Creating Dinosaur Land!

It's the school holidays. Technically this doesn't apply to Rio, but seems as though he starts Nursery in September, I thought we would pack the time full of extra fun days anyway while we have still got the chance. Like most parenting households, we have baskets and cupboards jam packed with toys. Most of which don't get half as much use as they should! So I'm making it my mission to change that.

Today I took a handful of Dinosaurs out of 'the Dinosaur basket', and ventured out into the garden. Rio was clueless to what the hell I was doing as I was also armed with a baking tray! It was then that I showed him a 'Dinosaur Land', example on Pinterest and his eyes lit up. He got to work fetching mud, stones, grass and a coconut shell (for the water hole). I couldn't stop smiling watching him. At one point he even ran back indoors for a toilet roll tube (craft must have!).

Before long he was too eager to create anymore, he wanted to get stuck in and play and that's when I realised that imagination is everything.

"The little one cant reach"..puts on silly voice.."Hop on my back little Dinosaur"

  "Is this one a plant eater?".. Doesn't wait to response.."He must be, nom nom nom"

 He's always loved playing pretend kitchens, doctors, shops, but for me this showed how little toys children actually need. Most of what we used to today was found around the house/garden. His imagination went into over drive. He surprised me so many times as he talked away to himself. I sat there one the grass, with Niall, realising how much Rio has grown up. And how much, despite my fears, he is ready for school!
 

Rio's adventure with Stegosaurus - Minnies Macaroon Review!

If you read my 'Having a hoot' post, you will know that a few months ago Rio was chosen to be one of the AmBEARssadors for Minnies Macaroon. This company was founded in Yorkshire, and being from Yorkshire ourselves, I was not only delighted that Rio was chosen but delighted to be supporting/ promoting a local business too. Especially when I read that the fairtrade octopus toy that I had previously ordered for my other little boy Niall, was made by someone affected by the Tsunami. By buying these unique gifts you enable these women to have flexible, local and fairly paid work. And I don't know about you, but I personally think that that is amazing!

When we unpackaged Stegosaurus, Rio's exact words were "I love him".

A friendship was made and an adventure had begun!

Stegosaurus is knitted, machine washable and suitable from birth.

 



As you can see, although knitted, the toys and the whole range in fact are really quite durable! I did worry that because we're an outdoorsy family we'd have to be select as to where and when these products got used, but that really isn't the case at all. And because they are suitable from birth I don't have to worry about Niall getting hold of them either.

"Goodnight Rio, Goodnight Stegosaurus"

You can find more products and information on the Minnies Macaroon Website, Facebook & Twitter!

Having a Hoot // Minnies Macaroon!

Ever since we found out that Rio had been selected to be an AmBEARssador for Minnies Macaroon he has been eagerly awaiting the Postman. Whenever a parcel arrived he'd ask, "is it for me Mummy?" and a few days ago I got to say "yes darling, it is!!". Sadly he was out at his Grandma's when the actual parcel arrived, sods law, but that didn't stop his beady toddler eyes spotting it the moment he came into the room. No "I've missed you so much Mummy", just, "is that for meeeeee?". His eyes lit up when I revealed it was indeed for him, but not as much as when he realised what his chosen items were.

The next day we headed to the park and Rio got to give the little Owl hat its first outing.

It was a 'wellington' kind of day, so sadly Stegosaurus had to skip this one out and stay at home.

To my surprise Rio didn't attempt to take the hat off his head, which is a rarity. I think it is down to the fact that one of his favourite things to do is go bird watching. He loves sitting in the hides at our local nature reserve with his little binoculars so the product is well suited.

I love that this hat will last him years. It's so soft and well made but with room for a lot of growth. It's also machine washable, which is always an added bonus for an handmade item. The owl hat and the rest of the range are available in sizes to suit the whole family.

The website description for this product says 'will ensure you have a hoot this winter', and that we will!!

Keep your eyes peeled for 'Rio's adventures with Stegosaurus' coming soon!

And keep up to date with Minnies Macaroon on Twitter & Facebook too.

Twycross first birthday celebrations

Despite the weather being a little dull we all had a lovely day out at Twcross :)  I still cant believe a whole year has gone by. I always seem to take far too many pointless pictures of animals (my camera is full of them) so i thought id post a few at random and get some use out of them. I also attempted that cake i was talking about..wait look its a dinosaur..spot a theme here? ;)