Sitbag review

If you are like me you have probably never heard of the Sitbag, so when Lena asked me to try it out with Emmy and to review this item we jumped at the chance.

So what is a Sitbag?

It is an-all-in-one footmuff available in two sizes, newborns and toddlers which is suitable for all baby and child trasportation which uses a harness system (both 3 and 5 point).
We have used this in 2 of Emmy's buggies and in her stage 2 car seat.

This is the Sitbag Toddler size in Emmy's Buggy.

As you can see it is made be be sat on by the child holding it in place.  It has an inbuilt hood to keep your child's head warm in the cold or on windy days, the hood has a zip at the back which when unzipped means it can be folded away when not in use.

Being an all-in-one bag means the bag in not umcomforftable to sit on, there are small buttons down a slit so that the harness of the buggy/carseat can easily be threaded through and rebuttoned to keep in place, this also ensures that carseats can be tightened easily without having to remove the bag.

The footmuff section itself has a large pocket on the front meaning the child can either put their hands in the pockets or they can store toys (or if your name is Emmy you can keep snacks handy!)  The footmuff is long and even Emmy who is tall has lots of room left.  There are poppers to keep the footmuff up over the lap of the child.  The side has attached 'wings' which can easily be wrapped around the child keeping them lovely and snug and cosy.  These are attached to the hood with poppers, so can easily be unpopped to slide into the harness them done up again to keep it in place.

It is made of an Enviromentally friendly fleece. We have the 2011 collection which is made of non-pilling fleece.


The Sitbag is safe to use in car seats and actually has safety benefits too:

•  The wings fly open in a crash as there are no buttons or zippers to close them.
• No need to undo the harness system and re-thread the straps to install or remove the Sitbag.
• Better harness fitting:  The harness needs to be as close as possible to the child's body, this is difficult in cold weather or cold nights due to puffy clothes.  The Sitbag solves this problem by keeping the child warm and ensuring correct fitting of the shoulder straps.
• Longer carseat use: Puffy clothes need more room so carseats are outgrown long before they should be.
• Children do not need to be woken up when using Sitbag as it does not interfere with the harness at all so can be taken out of the car/buggy with the child.

The Sitbag can be used in Strollers, carseats, bike seats/trailers, as a sleeping bag and also as a Poncho - it can be folded in such a way it can be worn to and from the car.  It can also be used as a cover when breast feeding in public.

Probably the best thing about the Sitbag is that the child actually sits on it, so as well as making their seat padded it does not fly off and can not be kicked off or Emmy's favourite thrown away.  It is very easy to fit into the buggy and the carseats too.

Emmy watching t.v in her Sitbag, judging by the smiles I would say she likes it!!

Sizes & Prices:
Sitbag Baby: Newborn - approx 1 year (Length: 90cm)  €30.00 Shipping included except non-european counties. 
Sitbag Toddler: 9 months/1 year - approx 4 years (Length: 150cm) €43.30 Shipping included except for non-european countries. 

For further information please visit their website (click English at the top of the page - the company is in Denmark)  www.childrestraint.net

Silent Sunday

Pretty Raine Competition

Remember the review I wrote recently?  If not have a quick look here.  Pretty Raine have kindly donated a kit exactly the same as the one I reviewed as a competition prize for my lovely followers.

I promised to show you what else I had make with our kit - well here it is (This would make a great Christmas present for all loved ones).

Here are the two poems I used:

"There are always so many of my fingerprints to see,

On the furniture and walls from sticky grubby me,

But if you stop and think a while,

You'll see i'm growing fast,

Those little handprints will disappear

You can't bring back the past,

So here's a small reminder

To keep not throw away,

Of hows those tiny hands once looked

 To make you smile one day."

"Someday i'll jump through puddles,

Take a stroll or run a race,

Someday i'll walk across the street

Or maybe walk in space.

