You’re Magical, You’re Powerful, You’re Winx!

Recently the girls were invited to a very special VIP party at the Odeon Covent Garden London.

Its was all pink carpet glam as Alice-Sara and her best friend went to watch an exclusive preview screening of series 5 of the hit Nickelodeon show, Winx Club!

Not only would the girls get to enjoy this exclusive preview but they would also get to party following the screening, celebrating everything Winx including the newest launch of Winx dolls.

Alice-Sara has never watched Winx but having attended the event she is now a big fan.

The event itself was magical. The girls were presented with Winx Tutus on arrival and following the one hour screening the girls got their groove on in the magical world of Winx.

Here they could get their groove on in the Frutti Tutti Music Bar and hang out with the guest DJ while they rocked it on the dance floor. They could take to the mic for the Winx Karaoke competition, and show off their best air guitar moves. At the Bloom’s Beauty Bar the girls were styled just like the Winx Fairies with clip in coloured hair, glitter face-painting and fairy nails.

There was a great crafts area and the girls had fun making Stella’s Sun catchers out of sparkly glitter and sequins.

The girls found the whole experience truly magical. They won second prize on the karaoke (a Winx beauty case each) and Alice-Sara won a Winx doll in a dancing competition. Both girls walked the pink carpet like those at a film premiere and had their photos taken with a magical Winx fairy.

They came home with some great goody bags packed with Winx treasures. This included a Winx DVD they we have watched a great number of times since.

As for the screening we highly recommend that Winx fans tune in for the new seasons episodes on Nickelodeon… The girls really enjoyed the story lines.

Later at home in their tutus

Winx dolls and Merchandise can be brought from all good toy shops including Argos and Amazon.

www.winxclub.com

An Olympic Party with Hornby

Hornby are gearing up for the 2012 Olympic Games and invited myself and the kids to London’s biggest toy store “Hamleys” for a private party.

Having a child with Aspergers syndrome with an interest in transport, one who loves a good old Hornby train set meant it was an invitation to good to refuse.

My daughter had her friend stay over so and spent the day doing “girl stuff” So, this trip was one made by myself and two boys.

We arrived a little later than others, little man was busy checking out the underground, but when we did arrive we were greeted my the funky Olympic Mascot. The party was allocated in a side room and was decked out in British colours and Olympic cheer. Harley had his eye on the balloons as soon as we arrived (Thankfully he got to take one home even if he did let it go flying into the London sky a little after we left)!

Hornby had some fantastic new products on show, all released in celebration of the 2012 games. Little man loved the new Scalextric Velodrome Cycling Set which is the first and only of its kind. This has two miniature cyclist dressed in Team GB outfits that race around a Scalextric track operated by two hand held controllers. Priced at £69.99 it isn’t cheap but one of a kind.

You can only imagine how exciting the range is for my Little man. His had a special interest in transport for as long as I can remember. His 11 now and although his finally acquired some additional interests in the last year (mainly Lego and wrestling) he still loves his transport, especially trains, buses and the underground so he was pretty impressed with these below.

We had an awesome time at Hamleys, both boys were smiling as we were taken on a tour around the store. Sadly little man now hates having his photo taken especially in public but as you can see this isn’t the case for the two year old.

Harley especially, was dead impressed to meet Wenlock (yes, the one eye mascot)! Hornby have been sure to included both the Olympic and Paralympics Mascots within some of its fabulous merchandise. This includes the funky Chocolate vending machine that little man is actually lusting after, as well as some fab 2012 Mascot key rings that are really heavy and well made (we were lucky to receive some of these in our goody bags).

It was a really good day and we all thank Hornby for inviting us. If you want to check out the Official range of London 2012 products, pop over to their website and check it out.

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this post, but attended a party with the children to check out the new range and the children received a goody bag.

Build-a-Bear Workshop Fun Packs Review

Build a Bear workshops are pretty awesome, with store’s located all over the country, your bound to have heard of them before. My children love anything Build-a-Bear Workshop® and as a parent I think its pretty cool too! The fact you can visit a store, pick and stuff a bear, (inserting a heart with a wish attached) shop for it’s clothing and accessories then take it home is pretty exciting for a child and is a fantastic idea. We love it so much that my daughter recently had a Build-a-Bear Workshop® Birthday Party, she’s 9 and I worried maybe she was a tad to old for this now! Well, she loved it, and continues suggesting we pop in every time we’re out shopping in Bromley.

