We've been sent the IDo3D Ultra 2 Pen Funky Pets Set for review - this is a 3D modelling pen which sets the 'ink' under the enclosed UV light in less than 1 minute.
Suitable for age 8+, it's a very affordable introduction to thinking and creating in 3D - you can even draw vertically, straight up into the air... 

Inside the I Do 3D Activity Set are 2 x pens in green and yellow, with screw on twist close nibs. There is a 3 bulb UV light which actually clips over the pen to 'light up as you draw', 1 x themed mould/tracing sheet, 1 x plain non-stick drawing sheet and an instruction sheet.

Don't miss the little press-out tool - it is really handy for scraping and shaping the wet ink. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 22nd / 23rd November 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 9,932,408 (+42,484)
In Hospital Yesterday Monday 22nd: 8,088
Using A Ventilator Yesterday: 928
Losses of Life: 144,137 (+165)
Tests: 979,922
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 50,800,732 (88.3% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Doses: 46,186,817 (80.3% of UK age 12+)
Boosters: 15,639,477 (27.2%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 538,255 (+3,661) cases and 5,609 losses of life

World: 258,755,918 reported cases and 5,179,602 losses of life

People in Northern Ireland are being asked to 'work from home if you can', in an effort to bring case numbers down. It has been the official guidance for a while, but ministers are keen to try and keep numbers down and are reiterating with a 'stronger message'.
This is also the guidance in Scotland and Wales - but has not been the case in England since June. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 20th / 21st November 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 9,845,492 (+40,004)
Losses of Life: 143,927 (+61)
Tests: 993,405
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 50,759,550 (88.3% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 46,152,913 (80.3%)
Boosters/3rd Dose: 15,064,693 (26.2%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 524,783 cases and 5,609 losses of life.

World: 257,708,604 reported cases and 5,167,044 losses of life.

"We could have potentially saved over 160,000 of the 180,000 lives lost in the US to COVID since June if every eligible person had been fully vaccinated."
Professor Vincent Rajkumar from the Mayo Clinic, USA

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 17th, 18th & 19th November 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 9,766,153 (+44,242)
In Hospital yesterday 18th November: 8,079
Using A Ventilator 18th Nov: 923
Losses of Life: 143,716 (+157)
Tests: 993,405
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 50,707,953 (88.2% of UK age 12+)
Vaccinations 2 Doses: 46,108,608 (80.25)
Booster /3rd Doses: 14,266,368 (24.8%)

Area: Cases last 7 days / Rate per 100,000 population
Wales: 16,530 / 521.5
Scotland: 21,372 / 391
Northern Ireland: 10,433 / 550.4
England: 222,096 / 392.7

Rep. Of Ireland: 515,691 cases and 5,609 losses of life (not yet reported today)

World: 256,667,497 reported cases and 5,151,787 losses of life.

From today: "travellers who have had a booster or a third dose will be able to demonstrate their vaccine status through the NHS COVID Pass from today. This addition will enable those who have had their booster or third dose to travel to countries such as Israel, Croatia and Austria who have already introduced a time limit for the COVID-19 vaccine to be valid for quarantine-free travel".

Important news yesterday regarding vaccinating children who have had COVID. Always bear in mind it is TINY percentages who are affected - but every child matters.
COVID infection has been found to cause myocarditis in a significant minority of people, especially young people. Vaccination is associated with a very tiny number of cases of myocarditis, mainly in young people. There are some signs from abroad that vaccination when you've not fully recovered from COVID can increase the risk of myocarditis - and obviously that's potentially mainly in young people.
Therefore 12 to 17 year olds ONLY should wait 12 weeks after testing positive before you get your vaccination.
Myocarditis is heart inflammation and most people who get it would only notice if they try and push themselves physically. It usually heals all by itself, but can take a while because you can't rest your heart on a stool while you watch telly - it has to keep working while it gets better.
It's virtually unknown to catch COVID again within 3 months (some countries use it for a COVID Pass), so there is no loss to this, and if it prevents some young people having a hard few weeks or months, or losing their place on a team, struggling to maintain their social life or even actually saves their life, it's worth doing.

I am late (again) with the #TBCSmiles this month, but at least with good reason. It was my 50th birthday on Sunday, something I can't quite believe myself. I'm not saying I don't look or act 50, but I certainly don't feel it inside. 

Inside there is still a small part of me which will always be the little girl, and when I find myself wide-eyed at a birthday cake, or crying an expectant and warming tear over a daft Christmas advert, or just hugging someone hard because I really do love them and miss them, I'm glad. I never want to lose that little girl part of me...

A huge personal thank you to everyone who made my 50th birthday the best ever.... 

