by jo

Bioglan Smartkids Vitamins

We were approached to try some Bioglan Smartkids vitamins. H has had a few issues recently, so I figured it was a win-win situation and we put them to the test!

bioglan smartkids vitamins

Bioglan Smartkids vitamins are a new brand to me – and indeed, they’re quite newly launched in this country.

Bioglan Smartkids Vitamins Brain formula

We were sent the Smartkids Brain Formula – which helps support normal brain function, learning and memory, and healthy growh – and are 30 citrus flavoured chewable squirts. They have a high DHA, Omega 3, six B vitamins and iron too. Unfortunately H hated the taste – and Shaun tried one and said it felt like fish oil with flavour – so this wasn’t really for us. I didn’t try it being vegetarian!

Bioglan Smartkids Vitamins fussy eaters

We were also sent Smartkids Fussy Eaters Multi vitamins, which include fruit and veggies as well as multi vitamins. They help maintain healthy growth, immune function and healthy bones – and I’m pleased to say these ones went down much better – in fact, she was asking for a second one! The vitamins in these Bioglan Smartkids vitamins are sourced from sixteen types of fruit, vegetable and herbs, which is good to know. They’re also blackcurrant and strawberry flavour.

Bioglan Smartkids Vitamins Brain formula tablets

The Brain Formula tablets come in a crunchable tablet which the liquid comes out of when crunched, whereas the Fussy Eaters Multi are a more straightforward tablet.

Bioglan Smartkids Vitamins fussy eaters tablets

Has it made a difference? We’ve had a rough month and a bit with H, where she’s seemed to pick up lots of little things making her quite run down. I’ve since found out she has two molars (the 6-7 year ones) plus one of her front teeth is ready to cut through the gum – so I’m wondering if that has lowered her immunity. Nevertheless, when she started to take the Fussy Eaters tablets, she definitely started to be on the right side of being well.

Both packs of Bioglan Smartkids Vitamins can be ordered direct, and sell for £9.99 a packet – within each packet you get 30 tablets. The Brain Formula tablets are here, and the Fussy Eaters ones are here.

We were sent a pack of each for the purpose of review, all opinions are our own. 

by jo

Celebrating Science Week With Project Mc²

Project Mc² is a new programme for us – and as we’ve recently resubscribed to Netflix, an easy one to watch. We were asked if we’d like to review a doll from the series to celebrate Science Week 2016 – and given how much H loves science we jumped at the chance!

Project Mc2

Project Mc² is a US programme about four girls, and is described as ‘where science meets style, and everyone knows it’s cool to be smart’. We’ve watched the first few episodes which are on Netflix now, and H took to it straight away. Those girls are smart, and Project Mc² reminds me of the school-type programmes you get on CBBC which she also enjoys watching.

Here’s a bit more info about the girls:

Aspirational and effortlessly cool, the programme focuses on four main characters – each with a different personality, interests and sense of style. They are:

• McKeyla McAlister (Mc2) Writer, hipster and undercover spy! When McKeyla isn’t writing in her journal, you’ll find her reading a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel, upcycling or saving the world! Her catch phrase is “I’m smart. Get over it!”

• Adrienne Attoms (A2) Made of a more complex recipe than sugar and spice. Adrienne is a culinary chemist! Originally from Spain (her father is a diplomat), she just loves to host dinner parties. Her catch phrase is “Pretty Brilliant”

• Bryden Bandweth (B2) Bryden loves tweeting, digital photography, streaming music and anything tech! Just don’t ask her to go camping in the wilderness or anywhere without a hotspot! She’s a 24/7 #digitaldarling. Her catch phrase? “Stand Back, I’m Trending”

• Camryn Coyle (C2) Known for her high IQ, Camryn’s real genius comes out in the garage – especially when it comes to her souped up skateboard! Her catch phrase is “Nailed It”

The four girls attend Maywood Glenn Academy – but are also part of a secret, seriously cool organisation, NOV8 (pronounced ‘Innovate’). Even their friendship makes mathematical sense – based on the Pythagorean theorem that A2 + B2 = C2

Project Mc2 McKeyla doll

It just so happens that MGA Entertainment have made some brand new fashion dolls available, with science-inspired play. We were sent the McKayla doll which also includes a kit to make your own lava lamp style light. So what did H think?

