Inside the Wendy House

Kony 2012 Campaign

2012-03-07T18:21:00.001Z

An 'international justice' internet campaign by humanitarian group Invisible Children has become a huge online hit, with their KONY 2012 documentary about a little known Ugandan conflict.

The movement was started to raise awareness about the alleged war crimes committed by Ugandan military group the Lord's Resistance Army under the leadership of Joseph Kony.

Invisible Children aim to make international fugitive Kony famous around the globe, 'not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice'.

For over 26 years Joseph Koni has been abducting children in Uganda and is wanted for crimes against humanity and charges including murder, enslavement and rape. He has been named as the world's most wanted terrorist.

The hard hitting documentary shows war-torn Uganda through the eyes of Jacob, a former LRA child soldier. The man behind the camera is an inspiration.

The video is being shared across social media and celebrities such as Rihanna and Stephen Fry are showing their support by Tweeting using #Koni2012 to spread the word.

We can all help by sharing the video and using the internet to talk about Koni. This can help shape the future of humanity, pressuring world leaders to act and set a precedent for justice in future atrocities.

If you do nothing more than watch this video or send a tweet, then you have helped keep Koni in the media. You have helped make Koni visible in 2012.

You can sign a petition to support the international effort to arrest Kony at www.invisiblechildren.com

Our First Glasses Disaster

2012-03-07T13:00:00.000Z

It was inevitable that it was going to happen at some point, and today it did. One month to the day since Freddy got his glasses. For four weeks his Mr Bump specs have withstood the rigours of being launched across the room, hidden under the sofa and being driven over by toy cars. But this morning Freddy finally got the better of them and managed to rip one of the arms clean off. It wasn't done in temper, he just bent it back and snap!

Thankfully, there is a Specsavers in our local town and so we rang up and headed in. The staff were fabulous and replaced the frames while we waited. Freddy entertained all the old folk who were waiting for eye tests and was adorable singing and smiling at his audience of pensioners.

With his glasses fixed, and put on for him by the very lovely optician, Freddy proudly kept them on as we walked back to the car. I let him pick a treat from Gregg's and he chose a Spiky Mikey, which for anyone who is not a connoisseur of Gregg's pies and cakes, is a star shaped, chocolate coated shortbread with Smarties for eyes. Freddy deserved a treat for being so well behaved and lovely.

He kept his glasses on all the way home and I thought that maybe this was a turning point in our battle to correct Fred's vision. However, the second he was home he removed them and flung them across the living room!

I hope this pair survive longer than the originals and that Fred soon understands why we keep encouraging him to wear them. The battle continues!

National Science and Engineering Week

2012-03-07T10:10:00.000Z

March the 9th heralds the start of National Science and Engineering Week. With my little scientist Kizzy, this is the perfect opportunity for her and other children to get scientific and have fun , learning about the world around them in new and exciting ways.

We were sent some great science sets for her to try out and she was thrilled to take on the role as chief tester. The first product to really catch her eye was the Perfect Perfume Laboratory from Wild Science. It is one of their range of sets targeted at young girls combining science with beauty...a winning combination in Kizzy's eyes!

The set includes everything you need to extract fragranced oils and use them to make crystals, scented slime and vials of perfume.

The instruction booklet was very clear and well illustrated, taking you step by step through the process. Jasmine, Rose, Mint and Eucalyptus infused cards can be used to extract their essential oils to be used in some simple, fun experiments.

My Scientist

Kizzy donned her safety goggles and enjoyed getting into experimental mode. The experiment to make sublime scented slime was Kizzy's favourite one. It involved extracting the scent and filtering the solution before mixing with the special slime powder.

Following Instructions

After stirring for quite a while, the slime begins to come away from the side of the beaker and is then ready to transfer into eager hands for squishing, stretching and oozing between the fingers!

Stirring the Slime

It is an intriguing substance encouraging the young scientists to explore states of matter, evoke their senses and test the elasticity of the gooey slime! There is plenty in the set to do more experiments and ideas to expand your activities.

Multi-Sensory Science Fun

Next up for testing was the Green Science Weather Station which allows children to explore the nation's favourite conversational topic...the weather! Recycling an old pop bottle, the kit allows you to build your own mini weather station.

The contents include a mini weather vane, an anemometer, a thermometer, a compass and a rain gauge which fit together and go onto the lid of an empty bottle. There is instructions on how to turn the bottle into a mini-greenhouse by planting a suitable plant in it. This looks really effective and is pictured on the lid of the box. It is something we may do later, to explore the world of plants with a terrarium in a bottle! For now we've filled the bottle with water to weigh it down.

Kizzy's Weather Station

This is much more of a long term project allowing a child to record the weather conditions over a period of time. They can learn lots of weather facts and take a very hands on approach to a fascinating subject. The Greenhouse effect can be explored with some further experiments to show the effects of global warming. It may encourage a future environmentalist or meteorologist!

Ready for Recording the Weather

Taking the Temperature...12 degrees!

Our final kit to try out was the Electric Plane Launcher from 4M. This piece of kit is a serious piece of equipment designed for teens. Once built, it has the power to launch a paper aeroplane at 50kmh! It lets children look at aerodynamics and design the perfect plane!

A series of spinning motors and plastic disks create the method of launching the aeroplane. Ian was really excited about this one! It took some skill and know how to build the launcher, so Ian helped Kizzy make the circuit and construct the mechanism to propel the paper planes.

Building the Launcher

The two rubber discs spin around so that when you push a paper aeroplane through them, they grip on and propel them through, launching them at a great speed across the room! It was quite impressive seeing them shoot around. Kizzy researched paper aeroplanes and tried out various designs including some that looped the loop!

These sets are all excellent ways of getting children involved in science, technology and engineering. I loved how they captured Kizzy's imagination and got her excited about experimenting with perfumery, aerodynamics and meteorology. She had a lot of fun and learned a lot of facts and practised scientific techniques.

Kizzy said "Science is sometimes seen as a subject that boys like, but girls can enjoy science just as much. I really loved playing with the sets and exploring all the different things in a fun way. We do science at school but I think it is good to be able to learn more about it at home too. I love science!"

