Rainbow Awards - Winners Announced

The Rainbow Awards were finally announced today and their are some wonderful winners.

The Champion

Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket by LeapFrog

By LeapFrog

Price: £19.99

The categories...

Soft Toy

Orla and Ollie, the Oobicoo soft toy tots

By Totseat

Price: £34.99

Wooden Toy

High Tea Shape Matching set

By John Crane

Price: £25.00

Games

Ruckus Funsize

By Imagination Games

Price: £7.99

Wheeled Toy

Fix and Learn Speedy

By LeapFrog

Price: £19.99

Electronic Toy

LeapPad Explorer

By LeapFrog

Price: £79.99

Puzzles

iball3

By HTI

Price: £19.99

Pre-School Toy

Duplo Police Station

By Lego Duplo

Price: £49.99

Outdoor Toy

Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket by LeapFrog

By LeapFrog

Price: £19.99

Arts & Crafts Toy

Clever Box

By Clever Box Club

Price: £25.30

Educational Toy

Count and Draw

By LeapFrog

Price: £14.99



We are loving the winners, especially the Duplo Police Station, I think that Tigger would love that when he is a little older.  Roo would love the High Tea Shape Matching Set as it is pink but I think she would get more play out of the LeapPad Explorer but a little too expensive for us.

More Information: http://www.rainbowawards.co.uk/

Boo xxx

MUMenTUM - Week 5

I have been sooo exhausted this week, I think this is due to me giving up fizzy drinks (I don't drink tea or coffee) and I think my body is missing the caffeine.


Weekly weigh in: 12st 5lb (stayed the same), however...

On Saturday I bought myself some new black ankle boots and thought oh they would look lovely with my jeans (I haven't fitted into my jeans since well before Tigger was born).  I had to take Roo to a birthday party yesterday and thought I wonder if any of my jeans will fit...

OMG! they did! (cue me shaking my bum all around the house and singing 'I see you baby, shaking that ass')


How did I get on with my goals from last week's goals?

• Get more active - After feeling so exhausted I'm afraid this didn't happen

• Chase up slimming companies one last time - I have one confirmed slimming company who would like me to use their product and blog/tweet etc about my progress.  The other company despite saying they would return my call the never did.

• Batch cook some meals and freeze so they are ready to reheat if I don't feel like cooking one evening - I followed the advice from The Rambling Pages to stock up on soups, Thank you xxx

This weeks goals:

• To start on my new slimming regime

• Get more active even when wanting cuddle up and go to sleep

Good luck everyone xxx

Boo xxx

GIVEAWAY: MAM Anti-Colic Self Sterilising 130ml Bottle - ends 07/10

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

For my next giveaway I have chosen a MAM Anti-Colic self sterilising 130ml bottle

I was lucky enough to receive this bottle free of charge at the Manchester Baby Show, however I have never used it as Tigger uses different style bottles.

Please enter below using my new widget (I apologise if there are teething problems it is the first time I've used it)

Boo xxx

Silent Sunday - 25/09/11

Fill the Gap Friday!

The best thing about being a parent is...

...no matter how bad your bad is, how tired you are,

when your children smile it melts your heart

Boo xxx

Thursday was a hard day...

Yesterday was a very emtional day for two reasons:

Firstly, I received a phone call from Roo's school at 2.37pm to say she had fallen and bumped her head badly and could I come pick her up.  I knew it must have been bad as the school day was almost over and they wouldn't have called me.

When I arrived at the school she looked OK (not screaming).  Her teacher explained that she has fallen off a bicycle backwards and hit the ground.  I was shown where the bump was... OMG it was the size of a golf ball on the back of her head.

As soon as I saw how big the lump was I knew I would have to take her to A&E.  What do I do with Tigger? Take him with us or leave him with someone?  Mr Boo was away at a meeting, my MIL was unavailable (more about that later), my mum was at work but finishes at 5pm... I decided it would be best to drop Tigger off with my mum.  Luckily my mum's boss loves Roo (she often pops in with my mum on her days off) and said my mum could leave early.

A&E was quiet when we arrived and there were no other children waiting to be seen, so we were seen straight away.  The  children's nurse was very good and said that he wanted a doctor to check her over.  After waiting no more that 10 minutes a doctor appeared and checked her over.  All OK, just need to keep an eye out for vomiting and checkon her in the night to wake her.

So very pleased she was OK but so scary getting a call from the school.


