2011 Toyologists 1st box arrives

Last week saw the arrival of our first box of toys heralding the start of the ToysRus Toyologist campaign for 2011.  We were very fortunate to be selected again this year to test toys and are really looking forward to the year ahead. 

Be sure to pop over to the ToysRus Facebook page  HERE there will be lots of fantastic opportunities for you to join in the fun this year.  I will also be running giveaways on my blog.

One young chap was getting rather more possessive than he should over the toys even before the twins arrived home.

We thought it might be a nice idea to invite a friend around to play with the twins and help test some of the toys.

The twins and Rosie played with the DON'T LAUGH, CONNECT 4 LAUNCHERS and THE BUBBLE BUSTER 

Reviews will follow soon.

It was really nice of Geoffrey to send a toy which also doubles as a floor cleaner, very thoughtful of you and much appreciated.  I had a lovely clean, sparkly floor after the children finished playng with the Bubble Buster    XX

There was music on this video but somehow due to my amazing technical skills its been lost.  I must also apologise for the manic screaming of Milo.  He is, I'm afraid mostly always like this .....

Supporting Independent Retailers - Lunchbox World Giveaway

Many thanks to everone who entered.  This giveaway is now closed and the winner is :

ALEX - CURIOUSGREGOR -  CONGRATULATIONS



As part of my campaign to support independent retailers I'm featuring Caroline from Lunchbox World today, who has also very kindly offered my readers a giveaway.

Caroline, the founder of Lunchbox World started her business several years ago, when as a mother of three school aged children, she was searching for a lunch bag that could be washed and that still insulated the food. Caroline found one on sale in America made from neoprene, the wet suit fabric, that could be washed in the machine! Which meant goodbye to smelly lunch bags!

" being a working mum, I felt we all needed a bit more help and support in preparing these lunches day in day out, and in keeping up to date with the latest products out there, to help us on our way. No-one has the time to search the supermarkets for new and exciting healthy alternatives for that lunch box! Nor trawl through recipe sites for that new fresh lunch box inspiration!
We also need ideas on how to keep the costs down, but still make that packed lunch exciting and looking fresh until it is time to eat it."

The business was born ! She now constantly searches for new ranges and new ideas from all over the world. Bringing to the UK lunch bags and gadgets that are not readily available on the High Street.

Please pop over and take a look at the LunchBox World website it's bright, clean and easy to navigate.  Packed full of modern, innovative products for children and the whole family.  There are recipe ideas for healthy, fun lunches, hints and tips for your packed lunch, news and features, information on nutrition, a smashing kidsworld section.  This is a wonderful website which is so much more than just a site selling lunchboxes !

GIVEAWAY

Caroline has very generously offered a pack of four TUMTUMS Tiny Snackpots and a Tyrrell Katz Backpack with bugs design .  Both will, I am sure you will agree appeal to both boys and girls and could even be used by mums with babies.

To take part in the giveaway please pop over to the website  HERE  and take a look around.  Then come back here and leave a comment telling me what aspect of the site you like the most.  Is it a product ? or the receipe ideas ? whatever it is, we would love to know.

You can have one additional entry for leaving a comment for each of the following  :

Follow this blog 

Follow Lunchbox World's blog HERE

Like Lunchbox World on Facebook HERE

Follow me and tweet about the giveaway on Twitter HERE

Follow Lunchbox World on Twitter HERE

The giveaway is open to UK Residents only. 

The winner will be picked at random on Thursday 23rd June when the giveaway closes at 7.00pm and notified by email or twitter DM.

I watch this everytime I am feeling fed up

Whenever I am having "one of those days" or just feel like I haven't smiled in a while, I watch this. It never fails and its the reason why I love what toddlers say soooooo much ! . 

Dear Son

My favourite photo of us - How the years have flown.

I know you think "I'm on your case", I know you think "I'm stressing out"

so I felt maybe if I wrote it down and you read it, giving me a chance to explain how important this time truly is to the rest of your life, you might understand what I am trying to say.

 You are young, just 16, I know to you, that you feel all grown up.  I understand, I did too when I was 16 but believe me my darling you have so much more life ahead of you.  So much time to go out, to date, to stay up late and play online with your mates, so much time.  This time though, these few weeks and that's all it is, a few weeks could you please humour me and show me that you are trying to study, that you are taking your examinations seriously ?

I am so proud of you, more than you could ever know.  You have achieved far more already academically than I ever did, you have excelled and gained a scholarship to one of the best independent schools in Devon, all by yourself (well perhaps with a little help from me, but not much)  Its your talents on the sports field and the classroom that have got you so far. 

I want to support you, be there for you but I don't know how,if you won't let me in, if you shout at me and slam doors.  I'm worried (its my job).  The world is a very different place now from when I was 16.  I joined the army after not taking my examinations seriously enough, with thoughts of travelling the world.  Now you need a degree to be accepted into most regiments, just to be sent straight to war zones.

I've tried, I really have, not to put pressure on you, to leave you to work it out yourself.  But I'm anxious now with the lack of revision at home.  You've seen and heard maybe too much of the strain that dad and I have had over the last few years.  I want so much more for you, I don't want you ever to have to struggle in the ways that we have. 

Knowledge is power my darling.  You can go anywhere, be anything.

I want you to fly, to be happy and free.

You are my pride, my joy, my No 1 Boy !

I love you.

Mum xxx

Fathers Day

Is your man big and tall ?  I have some gorgeous Ralph Lauren XL polo shirts just into stock at the best prices you will find anywhere for genuine Ralph Lauren.  A lovely alternative present for Fathers Day.   Free postage to twitter or blog followers.  Just email me at info@allabouttheboys.co.uk if you would like to buy one.  Just £38 each . RRP £80 !

Please take a moment to pop over and take a look at the other wonderful independent Retailers HERE  for some great individual ideas for presents for Father's Day or any special occasion.