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52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 16 – Take a Time Out

On October 29, 2018

You deserve a TIME OUT

Whether you think you don’t, believe me you deserve a TIME OUT. No matter how small that time out is. Remember the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. Well, that’s where I’m finding myself. So two weekends ago, Dude decided we need a time out. Off we went to Cape Town.

Normally, we would stay with family but this time we found a holiday apartment at the beach 🙂 This is where we found Dudie most of the time…

Take a TIME OUT already

With life being so busy and getting even busier at times, everyone can do with a little break. We don’t normally do holiday getaways with the masses during peak season but rather prefer an “off season” frequent break every now and then. Due to budget constraints we can’t do this as often as we would like but we manage to squeeze them in. Also, it’s tricky to coordinate schedules so many times we just wing and make prior arrangements to catch up on school/work once we get back.

We also had birthday celebrations in between. My MIL turned 70 years and I turned 35 years old the day after her birth day. Dude and Dudie made a lavish breakfast with all the bells and whistles. Even non-alcoholic champers so that Dudie could toast with us 😜 Troll used his water cup to join in on the toast.

Cut yourself some slack

You really need to cut yourself some slack. You give the best of you but do you recharge YOU? Yes, I’m talking to myself here BUT I know that most of you can relate. You give and give, and give some more. When do you cut yourself some slack? Personally, this is extremely difficult as I feel that if I loosen the reigns things will fall apart. It’s OK to loosen the reigns a bit. My new motto; if it’s not going to harm anyone it will be OK.

As family, we needed to do “nothing”. We needed to let go of the routine and just wing it. We were busy but we needed the busyness of doing nothing. It was good for our souls.

The nothingness also became a big something as we said our final goodbyes to a family member. So in the midst of taking a time out, it was perfectly planned that we were in close proximity to be with family in a desperate time of need.

Dude has a belief that if you do something with a pure heart and good intentions, it’ll work out the way it’s suppose too.

The time out was perfectly planned. It’s rekindled my flame to Enjoy the small things. The things that often get taken for granted.

Happy Monday!

Spirited Mama

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 1 – Living with intent

Week 2 – Be an example

Week 3 – Be YOU

Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions

Week 5 – Change is inevitable

Week 6 – Let it go

Week 7 – Love YOURSELF

Week 8 – FORGIVE

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Week 12 – Enjoy the small things… F*ck balance

Week 13 – Be KIND

Week 14 – Be PATIENT

Week 15 – ARM yourself

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52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 15 – ARM yourself

By spiritedmama1

On October 17, 2018

In About me, Goals

Do you ARM yourself?

And no, I don’t mean with weapons or ammunition. Are you ready to face the world and whatever life gives you? I’ve come up with this acronym for myself, ARM.

A – Allow

R – Reward

M – Manage

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready every.single.day BUT I have found that with these three words, allow, reward & manage, I do a whole lot better on the days that I’m NOT ready.

Allow yourself…

Allow yourself some freedom to give yourself a break every now and then. Whether it be a physical break from the norm or just cutting yourself some slack and NOT being so hard on yourself sometimes. No one is as critical of me as I am of myself. I’m sure many of you can relate. I allow myself to be human. I make mistakes but I really try to come back from those. I am a repeat offender in some instances BUT it’s a work in progress. Allow yourself to be YOU. Only you know what you are capable of so don’t push yourself to breaking point!

Reward yourself…

Life itself is challenging AF. Reward yourself with whatever pleases you. Be it a holiday, a new pair of shoes or even just your favourite chocolate 🙂 Recognise your achievements, no matter how small they may seem and REWARD yourself. You did good! You deserve it.

Manage yourself…

Just manage yourself. In all walks of life, we are quick to say person X needs to change xyz and they’ll be sorted. Why are you concerned with person x? Their business is none of your business. Manage yourself and make sure that you stick to YOUR straight and narrow.

Just as you manage your family life/job/etc, take note that you need to manage yourself. You are the captain of your ship, so manage it!

Not everyone has your best interests in mind, in fact some people thrive when others stumble. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s OK. You will always have those *insert whichever word you deem appropriate her*… but only YOU can LIVE your life. As you navigate your life, you will learn to manage those stumbles.

Go on, manage your life. And you’ll soon be rewarding yourself for it 🙂

Spirited Mama

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 1 – Living with intent

Week 2 – Be an example

Week 3 – Be YOU

Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions

Week 5 – Change is inevitable

Week 6 – Let it go

Week 7 – Love YOURSELF

Week 8 – FORGIVE

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Week 12 – Enjoy the small things… F*ck balance

Week 13 – Be KIND

Week 14 – Be PATIENT

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52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 14 – Be PATIENT

By spiritedmama1

On October 5, 2018

In About me, Goals

Why YOU need to be patient

Anything and everything in life requires patience. You need to be patient.

Even if you think it didn’t require your patience, if you think back to how or where it all started…perhaps it was an idea that you had but did it happen immediately?

Have you ever rushed to get something done and then realised that if you had just been patient, things would’ve turned out better? There is a reason there is a saying …good things come to those who wait… Granted, not all situations can be waited on. Sometimes you need to go after what you want.

Be patient with yourself

Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience ~ Ralph W. Emerson

This is my ultimate goal. The more patient I am with myself, the more patience I have for other people. Ultimately, you are a beautiful masterpiece in progress. You need to be worked, reworked and reworked to create YOUR masterpiece.

If I think back to just a year ago, I would have handled certain situations differently as to what I would handle them now. Growth much?

