Our little super hero!

I went to Petit Bateau last week and couldn't resist getting this red super hero outfit (they're actually pyjamas) for my little boy! It comes with a matching cape that you can attach / detach easily and a mask that goes over the eyes!

I also thought this blue one was cute. Could be a Michael Jackson costume! 

For the princess girls, there are pretty things in pink, too, here.

Junior Ray-Bans... and for me?

I just couldn't resist. I got my son another pair of Junior Ray-Bans! Aviators this time. Aren't they cute?

So now his mini collection looks like this. Not bad for a four-year old, huh?

For myself I prefer oversized sunglasses à la Victoria Beckham but then I see pictures like this: Penelope Cruz looking fab in Wayfarers. She and other celebrities make it look so easy but I haven't found any yet that really suit me.

Do you like Ray-Bans?

To sleep high or low?

At the moment my son (4) has boring Ikea furniture in his room and I want to replace all of that with something fun but practical. We thought he might become more enthusiastic about going to bed if it's somewhere high. And theoretically there would be more space in his room, though this is not such an issue.

I've found some cute arrangements that I really like (more images here).

I'm just not totally convinced yet. Some questions nagging me are: how dangerous is it for sleepy children to walk down those steps at night (to go to the toilet)? And the practicality of changing bedlinen? And don't they ever fall out?!

So what do you say: normal bed or one of these? Did you have something similar as a child? Or if you have children, what's your experience?

What do you think would fit best under the bed space: a desk, a reading area with a sofa (but don't kids read on their beds?) or a wardrobe?

Dealing with emotions - with Mr Pusskins

Here's a book that explores love. She loves him and treats him well but he's ungrateful and bored. So he leaves her and has some fun. Until he realises what a big mistake he has made. He repents and asks her to take him back. She does, with open arms, and they live happily ever after.

A typical love story? Maybe, except the guy in the story is a cat called Mr Pusskins.

Amongst other things, because there's a bit of danger involved, when he hangs out with a cat gang, this appeals to my son. And yet he can sleep without fear because there is a happy ending.

The story deals with emotions that are familiar to all of us, even little kids, and that's what's so good about it. My kid gets angry and stomps off, just like Mr Pusskins. And we also make up with hugs and kisses.

If you like this book, there are more stories featuring Mr Pusskins...

I recommend Usborne's See Inside books: How Things Work

For kids who can't yet read, pictures are everything. And to make that even more interesting, there are picture books with flaps. Usborne does some very good ones.

There's one in their See Inside series called How Things Work.

It is packed with explanations on how musical instruments or household appliances (hair dryer, toilet) work. It introduces new vocabulary (also perfect for me because I never really learned what parts of a crane or helicopter are called!). It's probably too complicated for four-year olds to really understand but there's no harm in introducing such topics. This will be a useful reference book for years to come.

These books are educational but so well done that they definitely belong in a kid's library. They would make great gifts, as well.

Ray-Bans for mother and son

I just couldn't resist the idea of a / my four-year old owning some classic eyewear: the Ray-Bans... for juniors!

He's always trying on my big sunglasses (that cover most of his face) so I thought it was about time he had his own pair. And for the PR - to convince him how cool it is to have Ray-Bans - I got myself a pair. After all, he's still at that age where he looks up to us parents.

Now let the sun shine so we can go hand in hand, Ray-Bans perched on both of our noses.

If he likes these, we can expand his collection by getting some junior aviators... And no doubt he'll insist on my getting a pair.

Next step: I'll need to get my husband some Ray-Bans, too.

iPhone app for kids: Feed me!

This free educational app features a cute little monster that makes the funniest noises!

It asks you a question and you have to choose an answer (and feed it to the monster).

If you get it right, you hear a monster-equivalent of yippee. If you get it wrong, it sticks its tongue out and says something like yuck. It's tempting to get some answers wrong, just to hear that!

The funniest bit is 'tickling' the monster by touching parts of its body. It makes hilarious noises and makes us laugh!

Admittedly, the content ranges from colours to fractions, and it's not possible to choose a level yet so it's not always suited to a younger player's abilities. But it comes in different languages and it's entertaining.

It's worth it, just to hear my son giggle!

http://www.pencilbot.com/kids/PencilBot_Kids/Feed_Me.html

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks

I love books. I think it would be more sensible to borrow books from a library but there's just something about having my own collection. In recent years I have been focusing on children's books; we have seriously gone from nil to a small library. How do I justify this? Books are educational. And I plan on keeping them for my grandchildren!

One of our current favourites:

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure by Kristina Stephenson 
This is an exciting and slightly scary book (great for boys) about a brave little knight who comes across beasties, a dragon and a witch. He doesn't fight them, though, you see. He's got better methods, such as singing a lullaby, sharing sandwiches or offering a drink. 

Look inside...
Included are some huge flaps. 

Sure, it's an entertaining book, but what makes it even better is the CD. I think this is so well done, with fun music, great sound effects and it's read convincingly. As if that weren't enough, the CD also contains songs and games.

Love the name, too: Sir Charlie Stinky Socks!  

Petit Bateau's disappointing spring 2010 collection

Every season, I usually find a couple of adorable kids' clothes at Petit Bateau. The striped cardigans, the reversible jumpers, trousers with a high waist and enforced knees...

But I am disappointed with their spring 2010 collection. Nothing interesting caught my eye. It all looked the same.

Have I seen too many stripes in recent years?