L.O.L. Surprise Sparkle Doll - Review

Boss Queen - L.O.L. Surprise Sparkle Series 3

This is the season of festivities, and of a much anticipated birthday in our house. The L.O.L. Surprises are perfect for this time of the year. Not only is the excitement high when unwrapping them, but it can also be hanged as part of the festive decorations. How awesome!

The L.O.L. Surprise Sparkle Series doll comes with unwrapping 7 surprises.  Series 3 dolls are dressed with sparkle glitter finishes from head to toe! Each ball can be used as a character stand or as a ball hanging on the tree or in a room.

Feed or bathe your L.O.L. Surprise Series doll to discover if she cries, spits, tinkles, or changes colour! There are 12 dolls to collect. Retail selling price: R430.00

L.O.L. Surprise Lil Sisters - new unwrapping fun

L.O.L. Surprise Lil Sisters

                                                                                                                 Sponsored

Unwrapping and surprises! This is what makes the L.O.L. Surprise range such a huge favourite with girls. The L.O.L. dolls are super cute and collectable. They are great for birthday presents, festive gifts and winter fun right now. We are sure it is going to be one of the top toys for 2019 again!

Chiquita Patrizi, spokesperson for Prima Toys is pleased to be bringing a series of new ranges to South African toy shelves. “We are very excited to be bringing new and exciting L.O.L. dolls and accessories to fans. The new ranges are packed with unwrapping fun and fashion appeal! We know that fans, both old and new, are going to enjoy them,” she says. 

Miss Fine has been unwrapping four of the new ranges that are available. She did it blindly (not knowing what to expect), and the surprises really added to the charm of opening them.

Gift idea for the whole family - FUNKO POPS [WIN]

It's the Season of Giving, the season of spoiling your loved ones. It's sometimes so difficult to get something different and special for those close to you. That's why I love the idea of gifting a special Funko Pop to each of your family members. How cool!! It also won't break the bank especially when the budget is tight this year.

Funko Pops - CC Gammatek

It will be the most fun to choose that special Funko Pop that fits perfectly with each family member. It requires a bit of knowledge and some detective work to find out what they would love the most. The range is extensive; from football players, Game of Thrones, Marvel Superheroes, Disney princesses, DC Superheroes... There's even Sandy Olsson from Grease. She is sooo cute! These collectables will definitely awaken the spirit of starting your own collection.

DC Superhero Toys for Boys and Girls - Great for gifts

DC Superhero Toys

                                                                                                                  #Sponsored

Superheroes are great for imagination and role-play. What little kid (and older kids) does not like a story where we know the hero always saves the day. The hero overcome his inner demons and slay the outer enemies as well. Prima Toys has launched their DC Superhero Campaign, making sure South African fans are not left behind.

It's not a surprise that although DC comics have been around since the 1930s, it still continues to mesmerise and excite fans of all ages, children especially!

“The new range of DC products are going to thrill fans of Superman, Batman, the Flash, Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn, to name a few. There are stretch figurines, ooshies, mash ems and an assortment of dress up costumes for fun role play,” says Chiquita Patrizi spokesperson for Prima Toys.
“Everything in the range encourages imaginative play – it’s all about the super hero universe where it’s all about super powers, fun and hours of play,” continues Patrizi.

We love the characters from the DC Comics universe in their battle to save the world!

The following DC Superhero Toys are great for gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

DC Superhero Toys

Mini Toddler dolls for Girls

DC Superhero Mini Toddler Dolls (credit Prima Toys)

The miniature DC Super Hero figurines stand 7,5cm tall. There are 6 DC Super Hero girls’ collectible figures in the collection, including Bumble Bee, Cat Woman, Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and Super Girl.
RSP: R89.99

DC Superhero Bumblebee to the rescue

Mini Stretch Justice league figurines

The Stretch range are super cool.  There are now mini Justice League figurines available. Each toy can stretch up to 5 times its original size.  It slowly shapes back, ready to be pulled and twisted all over again. Miss Fine has been constantly stretching her large Stretch. I see her taking it to school and packing it in when we go out. It definitely addresses some sensory issues as well.

