Thursday, July 25, 2013

Playing, having fun & doing the things that matter

{User Experience}

I still remember the good old days when my mum would use cloth diapers with my younger siblings. I was always amazed by the nifty way she used to fold the napkins, so that it is extra padded in the centre. I used to be able to help her fold it too, but now, I can’t repeat the feat at all.

I remember too the way she would hold the diaper in her fingers, pulling it gently away from my siblings’ tummies, and then secure this huge safety pin to keep the cloth together. In those days, we used nappy liners to keep the diapers from becoming too soiled. Every day, the diapers will have to be washed, dried, folded and put away in one neat pile for future use. A lot of time was spent on that. I mean, a LOT of time. That’s why I had to be roped in to help hasten the process.

Nowadays, we have the luxury of disposable diapers. Yeah yeah.. I’ve heard all about how environmentally unfriendly they are, but to me, washing cloth diapers is equally unfriendly to the environment too, with the soapy water and the electricity used to power the washing machine. I like convenience. I like disposable diapers. I like the fact that I do not have to think about washing, so that I can focus on the things that matter. Like spending time with my little kiddos.

The quality of the diapers play a big part too, in helping me do that. I use Drypers DryPantz for EV. And recently, I had the privilege of trying out the new and improved Drypers Wee Wee DRY. It contains the new 4-in-1 botanical extracts of aloe vera, chamomile, Vitamin E and olive extract. You can almost picture how soothing these diapers can be, in addition to being comfortable and moisturising. All the goodness of baby bum health, in one convenient diaper.

AA was equally excited about trying Wee Wee DRY. See how he’s checking it out?

Drypers 5
With DryPantz, we had a great experience. It assisted us a great deal in toilet training EV. The experience with Wee Wee DRY is equally awesome too. It helps keep AA’s bums extra dry, thanks to the breathable cloth-like cover, fluid distribution layer and zip dry core which efficiently draws urine away. This means that AA can keep dryer for longer, which means I don’t have to spend more time changing diapers, leaving me with more time to do the things that matter.

Drypers 4
What I really like is the new flexi-tape feature. I like its big size and I notice that it serues the diapers extremely securely. I do not have to worry that it will loosen. Again, this takes the stress out of having to constantly check the diapers, which means I can focus more of my energy to playing, or even dancing with EV & AA, before they both grow up too fast.

So what is AA’s verdict? See him happily dancing here? I think that means a resounding ‘yes’!

Drypers 1
Instagram Campaign
Share a photo or video of you spending time with your little ones, and you could win for yourself Drypers Happy Packs!

Simply upload your photo or video on to Instagram, hashtag #timeforfamily AND #drypers. Your photos will be aggregated on to Drypers Singapore’s Facebook page. Get your family and friends to vote for your photos or video. Who knows? You could be one of the winners!

Closing date is 31 July 2013.

Disclaimer: We received products from Drypers for this review. All opinions and images are my own, based on my authentic user experience.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Play Learning Tuesday: Hide & Seek with Alphabets & CVC Words

In our constant efforts to teach EV and AA that fun need not come in the form of toys that you buy, we always try to create new things for them to play using recycled stuff. That always poses a challenge, as we keep having to crack our heads to create new fun ideas that the kids like. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but we never stop trying. And when something works, and works extremely well, we have lots of fun too. It's almost like we've transformed back to being kids.

So I'm extremely elated to be sharing this fun play learning idea that is simple to make, doesn't cost much, and is great for developing literacy.

Hide cover
Here is what is needed:
- ice cream sticks
- paper plates
- coloured markers

I first decided on a few words to start off this fun game. For EV's age (she's 3.5), she's working on her CVC words. So I wrote several matching CVC words on ice cream sticks and paper plates. To practise her alphabet recognition, I also write matching letters. The alphabet game can also be something fun for AA to do.

Hide 1
The moment EV saw me with the sticks and plates, her eyes lighted up, and she just knew mummy had something fun in store for her. I hid, or rather placed, the paper plates randomly around the living room, so that it is not too difficult for EV to find them. Then I let EV choose the ice cream sticks from a plastic cup, instructed her to go seek the plates with the matching words and letters, and then off she went! At times, she couldn't find the matching paper plates, but when she did, the look of pure joy on her face is simply priceless.

Other times, when she was having trouble, I would give her hints, like 'the word 'rat' is around the coloured mats', and I would stand in that area as I speak. This trains her listening skills and understanding of prepositions such as 'near' and 'around'.

Hide 2
AA joined in the game too, with mummy's help of course.

Hide 3
This game can be extended too, for:
- numbers
- words with four letters and above
- shapes and colours
- Chinese character recognition

Just let creativity take the lead and you will be surprised just how much you can do with ice cream sticks and paper plates.