Admittedly, it cost a bit of money to be building bears on a regular basis, yes here and there, birthdays, Christmas, treats, but every week, my daughter has little chance of success! However, it seems that Build-a-Bear Workshop® have the perfect solution!

The Build-a-Bear Fun Packs are an all new and exciting pocket-money range of miniatures. All 12 bears that make up this exciting collection, all feature in their full size at Build-a-Bear Workshop® meaning your child gets the same great quality, just in a mini vision of its original form.

Just like the original bears, each comes with a heart to insert. These however, are not just any heart but a friendship heart.

The Friendship Heart series comes with one of six colourful hearts that each has a special meaning . Fill your Furry Friend with Love (red), Strength (green), Courage (purple), Happiness (yellow), Dreams (blue), or Honesty (orange). The special BABW Heart Ceremony is included so that each child can bring their Furry Friend to life.

Fun Packs cost £5.99 and include…

Mini Furry Friend

Heart and ceremony instructions

t-shirt

fabric sticker set

trading cards

Collectors guide with activities and an online code to use at www.bearville.com

Ok, £5.99 is in my opinion, a tad over priced, considering these are really small! Nonetheless, you do get a lot in your fun pack and kids do seem to love them. If Alice-Sara wants to spend her pocket-money on fun packs, I wont argue!

The best part for me, is that these are not blind foil packaged, you will therefore not end up with a load of doubles, which wouldn’t have been ideal at price of £5.99.

Alice seems to like them, keeping it on a shelf in her bedroom with all her bigger bears, I can quite honestly see her ending up with a shelf full soon enough!

The trading cards have not come in use as yet! This is because none of Alice’s friends seem to not have acquired a fun pack of their own as yet. If this does happen, I know she will likely enjoy this aspect, she is a bit like her older brother who has Aspergers syndrome, she loves to form a collection.

Check them out for yourself, what’s more, there are lots of special offers taking place at Build-a-Bear Workshop® especially for the Easter period. The latest one I’ve discovered is a Free Egg decorating kit, with every purchase of £20 or more.

Disclaimer, we were not paid for this review, though we were given a free fun pack to conduct this review. All opinions remain my own.

A Christmas party- Mummy blogger style

8

DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS

Well, it’s a whole week since the Tots100 Christmas party at Butlin’s (where does the time go)? So… I thought it was about time I shared with you all the positives of our family trip, my overall thoughts on the Butlin’s resort located in West Sussex’s Bognor Regis, plus fill you in on all the gossip from the Tots100 Christmas meal & afternoons festive activities.

 Some of you may have read my last post which mainly focused on my sons difficulties in his inability to adapt to the new surroundings, he was therefore unable to settle during the break and as a result he became quite challenging. It didn’t seem right, nor fair to write about my overall experience at Butlin’s or my thoughts and documentation on the Tots100 Christmas party! Basically that was a real negative post and to mix the two just wouldn’t have worked, nonetheless I had to write it, clear my head, move on and hopefully  learn from it! 

 On a lighter note, we were incredibly lucky to be given the chance to go to Butlin’s especially during such a festive period! It was the Christmas fantasy weekend and as a result there was a great deal going on. As the Tots100 party was being held at the Butlin’s resort, attendees were given an awesome deal on a weekend stay in one of its two lovely hotels, and what’s more the family could come along too (something I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford to do at this expensive time of year). 

 We got booked to stay at the Ocean hotel which has beautiful views over looking the sea front. Now I have been to the Bognor resort before but this was some years back and the first hotel was just in the process of being built. It had changed somewhat and seemed that bit classier (if you know what I mean). 

 I don’t know what I expected in terms of the hotel, what with it being part of the resort as I’ve only every stayed in the apartments on pervious visits. We didn’t arrive on the resort till gone 11pm Friday night, as we approached the entrance to the hotel, my somewhat whining tired children suddenly become wide eyed and excited. Harley absolutely loved the Snowmen that line the walkway into the hotel and spent most of the weekend saying, “Look Snowman” every time we passed them. 