RSP: R199.99 

Stretch!#primatoptoys#primatoys#livephoto#giphy pic.twitter.com/lCothyJucd

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) August 22, 2017

Dress Up DC Classic and Party Time Costumes 

DC Superhero Superman costume (credit Prima Toys)

Save the day with classic costumes of all your favourite superheroes. Each costume comes in small, medium and large for the perfect fit!
RSP: R499.99

DC Superhero Harlequin costume

The DC Party time costumes and assorted head bands and masks provide the opportunity for children to play as their favourite superhero. I wish I knew of these when we were searching for a spidergirl outfit a few years back. Costumes are available in sizes 3 to 6 years.
RSP: R169.99

Justice League Ooshies

DC Comics Ooshie (credit Prima Toys)

Collect 40 of all of your favourite Justice League heroes including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash as Ooshie pencil toppers. There's a special edition glow in the dark, metallic, translucent and gold plated Ooshies. For ages five plus.
RSP: R49.99

Justice League Mash’ems

DC Superhero Mash'ems (credit Prima Toys)

The Mash-ems are assorted squishy collectible characters that will keep boys and girls entertained for hours. The squishy toys are all the rage, and really helps with sensory processing issues. Ideal for all ages, from 3 upwards.
RSP: R69.99

These toys are available from all major toy retailers. 

We recommend this for all superhero girls and boys. You won't make a mistake adding this to your Christmas wishlist for the kids. 

Play Happy with Shopkins Happy Places and Shopkins Small Mart [WIN]

Prima Toys range of Shopkins Happy Places are all the rage. Little Girls (of all ages) love this. I know, because I am one of them. There is nothing quite as exciting as unboxing a Happy Place of joy. *sic*
It's a special range of dollhouse furniture and home accessories where Shopkins are roomies and Petkins are furniture.

 “Shopkins is a wonderful range of toys for girls, especially those aged five and over. Shopkins are fun to collect, fun to play with and now with the introduction of Shopkins Happy Places, there is a whole new universe to discover,” explains Chiquita Patrizi, spokesperson for Prima Toys.

The following Shopkins Happy Places are available:

Hatching a Mermaid - Coolest ever

Nurchums

Ever since the hatching craze started, Miss Fine Fine had her eye on a hatching egg. Two years back the craze was sold out. We could not even get them from America when my brother came to visit. So we never got around to get a hatching egg. The excitement was high when the Nurchums Hatch Egg arrived as a blog drop.

What she always wanted - a hatching egg!

It was indicated on the package that it was going to be a mermaid, and the countdown started...

Apparently it was going to take a while, even 14 days a-while, which was very long for a child (and Mom). But I was surprised. Miss Fine took it in her stride. She started to mark off the days on the calendar, and everyday there were more cracks starting to show. We got the egg on Tuesday, and by Friday the cracks were large enough to see something inside. We convinced Miss Fine to wait another day, and on Saturday she finally cracked it open. You can see the progress on my Instagram Highlights.

The allure of the hatching toys ticks the box for Socio Emotional Learning (SEL) toys, which teach children nurturing as well as delayed gratification. It also forms part of the collectibles craze, while the surprise aspect also adds to the fun. We knew we were getting a mermaid, but not how she would look.

Miss Fine is still busy growing the mermaid. Apparently you can let her grow, and when we take her out of the water, she will return to original size.

Nurchums are also available in Dinosaur ranges, as well as Fantasy figurines. Great for girls and boys alike. 

This is perfect for a birthday persent, as well as a Christmas present. They retail for R89.99, which is fantastic! This is my best go-to birthday present and Christmas gift option sorted for the upcoming year! They are available at Plasticland, Toy Kingdom, and other independent toy shops and can also be purchased online at Takealot and Loot.

For more information, visit Pollywiggles

Disclaimer: We got this as a blog drop, but I was not asked to paid or write this.
                    This is just too good not to share!
                   

All I want for Christmas...

Christmas wishes

Is all I have!

It is always difficult for me to decide what I want for gifts! It is sometimes much easier to buy presents for other people. I also usually buy the things I love the most. When someone asks me what I want, I usually can't think of a thing!

That's what makes me so grateful!

Festive Giveaway with the Bring Disney Home Campaign

Bring Disney Home

Disney and holiday cheer! Disney and fun! Disney and magic! We have already started a Christmas movie binge-watching tradition this year. The whole family is re-living Disney memories or experiencing them for the first time!

Disney’s Bring Disney Home retail campaign started from 13 November already. It will run until 31 December at all major retailers.

"With Disney’s seasonal cheer hitting stores, expect to see some brand-new Disney friends as well as some firm favorites -  from the brand new Disney Emoji range to your favourite princesses, there’s toys, apparel, games, DVD’s and so much more, a perfect gifting solution the whole family."

To celebrate the festive cheer, Disney Africa has given us one stunning Princess hamper valued over R1000 to give away!

It's a Cake Party with Play-Doh Kitchen Creation range

Play-Doh Kitchen Creation - Cake Party #PlayDohImagination

Hasbro has come up with another great range of creative play! Who would have thought that these little cans of Play-Doh clay can be used for so many things? The Kitchen Creation range is inspiring mini-chefs all over!

Little Miss was extremely excited when she got her box "Cake Party" last night. For once there was no whining (talking about the parents) and the homework was done in a flash! Before she started to play...