This series is causing great introspection ALL.THE.TIME. I’m both elated and freaked out about where this series takes me. It uncovers some raw emotions that I have successfully managed to cover up under a blanket of pretence. This has taken years to build and will most likely take years to lift off too. But I’m learning to be patient with myself.

Having patience is a valuable quality

It’s not just about having patience. It’s about how you deal with the waiting. How’s your attitude when you need to be patient? Patience does not come naturally to everyone. Some are fortunate to learn this skill, others not so much. Having patience is a valuable quality. In this busy world we seem to be rushing and racing to get whatever it is that we need. I’m part of this busy world, so I’m well aware of the “rat race”. We want instant gratification rather than to wait for things to come together.

There is nothing that grates my insides more than having to deal with an impatient person. This is when I stop, breathe and remind myself that THAT person needs MY patience more so now than ever. I don’t always get it right though. Everyone has limits…

With all that said, just know that some things take a little more time to come together. Everything has a way of working out, you just need to be patient.

Are you a patient person?

Happy Friday!

Spirited Mama

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 1 – Living with intent

Week 2 – Be an example

Week 3 – Be YOU

Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions

Week 5 – Change is inevitable

Week 6 – Let it go

Week 7 – Love YOURSELF

Week 8 – FORGIVE

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Week 12 – Enjoy the small things… F*ck balance

Week 13 – Be KIND

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 13 – Be KIND

By spiritedmama1

On October 2, 2018

In About me, Goals

Are you KIND?

As a child we are taught to be kind. Well, at least I was 🙂 and I’m trying my level best to teach the boys to be kind too. To be kind to people and animals BUT also your environment. Apparently, people who do not take kindly to animals are also the people who do not take kindly to other humans. I can’t say that this is or is not the case as I’ve met people who definitely do not take kindly to animals but have a rather peculiar way with other humans. They are not unkind but they are not the most kind people I have ever met either. On the environment, we know that we are only given one body and one life to live but what about your environment? I’m not going to preach to you about recycling, going green and what you can do to be kind to your environment. I just want to leave the thought with you… Are you kind to your environment?

What does it take for you to be kind?

We all have our “off” days when things just don’t seem to go the way we want them to. In these difficult times, it is then that you need need to TRY HARDER to be kind. Do we not attract energy? So on those off days, do we attract unkind people?

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle…Socrates

This rings to true for me every.single.time. The world does not revolve around me. In fact, everyone has something that they are dealing with. Some choose to display this publicly and others, including myself, choose to deal with it discreetly in a private manner.

Do you need for someone to be kind to you before you return the kindness?

I’d like to think that I’m kind to everyone I meet. And I base my decision of the person after a few interactions. However, some people have a way of creeping into your heart immediately. Just as with me, you might be having an “off” day the first time we meet. My Dude has a never ending rope of forgiveness and second chances. He believes that anyone and everyone deserves as many chances as he can possibly give them whilst he is still alive! Amazing right. He has a heart of gold overflowing with love. And what are the chances that he is an animal lover too 🙂 What a role model my boys have…

We know about the laws of attraction, so why not give what you want to receive? If nothing else, I bet you’ll feel better just by spreading a little kindness to someone in desperate need. In that same way, you are spreading kindness to yourself. Sometimes we need to be a little kinder to ourselves too. In a world where life gets so buy we need to remember to spread some kindness. It need not be anything major and it definitely need not be anything for the world to see. A simple smile might be all it takes to spread some kindness today.

Are you KIND?

Spirited Mama

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 1 – Living with intent

Week 2 – Be an example

Week 3 – Be YOU

Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions

Week 5 – Change is inevitable

Week 6 – Let it go

Week 7 – Love YOURSELF

Week 8 – FORGIVE

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Week 12 – Enjoy the small things… F*ck balance

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52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 12 – Enjoy the small things…F*ck balance

By spiritedmama1

On September 4, 2018

In About me, Goals

Enjoy your life vs Balance your life

This lesson is constantly in my subconscious. Its become a part of me as THIS is ultimately what I want to achieve. BUT, it’s also one of the most difficult tasks to do, in the throes of life when trying to juggle all the balls. There is that little voice in my head reminding me to find that “BALANCE”. But how? How do you find that balance without dropping any balls?

As if I don’t have enough on my plate as is with life, husband/kids/work/me…

A while ago, my Dude pointed out that I should MAKE time for myself. My question is HOW/WHERE/WHEN?

Even though I only work half day, I still do a full days work within half the time. I don’t have the luxury of free time as my kids take up the other half of my time. In between extra murals/homework/projects/speeches/etc life still goes on.

I feel as though I’m playing catch up ALL the time. I took a few days off in August BUT I was sick the entire time. Not a common cold but full on flu and bronchitis. I didn’t get much done and was merely making a bad situation even worse. I decided to refrain from social media and tried to focus on my family. Although, we had tantrums and moods, all in all the time out from the mundane weekly routine did us some good.

I try to enjoy the small things but it’s damn hard to enjoy the small things when you were literally up all night with a sick baby. A baby who refused to sleep until 4am! only to wake up at 5am and vomit EVERYWHERE.

Training my mind to let shit go

Remember the lesson for week 6 – Let it go

It’s a work in progress… every single day. Learning to just be in the moment. This is one of my biggest struggles. Since being more conscious about it, I’ve started to find joy in the small things. With Troll being sick and being up all night, we caught up on some series. Before you judge, Troll was half asleep/half awake and NOT staring at the screen.

I am my worst enemy. I know that I am damn hard on myself. I take pride in my work BUT I realised I have dropped some balls there.

