DVDs for Xmas

My kids have always loved getting DVDs for Christmas. In fact it is something of a running joke in our house how they make a beeline for the "DVD shaped boxes" under the Christmas tree.

In the run up to Christmas I will be reviewing several DVD titles as well as hosting a giveaway or two. I hope it will give you some potential gift ideas  or just put you in the mood for one of my favourite past times - snuggling up on the sofa with the family to watch (as my 3 year old daughter would put it) a gweat feeyulm. Get the popcorn ready, here we go...

Humf and the Fluffy Thing

Humf is a British made animated children's TV series that airs on Nick Jr. Each episode is 7 minutes long and features "fluffy thing" Humf as he discovers the world around him with a host of other loveable characters that make up Humf's family and friends.

It has a very accessible story telling style with Caroline Quentin doing a fantastic job of providing the narration. The simple animation and catchy background music make it ideal for pre-schoolers. I particularly like that the stories deal with the sort of situations that young children encounter and the voices of  Humf and his friends are provided by children. Humf may be a small purple furry thing but he is very easy to relate to.

The DVD includes 10 episodes plus a bonus disc with a further 6 episodes - plenty to keep little ones entertained.

For more DVDs for Xmas ideas see:

Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz

Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom - The Tooth Fairy
Peppa Pig - International Day and Other Stories
The Littlest Angel

Scoot n Pull

Everyone wants their children to be healthy and have an active lifestyle. I never like to discourage my daughter when she asks to take her scooter to the park but I know that she will tire and I will end up carrying it. I was intrigued by the Scoot n Pull which promises to eliminate this nuisance. I was sent one to try out.

The Scoot and Pull is really just a strong strap with a D loop and a handle. You put the strap around the vertical bar of the scooter, thread it through the D loop and tighten to secure. It is then ready to pull your child along on their scooter when their little legs have had enough of self propelling. It is as simple as that.

The strap is really easy to put on and off (which is vital because it would be a potential hazard to leave on when not in use). The handle part is comfortable to use and it is brightly coloured.

As a bonus, looping the  handle over back wheel of the scooter whilst the Scoot n Pull is still attached effectively creates a carrying strap (although this did not work on our scooter because the wheels are unusually large and chunky).

For us, there was an additional bonus. Unlike my son, my daughter doesn't seem to have much of an intuitive grasp of steering. When I am pulling her along, she can concentrate solely on the steering (which hopefully will allow her improve enough to not grow up into one of the cliched 'women drivers'!)

The video shows how we got on when we road tested our Scoot n Pull on a trip to our local supermarket. You will see that it is a very simple but effective device that did exactly what I needed it to do.

For more information on Scoot n Pull visit www.scootnpull.co.uk

Head Lice? No thanks.

With four daughters already having made their way through the school system, I am no stranger to the horrors of unwanted, six legged guests taking up residence on scalps. How is it that even thinking about head lice makes your scalp itch?

My youngest daughter is only just starting out on her school journey and I am bracing myself for the dreaded letter home warning of an outbreak. 

As well as regular checking and combing with lots of conditioner, there is now another weapon in my arsenal against the parasitic creepy crawlies - Linicin Prevent Spray.

Linicin Prevent Spray is suitable for use from 2 years to adult, is non toxic and contains no insecticides. The colourless spray has a not unpleasant odour and can be applied daily.

I would not be comfortable about overusing this product regardless of the reassurances that it is completely safe but during periods of high risk of infestation a quick repellent squirt would be infinitely preferable to the alternative of hours of combing or using the chemical treatments to be rid of the beasties. I would also be strongly inclined to use this product to prevent re-infestation. One application should last 7 hours and each bottle contains enough for approximately 30 applications.

The spray is easy to use and completely unnoticeable. Whether or not it is effective in repelling lice I can't say with any certainty until I find myself at war again but it is a very welcome addition to my medicine cabinet. Let those monstrous little bugs do their worst. I'm ready for them!!

For more information visit http://www.linicin-headlice.co.uk/product-details-prevent-spray.php