Secondly, Mr Boo's uncle sadly passed away after a fight against throat cancer.  It has been a difficult journey for him and sadly his fight is over.  My MIL has been a tower of strength to all the family and my heart goes out to her and the rest of the family.

Boo xxx

Mums Half Hour Episode Five: Join Us Live

The panel discuss breastfeeding, dealing with difficult sleeping patterns and keeping your kids entertained during Halloween.

Breastfeeding is one of the biggest challenges for any new mother, some women struggle and some take to it naturally. How long it is appropriate to breastfeed for and whether to breastfeed in public are just a few of the concerns.

It is not only the stress of knowing how long it is appropriate to breastfeed for and whether to breastfeed in public but it is also the stress of looking after a new baby, most mums (and dads!) will be surviving on broken or very little sleep.

Sleep deprivation can be one of the most debilitating factors in the first few months, and everyone has their own take on how best to combat a child who won’t sleep, irregular sleep patterns and an interrupted routine.

No one understands these issues more than our panel of mums for the next episode of Mums Half Hour. Joining us live and answering your questions, are Penny Jenner, Pamela Hey and Amber Spain. With half term looming, the panel will be discussing breastfeeding from pumps to positioning, how to tackle disruptive sleep patterns and sharing their own personal experiences and tips on what’s worked for them.

This webTV show will be live and interactive, with the panel taking your questions and thoughts so if you have something to say, they want to hear it!

Our panel join us live online at www.youtube.com/startriteshoes on Friday 14th October at 13.30 to discuss breastfeeding, bereavement and dealing with difficult sleeping patterns.

For another chance to win a year’s supply of Start-rite shoes, log onto www.youtube.com/startriteshoes and submit a question along with your contact details

GIVEAWAY: £10 Topshop Voucher - ends 14/10

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

With Christmas fast approaching, it will soon be time for the festive party season. 

So to give a little help to your perfect outfit festive outfit I thought I'd give you a £10 Topshop voucher

How to enter

Mandatory:
You must follow me via Google Friend Connect (please leave your GFC name in the comments box).  Also comment on a non-giveaway post (don't forget to tell me which one)


Bonus Entries:
(Please leave a separate comment for each one you do)

1. Follow me (@littleboo_21) on Twitter and tweet the following:

I'm in to win a £10 Topshop voucher with @littleboo_21, why don't you enter too... #BRTT2 http://boorootiggertoo.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-10-topshop-voucher-ends-1410.html

2. Like my new Facebook page

3. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page:

I'm in to win a £10 Topshop voucher with Boo Roo and Tigger Too, why don't you enter too... #BRTT2 http://boorootiggertoo.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-10-topshop-voucher-ends-1410.html 

(don't forget to tag my Facebook page)

Terms & conditions:Open to UK residents only
Giveaway will close on Friday 14th October at 23.59
Winner will be selected using random.org
Winner will be announced on Sat 15th October on my blog, Twitter and Facebook pages

Contact and PR Requests

I am happy to consider requests for reviews on products you feel are in keeping with my blog.

I do not expect to be paid financially for my posts, although I would like to keep any products that you send for review and are happy to run sponsored giveaways if you send more than one product.

I will give my honest opinion on all products featured on my blog.

Please feel free to contact me: BooRooandTiggerToo@gmail.com

I look forward to working with you in the future.

Boo xxx

List of recent reviews:

Olive The Ostrich Review

Chillipeeps Review  

Help! The fish died... Flush it then...

Today I happened to walk passed the fish tank and notice that our spotty Molly (who keeps giving us lots and lots of baby Mollies... but that's a different story) was floating at the top of the tank.

(not actual fish)

Luckily Roo and Tigger were eating their tea, so what do I do? I ring Mr Boo at work obviously...

Me: 'Help! the fish is dead!'
Mr Boo: 'Well flush it down the loo'
Me: 'What? I can't even look at it, never mind flush it!'
Mr Boo: 'Man up, get the net and flush it'
Me: 'OK, I can do this, speak to you later'

Off I go with new found courage (thank you Mr Boo), I managed to fish it out (mind the pun), place it in the toilet and flush... OMG it didn't go away!!!

I'm back on the phone...

Me: 'It didn't go!!! What I am supposed to do now???'
Mr Boo: 'Flush again'
Me: 'Are you sure that will work?'
Mr Boo: 'Put a load of toilet paper in there and it will go'
Me: 'Oh, OK, didn't think of that, bye'


Back to the bathroom... In goes the toilet paper, flush... IT'S STILL THERE!!!  It took 4 flushes, that's right 4 FLUSHES to get rid of it...

