Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Activity Toy - Review & Competition

We love Disney, just like most families do. In particular, Mickey and Minnie are firm favourites of ours, we can't help but love them. Over the years we've spent so much time snuggled up on the sofa, glued to the screen watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Is the "Hot dog song" stuck in your head yet? With this in mind I just had to agree to review the Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Baby Activity Toy from Rainbow Designs.

The Disney Baby Minnie Mouse activity toy is suitable from birth and is 30cm long. She is too cute for words, wearing a pink dress, matching pink bow, pumps and frilly bloomers. She's so eye catching with her bold and contrasting colours, just what babies want to see. She's also very soft and cuddly, the perfect snuggle buddy. 

Minnie is not just pretty to look at but she has so many different sensory elements too. She has crinkle ears and a crinkle dress, two colourful plastic hoops, a chime rattle, textured rubber teethers and a baby safe mirror. These developmental activities help to stimulate baby’s senses and aid the development of fine motor skills through play. There's also a hook feature which allows you to attach Minnie to your pram or car seat. I'm such a fan of toys which do this because I don't have to worry about Ava dropping it or losing it in the street.

Minnie has quickly become one of Ava's new favourite toys. I often find her cuddling up to her and smothering her in an onslaught of kisses. She spends the most time inspecting the little mirror on the handbag as she's always admiring herself! The Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Activity toy retails at £15.99 and is available to buy online.

I've teamed up with Rainbow Designs to giveaway a Minnie Mouse Activity Toy to one lucky winner. To enter simply use the Gleam form below. Good luck and don't forget to enter my other blog competitions!

Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Activity Toy

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize sent directly by the PR. 
3. Competition ends 08/04/18.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only.

Fisher-Price 2 in 1 Sit To Stand Activity Centre - Review

Fisher-Price is a household name, one which is loved worldwide and for very good reasons too. Not only do they create innovative toys for little ones to enjoy and learn with but they believe in letting kids be kids. They know how important it is to encourage and nurture every child's individual nature and interests and this is something I strongly believe in too. I think that allowing children to make their own choices when it comes to play is the best way for them to develop, learn and grow.

One of the most exciting parts of being a blogger is being able to try out and review products which have just hit the market. One of my latest review items is just that, the Fisher-Price 2 in 1 Sit to Stand Activity Centre.

The Activity Centre arrived in quite a large box and did require some assembly. This was however very easy and straight forward, we had it up and ready in a matter of minutes. Once set up I was impressed by how sturdy, well made and eye catching it was. I was also delighted to discover that the legs can be removed, this is ideal for when it comes to storage and for transporting.

As you can tell by the name, the activity centre is 2 in 1 product, this makes it great value for money and for longevity of play. Stage 1 is suitable from approximately 4 months old, or most importantly when your baby has total head control. Stage 2 is recommended from 9-12 months old, or when your baby is walking. It can then be used for years to come.

With the Stage 1 feature your baby is able to sit in a padded seat right in the middle of the activity centre. This gives them easy access to the array of different toys and activities which are featured. These engaging toys are in a variety different colours, textures and sounds which help stimulate your baby's visual, auditory and tactile senses. Having 360 degrees of safari themed activities to explore encourages baby to move and spin around in the seat and will provide hours of intrigue, fun and laughter. 

The activity centre arrived the day before her 1st birthday and as she is already walking we decided to go straight to Stage 2. To do so you simply remove the seat and add the spiral ramp, which is one of Ava's favourite features. She likes to remove the three toys which are shaped like bugs and place them down the slide. She is always so excited to watch them tumble down the slide. The take-along alligator toy is also a great addition as it can be removed and played with elsewhere. It lights up and plays 20 minutes of music which is great for having a little dance to! The lion and zebra seesaw is something she tends to be drawn to too but to be honest every aspect of the play table fascinates her. 

Overall we are very impressed with the Fisher-Price 2 in 1 Sit To Stand Activity Centre. Ava absolutely adores it and it's probably one of the only things which keeps her occupied at the moment. This of course makes it a big hit with me too as now I can actually get things done around the house!

