Friday, 21 October 2016

Schieich Large Farm Review

There is one thing my children love to do is play little role play games with animals. Son Son loves any little animal and always has done. They were ever so delighted when we were asked to review the Schieich Farm set. I knew there would be hours of play with the different farm animals and farm setting.


There is one thing I underestimated was the size of the farm, little did I know that the already large box would contain all the bits to make a massive farm. I had two small children at my heels desperate to get me to build it (for some reason I thought it was all together). Thankfully I love a building project and got set constructing the farm. 


It took me a good hour to set the farm up and to find the right bits and often make a mistake and start all over. I didn't realise there would be so many different areas for the farm. Although it was easy to put taught some of the parts I feared might break but thankfully everything fixed together. 


Now the farm was all built there was no need to worry about finding all the animals the set came with  a range of farmyard animals including cows, pig, farmer and other farm accessories. One thing Son Son loved was that the doors all open and arnt fixed shut, he has a favourite game of playing peekaboo so that was perfect for him to do so. The roof can come off to optimise play and give a smaller child more access to the farm. 


One of our favioute peeves was the little brush for the cows especially for Ami who loves playing mums and babies and this was perfect for her to brush the little baby cow. The farmer included has moveable arms and can hold some of the items in his hands. The farmer is slightly less robust than the larger Schieich animals but still fun to play with. 


I love the little details that are part of the farm building such as the little flower baskets and the textured sizes. We have quite a few Schieich animals which sometimes on their own can be limiting to what you can do with them. The farm provides the perfect environment for learning through play. One thing the kids loved was the little winch crane thats housed inside of the farm. Its able to move across the length of the farm and can be wound up to lift things up just like you would see in a real farm. 


The farm retails at £99.99 which you might think is a tad pricey but it is well worth the pennies. Not only do you get a massive farm but also a few animals to play with too. Also the Schileich brand are well know for the quality of their products so you know its going to last. I know its going to be a well played with toy they already have had such fun making up stories and playing little games. All in all its been an overall success in our house. 



Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Autumn Beach Trips

One thing I love about living by the seaside is the fact we can pop down to the beach any day. Our nearest one to us is one I grew up as a child so am always very fond of it. 


One thing me and my sisters would love is when the wind blows and the waves splash over the top of the wind. I was trying to show my little ones the waves and everytime they seemed to stop it was very funny. Every now and again a massive wave would spray the side and splash all over the side. When they did notice it they found it hilarious. 


Ami and Son Son both loved jumping in the water as it was starting to gather in puddles. Sometimes it's the simple things my children love. I can spend a small fourtune and buy craft stuff till it's coming out my ears and they hardly do it. Where as bringing them here to the seaside brings such joy. I am always so grateful to live here.


I love this photo of my little Ami she looks so happy. Must have just caught it at the right time. 




Sunday, 9 October 2016

Getting Ready for Starting School - Ami

So the time has finally come and my middle child Ami has started school. She starts full days soon and I am somewhat a bit sad about it. She is only four but seriously she does look super cute in her school uniform. She has taken to going to school really well and I think it helps that she has good friends in her class. She is ever so proud to go to school and every morning is the first dressed whilst we call her older brother about 600 tines to get dressed.


We recently were sent £50 from Ocean Finance  to help us with getting ready for back to school or as in our case starting school. I know have two children in uniform and boy isn't that pricey so I was very grateful for it. With the money we got some essentials for starting school and some other bits for practicing writing at home or chilling out after a busy day. See below what we got.



School Shoes

They are important for school obviously I was looking forward to taking Ami to buy a pair. Little did I know that it would be so stressful, I thought we could walk into clarks and be out 10 minutes later. Ami has always had wide feet and a high instep sadly Clarkes did not cater for this and as a result her feet her to wide for all the dainty shoes in there. Seriously why dont more girls shoes be made more robust, its funny all the boys shoes have toe guards but not the girls.  We found a pair of shoes that finally fitted after two days of shoe shopping. They have lights they weren't too pricy and they fit, she loves them and wants to wear them all the time.


School Lunch Box

Who doesnt need a unicorn Lunchbox. Seriously I want this for me its so cute although she will get free school dinners as part of the government scheme its good that if she wants a change one day we have one free. The lunch box comes with a strap so is easy for her to carry around.
seriously look its amazing its from Sainsbury's if you want one for work.. Ahem I mean your child for school.




Cool Stationary 

Although its only reception that Ami has started in there is always the need to help her practice her writing at home. Sadly I was pulled into Smiggle and if you haven't been there come with money I was forced to buy all sorts of random bits. We got a little colourful pad and colourful markers to go with it. She also chose a cupcake smelling pencil, a lolly rubber and glow in the dark puzzle. She is over the moon and comes home everyday to her little pad which she locks away from her brothers and writes her name.


So here we are our little round up of goodies from us. Life has changed a lot over the last few weeks and home is somewhat more quieter since. I am so glad she has settled well and is loving every minute although its only early days yet. I am looking forward to many firsts this year and being a blubbering mess at assembly's and school trips.

Disclaimer: Thus is a collaborative post we were gifted £50 from Ocean Finance to buy items for this post.