National Teddy Bear Day 2020

Do you remember your first teddy bear? Mine was blue and very soft. It has been my comfort and joy for many years. If I had a bad dream, I hugged my teddy for reassurance.
My boys used to love their teddies as well, especially Eddie. He was obsessed with teddies, at some point we had a collection of over thirty teds of all sizes and brands.

Some of them were gifts from friends, some we bought in the specialist teddy bear shop or rescued in the charity shops.
I bought this Merrythought teddy bear, when my elder son was in primary school. Its cheeky grin lights up the book shelves where he's usually found.

The blue teddy bear from Merrythought joined our home, when Eddie was born. We have a shop in town called Teddy Bears of Witney. It's a total treasure trove and a museum of teddies.

With years, I have reduced the amount of soft toys in the house, but left a few as precious mementos of my boys' early years. We have an old (properly vintage) teddy which belonged to my husband, when he was a baby.

We even have a Paratrooper teddy, which we bought while visiting the barracks in Pisa where my husband served with the paras.

As the nation celebrates National teddy bear day today, we look back at some of the iconic teddy bears through history, exploring how our favourite characters have made the jump from the big screen to the cuddly toy that we snuggle up to when we head to bed.

Baby Thingz have done a research on the topic and with their permission, I'm sharing some of the interesting facts about the most iconic bears in literature and TV.

If someone asked you who is the most famous teddy bear of all, who springs to mind?

1. Winnie-the Pooh or Poor Bear as he is also fondly labelled, has been around for almost 100 years, having been created by author A.A.Milne back in 1926.
The Hundred Acre Wood inhabitant who has a yearning for all things honey is the lifelong friend of Christopher Robin and is one of the UK's most treasured teddy bears. A classic in teddy bear circles, he'll often be seem alongside fellow characters Eeyore and Piglet.

2. From simple origins - a comic strip in the Daily Express in 1920 - Rupert Bear went on to become a staple of children's culture when The Adventures of Rupert Bear TV series launched in 1970. Known for his eloquent accent, Rupert is also a style icon, thanks to his yellow checked trousers and matching scarf paired with a fetching red jumper that he wore for all of his adventures. He'll celebrate 100 years in November.

3. If you were born in the 1980s, you probably know all about Care Bears, our cuddly friends who lived in the clouds. The original line up featured just 10 bears, but multiple relaunches of the cult show have seen more than 30 different bears introduced.
The plush toys were developed with feelings emblazoned on their chests, with hearts, smiley faces, and rainbows indicating various emotions.

4. Yogi Bear
The Jellystone Park native, based loosely around Yellowstone National Park in the USA, first appeared on TV screens in America in 1958 as a guest on The Huckleberry Hound Show, but such was his popularity that just two years later the Yogi Bear and Friends show was spawned. His "Hey, Hey, Hey" catchphrase was voiced by Hollywood star Dan Akroyd when he hit the big screen.

5. Paddington Bear
One of the most nostalgic bears in history, Paddington was introduced to the world in 1958 in Michael Bond's book A Bear Called Paddington. With his customary blue duffle coat, Paddington arrived in England from Peru and has been entertaining children through the decades with his hapless adventures, getting into just as much trouble as Dennis the Menace.
The Adventures of Paddington TV series was launched in January this year as Gen Z was brought up to speed on the wonders of this furry friend.

6. Chiltern English
One of the original teddies, the Chiltern English teddy was first launched in 1915 and continues to be a comfort for youngsters across the UK. This classic can often be found in baby pushchairs on walks to the park, and such is the sentiment towards them that they often fetch three-figure sums at auction. Most people that own these vintage bears will only know too well about repaired eye sockets and patchwork elements that have helped them restore their childhood favourites.

7. SuperTed was a hit with 90s kids as he shared one of their biggest fears - a fear of the dark. first appearing in a series of books, SuperTed was adapted into a cartoon, becoming the first British animated series to feature on the Disney Channel.
This everyday bear might have bypassed the history books after being discarded in a toy factory, but a visit to Mother Nature resulted in him receiving superpowers that allowed him to transform into SuperTed!