It's everything I look for in a children's product, it's fun, it's engaging and it grows with your child. It's a fun packed activity centre when they are babies and once they start toddling it converts into the most epic play table. The Fisher-Price Activity Centre is suitable from approximately 4 months, it retails at £99.99 and is available online now.

- I was sent this product for the purpose of this review however all opinions are my own.

1st Birthday Wishes & A Cake Smash

My baby girl is now one year old, where did the time go? She turned 1 on Saturday, 3rd of March at 5:40pm. We did lots on the lead up to her birthday, including a professional cake smash in a studio and hand and feet casting at home. We've also been so busy celebrating her big day that I'm only just getting round to posting this.

It's crazy to think that she is now one year old. I still can't get my head around it and I think I may be a little in denial. I still look at her like she's my baby but in reality she's more of a toddler now. It does feel like a life time since that I was pregnant with her but it doesn't feel like two minutes ago that I was giving birth and holding her for the first time. Those moments are still so fresh in my mind and they are memories that I'll treasure forever.

Since the day she was born she seemed to fit right in and has totally completed our family. It's been hard at times, adjusting to two children but I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't remember what life was like before her and can't imagine it without her. She's my little bestie, Daddy's sweetheart and Noah's partner in crime. She's such a little character and her aura is infectious, she makes everyone smile. She can now walk, climb, wave, clap, dance, play. She's so social, independent and affectionate, there's really no stopping her!

Happy 1st Birthday Ava, we love you to the moon and back.

How Does Play Aid Child Developmen

AD - This is a PR collaboration.

Play aids in all aspects of child development. Through play, children will develop language and communication skills; understand emotions and boost creativity. Play can take place both indoors and outdoors and within these different environments, children are able to explore and learn about the world around them. I have teamed up with a preparatory school in Notting Hill to learn more about how play can support your child’s development.

1. Play encourages communication

Play gives children the opportunity to develop their speech and language skills, as well as their listening skills. Even when children are playing alone, they often give a narrative or create voices for their toys. When playing with others, children learn the art of communication. This doesn’t simply mean they learn how to hold a conversation, but it also means that they learn how to recognise facial expressions and body language.

2. Play develops cognitive thinking skills

Play presents children with a variety of different problems to solve. For example, which game to play, which character to choose, which friend to play with and which props to use? They may also come up against various risks or challenges within their imaginative world. This is where children need to put their cognitive thinking skills into action. These skills will be useful in many aspects of everyday life, and will benefit them through to adulthood.

3. Play increases creativity

Play allows children to let their imaginations run wild. Through play children can create a world of their own and have complete control over what happens within their world. Whether it’s a role-play game or a craft activity, play provides children with an opportunity to express their personality and explore new possibilities.

Remember play is valuable for your child and good for the whole family to take part in. Try to encourage play as often as possible by incorporating it into everyday activities. For example, let your child play in the bath as you wash them, or play restaurants in the kitchen at dinner time.

My Sunday Photo - 09/52

Project 365 - Week 09/52

25th February 2018


26th February 2018


27th February 2018

28th February 2018


1st March 2018

2nd March 2018

3rd March 2018

It's been one amazing week apart from one thing, Tonsillitis. It really knocked me for six and it took countless phone calls to 111 and my GP to be seen, which was ridiculous. They eventually gave me an appointment and prescribed some antibiotics and thankfully I was quickly on the mend. Illness aside it's been an epic week! We've had countless days and trips out in the snow, snow days where both Nick and Noah have been off work and nursery, world book day and we ended the week with one very special event, Ava's first birthday! I can't believe she's now one year old, it makes me feel so emotional. It doesn't feel like two seconds ago that I was writing my weekly pregnancy updates or her birth announcement. We threw her a birthday party at home, just like we did for Noah's first birthday. I love how they've both celebrated their first birthdays in our home, moments like those really make a house a home. We invited family and a few close friends and everyone had such a great time! Noah was running around the house with his cousins and friends and Ava was lapping up the attention!

What have you been up to this week?