#Week10 Feature Wednesday 'Melted Pony Bead Jewelry'

Thank you for everyone that got involved in yesterday's #Week10 'Feature Wednesday' Link Party. 

You all have wonderful & inspirational ideas - it's so great to see your sharing them.

Congratulations!
This week's winner is Jennifer over at 'The Life of Jennifer Dawn'. Wife and mother of three, Jennifer has found a way to use the colourful, classic 'Pony Beads' in a fun and unique way. Low cost, easy and useful for so many projects - anyone could do this.

If your a lover of home-made crafts and D.I.Y gifts, this fantastic post will give you endless ideas with the simple 'pony beads'. 

To read Jennifer's post on 'Melted Pony Bead Jewerly', please click HERE.

#Week 10 'Feature Wednesday'

#Week 10 of 'Feature Wednesday' has arrived. Thank you for everyone who entered last week's feature post.

If you have a post you would like to share live on 'Mama Bee Simple', simply add your link at the end of this post. I have selected a small group of topics to cover this week's linky party.

I do like to create a theme each week however any links related to activities, food, lifestyle & children is fine.

#Week10 Theme: #Colours #Numbers #Alphabet #Learning #Education #Activity 

The most suited link will be chosen by the end of the day and I will feature your post at 'Mama Bee Simple' as well as all my social network sites.

Mama Bee knows that you all have some wonderful creations and spend so much time wanting to share so here is a lovely opportunity!

Colour Match Chart

Numbers, colours, shapes and the alphabet. Nearly 2 years old, all of these important topics are finally being recognised & introduced through fun games and activities. Leon has been learning his colours this month and I'm amazed how many colours he has learnt already. (Including Grey, Brown, White!) Now that Leon has been using his first set of real 'felt tip pens' we needed to test them onto some good quality paper. (We are using Paper Cutz). I drew some simple circles , using mainly primary colours. The idea was to match the colour on the circle with an object(s) - Buttons & feathers in this case :) When I handed the sheet to Leon, his first reaction was pointing the colours and shouting each name. I told him to match the buttons and feathers to the colourful dots and he soon realised the game! This activity lasted about 20-30 minutes - and his concentration was incredible to watch! Really simple, really easy to do and your child will learn so much from this.

The fantastic quality paper we used was from Paper Cutz, a website who supply a wide choice and variety of craft and art paper supplies. - Perfect for those creative toddlers! They also send the paper straight to your front door, no fuss just ready to be used for anything imaginative!

Here is Leon having a go a the 'Colour Match Chart'. Remember to reuse them!

Abbotsbury Children's Farm

What a wonderful family break in Dorset, plenty of activities and outdoor play for all of us to enjoy! I have never been to Dorset so this break away was exciting. The 3 hour journey might have felt long but towards the end the scenery made it enjoyable. Fields, farms, animals, tractors, cottages & flowers. Leon definitely learnt his tractors! We stayed at a wonderful Bed & Breakfast, called 'The New Inn'. The view of the fields and the peaceful surroundings where just stunning.

Lloyd had been here as a child so to pass this on to Leon and I was a must. Abbotsbury Farm was one of the activities on the list and we where all excited to see the farm animals.
Here are some photo's of our day at the Farm. We got to pet the Guinea Pigs, play on tractors, milk the 'cow', see the birds and much more! If you have been to Dorset I would love to hear your experience and what you did there.

Exploring Painting

This morning Leon woke up early an we weren't going to sit around. We decided to do as many activities as possible. Cooking pasta, Play dough, counting buttons and painting! Painting was great fun, we found a bag of cotton buds and used them as painting brushes. Dots, stripes and shapes. We used 2 primary colours and just let Leon enjoy exploring the colour and how they mix into other colours. As the cotton buds started to get left on the table I found a bag of kitchen sponges to 'dip' into the paint and press onto the paper.
A fun, simple and creative activity. Exploring , feeling and learning different textures & patterns. Yes it can get messy but that's what mum's are for!

'Layhe & Co' Smooth and Soothe Rescue Oil

 

Smooth & Soothe Rescue Oil……what’s it for?

'Layhe & Co' is a 'clean', passionate and NATURAL Company. I came across their wonderful range on-line reading and learning the benefits of their ingredients. I'm a strong believer in natural and organic products especially when they work. Certain oils & pure blends are important to your skin and body. When choosing products for yourself, or your children, it is vital you are using the correct one and for the right reason. 'Layhe & Co' have a neutral and pleasant aroma in their products that appeal equally to both men and women. 