8. Brother Bear
This Disney animation bear has risen to fame since the Millennium with the moarl of the film drawing on brotherhood, and mutual respect. A great lesson for children and adults alike, Brother Bear hit our screens in 2003, with a sequel going direct to video in 2006. In the film an Inuit boy called Kenai is transformed into a bear after seeking revenge when his brother is killed by a bear. We'll have to wait and see if brother Bear can stand the test of time and become a household name like Rupert and Winnie though.

What other famous bears and teddy bears might be mentioned? My elder son loved a book about Corduroy Bear.
Then there's posh carefree Sebastian Flyte with his Aloysius teddy bear.
Mowgli and Baloo.
A sad bear from We're going on a bear hunt.
Jill Murphy's Bear family.
Umka, an adorable polar bear of my childhood, from the beloved Soviet animation.
Brave and unique Yanka the Bear from The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson, inspired by the Russian folk tales.

On this National Teddy Bear Day, dig out your most cherished cuddly toys and join the conversation on social channels using #teddybearday. Relieving our childhood will often bring up memories of various toys and gadgets, but when you really home in on your most treasured moments, they'll usually involve a cuddly toy or teddy bear along the way.

Did you have a favourite teddy?

This post has been written in a creative partnership with Baby Thingz (there is no payment to declare).

Photo diary: week 30 project 366

Last week was all about Eddie's birthday, discussion of merits of this possible gift or that, new books and Baby Yoda. It was also the first week of summer holidays. We didn't miss home-schooling one little bit.

I have mentioned before that Eddie is a very big fan of Liz Pichon's Tom Gates series of books. Last Sunday he finished reading the last book in the series, and I tweeted to Liz, saying how excited Eddie is about the new paperback's release in February. She replied, saying that the newest Tom Gates activity books would be released later in the week.

We walked to Sainsbury's, hoping to buy a birthday cake. Since our local Waitrose has removed its cake counter, the choices of cakes is rather pathetic. Again, we discussed the merits of Spiderman versus Hogwarts cake, but ended up buying a chocolate cake, which Eddie enjoyed in the past. His choice entirely.
On the way back home, we spotted those huge sunflower plants.

Last week I was reading an article about recipes which are supposedly misleading about the timings. Several famous chefs and cook book writers were bashed for being careless with the timing.
One of the author's grudges was the description on how long it takes to cook the onion until translucent.
They claimed there was no way the onion would be translucent in 5 minutes. I thought I'd see for myself, whether it's true.
I put a 5-minutes timer, and set on frying a diced onion in a mix of olive oil and butter. After 5 minutes I turned down the heat and added the courgettes.
I think the onion is pretty much translucent. OK, it's not golden brown but when I write in my recipes - cook onions for about 5 minutes, I mean this stage. What do you think?

You might remember me mentioning in the previous week's photo diary the skirt and top I fancied in the window display. Well, I was paid my carer's allowance, and decided to treat myself. The top is a bit too warm for the current warm weather, so I've been wearing my new skirt with several old tops (this one, for example, is at least two years old).

Tom Gates Big Book of Fun Stuff was out, and according to my son, it was a must for his birthday.
Apparently he needed something jolly and cheerful, as he's reading a very sad book at the moment, The Boy At The Back of The Class.

Eddie's birthday was a quiet one. We went out to the Milkshake shop to get a strawberry milkshake with whipped cream, and then ventured towards the Church Green. As soon as we sat on the bench, it started raining, and we had to hide under the roof of the Butter Cross, 17th C market shelter.
My child pronounced it the saddest birthday ever. Yes, he's got a flair for dramatics.
He's got lots of gifts (books, Funko Pop Baby Yoda, Lego Star wars set etc), a cake with candles, but obviously no party with friends. I told him he'd always remember his 10th birthday as a different one.

And that's Baby Yoda with big soulful eyes. He's kind of cute but also slightly creepy. I told Eddie I wouldn't want to see him first thing in the morning, when I open my eyes. But Eddie put him on the book shelf next to his bed.