So society has dictated that we need to find that “BALANCE” in life. If you have THAT balance please feel free to send me your step by step manual. Otherwise feel free to f*ck off and let me enjoy my small things. This works for me. It’s what makes me feel happy rather than chasing some balance that no one person seems to know where to find anyway! Spirited Mama

It’s the small things that matter the most

I have big dreams but I’m more of a person who thrives on gratification and satisfaction of achieving and seeing my plans come to life. To that I am trying to make those big dreams and goals smaller and more achievable by having smaller sizable tasks that once completed I can tick off my list! This is what gives me a sense of achievement. If I have to wait years just to tick a box, it kills me inside.

Right now, I find that I’m super proud of myself for getting the kids ready for school ON TIME! That’s a major thing for me and usually sets the tone for the mornings. The ultimate bonus is when the kids are happy to oblige to the morning routine. I high five myself even if one child is happy and the other is having a shit fit. Having my kids eat their food is a big deal in my world. They are generally good eaters BUT we do have days where anything served is exactly what they DO NOT want. I’m not going to cook you a special meal, this is what’s on offer so deal with it. Believe me, kids will eat if they are hungry.

Dude and I have catch up sessions in the evening when the kids are in bed. You might be wondering why this is a big deal to me…Well this is also the time where I can quickly clean up/fold laundry/get ready for tomorrow. So this is also the time that Dude helps with whatever task is on hand! It’s also OUR quiet time to sit back and enjoy a coffee together.

F*ck Balance

I’m doing the BEST I can in the moment!

What are the small things that you enjoy?

Do you have the elusive BALANCE in your life?

Enjoy YOUR small things!

Spirited Mama

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 1 – Living with intent

Week 2 – Be an example

Week 3 – Be YOU

Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions

Week 5 – Change is inevitable

Week 6 – Let it go

Week 7 – Love YOURSELF

Week 8 – FORGIVE

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Easy dinner recipes with Daily Dish and how we survived the week that was

By spiritedmama1

On August 28, 2018

In Food, Reviews

The week that we survived

This delivery of four family dinners which was delivered at my office was what saved us from eating really badly this past week. The week that was but we survived! Yes, survived. Dude was unexpectedly called for shift duty for the entire week. Dudie had a project, oral and autobiography that needed to be completed. This is besides the normal daily homework. And I felt like I was drowning at work. Now add a sick baby, aka Troll, to this and somewhere something was bound to be neglected.

Daily Dish ensured that we were had healthy dinners

How resourceful – they minimise waste and send you only what is required for your meal. Every spice/sauce is accurately measured according to the recipe.

Our aim is to provide our customers with ingredients that are highest quality, fresh, seasonal, local, and sustainably produced. We get our food directly from the Fairview farm and other local fresh produce and free range farms to ensure that we deliver only the very best produce… Daily Dish

Fresh produce straight from the farm. I tried as best as I could to get Dudie to help prepare the vegetables but my attempts fell on deaf ears. Granted, I could’ve tried harder but I decided to let him be and just allow the control freak in me to do it the way I wanted to. Here is what we ate this past week:

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I did manage to post on my instagram feed on despite all the madness during the week

Troll is still on the mend. However, Dudie has now also caught whatever is currently doing the rounds in our house. Both kids are SICK!

Daily dish is convenient and saves YOU time

You don’t have to set foot in a store to buy ingredients. They do the shopping for you 🙂 Convenient much? Talk about time management.

Each dinner comes with a beautifully printed recipe card, outlining the method and preparation time required. I find it difficult to follow a recipe as the rebel in me doesn’t want to play by those rules. I cook with emotion so you can be sure that you will taste my emotion in my food. Even on the days that my emotions were drained out of me, dinner still tasted good 🙂 Let’s just say that the recipes are fool proof!

What you get when you order a box from Daily Dish

Your 4 dinners will be delivered to you at home or work – you decide. The ingredients are kept in a refrigerated box to ensure that it stays fresh. You just need to refrigerate it at home, within 12 hours of delivery. Each ingredient is labelled for the meal it is intended to be used for and it boasts a best before date.

Familiar BUT healthy and innovative meals

Looking for healthy dinner recipes? Menus change weekly to ensure that you don’t eat the same boring mundane meal at dinner time every.single.week. The meals are innovative in using ingredients that you normally might not use in your daily cooking routine. Daily dish offers a variety of dinner boxes to suit YOUR dietary requirements. You can choose a box for 2-4 people or a solo box for 1 person. Dinner boxes range from a family box/classic box/ banting box/vegan box/goodie box or a pork free box.

As a family, or rather I made the decision on behalf of them, to make healthy food choices so these easy to cook dinners rings true to my strategy.

As a side note – they also have a WINE box option, if you’re interested 🙂

My Dude, aka the husband, was skeptical about these dinners as he feels our or rather his portion size compared to someone else’s portion size might not correspond. The proof was in the pudding when even Dude agreed that the portion sizes were very generous indeed.

So here’s something for YOU from Daily Dish & Spirited Mama!

For every NEW subscriber to Daily Dish, you will get R250 off your first box AND a Fairview Farmstead cheese box, valued at R350. Just click on the link below. It takes you directly to the order page and will automatically apply my code at checkout. This offer is valid until 30 October 2018.

https://www.dailydish.co.za/promo/SPIRITEDFCB

It’s pay week. Go on treat yourself and your family to Daily Dish’s convenient healthy dinner boxes.

Happy cooking!

