We’ve always encouraged POD to explore her creativity and the three years she had at nursery certainly helped fuel that. She adopts the same level of enthusiasm for painting and colouring as she does crafts with her newly discovered written skills adding depth to the creations that adorn her bedroom walls. Being an independent little thinker with a fantastic imagination, we were keen to see how she got on with a Shaker Maker.
Now aged five POD usually tells us about any bad dreams if she remembers them clearly enough. The last one she had was quite vivid in that she recalled being on a pirate ship with Peppa Pig and everyone was being chased by a nasty witch. She didn’t seem overly concerned she was on board a pirate ship but understandably got upset about the witch. Thankfully the chasing was a one off although like everyone she does have bad dreams on occasions.
There have been lots of discussions around pets in the Dove household over recent months. POD asked for a dog several times a day in the lead up to her Christmas Day birthday. Thankfully we didn’t crumble as she received a rather splendid toy one that barks, walks and has a lead so she’s happy. One of her best chums getting a real puppy was the icing on the cake. POD loves cats too and there are plenty in our road for her to chat to. She knows she’ll never have one of her own, as we’re allergic to them, but that’s what makes the Pet Parade Play Garden from Flair a little bit special. And it’s provided POD with the opportunity to perfect her rather superb miaowing skills!
POD has been learning about the Great Barrier Reef at school over the last few weeks. Suffice to say its resulted in her asking lots of questions about the ocean and when we’re going on holiday! POD really enjoys travelling regardless of whether we’re on a plane, in a boat or on a train. She seems to relish that almost as much as the holiday itself. Journey’s are certainly made easier as she has such a wonderful imagination. Just this morning she was describing how the Rice Krispies on her spoon was an island of Krispie people!
We’re big fans of bubbles in the Dove household. POD adores them and her giggling as she darts about popping them is so infectious! It’s an easy way to make a five year old very happy although I rather enjoy bubbles myself if I’m honest! The Funrise Gazillion Tornado (available from Tesco) is a mega bubble blower which is battery operated and pumps out hundreds of bubbles a minute. POD has wanted a bubble machine for ages so she was almost beside herself when she saw it!
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What with POD’s gymnastics, drama and swimming classes, there’s regularly a need to recharge while on the move. More often that not it’s a case of grabbing a bottle of water and a banana although the two do get separated at times. We’ve lost a few bottles in the past and find ourselves scrabbling for change to purchase water from a vending machine. But those clever folk at Character Options have devised an innovative means of keeping POD’s drink and snack together. Snackeez is genius! It’s a cup with a flip top container for snacks so it’s perfect for days out, classes and for use in the car too.
Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was one of the world’s most imaginative, successful and well-loved storytellers. He has sold over 200 million books which are currently available in 59 languages. That’s some legacy. I have fond memories of Roald Dahl’s tales from my childhood with favourites like James and the Giant Peach (his first children’s story), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Magic Finger published before I was even born. Classics that followed included Fantastic Mr Fox, Charlie and The Glass Elevator and Danny the Champion of the World followed along with The BFG, George’s Marvellous Medicine and Matilda.
POD’s always been a little explorer so she’s fascinated by programmes like Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures and Andy’s Wild Adventures on CBeebies. I’m sure she’ll enjoy the forthcoming Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures just as much. In the meantime CBeebies has launched Andy’s Amazing Adventures magazine which has been created in association with the BBC Natural History Unit. It combines all the facts on dinosaurs and amazing reptiles that lived millions of years ago, providing children with the opportunity to learn about prehistoric creatures and incredible wildlife.
POD always enjoys Maya the Bee on the Tiny Pop channel so she was thrilled when she caught the film premier last year. It tells the story of Maya, a fun and inquisitive little bee with a big personality who is keen to leave her hive and live in the meadow. With dreams of discovery, adventure and freedom, she soon discovers the hornets that reside beyond the meadow are not to be trusted. But Maya is faced with a bigger challenge when the Queen’s Royal Jelly is stolen by the greedy advisor. Accompanied by her shy friend Willy, and a host of other creatures, it’s up to Maya to save the hive and end the hostility between the bees and the hornets.
The first Disney film POD ever watched was the original Sleeping Beauty which was released around 1960. It became a firm favourite of hers alongside other brilliant classics such as Snow White & the Seven Dwarves, Beauty & the Beast and The Jungle Book. She turned five on Christmas Day. Over the last couple of years or so she’s been able to experience a number of Disney greats – from Tangled, The Lion King and Big Hero 6 to Winnie The Pooh, Maleficent and Frozen. The latter still continues to dominate and last year saw POD dress up as Maleficent (Aurora was busy) – a costume that won her best dressed at school. She’s a huge fan of Pixar films too from Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Ratatouille to Monsters Inc, Monsters University and Inside Out. Mickey Mouse, Sofia the First and The Lion Guard are top of the list on the Disney Channel.