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A Tale of Twelve Christmas Tree Decorations

"There are angels on the tree?"
"Ah, because we all pray there are really angels watching over us, don't we?"
(Heather Graham, Home in Time for Christmas)

The last time I counted we had eight angels on our Christmas tree, all different and varying in style.
You see, our Christmas tree is an amalgam of many a gift we received through years, family heirlooms and ornaments made by our boys in the nursery and at school.
While I admire other people's themed Christmas trees - fit for a House Beautiful magazine - I would feel robbed if I had to adhere to just one style or colour scheme.

And while many families are tucking into their Christmas meals, just as many are avoiding all the hullaballoo for one reason or another. My younger son is in Italy with his father, they've just sent me photos of their Christmas lunch with the Nonni on Whatsapp.

This is the little Christmas tree at my in-laws'. Eddie brought them two of the ornaments - letters E and S, for himself and Sasha.

I didn't bother with cooking anything remotedly festive today. Sasha wouldn't eat any roast with trimmings anyway, all he wants is his usual sandwiches and snacks. We did open a box of Roses, and have a chocolate Yule log from Waitrose, and that's basically it.
I've been having one cup of tea after another, and snacking on nuts and cheese on crispbreads.

It's quiet at the moment, Sasha is watching Moana on TV, and I'm reading Portrait of a Murderer by Anne Meredith. It's a Christmas crime story from British library crime classics series. It was first published in 1933.

But back to our tree...
I wanted to show you some of my favourite Christmas tree decorations, beginning with a few glass toys left from my own Soviet childhood.
My Mum brought four of the ornaments with her several years ago, and I treasure them. Some of them are as old as I am, i.e. pretty vintage.
This squirrel (and the birdie in the background) winked at me, when I was a child, and my parents decorated our Christmas tree. Only we didn't celebrate Christmas, it was the new year's eve, when people had a big festive bash with family and friends.

As I grew up in the North East of Russia, we used to have very long and cold winters. I remember once the temperature plunging down to minus 53. I think it was only once that cold in my lifetime.
We did go out anyway, all wrapped, with scarves covering most of the face, with only eyes open. We walked across the town to our friends' place to celebrate the new year's eve with them.
When we arrived, our eyelashes had turned white with frost. We were actually OK, and had a fabulous party.

And another decoration from the same period of my life - a festive chili pepper. Why a chili, I don't quite know.

From one babyhood to another: Sasha was born in the States, and we lived in Williamstown, MA, in 2002. It was Sasha's first Christmas, and I remember it fondly. We had most wonderful neighbours, a family with three children.
That year Sasha got two beautiful Christmas tree decorations, including this jolly snowman. The other is the most beautiful hand-painted angel. I've tried to take a photo of it, but due to its shape, couldn't get a clear picture without my own reflection in it.

This pretty angel (and her sister) came to stay with us, when Sasha was a little boy and we lived in Woodstock. Our small apartment was just next door to the newsagent's, owned by a very friendly family. They were warm and welcoming, and Sasha loved checking out the sweets and magazines in their little shop.

Another angel, for another little boy - this angel bell joined us, when Eddie was a tot. It makes a lovely sound.

This angel was made by Eddie in primary school (Reception or year 1?).

Another of his school projects - a Christmas tree, very colourful and jolly.

More hand-made decorations coming … this name tag was made by our friend Jen (one for each boy). We love them.

My late friend Trudy was more than a friend. Her husband David and she were my family, they sort of adopted me, when I was a young student, with my own family left thousands of miles behind. I miss them both so much.
Trudy had some rather romantic notions about me, comparing me to the young Audrey Hepburn (the only similarity I could find is that I was also very slim then, though never as pretty or glamorous). She also used to send me the newspaper and magazine cuttings on the Romanovs, and years later bought me a set of Faberge-style Christmas tree ornaments as a gift. There are six of these baubles in the box, all different in colour and design. They are the Christmas greetings from a dear friend who's been a big part of my life.

