Shopkins Season 4!!!!

Christmas is looming and our household is going mad with toy fever!

and

What a surprise - walked into Big W this week and found Season 4 Shopkins!!!

So I thought I just have to write up a blog post about these cute adorable little things.

We already have so many with the entire Season 3, most of Season 2 and slowly collecting Season 1.

Made by Moose Enterprises these little toys are only about 2 inches high. Each of them has a cute little face and a cute little name based on what they are - ie Cheeky Chocolate (for a chocolate bar), Terri Taco (after a taco) and Nappy Dee (a nappy!!).

Now to add is the Season 4 including new "Petkins" and their accessories.

Added to the Petkins are characters like Jilly Jam, Earring Twins, and Burt House all with a cute little animal face on the front.

With names like Jilly Jam and Milk Bud these new Shopkins are looking to be the cutest yet!!!!

To add to the new range is the stackable containers! In each 12 pack you get a little container with a clear front that you can use to put your Shopkins in. And best of all they all fit neatly on top of each other and beside each other to create a neat little storage set.







Shopkins are available at major retailers and toy stores.

More on Shopkins can be found at:


http://www.shopkinsworld.com/


(Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this post are my own. I purchased these items from a retail store - I received no incentive or profit from creating this post).

Islington Park, Islington

Islington Park, Islington

Recently my eldest son, Tyler was invited to a birthday party at Islington Park in Islington (Newcastle, NSW region). Location Maitland Road, Islington. 

I had driven passed before and thought we needed to go check out the park. 

When we went there for the party I wish we had gone sooner.

The place is great for all of the family. 

There is a brilliant playground partially shaded for the kids - including a disabled swing. 

There are sensory activities of instruments and visual structures. 

A range of shaded picnic tables and bbqs were available for everyone to use. 

There are ample bike paths to go for a short or long bike ride. 

Plenty of space to kick around a soccer ball or play a game of cricket. 

The walk across the bridge is also a peaceful way to spend an afternoon. 

There is so much to do.

Just pack your picnic lunch - there are a few cafes and a servo around to get food or drink but not alot. 

It is also close to water so you will need to keep a good eye on the kids. 

(this blog post contains my own ideas and opinions. no incentive was received for writing this post). 

The Treehouse - Charlestown Square

Today the kids and I went and checked out the new Treehouse at Charlestown Square.

They have moved the playground on the ground floor into an empty shop.

It's also got a chalk wall where kids can create and draw.

There are also seating and tables for parents to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Last but not  least my favourite feature of the Treehouse is the book exchange.
Dymocks has kindly donated a range of childrens books.

Children are invited to borrow books and either return them or swap them with another book.
This is a great way for children to get involved in reading and a great incentive for the community.

There is no cost to utilise the Treehouse.

I suggest if you are in the Newcastle area with young children you go check it out.

(This post contains my own personal opinions. It is in no way sponsored by Charlestown Square or Dymocks. I received no incentive for completing this review.)

Love Tupperware - especially when it's free!!!

I was lucky enough last year to be selected as a product tester for Tupperware.

I received nearly $200 worth of Tupperware products to use at home and provide feedback on. The best bit being I got to keep all of them just for trying them! 

I thought I would share my experience with these products here on my blog.

The first set I got to trial was the VentSmart range. 

The Ventsmart range is designed to keep fruit and vegetables fresher for longer particularly when they were cut up.

I was skeptical at first because fruit never lasted however I was surprised.

The built in vent system allowed for the right amount of ventilation to get in (or not get in) specific to the individual type of fruit/vegetables that were stored in it.

The side of the containers had the vegetable/fruit guide for the correct ventilation making it easy to put it on the right setting.

The only downfall is they were not recommended for microwave use meaning I would have to take cooked vegetables out of the containers and put them on another plate/bowl to heat up.

The second range I got to trial was the Grow With Me range

This range provided a range of kid friendly containers, cup, sippy cup, bowl and knife and fork. 

They were really durable for the kids as well as being easy for the kids to open the containers to get out their snacks. 

The bright colours were great visually to inspire their little minds. 

The containers were a great size as they were suitable for the portion size you would give to kids. 

Whilst the design of the cup with straw and cup were quite unique to ensure no spillage and maximum use for little kids I found the multiple pieces were easy to misplace or loose when cleaning the products. 

I really liked this range as it was so easy and convenient to take out and about with kids. 

(Disclaimer: I was selected as a trial product tester for the Tupperware products. I was given these products in lieu of reviewing them on the mums website running the trial. I received no further incentive for providing a positive review nor posting on my blog. This post is in no way sponsored by any company.)

Our First Family Christmas Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

It was very special for us getting to share our first Christmas day with our little one Samuel.

The kids got so many toys - I still haven't worked out where we are going to fit them all in the house.

We all ate too much at my nans' house at lunchtime.

But most of all it was a great way to get together.

Lunch was bittersweet with my husband having to work over the Christmas period (the joys of working in a 24 hour cafe). However he got to share the morning and the evening with us opening presents and eating his share of food.

The weather this year was a bit disappointing with our evening annual barbeque having to be cancelled due to the rain.

I would say overall it was a success.

We survived another Christmas and celebrated the true meaning of Christmas love and friendship.

Here's a few tips on having a great Christmas day:

1. Clean up as you go - yes I know everyone wants to open presents and play with toys but it is so much easier to have a big garbage bag or box everyone can put their rubbish in as they open presents so the mess isn't there to clean up later

2. Buy for everyone - even if you think someone won't get you a present buy for them anyway. The season is the spirit of giving so even if you don't receive you feel good for having blessed others.

3. Share the load - every year lunch may be at a certain relatives house but that doesn't mean they have to prepare everything. Offer to make a plate or bring something to contribute to the table. That way everyone can enjoy more if they don't have as much to do.

4. Keep it simple - you don't have to go crazy with fancy food trying to impress everyone or buying the most outlandish extravagant gifts. It is about being together and giving so people will just as much appreciate a simple meal of foods everyone will enjoy.

5. Put your differences aside - no matter what has happened with the family all year let it all go for this one day. Be polite and courteous to everyone and simply enjoy being together.

Now onto celebrating the New Year!

Just another day!

Yet another day in the McFarlane household and the kids are having a ball!

So simple having a variety of different hats and it provides for hours of fun entertainment.

The kids had a great time dressing up as cowboys, princesses, fairies, pirates, santa elves and more.

My mum had this great idea last Christmas to give the kids a dress up box.

In the box she put hats, scarves, material, clothes and props representing a variety of different fun dress-up themes.

Over the year we added to the box and we now have so many dress ups it's not funny!

It's the perfect rainy day activity providing many hours of adventure and imaginative play.

We build forts and castles with chairs and tables.

A great way to spend a fun day together without the need for technology or spending heaps of money going out. ...

Water fun!

This week we headed down to the Entrance for fun and games.

Takes me back to my childhood of enjoying many picnics and fun days out with family and friends enjoying the free entertainment in the park.

It is a great place to go with the kids including the beautiful Entrance waterfront,  two parks, a water park, a large grass area, pelican feeding, tables, plenty of take away stores, the best ice-cream places, restaurants and a carnival.

During school holidays there is usually shows and events on for the whole family to enjoy.

Most of the entertainment is usually free and it is a great way to spend a day out with the family.

Here's a link to some upcoming events at the Entrance: http://www.theentrance.org/events/

Tyler and Emily enjoying the water park