Classic Flyers, Mount Maunganui

Posted by The Spy

We recently purchased tickets to go to Classic Flyers at Mount Maunganui, via a deal on "Grab One". The deal was 2 adults entry into the museum, as well as 2 breakfast/lunch meals and 2 small drinks.

It was a grotty blah day when we got up this morning, and we had bribed our 2 year old that if he slept through the night last night, and didn't get mummy or daddy up, he would go on a special adventure today. He loves planes, so this was somewhere we have been dying to take him.

I had it on good authority that it was an ok place to go in the rain as it is pretty much all undercover, so we chucked our 8 week old into the front pack and away we went.

When we got there, the cafe was absolutely packed! We wandered past them all and went into the museum. As we entered the lady on the counter said as it is raining and they can't display their outdoor exhibits properly, we were welcome to keep our receipt and come back another day to have another look as well. Great news!!!

I'm not a huge plane/military etc fan personally, but even I thoroughly enjoyed having a look around. There was so much to see, and there is plenty of planes that you can actually get in to and imagine you are a pilot or in the war etc. They even had little ride on planes for the littlies to play in, which went down a huge treat.

Awesome "Fluffies!"

After walking around the hangar a couple of times, it was off to the cafe. If I'm honest, if we didn't have the voucher, I'm not sure we would have purchased any food as it was a bit more expensive than our 1 income family can afford, however that said, when we got our Bacon and Eggs, hot drinks and a side of fries and a fluffy, we were completely satisfied at our selections. Excellent food, the hot chocolate and mochacino and our little man's "Fluffy" were excellent, and all staff we dealt with were very friendly and welcoming.

Yum! Tasty Hot Chocolate

If you live in Tauranga or are visiting some time, I would highly recommend a visit, it was a unique place to go, the service was great and food was excellent. All in all a great outing!!

My Groceries, Our Groceries

By Stefany at The Life of Stefany

I had an iPod Touch, and LOVED it. But I still always wanted an iPhone. My dream came true about a month ago when my husband upgraded his iPhone to the newest model and I got his old iPhone! So today I am going to review an app called "Our Groceries".
I use this app on a daily basis.
Here is a list of awesome features:
✤ You can have different shopping lists, so I have: Countdown, New World, Home Shopping (which is stuff I want for the house or myself that could be from The Warehouse, Kmart, Spotlight, Briscoes etc etc), and Paul to Get - that's for the husband if I want him to do a quick shop on his way home from work.


✤ The great thing is, you can get anyone else with an iPhone/iPod touch to sync their shopping list with yours - ideally your husband/wife/partner/flatmates
✤ When I get to the supermarket, my list is arranged in order of the aisles! And when I have 2 kids in the trolley, I need to be organised at the supermarket! and the mall!

✤ If you use 3G, and go shopping with your other iPhone user/s, you can start at different ends of the shop, and it updates you and your husbands list as you cross items off - I never use 3G, so have never been able to do this.
✤ When husband is at work and remembers he wants Capsicums, or he's in the bathroom and he's just run out of hair gel, he can just add it to the list and it just updates on my list. FANTASTIC!
✤ You can add ingredients lists of favourite recipes, so you look at the recipe for "chocolate truffles" you can see you need 150g butter and just click on it to add it to your shopping list.


It takes a bit of time to set up, but you can arrange it to your local shop, mine is set up for my local Countdown where I do 90% of my grocery shopping - I had to go into the store and I wrote down what each aisle had, and then transferred it into the Our Groceries app. So now when I add "bread" to my shopping list, it automatically puts it in aisle 12.
The time it took me to set up was minimal to how much time I now save with this app. I could not live without this app!

Happy New Year to all of our Undercover Bloggers!

Happy New Year to you all!!

I hope that you have had a great break and got plenty of time to do the things you enjoy with the people you love. Have been a little absent from this page myself for some time, what with more than a few family commitments and baby #2 on the way (she will be here next week, by the way), but while I was thinking about you all today, I thought what better time to touch base and see if we can get The Undercover Bloggers cranking again!