Next time I'm putting a towel over the tank, telling the kiddies that the fish are sleeping and waiting for Mr Boo to come home

 

Boo xxx

MUMenTUM - Week 4

I've been thinking over the last week, 'Why do I want to lose weight?'...

The answer... because I am so unhappy in anything I wear.  Also I hate getting my photo taken as I feel I look awful and I'm missing out on collecting memories with my family.

Weight: 12st 5lb (1lb loss) - I have managed to get into one of my size 14 trousers (woohoo!!!)

After reading many of the #MUMenTUM's from last week I have taken my measurements today and hope that if I am not losing the 1lbs maybe I'm losing inches.

I thought I'd share the photo of me taken in May at a friend's wedding that bought tears to my eyes when I saw it as I looked so pregnant, dispite having given birth 7 months previous.

How did I get on with my goals from last week's goals?

• Liaise with slimming companies and decide which plan will work best - Still awaiting communication from both companies, I think I may need to start again and do more research

• Walk to work/school/nursery everyday - Managed to walk most days and took the kiddies to a family fun day on Saturday and did lots of walking

• Plan meals in advance - This didn't happen, Mr Boo was away last week so I grabbed something easy for dinner as didn't fancy cooking for one

This weeks goals:

• Get more active

• Chase up slimming companies one last time

• Batch cook some meals and freeze so they are ready to reheat if I don't feel like cooking one evening

Wishing all the #MUMenTUM bloggers luck and love this week... come on, we can do it

Boo xxx

Silent Sunday - 18/09/11

Fantastic Savings - Claim your vouchers now

Fantastic Savings

For any of you who purchase any of the following brands, this is for you. 



Spend £10 or more on the listed brands, register your claim on Fantastic Savings website, select which vouchers you would like in return and for which store (i.e. Tesco, Asda, Salisbury's, Boots etc), send your receipt to the freepost address and receive your vouchers within 28 days.

I have used this scheme for a few months now and have always chosen to receive Pampers voucher in return as this cuts the cost of my nappies.

Please note only 5 applications are allowed until 30/01/12, however, you could ask a friend or relative who is not taking advantage of the scheme and get your vouchers sent to their home address.

Terms and Conditions

Boo xxx

Olive The Ostrich Review

has a new show...

Background...

Olive The Ostrich comes from the Blue-Zoo the creators behind Kerwizz, Alphablocks and Get Squiggling! (Tigger's favourite) and in partnership with Nickelodeon and The Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts. The show is narrated by Rolf Harris and the backgrounds to the show have been designed my children 6-9 years at workshops held all over the UK.

Olive is a colourful animated bird who takes children along with her on her wonderful adventures. The adventures start once she pops her head in the sand and your transported into her wonderful imagination, who know where you'll be taken next.

What we thought...

Roo loved the opening credits, especially when Olive puts her head in the sand.  I thought it was nice to have an introduction to Olive and her family before the episode began.  It was also great to see in the background all the recycled bits and pieces making up the scene, this allows children to see how different things can be used again.


Where to find it...

Nick Jr at 8.15am & 6.30pm weekdays
Olive's Facebook page


Previews...

Olive The Ostrich
Nick Jr
Blue Zoo Animation Studios


Overall...

Roo enjoyed watching the episodes we were sent.  It reminded me of Bottle Top Bill (if any of you are familiar with that show).  I was disappointed to see that the show was on at 8.15am as many children will be on their way to school at that time so happy that it is then repeated at 6.30pm for the bedtime hour.

Boo xxx

 

Disclaimer: Sponsored post - We were sent the disc containing two episodes, background show info, poster, stickers and card to review.  This review is my own honest opinion of the show

Children's Personalities

How different are your children's personalities and do they reflect yours or your partners in any way?

Roo, nearly 5 going on 50!!!

High maintenance.  She is a mini-me and boy do we clash... I mean full on screaming, we just rub each other up the wrong way (please feel sorry for my husband who very often has to play referee)

Tigger, 10 months

He is very laid back, nothing really phases him.  He settled into nursery without batting an eyelid.  He is very much like my husband (good job really as there is enough stress in the house with another mini-me)


Please let me know what personalities your children have...

Boo xxx

GIVEAWAY: Dear Mum, from you to me book

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

After seeing all the wonderful giveaways on the many blogs I follow I thought I'd like to offer my own.  It's my first one so please be gentle with me if I have gotten anything wrong.