Someday i'll scale a mountain,

Or i'll join a ballet group,

Someday i'll walk a tightrope

Or explore the ocean floor.

Someday these feet will do somethings

That only heaven knows,

But for today they're happy

Just to wiggle all their toes."

For your chance to win a Pretty Raine Inkless Hand Print Kit (Kit only - the frame is my own.) Head over to their

Facebook page here and say "I want to save my precious memories with @Emmys Mummy (QuinnyCaster 2011)", then come back and tell me you have done so.

Bonus entries will be given for:

• Following my Blog (right hand side)
• Tweeting "I want to save precious memories with @Emmys_Mummy & @PrettyRaine2011"

Leave a seperate comment for each step completed and a way to contact you if you win.

Competition ends 10pm on 11th September 2011. Good luck.

Wow Toys Review

The lovely people over at WOW Toys sent Emmy 2 fantastic toys from their range to test out/play with and review.  Well when we managed to get them back from Daddy that was!

We were sent the Misty 'n' Molly set and Jess 'n' Jake's Playground set.

The Misty 'n' Molly set is a stable with a rotating pony feeder trough, ride on pony (Misty) and a jockey called Molly.  These toys are for ages 1 1/2 - 5 years and are great for little hands.  Emmy loves putting Molly on the pony and taking her for a ride, she then puts the pony to bed in the stable telling us all to 'Shhh'.

The Jess 'n' Jake's Playground set comprises of a rocking see-saw, spinning round-about, slide which works by pushing the button to flip the figure down the slide and also  a two figures (Jess and Jake).  Emmy loves this as it is easy for her to put the figures into the see-saw and round-about - something she finds a little tricky with some other makes of toys.

We already had a Best Buddies Caveman and Green Dinosaur set which have also been on the slide, see-saw and on the round-about and the Dinosaur has even been taken for a ride on the pony!  (See pic. Dinosaur riding on the pony going down the slide)

WOW Toys have great developmental Benefits for children including:

• Sensory Stimulation & Motor Skill Development
• Discovery & Learning
• Social Interaction
• Role-Play & Exploration

Emmy really loves these toys and we are looking to add to her collection already and have our eye on the Pippa's Princess Carriage and Ronnie Rocket.  We know that Emmy will love these, however her Daddy and I will love them as much as her. I really like the way the figures are interchangable between sets and the other huge benefit of these fantastic toys is they need No batteries!!


To see the full range of WOW Toys visit their website http://www.wowtoys.com/

Visionary Soap Competition Winner!

Well after putting all of your names into the List Randomizer (Random.org), 39 in total.

Here is what you have been waiting for:

Well done Emma ZsaZsa!! Can you email me you address to clarenich@googlemail.com and I will post your bath melts to you.

Sorry it took some time, spent so long trying to figure out how to take a screen shot and nothing I tried worked, so cheated and out came my camera!!

Point of Reflection

There is NO such thing as a good or bad Mummy (or Daddy)!!

It is all about trying your best and working from that.  There will be good days and equally bad days, there will be days when everything goes right and equally days where everything goes wrong.  You will feel on top of the world at some points and others so low you don't want to go on. But you do and must because you are a parent - above all else that comes first, the love you feel for a child, your child is above anything you will every feel - it becomes the most important love and thing to you.

I have been thinking a lot about this this week after a friend asked if I found it harder being a parent than being a Nanny, or at least different?  I could answer that easily - Yes!

As a Nanny the children would have set rules with me: Main meals before pudding, no treats if they hadn't eaten most of the main meal, set lunch and tea times (to an extent), we tried hard to tidy up before the parents came home, they would be bathed and in their p.j's ready for bed and when they got older they would have set nap times (also to an extent if home) and set bed times and bed time routines if I was babysitting - and they would go to bed on their own without me staying with them when they were older.  If their parents wanted to change any of these things when I wasn't around then that was entirely up to them as they are their children after all.