This time of year is traditionally quiet for smiles, although Instagram seems to be hiding more and more people from the hashtag! There are 250 less smiley photos than last month, which I don't think can be down to people deleting their photos... If you do share yours, and I don't like or comment by the end of the month, it is probably because I've not seen it. I love to see each and every one, so don't be scared to tag me and call me out! 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 13th to 16th November 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 9,637,190 (+39,705)
In Hospital / Using A Ventilator aren't regularly updated over the weekend
Losses of Life: 143,159 (+47)
Tests: 916,832
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 50,614,550 (88% UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2nd Dose: 46,045,964 (80.1%)
Boosters: 13,147,333 (22.9%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 507,413 (+4,395) cases and 5,566 losses of life

World: 254,873,337 reported cases and 5,126,745 losses of life

Soooooo, Boris must have known I was taking a long weekend off and yesterday we had a JCVI COVID Data Briefing, and then a UK Press Briefing. I'm proud to say I was in the pub having a birthday meal, so I missed them. The UK Press Briefing with Boris was mainly to pass on the latest figures from the Data Briefing, the advice offered by the JCVI, and decisions made based on that.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 10th, 11th 12th November 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 9,487,302 (+40,375) - for the first day in ages, this is an increase.
In Hospital Yesterday 11th November: 8,652
Using A Ventilator Yesterday 11th November: 999
Losses of Life: 142,678 (+145)
Tests: 980,626
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 50,491,701 (87.8% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2 Doses: 45,964,488 (79.9%)
Booster / 3rd Doses: 11,823,643 (20.6%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 490,001 (+5,478) cases and 5,566 losses of life.

World: 252,967,467 reported cases and 5,099,784 losses of life.

"Almost 2 million cases of COVID19 were reported in Europe last week, the most in a single week in that region since the pandemic started.
Almost 27,000 deaths were reported from Europe, more than half of all COVID-19 deaths globally last week.
COVID19 is surging in countries with lower vaccination rates in Eastern Europe, but also in countries with some of the world’s highest vaccination rates in Western Europe.
It’s another reminder, as we have said again and again, that vaccines do not replace the need for other COVID19 precautions."
A warning to the UK and others there from Dr Tedros and the World Health Organisation. 

I love anything which reduces single-use plastic and waste, and my family have been using compostable bamboo toothbrushes for the last couple of years. We hadn't tried Humble before though. They've sent us a selection of eco-friendly tooth and mouth care products to review.... 

The Humble Company products have been developed by dentists and designed in Sweden, and they all use minimal plastic without compromising on hygiene and safety.

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 8th / 9th November 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 9,366,676 (+33,117)
In Hospital Yesterday 8th Nov: 8,900 (DOWN from 9,538 a week earlier, still higher than 8,693 two weeks earlier)
Using A Ventilator Yesterday 8th Nov: 1,025 (Slightly DOWN from 1,030 a week earlier, and up on 913 two weeks earlier)
Losses of Life: 142,124 (+262)
Tests: 920,068
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 50,296,294 (87.5% of UK adults aged 16+)
Vaccinations 2nd Doses: 45,873,038 (79.8%)
Booster /3rd Dose Vaccinations: 10,580,122 (18.4%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 472,547 cases and 5,492 losses of life (not yet reported today).

The total number of people who have tested positive for COVID worldwide has passed 250 million.
World: 251,333,353 reported cases and 5,075,739 losses of life.

"I have concluded that all those working in the NHS and social care will have to be vaccinated."
Sajid Javid, UK Health Secretary, confirming to Parliament that all patient-facing NHS England workers will have to be vaccinated by 1st April next year.
"The majority of NHS workers are already vaccinated, as over 92.8% have had their first dose and 89.9% have had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. In social care, 83.7% of domiciliary care workers have had their first dose and 74.6% have had both doses.
Latest published data shows, however, that over 103,000 NHS Trust workers and 105,000 domiciliary care workers have not been reported as fully vaccinated and the government is urging them to take up the offer now, to keep themselves and those they care for safe."

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 6th / 7th November 2021

UK Daily Statistics:
Cases: 9,301,909 (+30,305)
Losses of Life: 141,805 (+62)
Tests: 914,955
Vaccinations 1st Dose: 50,234,416 (87.4% of UK aged 12+)
Vaccinations 2 Doses: 45,836,791 (79.7%)
Booster / 3rd Dose: 10,062,704 (17.5%)

Rep. Of Ireland: 469,386 (+3,428) cases and 5,492 losses of life.

World: 250,527,992 reported cases and 5,063,647 losses of life.

"An amazing 10 million people across the UK have already come forward for their booster.
We know vaccine immunity wanes over time, so boosters are vital in keeping you and your loved ones protected through the winter.
Please get this lifesaving jab as soon as you are called."
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister.

“I strongly urge everybody who is eligible for a Covid-19 booster or flu vaccine to take up the offer as soon as you can.
For those not yet eligible, please help your parents, grandparents or vulnerable loved ones get their jabs, it could save their life.
And if you haven’t yet had your first and second vaccines, it is not too late, the NHS will always be there to welcome you with open arms.
This truly is a national mission.
If we all come together and play our part, we can get through this challenging winter, avoid a return to restrictions and enjoy Christmas.”
Sajid Javid, UK Health Secretary, with an impassioned speech there, and a belief vaccinations alone will fix the pressure on the NHS.