Metal Mummy

I am so ridiculsouly happy. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy about cartoons in my life.

My daughter is FINALLY getting a good taste in cartoons. Finally. She’s moved away from the, frankly crap, toss that she used to be stuck to and has opted instead to watch the good stuff. What’s more is, I didn’t even have to coerce her! She CHOOSES to watch good cartoons of her own accord! I’m well impressed.

We were recently sent an Olympic goodie pack, which included a DVD of Scooby Doo! Spooky Games and some little sports day-esque props, including a couple of bean bags and a couple of sacks. For now, they’ve had to be put away but I’m sure Freyja will love hosting her own sports day soon.

For now, the Scooby Doo! DVD is being watched.

And watched.

And watched.

I’ve had to clean the grubby fingermarks off it 3 times already.

With an all-new 23 minute hour episode about a ginormous statue that comes to life, Fred becoming a pole vaulter and Shaggy breaking the record for sprinting, it’s a fab episode that we both thoroughly enjoyed. Over and over again.

There’s also a handful of episodes of Sccoby’s All-Star Laff-A-Lympics although we haven’t watched much of those yet because Freyja can’t quite get past the Spooky Games without wanting it on repeat.

Freyja’s Scooby collection is slowly growing, and this makes me happy. There’s nothing like an old school cartoon and I’m so chuffed that this one is still going.

***We were sent one Scooby goodie box for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own.***

I’m not sure who’s more in love with the products by Orchard Toys – Freyja or myself – but one thing’s for sure; when it comes to tidying and sorting through Freyja’s toys, the OT games and jigsaws are the first things I head for.

Their latest game, Monster Catcher, suitable for ages 3 and up, is no different. To be perfectly honest, the pieces are a bit of an arse to put back in the box (compared with other games) – it’s almost as if the box isn’t quite big enough, so unless you meticulously place them in, in straight lines and snug, you’re not going to get the lid shut.

As for the game itself, Freyja enjoyed playing it just like she does her other ones, which are all still firm favourites for indoor days. She particularly loves the vibrant colours of the different monsters and enjoys counting their eyes.

The basis of the game is to match the colours and catch the monsters, although beware of the monster catcher who is trying to take them off you! Freyja has loved having a game of this today – I’ve really had to try and not play it without her – it arrived last week whilst she was swanning off in France with her grandparents!

As always, Orchard Toys have done it again and will continue to remain one of our recommended choices for educational games. We love them.

***We were given one Monster Catcher game for the purpose of this review. All opinions herein are our own; I almost did play it before she came back home. I’m just THAT sad***

What can I say, really? I’m Freyja’s in love.

Ever since this arrived on our doorstep, she has had it on her table THAT SHE’S SUPPOSED TO EAT OFF so that her fairy bodkins are never too far away. She has even made sure that Santa brings her something else to go with it this Christmas *Note to self: Ask Nanna seeing as you’ve already spent a fortune in the Disney store*

When I saw the price of these playsets, I’m not sure what I expected. I’ve always seen wooden dollshouses and things costing wayyyy over what they should, so at £28, I don’t think I was expecting the Earth.

It came flatpacked when James was in hospital. He’d caught some sort of viral thing and decided that the best thing to do, would be to drive to the hospital with blurry vision when I was at work (real clever…) On my return, instead of doing the good wifey thing and go to be by his side, I opened the flatpack and built the tower (hey, I knew he’d be home. I rang the hospital. Don’t judge me!)

It takes a little while to build and does test a feeble woman’s DIY skills (mine) but I got there in the end after failing miserably at the roof. Mr. Virus was home and fixed that for me. But the outcome is so beautiful, I knew Freyja would be over the moon. For less than £30, I can’t actually believe it.

The attention to detail is wonderful; there’s little pull out fairy beds and mini cupcakes that sit on mini plates with a mini cup of tea that can be enjoyed on a mini chair. So awesome! The set doesn’t come with fairy bodkins, but I bought these separately because there’s no point having a super fairy tower if you have no fairies to live in it.

These fabulous sets from dollshouses.co.uk are quite literally, amazing. I already have my eye on one, maybe two, more sets (much to James’ dismay – he thinks toys are clutter and Freyja has enough as it is. Clearly, he’s deluded. Toys aren’t clutter and she has nowhere NEAR enough…)

***We were sent one Fairy Tower for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own. I really am in love.***

Me: Freyja, can you stop winding up Kali please?
It would appear I have a daughter who is skilled with the comebacks… Already…

Freyja: Mummy! Stop annoying Kali!
Me: I’m not annoying Kali
Freyja: Well, stop annoying me then!

Ever since the first billboards went up to advertise the fourth instalment of the Ice Age series, Freyja has been a teeny little bit obsessed with it. Try telling a 3 year old that it isn’t on the “Big TV” yet so there’s no need to go to the “Big TV” until it’s out. Their concept of time is none existent, so even telling them “next week” doesn’t get you very far.

It was even worse last week when I stupidly thought it was out nationwide on the 6th, when the release date had, in fact, been frozen in England and so wasn’t actually on at the cinemas until Friday. Tomorrow. My daughter will be SO pleased.

In the meantime, we have been treated to a lovely goodie bag full of stuff to occupy her. An activity pack, water pistol, stickers and a cool little lunch box have kept her busy. She loves the water pistol (although we haven’t had the weather to actually use it yet).

Then, much to our surprise, another awesome gift dropped onto our doormat this morning – the Ice Age complete collection of films from 1 to 3. I can’t quite explain how much Freyja adores these films so her little face lit up when she saw this. Such a fab surprise!

Also in the pack is “The Sid Shuffle” – which, until we actually watch it, I can only imagine is a tutorial given by Sid so that you can learn his moves too. Cute!

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift is out at the cinemas tomorrow, the 13th July. Make sure you take your kids to see it – Manny, Diego and Sid (LOVE HIM!) are back and this time, are having to use an iceberg as their raft after their continent has set adrift. There’s loads more characters to be introduced to in this one, including a load of swahsbuckling pirates and Sid’s gran.

We’re really looking forward to seeing this one. If only to shut up the child and her incessant whining about going to the big TV nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Edit: I have just watched the Sid Shuffle. I cannot guarantee I won’t be doing this whilst at the pub after one too many. Freyja doing it is a dead cert.