This game really is a lot of fun, and managed to keep both kids occupied for about an hour. I'm so glad they liked it. We hope your kids like it as much as EV and AA did. Happy playing & learning!!

What fun learning activities have you done with your kids this week?

*****

What is Play Learning Tuesday?
Play Learning Tuesday is a weekly linky hosted by Toddly Mummy where bloggers are invited to share their child-friendly play, learning and craft activities. Taking part for the first time? You might like to read the guidelines here first.


Toddly Mummy


Linking up with:


Tot School No Time For Flash Cards Activities for Children Lessons Learnt Journal Kids Co-Op Tuesday Tots

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Kids' Day Out @ The Grandstand: YogaBugs, Piccolo House & TreeHouse Cafe

Remember our visit to The Grandstand? Last time, we shared about our adventures at Kiddy Fun, Art Grain and My Kid's Spa. This time, let us continue with the second half of our adventure.

YogaBugs
By the time we popped by, EV was getting extremely tired. Still she gamely participated and did the various yoga poses that the pretty instructor demonstrated. According to her, yoga is beneficial to kids because it helps to encourage learning and development. Rather than yoga that adults like me are used to, YogaBugs uses a combination of storytelling, action songs and yoga-inspired moves. Instead of using the usual names for the poses, the instructor used animal names like kangaroo, lion and so on. This was more receptive to the kids rather than downward dog, tree pose and the like. I think EV was so amused, she was actually having quite a bit of fun, despite her tiredness.

Grandstand 10 Yogabugs
The kids even gathered together to 'row a boat'. Later the mummies joined in too.

Grandstand 11 Yogabugs
Overall, the room at YogaBugs was really cosy and tidy, with ample space for little kids to run around. I like the little craft features they put on the wall too.

Grandstand 12 Yogabugs
Piccolo House
We also popped by Piccolo House, which specialises in little furniture for little ones. Anyone who is looking at re-designing the children's rooms will find this a fantastic one-stop shop for beds, mattresses, pillows, wardrobes, shelves, desks, lamps, rugs… basically anything you want. We love the whimsical designs of some of the furniture here, and there are lots of specially designed cushions and bags to choose from too.

Grandstand 13 furniture
Treehouse Cafe
The tiring day ended with a sumptuous lunch at Treehouse Cafe. I have heard lots about this cafe, and I was really delighted to be dining here. EV was famished by the time we got here, so I ordered her favourite sausages and mash for her. As for the mummies, we got a taste of about eleven of their signature dishes.

My favourite though included the Caesar Salad ($14 + $4 for smoked chicken/salmon) and Prawns with Garlic, Chili & Olive Oil ($14).

Grandstand 14 treehouse cafe
The Hawaiian 10" pizza ($20) and Braised Lamb Shank ($26).

Grandstand 15 treehouse cafe
Another good choice was the Rosemary Chicken served with tomato basil sauce ($18). Because the cafe is frequented by three-generational families, they also offer Asian favourites like Curry Chicken with baguette ($15). The filling meal was topped off with Tiramisu, Movenpick ice cream and Chocolate Lava Cake. I'm not a coffee person, and I opted for strawberry ice cream, but the Chocolate Lava Cake.. hmmmmmm, yummy!!

While this mummy was busy digging in, EV went to check out the rest of the cafe. She loved the well-designed play area, and couldn't stop playing 'cashier'.

Grandstand 16 treehouse cafe
Personally, I also like the various design features around the cafe that fit the theme so aptly.

Grandstand 17 treehouse cafe
DaddySay came to pick us up, and we left The Grandstand, feeling tired yet satisfied. We will definitely be back again.

Disclaimer: We were invited by Openrice.com and The Grandstand to attend the Kids' Day Out @ The Grandstand event. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions and images are my own.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Play Learning Tuesday: Fun with egg cracking & peeling

Egg peeling cover

Doesn't this picture just make you feel like having 'fun'?

EV really did had fun playing with eggs, cracking, stirring, peeling, and lastly eating. It is a great sensory activity to show the difference between an uncooked and cooked egg. It makes the learning more real.

Egg peeling 1

Of course, the real fun EV had was when she got to eat the egg at the end of the play. It's amazing how this has instilled in her a new love for eggs.

Egg peeling 2

What fun are you having with your kids this week?
What fun activities are you doing with your kids this week? Do share!
*****

What is Play Learning Tuesday?
Play Learning Tuesday is a weekly linky hosted by Toddly Mummy where bloggers are invited to share their child-friendly play, learning and craft activities. Taking part for the first time? You might like to read the guidelines here first.


Toddly Mummy


Linking up with:


Tot School No Time For Flash Cards Activities for Children Lessons Learnt Journal Kids Co-Op Tuesday Tots