Welcome to #mamamondays. Here I try to include anything that is making us happy – and hopefully you too – even though it’s a Monday. And, I have to say it really is making me try to make the most of this often ‘depressing’ day
It has been anything from what we’re doing or planning to what we’re eating, watching or reading. I’ve even included items I’m lusting after or buying and anything else that has been inspiring me to make Mondays – and the rest of the week if need be – just a little more bearable.
I really hope that #mamamondays is inspiring you to make the most of this fresh start we get every week…
BATHING
I’ve been a fan of the timeless ‘story book’ illustrations of Belle & Boo for a while. If you’re not familiar with the name of this lifestyle brand by Mandy Sutcliffe you’ll no doubt recognise the distinctive bob-haired Belle and her bunny Boo as you will may have seen them on anything from fabrics, china, clothing, books and stationery.
I especially love the storybooks which have a timeless, nostalgic feel to them. The sweet stories of Belle and her loveable bunny friend Boo have a lovely innocence to them and Miss Marnie has a few of the titles on her bookshelf.
I have recently just discovered the bathing collection. The beauty products are suitable for young skin and have a refreshing cedar wood scent. But, I especially like the trio of Boo printed flannels – perfect as we’re still in the midst of encouraging Miss M to wash her hands and face independently as she knows they are just for her. I think they make great little gifts too.
PAINTING
I’m going to say it. I’m not a massive fan of messy play.
I really thought when I had Miss Marnie that I would love crafting, painting and all that jazz. But, to be honest I find it a lot of hard work. It wasn’t until Johnson’s Baby asked me to take part in ‘A Messy Play Challenge’ that I figured I should give it another go.
I just feel that by the time you have got everything out they are over it. And, then after 5 minutes of “messy play” you’re left with just that – a mess. And, with a toddler that hates getting messy hands – and needs a wet wipe every 5 seconds it’s hardly an enjoyable experience for either of us.
I often to hand her a pack of wipes but once or twice she’s managed to pull the whole pack out in one go or worse ripped the seal so they dry-out – that was until we tried these new Johnson’s Baby wipes.
What’s new about a pack of wipes I hear you ask? Well, they now come with a special dispensing system that means you can only pull ONE wipe out at a time – and the new rigid lid (rather than those annoying sticky tabs) means you can open it one handed too.
These Johnson’s Baby wipes are not only perfect for impatient toddlers who need to clean their hands like right ‘now’ – I’d say they are a baby bag must-have for mums at nappy time too.
I can’t tell you how many wipes I’ve wasted doing one-handed wipe grabbing when Miss M was a baby – so anything that saves times, waste and money has got to be a good thing – for any mum.
PLAYING
I have written before about Miss Marnie’s love of role-playing here and it shows no signs of slowing down. We may have moved on from playing schools, nurses and shops (this week anyway) we now play full on restaurants.
Miss M has a wooden market stall in her bedroom – that is fully stocked with a few tills, a metal trolley and lots of wooden food – but she has been desperate for me to turn it into a cafe. So, I set to work.
I have to say a quick (OK – not that quick) re-jig of the stock, a few little touches like a sign and a stall as a makeshift table she was over the moon with it. It was in part inspired by this lovely Djeco Burger Bar Set that Miss M was sent to experience. As she loved the idea of having a resturant diner.
The Dejeco Ricky & Daisy Burger Bar set comes in a beautiful storage box – where the lid doubles as a tray and is filled with all those fast food favourites. Included is smooth wooden stackable buns, burger and fish with soft felt toppings and salad (that you thread onto the flags), a can of pop and golden fries in a card box.
Miss M especially loves to have us order from the menu card – which is a fantastic idea as as it encourages her to follow the recipe pattern in order. But, the best bit a squeezable ketchup bottle that squirts a line of ketchup. I mean how clever?
And, because it’s Djeco – the Paris-based brand whose timeless toys and games have been loved for over 50 years (read their lovely story here) – I not only know it will last and is excellent quality – I know that this is something she will come back to again and again.
** And, as it all stores neatly in the box it’s ideal for travel. We recently took it to nanny’s house so she could experience Miss M’s diner experience!