So do I do all of the above still now i'm a parent?  Quite simply No!  I break all of the rules I set when I was working.  Do I feel bad about it?  If I asked myself that same question last week I would have probably said yes, however on good reflection of it today I have decided the answer is No.  

Today Emmy had Chocolate for breakfast, napped briefly in the car, jumped in muddy puddles soaking her trousers, drank some Coca Cola while out to lunch with us and ate tea in front of the TV.  Lots of No, No's there. However does it make me a Bad parent? Of course Not!! It makes me a happy parent with a happy daughter. Not all days are like; that infact her favourite food is Mummies home-made Leek and Potatoe Soup and she will happily eat peas until they are coming out of her ears.

There is no point to this post I just wanted to share with you that we are allowed to not do things by the book but if you are happy and so are your children then you are doing a great job!!  Don't be judged by others - parenting comes with NO RULE BOOK.

Competition with IsabelsAttic

As a thank you for following me and helping a new blogger feel liked and loved, I am bringing you a fantastic competition in conjunction with IsabelsAttic.

Isabels attic was founded by Abigail, mum to Ethan and Isabel.  The idea came to Abigail after her second child started school, she wanted to do something which fitted in with family life.  With an underlying passion for beautiful gifts for family, friends and even herself she went about setting up her own online gift shop.

Their Attic is full of beautiful and gorgeous gifts that are just a little bit different than what you may find on the high street. With the perfect gift for every occassion and celebration you will find the perfect gift here.

Here are a few of their gorgeous items available on the website: www.isabelsattic.com you can also find them on Twitter and Facebook.

 (Top to Bottom - Left to Right) Knights and Dragons Tower Money Box - £9.99, Wish..Original Union Jack Doorstop - £29.99, Union jack Notice Board with ribbons - £28.99, Pat-a-Cake kids baking kit - £14.99 & Catherine Colebrook 'save water drink champagne' apron - £21.99.

Now Competition Time:

I want you to visit www.isabelsattic.com with an open shopping basket of up to £20 limit and comment below telling me what you would buy with your free shop!!   You are allowed up to 2 items, pick wisely as your choice will be your prize if you win this competition.


3 additional entries are available if you:

• Tweet: "I want to #win a free shop with @emmys_mummy and @isabelsattic"
• Like IsabelsAttic on Facebook here
• Follow my blog (right hand side of this page)

4 entries available in total.  Please post a seperate comment below for each step you complete.



Competition ends at 10pm on 5th September 2011



 

Foil Painting

Todays activity I threw together in less than 5 minutes.  I needed to clean up the kitchen so wanted Emmy to stay in her high chair while I did this.

I cut out a heart shape from card, screwed up some tin foil then unwrapped and covered the heart with the foil, gave Emmy some paint and let her get on with it.  This is what she made.

Emmy enjoyed painting with her fingers and this worked best when I squeezed the paint onto the foil and let her play with the paint.

The thing I dream of owning the most

I have been tagged by Me and My Kiddywinks to tell you the thing I dream of owning the most.

For me that is hard as I am always changing my mind so here are a few of my most wanted things - money being no option of course!

Mel Gibson's Connecticut Mansion. 77 acres, 15 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, tennis court, private pond, terrace pool, greenhouse, stable, staff houses and log cabin! Who wouldn't want a house like this.  I would of course then need all the staff to maintain a house like this.

A pair of DVB Jeans in a size 10! Bearing in mind I currently between a size 12-14 this may take some time, however i'm hoping one day I can achieve this one - ebay have a few pairs, i'm tempted to get some as motivation to start my diet.

Maybe the only one of all my dreams I will own at some point (HINT, HINT) an 18ct White Gold Eternity ring.

I am now tagging Toddling into Madness, and Love being Mummy to Two to do the same and to link back to here.

 

Silent Sunday

Salt Dough Hand Casting

It was both sets of Grandparents Wedding Anniversaries last week so I decided to make something they could treasure and keep from Emmy.  I decided on Salt dough Casts of Emmy's hands.