How will you be celebrating National Science and Engineering Week with your little ones?

Casa di Mama Pizza

2012-03-06T19:28:00.000Z

Dr Oetker has introduced an authentic thin crust pizzeria style pizza that rises around the edges. A great solution for making a quick and easy family meal straight from the freezer that everyone will love.

The frozen fresh dough base is topped with a rich tomato sauce and four cheeses.

The dough cooks for the first time and rises in the oven giving delicious soft, fluffy crusts that are delicious right to the very edge. It has a fabulous fresh baked taste and aroma.

The traditional, full flavoured taste gives a perfect pizza experience down to the last slice! We all thought it was very, very good and it tasted fresh and authentic. Perfect with potato wedges and coleslaw.

Find Casa di Mama in the freezer aisle of your local supermarket RRP: £2.79.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas from Asda

2012-03-06T16:19:00.000Z

Mother's Day is on Sunday March 18th. If you have a mum like mine, who isn't really a lover of cut flowers, but who does love pot plants and flowers in the garden, then Asda have a great range at great prices that will be just perfect!

I remember when I was a little girl and I bought my mum a Purple Flowering African Violet for Mothering Sunday. She was so delighted because it would last all year round and not have to be thrown away after a week or so like cut flowers. My mum has always been very practical like that!

'The Garden' range includes a selection of grow your own plants, all beautifully presented in presentation boxes especially for Mother's Day. Mums can plant Lilies in a basket, Freesia in a Ceramic Pot or Irises in a Planter. If your Mum enjoys cookery too, you can also buy a Herb Trio consisting of three pretty pots to grow basil, chives and parsley on the windowsill.

These gifts are all just £5 each which is great value.

Grow Your Own Flowers

The Garden Range also offers some fun gifts for gardening mums to keep outdoors looking 'blooming lovely' including a pretty 'Welcome to My Garden' sign, gorgeous metal bucket tea-light holders and a handy tin for storing bits and bobs.

Garden Tin £5

The tin would make a lovely gift filled with packets of seeds, a ball of twine, plant labels and maybe some of mum's favourite sweets so she can have a treat while she works in the garden. It is very pretty and sturdy. The bucket tealight holders have a heart shaped cut out on the front. They will look lovely alight on a spring evening.

Tealight holders £3

Asda have a whole host of other great Mother's Day Gifts including a fun 'Breakfast in Bed' range, a lovely kitchen range for mums that love to bake and they even have pocket money priced pressies for little ones who want to raid their piggy banks to buy something special for Mummy!

This cute mug is just £1 and is bound to make mum's cuppa taste perfect on Mother's Day!

With an amazing selection of gifts to choose from, at affordable prices, you can get your mum something she'll really love. Head to your local Asda or go online at asda.co.uk to find out more.

**Asda kindly gifted me some Mother's Day goodies to make my mum's day!**

Cracking Easter Bargains with Poundworld

2012-03-06T11:04:00.000Z

Poundworld is one of the UK's leading single priced retailers, selling everything for just £1. With over 120 stores nationwide, there's sure to be one near you, which is great news as they have some amazing Easter bargains going "cheep"!

We were sent a brilliant bag filled with Easter goodies and I was really impressed with the quality and range.

Whether you are looking for traditional chocolate eggs, arts and crafts sets to keep the kids busy or fun novelty Easter gifts you will find everything you could wish for, all for the bargain price of just a pound.

We loved the fancy straw hat and the Easter bonnet decorating kit, both £1 each. The cute straw style hat is the perfect size for little heads. The ribbon trim detail is very pretty. You can add your own personal touch to it to create an Easter bonnet using the decorating kit which contains embellishments, ribbon and bits and bobs. A fun activity for children to do over Easter.

The Make Your Own Easter Cards Kit has everything you need to make six cards to give to family and friends. The cute toppers are really lovely. The Easter Poster Art Set comes with a palette of paints, a brush and a pre-printed canvas so your children can create their very own Easter themed works of art. The Easter Egg Hunt set comes with cardboard baskets to collect goodies. A real fun traditional Easter activity!

The Easter Eggs feature a whole host of lovable characters that kids will love from Peppa Pig to Disney Princesses. You can buy four eggs for just £3. The kids will love them.

Or how about this cute foil wrapped chocolate Easter bunny? Kids will love to find him on Easter Sunday.

Your little ones can dress up as an Easter Bunny themselves with these fluffy and fun bunny ears. They are available in pink or yellow. They are so cute.

Easter is not complete without Easter chicks! This collection of fluffy, yellow chicks make perfect decorations, cake toppers or can be used in an egg hunt. Going 'cheep' at just £1 for a dozen.

With so many lovely things you'll be able to throw a fabulous Easter party or simply give the kids an Easter filled with fun activities, without spending a fortune. My children love spending the long Easter weekend doing arts and crafts, taking part in Easter Egg hunts and munching on chocolate treats. With our Poundworld goodies they will have an amazing time.

Looking For Something Deliciously Different?

2012-03-06T10:40:00.000Z

I have tasted the future of confectionery and it tastes very much like popcorn! But not just any popcorn...it's handmade gourmet popcorn. Never has a snack product created such a buzz in my household as when we taste tested the amazing award winning Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn. I cannot convey just how delicious this stuff is...but I'll try!

The pouches contain the finest air popped mushroom corn which has been thickly coated with exquisite real butter caramel and then flavoured by infusing natural ingredients into the recipe.

Especially for Easter, Joe & Seph have created two incredible flavours. Caramel with a pinch of Ginger and Caramel with Cookies & Cream, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate. The egg shaped labels have been specially designed to celebrate Easter, complete with a little picture of an Easter bunny.

The Ginger infused Caramel popcorn is exquisite. The sweetness of the caramel gives way to pure taste of stem ginger. The effect is like eating gingerbread but it is lighter. The popcorn morsels have a crisp, crunchy yet chewy texture. I've never tasted anything quite like it. The kids also loved it and tucked into handfuls of the moreish and delicious treat.

