Toyologists? What on earth is a Toyologist?

In the run up to Top Enders being born, Daddy and I would often go out of an evening and wander round a shop or two. Top Ender loved to be up late, and watching TV and staring at the same four walls whilst being kicked from the inside just wasn't cutting it for us. We used to drive to Toys R Us in Bedford as it had late night Christmas Opening times and walk round looking at all the toys and seeing what we would like.

Eventually in 2005 Toys R Us found a site for a store in Milton Keynes and Daddy and I were thrilled that we could start going to a local store instead with our baby. Several years later and we still love the Milton Keynes store, not only because it is HUGE but because all of us (Baby Boy included) love to walk round and look at the toys and what we would have if our house was bigger!

It was with great interest that I replied back to the email from Geoffrey (you know the Toys R Us Giraffe, of  "there's millions of Geoffrey's all under one roof" fame) about becoming a Toyologist. And after some careful consideration I agreed that Top Ender and Baby Boy would become Toyologists and Daddy and I would be their assistants!

We were invited down to Bucklebury Farm Park in Berkshire to meet the other Toyologists and to have a bit of a tea party and as Daddy was at work I took my Mum (AKA Granny). I had explained to her what it was we were going to and why and it was then that she exclaimed;

"Toyologists? What on earth is a Toyologist?"

"Not a what, a who. Your Grandchildren are going to be Toyologists for Toys R Us" I explained

"Is it to do with that blog thing you do?" she said (I could hear her eyes rolling)

"Yes Mum" I sighed

"Your going to put this conversation on there aren't you?" she said resignedly

"Yes Mum" I said Smugly (Love you Mummy!)

Top Ender and Baby Boy had a great time and Top Ender even discovered that TB (GlowStars and Urbanvox eldest) isn't evil despite being a boy! They played in the playground, in the sandpit, on the slides, sat next to each other and even talked in Horse to each other. As I was the only one who could translate Horse it might of just been me making things up, but they didn't care. Well, not until I announced that TB had just asked Top Ender to marry him...

Whilst we grown ups had a little question and answer session about how the Toyologist programme is going to work, Granny took Top Ender and Baby Boy to play on some of the fab things at the Farm (such as a huge jumping pillow, a lot of slides, a zip slide sort of thing and a playground) and also they went and talked to a few animals and snacked on the cookies and muffins that had been laid out for us all to share.

After this we were all brought back together as it was time to open our first box of toys. Top Ender and Baby Boy got Granny and I to remove the tape and then they dived in pulling toys from the box and working out what was the best thing to look at first. There was a lot of toys and both Top Ender and Baby Boy exclaimed "COOL!" more than once as they examined the contents.

After this we went on a Tractor ride to see the Japanese Sika, Axis and Fallow deer that are at the Farm. We were allowed to feed them and as you can see from the photos they weren't shy!

We went home, happy but tired and with a huge dollop of excitement over playing with some new toys. I hope that you will enjoy the reviews that we do over the next few months and remember that anything we say is the truth, we aren't being paid to be nice (we aren't being paid at all, but you know what I mean) and hopefully it might give you some ideas about Christmas gifts!

Grannys Birthday!

Today is my Mums birthday, so Happy Birthday Mummy!

Her cake from 2008, which will look very much like her cake this year apart from the pony candles...

Her birthday always makes me feel emotional because I was nearly born today too. Twenty-eight (plus three) years ago my Mum went in to labour on her birthday and ended up giving birth to me the next day! As a child it was always a two day celebration of our birthdays. We would go to a Chinese Restaurant (which as I have mentioned before you don't want to take Daddy to) and order lots of dishes to share as a family.

My Mum has been questioned over what she would like for her birthday over the last few months, mentions of products have been memorised and shared with my Sister (Auntie) and vice versa and together we came up with some gifts that we hope she will be pleased with.

Earlier this week I asked Top Ender;

"What would you like to get Granny for her Birthday?"
"An ice cream machine" she answered without missing a beat
"Top Ender is that by any chance something that you want rather than something Granny would like?" I asked
"Yes, yes it is." answered Top Ender (shes been watching too much Phineas and Ferb I tell you!)

They're plotting to take over the world. Either that or to drive their parents crazy in a two pronged attack.