We're fans of Frozen. We watched the DVD of Frozen for the first time, when we spent one of Christmases in Italy. It was a difficult time, as Sasha's anxieties started to manifest themselves quite abruptly, and it was a very stressful holiday for us all. Frozen kept me sane in those days.
This Elsa ornament is a reminder that sometimes you feel like running away from it all. Let it go...

I bought this Gisela Graham toy last year, when my Mum and I were browsing the Christmas aisles at Burford garden centre. It was my Mum's choice.

I got this winter figurine several years ago as it reminded me of Russia. Even her clothes look Russian. She could be a character from one of Russian fairy tales, for example, Morozko (Father Frost), which used to be one of my favourite childhood stories and films.

I'm wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Harry Potter gifts at Paladone

There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words.

Gifts inspired by JK Rowling's world of magic are selling like hot cakes. Wander around any gift shop, and you'll spot some merchandise based on the much-loved book and movie series.
Oxford, for example, boasts not one but three Harry Potter-themed shops. But if you cannot visit any shops dedicated to the wizard boy in person, do not despair.

Paladone, the UK's leading company for gift supplies, has a section devoted to the fans of Harry Potter - Harry Potter Merch - which is filled with truly magical gifts.

If you are looking for Christmas (or birthday) gifts for a Harry Potter and Wizarding World fan, Paladone offers a wide selection of gifts, from iconic mugs to gadget decals, from stationery sets to night lights.
The only problem you will encounter is deciding what to pick.

We were offered a £30 credit to choose anything from the Harry Potter range for the purposes of reviewing, and we found it quite a difficult task, as there were so many tempting goodies.

If you follow my blog, you might know that my younger son is a big Harry Potter fan. We have already bought lots of the Wizarding world gifts, like a Harry Potter costume, several wands, soft toys, LEGO sets, hats and scarves, pyjamas etc.

Eddie was thrilled to be able to add to his HP collection. We looked at six pages very carefully, comparing the merits of each gift, and finally, decided to order a Hogwarts backpack and a Hogwarts stationery set - both of which my son can take to school.

Ordering online is easy and straightforward. You will get a free delivery with any order of £30 and over.

Let's have a closer look at our choices.

Take magic with you anywhere you go with a Hogwarts backpack (£19.99). Carry your school books and pencil cases to your own "Hogwarts".
This nylon backpack is made in the Hogwarts colours and features an embroidered Hogwarts crest.
It has a PVC backing, metal zip pulls and is approximately 42cm in height. This spacious backpack is an officially licensed Harry Potter product.

Eddie loves his new backpack. He can store all his school things inside.
It is instantly recognisable as a Harry Potter-themed product, and will make an excellent gift to fans of all ages.
Our only request to the makers of the backpack would be to make an external pocket for a bottle. There is a pocket on the back, but it is not shaped to hold a drinks bottle. Carrying a bottle inside the bag could be hazardous for any papers or books, in case a bottle is not leak-proof. Most of the school backpacks have a specially assigned outside pocket for a bottle.

Hogwarts Stationery Set (£9.99, currently on offer at £3.99) will delight any Harry Potter aficionado. It comes in an elegant and stylish case with a transparent lid.

It includes a mini notebook, with a portrait of Dumbledore on the cover, three pencils with spells, an Obliviate eraser and a set of three giant sorting hat paperclips.

This set is perfect to use at school, or at home, and will make a lovely gift for any occasion.

Eddie was much taken by the pencils, as he enjoys sketching and is learning the basics of calligraphy. Sorting hat paperclips are my personal favourites.

When we browsed Paladone's Harry Potter section, we also loved the sight of Hedwig mini bell light jar, Hogwarts toiletries bag, gadget decals.

Last year I wrote a post Christmas gifts for Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts fans, and two of the gifts featured in the gift guide - Harry Potter mini bell light jar and Harry Potter egg and cup set - could be also found at Paladone.

What would you choose?

Disclosure: As mentioned above, we received a £30 credit to spend on Harry Potter merch for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are our own.

