You’ve Got A Friend In Me

I always wanted a big brother growing up and I could have done with one on more than one occasion! I often think how lucky Ava is to have two who absolutely dote on her. Her very first friends!

Finlay and Ava shared a room this week whilst on our holiday to Cornwall. There are four years between them, but they will make up little games together and we often find them playing an imaginary game somewhere. So it came as no surprise to find them playing with their new Buzz and Woody toys in their bedroom together. We had to bring them on holiday of course!

Finlay’s favourite is Buzz and Ava definitely loves Woody so that worked out well. 

Toy Story to me is the ultimate childhood film of true friendship. The films are something we can all watch together when having a movie night and a firm family favourite. Unbelievably, Toy Story is now over 20 years old! Doesn’t that make you feel old?! And in anticipation of Toy Story 4 (I know you are just as excited as me!) being released in June 2019, Smyths sent us the Thinkway Toys Buzz Lightyear and Woody Two Pack. 

The action figures are the perfect size for little hands (12 inches) and little imaginations as they are so realistic. They have quickly become a favourite of both Finlay and Ava who have played with them together creating adventures. 

Childhood Friendships

Over the last year as Ava’s speech has improved, so have her friendships. It’s hard to form those bonds when you can’t be understood. I often watched from the sidelines, burning with frustration and sadness for her as she tries to navigate the already complicated world of friendships. To see other children run off before she has made herself understood is pretty heartbreaking. It isn’t a case of her not wanting to make friends, it has just been a little more difficult.

Next week we see Ava starting her second year of Pre-School and I have so many hopes for her forming friendships this year. She will now be able to tell us who her friends are for a start. But not only that, with the improvement in her speech she will hopefully be able to play with rather than alongside, which we know she loves to do. 

All we can do as parents is teach our children to be kind and caring and role model good friendships and relationships. We have to hope others they encounter do the same. I didn’t worry as much about the boys making friends, although with Kyle starting secondary school next year and moving away from many of his current friends, I’m sure that will all change. But watching Ava struggle, when she is naturally friendly and loving has been hard.

I hope for all three of them that they have friends who make them laugh, make them smile, raise them up and most importantly have their back when times are tough. I’m lucky to have some of these friendships in my life and I know how important they are to me. 

Win £50 to spend at Smyths

To celebrate back to school with new and old friendships being formed and continued. I have teamed up with Smyths Toys Superstore to give you the chance to win a £50 voucher. Enter via Rafflecopter below and for full terms and conditions. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

*Collaborative post

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43 Comments

  1. tracyknixon
    September 1, 2025 / 4:52 am

    Jessie!

  2. Emma J Walters (@emmav6)
    September 1, 2025 / 6:31 am

    slinky…..wish i could be in 2 places at once!

  3. Anthony Harrington
    September 1, 2025 / 2:50 pm

    I like Buzz the most

  4. Bev
    September 1, 2025 / 4:40 pm

    Definitely Jessie!

  5. nearlydead
    September 1, 2025 / 4:58 pm

    Buzz is my favourite.

  6. Angela McDonald
    September 1, 2025 / 5:57 pm

    I’ve always loved Rex!

  7. Iain Maciver
    September 1, 2025 / 6:06 pm

    love woody

  8. katesds
    September 1, 2025 / 6:08 pm

    Jessie

  9. Solange
    September 1, 2025 / 6:37 pm

    I love Woody.

  10. lesley renshaw
    September 1, 2025 / 6:40 pm

    Woody

  11. Rob Hutchinson
    September 1, 2025 / 8:10 pm

    My favourite Toy Story character is Woody.

  12. Kevin Honey
    September 1, 2025 / 10:21 pm

    Buzz Lightyear, To Infinity and Beyond!

  13. Angela Treadway
    September 2, 2025 / 12:50 am

    woody x

  14. sam macaree
    September 2, 2025 / 6:18 am

    I always liked Sid 😀

  15. Susan B
    September 2, 2025 / 7:38 am

    Buzz Lightyear does it for me every time. He is SO cute!

  16. Pam Gregory
    September 2, 2025 / 9:05 am

    Mr Potato Head

  17. Geri Gregg
    September 2, 2025 / 10:24 am

    Woody!

  18. claire woods
    September 2, 2025 / 10:27 am

    Jessie

  19. Sally Collingwood
    September 2, 2025 / 10:30 am

    Love Woody, he is so cute!

  20. Ruth Harwood
    September 2, 2025 / 10:37 am

    Slinky dog, the voice of reason lol!

  21. Hannah Scudder
    September 2, 2025 / 10:59 am

    I like Mr Potato Head

  22. susan smith
    September 2, 2025 / 2:43 pm

    Woody

  23. Tracy Hanley
    September 2, 2025 / 2:59 pm

    We just love Lotso the bear

  24. Samantha O'D
    September 2, 2025 / 4:30 pm

    Jessie

  25. Annabel Greaves
    September 2, 2025 / 4:42 pm

    I love Woody x

  26. john prendergast
    September 2, 2025 / 8:02 pm

    mr potato head

  27. Sean eccles
    September 2, 2025 / 9:29 pm

    Buzz lightyear

  28. Rebecca Sutton
    September 2, 2025 / 10:24 pm

    i like the sausage dog out of toy story

  29. Kelly Hirst
    September 3, 2025 / 3:17 pm

    My favourite Toy Story character is definitely Jessie

  30. Jules Eley
    September 3, 2025 / 7:36 pm

    I love Woody!

  31. JULIE WARD
    September 3, 2025 / 7:54 pm

    Mrs potato head,, my son calls me potato head

  32. Laura Walker
    September 3, 2025 / 8:08 pm

    My favourite is Woody

  33. Stephanie Coals
    September 3, 2025 / 8:17 pm

    Has to be jessie

  34. Hayley Louise Colburn
    September 3, 2025 / 10:58 pm

    Rex 😀

  35. jennifer l
    September 4, 2025 / 12:10 am

    My favourite is Woody

  36. Martha Chisholm
    September 4, 2025 / 9:31 am

    Buzz Lightyear is up there with the best, but I suspect that I’d have to choose Jessie…..

  37. Lindsey Stuart
    September 4, 2025 / 9:54 am

    I love Woody, I think everyone needs a friend like him 🙂

  38. James McLaughlin
    September 4, 2025 / 10:29 am

    I love the little aliens from the claw machine.

  39. Rebecca Cusick
    September 4, 2025 / 10:50 am

    My favourite is Woody x

  40. Alica
    September 4, 2025 / 11:26 am

    I love the green aliens! oooooh!

  41. gemma hendry
    September 4, 2025 / 1:54 pm

    buzz is my favourite

  42. bex allum
    September 4, 2025 / 3:33 pm

    I love buzz lightyear.

  43. maria blythin
    September 4, 2025 / 7:15 pm

    rex he is so cute x

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