Since childhood, we have always called a forward roll a gambole but as I have grown older (ahem), I have learnt that this terminology is a very "midlands" thing.

 

The reason I am telling you this is because my darling daughter got out of bed this evening (after she was supposed to be asleep) and said "mommy I have hurt my bottom" When I questioned her about this, she said "well, I accidentally did a gambole and bumped my bottom on my headboard" Trust me when I say that it took every ounce of strength not to burst out laughing!!

 

 

I suggested that maybe she should try very hard not to accidentally gambole around her bed and maybe try going to sleep! She agreed, kissed me good night and went back to bed.

 

The gift of children is truly unique, as is apparently some dialect! Do you have words that have others puzzled or is it really just a "midlands" thing??

I received a delivery today from The Chocolate Moon company. My initial impression when I opened the bag was how impressive the box was. Beautifully presented, undamaged by the wonders of posting (as sometimes gifts can be) and completely stylish.

 

I momentarily didnt want to open it and wanted to give it to someone as a gift but my chocolate addiction wouldnt allow that! I was asked today if I had a craving for chocolate during this pregnancy but I simply replied "I just love chocolate" which is why I was delighted to be asked to review this product.

 

I am digressing here so I will return to the review, I have a penchant for dark chocolate, so was delighted when the "Dark Pearls" arrived. I am presently sitting here, eating the little pockets of heaven (my other half laughed out loud when I called them that) but they are smooth and not bitter like some dark chocolate can be and very very moreish!!

 

The Dark Pearls  are presently on The Chocolate Moon website at the amazing price of £4.95 including the gift box and delivery. I am genuinely delighted to find a gift service that provides high quality products, beautifully presented AND at a reasonable price! We at the Little Lilypad Co always strive to find beautiful things without the designer price tag and The Chocolate Moon provide just this!

 

 

So as I am sitting here, slowly savouring every bite of the dark pearls, I am thinking that aswell as a gift, they would make the perfect after dinner snack. The Chocolate Moon have such a variety on their website, there really is something for everyone. I just need to go through my calendar and work out which friends I need to buy chocolate for ..... because cravings or not, everyone loves chocolate dont they?

A baby is always considered a gift, something to treasure and everyone of them is unique. To some extent, people forget the troubles, traumas and difficulties that some people have even getting pregnant in the first place, as once that bundle of joy arrives, all the heart ache is forgotten (well aside from the sleepless nights, colic and the amount of nappies they get through).

 

So from conception, pregnancy to delivery - each journey is different. My second pregnancy has been very different from the first, so it is not only from woman to woman but from baby to baby too.

 

With 6 years in between children, there are lots of things I have forgotten (possibly some blocked from memory) but I have new things to "treasure", namely SPD, a bigger bump and today's newest arrival, swollen feet ..... errm what happened to the pregnancy glow??

 

So I am lathering myself in cream, wearing great maternity clothes(its an excuse to shop in my book) and giving in to flat shoes!! I was reminded today about a baby bag and hospital bag ..... I am sure at this point I had them packed last time, so maybe thats another thing thats different ....... a more relaxed me??

 

If anyone has any suggestions for the bag, please feel free to suggest .... baby brain in full force :-)

We were delighted to be asked to review two Hasbro games and here are our thoughts:

 

Pop Goes Froggio Review
 
My 6 year old daughter was VERY excited when this arrived as she had seen it advertised on the television and despite seeing the words "Age 3+" on the side, I soon convinced her that as she was "over" 3, it wasnt just for little children. (you have to understand that she sees herself as a BIG girl since turning 6).
 
She was bouncing up and down before we had even got the instructions out of the box and was commenting that she had got "Elefun" and "Hungry Hippos" which are noted on the side of the box. The range of Habro games, Elefun and friends, are very popular in our house, as they are not complicated, not intricate and just plain fun!!

So the premise of the game is to spin the butterfly spinner and when it stops on one of Froggio's friends, all the players look round for the matching picture by turning over the lily pads around the room (we particularly loved the lilypad element). If the picture matches its then a race, DROP the lilypad on the floor, RUN to Froggio and STOMP on the launch pad to pop Froggio into the air ........... but then to be able to keep your Lilypad - you got to catch the Frog!!! This is the part that sounds easier than it looks and was highly amusing!
 
Froggio definately took over our lounge floor, so space is needed but has since been retrieved from the cupboard more than a few times when friends have been round. It is a game that is great for all ages and can certainly lift any mood when Froggio is not doing what you want him to do! Am quite sure that there are a few adults that could get quite competitive with this game, given half the chance.
 
So it is a big thumbs up from us for Pop Goes Froggio and this will definately be a family favourite for a long time to come.

 

Monkey Dunk Review
 
Monkey Dunk! It sounds like bathtime in our house to be perfectly honest so we were all looking forward to playing this game!
 
The game said it was for Age 4+ (which if you have read the Pop Goes Froggio review, you will know age is an issue with the 6 year old) but we swung, like a monkey, past this little detail and the contents of the box were promptly disposed on the floor.
 
The box states "Adult Assembly Required" and until children get the hang of it, I think this is a good recommendation. The instructions werent overly clear but we got there in the end. The aim of the game is to launch your monkeys into the lagoon and collect the most bananas to win. How hard could this be??
 
We admit to having monkey "launching practice", which took the 6 year old a little time to grasp but we were soon all launching our monkeys and the madness ensued! It was great fun and became highly competitive, possibly with the grown ups more than the children. The Elefun popper element adds another dimension as you are ultimately racing against the clock until Elefun pops up! You then continue playing until all the banana tokens are collected.

I think at times we may have tailored the rules a little bit to our own style of play but that is what is so great about a game like this. You can play it differently each time you play and it can be easier or harder, depending on the age of the children you are playing with. So all in all, this was a great 20 minutes of good old fashioned fun, entertaining my own little monkeys with a funny and engaging game.

 

To find more great reviews on these games and other fantastic products, go to www.mummynews.com