It has been really quiet on here for awhile, with just a couple of key contributors posting, and even then, we haven't had any for quite some time, so I hope that with the New Year here already you have a whole host of new places to blog about/products to review. Also, if you know of anyone who might be keen to join us as a contributor, please get them to get in touch, via blogundercover@live.com, and I will get them started.

Until next time, hope I hear from you soon!
Nikki

Review: Yum Yum Kids

I was invited to review these products, but my opinions about them are 100% mine -- it's a risk companies make when they ask for my opinion -- my opinion's what they'll get. 
- Angela Noelle of Striking Keys.  You can read about the free Nutrionist advice service this site alos offers, here.

News on the bubba-front;

(mush = avocado, in this case)

Armed with free, solicited advice, I browsed Yum Yum Kids' online store for more support of a different variety.

I found plenty of objects of desire;

(For those who also follow dear Stella, and saw her recent DIY play kitchen -- with all its trappings -- you'll spy a Polka Dot Tea Set very similar to the greatly-sought-after-one she shared.)

In spite of being a little too giddy, initially -- viewing all of the options -- I was able to settle on some great products to review (again, with My Nutrionist's help);

BPA-free Baby Food Freezer Tubs ~ A Thermos Foogo Food Jar ~ Cheeky Chopsticks ~ Skip Hop Zoo Divided Plate ~ Grippables 3-piece Cutlery Set

Review, we did;

It's funny how much having one specialised product changed my attitude.  I make almost all of my babies' "mush" food, but I didn't have an intricate system when it came to storing it.  I've used ice cube trays before, and casually frozen a little here and there...but now that I have these I feel like my efforts have been elevated to an art form.  It helps that Phase 1 foods are easy.  Now I am constantly cycling homemade foods through the fridge and freezer, and I feel pretty chuffed about it.  There's something about having a removable little container of stuff I've made that I can heat on demand, washing it with its lid attached (big appeal for me -- I don't like having lots of parts floating around), and doing it all again -- it did make things easier, for me.  I'm only sorry I didn't have these tubs when I had Esky -- they've proven a real catalyst for me taking homemade foods more seriously.  As parents, it's hard to do it all -- sew our kids clothes from paisley curtains and crochet their winter-wear and or feed them entirely from a home garden and use cloth nappies, etceteraaaaa, but we can pick to do some of these things, and I now pick making our own baby food as one of mine.

Esky is crazy about the Cheeky Chopsticks;

Here she is making them smooch.  Because that's what cheeky chopsticks do.

I've always been a fan of divided plates, and this one is sturdier than many I've handled in stores.  Esky requests it routinely.  Here she is with spaghetti with and without sauce (she always requests this, but eats both).  She's also using her new cutlery, which is her preference now -- it's a smart intermediary step between her "baby cutlery" and the family stuff.

More positives:

• The Thermos is easy to wash.
• The Yum Yum Kids' site is easy to use and its search tool is superior to those in many other online stores I've encountered -- keywords render actual results.  In fact, if you know what something's called, you can skip browsing around for it and go straight to the search box, confident it'll spit out what you're after -- a big plus, in my book.
• The club and newsletter you're enticed to join upon visiting the site is actually relevant -- there are legitimate discounts and offers exclusive to joining.  I'm always a little bugged by sites that build subscription into your first order, or tantalise you with some deal to sign up -- and later you find all you get is junk about sales offered on a very small portion of merchandise (often making their priciest products more reasonable).  YYK offers storewide discounts (credit upon sign-up), and a cash discount voucher with your first order's delivery.  
• I don't just dig YYK's stuff when I get it for free-to-review -- the marketing incentives did their work on me -- I've already ordered more goods since (read: paid to have products).
• You can pay by direct credit (not just credit/debit card).  I really like when sites offer this option.

A few neg's:

• I let Kate know it'd be nice if you could add items to your cart and keep on shopping without being taken to the cart after each selection.  Kate is already onto this.  She takes notes well.
• The Foogo Thermos is brilliant -- but it doesn't keep very small volumes of food warm for long (i.e. first weeks of eating for Ivy -- a tablespoon or two per meal).  I'm excited to take warm lunches / cool treats for both girls over the years in these though!
• YYK stocks premium products, and the prices reflect this...which unfortunately means it falls outside of many families' weekly budget.  I am confident, however, that some items, once purchased, would pay for themselves quickly.