Project MC2 red lava light

She loves her McKayla doll – the arms and legs bend (and can easily be removed), and she’s already making “friends” with her other dolls and moving into the dolls house! McKayla also comes with a lava light (you need to supply your own ingredients to do it), which had some brilliant results – with simple water and food colouring, vegetable oil and an effervescent tablet. H really enjoyed doing the activity and felt pretty cool because it was part of Project Mc²!

Project Mc2 yellow lava light

There is a large range of dolls available now as well as a Spy Notebook – all available from good toy stores. They’re suitable for age 6 and upwards. I like this range of all four dolls (different to the one we got) which Argos stock.Project Mc2 McKeyla doll and lava light

You can also visit www.ProjectMc2.com to become an honorary member of NOV8 and ‘ladder up’ through the organisation through a series of fun Ops tests. You can play games, take quizzes, watch videos, learn more about the girls from Project Mc2 and even ask them questions!

Download the free app, Project Mc2 Case Files, from the App Store to go on missions for NOV8. Collect evidence, analyse the clues and solve the case! If you’re playing on a smart phone, you can pop your device into the A.D.I.S.N. Notebook for added secret spy mission play, just like you’re McKeyla McAlister. Use the key code in the back on the booklet included with A.D.I.S.N. to unlock even more clues. With over 1,000 missions to play on the app, NOV8 will be keeping you busy.

Watch exclusive content with AwesomenessTV and on Dreamworks TV and Project MC² is on Netflix now!

Follow on Facebook (Project Mc2 UK), twitter (@ProjectMc2UK) and Instagram (Project_Mc2UK) for exclusive news, competitions and more!

We were sent the McKayla Project MC² doll for the purpose of review, all opinions are our own.

project mc² british science week 2016

by jo

Hampton Court Magic Garden

We’re Historic Royal Palace members this year, and as luck would have it so is one of our friends, and H’s best friend at school – so when she received an email inviting her to a special event today to try out the new Hampton Court Magic Garden, we all went along as it sounded pretty awesome.

Hampton Court Magic Garden amphitheatre

The Hampton Court Magic Garden is described by them as “a truly unique and immersive children’s play garden at Hampton Court Palace which translates the stories of the palace into Tudor-inspired design and features a liberal sprinkling of magic!” – so what did we think?

Hampton Court Magic Garden - spotty

We LOVED it. It’s awesome. For me it has the spirit of the Diana playground in Kensington, but with less sand (there is a water and sand play area there), where children are safe, can be left to get on with playing with minimal adult supervision, and there’s plenty of space for their imagination to run riot. It’s suitable for young kids and older ones – with enough space that nobody gets in each other’s way.

As it was a test weekend when we get to check how things work, some features weren’t available (the toilets weren’t ready, but Hampton Court itself has plenty).

Hampton Court Magic Garden crown hill view

There’s a large mound with a tunnel-slide through it and a crown on the top. There’s towers, the Tiltyard Towers (and while the Magic Garden was being built they found what might be one of the original towers), a smoke-breathing dragon you can climb on (which is awesome), a water area where you can pull a boat from one side of the water to the other, or just walk across on stepping stones instead.

Hampton Court Magic Garden Water play area older kids

There’s plenty on offer – a dragon cave, two slides – one in a tunnel and one from the tallest tower over the other side of the park, suitable for older kids. A giant fireman’s pole which H loved and said it felt like she was going down it forever. We easily spent almost two hours in there – us adults sitting chatting while H and her friend had the best time ever!

The Hampton Court Magic Garden felt safe, well thought out and fun. We had perfect weather for it – there’s an amphitheatre area too which is fun for just running or rolling around in (good hills, y’see). On top of the mound is a crown – H and her friend had races from the top to the bottom.

