B is for Bright Star Kids Tshirt Review

 

Following on from our guest post, C is for Cake Stalls, over on the Bright Star Kids blog we were sent a personalised kids t-shirt by Bright Star Kids to review.  I love that I was able to choose to have a phrase on the t-shirt instead of Bear or Bee's name (or you can leave this part blank).  I am not completely comfortable for my kids to be walking around with their name advertised across their chests.  I know anyone within hearing distance when we are out and about would hear me repeat the girls' names enough (Bear come here! Bee don't pick that up! and so on) but I still don't want their names on display in public.

Anyway, enough of my stranger danger paranoia and back to the product review.  I wanted a design that complemented Bear's and Bee's love of cooking so I chose the Cheerful Cupcake design with the words 'I love to cook' underneath.

The shirt arrived very quickly in the post from Bright Star Kids and Bee was keen to be the first one to wear it.  The cotton fabric is lovely and soft to touch which is important as most kids won't stand for anything that itches or is uncomfortable. The puff sleeve style of the girl's t-shirt makes it girly enough for Bee while still being a practical piece of clothing.  And the personalised print is bright, colourful and printed directly onto the t-shirt which makes it feel better and more hard wearing.

Overall we were very pleased with this personalised t-shirt.  My only problem now is that I have one t-shirt to share between my 2 mini-chefs.  I think I better get organised for their birthdays and order another one from Bright Star Kids!

**While we were sent this product to review we were not compensated in any other way.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

M is for My Child Magazine Review

**While I was asked to review this product I was not compensated in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own.**

One of my favourite magazines to read when Bear and Bee were little, My Child, has gone digital.  So when Lise, the publisher and editor for My Child magazine, approached me about reviewing the new digital version I jumped at the chance.

And while I still love hard copy or paper magazines this digital version is extremely cool.

It has so many great features:

• Would you believe subscription is free!  Yes FREE! Just click here to sign up.
• Clickable links.  If you see something you like in the magazine, just click on the link for more information or to go to the product's website.  Mind you this could make staying within our budget very difficult.
• Size and portability.  Reading the digital version of My Child would be so much easier when feeding babies, trying to grab a hot cuppa etc. No more having to prop the magazine open and struggle to stay on the right page.
• Yummy recipes to try and good nutrition information. 
• It's produced by small independent team and the editor is a work from home mum.

I have loved reading the digital version of the June issue and can't wait to read next month's.  Subscribe (remember it's free) and support an independent Australian business.

A is for Aprons on my friends

On my bedside table at the moment is The Smallest Things: Thoughts on Making a Happy Family by Angela Mollard.  This book has been responsible for many a late night reading and as a consequence a few days where I have been less of a morning person than usual - not that I am much of a morning person at the best of times.  More of a wake at a reasonable hour and go to bed at a reasonable hour kind of person which hasn't actually happened since having children.

Anyway back to the book at fault.  The Smallest Things is a fantastic read.  Mollard writes columns for many of our weekend newspapers around Australia and has also appeared on television.  I have thoroughly enjoyed her honest, heart felt and uncomprising style of writing in her columns and likewise in this book. Not all of 'The Smallest Things" makes for a cheerful read, even though the title may suggest it would, but I won't give away too much here.

The chapter titled Sponge Cakes and Spoon-Licking is all about children and food (and where the title of this post comes from).  Mollard covers everything from cooking shows to fussy eaters to why we need to eat meals as a family but not in front of the television.

My favourite quote from this chapter -

"Crucially, if we're to restore a respect and appreciation for good, nourishing food then we need to get kids making their own meals." 

My thoughts exactly!

There's much more covered in this book than food but that's for another blog. I would encourage you to get your hands on a copy of this book.  With school holidays coming up you may even find some time to read it at a reasonable hour.

Enjoy your break if you get one.

PS. If you are interested in buying a copy of this book to read you can click on my affliliate link below.  

 

Book Review - Mealtime by Elizabeth Verdick

***This post contains affiliate links***

We have always maintained a routine for our family dinners.  More often than not, the whole family has dinner together every night.  As Bear and Bee are getting older and starting to express their independence there has been some challenges to this dinner routine.  Hubby and I try to expect the same things every night - everyone sits at the table (no getting up and down off the chair), try at least one bite, keep the food on the plate etc but it can be difficult when we are feeling tired or only one of us is present.

Mealtime by Elizabeth Verdick is a wonderful board book that reinforces these expectations and can be read with babies, toddlers and young children.  Through colourful illustrations and familar settings children are shown that not only are meals about eating healthy they're also about good hygiene, using your manners, helping out and trying new foods.

The simple text used in the story make it easily understandable for young children and there are extra mealtime tips for parents and caregivers on the back pages.

Definitely one to add to the collection, if you have or care for young children as many families experience mealtime issues at some stage.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book please visit my Fishpond Affiliate space by clicking on the image above.