Wednesday 29 February 2012

Zebra spotted in town centre!

For the last 4 years our town has come alight with a lantern parade to mark the start of the Chinese new year. This year's parade has only just taken place because of the freezing temperatures over the actual new year. But with spring-like temperatures this weekend the crowds were out in force. We were particularly excited to see a glowing zebra galloping down the road... not something you see every day!!

Sunday 26 February 2012

Putting a spring in your step...

We might be a bit early (it is still February), but this weekend it really began to look and feel like spring. Winter is great and all (the excitement of Christmas, sledging in the snow...we're big kids really!) but it just seems to last that bit too long and the dark evenings begin to get a bit gloomy. So there's nothing quite like the arrival of spring and the flowers popping out from their bulbs all bright and cheery! It's even enough to convince you to put on your running shoes and go for an early morning jog round the park...they were unlocking the pedalos and rowing boats so it must be spring!





Friday 24 February 2012

Friday's fun fact - Gentle giants...

Although literally thick skinned, elephants are in fact sensitive and caring animals. Did you know that elephants demonstrate concern for other family members? They take care of the weak or injured, appear to grieve and adopt other calves within the family if they are left orphaned.


This is a very cute song and video for children all about elephants (well sort of!) - The Elephant Song by Eric Herman.


Spike Milligan's 'Jumbo Jet' poem is also good fun...

I saw a little elephant standing in my garden,
I said 'You don't belong in here', he said 'I beg you pardon?',
I said 'This place is England, what are you doing here?',
He said 'Ah, then I must be lost' and then 'Oh dear, oh dear'.

'I should be back in Africa, on Saranghetti's Plain',
'Pray, where is the nearest station where I can catch a train?'.
He caught the bus to Finchley and then to Mincing Lane,
And over the Embankment, where he got lost, again.

The police they put him in a cell, but it was far too small.
So they tied him to a lampost and he slept against the wall.
But as the policemen lay sleeping by the twinkling light of dawn,
The lampost and the wall were these, but the elephant was gone!

So if you see an elephant, in a Jumbo Jet,
You can be sure that Africa's the place he's trying to get!


Happy Friday all!

Friday 17 February 2012

Friday's Fun Fact - Three eyed iguanas

Did you know that Iguanas have a 'third eye'? Their parietal eye, a pale scale on top of their head, isn't actually used for vision though, instead it's used to regulate hormone production.


And while we're on the subject of lovely lizards... we couldn't resist mentioning this teeny weeny one which has just been discovered in Madagascar. The miniature chameleon reaches a maximum of just 29mm in length!


Happy Friday all!

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

While baking some cakes at the weekend, we had a quick play with the hundreds and thousands and mini smarties...! Happy Valentine's Day. With love from the Little Blue Zebra team. xxx



Monday 13 February 2012

Love love love...

This Valentine's day, instead of just telling your loved ones how much you care, why not bake your way into their hearts too?
We love these quick and easy ideas...


Or for the more adventurous bakers, we 'heart' these...

Sunday 12 February 2012

Fun at the Festival...

If you live in or near London and are stuck for something to do with your little ones this half term when it's freezing outside, the Imagine Children's Festival at the Southbank Centre looks like lots of fun for children and adults alike! As well as musicians, storytellers, comedians, puppeteers, dancers, workshops and screenings, there's even a funfair with a traditional carousel and vintage fairground activities. The festival is on until 26 February... go and let imaginations fly!

Friday 10 February 2012

Friday's fun fact - Zebra stripes... mystery solved!

Ever wondered why zebras have black and white stripes? Well, it seems the mystery has now been solved. Researchers from Hungary and Sweden say the stripes came about to keep away pesky flies. So, if you're off on holiday this year to somewhere where you might encounter some of those pesky flies why not pack something like this in your suitcase... well if it works for zebras!

Happy Friday all!

Thursday 9 February 2012

Let it snow

The temperatures plummeted last weekend and having waited all winter to use our new sledges the day finally came. Now, I'm not sure who was more excited about the snow, the children or a certain adult member of the Little Blue Zebra family, naming no names...Joanna!!

Getting everybody wrapped up for the cold seemed to take half the morning, but when everyone was suitably dressed we hit the slopes for an afternoon of fun.





Friday 3 February 2012

Friday's fun fact - beautiful butterfly

Did you know that this beautiful butterfly (known as the Ulysses) is used as an emblem for Queensland tourism? We thought this picture of its tropical rainforest habitat might brighten up your Friday! Why not metamorphosise your little one into a stunning butterfly this weekend...?

Thursday 2 February 2012

Puppy's Farmyard Friends

Following on from Time to Go Home Little Bunny and Rainy Day Duckling, the next in the series of Templar's changing-picture books illustrated by John Butler has just been published. Puppy's Farmyard Friends features Patch the puppy who is always on the lookout for fun. Your little ones can join Patch on Ivy Farm as they lift the flaps to change the pictures and meet a whole host of his farmyard friends.