 The Ocean was fabulous what with its Disco lifts and magical lighting… Yes, you may think it sounds a little tacky but it really wasn’t, it was far from it in fact! The Ocean really did have all the makings of a top hotel that catered for both Children and adults, what with it’s beautiful spa and restaurant, you could even hire games and DVDs from reception. Little man did love the lighting in the room, it was really calming and would actually be great in any sensory room. As you lay in the bath the lights above the bath would slowly change from one colour to the next, one minute you were bathing in a heavenly red tub, then the next you were soaking in a blue lagoon. Little man was so drawn by this feature that for once he was the first person in the tub (seriously I normally have to carry him and force him in the bath kicking and screaming, so this was a welcomed change). We also had the same mood lighting above the bed which looked extremely impressive. 

 There was loads to do, so much I only wished we had more time (well if the Little man wasn’t so challenging that is)! Sadly we didn’t get to go swimming and this did result in a few tears. Little man had in fact forgotten his trunks but a trip into town via a little train that ran along the sea front fixed that problem (the town is just a 10 minute walk from resort if you don’t fancy the little train) sadly by the time we arrived at the swimming baths known as ‘Splash Waterworld’ It was closing, I must admit I did expect it stay open a little later then it did. 

 There was still lots more to do and discover, Harley even enjoyed his second birthday on site with friends such as Barney and Baby Bop, Fireman Sam, Pingu and his all time favourite ‘Bob the builder’ Yes, it was a little tots idea of paradise. 

 The fact it was Christmas fantasy weekend made it all the more special! Children could meet Santa in his magical wonderland, get up close to real reindeers, have their pictures taken in an oversized snow globe and meet Bojorn the huge white mechanical Polar Bear. 

 There were shows throughout the day right through till the end of the evening. By day tiny tots could enjoy the puppet shows in the skyline and families could watch Panto together at centre stage. In the evening we enjoyed tribute acts such as Lady Gaga who was so good Little man couldn’t get over the fact it wasn’t actually her and all the children seemed to enjoy the Abba sing along and once it that was all over Little man and his sister had fun making the odd request to the DJ and getting her to wish their baby brother a very happy 2nd Birthday, which I thought was really sweet. If that was enough Centre Stage also has a pretty funky show shop where you can buy everything from bubble blasting guns, flashing necklaces, funky coloured wigs, fairy wings and glow bracelets (just checkout the photos below, as you can see my daughter was really feeling the dressing up vibe). 

 Saturday was the day of the Tots100 Christmas party, it was broken down into two sessions, which worked well for me because of the children. First you had a festive afternoon of mince pies, mulled wine and some fun festive activities and later in the evening it was drinks at a cocktail bar before heading of to Butlin’s newest restaurant Tuner’s a more finer dinning option. 

 The Christmas party was a bloggers only occasion which meant no Little one’s (Thank goodness, as I can’t imagine what my fellow bloggers would have made of the Little man’s mood). First it was planned that their father would accompany us to Butlins but he feel ill which meant I got to invite my very Lovely friend Donna to join us, who thankfully being such a close friend has experienced one or two of Little man’s worse meltdowns to date. Regardless, I was still worried that while gone they may somehow go to far maybe leave her hanging upside down from a Christmas tree or something! 

 Of course I was a tad late for the afternoon’s fun, Little man was practically hanging from my ankles begging me not to go and in no uncertain terms telling me how selfish I was for leaving, while Harley was so over tired he was throwing his own wobbler. Alice-Sara, my daughter however seemed quite relaxed in terms of she didn’t bat an eye lid as I left, just sat chilling in the kids den watching some children’s television show. Once there I was greeted by the lovely Sally Whittle writer of ‘Who’s the mummy‘ and the lovely lady behind the Mad blog awards, had planed the whole thing for us load of mummy bloggers. Sally is a woman who I owe a lot of thank you’s to, she really does some pretty special stuff and along with the Mad blog awards has now given me two great memories to grow old with. 

