This post is sponsored by Nuffnang. All opinions expressed are my own.

 
I think that if something makes it onto a child’s birthday cake, it’s pretty special. I’m sure Thomas & Friends™ has been the theme of many birthday cakes through many generations.

 
I’m positive that Thomas & Friends™ toys have been the subject of many conversations between children (and their parents).

 
I’m sure that Thomas & Friends™ have been and continue to be treasured possessions of many toy collections.

Cool Toys: Thomas & Friends™ Preschool Steam ’n Speed™ Thomas

 
Thanks to the friendly people at Fisher-Price®, we got to try out a very cool toy: the Thomas & Friends™ Preschool Steam ’n Speed™ Thomas.

 
I know some avid Thomas & Friends™ fans – starting from as young as 18 months to their older siblings who are in preschool (about age 5). I am sure they would love all this toy.

 
The Thomas & Friends™ Preschool Steam ’n Speed™ Thomas is a remote controlled Thomas toy. The remote control is super easy to use, and to make it even easier for younger children, there’s a “Special Moves” button, (the round blue button in the middle), that makes Thomas do steamy spins and moves.

 
Using the remote control, you can send Thomas forwards or backwards while he whistles, chugs and says some fun phrases.

 
That’s all pretty cool, but here’s something to guarantee a very awesome “Oooo!” from your Thomas fan. The Thomas & Friends™ Preschool Steam ’n Speed™ Thomas blows real steam.

 
The steam is cool to touch and completely safe for children to put their hand over. Seriously, even I could not resist saying, “Oooo!”.

 
As a child, I loved Thomas & Friends™. There was the catchy theme song, the models they used for the animation, and the characters. As a parent, I love how Thomas & Friends™ praises  “useful engines”; and my favourite Thomas & Friends™ quote,  “You have caused confusion and delay,”… (how applicable is that to a young family?!) How can I resist?

Win a $100 Toys R Us Voucher

 
To celebrate the awesome Thomas & Friends™ Preschool Steam ’n Speed™ Thomas toy, we’re giving away a $100 Toys R Us voucher.

 
For your chance to win, in the comments below, tell me “What does your child love about Thomas & Friends™?”. The competition is open to Australian residents and closes 5pm (AEDST) on the 19th December 2012. Please note the terms and conditions of the giveaway.

N & M: 4 years, 6 months
E: 2 years, 5 months
December 2012

The post Cool Toys: Thomas & Friends™ Preschool Steam ’n Speed™ Thomas by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

While my youngest two are usually asleep for their afternoon nap; three p.m. means nothing to my twin preschoolers. If anything, their need for activity and noise peaks at three p.m.

Dear readers, I am here to tell you of the wonders a colouring page and water paints can achieve at three p.m.

Town Colouring Page

What can we expect as children get started with colouring?

By the time a child is 4, he or she should be able to colour within the lines and no more than 0.6cms outside of the line. They should also almost entirely colour within the lines of a 10cm circle.

By the time they are 4.5 years old, they should use a static tripod grasp consistently when using a writing tool (e.g. pencil/paintbrush/crayon/marker).

As my twin preschoolers used their water paints to colour their towns, my eyes observed their fine motor skills, and my ears appreciated the peace and quiet of the moment. It was wonderful.

We want to share our happy 3 p.m. moment with you and your household; download our free printable town colouring page. We would love to hear about your 3 p.m. moments.

N & M: 4 years, 3 months

September 2012

 Looking for more free printable colouring/drawing pages?

Here are some of our favourites:

Picklebums – Printable Shape Drawing Prompts
Picklebums – Printable Drawing Frames
My Little Bookcase – The Wonkey Donkey
Mamasmiles – Printables
At Home with Ali – One Fish, Two Fish Printable

The post Town Colouring Page by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.