Some things I'd love to see in the future:

• Engraved/stamped baby spoons?  I think these make darling baby shower gifts and beautiful keepsakes for children when they move out of home.
• A "Fun Lunch" section?  I'm a fan of sectioned lunch boxes, and seeing images of ways other parents have made package-free, finger-food lunches appealling (especially the ones that look like they could be made them quickly still!)  Maybe kiwis could submit photos and share ideas -- bringing another interactive element to the site?
• ...and in the same vein, I'd love to see the range of cookie cutters grow -- since these are great for cutting so much  more than dough!
• Silly straws?  I know these have been part of what makes green smoothies fun, in our home.

You can win some products to test for yourself over at Striking Keys -- hop on over to enter;

Like something you've seen?  Order before Christmas, and My Nutrionist will give you 15% off of any of the items I've reviewed (The Freezer Tubs, all Thermos Food Jars, Cheeky Chopsticks, all Skip Hop Zoo Divided Plates, and Grippables Cutlery), PLUS 15% off that loverrrrrly tea set or a cardboard play oven!  -- simply enter the coupon "SKREADER" before checking out.

Review: L'oreal Paris Perfect Clean Foaming Cream + cleanPad

Review by Ms Kate of Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

I've been looking for a face cleaning product for a while, my skin has been feeling dry and tight, and I thought a good cleanser might be good.

It comes with a neat little cleanPad thing, that attaches through the bottle with a little sucker thing that lets you attach it to the bathroom wall. It's soft and flexible, and has lots of tiny little rubber bristles on it.

 The wash itself makes me feel clean, and fresh. It is for dry and sensitive skin, and as I  have quite sensitive skin, I am quite a good test for this. I have used it several times now, with no side effects. It's nothing particularly special, but it's ok.

Oh but I must gush about the cleanPad, it is just so neat! It really makes my skin feel clean! It kinda feels like a mini-massage! I'd buy this product again, just to get another cleanPad.

Review: Fix Bumps And Bruises

Review by Ms Kate from Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

We found this stuff at the supermarket, and I was looking for something with Arnica in it, so bought it.

Having used it several times since, I feel it's worthy of a review. This stuff is just awesome! It smells lovely, goes on nicely, and eases the pain at the time, and I'm sure makes the bruise clear up faster then it would without it.

It's even made in NZ, which is pretty cool.

Copied from container:

Directions for use: Massage liberally into the affected area as often as required. For external use only. Don't use on open wounds. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children. Don't use if pregnant.

Ingredients: sweet almond oil, aloe vera gel, polysorbate 60 (vegetable oil), cocoa butter, apricot kernel oil, menthol crystals, arnica oil, st johns wort extract, shea butter, calendula infused oil, vitamin E, manuka honey. Essential oil blend of peppermint, lemon and kiwi seed extract.

Their website kind of sucks, but it's found here http://fixmenaturally.com/

Our Groceries

Review by Mr Spencer from Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

Image Credit

When the missus and I first had smart phones we thought to ourselves, there must be a better way of keeping track of shopping lists.

We tried a few solutions but the best by far was our groceries.

This is available on your computer, iphone or android (maybe others too?) and updates an online list in real time. You can have your own lists and/or shared lists, you can categorise items and you can add recipe's.

Categorising is fantastic, the first time you buy something add a category of what isle it's in, next time you go to buy it you know exactly where to go. Now that we have everything categorised we can just go to the isles we need and never miss anything or have to go back to the other end of the shop for that blasted thingee that was hiding at the bottom of the list.

Recipe's are great too, you add all the ingredients to your recipe then when you want to make that item you simply go through the ingredients and tap to add to the list.