Spirited Mama

**Disclaimer – We were sent the Daily Dish products to review. However, all views and opinions expressed are my own**

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Bored? Teach your kids some skills with board games with #PrimaGamesFest + Win

By spiritedmama1

On July 27, 2018

In Family, Games

Board games are still a part of me

Board games reminds me of so many childhood memories with my extended family. And to this day, a family gathering is NOT complete without at least one night of playing board games. We live in Gauteng and most of our family live in the Western Cape. So whenever we visit the family, you can bet on it that we will squeeze in a board game or two. In fact, it’s sort of become our tradition and Dudie, 8 years old, loves it!

I have one brother, 9 years younger than me. So growing up I felt like an only child. Don’t despair because I have loads of cousins and if you saw us together you would think that we were siblings. The endless fights BUT the closeness so surreal. Board games was also our escape from the madness of busy days and the boredom during school holidays. I don’t remember being BORED growing up!

Board games also kept us out of mischief as one time we burnt down Mamma’s beloved tree, but that is a story for another day…. I only told Mamma almost 20 years later what actually happened to her tree.

Competitive much? Try board games

Personality is linked to genetics, go google it… I’ll wait.

That being said both Dude and I are competitive by nature! And Dudie inherited THAT gene two fold. Holy moly, this child DOES NOT WANT TO LOSE! Be that as it may, we have subtle ways of reminding him that you WON’T always win in life, so you need to know how to handle that loss. Board games is one of the methods we use to get this point across.

When we play boardgames, we don’t LET him win. He has to win fair and square. We, rather I, won’t throw the game so that he can win. The lesson is sinking in and I see that he is much better at managing his competitive nature.

Parents should take advantage of board games

Growing up, the parents were always busy working so kids were left to entertain themselves. I was fortunate that Mamma was home to take care of us after school. My favourite after school activity, as you know it pours in Cape Town during Winter, was playing Rummikub with Mamma. Hours of endless fun and bonus learning!

Now being a parent myself, I see the learning opportunity and take full advantage of games in general.

Preparing this generation for Life to come

Workplace situations – perseverance, tolerance, team work, communication, conflict resolution, negotiation skills… Are these not SKILLS that employers are trying to hone in on?

Why are YOU not instilling these skills into the next generation? They are the FUTURE!

It need not be so complicated. It starts with baby steps, and by that I mean, start with a game. PLAY with YOUR kids. Learn from one another AND teach/build/enhance their skills whilst brushing up on YOUR OWN SKILLS. Inevitably, these skills become their coping mechanisms through life. And the BONUS is that YOU are BONDING with your family x.

Communicate with each other – I mean like talk to each other IN PERSON! No technology involved other than actual people talking face to face, in person. Yes, we live in a technologically driven world BUT sometimes you need to step back, switch off those devices AND just talk to the person. No text, no whatsapp, no facetime, no snapchat – Just talk like we used to in the “olden days”…

We tested some games for the #PrimaGamesFest

I consider these games, tabletop games BUT in our case, BEST played on the floor.

#PrimaGamesFest review

Rummikub

This game is FUN for adult and child alike! It’s easy to understand and once you get the hang of it, you and your kid(s) won’t want to stop. Hours of endless fun to curb some cabin fever this winter. Once you have mastered Rummikub, try Rummikub with a twist to spice things up a bit! Make sure you get a little helper to clear up AFTER you’re done playing 🙂

Little sibling, aka Troll, clearing up after the game is done

Boomblast stix

Now this game is something you MUST try with your family and friends. It’s listed as a “teen” game BUT even my 1 year old cracks his belly laugh when we play Boomblast stix. *we don’t let Troll play with it! He is our spectator cheering us on 🙂 I’m going to do a proper video of this one soon!

King Pong

It’s all about your accuracy and speed. I’ll show you OUR version, we still need loads of practise AND then I’ll show you what it actually needs to look like 🙂

World’s smallest Doodletop

For the doodlers – You MUST try this one! I am NOT a doodler but I thoroughly enjoyed this doodletop. Probably because it requires minimal input from MY side… My Dudie thinks everyone can be an artist with a doodletop 🙂

Boardgames and games are a wonderful form of entertainment and this year, to showcase Prima Toys’ amazing products, we are very proud to be launching the first ever Games Festival. The festival highlights all our hottest game and boardgame products from the traditional ones like Rummikub and Snakes & Ladders to the brand new King Pong, Boomblast and Flipside!

The hottest #PrimaGamesFest products:

For Toddlers and Children

Twist & Turn
Disney 4 in 1 Game
Frozen Matching Game
Frozen Activity Packs
Lion Guard Surprise Slides
Lion Guard Matching Game
Peppa Pig Dominoes
Disney junior Surprise Slides
Minnie Play & learn educational game
Disney Princess Brainstorm
Sofia the First my nail studio
L.O.L. Surprise Game
L.O.L. Puzzle

For Teenagers

Flipside
Boomblast
Kingpong
Rubik’s Cube

Family Games

Wikipedia
20 Questions
Rummikub
Hotel Tycoon
Anti-Monopoly

For more information go to www.primatoys.co.za or www.Facebook.com/primatoys

WIN the King Pong Game!!!

All you have to do is share this giveaway post on Facebook + tag a friend!

*Make sure that you share publicly and tag me so that I know you have entered*

And GO!!!