Hampton Court Magic Garden crown hill

There’s a climbing area leading to a long fireman’s pole, and an even longer slide – both kids loved it and kept going back.

Hampton Court Magic Garden dragon and water sand play area

Then there’s the sand area which has water you can pump from various places, there are wooden dams, and when the Hampton Court Magic Garden opens you’ll have buckets and spades too.

Hampton Court Magic Garden tree house

Oh, and the tree house. Oh my word, it’s awesome. H and her pal stayed in there quite a lot, climbing up there to get away from us adults. We wanted to join them! How amazing does this look?

Hampton Court Magic Garden towers with mirrors

As for us adults, there wasn’t space for us to sit anywhere so we perched in an area which looks like it has hooks for something, next to the fire breathing dragon (well, smoke, anyway) – and grabbed a reasonably priced drink from the nearby cafe (within the Magic Garden) – there are snacks and ice creams on offer there too.

The Hampton Court Magic Garden opens on the 21st March – keep an eye on their website for more information. You can buy a maze and Magic Gardens ticket, otherwise it is included in the cost of your Hampton Court Palace admission ticket. For members it’s included in your membership package.

It was really difficult to take photos to try and show how amazing the playground is, without there being other people on it. I’ve tried to blur out faces where I can, and can only apologise if you spot yourself and wonder why you have no face. Sorry!

by jo

Guardians of the Scroll by Steven Loveridge

We were approached to see if H would like to review Guardians of the Scroll, the second book in The Palace Library series – a new series of books for us. Described as ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe meets Tolkien’ I knew it might be something H would like – so decided to give it a go!

Guardians of the Scroll and The Palace Library by Steven Loveridge

Guardians of the Scroll by Steven Loveridge was published in paperback on the 21st January 2016 – and is described as being ‘perfect for 8-12 year olds’. Now, H is only six – but she loves reading. She reads books way too advanced for her and doesn’t struggle. At the moment she’s mid-way through ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ while simultaneously reading the other three Harry Potter books. She loves ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ so we thought it was worth trying.

So what’s the plot? Well, The Palace Library is an extraordinary library in an old house. It has magical books inside, and when three children (Harry, Eleanor and Grace) stumble upon it, they head through a door (with an enchanting deerhound) into a world in the past. Within that world they have to unlock secrets in the books as they face storms, fight traitors and tackle dragons.

Guardians of the Scroll is the second book in the series, and we meet Harry, Eleanor and Grace again. This time they’re thrown back in time again and have to protect a dangerous and magical manuscript. Only the power of the scroll can control the savage creatures of The Nether World. The children battle monsters and face fire to wrestle the scroll from Caesar and Cleopatra (interesting!). Just as they find success a new evil comes to steal it away – the children are left with the Library of Alexandria all around them, so how do they escape?

H really enjoyed both books – and I mean REALLY enjoyed. She is still young, but I found that Guardians of the Scroll sits well alongside the books she chooses to read at the moment. I really like that the theme within the books is about the power of reading, libraries and how important great books are.

Book text size in Guardians of the Scroll

Both books are around the 200 page mark, and were straightforward reads.  Genre-wise, I’d put this under Children’s Fantasy, and as I said at the start, it does sit well alongside Harry Potter, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Tolkien books (we’re not quite there on the latter yet!).

They get a big thumbs up from H!

Steven Loveridge’s website is over here, and you can follow him on Facebook and Twitter too.

Guardians of the Scroll can be bought here and The Palace Library here. (Amazon Affiliate link)

We were sent The Palace Library and Guardians of the Scroll for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own. 

by jo

Blue Peter Book Awards 2016 WINNERS!

It’s World Book Day, and this means just one thing if you’re a book lover who also watches Blue Peter – the Blue Peter Book Awards 2016 winners have just been announced!

Blue Peter Book Awards 2016

Two graphic artists turned authors are Blue Peter Book Awards 2016 winners, chosen by schoolchildren across the UK.

Ross MacKenzie The Nowhere Emporium - Blue Peter Book Awards 2016 Winners

Scottish children’s writer Ross MacKenzie, who is also a graphic designer for a national newspaper, has won Best Story with his latest title, The Nowhere Emporium.

