Little Girl Talk

The little girl has has expressed time and again her desire to become a dentist. It has been a couple of years as she was still two then when she first told us what she wanted to become when she grows up and at four, she still definitely wants to be a dentist. I know it is still a long way but glad that she already knows what she wants at her age. She does not want to be a nurse like mommy nor a computer engineer like daddy. Neither does she wants to be a doctor nor a lawyer. This little kids knows what she wants and she always tends to get it so it might be free dental consultations for mommy in the future. With prayers and guidance, I know she will achieve it.

Glamping

The husband has mentioned every now and then about going camping. For those who know me, I am not the camping type. I do not like sleeping in cramped spaces, using common toilets and having to weave your way around in a limited nature. Inconvenience is just not my type of holiday.

A holiday for me is staying in a nice hotel abroad or in another city and not having to clean or make beds and not having to cook! So, camping is always out of the question.

I do not remember when I exactly first heard the word “glamping” but I remember looking it up on Google and was astonished to find the most beautiful and glamorous camping sites I have ever seen, thus the word “glamping” for glam and camping put together.

These are just examples of how you can camp out in style and glamour.

I like the fact that you sleep in a proper bed and still sleep under the stars. All I need to wish for now is a prpoper  English summer.

Photos not my own and taken from the net.

The Ramen Craving

I am a lover of carbs. I love noodles, pizza and pasta. The other day I was craving for some Ramen. This was after we watched Disney on Ice. It was nice and warm inside the arena but once we were outside, it was drizzling and was so windy which made the mild temperature colder. My tummy wanted some comfort food, something warm that I craved for some ramen.

We are not fans of Wagamama as the first time we went there, we did not really like what we had and the fact that you sit in one long table with strangers did not sit well with us (no pun intended). I guess we just needed help and time in ordering as we felt that we were being hurried up by staff as there was a long queue outside which is usual for them. After that, we have never been back.

A few weeks back, I had the chance of checking out their menu on their website and I knew I wanted to try the Gyoza and the Katsu. Of course, the ramen, too. Since there is a Wagamama in Brent Cross, the shopping mall near Wembley arena where we watched Disney On Ice, I suggested to the husband that we try it again.

There was a queue when we got there but it was quick as we did not wait for more than 15 minutes. Once we were ushered to our table, someone came to get out orders straight away and we got them very quickly. You still sit on a long table with other people but there was more room and a good space between you and the next party so I guess they have improved their seating this time as before it felt so cramped I felt like i was rubbing elbows with strangers, literally.

The food that we ordered was lovely this time though my ramen could do with a lot more taste to it. The ebi katsu was so tasty, crunchy in the outside with soft and tender prawn inside, very well spiced, too. We also had the chicken and vegetable gyoza and it was divine. Perfect amount of chicken and veggies wrapped in beautifully cooked wrap.

We still felt hurried as the long line of people outside was never ending but we now knew this time to take out time as we are paying customers and people will just have to wait like we waited for our turn earlier. 

The service is better and so is the food. We will definitely go back after this visit.

Wagamama

Brent Cross Shopping Centre

Hendon, London

NW4 3FP

www.wagamama.com

AniSnap Watches

We were lucky to be one of the recipients of the new range of watch for kids that is now in the market. My four year old daughter has asked for a watch in her Christmas list. I already got her one for her Christmas stocking but another watch will not hurt, I mean, one can never have too many watches, as they say.

This came in the post a few days before Christmas and I have to say I was really impressed as it looks very nice. If I was a child, I would be jumping with glee if I get this as a present. 

The tough silicone material encases the watch itself and is also what the strap is made of. I am very confident that it will not break nor tear as I was just stuffing it in my bag whenever my four year old needs to wash her hands while we are out and about. 

The surprise was the snap strap which I did not know until I opened it. The name of the watch should have given it away ( silly me!). So yes it really was a pleasant surprise and my four  year old loves it as she is able to put it on her arm and take it off by herself  without the help of an adult. Just one snap and it curls round her arm.

Once it is round her arm, it can be adjusted further to fit though still a bit lose for her tiny arm, so she just wears it over her sleeves which makes it a perfect fit.

Santa did put a Peppa Pig watch in her stocking but once I gave her the AniSnap, every time I ask her which watch she wants to wear for the day, she always choose the AniSnap. She loves it.

The only downside is that the material seems to attract lint easily but not a major issue as the material itself is wipe clean.

I would love the AniSnap watch if I were a child. As a mom, I highly recommend it as your child's first watch. The funky designs will help encourage them to learn to tell the time and the glow in the dark hands make it  more fun.

It also comes in a monkey and elephant design, perfect for your little ones.

AniSnap watches are available from independent retailers and online at 

www.eternallyu.com

 I received the above item in exchange for a product review.

This product review is completely my own and was in no way influenced by any outside party.

Disney On Ice

I remember watching Disney On Ice as a child and I cannot believe it is my turn to take my own child to watch it. Though this time, it was not in Cebu but in London. 

It was a fantastic show and the characters reminded me of my childhood though during my time, The Little Mermaid was still not around.

There was the Lion King, Lilo and Stitch and Peter Pan.

It was a great show with fantastic performers who deserves sports medals and trophies as they were like gymnasts and Olympic ice skaters in their own right. The little girl and I could not wait to watch it again in the future.

Boxing Day

Every year I tell myself that I will not brave the Boxing day sale crown again only to find myself the next year saying the same thing. 

For this year's Boxing day sale, we went to Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, right across the Olympic stadium. This is one of the newest shopping centres in London and considered one of the biggest in Europe.

There was so much traffic and the one hour journey took two hours and a half though thankfully we did not have a lot of trouble getting a parking space. Inside was a different story. It was packed and there were queues in most shops. Hollister in particular had a very long queue that snaked on the way round to the other side of the mall. Then I learned it was fifty percent off. No wonder. 

I was on a mission. I did not want to be distracted. I wanted to focus on getting myself a long awaited pair of black boots in the sale. But unfortunately for my wallet but fortunately for me, we passed by Victoria's Secret (my downfall) and I came out of the shop with two gift sets which were half price. Not bad and too good to pass.

It was mission accomplished too, in the boots department. The perfect knee high length, soft black leather and so comfortable.

It was mission accomplished too in the food department. We had a hearty dinner in one of the Chinese restaurant there. Then we had dessert at Pinkberry.

It was a lovely day albeit tiring and I have a feeling we will be doing the same thing next year.

The Third Birthday Party (for three)

I have written about celebrations intended for our little girl, I wrote about her Christening, first birthday party and second birthday party in my previous posts.

On her third birthday though we decided not to have a party per se but to just take her out for the day. It was refreshing change as there was no stress involved as normally with parties there is the stress of how many guests to have, the venue, the food and during the party itself, you have to make sure the guests are comfortable and well cared for. This makes it so easy to forget the real reason of having the party - the birthday celebrant. You cannot relax nor enjoy the party itself and then you just look back at the photos.

We took her to London. We had lunch at The Rainforest Cafe which is brilliant for kids. 

We then took her M&M's World where she got some sweeties.

Then lastly, a trip to HAMLEY'S toy store in Regents street where she had the most fun looking at every toy imaginable. She rode a £1,000 price rocking horse (ridiculoulsy priced), played the piano and trombone

and we bought her the toy of her choice which was, what else, a Barbie.

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