Spirited Mama

T’s & C’s

**Competition closes 31 July 2018. Winner will be announced on 3 August 2018.
Open to South African residents only.
Winner will be randomly selected.
No correspondence will be entered into once a winner is selected.
Winner will be announced on my social media accounts and notified via email.
I reserve the right to disqualify invalid entries.
**

***Disclaimer – The games were sent to us for review but the views and opinions expressed are my own.***

We EXPLORED the Prima Top Toys for 2018

By spiritedmama1

On July 17, 2018

In Kids, Reviews

Let them explore

There are 161 days before it’s Christmas!!! Generally, I try and get most of my shopping done in advance so that I avoid last minute trips to get gifts. This also saves my budget a few pennies as I can make informed decisions about the toys that I would buy the boys.

Last Thursday, I attended the much anticipated Prima Top Toys for 2018 Christmas Launch. What a treat it was or rather it was a CARNIVAL! As an adult, I do look forward to the annual Prima Top Toys launch as it is then that ALL the adults get to behave “child-like” and no one is judging you. In fact, it is expected of you to behave in a child-like manner to ensure that you enjoy the entire experience AND explore the top toys on offer.

From arrival, we, i.e. media/bloggers/vloggers/influencers/etc, were spoilt from Maverick & Jane gourmet popcorn to chilled Prosecco, playing carnival style games to win actual prizes. We knew that we were in for a real carnival.

The theme for 2018 is Let them explore. It’s about letting children enjoy and explore their world through play. It’s about giving them the opportunity to discover new things, new play patterns, new technology and more. With the array of toys that will be available in stores from now until the end of the year, children of all ages will have the opportunity and the excitement of exploring new ranges.

YESSS!!! Influencers and Bloggers, Prima Toys is taking note!

We have also seen the positive impact of influencers and bloggers in our ‘local’ market place, educating parents & children alike and in so doing changing the face of ‘traditional’ marketing for ever.

Here’s an overview of the Prima Top Toys for 2018

Nostalgia toys continue to make a serious comeback, together with collectibles and toys that incorporate robotics and technology. This Festive Season there is something for everyone and for all ages from toddler to tween to teenager. There is also a wide range of classic and new games that adults can enjoy.

Kids are becoming increasingly tech savvy and they want in on the latest toy craze around the world.

Top Toys for BOYS in 2018

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Ben 10

Ben 10 is still at the top of the list in terms of boy’s toys. Benjamin Tennyson moonlights as Ben 10, a superhero with special powers that he discovered from a young age when his signature Omnitrix device miraculously attached itself to his wrist. The Ben 10 range features all the alien figurines in various sizes ad movement capabilities. There are also exciting playsets including the Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber and the Transform & Battle playset.

New to the range is Ben 10 Action Projection Omnitrix, the Omni Launcher which includes 2 figurines, the deluxe Transforming figure and the Alien Creation Chamber.

Big Hero 6

The toys in this range are based on the animated superhero series of the same name. Toys in the range include Micro Chibi figures, action figures, feature figures, Armoured Up Baymax and Blast Flying Baymax.

Treasure X

Especially for boys who love to hunt for treasure, Treasure X is a new toy that engages the senses as children scratch, dig and unearth the lost bounty. Like any good treasure hunt, Treasure X is about more than just what you find, it’s about the fun of finding it too. Hidden somewhere inside the Treasure X brick are a collectible skeleton figure and a treasure chest which contains a gold treasure.

StretchMini Stretch Justice League Figures are just some of the fantastic toys available in the Stretch range. Each toy can stretch up to 5 times its original size, it then slowly shapes back, ready to be pulled and twisted all over again. Look out for Mini Stretch X-Ray and Mini Stretch VacMan, Stretch Batman and introducing Disney Pixar Mini Stretch Mrs Incredibles.

Trixx

Collect the 8 cars and create your own circuit! Trixx360º is much more than a car that turns 360! Everything is usable in Trixx360! Use the packaging box to build your own circuit! Make as many combinations as you can imagine!But not only that. All the accessories of the cars are interchangeable, including the wheels and the bodies! Collect the 8 cars with their ramps and make multiple combinations!

Top Toys for Girls in 2018

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Shopkins

Shopkins have become a toy box staple and have crept into the heart of little girls the world over. They are cute, adorable, very colourful and collectible with price ranges that accommodate intermittent purchase and big ticket item buys kept especially for birthdays and special occasions. From the small collectible Shopkins, to the world of Shoppies and now Shoppets, the Shopkins universe features different themes for every season, sparks the imagination and provides endless hours of enjoyment.

This season sees the launch of Shopkins’ Season Nine – Wild Style, which introduces the Shoppets. They are adorable little pets for the Shoppies dolls and are larger than a Shopkin, but smaller than a Shoppie.

2018 also sees the launch of the Shopkins Small Mart Range.

Something top secret is happening in Shopville. Shopkins Lil Secrets is another range to look out for and will be available in stores in October. Hint: they are little playsets that Shoppies can play with.

L.O.L. Surprise have been a phenomenon. The success of the products hinges on the fact that it’s all about unpacking the surprises inside until you have put together a complete toy. The products have won a range of international awards and continue to fascinate girls from the age of four and up.

To add more fun, sparkle and excitement to the range, a variety of new, mystery-filled L.O.L. products have been launched including L.O.L. Pets, L.O.L. Glitter, L.O.L. Confetti, L.O.L. Little Sisters, L.O.L. Surprise Game with Accessory, L.O.L. Water Game and L.O.L. Puzzles.

Baby Secrets

Baby Secrets is a retro toy that has made a comeback. Baby Secrets is collectibles range which features a unique element, that of discovering if the character is a boy or a girl by bathing it in water. The nappy changes colour to either blue or pink to reveal the gender.