What you need:
2 cups of plain flour
1cup of salt
1 cup of water

(It doesn't matter on the cup size as long as you use the same cup/container to measure all of the ingredients, I only wanted a little amount of Dough so used the bottom of Emmy's lolly maker)

What to do:
Mix the flour and salt well together then slowly mix in the water until you have made a smooth Dough.  Turn this out onto a floured surface and kneed for about 5 minutes.  It is best to leave standing for around 20 minutes before using it. (Just like Bread Dough).

 As you can see it is rather sticky which only added to Emmy's enjoyment, I actually just let her play with the mixture for about half an hour as she was really enjoying herself.

It does become less sticky once it is kneeded on the floured surface!!

Once I had left it for 20 minutes, using this time to clean up the flour and Emmy I then rolled it out and made into a circle shape, pressed Emmy's clean hand into the dough and using a cocktail stick wrote "Emily - 18 months" on it.

I then baked it in the oven on 110 degrees (the lowest setting on my oven for just over an hour)  They can also be air dried for about 3 days! I hadn't left myself enough time for this.

Once cooled I let Emmy paint it, added a ribbon and we had a great present for both sets of Grandparents to keep forever.

Our visit to the White Water Rafting Centre

On Saturday 13th August Lee Valley Park, White Water Rafting Centre had an open day (I have previous written about this event) so we had a family day out to have a look for ourselves seeing as it is just on our doorstep. 

We arrived in the afternoon and got a taster of what it may be like when the Olympics start in 2011, there was a lot of traffic, it did flow well but it does make me wonder what it will be like in Waltham Abbey during that period, only time will tell I guess.

We decided not to park in the actual car park but over the road and to walk along the Canal with Barney to wear him out a little. On arrival at the site it was well sign posted, clean and looked impressive however it is not until you actually walk up the hill to the White Water rafting course that the full size of the site is realised.  It really does look amazing.  We went up over the bridge/viewing area and this is the site we were greated with.

I instantly said to Paul "I want a go", now I don't think I actually would but it instantly grabs you and looks so much fun.


We so impressed with what we saw that we didn't join in with any of the great activities which they had arranged for the children, although Emmy may have been too young and she was impressed with just watching the "boats".

The site is so large that it takes quite a while to walk around it, there is ample parking and there is a fantastic Cafe and decking area where you can watch the rafts launching while sitting in comfy chairs enjoying the show.

Pretty Raine - Inkless hand and Footprint Kit

When I first saw this product on Facebook I was very keen to try it out. Why? The answer is very simple I liked it and wanted to see if it worked.

Now as you have probably already guessed from this blog I love doing arts and crafts, whether it be with Emmy or making things myself.  I have always in my jobs made lovely keepsakes for the Parents, Grandparents and friends.  I have always made home-made cards, thank you's and presents with the children I have looked after and when Emmy came along this didn't change.

I do however know that many Parents do not necessarily want to start buying paints for their newborns and very young children as there seems little point, and they may be wary of the mess that painting creates.  This product is extremely simple to use and there is absolutely NO mess!!

What is it?
It is a way to create a special keepsake of your babies or child's hands and feet using an inkless wipe and special coated paper.

I have had a play with this and it really is simple to use as I hope you will see for yourselves.

What the kit contains - 4 x A5 sheets of Special coated paper, 1 x Special inkless wipes and very detailed instructions.


There are 3 very simple steps to follow and thats it - very easy and very simple, and more importantly No mess!!

1. Open the packet and gently wipe over babies hands or feet. (Be careful not to touch the the coated paper if you have any residue on your hands.
2. For a footprint, hold your baby's ankle and press gently but firnly onto the sensitised paper, rolling the foot from the heel to the toes.  Remove quickly before they start to wriggle.  Handprints are best done when the baby is asleep.  Wash hands and feet after use.
3. The image will develop within a few seconds and darken slightly over a few hours.