Real time updates are invaluable - I'll go to the supermarket and the missus can add things while I'm on the way or while I'm in the shop and they appear straight away. For a bit of fun, start at opposite ends of the shop and meet in the middle, watching the items fly off both ends of the list :)

I think one of the best features is the convenience, damn, I used the last of the peanut butter - take my phone out of my pocket, tap our-groceries, type the first few letters and tap the item on the list to add it. Used the last of your at work snacks, no problem, no need to wait to get home, just update the list and the item appears by magic (amazing shopping machine aka partner, not included).

Our groceries has made things so much easier for us, shopping no longer requires a half hour "what do we need" conversation, I don't have to call before I drop in to the supermarket on the way home, it's all just there.

Awesome app, everyone should use it :)

Borne Naked Liner

Review by Ms Kate from Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

I recently received a product, called a Borne Naked Liner. Basically, it's a clear bag, that you place your items in, and then put the liner into your handbag. I was sceptical to say the least, I thought it sounded like a complete and total waste of time and space.

Before:

I had thought about clearing my handbag out, just so that you couldn't see the state of it before I cleaned it up. *blush* As a mum of 5 I have an awful lot of crap that I carry around with me, and end up with bits of food, daisies by the bucketload, used wipes, and various other indistinguishable items. So here are the 'before' pics.

Yeah I know, it's awful, but I'm a mum - that's  my excuse. LOL


The Borne Naked Liner:

The package arrived and I was really impressed! A nice box, and this beautifully wrapped liner, in soft pink paper. Ahhh it made you feel like a woman LOL
My first impression was that it was really stiff, hard plastic, that it was going to be very heavy in my bag.
It did however appear to be very good quality, nice sized pockets, and zipper worked well. None of this cheap crap here!
So then I got down to the business of moving all my handbag stuff into the liner. I didn't think everything would fit.

From the top looking down

Side

Side

Everything fit perfectly, and everything had a place. Still sceptical, I placed it in my handbag.

The finished product

The final word:


It wasn't anywhere as heavy as I thought it looked, and the stiffness I was worried about meant it stayed nicely in place.
3 weeks later, I still have a nice tidy bag, and use it every day! I am a convert. It is amazing, and I have no idea how I coped without it.
Everything has it's place, and I know immediately when something is missing. I am able to find a pen at a moments notice, and can even get out chewing gum while I'm driving (something I would never do, honest copper).

ProfessioNAIL, Westfield Pakuranga, Auckland

Review by Ms Kate from Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

I was lucky enough to be pampered, with a Mother's Day voucher that had been given to me by the kids, at a place called ProfessioNAIL.

My contact with them started with a phone call, made by me, about 9 o'clock in the morning. The phone was answered promptly, but there the good things stopped. The lady on the end of the phone couldn't speak English very well at all. I asked what the latest appointment of the day was. She replied 'whenever I liked'. So I asked how late they were open, and she seemed thoroughly confused. I asked if I could come at 8pm, knowing that the mall shut at 6pm, and was told I could. She then told me they didn't take appointments, that you just turn up.

So turning up at 5.30pm, this lovely lady took me through, and speaking clear English asked me what I'd like done. I explained I had a voucher and no idea what I wanted done. She showed me various options, and I picked a French Manicure, a total value of $23NZ.

Sitting down, in a comfy seat, with nice soft music in the background, she started with tidying up my cuticles, this included a massage of my hands. It was very pleasant.
With nice little fans, to blow away the smell, down to nice smelling moisturising lotion, it was all very nice, until 15 minutes in, a vacuum cleaner was started up, and the place started to be cleaned. This included various towels and other washing being picked up from around me, chairs being moved around roughly to allow vacuum cleaner through, and the workers talking in really loud voices in their native tongue.
So that kind of ruined the nice relaxing atmosphere that had been there, and what I'd been looking forward too.

The end product was lovely however, and I'm really impressed with how nice it looks.

Game: Naughty Dog

Review by Ms Kate from Mummybrain ~ The How-Not-To-Do-It Guide of Marriage Miscarriage Children Divorce Step-Children

Naughty Dogs

I have 5 kids, and all of them were amused for hours. They giggled and laughed and played nicely for ages. It's an easy enough game, they can play it with minimal supervision.

So all in all, great game, no batteries required, which is always a bonus, and kids love it!