drawnrandomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three entries.
Want extra entries? Then here’s how you can up your chances in the draw. Each task is worth one extra entry, but must be included as a separate comment (or it won’t count).
Click the Facebook button below and share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Facebook’’.
Click the Twitter button below and share this giveaway with your Twitter followers (Twitter handle is @ThreeLil). Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Twitter’’.
PRINCESS Ella crept out from her bedroom one night this week with Motley (the charming name for her new Zhu Zhu pet) in hand. “Mum, he’s making too much noise and just won’t go to sleep. Can you look after him for me?’’ She then turned on her heel and proceeded back to bed. Meanwhile, Motley sat on the kitchen bench making “squee…..squee-squee…..squee’’ noises for the next three minutes.
Ella has always wanted a pet, but The Bloke in The Shed isn’t keen. The other day, when the topic once again turned to getting a pet, I asked “well, what pet do you want?’’
“A giraffe,’’ she said. Oh, of course, what a perfect choice.
“And where would we put him?’’ I asked.
“In the back yard,’’ she said, matter of factly. Silly mum. Where else would you put him?
So since Motley arrived she’s been beside herself. Finally she has her own pet – a hamster – who squees like a blogger, runs around the kitchen like a mad mother and can even power his own Drive-In Movie (well, I can do that too. It’s called a remote and a bean bag).
Ella had a choice between a blue or green hamster. And the Drive-In Movie or the Adventure Ball. She chose the blue one and the movie. I think she thought Mary Poppins might be showing.
Watching a movie together
Motley, her great new companion, is causing plenty of giggles as he chases her around the kitchen. However, there is one slight downside to Motley. My malting hair on the carpet (thanks to breastfeeding hormones) isn’t a good mix with Motley’s little wheels. So he’s a kitchen and dining room pet only. And he chatters a lot. Nearly as much as his owner. Although, thankfully his chatter is at a few decibels lower.
Zhu Zhu pets, voted Australian Toy of the Year Winner for Girls, are a great idea for children 3 years-plus looking for their own “pet’’. I can imagine quite a few boys would enjoy this toy too and all its accessories. He’s the size of a real hamster, a similar weight and makes rather cute noises (if I’m honest) when you press his nose or back – the back button also activates his little wheels. And boy, does he move fast, darting backwards if he runs into a wall (or Mum’s foot). In all, he’s just plain fun.
While there’s quite a lot of Zhu Zhu’s to choose from
there’s just as many accessories and playsets too.
The Zhu Zhu Pets retail for $20 each and the accessories range in price. They are available at Target, Kmart, Big W, Toys R Us and all major toy retailers.
You must be wondering what we’re going to do with the extra hamster and Adventure Ball.
The prize!
Well, your little one has the chance to win them.
To go in the draw to win a Zhu Zhu Pet and Adventure Ball accessory, leave a comment telling us your favourite toy as a child (even if it was a box and string!). The giveaway closes Sunday, August 7 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three entries.
Want extra entries? Then here’s how you can up your chances in the draw. Each task is worth one extra entry, but must be included as a separate comment (or it won’t count).
Click the Facebook button below and share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Facebook’’.
Click the Twitter button below and share this giveaway with your Twitter followers (Twitter handle is @ThreeLil). Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Twitter’’.
**DISCLAIMER: I received a Zhu Zhu pet and Drive In Movie accessory for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
For another chance to win, check out Naomi’s blog. She has a pet and another rather cool accessory to give away.
