London Sky Ride 2010

So glad I did it, but not sure I would do it again next year. We set off at about half 9 this morning. Unfortunately, we didn’t take into consideration engineering works on the rail lines so we had to cycle from St. Pancras to the start of the route. But in my true fashion, I chatted up the nearest cycling savvy guy I could find and he escorted us to the start of the London Sky Ride.

Overall, it was fab. We got to sail by a lot of London’s great landmarks; St. Pauls, Millennium Bridge, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. We also managed to wangle a full English breakfast at the Embankment café. Unfortunately, as time went on it got a bit busy so we high tailed it out of there! I was shitting myself but we cycled up Charing Cross Road and then along Euston Rd. Honestly, it was a piece of piss. Now, I’m tempted to pop into London with our bikes again. A great way to see the city!

Yes, that upright Piano was a bicyle!!!

Toddler Tech: Recommended sites for toddlers

I’ve attempted to make this page toddler friendly.  Ideally toddlers should be sitting in your lap.
Warning:  You will never have a moments peace on the PC ever again!

P.S. For the Jackson Pollock one…to change colour hit the left mouse button and to clear the screen hit the space bar.

This is a work in progress.  Let me know of any others in the comments section and Madame will give them a test drive and then I’ll add them!

Fisher Price Cbeebies
Animatch Knee Bouncers
Pollock Poisson

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I’m Getting Crafty! Painted Pebbles

It’s probably no big surprise but I’m not very creative, unless I’ve had a skinful of wine!  It’s not that I don’t enjoy crafts; I just have troubles coming up with the inspiration.  I’ve spent a lot of time on the internet trolling for ideas but I always come a cropper when it comes to having the right supplies in the house.

I’ve always been intrigued by the craft ideas that @redtedart posts on twitter so I’ve asked the lovely Maggy to drip feed me an idea each week that I’ll try.  Our children are similar in age and she’s tried the activities with her own children so I stand a chance of having success!  If you haven’t already you should check out her site….she compliments every craft idea with a children’s book review.

Here was my first craft challenge Painted Pebbles.  However, I prefer to call them Rock People!  I really liked the idea of moving the eyes around to make different expressions.

Note: make sure you have all of your supplies before you start…I had to make a mad dash to Wilko’s as I didn’t have any googly eyes or bluetack!  It did give our rocks a chance to dry though.

What do you think of my first attempt?

Then we decided to throw caution to the wind and adlibbed a bit.  I think they’re fab, we all enjoyed making them and we just finished showing our rock family to Grandma in Canada on Skype!  Thanks Maggy!

Do join in and give it a go!  I’d love to see what you come up with.

My Top Ten Iphone Apps for Toddlers

I’ve just returned from Canada, which is a 9.5 hour flight with a toddler.  She’s nearly 3 and I couldn’t have done it without my Iphone; even though we were told that even if we put our phones in flight safe mode we were not allowed to use them at any point during the flight, which I think is a load of bull!  If they interfered with flight communication I’m sure pilots would demand that they were taken off of everyone! Anyhow the dolly birds didn’t notice.

Here are my top ten apps.  What are your favourites?

Toddler Teasers (Shapes)

My daughter now knows what a hexagon is!

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Animatch

Good old game of memory.  I was surprised she coped with this one.

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Circus Find

Help the clown find his nose. This one is slightly irritating for those adults in the room.

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Count TV

Can’t beat the classics.  Number 9 is a scream.

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IGo to Farm

Interactive trip through the farm.

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Itsy Bitsy

Splash in the puddles and see who pops up.

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Peekaboo Farm

See who pops up in the barn.

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Pocket Story

Read the story yourself or it will read it to you.

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Sound Shaker

Weird but amusing.  Tap the screen and then shake it.

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I Hear Ewe

Exploring animal sounds.

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These are not all free.  Unfortunately, I can’t remember which ones I paid for.  Worth every penny though.

Note: If you want to do screen captures like these on your iphone just hold down the home button and then press the power button.

No Running Please!

Whoops!

We went to Bekonscot Model Railway Village this morning in Beaconsfield, Bucks.  It’s a bit expensive as we could only stay for half a day (£8.50 per adult and £5 for children over 2).  But if you went for a whole day and took a picnic it would be worth it.  However, you can get a voucher from Lets Go with the Children that will get one child in for free for every paying adult.  I had troubles printing the voucher but just printed the website and it was fine.  As you can see by the slideshow below Madame really enjoyed it and so did her dad!