Funko Pop! Wetmore Forest Monsters - Review

AD - We were sent these products for the purpose of this review.

Collectibles, books, and soft toys - oh my! Those are three things Noah and Ava adore, so Wetmore Monsters have ticked all the right boxes for them, right off the bat. What are Wetmore Monsters I hear you ask? Well, In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, there's a wooded area known as the Wetmore Forest - where the rain never stops, and the trees are plentiful. Underneath the acre's of trees, shrouded in mist and fog, live an array of critters known as Wetmore Monsters.

Wetmore Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique personality which are bound to excite and intrigue children this Christmas, and beyond. There are six Wetmore Forest Monsters;

Picklez

Picklez has energy to burn and a gift for lightening up a serious mood. This green, long-eared rascal loves nothing more than a little good-hearted mischief. Extremely speedy and smart as a whip.

Butterhorn

Butterhorn is a gentle monster who always sees the best in everyone. Easily excitable, she loves an adventure. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book, you can usually find her hanging out with her best friend Snuggletooth.

Chester McFreckle

Chester loves to solve a problem. He has a seemingly bottomless curiosity and a habit of taking things apart and then putting them back together again!

Snuggletooth

Snuggletooth is a natural leader. Brave and determined and fiercely protective of all those who are close to her. She is a true friend – honest, trustworthy and dependable.

Tumblee

Tumblebee sees the world through the innocent eyes of a child – marveling at simple beauty. He is strong and loyal and generous with hugs.

Bugsy

Being the smallest member of the group, some of the other monsters feel a certain protectiveness toward Bugsy. A keen-eyed explorer and joyful observer, Bugsy is always eager to help out in whatever way he can.

The Wetmore Forest line is exclusive to John Lewis and the range consists of books, plushes, and Funko Pop! figures. We were sent one of each for the purpose of this review, which was a great way to introduce Noah and Ava to the story behind Wetmore Forest. We received the large Picklez soft plush and his personality matches Noah's to a tee - it's a match made in heaven. The large plushes retail at £26.99 each and are super soft, and cuddly.

We also received a Butterhorn Funko Pop - RRP £9.99 and a hardback book - RRP £8.99. I have to admit, I was delighted to receive ButterHorn because after reading about the characters, I fell in love with her in particular. She has such a sweet nature, and is a lovely little role model for children.

The Funko Pop figure has gone straight onto Noah's bedroom shelf and Ava has asked me read the book countless times already, it's endearing to get a little insight into Wetmore Forest and to get to know the monsters. Purchase these items now, exclusive to John Lewis.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Children

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Last week, I posted the first in my annual Christmas gift guides; Christmas Stocking Fillers and Festive Treats for Children and Christmas Gift Ideas For Foodies & Festive Tipples. They are both proving to be very popular, so following on from them is my Christmas Gift Ideas for Children. There's so much variety here that I can guarantee there's something or every child.

1. Orchard Toys Pop To The Shops & Magic Spelling - from £7.99

Christmas wouldn't be the same without a couple of games from Orchard Toys - it's become a yearly tradition of ours. We have countless of their games already and the kids play with them almost every day without fail. Pop To The Shops and Magic Spelling are both games that are suitable for Noah's age and are bound to give him a boost when it comes to literacy and numeracy. There is no better way to learn than through play.

2. Children's books from Quarto Kids - from £4.45
A book makes a great gift, especially at Christmas and even more so when they are Christmas themed. Quarto Kids sent the kids four of their newest releases; The Snowbear, The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker, Look Up At The Stars, and Greta and The Giants. They are all beautiful books, ones that have a feel-good message, and they are all going to be wrapped and placed under our tree this Christmas.

3. Johnson's Cottontouch Gift Set - £12.00

This is the perfect gift for any little one experiencing their first Christmas, or for an expectant parent. The Johnsons Cottontouch gift set contains everything a little one needs for a gentle bathtime, ideal for their sensitive skin. It retails at just £12.00 and contains Cottontouch Face and Body Lotion 500ml, Cottontouch 2-in-1 Bath and Wash 500ml, Cottontouch Extra Sensitive 56 Wipes and a Cotton Changing Mat. It's available to buy now at ASDA.