Peppa Pig Electronic Learning Toys (review + giveaway E: 15 October 2019)

As the sounds of a jolly tune ring out of Peppa's Laugh & Learn Laptop, I think of the not-so-faraway days when my boys used to watch Peppa Pig cartoons on TV and DVDs.
She was such a big part of their preschool and early school days. Gosh, she was almost a member of our family.
I do miss those days, as I secretly enjoyed the show as much as they did (that and Ben & Holly in the little kingdom too).
I liked the cheeky Peppa, her little brother George whose only word was Dino-saur, and their parents - a hopeless Daddy Pig and wise Mummy Pig.

Peppa's Laugh & Learn Laptop (SRP £19.99, available in Argos) is a colourful interactive musical toy, suitable for children aged 2 and over.
It has a portable carry handle and light-up screen.

This toy is promoted as learning on the go.
As long as you're in your own space, like a car, you'll be fine. I wouldn't take it on a train or a bus, as it won't endear you to the general public.
Kids will love it though.

The portable laptop offers four different activity modes to play, allowing your child to discover objects, colours, numbers and letters by pressing different buttons on the laptop.

First move the selector key.
Six keys at the bottom panel describe the object nearby, and Peppa Pig and her friends. Press the music keys to listen to some short fun songs.

During the quiz time Peppa is asking you to find something, and then the image lights up on the screen. Peppa asks questions about colours, objects, friends and counting or finding the first letter of a word.

To play music, press any inset key to listen to the piano notes, amusing silly sounds will come when you press the character, and the instruments will give you musical tunes.

To stop the music, close down the lid and the laptop is sent into the Sleep mode.
I would also like to add that a volume control button would be welcome, as the sounds and music are pretty loud.

This product requires 3 AAA batteries. The toy comes supplied with the batteries, but they're for demonstration purpose only, and won't last long.

The screen and handle are quite chunky and easy to use by pre-schoolers.

If you're thinking of what to get your Peppa Pig-loving tot for Christmas, you might want to consider either of the two toys I'm reviewing today.

Peppa Pig Count with Peppa (SRP £19.99, available in Argos) is another electronic learning toy for children aged 2+.
Your tots will have fun, learning about numbers, counting, colours and shapes with Peppa.
Peppa greets you with a message: "Hello, shall we learn to count together?"
She is very clever, that Peppa - you put colourful coins in her purse, and Peppa recognises each coin.
She also asks questions - and then your child has to find the right coin.

The switch at the back has a low/high volume control. The battery compartment is at the back as well.

There is a Mode selector switch on the side, which allows you to choose either a Numbers or Colours mode.
To preserve battery life, Peppa will automatically power-down after approximately 45 seconds without input. Just press any button to turn the unit on again.

How to play:
Once the unit is switched on, Peppa will ask you to learn together. Insert any coin in the yellow slot of Peppa's purple purse.
Slide the selector button on the side to choose either Counting and Numbers or Colours and Objects.

To retrieve the coins, simply pull open the purse.

Peppa sets different tasks in different modes, for example, she could ask you to insert a certain amount of coins in her purse, or find a number or a coin with a certain amount of objects.

If your child is hesitating, they will hear an encouraging phrase. If you make a mistake, Peppa will ask a new question.

And if you're not in a learning mood, Peppa will be happy to sing one of her three songs.

If you like the sound of these electronic toys, I have a super giveaway for you.

One of my lucky blog readers will win a Peppa Pig Count with Peppa toy.

T&Cs:

The giveaway is open to the UK residents only.

The prize is kindly provided by Provence PR, and they will dispatch the prize to the winner. I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

Please enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by email, Twitter or Facebook.

If no response is received within 7 days, Chez Maximka reserves the right to select an alternative winner.

Open to all entrants aged 18 and over.

Any personal data given as part of the giveaway is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with 3rd parties, with the exception of the winner's information.

This will be passed to Provence PR and used for the fulfilment of the prize, after which all the data will be deleted.

Please do not forget to leave the comment, as it's the only mandatory step. 

Bonus points are awarded for the Facebook entry (i.e. leaving a comment, or liking etc)

Giveaway ends on 15 October 2019.

Good luck!

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