Pikmi Pops and Cake Pops

Pikmi Pops and Cake Pops are just waiting to be unwrapped! Another range of collectibles that feature the surprise element, the Pikmi Pops and Cake Pops are filled with mini scented plushies and other fun goodies.

Baby Love

Baby Love is Prima Toys’ own baby doll range. The success of the dolls hinges on the fact that they were designed with a South African audience in mind and each doll speaks a national language. Baby Bella speaks English, Baba Tasha speaks Afrikaans and the hugely successful Baby Thando speaks English and isiZulu. Parents and little girls can look forward to a new isiXhosa speaking doll. For 2018 the range now includes a Baby Love Buggy.

Little Live Pets

Fans of the Little Live Pets will be pleased to know that there are new additions to the toy range. Little Live Pets Pup, Little Live Pets Dragon. There is also a Little Live Pets Bizzy Bubs.

Introducing the Lil’ Cutie Pups, the latest members of the Little Live Pets family! These little dogs are the cutest pups around. Lil’ Cutie Pups are full of life and love to show off their own personalities as they scamper about, beg and play with you!

LITTLE LIVE PETS DRAGON

Hatching toys is a trend that will continue in 2018. The Little Live Pets Surprise Dragon comes in a beautiful egg and you don’t know which one is inside until it hatches. Once hatched, the Dragon can hop and flutter its wings. The Little Live Pets Surprise Dragon can be hatched again and again.

Baby Born

Baby Born is a wonderful product range that has been around for 26 years. The Baby Born dolls feature lifelike functions like tearing, feeding, drinking and wetting. Numerous accessories are included with each doll ensuring that little girls can role play and take care of their doll as if it were a real baby. Accessories include plate and spoon, a potty, a dummy, a diaper and a sachet of baby doll food. Baby Born new soft body

Features of the new Baby Born rage include being soft to the touch (their bodies are soft and seamless), super movable (there is improved motion of arms and legs) and more easily crying real tears.

October will see the launch of our nationwide Baby Born campaign – in which little girls can stand a chance to win their share of R100 000 Baby Born dolls and accessories!

Baby Annabell

Baby Annabell® is almost like a real baby with lifelike functions and a cute expression on her face. She responds to touches, can cry real tears and loves her bottle and dummy. When she drinks her bottle or sucks her dummy, she delightfully opens and closes her eyes, while her mouth moves realistically. Patting her on the back helps her burp like a real baby. Rocking her from side to side makes her feel sleepy. When she cries, tear drops start to fall from her eyes. She yawns, closes her eyes and begins to breathe gently.

My Fairy Garden is an enchanting range that features fairies and unicorns and introduces children to the changing of the seasons, gardening and how plants grow. The toys are perfect for girls aged 4 years and older. Children love toys that allow them to be creative and to learn about their environment; and with My Fairy Garden playsets they have the opportunity to learn even more about nature.

Coming in October are the Disney Doorables! Unlock Moose Toys Latest Surprise with Glitter Eyes when Doors Open in October 2018! Through a collection of figures and connectable playsets, Disney Doorables empowers kids to become storytellers by uniting beloved Disney characters in one land – where surprise and delight await behind each door.

Scruff-a-luvs are adorable fur ball, rescued pets. The pets come in pink or blue and untangle in water to reveal your puppy. Find us Scruffy, Make us Fluffy! These unloved and abandoned pets are in need of your help! When buying your Scruff-a-Luv, they arrive as a sad ball of matted pink fur, but once you bathe them, dry them, brush them and love them, you will discover your puppy! Available mid September.

SCRUFF A LUVS

Top Tech Toys in 2018

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Fingerlings continue to be at the top of the birthday wish list.

This year, the Fingerlings family has grown with the addition of Fingerlings Baby Unicorns and the Glitter Monkey. As the best-selling technology toy for 2017, the Fingerlings have become a phenomenon in the toy world and with good reason because these robotic pets are cute, adorable and very huggable.

Brightly coloured with adorable faces, these palm-sized pets curl around your finger and come to life when you play, responding to sound, motion and touch with over 40 animations. Later in the year and leading up to the festive season, more awesome and exciting Fingerlings will be added to the range.

Introducing exciting new additions to the Fingerlings family: Dino, Pando and Dragon.

Teksta
Incredibly lifelike, the classic robotic Teksta puppy is back with more interactive features than ever before. The puppy responds to voice, movements, lights and sounds through a built in artificial intelligence program. It communicates its emotions with barks, whines and changes in eye patterns, just like a real puppy. Teksta 360 will also react to your hand gestures to sit, stop and flip backwards. You can even train it to play and dance with its friends by downloading the app for additional bonus features.

Robo Chameleon

Robo Chameleon

Move, Aim and Catch! A Robot Chameleon that can Shoot the tongue out and snap up the “food”!

There are 3 steps to catching Robot Chameleon:

Walk your Robot Chameleon to the “food” by remote control
Aim the target!
Press “catch” on the remote

Robot Chameleon has a built-in extendable tongue to “catch” the “food”. It also has a LED Illuminated body, with multiple colour light changes. It also has a motorized tails and eyes that move when it walks.

Virtual Reality (VR) Real Feel

VR product range

VR Real Feel is the game that makes virtual reality a reality! Experience 3D high definition graphics with your iPhone or Android smartphone using the VR Real feel headsets. Simply download the game to a smartphone, insert the phone into the headset and play. Range includes VR Fishing, VR Alien Blaster, VR Motocross and VR Racing. The headsets have a comfortable foam face, adjustable straps, and an adjustable phone cradle.