Adam Frost - The Epic Book of Epicness - Blue Peter Book Awards 2016 Winners

Adam Frost from Essex, who creates fantastic, wacky, information graphics which are often found in his books, has won Best Book with Facts with The Epic Book of Epicness.

Both were delighted to be crowned this year’s Blue Peter Book Awards 2016 winners and viewers will be able to see them receive their awards on Blue Peter (5pm) tonight from the Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell – who will also be sketching live throughout the show.

Best Book with Facts winner, Adam Frost, who believes illustrations in books are just as important as words, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won. I tried to fill my book with as many bizarre facts and funny pictures as possible. I loved writing it and am over the moon that kids are enjoying it.”

Best Story winner, Ross MacKenzie, who grew up watching Blue Peter, said: “It’s always a great moment to receive any sort of award, but to win The Blue Peter Book Awards for Best Story is extra special. Firstly, because it’s an award chosen by the readers. It’s fantastic and important that children have a voice, and I’m so glad they liked The Nowhere Emporium enough to give it their vote. And secondly, it’s special because Blue Peter was such a huge part of my childhood. I’m delighted and stunned to become a tiny part of the show’s history and I shall be humming that famous theme tune for the foreseeable future! And of course I always wanted a badge.”

The Epic Book of Epicness, which schoolchildren described as having ‘funny facts that made your head fizzle’, is illustrated with Frost’s infographics, designed by Simon Holland and Peter Clayman (Dutch&Dane), which reveal extraordinary facts from extreme weather to embarrassing toilet trouble, making learning fun for the reader.

The Nowhere Emporium tells the story of orphan Daniel Holmes who stumbles upon a mysterious shop that suddenly arrives in Glasgow. Before long, the ‘shop from nowhere’ and its owner, Mr Silver – draw Daniel into a world of magic and enchantment. When judging the Blue Peter Book Awards 2016 Winners, children described the story as giving them a ‘wonderful feeling’ and the plot was like ‘putting pieces into a jigsaw’.

A panel of judges including TV presenter Angellica Bell, winner of Blue Peter Best Story 2015 Pamela Butchart, National Literacy Programme Manager Jim Sells and Blue Peter editor [non-voting chair] Ewan Vinnicombe selected the shortlist from publishers’ submissions.

These were then read and voted on by more than 200 children from ten schools across the UK who decided the winners in each category. The winners were announced on a special World Book Day morning bulletin of Newsround.

The enormously popular Blue Peter Book Awards are managed by reading charity BookTrust, which works with schools to get more children reading for pleasure. The Awards celebrate the best authors, most creative illustrators and the greatest reads for children.

Ewan Vinnicombe, Editor, Blue Peter said: “It’s fantastic that the Blue Peter Book Awards have given children across the UK the chance to vote for their favourite books. Adam and Ross should be really proud and Blue Peter will continue to promote children’s books and our viewers’ love of reading throughout the year.”

Keep up-to-date with the Awards at www.booktrust.org.uk/bluepeter and on Twitter by following @Booktrust and #BPBA

by jo

The Sound of Music Live on DVD

It is no secret that The Sound of Music is my favourite film – it’s something I always enjoy, and am currently enjoying passing my love onto H. (who also loves it, thank goodness) Over Christmas, ITV got ambitious, following in the footsteps of several productions in the US, doing a proper version of it on tv – The Sound of Music Live – and now it’s available on DVD.

The Sound of Music Live

The Sound of Music Live is exactly that – but don’t expect the same version as the film – this time around it’s the stage play, with just one alteration from that, having ‘Something Good’ in place of ‘An Ordinary Couple’ (it was written for the film). Following Social Media when it was on tv, a lot of people didn’t realise this – and I think it is important that it’s different – and I think tells the Von Trapp story a bit clearer too. (which is still massively different from the musical, but that’s just pulling hairs)

The Sound of Music Live - Kara Tointon

Kara Tointon stars as Maria and did an excellent job, at times I felt she was singing in a similar way to Julie Andrews – this may well be her singing voice of course, though I’m not sure. When we saw the touring stage production last year, Danielle Hope did similar.

