My 6 year old is becoming a confident writer now. He's speeding up and isn't intimidated with having to write sentences or lists,and we're really proud of him. Our nearly 5 year old is still at the stage where writing his name is great, but anything more is tricky, so requires a lot of effort.


Correct pencil grip is vital at this stage so that neither of my boys have bad habits from the start. Holding the pen or pencil correctly means less strain on your hand and arm, neater handwriting and more pleasure from writing. Stabilo have a great range of products to help children who are learning to write, and they've sent us some for review.

This Spring half term the Imperial War Museum North, at Trafford Quay in Manchester will be hosting a series of activities designed for children, and focusing on War At Sea. Entry to the museum is FREE, and the extra activities this half term are FREE - with no need to book. We were invited to have a preview last weekend with our 4 and 6 year olds, and they loved it.


We've been to the Imperial War Museum North a few times now, and my boys always enjoy looking at the exhibits and seeing the Big Picture Show, but the special events for school holidays really are so well done, they're always the highlight.

First we were all taken into the main space, and had story time underneath the Harrier Jump Jet. This was really different, really cool, and actually gave the children a chance to sit and look around them while the story telling was taking place. It wasn't too distracting, but it made us very aware we were in the museum, rather than being off in a white-walled room that could be anywhere.

I thought maybe my boys were growing out of playing with Green Toys vehicles, except for in the bath and sand pit where they're always popular, but the Flatbed Truck & Race Car is a bit different and has caught the attention of even my 6 year old, despite being a toy suitable for 12 months and over.

Over the past few months time for myself really has gone out of the window. I have just been too busy, too stressed, too sad. I felt like it was a long way down the list and just didn't find the time.

I had realised that my face was getting very dry, and I'd told myself several times that I really needed to return to more regularly using a suitable moisturiser. As I'm now approaching my mid 40's, I can use all the help I can get.


Oz Naturals asked me if I'd like to review their range, and it really was the push I needed to focus on myself for a few minutes each day. They asked me to review the 20% Vitamin C Serum, 5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Super Youth Eye Gel. These are used alongside your regular moisturiser.

My Little Pony is back on DVD this Spring in the second installment from Season 2 of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic -  May The Best Pet Win. First seen in 1983, My Little Pony has stood the test of time, one of the few toy brands who can survive and hold their place for over 30 years.


May The Best Pet Win is the story of how Rainbow Dash organises a 7 round competition to find out who the best pet is for her. It's a challenging contest, and the final battle is against Rainbow Dash herself at 'Ghastly Gorge'.
As ever, it doesn't go quite to plan, and during the race Rainbow Dash finds herself in trouble when her wing becomes stuck under a boulder. She is about to give up hope when she is rescued by an unlikely saviour.....

A while ago LEGO were getting a lot of pressure to consider gender roles and the stereotyping that tended to take place in LEGO sets. LEGO are very good at listening to their customers and fans (there's an address for feedback on the back of every leaflet). Not only are they good at listening, they're good at acting on it too.


Recently women have been portrayed more and more often in stronger character roles and aren't just extras walking past or needing to be rescued. They aren't just there to cook or be 'Mum', they're an integral part of all kinds of sets, and they're doing the same stuff as the male characters.

The Baby And Toddler Show is back in Manchester in a month's time, and for the third year running I'm delighted to be able to offer my readers the chance to win a pair of tickets.

The Baby And Toddler Show North West event takes place 6-8 March at Event City, with the South East event at Sandown Park on 17-19th April.

LEGO are now well-known for their minifigures, but it's taken a while to get to this point and they've tried out several different shapes, sizes and designs of figure during the last 40 years. Back in 1974 LEGO released their first ever LEGO Family, and at 3 years old I had one. I remember it arriving, and opening that box of treasure.