Our December/January holiday (away from home, that is) started last Monday. It took a while to get here, but I’m not complaining, I’m just glad it’s here.
Last Tuesday, Zee waited patiently for us at the iStore, and was still smiling even when she had nowhere to rest but the floor.
** Mommy and daddy agreed a special holiday prezzie was in order after that long wait. Shhh. **
The sweet smiles grew bigger as we approached Toy Kingdom in Sandton City. Bigger still when she spotted the Build-A-Bear workshop inside, and she could barely contain herself when she saw the limited edition Trolls!
There are three characters from the Dreamworks animation to choose from – Poppy, Branch, and Guy Diamond (or as I fondly refer to him, Glitter Farter 😛 ). Zee chose super cute, super happy Princess Poppy.
Zee had so much fun building her cuddly new friend, and they’ve been inseparable since. 🙂
We’ve been wanting to buy a new car seat for Zee, for the past few months. Her old one served us well, but was in desperate need of being replaced. With different factors delaying the purchase, Husband and I decided it would be the first thing we’d do this holiday. I had my picks narrowed down to two, but after one last check in with the Car Seat Support South Africa Facebook group on Tuesday morning, I ended up going in a different direction.
Some of the ladies recommended the BeSafe iZi Up, and after reading up on it, I was very impressed with the seat, and with the Norwegian brand. A snippet of what I read on their website that morning:
Our driving force is the will to protect what is most precious to us: our children. At BeSafe we are dedicated to developing the safest possible car seats and other road safety products for children of all ages. Our vision is to have no children seriously injured in road accidents.
All BeSafe child seats are equipped with SIP – Side Impact Protection. In addition, we have also developed an additional side impact protection, SIP+ – Side Impact Protection +. A new, innovative solution of energy-absorbing material that reduces the loads on the child’s head and neck by a further 20%.
We headed straight to Kids Emporium in Morningside Shopping Centre to check it out. We were assisted by Martha, who was both friendly and knowledgable – she told us all about the product and answered our questions with ease. She also brought out a seat for Zee to try out, and for us to have a proper look at. Zee sat on it for a while, and her verdict? Two thumbs up! “It’s sooo comfy mommy, I love it!” 🙂
With mommy and daddy very happy with the safety features, and little person comfortable and smiling, we finally had our car seat – yay! Once the deal was done, Martha came with to our car, to make sure it was installed correctly, and Zee’s been cruising in (and loving) it since.
In case you’re also looking for a child car seat, and are confused by the many options out there, perhaps what BeSafe says about the iZi Up X3 can help you with your decision too:
EASY TO ADJUST HEIGHT
The head and back supports can be easily adjusted on both sides of the car seat using a synchronized function. There is also automatic guidance of the shoulder belt, so that it always lies correctly across your child’s shoulders.
EASY TO INSTALL – SAFE TO USE
BeSafe iZi Up X3 is easy to install. In order to avoid incorrect installation, iZi Up X3 does not have any unnecessary belt horns.
SLEEPING POSITIONS
iZi Up X3 can be used in 2 different sleeping positions. Your child can make their own adjustments by using the handles.
FUNCTIONS
1. Easy to install the 3-point belt: the shoulder belt guider holds the car belt in place and no guider for the hipster belt is required which prevents misuse. Older children can buckle in themselves without chance of wrong installation.
2. Reclining in 2 positions, which can be operated by the child itself
3. SIP – Side Impact Protection. Improved protection for both head & neck by EPS in head support and seat shell
4. The height of the backrest and headrest can be easily adjusted from both sides of the seat
5. The shoulder belt guiders go wider when the seat is adjusted to higher positions
ECE R44-04 approved for forward facing installation group 2/3: 15 – 36 kg
I’m thrilled we finally bought a seat, I’m so happy with our choice, and I’d definitely recommend it to other parents.
2016 has been quite a year. Everyone you talk to, and all over social media, people are more than ready to bid farewell to 2016. And our family? Well, Husband has had one of the roughest years at work,… I did a phenomenal job of breaking my toe, and for a little while there found myself overwhelmed with house plus work work,… and Zee… well, Zee’s had a great year actually. 🙂
So chilled.. like, “what’s wrong with 2016 guys?”
She took to grade one like a star, and received an excellent report from Clonard on Monday.
Her little sister was born in June (my friend J’s baby), and they adore each other. She’s already given her aunt J instructions to teach baby K to call her didi (older sister in Hindi) once she starts talking. 🙂
In July she turned seven, and is quite excited that “in three years it’s the big one mom! I’m going to be ten!”. Mom can barely deal that you’re seven… so let’s slow down ok.
In August she lost her first tooth (further proving to a much in denial mom that she really is growing up), and the second tooth followed in November.
In November, she also completed her first “big girl” ballet exam (two dances in soft ballet shoes, one in character shoes, and all alone with the examiner and music person, with no teacher to assist/support).
It’s been a great (and big) year for Zee, and when I looked through this year’s pics on my phone, it put things into perspective. Something positive, even if it was something small – highlights if you will – took place each month, making 2016 a maybe-not-so-bad year after all.
January – Husband and I celebrated our twelfth anniversary. ❤
Then grade one began for this teacher and star student!
February – Mommy daughter day at ballet. So many giggles as our little rascals taught us a few moves.
March – A long weekend, turned into a full week at Sun City, to fit in as much fun as possible.
April – Zee is reading so beautifully, and mommy couldn’t be prouder of this little person.
May – Alice in Wonderland themed ballet prize giving. Her receiving an award for Personality yet again (besides other awards) makes me heart happy.
June – Little sis, Baby K arrived!
Disney On Ice – Frozen was AH-MAZING!!!
Oh, and pj’s day at ballet.
July – Zee is seven! My baby is growing up. ❤
August – Tooth fairy time 🙂
September – There was a partial solar eclipse, and we had an amazing view through daddy’s welding helmet.
October – Parents evening at ballet. Cue the tears (moms, not kids).
A fun day at the Barbie Star Light event, with even a little bonding time there with aunty N and K.
November – Grade one Royal Academy of Dance ballet exam.
The second milk tooth finally fell out, after shaking for the longest time!
December – Grade one, done and dusted. And what a brilliant job she did. ❤
We closed shop last Thursday, and even though we’re not happy daddy’s had to work, we at least had time to recharge, and the good news is today’s his last day of work too! Let the holidays commence! 🙂