If you are a chocoholic then this chocolate trio is for you. The smooth, creamy caramel is perfectly combined with cookies and cream, white chocolate and Belgian milk chocolate. The result is a comforting taste sensation which melts in the mouth. Delicious! This is a serious contender to chocolate bars.

I am not surprised that Joe & Seph have won awards for their gourmet popcorn range which includes both sweet and savoury flavours. They are available in pouches or in gift tins or jars, making a wonderful Easter gift for a loved one! They can be purchased on line at joeandsephs.co.uk and delivered free to your door in the UK. The popcorn costs £12 for 3 pouches or £19.95 for 6 pouches.

The popcorn is also available at selected stockists such as Harvey Nicholl's and Selfridges food halls and independent retailers of fine foods.

Joe and Seph's Gourmet Popcorn offers a unique taste experience that totally beats any other popcorn I've ever tasted. It is indulgent, rich, creamy and luxurious. The flavour choices are inventive and quirky. I'm definitely going to buy some...especially as the kids and I polished off both packets and didn't save any for poor old daddy! I think he'd love the Caramel Macchiato and Whisky flavour or maybe the Caramel and Espresso flavour. Then again there is Goat's Cheese and Black Pepper or Blue Cheese, Walnut and Celery. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Mike The Knight...A Knight in Training

2012-03-06T09:58:00.001Z

Set in the exciting and enchanting Medieval times of castles, dragons, Vikings and trolls, Mike the Knight is a new CG animated CBeebies show for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Glendragon is home to a cheeky, energetic and helpful young knight in training. While his father is away, young Mike helps his mother Queen Martha protect their homeland. This gives rise to some exciting adventures and marvellous missions.

With his motto "Be a Knight, Do It Right", Mike learns how to do things the right way and learns the power of responsibility. With a blend of visual comedy, music and fabulous characters, Mike the knight is a real hit with my two year old Freddy. He was sent the brand new Knight in Training DVD which is due for release on March 19th from HIT Entertainment.

The 65 minute DVD is packed with exciting episodes as we join Mike and his merry band of friends Sparkie and Squirt the dragons and Gallahad his trusty steed. Mike's sister Evie is a wizard in training and is never far from the action. Evie has cast a spell on Mike's sword and so he never knows what it will become when he draws it! Freddy thinks it is very funny when Mike pulls his sword out and finds a feather duster in his hand! But whatever Evie's magic conjures up, plays a part in completing Mike's missions.

For me, Fernando the Bard is one of the real stars of the show. His witty ditties that start and end each show are very funny. He is the storyteller who keeps the chivalrous tales moving along in an upbeat fun-filled tempo.

Mike the Knight is bringing the chivalry, adventure and excitement of Medieval times to a generation of modern pre-schoolers who will love the antics of Mike as he rescues princesses, guards the castle or defeats trolls...all in the cutest way. The moral of the stories teaches children the power of their responsibilities; inspires them to be the best they can be and go the extra mile to help out; understand the importance of friendship and loyalty; be considerate; realise the importance of teamwork and appreciate their own self-development.

We really enjoyed watching the fun packed adventures of Mike and his friends. Mike is a very likeable and cheeky character and his attempts at carrying out his missions are very entertaining. At the heart of the show, Mike is just a little lad who enjoys adventures and tries to do his best. The Medieval setting and characters make the show quite unique.

If you haven't discovered the joys of Glendragon and Mike the Knight, keep an eye on CBeebies or treat your little one to the DVD for fun, adventures and 'doing it right!'

A Knight in Training is available to pre-order now.

Lalaloopsy Comes to DVD!

2012-03-05T13:27:00.000Z

The brand new Lalaloopsy movie is here! A full length feature Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: The Search for Pillow is available to own on DVD from the 26th of March. We've been lucky enough to have a sneaky peek at this magical adventure!

Sew Cute!

Lalaloopsy are magical rag dolls who come to life when their last stitch is sewn. With button eyes and woollen hair, each doll is completely unique and special in her own way and their personalities are created by the fabrics used to make them. They live in a magical, whimsical world full of fun and surprises. Each doll has her own rag doll pet and a quirky, little house that perfectly matches her personality and talents..

Peanut Big Top, the circus rag doll, has a big surprise for everyone and they are all very excited. But they realise that one of the gang is missing. Pillow Featherbed is the sleepiest of the ragdolls and has wandered off for a nap and has got lost along with her pet sheep. A storm is approaching! The Lalaloopsy girls set off to find Pillow, each having their own idea on how to go about it. They split up and search for their missing friend using their own unique talents. They soon realise however that if they work together their plans work best. The hunt for pillow is on!! Will they make it in time for Peanut's surprise? And will Pillow stay awake long enough to enjoy it even if they do find her?!

The Lalaloopsy Girls

The animation of the film is lovely. Everything, even the landscape and the clouds in the sky, is made from fabric, stitching and buttons. The colours are vibrant and the characters are very appealing. It is really quite magical.

The story progresses at a gentle pace which is perfect for little ones to follow. There are lots of funny moments along the way which gets the little ones giggling. The tale reminds us of the importance of friendship and teamwork, and it celebrates everyone's unique and individual abilities.

Here is an adorable clip of Peanut and Squirt to give you a taste of the movie!

The DVD also includes a selection of short Mini Adventures, each one about one of the Lalaloopsy dolls. We have watched them over and over again! There is lots to keep little ones entertained. Although it is very girly, Freddy still liked watching the cute, button-eyed rag dolls and their funny adventures!

You can pre-order Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land...the Search for Pillow now. The RRP is £15.99. Keep an eye out for an extra special limited edition exclusive toy pack which includes a double-sided colouring poster and your very own Pillow Lalaloopsy Doll also with an RRP of £15.99!

**I have a fabulous competition to win one of three lovely Lalaloopsy 'Search for Pillow' DVDs coming soon so keep an eye out for that!!**

Keeping Toddlers Safe with a Kool Kangaroos Boomerein

2012-03-05T09:33:00.000Z

Keeping toddlers safe is a concern for all mums and dads. It only takes a second for an adventurous little one to slip away from your side, which can be terrifying. Kool Kangaroos have come up with a solution to child safety with the UK's first hands free retractable toddler safety system.