Prize

Dear Mum, from you to me book

I can't quite remember where I first heard about this book but it is truly lovely and there are many different versions available.  It contains 60 questions which they fill in about their life, for example:

How did you meet my father?
What are your earliest memories?

This is a great gift for your own Mum or something you can fill in for your children.


How to enter

Mandatory:
You must follow me via Google Friend Connect (please leave your GFC name in the comments box)
Tell me who you would give this book to, your own mum or keep it for your children?

Bonus Entries:
(Please leave a separate comment for each one you do)

1. Follow me (@littleboo_21) on Twitter and tweet the following:

I'm in to win 'Dear Mum' book with @littleboo_21, why don't you enter too... #BRTT1 http://boorootiggertoo.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-dear-mum-from-you-to-me-book.html

2. Like my new Facebook page

3. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page:

I'm in to win 'Dear Mum' book with Boo Roo and Tigger Too, why don't you enter too... #BRTT1 http://boorootiggertoo.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-dear-mum-from-you-to-me-book.html
(don't forget to tag my Facebook page)

Terms & conditions:

Open to UK residents only
Giveaway will close on Friday 30th September at 23.59
Winner will be selected using random.org
Winner will be announced on Sat 1st October on my blog, Twitter and Facebook pages

Boo xxx

How are you?

I've been thinking about this more and more over the last few weeks...

When you ask someone, how are you?  Which answer do you want? The 'fine, thanks,  you?' or the truth 'I'm knackered, the kids are doing my head and I'm craving chocolate'?

I've started to notice that not just when someone asks you how you are but when they ask you something about your life, what you have been up to or your opinion on something, they are really just not interested.  Which brings me to the thinking of why did you ask?

I've started telling someone about my day or whatever, they have either changed the subject or looked so uninterested that I know that they don't care for anything I am saying.

Am I alone in this thinking? or do you find yourself talking to deaf ears?

Boo xxx

MUMenTUM - Week 3

It's not been a good week... with my wedding anniversary last weekend and two birthdays this week (and two birthday cakes) my diet thoughts were more like whispers rather than the shouting I needed.

However... I have remained the same weight as last week so should complain too much but I then think about what weight I could have been if I hadn't eaten so much rubbish last week.

Last weeks plan of action:
I did managed to contact two compaines about their product, both have replied and I'm just waiting to speak to them on the phone to see which plan will be best for me.

I didn't manage to take Tigger out everyday for a walk so must try harder this week.

Last week was manic with me returning to work, Roo starting Reception and Tigger starting nursery so didn't manage to plan meals in advance.


This week's plan of action:

Liaise with slimming companies and decide which plan will work best

Walk to work/school/nursery everyday

Plan meals in advance


Fingers crossed I can do better next week

Boo xxx



Stat Checker

Roo & Tigger's First Days (photos)

Roo...

Tigger...

My babies...

Boo xxx

Tigger's First Day at Nursery

The day had finally arrived when I had to leave my baby boy for a whole day with relative strangers.  Anxious doesn't really cover how I felt but I knew it had to be done.  Unfortunately we are not lucky enough to have any family who could look after him whilst I work so childcare it is.

After remembering all the ruined tops etc that Roo came home with after being at nursery (painting, gluing etc) I decided to buy Tigger a kind of uniform.  Just simple navy tracksuit bottoms along with red and navy tops.  This way I won't mind if they get dirty or ruined as he will only be wearing them at the nursery.

Take a look, what do you think? It looks OK...

He didn't seem phased when I dropped him off, just sat on the floor and started playing.  I rang mid-morning to check he was OK and he was fast asleep in the cot after a busy morning playing.

When I went to collect him, he didn't notice me coming into the room (too busy playing), it was only when I spoke that he heard my voice and looked up.  He was so excited to see me, it was lovely to see that I'd been missed.

He has now been assigned a key worker and his own record book, which they complete with food, nappy changes, naps and activities throughout the day.

The staff said that he had settled really well, which was very reassuring to hear.  I'm hoping that he continues to like the nursery, whilst I will just have to realise that I have to let my baby go (just for three days week, he's mine for the rest of it!)

Boo xxx

Roo's First Day at School

My baby girl is growing up so fast, yesterday was her first day in Reception class.  Luckily she attended the pre-school nursery there so it wasn't a big shock for her.  In fact she has been looking forward to moving up to Blue class for a while.

Thankfully the pre-school teachers had some say in which children went in which class (two classes per year) and they put Roo and her best friend in the same class.


Photo time...

Posing...

 Together with her best friend...

Welcome to Blue Class...

Boo xxx