4. Angry Birds Island Challenge - £27.99

Fans of Angry Birds will have so much fun with the official Angry Birds Island Challenge slot car racing game. Suitable for children from 3 years of age, and with adult supervision - two players race against one another, around the figure of 8 track. I can imagine Noah and Ava having so much fun with this on Christmas day.

5. Baby Shark Dancing Plush Shark Doll - £24.99

Destined to be popular this Christmas - children can now sing and dance to the music with their own Baby Shark Dancing Plush Doll. It spins, dances, and plays the ever so popular Baby Shark song. You can also tap call his name, tap his head or clap to get a reply! You can purchase one right now at Amazon or instore at Smyths.

6. My Fairy Garden Nature Garden - £25.00

Christmas is all about magic, so how about gifting the magic of nature with the My Fairy Nature Garden? Children can decorate and design their own fairy garden and grow their own edible plants from the seeds. The set includes two fairies, animal friends and lots of other fantastic accessories. It's currently on offer on Amazon - grab it while you can.

7. Hape Childrens Wooden Shopping Trolley Cart - £45.00

This wooden shopping trolly from Hape is perfect for children who like to indulge in role-play games. I like the contrast of the natural wood, bright colours, and fabric basket - it's so attractive looking and has a gender-neutral colour scheme too. I'm sure it's the quality that I've come to expect from Hape - their toys are always built to last. It's suitable for children from 3 years of age and measures 42.8 cm x 30 H50.4cm.

8. Playmobil Tiny Paws Pet Hotel - £49.99

Playmobil has been popular with children for generations. The Tiny Paws Pet Hotel is suitable for children from 4 years of age and is the perfect place for Playmobil animals, both big and small. There are so many ways to play with this set - it features both an interior and exterior section, connected by a door for the pets. There's a room inside for all the animal supplies, a reception, a kitchen and more. Outside there are lots more accessories and activities to enjoy. Included are an array of different figures, animals, and accessories including food, toys and even a seesaw for the dogs.

9. Fuzzikins School Pop-Up Playset - £24.99

Fuzzikins are so much fun - a great gift for children who like to colour and be creative. The set pops open to reveal a school, with built-in furniture, a playground, classroom, and dining room. It comes complete with four students (hamster, lamb, monkey, mouse) and a wise owl teacher all of which can be coloured in with the washable pens and there are colours and stickers to decorate the school too. Perfect for storytelling and hours of creative play with endless possibilities of personalisation. Simply create, rinse, re-colour and play! You can purchase the Fuzzikins School Pop-Up Playset online in most toy stores and on Amazon.

10. So Bomb DIY Bath Bomb Vanity Case - £14.99

Have you ever wanted to make your own bath bombs? Well, now you can with So Bomb DIY Bath Bomb Vanity Case! Make your own fizzy creations using the brightly coloured, glittery powder and decorative sprinkles - then mould! Every ingredient is coloured, fragranced and measured out - making it quick and easy to create. The So Bomb DIY Bath Bomb Vanity Case has three 6cm bath bomb moulds and plenty of ingredients to create bath bombs until your heart is content.

11. Pixie Belles - £16.99

Do your children want a pet? How about compromising and gifting them their very own Pixie Belle this year? They are the cutest interactive creatures that are said to bring you love, light, and lots of fun movements. There are 3 Fun Modes; Nurture Mode, Pixie Power Dance Mode, and Spin Mode and include interchangeable and wearable tails. There's also a heart-to-heart connection between a Pixie Belle and their owner, so make sure to keep them close. There is so much more to learn about these cute critters - order yours today.

