So, I find myself downstairs before the central heating kicks in and before Cbeebies has wiped the sleepy dust from it’s eyes sorting the little man out with his coco pops and his apple juice.  All of these early starts makes him a very tired little boy and he still likes his naps, but tends to take them at the wrong time of day, usually during the afternoon school run or even sometimes in the middle of dinner!

Obviously these afternoon kips have a negative effect on his bedtime routine as even the odd ten minute snooze will recharge his batteries and leave him wide awake until stupid o’clock in the evening.  In my heart I know it’s time to cut out the naps but I’m finding the transition really, really hard.  He can become very grumpy, very quickly when he’s tired and half of me wants him to curl up for a sleep just for the easy life, after all it’s not as if I go to bed at 8pm. My attempts at “quiet time” after lunch with arts and crafts or even a game on Imogen’s Kurio seem to have worked at keeping him awake to a certain degree but with all the best of intentions once he’s in the car or the pushchair on the unavoidable afternoon school run he’s sounds asleep.

Half term next week will see me battle with Joseph’s sleep routine.  Orders have been placed for Gro-Clocks and other sleep trainers, I’m looking into the cost of some custom made blackout blinds from Hillarys blinds and reward charts are being made.  If all of this fails I’ll be setting my alarm for 4.45am and trying the wake-to-sleep method, wish me luck!

Well it did, because when he returned home he was greeted by this fabulous selection of John Deere toys from TOMY.

This huge stash included a Fun on the Farm Playset, Monster Treads Lights and Sounds Tractor and Johnny Tractor and Allie Gator from the pre school range.  As you can see Joseph was keen to get his hands on them and so we turned our lounge into a farm for the afternoon.

The Fun on the Farm Playset (RRP £34.99) was the first to be opened and is a great value set with 20 pieces including a combine harvester, tractor, trailers, farm animals, fencing, straw bales and even a pair of farmer figures, everything you need to make a great farm!  This is suitable from ages 18 months + and is made from good quality plastic.  Imogen and Joseph had great fun creating their own farm, popping the farmers into their vehicles and carrying out highly important jobs around the farm.

 Johnny Tractor and Allie Gator are also from the range for pre -schoolers and are suitable from ages 12 months +.  Johnny and Allie are rubber and squishable with roll along wheels, they are perfectly shaped for tiny hands and Joseph can usually be found with one in a paw.

Joseph’s favourite from the collection is the Monster Treads ‘Lights and Sounds’ Tractor mainly because is has huge tyres but it also has flashing lights, and three buttons which make some great realistic tractor sounds.

The whole range is a must for any tractor or farm loving child, we’ve had hours of fun with them.  TOMY are also giving your child the chance to be the face of Britain’s Farm Toys and not only feature in their 2014 catalogue but also receive a bundle of Britain’s Farm Toys.  To find out how to enter and download an entry form go to www.farmingdelivers.co.uk but be quick entries close on 1st June 2013, Imogen is doing hers tonight!

Starting Point 

It’s a wonderful surprise to discover that so many places in the USA are very family friendly. Most diners do serve children’s portions, restrooms have nappy changing facilities and there are countless other amenities that will make your journey even more enjoyable. Once you have arranged your car hire, you’ll be good to go and the splendours of the open road will lie ahead.

Florida 

The ‘Sunshine State’ is a joy to navigate with both Route 75 and the iconic Route 95 traversing the state. There is so much to do here that every member of the family should really enjoy the experience. Should you stop off in Plant City in the early summer you’ll be able to enjoy the city’s Strawberry festival – this foodie haven welcomes all ages and there are carnival rides on offer as well as pageants, cake decorating and live music. The festival is held in March so you could start to plan your trip for next year. Florida has many camping sites and one way of exploring the great outdoors is to take advantage of these amenities in between stopping off at the Everglades or any of the state’s 11 other national parks.

The South 

Before you venture on any road trip some careful planning might be a very good idea. The last thing that you’ll want to endure is hours of lengthy driving with some very disgruntled younger people in the back seat. There is a limit to the number of times that ‘I-Spy’ can be played. A trip across the Southern States is just one idea. Make sure that the distances between each stop aren’t too long and then you could choose a route that will take you through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi and bring you to New Orleans. You could always stop off at the Rodeo in Angola Louisiana or go and see the ‘Animatronic Swamp Puppet Show’ in Beaux Bridge. Route 20 could actually act as your interstate guide across this part of the US.

Wonderful Washington DC 

Washington DC is certainly awe-inspiring and its historic monuments as well as the beautifully maintained buildings of Georgetown are definitely worth a visit. The Lincoln Memorial is even more majestic close up than on the postcards. If you plan your trip to take in the wild delights of Chesapeake Bay and from there drive down to north Virginia to see the first settlement in Jamestown you’ll certainly get a sense of the diverse nature of this wonderful country. By combining some history with some fun your children may well take home an enduring memory of the size of the US as well as a sense of its diverse attractions.