The Boomerein consists of two parts: an adjustable belt for the parent to wear which attaches to a waist strap that your toddler wears. A retractable rein keeps your toddler safely attached to you, while giving them the freedom to toddle beside you.

Adult Belt with Retractable Rein

Toddler Belt

The belts are made from strong elasticated fabric and are adjustable. The fasteners are secure and easy to use, clicking together when you want your toddler safely secured to you. There is space to put your child's name on the casing.

Adjusts to fit your waist

Being hands free means you can carry your shopping, load your car, push a pushchair and do all the other million and one things that a busy parent has to do, all the while knowing your child is safely attached to you. Parents of multiples or childminders can attach 2 or 3 Boomereins on the belt, giving peace of mind when out and about with more than one toddler at a time.

Freddy sometimes resents feeling restrained when out walking, but the Boomerein, being around his waist, was less restrictive and he seemed to enjoy the extra freedom it gave him. The retractable rein allowed him to walk at his own pace but stay within arm's reach.

Perfect for the supermarket, the beach, the park, the school run or crossing the road, it offers safe, reliable and innovative help to parents on the go. I love the concept of hands-free reins, especially when my mobile phone needs to be answered! It is one less thing to have to juggle when out and about with a small child.

This is Kool Kangaroos' shocking promotional video which highlights the importance of child safety and the danger of road accidents to toddlers. It is a stark reminder of the importance of keeping our little ones safe.

You can buy a Boomerein and other child safety products at KoolKangaroos.com. The Boomerein costs £15.95 with the choice of a blue or pink sticker on the rein casing. It would be lovely to see the childs' belts available in different colours too, or perhaps having them made out of a hi-viz material for extra visibility.

Messy Cooking with Kids and Cleaning Up

2012-03-04T13:18:00.004Z

Cooking with kids can make a big mess of the kitchen! Work surfaces, bowls, baking trays and stove tops can end up splattered in food residue and covered in stubborn stains. Cillit Bang have come up with an All In 1 Dish and Surface Cleaner which promises to make cleaning up quicker and easier.

The convenient automatic dispenser delivers the right dose of the intelligent cleaning agent direct to your sponge, ready to tackle any surface you wish to tackle. There are 160 doses of the concentrated liquid, which is twice as efficient as regular washing up liquids. The solution removes burnt on grease and food residue without the need for scrubbing. However the formula is gentle on hands and the scent leaves the kitchen smelling fresh.

We put the Cillit Band All In 1 to the test with a baking session! Holly Bell, the Great British Bake Off runner-up has come up with some very messy recipes. The cleaning up afterwards puts this product to the test with sticky work surfaces and bowls to contend with!

Cornish Ginger Fairing Biscuits

4oz butter

6oz SR flour

3oz caster sugar

1 tblspn golden syrup

1 tspn ground ginger

1/2 tspn bicarbonate of soda

Preheat oven to GM5.

Line two baking sheets.

Melt the butter and syrup in a pan.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix.

Now here is the fun bit...

Form the Play-Doh type mixture into walnut sized balls.

Put them well spread out onto the baking sheet.

Put into oven for 12-15 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack.

Take a look at our video to see how we got on baking and cleaning up afterwards!

The Cillit Bang really did the job! It cut through all our messy pans and bowls and brought the surfaces up sparkling clean. The dispenser gives you a measured dose of the cleaner so you don't waste any or make a mess squeezing too much out. It looks good by the sink and as it does the job of various cleaning products it is space saving too. Check out www.facebook.com/CillitbangUK for more information.

The biscuits that we made were delicious too! It's a fabulous recipe, give it a try if you like melt in the mouth cookies that are dangerously moreish!

Starter Kit includes automatic dispenser, 3 X AA batteries, 250ml Lemon Burst refill. RRP £9.99 for a limited time. A pack of three refills are £7.99.

***WIN ONE OF FIVE CILLIT BANG ALL IN 1 STARTER SETS HERE!***

#WIN One of Five Cillit Bang All in 1 Dispensers

2012-03-04T13:18:00.003Z

Now it's your chance to win one of five Cillit Bang All in 1 Dish and Surface Starter Sets worth £9.99. It will make your messiest kitchen clean-ups easier! Take a look at our Cillit Bang All in 1 Review to see what you could win and how we got on after a particularly messy baking session!

Simply fill out the Rafflecopter entry form. Click the "DO IT" button and leave a quick comment then tell me you've done it using the "ENTER" button. There are five optional entries giving you a maximum of six entries. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Silent Sunday

2012-03-04T10:41:00.001Z

Silent Sunday

My Clippy Bags of Style

2012-03-03T18:51:00.000Z

The iconic Clippy Bags are now available as a fun craft kit for girls who can design their own clutch bag or pencil case to suit their own personal style. By customising cards using stickers, cut out shapes and patterned paper, you can create inserts that pop into clear pockets on the bag. The finished result is a unique bag that girls can be proud of!

Kizzy demonstrates how she made a stylish bag with My Clippy in this vlog made for UKMums.tv.

What Does Friendship Mean To You?

2012-03-03T18:38:00.000Z

What does friendship mean to you? Build-a Bear-Workshop have been making furry friends for 15 years. They asked me what friendship meant to me, and this was my response.

Playing in the Park Week 9/52

2012-03-03T18:15:00.000Z

The weather is getting better and we have enjoyed venturing out. While Ella attended an interview at a college that she hopes to attend if we stay in Shropshire, Freddy and I went to a park together. He had a fabulous time! It's a shame that it is too far away from our home to be a regular haunt, because he loved the freedom to run around, play on the equipment, wander by the river and see the ducks.

Wall Art for Mother's Day

2012-03-02T18:52:00.001Z

We've all got digital photos stored on our hard drives and memory cards but Bonusprint is urging us all to "print them to preserve them." With Mother's Day fast approaching there has never been a better time to get favourite shots turned into works of art to delight mums and grans.

