Portable North Pole Santa or as it's known PNP * REVIEW *

I have been putting off trying PNP for weeks, but today turns out to have been the perfect day, because today is the day we finally put our Christmas Tree and decorations up, after much cajoling from The Boy and Me, (who took to saying "do it for the Boy" when she could see I wasn't feeling festive) and much help from the husband.

I worked on PNP (boy did I work on it) while Aaron was at nursery, and his reaction when home was PRICELESS.  He's now watched it twice, and myself, being that I have never grown up, I have watched it 5 times.  It puts tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat each and everytime.

I *eventually* got the code to review the premium version, and BOY am I glad I did.  I would recommend purchasing it, as it is truly magical and way superior to the free version, although I am told that in itself is very popular.

On the Premium Version you get the opportunity to upload 5 images as below - I'd advise a pic of their wished gift as one:

I would advise uploading all 5 images, as they are REALLY BEAUTIFULLY inserted into the video.  The acting on the video is really good; gushy and sentimental, just the way I like Christmas.

Aaron was blown away when he saw what he calls his "Jake Lego Boat" onscreen.  He then knew it was the real Santa (just like the one at Harrods who ALSO knew what he wanted *coughs* UNLIKE the London Zoo one - both of which I have blogged about).

I also uploaded a picture of him in costume, with his best mate, and a picture of him on his bike.

I'll see if I can upload the vid for you - it's long (approx 6 minutes) but well worth watching, if you are deciding whether to spend the money:

Below I have uploaded for you to watch, first the brief Xmas Eve version and then the nearly 6 minute Premium Version - it's WELL worth a watch!

Can you see why I am now a converted fan?  Puts tears in my eyes every time I watch it, and Aaron goes into a hushed respectful silence.  When Santa asks him a question he nods AND at the end when they all waved at him, with no prompting from me, he waved back #choked I was.

We reviewed the package that includes: Premium video, an MP4 of it, Bonus Christmas Eve video, 3 credits for Santa calls, Red letter, "Nice List" certificate, Colouring book, and PNP Official book & Stickers.

If you are interested in getting any of the digital products make sure you use this code for 20% off:

20% off digital products in the PNP store valid until 1st January for you dear readers: BLG20BKP

The latter items are offline and will really arrive in the post, drumming home that Santa is real.

Now that I have experienced it, I can finally understand what all the fuss is about.

It's the best reaction I have had from Aaron in all of his 3.5 years! 

For us, despite Christmas beginning with a visit to Harrods Santa on 3rd November, Christmas has really become real today.  Our tree is finally UP as are our decs AND Aaron feels like he really spoke to the real Santa.  It's amazing the difference as he had no interest in Santa at all last year.

We've watched (together) the PNP video twice and the second time I was putting on his PJs.  He was worried Santa would see his "wee wee" so clearly he was so impressed by the technology he thinks it's like Skype and that Santa can see him #bless.

It really added to the festivities of our day today, so thank you PNP.

Liska & Aaron

xx

Disclosure: as stated above, I was given a PNP package to review, and have been quite frankly blown away by the premium video.  Now a convert. I have not been paid to write this post and all words are my own

In Love With Lego Duplo

Hi

Some of you will know that I got Aaron Lego Duplo for Christmas.  It took me a long time in Toys R Us to land on Lego Duplo because I was torn by Mega Bloks. Yep it was Lego Duplo versus Mega Bloks.

But there really is no comparison.  My Sister In Law got Aaron mega blox and we got him Lego Duplo.  I tried the Mega Blox twice and didn't like it, so it stays in the box.  The colours, the feel of the plastic, the way they stick together...... nothing compares to LEGO.  They really are the market leader for a reason.  I just love the FEEL of the lego and the vibrant colours.  And as any good toy manufacturer know, Mum needs to like the toys too!

Anyway, when presented with the lego Aaron didn't show that much interest and the only thing he liked doing was emptying the box (we got the version where it comes in a big plastic tub).  If Mummy made something, even if it took an hour, his favourite thing to do, was break it bit by bit, or just quickly throw it across the room, to shatter everywhere.  He has learned DESTRUCT, but he is yet to learn BUILD, even though he has been building Ikea beakers since last Summer.  Anyway, I had varying reactions to his breaking of my master creations, and it was like he enjoyed watching the many reactions, seeing that they were sometimes despair, sometimes disappointment, sometimes teary, and sometimes dumbstruck, depending on the effort we'd both put in.... LOL.

One thing I discovered just after Xmas was that colour blocking them, before putting them in the box is highly highly therapeutic.  Especially if you feel like your life has been chaotic since baby came along.  Colour blocking gives you a few minutes of ORDER and it feels like sanity - if you relate to what I am saying, and have some lego to hand, don't delay do it now:

The full set, colour blocked

The set that we have from Santa to Aaron

Colour blocked complete with "man"

The ultimate in order - colour blocked in box!

So, now, on to some of MY creations (given that Aaron can't build yet).

front

side

back (this creation uses every piece including the car!)

The underneath to show the "foundation"

As you can see, I am loving Lego, but this blog, which I found today, is in a whole other league.  The standard of the photography is awesome.  If you are a lego fan, you must take a look.

Bye for now, Liska & Aaron.

xxx

Sleep continued... or not... as the case may be!

Picture is from Aaron's first night away from home: September

I don't want this to turn into a sleep blog BUT after 2 nights of great sleep which I blogged about...
And 1 night of awful sleep which I put down to the lack of an additional dream feed bottle, I have to update you on what happened last night....

I did everything by the book in terms of 5 + 1 bottles.  5 for hunger and 1 for sleep.

BUT we were up several times in the night and I could SEE what the problem was... I sleep next to him...

He had an itchy ear......... can you believe it?!?!?!?!? I am not an expert so I do not know what that means ...  :-0

So what happened:

put Aaron to bed at 2 a.m. Bottle at 1130.  Slept on my lap (I know... wouldn't normally happen - I am good at putting him in his cosy cot) till 1:30 then dreamfeed, then bed......

awake at 445... breastfed in bed and back in cot 530...
awake at 630 crazily scratching ear... as best he could considering sleepsuit cuffs over hands... rubbed him by puttting hand through bars of bedside cot...


he then:

slept till 730.... breastfed in bed till 8... still madly rubbing at ear.

So then got up for nappy change and spoon of calpol and then breastfed him in sitting room on sofa... he sleeping and sucking....... good for him when poor mummy didn't go to bed till 320...

Hubby was also up after having been on nights and the reason I stayed up till 3:20 was to design and order our xmas cards  (hence the photo on previous post) to try and make last posting day for Ireland... also wasn't tired due to our recent sleep-ins...... will be today now though.... 


I was confident staying up late that I would have uninterrupted sleep till say 9 or 10, given the dreamfeed etc... and what I know of Aaron's habits - I hadn't factored in the ear!


At 8 a.m. this morning I gave him a bottle... and again kept him on my lap.  As I was in the sitting room, I was wide wake so did not go back to bed till 9:50 and then when he woke (don't know what time) hubby took him and I slept till 12 today.


None of my sleep was deep so not feeling good today.


Was very reluctant to post this post as I wanted SANTA to stay on top so please visit the post below.


Liska xxx

Santa Baby