The Wish List Blog

Well now the Christmas festivities are well and truly over and 2010 has arrived bringing with it the coldest winter in 30 years along with all that snow, my 3 children and I have had many hours to test out the Christmas toys they were given.

I have 3 children my eldest Miss P,  a girl of 8 followed by Little L, my second daughter who is 51/2 and last but certainly no means least my son, Little H who is 3.  I have to admit when it has come to rainy days I tend to find myself in the kitchen preparing vast amounts of food that could feed an army mainly because I can’t cope with the mess of an Arty Crafty session or just generally trying to keep the peace amongst them.  However I think I now may have changed my mind.

I am not sure if it’s the glue, sissors, tissue paper and general mayhem that exists during an Arty Crafty session but as mentioned it is something I tend to avoid like the plague.  I have this Christmas however been happily proved that afternoon sessions with 3 children can be hugely rewarding and well spent.  We learn to share, take turns and just chat, about everything and nothing.  Music in the background and the odd treat can turn the afternoon into a memorable and precious time, a time to cherish for memories to be fixed for a lifetime with your children.  I realise now that my 3 are growing fast and soon, hanging out with Mummy will not be the most important part of their day.  My extreme turnaround on these sessions is not just a change of heart but also through some of  these fantastic toys that my children were given this Christmas.

Our favourites include: Harumika, Moon Sand, Giant Paper Flowers, Just Dance (for the Wii) Hammer and Tap, Game of Life, Uno Barn, Peppa Pig Spinning Game and good old games like Go Fish, Snap and with my eldest teaching her the pure joy of Backgammon!

The Harumika set is simply wonderful for any aspiring Stella McCartnery’s or Matthew Williamson in fact.  I had not heard of it but my children added it to their wish list on MyWishWand after they saw it advertised on TV.  I have to say it’s brilliant.  Even Little H likes to have a go.  It comes with a good little starter kit which consists of a manakin, cloth, stickers and the magic stick that gets everything into place.  The children can design outfits in minutes, accessorie them and if they really want put their designs on the Harumika Website.  There is no mess, no glue, no scissors just a really fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by everyone, I find it particularly theraputic and styling the manakin is fun.  It’s also great to see what your little darlings think what looks good.  Not sure any of mine will be finding employment in any fashion houses, but you never know!

Moon Sand,  my son was given this by his Godmother for Christmas and I have to say he loves it.  He wakes up asking to play with it, goes to bed asking to sleep with it and if he could eat it I am sure he would.  It is fantastic and all three of them can happily spend a good hour playing with it.  It’s not too messy at all, any mess that occurs is only due to it being knocked off the table and onto the floor and my well loved and used vacumn cleaner sees to it in seconds.  It feels great, very tactile, it forms fabulous creations that work everytime.  No dissappointment with castles toppling over when reveleaed etc.  Great fun at all times

Giant Paper Flowers, again a lovely way to spend getting creative and again no glue or scissors.  Paper is already cut and pipecleaners ready to be used.  Lots of different colours and designs to choose from so you can make endless creations of wonderful flowers.  Sometimes it can be a little fiddly for my 3 and 5 year old but with big sister and mummy on hand we’ve had  no worries and lots of creative fun.

Hammer and Tap has also been a huge hit.  Little H loves this too.  His creations have been fantastic, lots of colourful wooden shapes has given him room to be very creative from Men, Houses, Rockets and pretty Gardens making lovely designs with a safe and fun creative toy .

Now what can I say about Just Dance for the Wii. It’s been fantastic!  My husband saw it on the Gadget Show and thought it was a must for the children.  Mainly because it gets them up and active instead of sitting still playing the usual computer games!  The songs to choose from are great and please all generations.  It gives them a good work out and me too for that matter.  Some are more energetic than others but it gives them a sense of rythum and timing and exercising is now fun fun fun!  I have also been known to have a go when they are at school as a bit of a workout and boy do I feel exhausted afterwards.

Board Games have also been a great way to spend an hour or two with the children.  It teaches them so well the old saying it’s not the winning that’s important but taking part that counts stands for alot.  The Game of Life, twists and turns is fun.  You can choose to Learn It, Love It, Live it or Work It.  The more you learn the more money you make but the more you Love the more LIFE POINTS you receive (which is the object of the game) but perhaps you don’t make so much money and therefore are unable to buy the houses, cars etc but they all love getting married and having children.  I always encourage them to Learn It first so that they get the message that education can open many doors for you and you know what it’s working!  Uno Moo and Peppa Pig spinning Game has been great to introduce Little H into board games and taking turns, sharing, winning and losing.  A win win situation as far as I am concerened especially being the youngest and the only boy with 3 women fussing over him all the time – it’s great for him not always getting his own way, though we are still struggling slightly on the NOT winning front!  Little P has really enjoyed the card games and will now often be found in her room playing patience and listening to music, but what she and I have really enjoyed is teaching her Backgammon.  One of the worlds best ever games and as far as I am concerned you are never to young to learn.  Great for her brain, giving her great skills in stratedgy and planning ahead.  And now she can even beat me, gone of the days of letting her win, she is a fierce and clever opponent and it’s lovely having a game with her.

So that’s it for now.  Rainy Days are no longer dull in our house.  I am happy as I am not clearing up loads of mess, they are happy as they become totally engaged, creative and excited by their creations, performances and sense of sharing!