Bonusprint have a great range of wall art to transform a much adored digital photograph into a really special gift that will be loved for years to come. Canvases, acrylic prints, aluminium prints and poster prints are available in a multitude of sizes to suit any wall.

I was given the opportunity to create a piece of wall art and I was so impressed with how many options there were. Different sizes,effects and finishes gave loads of choices of how I wanted to present my photo.

I decided to opt for a framed print. They are available from a 14 x 10 cm print to a huge A2 size framed poster. There are over 200 frame types available in a variety of thicknesses and finishes. There are also seven mount options with colour choices. You can create a completely bespoke piece of wall art which is delivered direct to your door.

Choice of Frames and Mounts

The parcel arrived really well packaged and was delivered by courier. The quality of the framed print is exceptional and I love it. It is a perfect piece of art. Prices vary depending on your choices, but the pricing is clear and informative as you go along, allowing you make something to your specifications and within your budget.

Deadline for ordering Mother's Day gifts is March 11th.

**********

Bonusprint are also celebrating mums with a competition on their Facebook page with some lovely prizes up for grabs so you can treat your mum.

First Prize

Luxurious Afternoon Tea for Two at The Swan, Lavenham Suffolk or The Compleat Angler, Marlow, Bucks – including stunning tea for two in their tranquil and luxurious surroundings.

Canvas print voucher worth £40 to spend on the Bonusprint website

Runners Up Prize (x2)

£50 voucher to spend with Bonusprint.co.uk

Simply upload your favourite 'Special Mum' photo to the Facebook Page and tell them what makes your mum so wonderful. Is she a local hero? Does she go the extra mile? Winners will be chosen by Bonusprint.

Entries open now and close 14^th March 2012. The winners will be announced on Friday 16^th March.

How Do You Make Fruit Scented Bubbles?

2012-03-02T17:16:00.000Z

How do you put a strawberry or a blueberry in a bubble? It's easy with the amazing new Smubbles from Character Online! Using a Smubbles Streamer and a plug-in character with a fruity scent, you can create fabulous bubbles that you can pop and sniff!

Before being sent a Smubbles set to try out the only pop and sniff bubbles were the ones that the kids made in the bath, which are filled with a completely different sort of fragrance that I don't want to smell at all! The concept of "Pop Em and Smell Em!" bubbles was an instant hit with the little ones who couldn't wait to get their hands on the colourful red gun and the cute fruit characters that plug in to the streamer. The end of the streamer dips into the bubble mix and pressing the trigger makes a satisfying stream of big bubbles shoot out of the end. Popping them gives out a whiff of strawberry scented air which was quite a novelty!

Catching the Bubbles.

I loved how big and how abundant the bubbles were....much easier than blowing them through a wand. Freddy could manage using the streamer to blow bubbles which completely delighted him. Both children enjoyed popping and chasing after the bubbles.

Having a sniff!

The streamer takes 2 x AA batteries which are not included. 100ml of bubble solution and two fruity scented cartridges are included. It is available in red and blue. The RRP is £9.99. It is available to buy online here.

The Smubbles are brilliant fun for outdoor play now the weather is getting better. The delicious scented bubbly fun will keep kids entertained for hours. Smubbles would make a perfect Easter gift for children if you wanted an alternative to chocolate this year.

Bubbly Fun!

A Blogger's Dozen

2012-03-02T15:37:00.000Z

I've been tagged by Mummy Alarm in another Q & A meme, so without further ado here are my answers to this Blogger's Dozen!

1. If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'd have to pick Stairway to Heaven...it's got it all. The slow bit, the rocky bit, the guitar solo and the anthemic finish. It ticks all the boxes for me!

2. What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done/said in public?
I've got out of my parked car, after feeding my baby with my boob fully out. It took me a while to realise why the two male car park attendants were sniggering and pointing.

3. Do you play a musical instrument and if so what?
I've tried the guitar but apart from a poor version of Space Oddity I've never managed to get a tune out of it. This is particularly upsetting as my husband and my 15 year old daughter are both great musicians. But I do however kick ass at the recorder!!

4. If you could book your dream-holiday, where would you go?

I'd love to do the whole Florida thing: Disney, Epcot, Universal. Seaworld, Busch Gardens and the rest of the attractions. I've almost booked so many times, but as we are not a standard 2 adult /2 children family it has just seemed so difficult to find a hotel room that would suit. We looked at villas but the hire car complications with 5 kids in tow was just too much for me to cope with!

I won a holiday to L.A. when my eldest son was 5 and Ian and I took him and our 5 year old niece. I love theme parks and glamour and glitz, and I've always wanted to go back and do it all again with the rest of my kids. LA is a bit too far though, the flight was torturous! Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to bite the bullet and splash the cash and 'do' Florida!

5. What’s your most hated household chore?

Any household chore I hate...Ian does! I am so lucky that I have a husband who happily launders, cleans floors, empties bins, scrubs toilets and washes up! We take the teamwork approach to chores...and I get to delegate the jobs I don't like to him :)

6. What is the one thing you make sure your child/children learn/s from you?

I hope my children will learn to love themselves. I feel that is the most important thing at the heart of their wellbeing. Through loving themselves they will be open to loving others on an equal footing. They will be respectful of their health and their bodies. They will make good decisions or have the courage to admit to themselves that they have made wrong ones. They will be happy in themselves, which is ultimately what I want for them. It has taken me a long, long time to love myself. I hope my children will learn by my mistakes and be the best version of themselves that they can be.

7. If you could jump into a children’s book, which one would it be?

Ooh great question. I could go for the Narnia route or maybe Hogwarts...but no, I'm picking Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I'd love to be a golden ticket winner and enter the amazing factory with Willy Wonka and see the Oompa Lumpas. Plus all you can you eat choccie....bliss!!!

8. What’s your most annoying habit?

I talk too much. I can chat on about nothing . Then I start to worry that I don't let anyone else get a word in. I'm pretty sure it annoys people!