I'm excited to be trying the 'Smooth and Soothe Rescue Oil'. This 'rescue blend' oil is 100% natural and have a purpose to repair the skin which has undergone exposure to the sun, high winds, pollution or other harsh chemicals. This can dry and age the skin which is in need of nourishment and care. The ingredients in this product have strong therapeutic properties and have been known to prevent problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.One of the first things I noticed about this was the fragrant smell. It contains 10 oils which is a fantastic healing property for the skin. The bottle is perfect as the cap gives your drop by drop and saves you wasting product. You only need a small amount to massage onto the skin & straight away you feel the benefits. Soft, nourished and taking in all of the essential oils that don't harm your skin and the environment. I'm so pleased to see such a passionate company who care about everyone's different skin and problems that occur in skin.
You can buy this product here. 

10 Oil Ingredients:
Rice Bran Oil
Wheat Germ Oil
Jojoba Oil
Lavender Oil
Rosemary Oil
Geranium Oil
Frankincense OilYlang Ylang Oil
Peppermint Oil
Cypress Oil

Oil Facts, scroll down

Its neutral and pleasant aroma makes it appeal equally to both men and women.

Click here to buy and try for yourself

How can it do that?

Essential oils have been at the forefront of Far Eastern and Middle Eastern beauty and medical treatments for thousands of years. It is only in the last few hundred years that the west has benefited from the magical properties of Essential Oils – arguably Nature’s best legacy to the human race.

“Smooth and Soothe Rescue Oil” has been formulated from a detailed study of the known therapeutic and anecdotal properties of a range of 10 such oils and formulated to give maximum benefit to skin tired from exposure to the elements. All of the ingredients have listed against them, skin nourishment properties and healing factors, some more than others.

Rice Bran Oil, the main carrier ingredient, is a staple component of oriental skin and hair treatment oils. It contains antioxidant vitamin E and hydrates the skin making it softer and as smooth as velvet, by boosting the skin regeneration process. It does not clog pores and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It is easily absorbed making it feel less oily after a while.

Wheat germ oil is another main ingredient. It is well known for its vitamin E content but not so well known for its vitamin B range both, of which stimulate tissue growth and facilitate trace elements and nutrients transfer to cells, rescuing tissues from permanent damage. (Some psoriasis treatments and eczema treatments use it).

Jojoba Oil helps the skin to retain moisture which relieves flaky skin. It is said to unclog pores which makes it useful in acne treatments where it mimics sebum, the stuff of nightmare spots.

Lavender Oil is the first of the essence oils or “essential oils” as they are more commonly known. It is lethal to bacteria and certain skin dwelling insects and reduces the danger of skin being scarred by infections and wounds. In stronger concentrations it has been used for other skin surface complaints like shingles.

Rosemary Oil is astringent and rejuvenating, reducing wrinkles and bags on the skin by stimulating cell regrowth, and rescuing dark spots on the skin by lightening them. It has been used on its own for treating common chronic skin conditions.

Geranium Oil is another astringent capable of tightening up the skin, wound healing and scar tissue prevention and repair, and dark spot reduction.

Frankincense oil is probably the most effective of our decagon of oils, for fading scars, including stretch and surgery marks, sun spots, micro wrinkles around the eyes and cheeks, replacing dying cells with new healthy ones, hence its scarcity and high value.

Ylang Ylang Oil, a well-known aphrodisiac, has remarkable skin healing and bactericidal properties. It also regularises sebum production in those who have a problem with certain types of eczema.

Peppermint oil has been included for its pore opening qualities to allow the other oils to penetrate quicker. At the same time it stimulates increased local circulation to speed up cell growth and skin rejuvenation.

Cypress Oil has been included for its muscle contraction properties and its ability to tighten up skin.

NOTE: This product is not intended for use as a treatment for sunburn. In this sense it is not an “After Sun” treatment. Please seek medical advice if trouble by sunburn.

#Week 8 Feature Wednesday 'Wheelbarrow Herb Garden'

Thank you for everyone that got involved in yesterday's #Week8 'Feature Wednesday' Link Party. 

You all have wonderful & inspirational ideas - it's so great to see your sharing them.

Congratulations!
This week's winner is 'My Bored Toddler'. Teacher & Mum with 2 children, she has created a wonderful outdoor activity explaining the importance of Gardening. This is a free, fun and important learning activity all about plants and nature. Children love being outside, and gardening is a great way to do that. Choosing your plant, planting them and watching them grow - it's all a big responsibility! Watching the seeds grow is a patient game but the children will love this. Watching their seeds grow , day by say, week by week until a beautiful flower appears.
To read 'My Bored Toddler's post on 'Wheelbarrow Herb Garden' please click HERE.