The new Kitchen Creation range consists of 13 playsets, such as Play-Doh Sizzlin’ Stovetop, Play-Doh Magical Oven, Play-Doh Frost ‘n Fun Cakes and Play-Doh Ice Cream Treats. 

Play-Doh Cake Party time is all about making imaginative cakes to celebrate any occasion, using stories, decorative cutters and tools to make the most fabulous cake creations. Little Miss loves helping out in the kitchen and this is a perfect way for her to sharpen her decorative skills. (Without leaving the kitchen in a mess! WIN-WIN)

Festive season wishes at Toy Kingdom do come true!

Toy Kingdom Festive Season wishlist
Kalvin Kodzwa, Little Miss with Zoomer Kitty and Dad

                                                                                                                     #SPONSORED

Little Miss has been wishing for Zoomer Kitty since last Christmas. Every time we went to Toy Kingdom, we had to search for it on the shelve. It was unavailable for quite a while. We also had to ask each time at the counter on her request about Zoomer Kitty and ask them to order it!

When we got the opportunity two weeks back to select toys from Toy Kingdom's Festive Wishlist, it was super easy! The Hasbro Furby, as well as Zoomer Meowzies and Zoomer Chimp from Just Fun Toys are on the list, but Little Miss still wanted the Zoomer Kitty. Luckily Zoomer Kitty is in stock again!

We checked out some of the toys on the list. (The list is included below).  Kalvin Kodzwa at Toy Kingdom Sandton was super helpful. The choices are stunning!

Furby Connect #TKFestiveWishlist

Choices! Choices!

Hot Wheels Lego

Monopoly

Build a Bear
(Marked for next time!)

Fascination!

She stayed with her first choice and Little Miss got her Zoomer Kitty! The whole MomAgain@40 clan is allergic to cats, and this is the nearest we will be with having a cat in the house!

I am super impressed with some of the things Zoomer Kitty does, and has caught myself speaking to it! But unfortunately it does not recognise voice commands! (*Stupid blush*) It feels like we have an extra being in the house!

Part of the fun - opening a toy

Thanks Toy Kingdom!



If you are stuck with all the amazing choices of toys this festive season, Toy Kingdom has made a Festive Season gift guide (see below) available in store OR even better yet; Get a Toy Kingdom gift card!

A magical Christmas at Toy Kingdom! #giveaway

Sylvanian families

Disclaimer: A Toy Kingdom R 1500.00 gift card to spend, and the choice also available to a lucky winner through Rafflecopter!

Little Miss wrote her list to Father Christmas two weeks back, and based on that we could guide her through the difficult task of picking a Christmas present at Toy Kingdom. 

The variety is overwhelming! Even as a parent I am lost when confronted with all the options.

Luckily Little Miss has a doll's house (point 4) on her list.

Star Wars is launching on 16 December and it's exciting (to the parents, not the child - it seems ;-)) to see all the Star Wars goodies in store. We showed her the Star Wars goodies, as well as all the LEGO building sets, but Sylvanian Families won easily!

Star Wars treats!

The Sylvanian Families that got chosen:

Sylvanian Families Country Tree School R899.95
with the Chocolate Rabbit Family and the Chocolate Rabbit Baby R89.95

Plus the Rabbit Baby with Crib.

Little Miss can't wait to start playing with it! 

One reader of this blog can also win the same Sylvanian Families listed above OR the LEGO Star Wars Imperial Shuttle Tydirium (R 1 399.00).

Enter through Rafflecopter. The winner will be announced on 4 January! (Unfortunately not in time for Christmas, but great for a New year present! Now it's a thing!)

Only open to South African readers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Two days to go before Christmas

Little Hoot Christmas

Two days to go...

We are counting the sleeps!

I am going to be off at work, and it is going to be family time!


How cute is this Little Hoot?
The Little Hoots team  used a Little Hoot from the app to make this Christmas decoration.
If we had better postal services, I would have loved to order it!

Mysmartkid Christmas box winner

And the winner of the perfect Christmas box...

A smartbox by Mysmartkid is...

(Sorry Lynette, the answer is up until 6 years.)


Drawn via Random.org:

The winner of the Mysmartkid smartbox is

Congratulations!

Adele

Please send me your details that I can forward it to to the MSK store.
They will contact you to send an age appropriate smartbox!


Related post:

Give your child the perfect Christmas box, a smartbox! Giveaway

Give your child the perfect Christmas box, a smartbox! Giveaway

Mysmartkid is a subscription based early childhood development programme.
It seems to be a good option to consider for a Christmas gift.
(Please let me know if you are using this?)

Mysmartkid is a subscription-based continuity programme at a cost of R295 every two months, which uses toys, tools and play-based activities to promote school readiness and the reaching of key developmental milestones in the field of early childhood development. 