9. What new skill would you like to learn and why?

I'd love to be able to take amazing photos. I have a fancy Lumix Digital SLR camera but the settings just confuse me. If I take a good picture it's generally a fluke! I'd love to learn how to use my camera to its full capacity and capture beautiful photos on a regular basis.

10. Who would play you in a movie?

Angelina Jolie would play me. Her angsty 'Girl Interrupted' performance would be perfect for my teenage years, and her experience of being a mum to many may help her get into the role of me latterly! Plus we both share a love of Brad Pitt!

11. What would you like to be famous for?

I always dreamt of becoming an author whose best selling book became a Hollywood movie, until I realised that I have no original ideas in my head! So I'd settle for being famous as the person who had the biggest ever win on the lottery :)

12. What is the one meal that you always pull off?

My vegetarian Quorn Enchiladas or my Mushroom Pie are my two signature dishes!!

I'm not going to tag anyone else as I've recently done a similar post...but anyone who wants to roll with this, please do...consider yourself tagged!!!!

Make Your Home Sparkle With A Clean, Green Conscience

2012-03-02T14:32:00.000Z

A new eco-friendly cleaning range Naturally Powered has been launched which allows you to clean with exceptional results while caring for the environment. With cleaning, laundry and washing up products available, they make every household task greener. Plant-based cleaning ingredients such as coconut, potato, corn and wheat are used instead of using chemicals derived from fossil fuels. Combination technology mixes small quantities of different ingredients to work together in a highly effective way. The manufacture of the products supports the cultivation and production of ecological GreenPalm certified palm oil and encourages sustainability.

The range aims to create as little waste as possible, coming in lightweight, 100% recycled bottles. Laundry detergents have been developed to be used at low temperatures and the range is made with a concentrated dosage to reduce the environmental impact. However, there has been no compromise on the quality of the products. In tests they have scored on a par or better than the leading brands. This means your house will be as clean as your environmental conscience by choosing Naturally Powered products!

I was sent a selection of the products to try and have been testing their effectiveness in my household chores.

Antibacterial Multi-Surface Spray 500ml (RRP: £1.80) This colourless spray kills 99.9% of nasty bacteria and leaves surfaces taint free. It gives peace of mind, keeping surfaces germ-freee and clean. It is perfect to spray onto Freddy's potty to keep it hygienically clean.

All-in-One Citrus Toilet Gel 750ml (RRP: £1.50) This lemon scented gel cleans, disinfects, freshens and removes limescale from the toilet. The consistency is good and leaves the toilet looking spotless with a quick scrub. It kills 99.9% of bacteria which is very important with a toddler who is toilet training.

Concentrated Lemon Washing-Up Liquid 500ml (RRP: £1.25) This is the product I used the most, with the plates, cups, cutlery and pans from feeding a family of five to wash up! The lemon scented, thick liquid goes a long way. It foams up well and shifts grease with ease. It was every bit as good as my usual brand.

Concentrated Non-Bio Laundry Powder 800g (RRP £3.50) This is a powerful cleaning detergent and works well at low temperatures. It contains enough for 13 washes. You don't need a lot of the concentrated powder to wash a load of laundry.

Fabric Conditioner Morning Breeze 750ml (RRP: £1.50) This leaves clothes super soft, fragranced and fresh. It is also kind to the skin so suitable for my little ones' clothing. Again, it performed as well as my usual leading brand.

All the products were good, nothing negative to report at all. They perform so well you wouldn't guess they were eco! The pricing is very good and you are not paying a huge premium to do your bit for the environment. They are a unique, innovative and ecological essential for every home. It feels good knowing they are kind on the planet, allowing each of us to easily make one small change for the sake of the environment.

The products are available on their website naturally-powered.com or from Tesco stores nationwide.

Forget the Easter Chick...Here's the Angry Birds!!

2012-03-01T20:13:00.000Z

Easter usually heralds the arrival of the cute, little yellow Easter chicks synonymous with Spring time. However, this year there is a new bird in town...the Angry Bird! No one could have failed to see the emergence of the phenomena of these feathered fellas with anger management issues. With millions of fans of all ages, the new Angry Bird toys from Character Online are sure to fly off the shelves!

This Easter, why not take a break from the traditional and buy one of the Angry Bird plush toys. Their very survival is at stake and they are dishing out revenge on the Green Pigs who have stolen their eggs. You can now catapult your own Angry Birds at Green Pigs bringing all the fun of the addictive app into real life.

The range includes Backpack Clip Keyrings and 4" and 5" plush with sound and 8" plush toys.

We were sent a pig and a bird to try out. Pressing their heads gives a cacophonous noise of squawks and grunts which 2 year old Freddy thought was hilarious! He immediately catapulted his Angry Bird at his sister who was holding a Green Pig and thus ensued a re-enactment of the game.

Making the Sounds

Green Pig!

Let The Battle Commence!!

For any Angry Bird fans, from little kids who enjoy all the fun of the frantic game to grown-ups who might enjoy venting their own frustrations by throwing an Angry Bird across the office at work, these plush toys will prove a huge hit! They'd definitely be brilliant Easter presents and provide hours of Angry Bird fun if you are looking for something a bit different this year.

You can buy Angry Bird toys from Amazon. Prices start at just £3.99.

World Book Day with Harper Collins

2012-03-01T12:57:00.000Z

One of the greatest gifts you can give a young child is a love of reading. Books open up a whole world of imagination where anything is possible. They can transport you to magical destinations where you can embark on amazing adventures. Books can also provide a source of comfort with familiar settings that help make sense of your own experiences. World Book Day allows us to celebrate the literary world. Schools encourage children to dress up, take part in activities and every child is given a £1 book token to spend on a book of their choice.

Harper Collins has been a publisher of quality books for over 200 years. With titles spanning all genres, Harper Collins publish a brilliant range of children's picture books. We have been lucky enough to receive a bumper bundle of books which my kids have enjoyed pouring through together. This is what we thought of the titles we received.

Nick Butterworth's gorgeous board books for tiny tots, When We Play Together and When There's Work To Do depict familiar situations to little ones with beautiful illustrations and simple text. The life of a toddler is brought to life, as Sam plays with his toys and helps out with the chores. The six toy characters are really appealing and they love joining in with Sam's activities.

