It was Testing Team Dion’s birthday last week and he was lucky enough to receive this little rascle, much to the envy of everyone at GLTC HQ!

After many hours gettting to know each other, Dion decided there could only be one name for him – Mr Stink… after David Walliams’s best-selling children’s novel about the homeless Mr Stink, “the stinkiest stinker who ever lived”.

Mr Stink spends his evenings and weekends navigating his spaceship palace and trying to decide which bedroom to sleep in – until then he feels the need to rearrange all of his bedding and furniture on a daily basis.

We’re sure this won’t be the last we hear of Mr.Stink.

As we get to grips with a whole new year at GLTC HQ, our Guest Blogger Phoebe from Tremendously Two wrote this lovely piece about the ‘T’ word:

When my eldest was born people would tell me that “time will fly” to “make the most of it”.

I’d nod politely but inside I’d be screaming “fly??” as in fast? Are you kidding?

Much as I adored being a new Mum, with my dream daughter who I couldn’t stop staring at, breathing in, and talking about, time did not fly.

First there was the new pace. No rushing off to work at 7am. No running around all day, barely having time to eat or wee. No swooping off the A1 to go to the gym on the way home and rushing home to cook tea before working in the evening and off to bed. None of that. Instead this new pace, where a whole day (which began before 5am) could consist of a trip to a shop or a walk round the block to get her to sleep.

Then of course came the nights. Nights awake breast-feeding; whilst I may look back with warped nostalgia – this doesn’t make for “time flying”. Far better to sleep, dream, wake. That makes for a really fast night.

It’s now though that I’m starting to feel the “time flying” phenomena; and to be honest I don’t like it. I hate it. Stop it time. Slow down!! Whether it’s Rosie with her suddenly gangley legs that don’t fit into her school trousers I bought just last month, or Charles with his face that’s losing the babyness, or when their sleeping becomes a constant reminder that I still haven’t done that trip to IKEA for a bigger bed for Rosie as Charles needs to get out of that cot now! With all of this comes a sadness, one which is brushed with pride admittedly – they aren’t my babies, they’re children, fast growing children and time?

It’s flying.

Phoebe is a journalist and blogs at www.tremendouslytwo.com

….and her Auntie Sally for sending in a picture of our Almond Blossom house on Christmas Day!

Emma and Kerry from Science Sparks kindly got in touch with us as they have a great resource of fun learning activities  for children to experiment with over the holidays.

These two mums have both loved science since childhood and they came up with the idea of posting experiments on their website to engage children and parents in the fun too!

Christmas Shadow Puppets

Shadows are formed when light cannot pass through an object. As light moves in a straight line, shadows are the same shape as the object making the shadow.

To demonstrate this you can make shadow puppets. We made a Christmas tree puppet and some different shapes to put on the top.

What you need

• card
• scissors
• straws or lolly sticks
• tape
• torch or light
• Pens
• Glitter and sparkles

What to do:

1. Draw a tree shape onto some cardboard, and cut it out.
2. Attach the tree to a lollypop stick or straw.
3. Decorate if you wish.
4. In a dark room hold the shadow puppet against a wall and shine the torch or a light at them.
5. You should see the shadow on the wall.

Try moving the shadow puppet further from the wall to make the shadow bigger.

You could try making a Santa puppet with some elves? Or a Santa with different shaped hats.

A Real Life Example

Shadows are formed during an eclipse of the sun. An eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow over Earth. If the shadow blocks out all the light from the sun, it becomes dark during the day.

Thanks so much Emma and Kerry!

We’re really pleased to announce that Olivia and Tom Kirby along with their three children are the lucky winners of our Ski Holiday Competition from Ski Famille.

As you can imagine, they were pretty chuffed when we told them earlier so we hope they will keep us updated!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

We’ve teamed up with the lovely people at Riverford to offer all GLTC fans a veg-tastic box offer. We think if you give them a try now you’ll be so chuffed by Christmas lunch there won’t even be a sprout left for the dog!

The Riverford box scheme began when Guy Watson started delivering vegetables locally to 30 friends in Devon. They now deliver around 40,000 boxes a week to homes around the UK from  regional farms. Every week they pick the best organic produce from their fields to fill the boxed up.
Nowadays, they don’t just do marvellous veg boxes, there are tons of options for meat and all sorts of other lovelies, even the Turkey for the Big Day!

So here’s how you can get a free Riverford Farm Cook Book when you try a vegbox*
Ordering is easy and flexible. Riverford delivers weekly, fortnightly or whenever suits. You don’t need to be at home and you can stop and start deliveries as often as you like. Organic vegboxes start from just £9.85 with free delivery.
To get your free cook book, order online at www.riverford.co.uk/GLTC or call 01803 762059 and quote ‘GLTC’.
*Free book on your 2nd delivery when you place a regular order. Offer applies to new customers only.
Click here to visit Riverford’s website

We’ve teamed up with the lovely people at Ski Famille to offer one very lucky GLTC family a skiing family holiday of a lifetime!  In fact, it’s such an amazing deal we can’t quite believe it ourselves…

To enter, all you need to do is:

1. Enter by answering a few questions here
2. Ensure you are a fan of GLTC on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/greatlittletradingco
3. Ensure you are a fan of Ski Famille’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/familyskiing
4. Ask your family to cross all their fingers and all of their toes (not essential but may help)!

