{Mothercare, St Enoch Centre & BabyK - a review}

Last week Mothercare opened it's new store in Glasgow's St Enoch Centre and it's now Mothercare's largest city centre store in Scotland.

The littlest and I were delighted to be invited along for the launch where we met TV presenter, singer and fashion designer Myleene Klass. Myleene designs the BabyK range for the store, which is now in it's 12th season.

Isn't Myleene just so glam! She was super friendly and we really enjoyed chatting with her.

The new St Enoch Centre, Mothercare is over two floors. The ground floor is focused on the fashion with the celebrity collections BabyL and Little Bird by Jools Oliver. The upper floor has all the baby gear that you can imagine - prams, baby baths, nursery bedding etc - as well as toys from Early Learning Centre. There are lots of offers in store at elc just now too as this year marks their 40th birthday.

Littlest and I love a bit of bling and this star embellished top is amazing. 

Can I have one in my size please!

And the jacket and boots too!! 

How cute is this t-shirt that features Myleene's two girls! Myleene has been looking at various stock photographs for the t-shirt and then decided to use a photo of her own girls instead. It's beautiful. 

We were allowed to choose one item from the BabyK range to take home with us, and the littlest picked this gorgeous swimsuit and hat. We love it. As soon as we got home she was insistent that it was put on so it could be tried out in the bath. And then it was worn the day after too for our swimming lesson! The gorgeous flower print is really colourful and I adore the addition of the 3D fabric flowers. The swimming cap is just the perfect finishing touch - so stylish! The swimsuit fitted the littlest really well and she was nice and comfortable whilst in it.

With her Cup Cake Lil' Cutesies Lulu Doll all ready for the pool!

@Glasgow_Mummy she looks absolutely fantastic! X
— Myleene Klass (@KlassMyleene) May 2, 2014

We received a complimentary item from the BabyK range and a Mothercare gift voucher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions, as always, are my own. 

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

{#JanuaryJoy - try making pasta}

'Try making pasta' is another #JanuaryJoy prompt I'm not able to do, just like the baking bread, because of the paleo-inspired diet I'm trying. Basically, for just now I'm not eating bread or pasta in an attempt to improve my Crohn's symptoms and help with weight loss. I should also be cutting down on dairy, but I'm yet to manage that too!

Instead, the kids and I will get creative with dried pasta and I'm going to make some sticky pasta pictures and try making some jewellery with macaroni and penne!

{image source}

{image source}

{Glasgow What's On: Ghoulish Gathering}

Details of this Halloween event that's happening this weekend arrived in my inbox and I think it looks rather good, so thought I'd share with you all here:

Ghoulish Gathering at Sparkle Horse hosted by Rowdy Roddy Vintage

October 26th, 12 noon - 4pm

16 Dowanhill Street, Glasgow, G11 5QS

Halloween games, pumpkin carving, home decor & Halloween costumes!

And if you can't make it along on the day, Rowdy Roddy Vintage have a variety of outfits and Halloween goodies here on their website. I'm loving this 'Mummy's Little Misfit' T-shirt!

{Wonder World, Kinning Park}

Last week I took the kids to Wonder World for the first time (99 Middlesex Street, Kinning Park). Turns out they were pro's as their dad has taken them here before, but it was all new to me!

We were there on a Thursday afternoon, and parking wasn't an issue - I found a space easily right outside. I can imagine though that when it's busy that it could be an issue as it's on-street parking rather than a car park. I paid just under £10 for entry for the kids, which I think is ok given all the activities inside.

I literally couldn't believe the size of the place when we walked in - it's gigantic (just checked their website, and it's apparently the biggest soft play in Glasgow). The ceilings are so high and the space is immense. This is the type of venue that would panic me if it was busy - I'd be terrified of losing them (I know it's got a locked exit, but you just never know!).

Thankfully it was quiet and my friends and I picked a table that gave us quite a good view of the area.

Littlest enjoying the Moon Crater

My friends and their little ones in the Baby & Toddler Zone (just in case you think I'm taking photos of random strangers and their kids!)

The toilet facilities were clean enough...lots of cubicles and sinks with stools for the little ones!

Dora the Explorer even came out to say Hello! 

Can you see the yellow slide in the middle...I went down it with my eldest and it's steep when you're at the top!!! My heart was absolutely racing by the time I got to the bottom (I did do it a couple more times though!!).

Eek!!

There's one other drop slide which was an even steeper gradient, but thankfully it was shut!

I didn't have any food at the soft play, but spotted a family with a pizza, chips and nachos and it looked & smelt decent. You can have a look at the menu here. They also serve Starbucks coffee.

I really don't think I'd like to come here if it was busy and would make a point of avoiding it at the weekend. We timed our visit quite well and the children that were in the soft play were all of a similar age, but I can imagine it would be rougher if there were older ones about.

One negative point was the music. I heard the song Icona Pop, I Love It at least twice whilst I was there and it wasn't a radio edit. With lyrics including 'You're from the seventies, but I'm a nineties bitch' and 'I threw your shit into a bag and pushed it down the stairs', I just don't think it was appropriate for the age of the children that were there.

Have you been to Wonder World before, what were your thoughts?