 It really is that easy and to prove it here are some pics of us in action having family fun.

I did this in my front room with no coverings on the table and no aprons in sight just to test the claim on the packet "Completely mess free, non toxic, safe and easy to use" and it really was mess free and easy to use.

This is what we made with our kit. We all had a play with it. (from left to right - Daddy, Mummy & Emmy).
The wipe was even wet enough still to get another 2 hand prints from Emmy to use on another project later on, I know what I will do with them but will show you at a later date.

If you interested in these kits they are available to buy with coloured mounts, deluxe kits or with frames (the above frame is my own) direct from their website http://www.prettyraine.com/, you can also find them on ebay, Twitter and Facebook.

Silent Sunday

Nice weather for Ducks

Believe it or not it is actually Summer here in England!  You wouldn't know it many days when you wake up and open the curtains to see it has again been raining all night.

It may just be a child thing or we may like to Thank Peppa Pig but all children especially Emmy like to 'Jump in muddy puddles!'  Which is what brought me to start searching in the so called 'British Summer' for a new raincoat for Emmy.  I came across a company called Kiddi Cupboard who kindly agreed to let Emmy try one of their lovely fun childrens raincoats.

I looked on their website and let Emmy chose with fun raincoat she wanted, there is a choice of Green Frog, Strawberry, Blue Bus, Yellow Duck or a Pink Bunny.  Emmy chose the Yellow Duck by saying 'Whack' obviously meaning 'Quack'.

These raincoats are 'one size' fitting ages approx 2 - 7 years (approx height 110-120cm), on arrival I thought this would be miles too big for Emmy but being girlie and loving trying on new clothes and immediately identifying the 'Whack Whack' Emmy wanted to put it on.  So I rolled up the arms a little (I was surprised that I didnt have to turn them up much) and buttoned it up.  It was too big for her, but not by too much - it went to her ankles.  She loved it and wouldnt take it off, she looked very cute - my little duckling.  This will definately still fit her in a few years time (which is great!!) but also works well with very young children - this will become a favourite that lasts them many years.   I have added a long ribbon around the waist of Emmy's duck raincoat and it fits perfectly; and when not in use the raincoat can be folded up/scrunched up and placed back into it colour cordinated bag which easily fits into my changing bag.

Emmy loves her new raincoat and even wants to wear it when it is sunny, she has even discovered the two front pockets and keeps putting leaves into them.




Kiddi Cupboard also make matching Backpacks (on offer at £9.99), Shoulder Bags (£9.99) and Flip Flops (£6.99) for children.  The raincoats are also £9.99

For more information visit www.kiddicupboard.co.uk, you can also find them on Facebook and on Twitter.

The Only Way Is Essex!!

Right now I have your attention, Ladies how would you like the meet Mark Wright? - heartthrob from The Only Way Is Essex.

Don't all shout at once, read to the end and you could win tickets to 'Girls Weekend', a fun filled festival weekend specifically for women which embraces fashion, beauty and wellbeing. Mark Wright will be appearing at this event which will be held at Charter Hall - Colchester Leisure World, Colchester, Essex on 24th & 25th September 2011.


Organiser Chris Cozens, a complementary health tutor and therapist, says: “We will be focussing on how to make girls of all ages look and feel great. We will have more than 100 stands, demos and workshops, offering everything from beauty products and tasty treats to jewellery, clothing and accessories."

At the event there will be style and beauty demonstrations, free dance workouts and the highly accomplished close-up magician Equador the Wizard will perform an array of magical illusions. You will be able to check out the latest fashions and amazing dance demonstrations on the catwalk before finishing the day with one of the various relaxing massages available.


TV master chef Mark Baumann, of Baumanns Brasserie, in Coggeshall, will be on hand to wow with his tasty dishes, offering tips and ideas to take away, while the all new girl band FE-NIX will bring a fresh taste of urban inner city dance music to the catwalk and those wanting to discover their destiny can visit psychics, mediums and clairvoyants, while those looking for naughty treats can sample the 'vajazzle', fish pedicure or the handmade chocolates.