Earlier that day Auntie had also asked Big Cousin the same question;

"What would you like to get Granny for her Birthday Big Cousin?" said Auntie whilst on the phone to me

"Erm, I don't know" answered Big Cousin

"Did you hear that?" Auntie asked me on the phone just before she was interrupted

"Mummy? I know now what I want to get her!" Big Cousin said excitedly

"Whats that Sweetheart?" asked Auntie

"A Monkey!" she stated

"Can you ask her if she means a real one or a stuffed one!" I laughed down the telephone

"Oh I know, she means a real one" said Auntie knowingly

Well I know that Granny isn't getting an Ice Cream Machine or a Monkey for her Birthday from her Grandchildren or her Daughters, but I do know that she is going to have a great day and that together with my Sister we are going out for a meal this afternoon. It might not be a Chinese but its still bound to be a lot of fun!

Top Ender Giggles - The only reason to feel sad after Christmas

Whilst I was talking to my Mum on the phone she mentioned that she had taken down her Christmas tree as she was feeling sad. Top Ender overheard this and asked

"Why is Granny feeling sad?"
"Why do you think Top Ender?" I asked

Top Ender thought for a second and answered

"Was it because she didn't get lots and lots of Christmas gifts from Santa?" she questioned
"No, it wasn't that Top Ender!" I answered

Top Ender Giggles - Accident on purpose?

The other day, my Mum had an accident and ended up having to go to hospital for stitches in her face. My Sister took her and described the gory details to me on the telephone the next day. That night as Top Ender and I were walking down to her Swimming lesson I was regaling her with the story.

"And the hole is so big, they can't put stitches in!" I said
"And is it still bleeding?" asked Top Ender
"Well, no they stopped the bleeding" I said
"Can you see the hole now?" she asked
"Yes... well I imagine they have put a special plaster bandage type thing on it now" I said

There was a pause as Top Ender processed what I had told her.

"Is that what she is going to wear for Halloween?" asked Top Ender
"What?" I asked thinking I had missed something
"Is she going to wear it for Halloween?!" repeated Top Ender impatiently
"Well it won't be healed by then, so I guess she will have it on" I said
"Cool costume then" stated Top Ender "Do you think she did it on purpose?!"
"I think that would be a bit extreme Top Ender" I answered, suddenly wondering if maybe she did do it to get the best costume award at our party

Top Ender Giggles - The most obvious is the answer

Top Enders Granny is a diabetic and will openly inject her insulin or take her blood sugar in front of the Grandchildren so that they are aware of what happens.

Today Cousin wanted to have her blood sugar checked which caused Top Ender to want to have a go too. Top Enders levels came back a little high.

"Mummy, Granny did my blood!" she enthused
"Wow, Top Ender! Shall I tell you something silly?" I asked
"What?"
"When ever Granny does it to me I faint!"
"Oh" she sounded very disappointed
"I will have to take you to the Doctors about this though, okay?" I said
"But my finger doesn't hurt now!" she exclaimed
"No, it is just we need to make sure that you aren't the same as Granny"
"What? Old?"

Top Ender Giggles - Packing a suitcase

Top Ender packed her bag to stay at Granny's. I saw her trying to do the bag up before I got into the room, so I asked her to unpack it.

For a one night stay she had pack four dresses, eight pairs of socks, a bell and a hair bobble.

"Top Ender?" I questioned
"Yes Mummy?" she said with only a slight hesitation
"Are you sure this is what you want to take?"
"Yes Mummy!"
"Top Ender, how many nights are you staying?"
"One.." she stuttered
"Four dresses and no Pajamas?"
"Oh! Will you help me then?"

Top Ender Giggles - Different Rules, Same Top Ender

Top Ender stayed overnight at Granny's last night. There are different rules at Granny's like you can stay up as late as you want and together we can eat junk food all night. I don't mind these rules, they are what memories are made of. Today when Granny, Auntie and both Cousins returned Top Ender home I asked her if she had been good.

"Oh no she was so naughty. She wouldn't go to bed when I told her", said Granny winking at me
"Is that true Top Ender?" I asked in mock shocked horror
"Do you want the truth Mummy?"
"Yes"
"I actually wanted to go to bed earlier than Granny would let me!"

At this point Auntie started laughing "Is that true?"
"Yes, she went to bed on her own at 8:30 and was asleep in seconds!" said Granny!