{Cafe Ceramico}

Last weekend the kids and I headed to Cafe Ceramico (24 Albion Way, East Kilbride) to check it out. I'd been before, but that was when I just had one small baby in tow and it was to get some handprints done. This time I was hoping that both my toddlers could create a masterpiece for taking home :-)






























We arrived at 10.30am for it opening, and we were the only ones there. Ideal! The kids had a play in the small soft play area (there's a ball pit and a platform to climb up onto) whilst I sat observing with a cup of tea. We then chose our pottery shapes - eldest picking a car and the littlest a cat (£8 each) - before being settled at the table by one of the staff. We chose to use the acrylic paints which meant we could take our creations home the same day. The kids got help to put on their aprons, were instructed how to wash their brush in between the different colours and were then let loose.





A group of 5 year olds arrived for a birthday party shortly after we started painting, and my son ended up joining them for lunch (mortified to say the least!), but it kept him occupied. Otherwise I don't think we'd have stayed for as long as we did. I think we left around 1pm.

Whilst my son was off enjoying his birthday tea (!!) the littlest and I had a bite to eat ourselves. The food was alright - I had a cheese & Branston toastie and my daughter had a ham sandwich with crisps and juice.

The staff were lovely and the kids had a ball. They were delighted with their pieces that they took home with them and both proudly picked a spot to display them in the house.

{Day Out - Briarlands Farm, Stirling}

Yesterday we visited Briarlands Farm at Blairdrummond, near Stirling.

It was the first time I'd been and it was brilliant!!

As it was a Thursday and the schools are back, the farm was quiet which pleased me - less stressful. It reminded me of Heads of Ayr Farm, but for the age that my kiddies are (4 year old and 2 year old) Briarlands Farm was better in my opinion. Not sure it would be as good for older school-age kids.

Briarlands Farm is a large enclosed area and it's pretty flat which means you can easily see toddlers that run off or keep an eye on the older ones if they head off to a different play spot.

Included in the ticket price are a variety of different animal tours throughout the day. We did animal handling and animal feeding whilst we were there.

There are plenty of activities to keep little ones amused for a day (we arrived at 11.30am-ish and left at 4pm). They both loved the jumping pillows and the go-carts. My favourite part was whizzing round the track with both kids on the go-cart next to me laughing their heads off.

The Farmer's Den Tea Room was well equipped and the food was lovely. I had a baked potato with tuna & sweetcorn accompanied by coleslaw, crisps and side salad for £6.50 and the kids had beans on toast (£2.50) and a half sandwich with crisps (£2.25). We went back later on in the day for a wee treat and a cup of tea... cakes were lovely too!

Everything was well laid out, facilities were clean and I was genuinely really impressed. The staff were also friendly and helpful.

I'd definitely go back.

Here are some of our pics from the day:

Littlest on the jumping pillow

Feeding the noisy pigs!

On the digger (this was the only activity you had to pay extra for, and it was £1 a turn)

Patting the guinea pig

In the sand pit.

My attempt at a panorama shot to give you an idea of the layout of the farm

The facilities in the cafe were great. Plenty of toys to keep the kids amused whilst lunch is being prepared (which didn't take long, another plus point).

The go-cart track!

Littlest waiting patiently for mummy in the two seater

{Guest Post: Fun Summer Recipes}

We all want the best for our little ones, including a healthy diet. Feeding them a variety of different foods can be very difficult when you have financial restraints, work commitments, and many other factors to consider. Sometimes, by our own admission, we are guilty of whipping up ‘something quick’.  Looking for some summer inspiration to keep them full of goodness and recipes they will enjoy joining in with? Look no further. Cooking is a skill for life so introduce it to your little ones with these creative culinary delights.

Fruit Ice Pops

These are perfect for hot days and ensure your little ones aren’t getting any of those icky additives the shop-bought ices may contain. You can also make these up any fruit that is close to spoiling.

You will need:

•        Ice Lolly Moulds
•        Diced fruit
•         A blender or masher

1. Chop up the fruit of your choice. Strawberries and watermelon work well together, as do peaches and mango. Then, add them to a blender.

2. Blend the fruit until smooth, and then pour the thick liquid into your lolly moulds.

3. Freeze them for 6-8 hours, or until fully frozen, then enjoy!

{image source}

Banana Bagels

Whether you take these on a picnic, or serve them as a treat breakfast, banana bagels are a perfect way to give your kids the fuel they need while tasting delicious.

You will need:

•        One bagel per child
•        Peanut butter or Nutella
•        Banana slices

1.  Cut each bagel in half as you would cut a bread bun and toast it until warm and slightly crispy.

2. Spread each half with your peanut butter or chocolate spread, then add 6-8 banana slices. Serve open, or put both halves back together if desired. Simple!

{image source}

Rainbow Salad

A delicious salad filled with a rainbow of colour to get your child the nutrition they need in the most colourful 

form possible!

You will need:

•        Shredded lettuce
•         Grated beetroot (around 50g)
•        Three grated carrots
•        Sweetcorn 
•         2 red peppers, one cut into strips and one diced
•        If desired, some lean bacon strips, cooked.

1. Each salad should be prepared separately for maximum effect, so pick a bowl for each child.

2. Following the principles of the ‘rainbow’, layer your ingredients in the bowl, starting with beetroot at the bottom, then lettuce, then sweetcorn, then carrot, followed by red peppers on top.

3. Top your salad with the bacon and serve!

{image source}

About the Author

This article was written on behalf of Galt Toys. Galt Toys have been manufacturing toys for over 175 years, and know a thing or two about toys…and having fun!