Starting School

It feels like just yesterday that I was sharing the news of my pregnancy here on the blog and yet all of a sudden we are here already - Holly's first day at school.

This morning Holly started foundation at the same school as her big sister.  For us this is a big moment. Not just because our youngest is now at school. Not just because it means the end of nursery fees. Not just because it means only one set of journeys in the morning and evening. But because there are lots of changes this September. Not least, uniform.

There have been a lot of changes at Lara's school over the summer. Holly will probably never appreciate the change but for us there are some big differences.  The introduction of a uniform was a little controversial but Lara seems to have accepted it gracefully and Holly thinks it is fantastic.  The other change is that children now have to call their teachers Mr/Mrs and use their surname when previously they always used the first name. This is proving very hard to people (not least the teachers) to get used to!

Anyway, the first morning at school went well and Holly is looking forward to tomorrow. It is fantastic to see her settle and I'm sure she will be making new friends and whirling through the classroom before we know it.

30% discount for Letts revision guides & your chance to #win £50 of Letts books

Are you ready for the new school year to start? With school uniforms and shoes to fit and new routines to think about, finding the time to choose the best books to buy may not always be a priority but new books can be a great way of starting off the school year as you mean to go on.

There are lots of great educational books to choose from and Letts has some engaging and motivating learning books to help your child get back into a learning frame of mind after the long summer holiday. All of their books support the national curriculum so that you know they are reinforcing what your child is being taught at school, whether they are in foundation, KS1, KS2 or beyond.

You can visit the Letts website to browse their range of books by age group. What’s more they are offering a 30% discount on all books until 30 September 2016 when you use code BACK30 at www.lettsrevision.co.uk.

Would you like to win a bundle of Letts books tailored to your child age this Back to School? I have £50 worth of books to giveaway.  To enter, all you have to do is to answer the question below and leave me a blog comment before the end of the 4th September.

Question: Give an example of a prime number!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The promoter is: Mellow Mummy
2. Entry is via a blog comment and a valid email address must be supplied when logging into the commenting mechanism. Entries with only facebook or twitter account details will not be deemed valid.
3. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
4. Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via www.mellowmummy.co.uk
5. Closing date for entry is 4th September 2016. After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
6. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
7. The rules of the competition and the prize for each winner are as follows: £50 worth of age- appropriate Letts books.
8. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
9. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
10. No cash alternative to the prizes will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
11. Winners will be drawn at random by Mellow Mummy.
12. The winner will be notified by email within 28 days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 14 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
13. The winner will be asked by the promoter to provide their name, postal address and mobile contact number which will be passed on to the prize supplier.
14. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
15. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
16. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.
17. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.

Starting Junior School - Lara's Bic Stationery Haul

In a few weeks time Lara will start junior school - this is where it all starts to get a bit serious, isn't it?! Lara is looking forward to needing school bag (aka a brightly coloured pinky purpley garish backpack) that is packed full of homework, books and stationery. Lara has been longing for the need for a pencil case!

This 32 piece back to school essentials set from Bic has everything Lara needs to fill her pencil case and school bag in preparation for big school.  Lara has most enjoyed using these stylised 4-colour pens which feature a skull design; she uses them for doodling in her "ideas book".

The Bic back to school stationery set contains

• 4 x Stick Ball Pens
• 2 x 4 Colour pens
• 10 x Colouring Felt Pens
• 6 x Graphite Pencils
• 2 x Sharpeners
• 2 x Mini Erasers
• 2 x Highlighters
• 1 x Correction Tape
• 2 x Glues
• 1 x Mini Correction Pen

Lara had never come across the concept of a correction pen before; but because she is likely to start using pens to write at school this term, I don't think it will be long before she realises their full value!

I think, from Lara's reaction to this Bic stationery set, she is likely to become a stationery lover at school this year.

Holly's First School Shoes - From Debenhams

Today I took Holly for her transition day to visit her new school where she will start in reception in September.  Holly was so excited all morning that I think she wore herself out so she was a bit quiet when we got to school but in general it seemed like a hit and now she is very eager to get going at school.

In readiness for the transition for school, this weekend we bought Holly her first ever pair of school shoes.  Our school is (at least for the time being) a non-uniform school (although it is looking increasingly likely that a uniform will soon be introduced); despite this, we like the girls to start with a simple uniform to try and make the distinction between school and play a little more distinct.  Holly absolutely loves smart shoes but she doesn't often find an opportunity to wear them so when I told her that she could choose a pair of smart shoes from the  Debenhams school shoes range, she was over the moon.

Just as her older sister did three years ago, Holly chose a very feminine Mary-Jane style of shoe which looks dainty, and which is very easy for small hands to take on and off.  These black patent rip-tape school shoes have a thin, simple velcro-style fastening. There is a little bow sewn on to the front of the shoe to add a little interest to the design. It's simple and stylish and EXACTLY what Holly wanted.

The shoes are, of course, patent.  What is it about little girls being attracted to shiny patent shoes??? Thankfully I am armed with a little bottle of patent restorer to touch up any scratches but I'm hoping that Holly will be less destructive with her shoes than her big sister is!

The difference between these mary jane shoes and many others I've tried is that these Debenhams own-brand shoes have got a nice padded patch around the back of the shoe where it would normally rub against the ankle. The shoes have a thick padded base. They really don't look or feel like a pair of shoes that cost less than £18.