For a full list of exhibitors click here, there will also be a new press release coming soon calling for new exhibitors - so if you would like to take part and display your goodies at this fantastic girls weekend event or have something to demonstrate or even talk about on the main stage please read this PR and Marketing link. 

For further information on this event please visit http://girlsweekend.me.uk/. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook - if you do please tell them where you found them.

Competition time

Now the bit you have been waiting for!  I have 3 pairs of tickets to give away for this event for either the Saturday or Sunday (you choose).

• To enter you must be able to get to Colchester (This competition is for 3 pairs of tickets only, I will not be responsible for getting you there!)

• You must tell me below if you would like to attend Saturday 24th September 2011 or Sunday 25th September 2011.

• Also tell me what you do with any 'me' time you have? (This is just because i'm nosey)

This competition will close on 9th September 2011 at 9pm and I will randomly pick 3 winners (each winner will recieve 1 pair of tickets) on 9th September 2011.  Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

End of an Era

Today I finally came to the conclusion which I had been slowly coming to over the last few months and have walked away from my Nanny Agency.

While on Maternity leave, my then boss Helen told me she wanted to give up work and planned to start a Nanny Agency from home, asking me if I would like to join her in a joint venture.  After much thought I decided to go for it as it would not only be a new direction for me but would mean I could work from home spending my time with Emmy.

That was a year ago now.  Initial start up was much harder than we both thought with much time being tied up with paperwork, web designers, and lawyers however we were optimisic that this would work out well for us both.  Nannies, Childcarers and Babysitters signed up and we had interest from Families too, however dispite the flow of traffic it is extremely time consuming for very little gain.  Now, I do know that a company very rarely makes money in the first year but it has become increasingly obvious that this isn't enough to sustain 2 partners, so very sadly today I have handed over the reins to Helen to continue alone.

I wish her the best of luck and have agreed to help during busy periods and holiday times too. I am also available for babysitting locally!!

 www.childcaresorted.co.uk

Hit Spring Water - Making Water Fun

I wonder how many parents are counting down the weeks and days until school starts again?  Hands up, I bet those of you with school aged children know the answer!  

Remembering back to my Nannying days and thinking of the pressure we put ourselves under to make children's lunches and lunch boxes fun, varied and healthy I was very keen to try the new range of water which Silver Spring (The Great British Drinks Company) have launched, and Emmy was happy to help.  I am always trying to get Emmy to drink more water as she prefers juice and squash!

Silver Spring have joined HIT Entertainment (one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers), and created a new spring water especially designed for children.  These are lunch box sized bottles which will leave the children eager to get their hands on some of the recognisable characters and drink more water.

As soon as Emmy saw the water bottles she was instantly happy, especially when she saw Thomas the Tank Engine, she started trying to grab the bottle from me and shouted CHOO CHOO very loudly.  I then knew these were a hit with Emmy, she even drank half of the bottle straight away and beamed pointing to Thomas.


As a parent anything to encourage her to drink water over squash has my vote, so this definately does.  The range consists of Hit Entertainment charachters - Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam and the lastest addition and Emmy's favourite Thomas the Tank Engine.



Silver Spring’s HIT British Spring Water is nothing but pure spring water from the North Downs of Kent. It is bottled at source and containing naturally present calcium.  The small bottles of spring water are very refreshing and certainly now loved by Emmy.  They are also reasonably priced at 49p each or a pack of 6 for £2.49, at that price I will be adding them to my weekly shopping list in the future. 

Selected Boots stores have a choice of Angelina Ballerina or Fireman Sam designs. and selected Asda store have a choice of Angelina Ballerina or Bob the builder designs.

www.silverspring.co.uk 

www.hitentertainment.com