This is a featured guest post by Celina Bledowska

Rather surprisingly, Imogen opted for the Hoops and Crosses and Joseph quickly claimed Monty the Monkey.  Luckily for Joseph and I, in a very rare event, Imogen did actually share so that we could all try them out.

Hoops and Crosses are available in three different flavours, Prawn Cocktail, Salt and Vinegar and Beef (all suitable for vegetarians) we were sent the later and tucked straight in.  They have a nice crunch to them and the flavour was tasty without being overpowerful.

They are made from wholegrain with no artificial colours, preservatives or MSG.  As they are baked and not fried they contain 30% less fat than standard crisps and have just 85 calories.  The 18g bag is the perfect size for lunchboxes and a far healthier alternative to some snacks.

We were sent Monty the Monkey as well as a sample of Walkers Hoops and Crosses for this review.  I am also being paid a fee, however this has no affected my opinions.

Imogen and Joseph were very lucky to get a sneak peek at the range when this little lot arrived for them.

Their stash included a Jumbo Bedtime Snuggle Woolly, Poseable Talking Woolly, Woolly Pick n Match Pairs Game and a Small Woolly Soft Toy but there are other toys in the range such as a remote control Woolly!

Imogen and Joseph are both fans of the show and watch it every morning whilst Imogen gets ready for school.  It follows Tig, a gorgeous curly haired three year old girl and her toy spider Woolly as they face new adventures and experiences together.  Woolly magically comes alive to help Tig in times of need, offering comfort and support.

Bedtime Snuggle Woolly was immediately grabbed by Imogen who declared him her new best friend.  He’s huge, really soft and cuddly and is now a regular in bed with her at night.

They have both enjoyed playing with the Pick n’ Match Cards.  There are 36 thick, good quality cards with Woolly acting out 18 different emotions.  They can be used to play snap or a simple memory game, this is Imogen’s favourite and she usually wins hands down!

Joseph’s favourite is the poseable talking Woolly, squeeze his head and he’ll say some of his phrases from the show.  He’s also very cuddly and super bendy, Imogen and I had great fun putting him into various positions from the Pick ‘n Match Cards.  This is “Puzzled”.

The kiddywinks are in love with Woolly and we’ll defiantly be keeping an eager eye out for the release later on this month.  There are a small selection of toys available for pre-order on Amazon now with hopefully more to follow suit very soon.

Whilst children might think of a ‘summer slide’ as a fun activity on a sunny day in the park, the ‘summer slide’ is also used to describe what happens to some children’s learning, including a decline in reading achievement when they are away from school during the long summer holidays.

The Education Secretary, Mr Gove wants to reduce school summer holidays.  Although much of the current argument seems to be surrounding the pros and cons for working parents and teachers, Mr Gove is also trying to address the issue of the ‘summer slide’.  By reducing the length of the summer holidays, he is also hoping to reduce the setback in learning many children suffer by being away from school for such a long period.

There has been lots of research to show that children who do not read during the summer holiday will start the next academic year with a reading level 2-3 months behind children who do read.

Shortening the summer holidays is one answer to this – but so is reading through the holidays!  Regular reading during the holidays can prevent the ‘summer slide’ and even give your child a boost.  

It is so important that children have access to the right level of books – to consolidate skills, feel successful and encourage voluntary reading. If children read books which are too difficult for them, they end up using all their energy to decode individual words rather than engaging with the book and enjoying it.

www.ReadingChest.co.uk fills this gap by providing easy access to the right sort of books for individual children. Reading Chest has an extensive range of the latest fiction and non-fiction titles from top reading schemes used in UK schools for 4 to 9 year olds.  Reading Chest works along similar lines to DVD rental companies.  Members pay a monthly membership (from £9.95) and children get their own regular personal deliveries of books at their chosen level.  Not only is it fun and motivational for children, it is also convenient for working parents who might not be able to make it to the library.

But don’t forget there are opportunities for reading and learning all the time during the holidays children should also make the most of. Here are a few of Reading Chest’s favourites:

1. Keep a scrap book or diary.
2. Invent your own ‘Barnaby Bear’ for children to take on travels and write about.
3. Board games – from Monopoly marathons to design your own!
4. Write Grandad a postcard.
5. Play schools - With a whiteboard and some bits printed from the internet, this can go on for hours!
6. Write lists: – shopping lists, packing for holiday lists, birthday party lists…
7. Top Trumps – are brilliant for reading, maths and learning facts.  You could take it one step further and make your own.
8. Design a rocket – or something similar.  Draw up plans or even instructions before letting children loose on junk around the house to build their creation.
9. Educational Apps -  Apps4primaryschools.co.uk is full of apps which are recommended by teachers.
10. Bake!  Everything involved in baking is fantastic for children’s learning, from reading the recipe to weighing ingredients to sharing them with friends.

Reading Chest is offering Me and My Kiddywinks readers the chance to win a 6 month subscription and as well as £5.00 off their first month’s subscription with Promotional code KIDDYWINKS. To enter simply do so via Rafflecopter below, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you want to keep the long summer holidays – keep your children reading!