Ski Famille was started in 1990 by two families who were keen to introduce their young children to the mountains they loved, whilst still enjoying their own skiing time and the occasional lengthy lunch. Their mix of well located chalets, inclusive childcare and attentive staff continues to achieve this aim, providing high quality holidays that enable skiing families to get the most from their time together in the Alps.

Ski Famille offers well located catered chalets with inclusive childcare in two family friendly French resorts of Les Gets and Reberty Village (Three Valleys). The company’s emphasis is on ensuring that all adults and children travelling with them have a completely hassle free family ski trip from start to end.

The prize is based on a standard Ski Famille package for up to two adults and two children in a catered Ski Famille chalet of the winner’s choice. Chalets are subject to availability and the prize is subject to Ski Famille’s standard booking conditions.

Ski Famille family ski holiday worth up to £4,800 includes:

- Seven nights accommodation

- Breakfasts x 7

- Afternoon tea x 7

- Adult’s evening meal with wine x 6

- Pre-dinner drinks

- Children’s evening meal x 7

- Five days childcare – up to 8 hours per day

- Children’s ski school collection/delivery

- Channel crossings or airport transfers

This prize can be taken at any point during the 2011/2012 or 2012/2013 ski seasons with the following exclusions; holidays commencing 11/02/12,  31/03/12,  29/12/12, 16/02/13 and  30/03/13.

So what are you waiting for?!

To enter, all you need to do is:

1. Enter by answering a few questions here
2. Ensure you are a fan of GLTC on our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/greatlittletradingco
3. Ensure you are a fan of Ski Famille’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/familyskiing
4. Ask your family to cross all their fingers and all of their toes (not essential but may help)!

GOOD LUCK!

For updates and winner announcements, please see our Facebook wall.

Terms and conditions:

• This prize can be taken at any point during the 2011/2012 or 2012/2013 ski seasons with the following exclusions; holidays commencing 11/02/12,  31/03/12,  29/12/12, 16/02/13 and  30/03/13.
• Closing date for entries is 19/12/11
• The winner will be informed by 20/12/11
• No purchase necessary
• The prize is based on a standard Ski Famille package for up to two adults and two children in a Ski Famille chalet of your choice. Chalets are subject to availability and the prize is subject to Ski Famille’s standard booking conditions.
• No cash alternative is available and the holiday is not transferable
• Flights or Ferry Crossings not included
• If opted in at point of entry, your email address and address will be signed up to  GLTC email newsletters and catalogue
• If opted in at point of entry, your email address and address will be signed up to receive Ski Famille’s email newsletters and a brochure.
• No details will be passed onto any other 3rd Parties.
• All entries should be a fan of both GLTC’s and Ski Famille’s Facebook Pages
• Judges decision is final and no correspondence shall be entered into (e.g pleading or grovelling to be the winner)
• No entries allowed from anyone at GLTC HQ (unfortunately!)

And in case there’s any doubt…We LOVE Ski Famille! To find out more about them, see their website.

We’ve teamed up with Warwick Castle to offer GLTC fans 50% off all tickets purchased before the end of the year!

In particular as Hallow’s Eve approaches Warwick Castle this October half term, the clock has stopped at the witching hour and the ghosts and spirits from 1000 years of history have descended taking over the Towers, State Rooms, the Princess Tower and created terror in the Castle Dungeon.

Are you brave enough to enter The Haunted Castle and wind your way through the spooky state rooms trail, Encounter the Owls, meet the Princess Witches, learn the art of spell making with the Apprentices from Merlin’s Dragon Tower and witness the mighty trebuchet fireball show?

All you need to do is follow the link here to order your tickets.

T&Cs: The 50% discount applies to 1 day standard admission to Warwick Castle booked via the special offer link in advance only. Tickets are limited so make sure you book your 50% discount tickets today. All tickets must be booked online via the special link before the 30/12/2011 for visits made before the 31/12/2011.)

Hope you have a great time!

We’re sure we weren’t the only ones to go GBBO crazy (?).

Mel and Sue from GBBO!

Fortunately the show’s not over at GLTC,  so we thought it only right to keep that pinny on and celebrate with this mouth watering  selection of baked and baking mad goods. In fact, it’s a  Great Little Bake Off.

It may only be pretend play, but if you haven’t seen our new roast chicken yet…it’s quite an wish bone!

First thing’s first. Every baker and cook needs a kitchen of course. We have a wide range for both girls and boys.

Next are the overalls, a.k.a a chef set or aprons to keep that cheeky flour at bay.

Bakers seem to think an electric mixer is an enormous help – This may be a toy version of the Classic Kenwood Mixer but children can make their own pancake and omlette mixture in it. Genius!

Not available in any leading supermarket, these play food items are a real gem.

When it comes to poultry, only one question remains. Which should you get first? The Chicken or the Eggs?

Cupcakes are still so popular and with this  imaginative toy baking set: you can decorate the cake toppings with the ‘icing’ because they’re actually wipe clean marker pens in disguise!

Last but not least, some personalised cutlery to eat all of the produce and a nice cup of tea…(for mummy at least!)

Pictures courtesy of our Pretend Play range!