12. Little Brian Paint Sticks 2-in-1 Art Station - £29.99

Perfect for all those little budding artists out there - the Little Brian Paint Sticks 2-in-1 Art Station is great for getting creative, all without the mess! There's no need for brushes, or water, any of the mess that you usually get with painting. The art station itself is portable, easy to fold, store and comes with a handy clip. Contents also include; 6 Classic Paint Sticks, 6 Chalk Sticks, 10 sheets of paper, 1 duster. 

13. Disney’s Ariel Sing & Sparkle Doll - £34.99

This is an Ariel doll with a difference - one that I imagine to be very popular this Christmas. Such a beautiful doll, one which shimmers from head to fin - the glitter in her tail really glitters and shines. Press Ariels shell necklace to hear her talk and sing the songs we know and love from the film. Available to buy now at Smyths or online at Amazon.

14. Pokémon Battle 8 Figure Multi-pack - £24.99

Pokémon! Gotta catch em all and you can with the battle figure action pack! Containing 8 different figures, they look very realistic, articulated, and ready for battle. Children will have so much fun collecting these and the other packs which are available.

15. Guess How Much I Love You Personalised Mug & Gift Set - £13.99 & £24.99

This story is a favourite of ours, the same can be said for many other families across the UK. The Guess How Much I Love You Book & Toy Set - RRP £24.99 contains a small version of the book and soft toy. It's ideal for new babies, toddlers, children, any child who you think would enjoy the story really. The personalised mug, also from The Personalised Gift Shop costs £13.99 and can feature any name you like. Both items would make fantastic Christmas gifts and keepsakes too.

16. Tonies Starter Set - £69.95
No screens, wires, tricky buttons - bedtime and daytime stories have never been so easy. Available in multiple colours, Toniebox is a revelation and bound to please kids and parents alike. Children can listen to childhood classics like The Snowman, or new classics like The Gruffalo buy simply placing tonies figures on top (figures are sold separately.) The Toniebox is also soft to touch, meaning they can be snuggled up to at night, yet they are tough and hard-wearing - great if your children are a bit more rough and tumble. Once the story has ended, Toniebox will turn off automatically. Perfect for at home, and on the go - I can see why it's on many children's Christmas lists' this year.

Which of these items do you like the sound of the most?

Teaching Your Child to Respect Other Cultures

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Empowering your children with knowledge about other people and cultures will enable them to grow into respectful, empathetic adults who value diversity. Your child will be exposed to peers with different ethnic backgrounds and religious views and it is important that they learn to celebrate these differences whilst remembering that everyone is equal. With anything you try to teach your child, it is imperative that you lead by example. If your child sees you discussing other cultures in a respectful and knowledgeable manner, they will be more likely to adopt these traits themselves. An independent school in Buckinghamshire has shared their advice on introducing your child to other cultures.

World Celebrations
Why not start by investing in a calendar and marking down major religious and cultural festivals from around the world. On the day of each of these events, you could set some time aside to discuss each festival and how it is celebrated. You could even have your own mini celebration at home, decorating accordingly, and listening to culturally appropriate music. This is a great activity to get the whole family involved.

Get Cooking
You could also teach your children about other cultures through food. This would be great to tie into the previous point as you could have your child help you prepare traditional food to enjoy on the day of each celebration. Using different ingredients that you wouldn't typically use will expand your child's palette and give them insight into a part of the day to day lives of people from this culture. You can teach your child how the food is typically served and how it would be eaten, an example being with chopsticks.

Bedtime Stories
For younger children, you could introduce storybooks that focus on cultures other than their own, normalising hearing about other cultures from an early age. As your child gets older you can choose books together or and they can begin to read independently about other places and people. This will teach empathy for others as they will hear stories from the voices of people from different backgrounds.

5+ Reasons To Visit Turkey Next Year

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When it comes to countries to add on your bucket list, Turkey should rank quite highly on it. In 2018, just under 40 million people from around the world visited Turkey. The country was also once ranked as the 6th most popular tourist destination in the world!