To find out more go to www.readingchest.co.uk

The cup comes in three parts (lid, inner chiller and rubber outer) and with a spoon/straw.  It’s really simple to use, all you need to do is pop the chiller into the freezer (it’ll need a good couple of hours) and prepare your favourite drink (pop this into the fridge too).  When the chiller is frozen simply pop it inside the coloured outer rubber cup and pour a small amount of your drink into the ChillFactor cup, squeeze the sides of the cup and you’ll see your slushy appear on the sides of the chiller.  Keep squeezing, gradualy adding more and more of your drink and very soon you’ll have a cup full of slushy!

I was very sceptical about the ChillFactor and genuinely didn’t think it would work, which at first it didn’t (I didn’t read the instructions so didn’t chill the drink first) but both Imogen and I were amazed at the results and it was really quick and mess free!  She likes hers filled simply with diluted blackcurrant squash but it can be used with anything from milkshake to cocktails (mine obviously) and is a great way to cool down and get kids drinking in the hot Summer weather, if we get any!

The ChillFactor Slushy Cup is available in four bright colours from Character Online or Amazon priced at £12.99.

Taking a baby or a toddler away for the first time can be a little daunting and for many off-putting.  However there are options, ‘easier’ holidays that will delight your little one and give the parents a rest!

Whether you book a short break in a local hotel or book a cheap cruise, the time spent away from normality will be time well spent.

Go all-inclusive

All inclusive holidays offer a nice easy vacation for parents; choose a resort which is children friendly and you will find entertainment for little ones, fully qualified nursery staff who offer evening babysitting so you can enjoy a rare night out alone, swimming pools complete with slides and toys and restaurants with play areas for adventurous toddlers.

Food needn’t be a worry, either, since all-inclusive resorts offer a wide variety of options so you are sure to find something your little one likes. The on resort store will stock everything you need from nappies, wipes and baby jars so if you forget to pack something you will be in safe hands.

All aboard: try a cruise

A cruise is a great way for parents with small children to relax and see a bit of the world.  On board there are plenty of activities for little ones, with special sessions catered to the age of the child.  In addition many cruise lines offer exceptional childcare facilities with nurseries on board and in cabin babysitting, so you can enjoy a little bit of time to yourselves whilst sailing on the sea.

When cruising you get to see lots of different places, so make sure you take a pushchair – however you only have to unpack and pack once, which makes life much easier with a baby.

Self catering in the UK

If the thought of flying or travelling any great distance with your young child fills you with fear, a holiday within the UK could be a simple option.

Booking a cottage with friends who have children of the same age will afford you a nice break with a strong social element.  You can pop the babies to bed and then pour a nice glass of wine whilst ordering take away which relieves the pressure of trying to eat with the children – not always a peaceful occurrence.  Plus if you holiday with friends you can offer babysitting nights, so again a bit of time on your own with your partner to really relax into the holiday.

Leaving baby behind?

A final option for those looking for an easy break and time to relax, is to leave the baby behind with the doting grandparents and book a few nights away in a luxury hotel where you can spend your days sitting in the spa, having a round of golf and sipping Prosecco in the bar on an evening.  All of this and you will be safe in the knowledge that your little loved one is being spoilt rotten by those who adore her as much as you do.

This is a featured guest post by Jane Blackmore, a freelance writer, editor, blogger who likes nothing more than hopping on a plane and showing her three children the world and all the culture that lies inside it.

Om Nom has huge eyes, which make him very loveable, and he looks identical to his onscreen character.  He’s about 7 inches tall, just the right size for hugs and when squeezed he makes the same noises as he does in the game.

Imogen adore him and he sits with her when she’s playing the game and on her bed at night.  The only problem could be that his batteries aren’t replaceable, which seems to be something I come across more often now, but at £9.99 from Amazon he’s cheap enough to be replaced when the inevitable happens.

Their collection of bridesmaid and occasion dresses are like the rest of their girl’s collections, elegant, beautiful and at a very reasonable price.  I opted for the Ecru Sash Bridesmaid dress which is available in sizes 3-6 months right up to 16 years.  Prices vary dependant of size from £35 -£46.

It’s a simple but stunning very pale ivory with a lovely full skirt trimmed with satin ribbon and a 100% silk sash around the waist finishing in a large, pre-tied bow at the back.

Imogen and I also decided on these shoes, again ivory and embellished with large flowers centered with little pearls.

These are available in sizes 3-12 but there is a version for older girls (with the strap around the ankle) which goes from size 6 to an adult size 7.

Imogen was thrilled with her outfit and everybody commented on how gorgeous she looked and she really, really did look beautiful.  The dress was perfect and at £39.00 (size 5) it didn’t break the bank, after all it’ll never been worn again.  The shoes were £17 making her outfit just a little over £50, you wouldn’t even get a dress for that from elsewhere, believe me I’ve looked!

Here’s some pictures of her from the day, professional (non blurry) ones to follow.  Can you spot the fab “Dad” dancing?