The Sound of Music Live - My Favourite Things

The Sound of Music Live – My Favourite Things

Julian Ovenden plays Captain von Trapp and also does an excellent job.

The Sound of Music Live - How Can Love Survive

The Sound of Music Live – How Can Love Survive

With The Sound of Music Live following the stage play, characters like Max and Elsa have a much higher profile role, and the songs ‘How Can Love Survive’ and ‘No Way to Stop It’ (both dropped from the film) make an appearance, tackling Austria and the oncoming Anschluss.  I’ve always felt this part of the film is important, as you get to see the reason the Captain and Elsa split, paving the way for him to marry Maria – and while this is a musical and isn’t an accurate representation of what happened in real life, it’s closer! Max is played by the fabulous Alexander Armstrong (this role is made for him!), while Elsa is played by Katherine Kelly – and both are again, excellent.

The Sound of Music Live - No Way to Stop It

The Sound of Music Live – No Way to Stop It

H’s personal highlight was the appearance of Mel Giedroyc as Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper, what with her love of Bake Off. Mel’s BAFTA nominated sister, Coky Giedroyc directed The Sound of Music Live alongside the Tony Award winning Martin Koch. Oh, and of course it goes without saying, the children were brilliant too!

The Sound of Music Live - Do Re Mi

The Sound of Music Live – Do Re Mi

So here’s what to expect – plenty of singing, Nuns, fun, Wedding, a competition and then there’s the extras. The following night on tv there was a ‘Making Of’ film which I missed – and is included on here so I’ll finally get to see it!

The Sound of Music Live - DVD menu

What you won’t get with The Sound of Music Live – a puppet show while they all yodel (The Lonely Goatherd is the song they sing with Maria when they’re scared of the thunderstorm), My Favourite Things is placed back at the Abbey when Maria leaves to go to the Von Trapp home. ‘I Have Confidence’ (written for the film) doesn’t appear. The songs are in a different order – but remember, this is the original song order, the film changed them around.

The Sound of Music Live - The Lonely Goatherd

The Sound of Music Live – The Lonely Goatherd

All in all, The Sound of Music Live is an enjoyable hour and a half and I’d recommend to anyone who hasn’t seen the stage play – and indeed, anyone who has!

The Sound of Music Live - So Long Farewell

The Sound of Music Live – So Long Farewell

The Sound of Music Live is out now and can be ordered from Amazon now!

We were sent a copy for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own. All images are my own personal screengrabs from the DVD. 

by jo

Human Body Factivity Box Set

As Parragon Book Buddies we are sent a different book every month for H to read. This month was a Human Body Factivity Box Set – and it’s excellent!

Human Body Factivity Box Set

The Human Body Factivity Box Set has a book inside – part of the Gold Stars range, ‘The Amazing Human Body’. With H only being six she hasn’t got a lot of knowledge about the human body, so she found this box and book fascinating – and here’s why.

Introducing Elvis the Pelvis (her name).

Human Body Factivity Box Set Skeleton Model

Inside the box you get 20 pieces of plastic bones to put together to form your own skeleton on a stand. H found it fascinating. “Do I really look like this?!” she queried, I asked her to stand and she felt all the various bones she was able to feel. It was a huge eye opener. As she’s starting to get older and to be more aware of herself, it was good to point out parts of her body and where they are on the model.

Inside the Human Body Factivity Box Set is the book of course, which has loads of activities within. No topic (other than periods really) is skipped – farts get featured (always funny for six year olds), and I’m liking the section on ears which is good for showing H where she sometimes gets infections too.

You know when a book opens up someone’s eyes and they start to discover a brand new world? This is it – it’s definitely age-appropriate and is something H will continue to learn from as she progresses through the book. She’s definitely more of a reader than someone who does activities in books, but has already come out with several facts she has picked up.

Human Body Factivity Box Set Hiccups page

There are hundreds of facts in The Amazing Human Body too – so plenty!

