"Follow the yellow brick road"

This sunshine has really been putting a spring in my step, I love how this weather  gets me motivated to get out and do stuff and when I heard the words "daddy can we go on a scooter adventure?" I couldn't wait to get our wheels out of the boot. Opeie has become quite the Micro-Scooter enthusiast over the last few weeks. Being able to scoot about has been great for his confidence but what I have loved about it most is that his scooter has given him the independence to go a further distance without having to struggle and put pressure on those little legs.

So we got ready for our adventure, packed a lunch, toys, books and of course shades and sun cream before heading out on a glorious day. On the way we had decided we were going to see how many 'yellow' things we could spot a long the way. With the sunshine warming up the ground the flowers were on bloom and Opeie spotted many lovely yellow plants (even if the daffodils were looking a little worse for wear).

With no shortage of yellow things on route, Shropshire was keeping us well entertained as were the scooters. It was the perfect day for adventuring and we were taking full advantage of the glorious sunny weather.

We've been doing lots of activities lately about emotions after reading 'My Many Coloured Days' by Dr, Seuss. I love how a colour can stimulate our moods and this 'yellow' afternoon is making us very Happy.

Opeie had worn his yellow minion backpack specially for our colour spotting game and he informed me that he wished his scooter was yellow (orange and yellow are his favourite colours). I knew where we were heading but i thought it was a lot closer when we had driven past in the car. going anywhere without the car and with a 4 year old can lengthen a journey but Opeie did great at long distance on his own. The only downfall was all the bumpy paths, gravel and grassy areas, which is why i'd love to give the Micro Flex Blue scooter a try for the air filled tyres.

We reached our destination and parked up. At Opeie's height he didn't have the view that i had but when i picked him up he was greeted with all the yellow he could possibly need for his micro adventure.

Crisps are yellow...Amazing!!!

As was the lettering on one of our books too! being a stay at home dad is amazing and something i will never take for granted. Having the chance to jump on our Micro-scooters on a sunny day and then ride somewhere pretty to eat lunch, read and play with toys really is the best way to spend our afternoons.

After reading, eating and running through the beautiful yellow rapeseed field we found a quiet spot for Opeie to play with his toys. Taking toys outside was one of my favourite things to do as a child. I always had my star wars figures zip wiring into the garden from my bedroom window and while the weather was nice i could always be found making tree top bases in the evergreens in our back garden. Opeie's Ninja Turtles got the same treatment, being hung from plants and hiding in the long grass.

Those versatile Micro-scooters also served as great mobile bases for the figures and me and Opeie had loads of fun making up stories and playing them out.

We had a great afternoon in the sun and being able to get fully involved with your children's adventuring because of having the Adult Micro-scooter is so much fun. I cant wait for the poppies to be out or even the snow drops later in the year. Get a Micro-scooter and get out with your children in the sunshine, you'll be amazed at how much it opens up your children's world... and yours if you let it.

Until our next adventure, happy scooting.

"Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."

Last week we had arranged a trip to Build-a-Bear Workshop to see their new Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles range and build one to take home. The day before we had arranged to go, Seth came down with Tonsilitis and was really unwell. By the morning he really wasn't up to going anywhere and just wanted to stay in the warm cuddling mommy (I can definitely see the appeal).

Opeie was really excited about going so we decided to go ahead. Opeie kept assuring Seth that "we will make a special bear for you to make you feel better". Our boys are so cute, they are really concerned when the other is ill and do all they can to cheer each other up.

When we arrived at Build-a-Bear Workshop we were greeted by Karen, what I love about visiting our local store is that the staff are always so approachable and they make it about the children as soon as you walk in which I think is really important. We also saw a familiar face, Laura the lady that helped the boys with their valentines bears for nanny and auntie Lotty.

We were there to make ninja turtles which I thought was really fitting considering the boys were going through a bit of a ninja turtle phase recently, but also because it was something that took me back to getting ready for school in the mornings, eating my breakfast watching the TV show (back when they were heroes not ninjas).

With the TMNT movie just around the corner these are great for younger fans. I was expecting them to be costumes for the bears like the Spider-man and hulk costumes that we have already but the bears are actually turtles which I think is great and Opeie was really excited about it too. Laura asked Opeie if he knew which turtle he wanted and he said Raphael please and Michelangelo for Seth...

I was hoping there was going to be pre-recorded turtles voices to choose from but they had the TMNT theme tune instead which Opeie chose and had put in the bears hands ready for action. Then it was time for the stuffer which Opeie loves as he gets to stand on The peddle an make his new toy cuddly and plump.

With both turtles stuffed and almost ready for cuddling Opeie picked a heart for each and Laura told him to rub the hearts on his head so that the turtles would be intelligent and rub them on his muscles so that they would be strong and to give them a big kiss before going in. Seth's got extra kisses and Opeie said "get well soon Seth" adorable!

Once the bears were all sewn up and had their tracking slips inside (which I think is a great idea), we moved on to Opeie's favourite part of the visit, the fluffer. A lot of care went in to brushing those turtles and he made them extra soft and fluffy...

With the turtles stuffed, fluffed and ready for an afternoon of squeezes it was time to accessorise, they are Ninjas after all. Opeie knew exactly which weapons belong to which turtle so he knew what he was going for. Weapons in hand we made our way to the Dressing Room...

Raphael and Michelangelo looked great and Opeie was loving giving them a squeeze. They didn't belong to us just yet though. As with any adoption we had to fill in the relevant paperwork to make sure everything was legit. The last thing we would want is someone stopping  our turtle in the street saying 'Rodriguez you've come back to me' (I'm not crazy, Mrs M will get that).

Then it was time to pick up our birth certificates up before taking our bears to their new home. While at the till Karen told us all about how they have changed the parties and how they include free snacks for the children, which i think is a really nice touch to add to the experience. She also told us how build a bear are trying to lower their carbon footprint by beginning to phase out the cardboard boxes in return for reusable drawstring bags which Opeie loved as he got to carry his new friend on his back

As always a really enjoyable hour at Build-a-Bear Workshop, looked after by great staff. Everything we would expect from a store who's main aim is to make children happy.