'Feature Wednesday' #Week 8

#Week 8 of 'Feature Wednesday' has arrived. Thank you for everyone who entered last week's feature post.

If you have a post you would like to share live on 'Mama Bee Simple', simply add your link at the end of this post. I have selected a small group of topics to cover this week's linky party.

I do like to create a theme each week however any links related to activities, food, lifestyle & children is fine.

#Week8 Theme: #Science #Beach #Sand #Water #Sensory #Activity 

The most suited link will be chosen by the end of the day and I will feature your post at 'Mama Bee Simple' as well as all my social network sites.

Mama Bee knows that you all have some wonderful creations and spend so much time wanting to share so here is a lovely opportunity!

Garden Play

The sunniest day of the year so far and this only meant one thing, more outdoor play! We decided to visit the sandy beach this morning and by afternoon, we returned for a nap and had even more time in the garden. I can proudly say Leon is fast asleep after a very action-packed day.

Spring is one of my favourite season of the year, and I think Leon enjoys it too. Waking up to birds chirping from the nearby tree and learning new colours from the back garden flowers. Following the ants and waving to the butterflies! What a difference from a cold winter & staying indoors to keep warm. Leon now can't stop saying 'garden', 'garden!' as he is now an experienced explorer!

We loved watching Leon play at the sandy beach today. Running around to the sea with his bucket and spade - making some sort of 'mud pie' artwork. Eating his picnic with mummy & daddy (watching everyone play on the beach) and burying Daddy in the sand! - Regret not bringing my camera!

After a 3 hour nap (Yes 3 hours!) - Leon woke up at home, ready for more fun but this time in the garden. His 'Clam Shell Sandpit' that Nanny got him on his first birthday, we decided to fill one half of warm water and bubbles. FUN!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a lovely day again, I wonder what we will do next...
 

OXO 'Good Grips Herb Mincer'

With so many of us keen to cook healthy and hearty meals, herbs are an essential ingredient to making any dish. Often choosing the dried variety, we forget that fresh, quality herbs provide the best taste.

When cooking with herbs, you need to grab a handful and chop finely - this can take some time, something I don't have a lot of. OXO have designed a fantastic, simple product that let's you save time preparing & chopping your herbs.

The 'OXO Good Grips Herb Mincer' worked so well on our Sunday Roast. Straight from the front garden, we decided to pick some sage and put the stainless steel blades to the test.
I placed the herbs onto a wooden chopping board and removed the safety cap off the sharp blades. I rolled the blades up, down, left and right - within 5 seconds the sage was finely chopped. The front end of the mincer is designed to scrape the herbs into a pile for even more mincing. You can also open the mincer to wipe away any herbs that may have collected inside.

Dishwasher safe, a great accessory & must have in the kitchen. 

You can buy the 'OXO Good Grips Herb Mincer' HERE.

'Feature Wednesday' "B" Is For Bird

Thank you for everyone that got involved in yesterday's #Week7 'Feature Wednesday' Linky Party. 

You all have wonderful & inspirational ideas - it's so great to see your sharing them.

Congratulations!
This week's winner is Jennifer over at 'Study At Home Mama' with her "B" is for Birds Unit.
Birds. There are so many varieties of birds and children want to know them. Jennifer has a lovely way of studying and exploring the different birds in the world through fun activities - as well as focusing the sound of letter 'B'. Fun packed games, songs & DIY bird cage painting, this unit was so much fun it lasted all week!
To read Jennifer's full post of her "B" is for Birds Unit, please click HERE.

Jungle Garden

Spring is here and the sun is out! This week's theme at Mama Bee is all about nature, messy-play and exploring - so we decided to do just that!

Winter is over - the animals come out to play!

The very first thing I did to Leon was take his shoes and socks off. 'Ahhh' 'This is new' There's nothing better then feeling the grass between your toes one minute and the feeling of sand the next. (I could tell Leon was realising it felt different!) -  Learning different Textures

Another lovely game was playing with Leon's Zoo animals. What's the point of them being stuck inside the living room floor when they can explore the wonderful 'JUNGLE GARDEN'

Here are some photo's of what we've been up to:

"Tiger visiting the sand pit for the first time" 

"Rhino can balance too!"

"This is cold on my toes!"

 "Grrrrrrr"

 "Drink time!"

"And relax!"

Leon & his Zoo animals had so much fun in the 'Jungle Garden'. They explored everywhere and even met a few tiny animals along the way. What a great way to explore the outdoors with your tiny friends!