It is also the first book we own which covers hiccups. Whenever H laughs too much she gets them, and hates it – she’s had this since she was a baby. It drives her mad – so reading what it all means was fascinating for her.

The Human Body Factivity Box Set is available now – including from Amazon (affiliate link) and comes highly recommended by us!

We were sent the book for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own. 

by jo

Hampton Court Palace

We headed over to Hampton Court Palace, as newly signed up members of the Historic Royal Palaces gang – we figure we can visit three times and make our membership fees back, so it’s worth it.

Hampton Court

Hampton Court Palace is somewhere I’ve visited since I was very young. My Great Aunt and Uncle lived in Teddington, and we’d stay with them whenever we visited London. This would always involve a visit to Bushy Park, with a walk through to the maze at Hampton Court. Living so close to it these days, there was no way H was going to miss out on something I’d loved when I was her age – the only question was, would it still be the same?

Having the Historic Royal Palaces membership helped a lot – they’ve just finished a 50% off entry offer, and prices are increasing – plus of course there are additional things to do when you’re there. But as the gentleman who showed us to our seats in the ticket office said, “with this membership you’ll never need to queue again” (I like it already!) We also get 10% off food and any purchases in the gift shops – every little helps!

Hampton Court

Hampton Court has a lot to offer. There are the gardens, which are enormous and largely unaltered since the early days of the Palace, as well as the maze. Oh the maze. I would go in it when I was young, and did manage to get to the middle once in record time. Today it wasn’t to be, all I could remember was keep around the outside and you get to the middle, which didn’t work at all (even though it was the right thing to do). H has decided she has “a terrible sense of direction”!

Inside Hampton Court Palace there is so much to see – and we’re going to need to go back to finish off. Somehow, weirdly, I had never been there when we’ve visited in the past. I don’t know why, but that is no longer the case. We wandered around rooms Henry VIII will have dined and existed in – H was excited about this – one of her favourite subjects at school is history. You can see a crown of Henry VIII’s however they were starting to set up in the church part, so weren’t letting people in any more – another thing to go back and do!

Hampton Court

Inside Henry VIII’s kitchen there were displays of cookery as well as how to make ink. H got to use a quill to write with too.

We arrived around midday, and left at 4pm, tired and having walked for ages – and yet there’s still so much to see – and having our Historic Royal Palaces membership we can go back as often as we want!

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

by jo

Weightloss Update – 2

Okay, so things are on track. I had a blip though, it was almost like I was doing so well I had to sabotage it, and so put some weight on instead – thanks to eating badly and making sure it was really bad.

Weight Watchers logo

I have no idea why I do this.

I worked hard the following week and by weigh-in day I’d still managed to lose weight, so I must be doing something right.

My last weigh-in had me at 13 stone 5, a loss of 9lb, and having joined on the 10th January, I’m 1lb off qualifying for the Weight Watchers deal to get my money back (10lbs in 8 weeks)!!

I just hope the WW app doesn’t tell me off for not tracking my food every day. I’ve also stopped tracking my steps – my data usage on my phone went through the roof, so I’ve disabled everything in the background for now – and am looking for a good pedometer.

I know what I should and shouldn’t eat, and I also know I’ve probably got points left, but quite frankly, I’m too tired to eat more. Work is busy (and even the blog is suffering for it) – and I’m busy.

But most of all, I’m losing weight. I’m being sensible with food. I’m being stricter with myself apart from weekends when I will have a glass or two of wine as I’ve behaved through the week. We even went out on Tuesday night with H and her “boyfriend” and I had pizza and didn’t put on weight. I know this is fine for a one-off and not something I can keep doing, mind. That was my problem last time.

As far as how this time compares to last time, I’m definitely much more relaxed about it all. I know I can lose the weight, it’s about keeping it off and staying sensible, but knowing I can have an occasional takeaway and not beat myself up. I’m doing a lot of walking and this helps too.

But anyway, I’m pleased – those pounds are going – while they’re not dropping off, they’re going and that’s all I want!