Of course, Holly is so excited about her new school shoes that she wants to wear them every day!  I've had to disappear them for a little while but she can wear them to school on her taster days so that she really feels the part.  She will be wearing them proudly when she goes back to school in September.

Disclosure: Holly’s new shoes were bought using a gift card from Debenhams as part of their back to school campaign

Back to School with Vosene Kids

So, the school term is back in full swing.  Beaver scouts term has started.  Swimming lessons have started.  It's all go in the life of a 6 year old.  This time last year I can clearly remember the added stress for the new school term of headlice.  Interestingly though, they came from Holly's nursery and I really wasn't prepared for my first experience of lice!  This year we are far better prepared with the Hair Heros from Vosene Kids.

The Vosene Kids advice centre has several tips for how to prevent and treat headlice.  I'll admit that, after last year's experience I have become a bit obsessed with checking the girls heads so that I can spot them early.  Number one on our list of defences this year is the Vosene Kids advanced conditioning defence spray which is packed full of tea tree essential oils.  Headlice hate tea tree oil but thankfully, I LOVE the smell of tea tree which is a strong, medicinal smell.  We use the spray after each wash instead of a traditional conditioner and it helps remove tangles as well as coating and scenting the hair.  It took me a few uses to get the right amount on (not enough = too many tangles, too much = heavy shiny hair).

Next up is the Vosene Kids Lice Repellant Conditioning Shampoo with citronella.  I know citronella more for its mozzie-repelling properties than headlice!  It is a nice light shampoo which seems to suit both girls well and leaves the hair clean.  I think I'd still want to use a conditioner or a spray afterwards as well.

Hopefully this autumn we can avoid the arrival of headlice but at least this term I am prepared.

For more advice on tackling the risk of back-to-school headlice and for your chance to winone of over 5000 Vosene Kids mini sets (perfect for use after swimming lessons!), visit the Vosene Kids Back to School hub.

Disclosure:  I was sent a bottle of each product for review.  So far...no headlice!

Starting School - The Dead Zone

Lara is in the dead zone.  The really weird nothing-place between nursery and school... I feel really depressed on her behalf.

Today my facebook stream was filled with smiley photos of my friends's children on their first day at school. The start of a new term.  But Lara doesn't start school until the 12th so it feels a bit like she is missing out on the start of school fever!

All except two of Lara's friends have now left nursery and I suspect both of them will leave within the week which just leaves Lara and a class full of three year olds next week.  I've kept her in nursery right up until the last day so that I can save my holidays so that I can take time off with Lara at half-term and Christmas.

As Lara has said goodbye to her nursery friends over the last three weeks I've slightly regretted this decision because nursery has changed - their focus has moved on to activities for the younger children.

I don't think it has really sunk in for Lara what saying goodbye means.  For all but one or two of her nursery peers, this means never seeing them again.  With a new school there will be a whole new group of friends.

I asked Lara last night whether she was excited about starting school and the answer was "Yes, because I will get to eat sandwiches from my lunchbox!"  Good old Lara, always driven by her stomach.

Tinyme Name Labels Review

This weekend, for the first time since I was 15, I shall be applying name labels to school clothes and school bags.  Ah, the joys.

Name labels have come on quite a long way since my school days and the range of Tinyme Name Labels  features fun, bold and funky name labels to suit all of your labelling needs!  Tinyme sent Lara one of their bumper value packs of name labels to try out for her very first days at school.

The Basic Variety Pack currently is reduced to £24.99 and features:-

• 32 Standard Vinyl Name Labels
• 14 Round Vinyl Name Labels
• 4 Large Round Vinyl Name Labels
• 8 Large Vinyl Name Labels
• 16 Iron-on Clothing Labels
• 14 Iron-on Round Clothing Labels
• 10 Clear shoe dot overlays

I think the Basic Variety Pack of name labels is a great introduction to the Tinyme range and has everything I need for this first term at school - I should be able to label all of Lara's clothes, PE kit, bags and lunchboxes with this set.

My favourite items from the set are the vinyl labels as these are really durable and so easy to apply.  They are waterproof, dishwasher resistant and microwave safe so they are perfect for putting on lunchboxes.  I've used them on Lara's school bag too and they seem to have stuck really well.

I was also impressed by the iron-on labels.  Not owning an iron, I was slightly worried about how I was going to apply them but a bit I'm not one to give up that easily!  The iron-on name labels come with a protective sheet that you hold over the label as you press down with the iron... or in my case, with a hot pallette knife!  Once applied, they sink into the fabric of the clothes and can withstand a washing machine or tumble drier.  Sooooo much easier than sewing them on!

The pack also contained some clear plastic circles that you can apply over the top of one of the standard round vinyl labels if you put them inside a shoe - this helps to protect the label from rubbing and sweat.

Ordering from the Tinyme website was very easy once I had selected my variety pack and the design I wanted.  I chose the Name I wanted and chose from a small range of fonts for the lettering.  My labels arrived within the week.

I think the selection pack is quite pricey but the labels are really good quality and durable.  I think that in the future I would order a specific type of label as there is a much wider range of designs available this way and you can choose just the types of label you know that you would use, having tried them all out in the value pack beforehand.