OUR FIRST LAMBS!

Meet our new additions.

Yes, we have started lambing, and steady away is probably a good description. So far we have a couple of pet lambs that are on the bottle, little diddy dots.

Last week we were very busy. The outdoor display had to be washed and everything checked. The shop was rearranged to put all the sale items together, and when we all went home on Friday night the prices were worked out for the following morning.

Saturday 9.00am arrived and the car park was full! Sale day was here. Our annual event was a great success, only a few items remain from the display outside. Bargains were enjoyed by one and all. It was a very busy day and the staff were on the go all the time. We had boxes of sale items that had to be got in when it rained so there were some very tired legs by night. This year we are supporting the Friarage Hospital and donations will be given in the form of toys to the value raised.

For the first time we have had an Internet sale, reducing end of lines even further. So if you have not got your little ones a treat, now's the time to have a look.

Till next time, Julie

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!

The days are lengthening and dare I say it getting warmer!! Spring is hopefully round the corner and it will not be long until we have our first lambs. Watch this space, or face book for a picture.

The first Saturday in March is when we historically hold our sale. This year is going to be slightly different. We are having our sale on Saturday 3rd March. The only day in the whole year that we open at 9.00am instead of 10.00am. Those of you who have been before will know that all the display outside will be cleared (hopefully, we are brilliant at packing cars and modest with it!). Tickets are issued as you arrive (deli style!) so items are sold on a first come first served basis, making it as fair as possible. I am afraid you do have to cross our threshold to purchase the display items. Just in case you cannot remember what our display looks like here is a reminder.

There will also be lots of other toys not just the display items to tempt you. Drum roll!! The big difference this year is that we are holding an Internet sale as well, especially for you, our valued Internet customers. This will start a day later on the Sunday. It will not include display items. So all you bargain hunters, be ready on your starting blocks.

Enjoy the heatwave! Julie

INSPIRATION FOR HALF TERM

The snow has nearly gone and rumour has it that the temperature has risen!! We however remain unconvinced. Half term is being enjoyed by many excited children, who were possibly hoping that the snow would have stayed long enough for them to play in. If you are searching for inspiration as to what you can do with your little ones how about looking at some of the products made by SES.

SES has been the specialist in creative toys for more than 35 years. As you, the experts, know play and learning through play is a vital part of your child's development, and each child develops at their own rate. Play increases concentration, hand eye co-ordination, colour, and shape recognition, and promotes imagination and confidence to name but a few. SES believe that as well as developing these, safety and quality are equally important aspects of all their products, and because everything is produced in house they can guarantee this. Their expertise is enjoyed by more than 14 million satisfied consumers in 70 countries.

We have just got in some new lines that will be fun to use. The super dough now comes with glitter and confetti!!! What more could a little girl want than for everything she makes to have that touch of magic? What is even better is that it won't dry out and it is on special offer.

Have a great Half Term, until next week. Julie

TOY FAIR NUMBER 2

The snow arrived, and one big pup had a whale of a time diving into the snow drifts. Black ice meant a new playground skating the full length of the yard.

The 62nd International Toy Fair has been held. From the 1st to the 6th of February Nuremberg in Germany will have seen approximately 79 000 visitors from 114 countries around the World, making it one of the major events in the toy calender. Everyone wanting to see what the new trend will be. OK, you get the idea it is massive, no way can you do this in a day!!! Not to be left out our Girls were there.

One of the themes for the Toy fair for 2012 was toys for teenagers. Toys4Teens have focused on the interesting target group of 13 to 17 years and their consumer behaviour. Toys4Teens conducted research in Germany speaking directly to their target group and found that teenagers do like to play. Boys probably more than girls!! The favourite being electronic games, and play consoles. Classic games and puzzles came second, with sport, leisure and outdoor toys following in third place. So if you see more emphasis on toys for teenagers over the coming year you know why.

When our girls did eventually make it back, following delays and diversions due to the snow, they were full of enthusiasm and cold. They had seen some beautiful toys, wooden carved animals that looked realistic and very tactile. A kitchen that was unusual because it was made of wood but folded flat for storing under a bed! Just a small taster of the many things that caught their attention and have us all excited. Watch this space, we will be getting some very different, but brilliant toys in that we can't wait to try out.

Sorry perks of working in a toy shop. Keep wrapped up. Julie

WELCOME TO THE TOY FAIR

The girls returned safe and sound having walked their little socks off. Brim full of new ideas and new toys that they had seen. As with the best military manoevers an army marches on its stomach, and our fair maids are no different. Breakfast was bacon butties courtesy of British Rail, while a plan of action was hatched and the troops briefed.


As you can see the Toy Fair at Olympia covers quite an area. There are no short cuts, and a systematic approach works best. You may miss something of vital importance!

TP Toys have been taken over by Mookie Toys, they developed the Swingball. It was nice to meet the team and hear some of their plans. It looks like they are going to continue with most of the lines that TP had, and are progressing with the Castlewood Range which will be arriving in March/April. We are quite excited about these.

A company that caught their eye sold garden games with Shaun The Sheep!! Home from home! When all this became too much there were masseurs on hand to ease away the tension.

A spot of market research was conducted in a top London store. They were very eager to reassure us that our prices were far more competitive by a good ten pounds!! By the end of all this there were four very tired ladies.

Until next week, take care, Julie.