Show off your skills with the Laser X Two-Player Laser Tag Gaming Set.

Laser X

With two blasters and two receiving vests, players are ready for one-on-one competitions, but can also join in on team play since the sets are all compatible with each other. Check the blast power indicator to know how many blasts you have left, so that if you’re low on blasts you can find a good hiding place. Available September.

ARIA

A.R.I.A’s Adventures is an educational interactive set with 3 different games in 1 box. It includes 100 interactive flash cards, a Virtual Reality animal park and 3D colouring pages. Use your smart device or the included VR head set and allow A.R.I.A to take you on an incredible virtual journey.

Top Science Toys in 2018

National geographic has launched a new range of S.T.E.M. toys that stimulate the imagination and help children develop an aptitude for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We all want to give our kids the world, and now, with National Geographic, parents can do just that. The range has fun, educational, stimulating and inspiring toys for kids.

With the National Geographic science kits, children become thoroughly absorbed in play and learning. The range includes a variety of digging kits such as the Shark Teeth Dig Kit, Dinosaur Dig Kit, Bug Dig Kit and the Gemstone Dig Kit. There is also a Volcano Science Kit and a Glow in the dark crystal it where kids can create their very own crystals. There is a new range of soft play including Dinosaur, safari and Ocean animal figures to collect, play with and display.

Nat Geo figurines

Wildlife Wow is a revolutionary NEW wildlife series! Soft and squeezable with the same level of detail as hard figures. Each figure is hand-painted with non-toxic paint. These animals come to life with a free virtual and augmented reality experience and the app’s X-ray vision lets you see the skeletal structure inside each animal. Watch videos, learn facts, and explore each animal with the educational interface.

Prima Top Toys Games in 2018

This year the Prima Toys’ collection of games is bigger and better. From the classics to brand new games that will have your skills tested to the limit, all in the name of fun! Our brand new games include:

Flipslide is a fast-paced electronic game that tests your speed and reflexes.

Boom Blast Stix – this game will keep everyone on the edge of their seats!

Game Box – Games Box is small enough to be taken but big enough to provide lots of fun gaming times!

Rubik’s Cube – For all Rubik’s Cube fans both veteran and amateur, the brand has created new versions of the famous cube that are more challenging, more fun and more exciting to solve.

Top Toys for Toddlers in 2018

A range of new LeapFrog products are available to help your child develop a love of learning during the early childhood year.

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LeapFrog prepares your child for a lifetime of learning. The brand is the leader in innovative solutions that encourage a child’s curiosity and love of learning throughout their early developmental years. For more than 20 years, LeapFrog has helped children expand their knowledge and imagination through products that combine state-of-the-art educational expertise, innovative technology and engaging play. LeapFrog’s learning tablets, developmental games, learn to read and write systems, interactive learning toys and more are designed to create personalized experiences that encourage, excite and build confidence in children.

V Tech

VTech creates age appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children of various ages. The products enrich children’s development and make learning fun. VTech consults a panel of experts, specialised in reading, language arts, science, math and child development, during the process of creating new products to ensure that they are beneficial to children.

Some of the new products for toddlers that parents can look forward to from VTech are:

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Little Tikes

Little Tikes is a range of toys for indoor and outdoor play that will entertain your child while helping them to develop their mind and imagination. The toys encourage discovery and learning through active, creative and social play and provide hours of fun.

The products are created for babies and toddlers, as well as older children, with a focus on interaction, movement and learning.

Below are some of the latest toys from Little Tikes:

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Mickey turns 90 years old!

Mickey_disney_plushtoy_primatoys_toptoys_2018

90cm Mickey Plush toy

Mickey is turning 90 on 18 November. Disney will be running a nationwide campaign to celebrate all things Mickey over the festive period and capitalising on the hype around his birthday (18 November).

Prima Toys will focus on key product categories such as: Plush toys, games, puzzles, metals and outdoor play.

Disney and dress up

Playing dress up is a fun way for kids to express themselves. The Disney rage includes costume party packs available in the following brands: Marvel Avengers, DC Heroes Boys, DC Girls and Disney Princess.

This season there really is something for everyone! For more information, go to www.primatoys.co.za or www.Facebook.com/primatoys and follow @PrimaToys

The toys and games are available at toy stores and retailers countrywide.

Go on, “Let them explore”…

Spirited Mama

My kids make me angry or is it just me needing to express my emotions?

By spiritedmama1

On July 12, 2018

In Parenting

Do my kids really make me angry?

My kids have a set routine and we follow their routines quite efficiently. They know what to expect and when to expect it and this in turn sees them as generally “good” kids. The problem is that I feel they make me angry when they don’t do what I want them to do…when I want them to do it.

I don’t think I have the right to be angry BUT in that moment I am angry and I can’t help it! I breathe, I tell myself to calm the fuck down. It’s not the end of the world BUT to me it feels that I have lost control.

So I’ve been toying with this anger for a while and Tuesday was one of those nights… Our electricity went out just after 8pm. For the record, Troll, 1 yr, goes to bed anywhere from 6 – 7 pm. No issues, no fuss. Dudie, 8 years, goes to bed 7:30 PM but now during school holiday we leave him until generally around 9/10 PM.

Back to Tuesday. Electricity goes out just after 8PM. Granted we have a generator but we had done everything that we needed to so there was technically no reason to use the generator other than to be able to power the aircons. It’s freezing at night.

Troll sleeps in his own room and does not co-sleep with us AT ALL. We expereinced a terrible week of co-sleeping whilst on holiday earlier in teh year and I vowed that we would NOT repeat that again. So we decided it would be a good idea for the rest of the family to catch up on some sleep and turn down early.