 Once inside I joined a team who had just started decorating a christmas tree, the challenge… to use your imagination and create a spectacularly decorated tree with the use of shop brought decorations alongside craft materials which would require us to think outside the box. Competing against four other teams we had just one hour and I’m pleased to say we won 🙂 even if the shoe blogger did pinch wrapped gifts from around another teams tree, to which Karen from all about the boys gave us all a good telling off for:)

 Before the evenings dinner it was back to the hotel for a few hours (in which I was pleased to discovered my friend was thankful still alive) before getting changed in to something a little more glam and heading back out again, while my friend took the children to see a show. 

 I first joined my fellow bloggers for one or two cocktails that I must add where scummy, then it was off to Tuners to eat. There were 36 of us in all, 35 mummy bloggers and one daddy blogger all taking up too long rows of tables, I got to sit with Lou from bloggomy who I got to meet for the first time at the Mad blog awards and it was lovely to catch up over a glass of white and a festive feast. 

 Tuners opened it’s doors in 2011 and is named after the famous chef Brain tuner who helped create the restaurant which is advertised as affordable fine dinning. The restaurant boast some top chefs such as Nigel Davis (formerly of the ivy) cooking its six course Christmas dinner. 

 I really did have an enjoyable evening though I really did feel a little sad at not being able to join some of the bloggers such as the lovely Romanian mum, who went on for drinks and dancing after the meal! Sadly with my children, I really did need to get back and save my friend from any meltdowns or sibling punch ups.

 All in all despite my stress and parenting dilemmas while at Butlin’s, I really am pleased I went and will definitely be going again…. Someday! 

Related articles

• Never Ever Again (aspergersinfo.wordpress.com)
• Preparing my child with Aspergers for our family festive break (aspergersinfo.wordpress.com)
• We’re planning a break away (aspergersinfo.wordpress.com)

We’re planning a break away

Image via Wikipedia

I recently got invited to the Tots100 Christmas party for bloggers on the 10 th December which will be held at Butlins Bognor Regis during the Christmas Fantasy weekend and I can’t wait to see some of my fellow blogging friends again.

As we have been offered discounted hotel accommodation I’ve decided to make a weekend of it and the children will be accompanying me to Butlins, much to their delight.

It will be an extra special weekend as my youngest Harley will be 2 years old on the 11 th of December so he will be spending his Birthday at Butlins amongst some of his favourite people, Bob the builder being one of them (his one time true hero… His Bob bonkers).

 

 We will be doing lots of planning prior to the weekend because of course the Little man himself will be joining us. His quite excited about staying in a hotel, bless him but we will still need to ensure his fully prepared for the event of leaving home for the weekend.

I feel confident that all three children will have a great time. We have taken Little man and his sister to Butlins before, of course this was before Harley came along. He loved all the structured activities and he adored all the exciting shows over at the centre stage. Nonetheless I will still do everything to ensure all goes smoothly and this includes the choice of travel to the holiday site.

I find this is where issues arise. Little man is a massive fan of transport and his adamant that we take a coach, where I’d rather we jumped on the train, a coach will take double the time and it could spark some boredom within him and the last thing we need is a couple of rowing siblings, and that’s what tends to happen when Little man and his sister become bored.

Another thing I will need to consider carefully is the sleeping arrangements. Little man may not do well sleeping in a strange room, we have only just got him sleeping in his own room, which is a whole other post. Plus the prospect of him sharing with his sister may be a little too much to expect.

We are quite lucky some children with Asperger’s cannot cope one bit when it comes to day trips or weekends away, Little man can get a little anxious at what to expect but tends to adjust well, especially when in the company of family

 There is one thing I can promise the Little man wont be doing while at Butlins… Visiting Santa! Hell no, Little man has the tendency to ask the man with the white beard

how much he gets paid for humouring small children!

He doesn’t believe in Santa one Little bit!

 December looks set to be an awesome month for the children, what with Harley’s 2nd Birthday, a trip to Butlins and Christmas there will be lots of excitement in my house that’s for such.

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• £25m Butlins hotel will be called the Wave (mirror.co.uk)