Paddington Bear became a movie star back in 2014 when he hit the big screen with the Brown family. It was the funniest, loveliest and most English film of the year – and we all loved it. Roll on three years, and Paddington 2 is about to be released. Not one to give out spoilers, but it’s a-m-a-z-i-n-g. You’ll LOVE it. We were lucky enough to be invited to a preview screening last weekend – more of this further in this post.
Paddington Bear Gingerbread Biscuits
On the first day of half term, a really heavy box arrived, addressed to the children. The box contained all the main ingredients required to make gingerbread dough. There were also some Paddington biscuit cutters, a Paddington cookbook, Paddington DVD and some cake decorating pens.
The children took no time at all in revving up the oven, and my precious KitchenAid mixer, and soon all the dough was resting in the fridge (while I cleaned up their mess!)
Then the fun began. We rolled out the dough and the children cut out some bear and suitcase shapes. 15-20 mins in the oven and they were baked to perfection.
We had to wait until they were 100% cool before decorating. The children followed the Paddington on the front of the DVD, and they really took the task seriously …
…And their results, I think, were really good!
Ravensburger Paddington Puzzle
After a break in Wales for a few days we returned home to a package … a 1000-piece Ravensburger puzzle of Paddington eating a marmalade sandwich.
Naively it didn’t look TOO difficult. Pfffft ignore me – it was the most challenging puzzle I’ve ever done! It took me a week, dipping in and out whenever I could spare some time.
It’s a lovely puzzle. You can tell it’s a quality product from the way the pieces slot together. I finally placed the last piece a few hours ago … and I’m feeling really pleased with myself 🙂 I love the puzzle – really don’t want to break it up!
Paddington 2 Film Preview, Soho, London
We were invited by the film promoters to a special preview screening of Paddington 2 last weekend.
It took place in a central London hotel, in one of their private screening rooms. Paddington came along to say hello, and pose for lots of photographs.
There were also themed snacks, balloon modelling, face painting and they served tea in lovely China cups and saucers!
The movie is quite long at 1 hour 43 minutes – but the time flew by. With some films there’s a bit of a lull in the middle when you lose a bit of interest … not in this film. From start to finish you are drawn into the storyline. You are constantly grimacing and laughing, while spotting the all-star cast. Hugh Grant, I have to say, is epic! He is so funny – totally overacting because his part required it.
At our screening there were lots of young children, as young as 3 and 4 years olds. Apart from the occasional dash to the loo, they all sat and watched the film right to the end.
Paddington 2 is released in the UK on Friday 10 November. Book tickets and go to see it – you won’t regret it 🙂