Around 9PM, one of the neighbours switched on their generator. WTF! Both dude and I were like, “that generator is going to wake Troll” as it sounds as if it is coming from next door, closest to his window…. And BAM! Baby wakes up and is pissed as hell. So I quickly cuddle him in our bed for some warmth and pray that he just goes back to sleep. That must have lasted 20 minutes…

Troll decided he wants to play because why else would he be in our bed… The dilemma we had was that his room was freezing cos NO aircon! Troll is also a bad, all over the bed, sleeper. So in between Dude and I trying to get him to settle, Dude eventually pipes up that Troll is NOT going to sleep and we should just let him be.

Where the anger stems from?

So many possible solutions here but let me point out a few:

If I have settled my kids, then why are they not settled??? I don’t know how to help you.
I feel that I have lost control of the situation.
What am I doing wrong? Parenting is kicking my ass. If I can’t manage my kids at 8 years and 1 year, what will I do when they are teenagers…
I am tired and just want a good night’s sleep.
I’m under pressure and stressed at work.
This situation is not conducive to my current mood and is quite inconvenient and inconsiderate right now…
I expect my kids to be more mature… How I can think this crap is beyond me. Note to self – THEY ARE KIDS!

I really need to get a grip on these negative thoughts!

How I am managing my anger

I know that many parents feel this way too. It’s not intentional BUT these feelings creep up when I least expect it. Some days I manage the anger well and others NOT.

I want to start making notes of when, where and WHY I became angry. Hopefully, this might point out some triggers for similar situations.

More and more I find myself talking to myself, sometimes aloud. This is not as crazy as you might think because sometimes we need to SAY SOMETHING OUT LOUD and hear YOUR OWN VOICE. You might have that much needed ah-ha moment.

I’m trying my hardest to model good behaviour.

I need regular time-outs! Nothing fancy, just a time-out to do me… some times a walk outside the house to look at our roses bushes does wonders…

Parenting and emotions

Parenting is NOT for the faint hearted! Parenting is very very hard sometimes. It’s an emotional roller coaster. As a woman, I already have dozens of emotions and hormones doing all kinds of crazy things to me and on top of that I still have to keep my emotions in check when parenting. That being said, Parenting is also my greatest achievement!

Spirited Mama quotes

I just can’t imagine living without my offspring…

Spirited Mama

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 11 – Find GOOD friends

By spiritedmama1

On July 6, 2018

In About me, Goals

Finding friends

In all walks of life, we meet many many different people. Aren’t we lucky to be able to live in such diversity? From the time that you are born, you are forming bonds with people. Those bonds will help you shape your views on the ways to form bonds with your friends some day. For some people making friends come naturally. For others it’s not natural. In saying this, I am also cognizant of the fact that some friendships require way more work than others.

You will find friends in the most amazing places/realms of your life. Some online and some in real life. We live in a very different world to what our parents did and these days we see how many online friends become REAL life friends! *Not everything online is bad, you just need to be aware and know the difference…*

Also, the most amazing friendships are formed when you least expect it. I have some very close friends whom I rarely talk to BUT when you see us hanging out together, you would never guess that it may have been years since we were last together.

My BFF from Sub A, or rather Grade one as most know it now, comes to visit us regularly now that she is working in GP. And just like we”clicked” so many years ago, she “clicked” right back into my and my family’s hearts! This one’s a keeper, for sure.

Be a FRIEND

You can’t expect to have friends if you are not willing to be a friend. Friendships are relationships. And like any relationship, it’s suppose to be a mutual give and take alliance. ALL relationships require work from both parties. So be sure to do your bit as a friend. Just as you need your friend, your friend needs you too!

I think one of the easiest ways to learn about being a friend comes from siblings. Siblings become some of the closest friends. A bond, an attachment, and alliance is created that stretches beyond your blood line BUT into a “brotherhood/sisterhood” called friendship. *I know that not all siblings have this closeness…case in point, my only brother and I are 9 years apart and we struggle with this closeness…

But I do think that we learn and mimic others. Until we are wiser and know how to distinguish between right and wrong… As a parent, you are teaching your child(ren) about relationships/friendships. Are you happy with with you are teaching them? Are you and your siblings friends?

Not all friends are family…find YOUR tribe! They are out there, looking for you too.

friends_are_family_you_choose_52lessons_52weeks

Spirited Mama quotes

Sift through your friends

Some friends are for life while others come and go. This is the tricky part where you need to evaluate your situation and decide who is in your life and who is out. Some friendships are short term while others are long term. Think of it this way, your friendship is an investment. And just like an investment, that friendship can reach maturity and will be ceded…

Some friends are there to help you through specific parts of your life. When you have reached the end of “that” part, you may not require that specific friend(s). It’s OK to move on and let go. You may very well have been in their lives for a reason and they may no longer need you either. *In no way am I condoning that you use and abuse your friends. Understand that friendship is a mutual give an take relationship*

Don’t despair as I’m sure you WILL meet new friends to walk with you on your journey. But this is a necessary step to ensure that you are living YOUR best life. You need to TRUST your gut. Only you will know who belongs in your life and who has reached their expiration date. It’s a tough call to make but you need to do as it is in your best interest.

Keep the GOOD friends

The good friends are the ones you want to keep for life! People who stick with you through thick and thin. People who “get” you and understand you. People who share your quirks/laugh/cry with you. People who want you to succeed in life. People who share your joy and happiness. People who want the best for you…