The Mysmartkid programme is also offered in Afrikaans as Myslimkind.

I’m  giving one lucky reader the chance to win a x 1 Mysmartkid smartbox filled with educational toys and activities. All you need to do is comment on this post and tell me up to what age the programme caters for?

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, 19 November.

For more info: MySmartkid
                          Myslimkind
Facebook:        Mysmartkid


There is a review over at Becoming You: My Smart Kid review

Last minute gift ideas for Christmas

Little Missy has given us her list of stuff she wants for her birthday and for Christmas. 

We just need some time to go and buy it...

This year it is going to be less expensive gifts than the previous year. One present for a birthday, and one present for Christmas are more than enough. 

This year it is about the family time spent together, which we are seriously looking forward to. 

The iStore has a great gifting section for last minute Christmas ideas. It is worth checking there for great gifts for children AND adults.

Little Missy got these three cute gifts which are great gadgets to have.

Griffin KaZoo AUX Cable for Kids (and adults, because we are using it as well)

Connect most audio devices with a 3.5mm stereo jack with this Griffin Technology KaZoo auxiliary cable that features a caterpillar/butterfly design to add a touch of fun. 

Griffin Crayola MyPhones

I especially love these, because they have a built-in volume limiter, which makes me feel safe to leave the Little One in peace playing with her games on the gadgets. We are always arguing about the noise level, but when she has the ear phones on we don't have to worry that it will is too loud for her ears.

They came with stickers and markers, and Little Missy really enjoyed brightening them even more!

Griffin Crayola Color-A-Folio for iPad mini 

Crayola's Color-A-Folio lets you customise your iPad mini case with fabric markers.
We would have liked a greater selection of colours, but the colour combination works extremely well.

Now I just need to go and buy that iPad mini! (Thanks for the nudge, iStore!)

Disclaimer: We received these three gifts in this cute little suitcase, which is very Cool indeed!

Nintendo 2DS - a great Christmas present

I was invited to a Nintendo 2DS launch a while back. I was intrigued as I am not a gamer, and usually get bored after a few tries with a new game. Although I personally think it is great to be into gaming, and that I usually look at gamers with a little bit of awe.

I accepted because I thought this would be great to check out for a Christmas present for the Little Missy. Her birthday and Christmas are around the corner, and this year we haven't decided yet on what to buy for her...

The Nintendo 2DS is part of the Nintendo 3DS family, and all the games and features of the 3DS are also available to the 2DS, minus the 3D viewing. The rest of the tech details can be Googled in a jiffy. (It sounds awesome to a layman like me.)

"Work is catching up with the way we play." 

"Love it or hate it! We are always "on"!"

These two quotes are true of the times we are living in!

I was surprised at the many features that are already available on the Nintendo. It is great that it connects over Wi-fi and updates automatically. Every time I have played with it, I have discovered a new feature. I welcome the idea that there is a lot to discover. I know that it will keep Little Missy busy for years to come. (Mom as well...)

It has a two-sided camera, and a sound recorder. And a shop. And settings that allows parents to ensure that their children does not incidentally opens up it up in unwanted websites...

Little Missy immediately gave us some Miekanese when playing with it for the first time.


  (Warning: the sound is a bit loud when switched on)

We also got the Mario Bros game with it. That is one of the most well-known games, apparently? Now I won't go all blank when Mario comes up in conversation, as I did previously. Mario is keeping us busy already!

The games are going for R79, which also makes it great future presents that is not heavy on the budget.

The Nintendo 2DS is available for R1500 in the South African stores. It is not that cheap, but compared to other gaming consoles and tablets on the market, it is a reachable amount as well as a durable present. It does not break when it there is an accidental fall on the floor. (Big score!)

I am telling my friends about the Nintendo 2DS to consider as a Christmas present this year!


Disclaimer: We got this Nintendo 2DS to play with, with a Mario Bros game included.

Related post:

Wordless Wednesday #203 - Nintendo 2DS keeps 'em busy

Wordless Wednesday #203 - Nintendo 2DS keeps 'em busy

Wordless Wednesday #160 - #BlogSecretSanta spoils

Related post: 

What I want for Christmas #blogsecretsanta

Early Christmas

We had an early Christmas here. 

Part of the family is not going to be with us next week!

We had two days of family get-together events this weekend. 

This IS the festive season!

It is definitely part of the festive traditions that I want to impart on the Toddler:

-          It is a time of family and togetherness.

-          It is a time of giving.

-          It is a time of fun.

-          It is a time of love and peace and rest!

-          It is a time focusing on our children.

-          It is a time of reflection and renewal.

-          It is a time of telling stories.

The Toddler is going to have a week of presents with her birthday coming up on Wednesday...

What Christmas traditions are important to you?