They are due for release later in the year and will be priced at £4.99 each. They are perfect for little hands and are strong and sturdy.

My Henry is a a magical and moving book by Judith Kerr that actually made me sob. The poignant tale is a celebration of the love between an old lady and her husband Henry who died and is now in Heaven. Everyday the old lady sits in her chair, but in her mind she is having amazing adventures with Henry such as going on dinosaur rides, climbing Mount Everest or having a tea party in the jungle.

Rhyming text describes the magical adventures and lively illustrations depict the charming imaginings of the widow. In the end, however, her most exotic daydreams can never quite compare to the real life they shared together before he died. I adore this book...I'm welling up now as it write this! It's one to treasure. It is available now for £6.99.

Up and Down sees the return of Boy and Penguin, characters from Oliver Jeffers hugely successful book Lost and Found.

Penguin decides he wants to fly and goes in search of a way to take to the skies and runs away. He eventually finds a way to achieve his dream but soon realises that without the boy with him, flying suddenly isn't as important as he had thought. In fact he is terrified and just wants the boy to help him.

This is a tale of friendship and reaching for your dreams. It is a heart warming story with great illustrations.

It comes with a CD read by Richard E.Grant and costs £7.99.

The Lorax is another classic from Dr Suess and is about to become a major motion picture at the cinemas, following in the footsteps of The Grinch and Horton Hears a Hoo. The Lorax is the ultimate eco-warrier and his message is as relevant today as ever. The Lorax tries to save the brightly coloured Truffala trees from the axe of the greedy Once-ler who is getting rich selling Truffula-tuft knitted Thneeds. His factory is polluting the air, water and land, and he is destroying the forests.

The story is narrated by the greedy Once-ler who gets overcome with greed as his business grows and grows. He destroys the forest and causes all the creatures to leave. But by the end he realises the error of his ways and knows that unless someone cares, things will never get better. The Lorax was right all along.

The fun, rhyming verse, nonsense words and illustrations are all typically Suess and I am a big fan. This book is part of a new "Essential Suess" range bringing the wonderful stories to a whole new generation. The film is due for release in Summer and I'm sure we'll all be going Lorax mad! The book comes with a CD read by the brilliant Rik Mayall...and is worth every penny of the £7.99 price tag.

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon is bringing comic book heroes to young children. The big glossy picture book is packed with cool illustrations of this awesome superhero.

His adventures include battling his arch-nemesis The Flaming Eyeball. When he gets cross he worries about destroying cities. Awesome Man has a very secret identity and when he retreats back to his Fortress of Awesome, we find out exactly who he is and what it is that makes him feel awesome.

This lovely book would make a great gift for your little superhero and costs £6.99.

These books are all lovely and would make excellent alternatives to Easter Eggs for little ones this year. My top recommendations would have to be The Lorax and My Henry. Both very different, but both set to be family favourites, each with their own poignant message. Remember you can use your child's book token against any children's book and bring home a classic to delight, inspire or entertain your family!

Healthier Meals With Quorn

2012-02-29T16:17:00.000Z

Everyone wants to give their family a healthy diet, but at the same time we still want to give our partners and children the foods they love. With Quorn you can do both! Cutting out the meat in your diet, needn't mean compromising on meal choice or losing out on a key source of protein, vitamins and minerals. All you need to do is swap the meat in most recipes for Quorn. It is not only delicious, it is a good source of essential nutrients and is low in saturated fat and has no cholesterol. You can cook all sorts of recipes from scratch and discover new dishes, expanding your repertoire of fabulous, tasty and healthy family favourites. What's more, you can hardly tell the difference so there is no compromise on taste at all! It's an easy change to make.

Whether you are a seasoned vegetarian or someone looking to cut down on meat, the Quorn website is full of recipe ideas to give you inspiration. From family favourites such as Cottage Pie and Spaghetti Bolgnese using Quorn Mince to an exciting Risotto or Thai Green Curry using Quorn Pieces, there are plenty of suggestions for feeding your family healthier, tastier dinners. Quorn also makes a range of ready meals, deli products and snacks giving a wide range of options for all mealtimes.

Quorn Tikka Masala

You can share your own recipes and photos of Quorn dishes on their Facebook Page and share your favourite meals to inspire other families who are trying to make the change to a healthier lifestyle.

Thai Green Curry

My family has been vegetarian for over 10 years. My two youngest children have been vegetarian since they were in-utero! Quorn products make it so easy to serve up healthy, interesting and delicious dinners for us all. I can cook in confidence knowing my family are getting all the protein and nutrients they need. I love the extensive range which means that I can feed my children many traditional kids' favourites such as burgers, nuggets, sausages, meatballs and the incredibly yummy Fishless Fingers! The mince and the pieces are so versatile that I enjoy being experimental. Our family favourite cuisine is Mexican and we love making Fajitas, Enchiladas and Tacos using Quorn products. I swear by it!

Fishless Fingers

Quorn really is a great choice and is many things to many people.

For the food lover it is a simple way to make favourite dishes ...healthier.
For anyone looking to reduce their meat intake Quorn means you don't need to give up choice or taste.
For the weight watcher it drastically reduces the fat and calorie content of meals without compromising on favourite meals.
For the healthy eater it is a cholesterol free source of protein, fibre and essential nutrients.
For vegetarians it is a great source of protein which causes no suffering to animals.
For the busy mum like me, it is convenient, versatile, easy to use, nutritious and delicious...who could ask for more?!

Find out more at Quorn.co.uk

The Joys of Being a Toy Tester

2012-02-29T13:36:00.000Z

When Kizzy was named as the new Princess Galt, she was awarded £250 of Galt Toys as part of the prize. Having the chance to choose her favourites from the whole range of art, craft, activity, science and discovery sets was a dream come true. The Girl Club offered her loads of items befitting her princess status! Kizzy particularly loved the sets that combined her two favourite things...science and beauty...and picked out sets to make her own perfume, bath bombs and lip glosses! She also loved the girlie secret diary, jewellery making sets and fashion designer sets.