There is much to see and do in the country. Turkey is a place of both historical and cultural significance, and it’s one of those countries that you’ll want to visit more than once in your lifetime. If you’re unsure whether Turkey is the right country to add to your list of nations to visit, take a look at these five-plus compelling reasons:

The beaches

Many people lead their lives, wondering whether such a place as paradise exists on Earth. Did you know that many coastal areas of Turkey come close to what those people might consider paradise? The tranquil waters of the Mediterranean Sea, for example, offer tourists the perfect place to swim or travel by boat. At the same time, the beaches along the Turkish coast provide the ideal setting for a day of relaxation.

The bazaars

Turkey is well-known for the hustle and bustle of its bazaars. They are fascinating places to visit, pick up a bargain, and generally soak up the culture, atmosphere, smells, and energy of everyday Turkish life! Many Turkey tours that are guided will include a visit to some of the country’s most popular bazaars. Just don’t get carried out with your spending, or you might not have enough room in your suitcase to take home all your day’s purchases!

The value for money

One of the many reasons millions of people visit Turkey each year is that it’s a place where money will stretch further than anticipated. The country offers excellent value for money, especially when it comes to food, accommodation, and transport costs. Even in tourist-centric areas like in city centers, you’ll still find the price of things reasonable and within your means.

The history

Turkey is a country rich in history. The Anatolian peninsula, which covers most of Turkey, is one of the oldest settled regions in the world! Turkey is heavily influenced by Arab and European culture, and there is evidence of that virtually everywhere you go within the country. If you’re someone that likes to visit historical places of interest, and those of cultural significance, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

The food

When it comes to dining, food in Turkey is very flavorful and varied! The country’s signature dishes boast Middle Eastern, European, and Asian influences, and so there is something for everyone to enjoy in Turkey. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an omnivore or you stick to a plant-based diet. There is an abundance of dishes and vendors to provide them that you’ll seldom feel stuck for ideas.

The people

Last but not least, there is much to say about the people of Turkey. They are some of the most welcoming, hospitable, and friendly human beings ever to roam the Earth! Many people will go out of their way to help tourists, chat with them, or even invite them to their homes for some tea! Have you ever been to Turkey?

My Sunday Photo - 48/52

A Visit To Santa’s Fantastical Post Office - The Mall Blackburn

AD - We were gifted tickets and paid for our time, however, all opinions are my own. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - everywhere you go! It really is, and we couldn't be any more excited if we tried! We have so many festive activities and days out planned for over the next few weeks, and our recent visit to Santa's Fantastical Post Office at The Mall in Blackburn has really set us up on the right foot. It's truly a magical experience and has added even more excitement towards this festive period.

Santa's Fantastical Post Office is located in the heart of The Mall, across from the 'Ask me' desk - it's very easy to find, however, booking is essential and you can do so by visiting the website. Prior to this, we had a spot of coffee at Costa, while the kids wrote out their Christmas lists - I'd advise you to prepare this before you arrive unless there's another opportunity to do so before you go inside.

The attention to detail is evident as soon as you spot the red door of the Fantastical Post Office and from then on you are in for a real treat. It's a live-action, interactive show which lasts 15 magical minutes - you won't want it to end.

Once inside the post office, you are greeted by the Post Master Elf who speaks to each child individually, takes their letter, rolls it up, and sends it to Santa through a magic shoot - they are then given a stamped letter to take through to Santa. The room looks magical, decorated to the nines, and there are a few surprises in store - ones that I don't want to spoil for you. 

Children are paired up in small groups for this experience, however, the elves and Santa speaks to each child individually. I think having a group of children together makes it even more exciting as they really bounce off one another's energy. Each child gets to walk the red carpet to Santa, is spoken to in a very gentle and kind demeanor, and presented with a gift. Noah and Ava left the room with the biggest smiles on their faces. It was priceless.

Santa's Fantastical Post Office costs £9.95 per child, it opened on the 23rd of November and will remain open up until Christmas Eve - select dates only. Visit the website to check dates, times, and most importantly, to book your session - it's certainly not to be missed.