HEADING TO THE SMOKE

The girls have headed south to London for the Toy Fair. We assume they caught the 7.50am train as they did not show up for work. I bet there will be some sore feet by bedtime. Hopefully they will come back with lots of new ideas. Next week will see them jetting off to Nuremberg, so watch this space.

I'm not sure they will be having haggis, neaps and tatties. Burns night will be celebrated in many a home and hostelry. The Scottish National treasure will have his ode to the haggis recalled with great ceremony, no doubt followed by a wee dram, just to keep the cold out you understand.

One of the new toys that Little Tikes are bringing out this Spring are the pillow racers. There will be a ladybird, dinosaur and a turtle. These lovable cushioned characters allow your little one to race around on their new best friend. The caster wheels let them make 360 degree turns in any direction. The soft washable cover is easy to remove for washing, or cuddling up on for a short nap, recharged and ready for the off.

I think this could be great fun, I think my legs may be too long and I'm not sure I would get up again, but may just have to try in the interest of research. Enjoy your Burns Night, Julie

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and Santa brought exactly what you wished for. We did have one very worried little one who thought Santa would not come if there was no snow. Hopefully come Christmas morning all fears were allayed. The decorations have been packed away for another year. New Year resolutions have been made, and as yet are still being adhered to. No doubt it will not be long before there are Easter eggs in the shops!

Our spares department has been very busy and we are now clearing the previous days orders. There are some items that we are out of stock of, but we will let you know this when you order. If any of you do need any spare parts for your little Tikes toys give us a ring on 01609 881302 or email us on spares@adventuretoys.co.uk.

The farm is fairly quiet at the moment. The majority of the sheep have been brought inside, and have been sorted into pens depending on how many lambs they are expecting. Hopefully there won't be any surprises before the end of February.

Next week sees the start of the Toy Fairs. The first one we will go to is in London, at Olympia. In the next few weeks I will be able to tell you about some of the new toys that will be available later in the year. What we liked and are looking forward to getting in.

Rumor has it that we may get some snow this weekend. I hope you are all prepared and have your sledges ready!!

Till next week keep warm. Julie

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Strange though it may sound this will be the last blog until the New Year. We will be closed from Christmas Eve and we will reopen again on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012.

Friday night saw us partying!! We had our Christmas bash and a good time was had by one and all. Some were still going strong in the early hours!!!!We are sending parcels out on express carriage, so are still wrapping and packing. The couriers are very busy but we are hopeful they will arrive well before Christmas. On the spares side we are up to date sending parts out as they come in, assuming we have them in stock.

Last Saturday we had the sheep scanned to see if they are in lamb, and how many each one is expecting. Knowing this enables us to ensure that each ewe gets the amount of food they need, particularly in the later stages. Talking of new arrivals, Maureen has become a Great Grandma and is expecting another Great Grandchild any day.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year from all of us at Adventure Toys. Until next year, take care, Julie.

TWELVE SLEEPS LEFT

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Our Christmas party is booked and we are fending off colds with satsumas, anything to keep our vitamin C levels up!!! I thought I'd read somewhere that chocolate has the same properties, or is that wishful thinking!! I did have plans to share a friendship recipe with you, being the season of goodwill and sharing. The idea of a group of friends feeding a base culture,sharing the mix and then making a cake really appealed at this time of year. Spot the fatal flaw in my plan!!! How do I get a starter culture??and how do I get it out to you all??

Last week our boss headed south to Milton Keynes for a meeting with the European Managing Director of Little Tikes. They had an opportunity to see prototypes for new toys in the development stage, as well as those that will be on the shelves come the Spring. They came back quite excited. There are some fantastic products coming through as well as the old familiar ones, so watch this space. We will try and tell you about them as they come through.

BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

Saturday dawned, there was no snow and the forecast was not too terrible, so no reason to not to go to Northallerton for market day.

Bright eyed, Lou arrived on the market inspectors doorstep at 7.50am to see if we could have a stall for the day. Rumour had it that if you were there for 8.00 you stood a good chance of getting a pitch. We were third in line, but feeling hopeful. By 8.30 we had been allocated a plot, which was just outside Boys, sandwiched between picture frames and hoovers. Lou, Maureen, Neil, Tom and I sprang into action. We had the gazebo assembled, carpet laid (to protect the toys from being scratched, nothing to do with keeping us warm!) Toys were unloaded out of the van arranged and ready for customers before you could blink. Maureen and Tom departed for breakfast, Neil had some sheep to see, leaving Lou and I to brave the elements.

We were ready to face anything, armed with coffee in one hand and a mince pie in the other. As I have always been told, an army marches on its stomach!! (which is probably why I'm not five foot nine and a size zero).We had brought an assortment of toys, the Little Tikes Mobile was built and was catching peoples eye. One little boy was in the car, safety belt on and being pushed down the high street with his bottle safely tucked away in the bonnet before we could pocket his money. The dolls house was also drawing admiring looks. Every time it rained we ushered people in to keep dry. No, no similarity to a Venus fly trap!! We met some lovely people, some who were local, some who had moved to the area recently, and many who had just come through for the day.

Time flew by and before long it was 4.30pm. We had had gusts of wind, showers, sunshine and several laughs. We had introduced ourselves to the local inhabitants and reminded them that we were just down the road and had they visited the shop? When asked if we would be there next week we were suitably non committal. Our knight in shining armour came to help us pack up as the cold was beginning to set in. All in all a good day!! Julie