She has enough activities to keep her going for a whole year and we'll report back on her favourite items. What a lucky little girl she is!! Just look at the two huge boxes that arrived for her!

I really like the fact that my little princess loves her science. The Disgusting Science set really got her excited as did the Horrible Science range. I predict lots of messy experiments will soon be carried out in my kitchen!

We are so grateful to the lovely people of Galt for holding such a lovely competition for the kids, with such amazing prizes. Kizzy considers herself to be a very privileged young lady and intends to carry out her royal duties to the best of her ability!

Take a look at Galt's website if you are looking for ideas for really innovative and inspiring arts, crafts, science and activity sets for both girls and boys.

Spring Cleaning the Natural & Clean Way

2012-02-28T14:22:00.000Z

Natural & Clean are cleaning specialists who offer a wide range of innovative and environmentally friendly travel, pet and household cleaning products, to make our homes fresh, clean and odour free.

With Spring Cleaning season fast approaching, and with us about to put our house on the market, I was very pleased to be sent a selection of these products to test out. The company ethos is to create, distribute and sell the finest quality cleaning products that respect the Earth. The products do not contain any animal based products and are not tested on animals. Made without harsh chemicals, they are also kind to those of us who live in the house being cleaned, which is really important when you have children.

The Natural & Clean range includes carpet and upholstery cleaning products. I was particularly pleased to receive these as our beige stairway and hall carpet is looking slightly worse for wear and would benefit from a good clean.

The Dry Carpet Cleaner is a really innovative product. Millions of tiny sponge like granules absorb dirt when agitated into the carpet. The pack comes with a brush to work it into the pile. The granules absorb dirt from the carpet fibres and change colour. They can then be simply vacuumed away. It is very easy to use and leaves the carpet smelling fresh and looking cleaner. Knowing there is nothing unnatural in the product is very reassuring with a toddler in the house. The cleaner looks a lot like damp sand, which goes to work straight away. After about 10 minutes you can hoover it up. The carpet definitely looks better for the treatment and looks less aged. It currently costs £5.19 for a 500g pouch.

The Spot Remover Spray targets tough spots and spills directly. Made with high quality natural ingredients means it is free from solvents, bleach or phosphates. To use, you spray onto an absorbent cloth and rub over the spill. It is even suitable on wool. The discolouration is lifted from the carpet. It is an effective and safe way to tackle stains. I tried it on a muddy print on my stair carpet and it lifted a lot of the discolouration very quickly and easily. I'll be targeting more of my carpet with this later, and hopefully make it look much cleaner for any prospective buyers! There are also Spot Remover Wipes for extra convenience. They are effective on coffee, tea, food grease, pet accidents, soft drinks etc and can be used on most fabrics. With messy kids, these are a must have! The wipes foam up when you use them, but quickly dry to a powder meaning there is no sticky residue. Each wipe goes a long way so one would tackle a spill effectively. Both the spray and 25 pack of wipes each cost £3.43.

The Bin Deodoriser is a powerful formulation which attacks the cause of unwanted odours, neutralising and removing them. You simply spray it onto offending areas such as the kitchen bin, wheelie bins, cat litter trays, nappy bins or waste disposal units. You can also spray the internal surfaces of bins after each bag change to keep them smelling fresh. Powerful active microbes neutralise the pong instantly. I was really impressed by this product. It didn't mask the stink with an artificial fragrance, it made the smell disappear. It is safe for pets and people so you don't have to worry about harsh chemicals in your home. It is just £3.39 for a 300ml trigger spray bottle. It is perfect for freshening up every bin in the house. I wish I'd had this when Fred was still in nappies because they made the bin reek!

All the products have performed really effectively. The packaging has good information and clear instructions for each product's use. I love that they are environmentally friendly, not tested on animals and safe. I was impressed to find a brand that does not compromise on its company ethos or the quality of its products! I'd recommend taking a look online for the full range of pet, baby, travel and household cleaning products.

You can purchase directly from the Natural and Clean website and orders over £50 are free.

What Was Number One When Your Kids Were Born?

2012-02-28T11:04:00.003Z

I just saw Chelsea Mamma 's meme on her blog and thought it was a lovely idea. I did a What Was Number One When You Were Born post myself a few weeks ago and it seems like the logical progression so here are my five kids' number one singles from the day they were born.

Joseph
U2 "Desire"

Megan
Vic Reeves and the Wonder Stuff "Dizzy"

Ella
Mark Morrison "Return of the Mack"

Kezia
Will Young and Gareth Gates "Long and Winding Road"

Freddy
Cascada "Evacuate the Dancefloor"

I did not remember one of these songs being number one when my babies were born. I must have been too busy being 9 months pregnant to have cared about the charts! I think they are mostly quite fitting. Having my first baby became my "desire" as a mixed up teenager, and having Joe really did put me on the path to becoming a better person. Megan really is my wonderfully 'dizzy' daughter who makes me laugh and fills my life with laughs and all manner of 'wonder stuff'! After Ella was born we started the process of changing our family name to McDonald...hence "Return of the Mack"! Kizzy's birth gave us the beautiful song "The Long and Winding Road" which is a good metaphor for our journey together as a family, forever evolving and travelling but our road will always lead us back to the door of home. However, Freddy's number one song has no relevance at all..it's a rubbish dance track. So I'll choose the song we listened to while I was in the labour room waiting for my contractions to start. The local radio station seemed to play the same few songs over and over again at 3am, but I found this one most poignant to my situation....

Take That "Patience"

What was number one when your babies were born?

Vote for Kiddicare's New Arrival and Win a £1500 Spending Spree

2012-02-27T18:30:00.000Z

Kiddicare is planning a new arrival! This Autumn, they will be opening a brand new superstore and they are putting their customers in the driving seat giving them the chance to decide on the location through the power of social media. They are giving YOU the chance to vote for your preferred location by visiting their Facebook Page. Voters can also take part in a special competition to win a pre-opening £1,500 personal spree at the new store! Enter the competition and if the store you voted for wins, you are in the draw for this once in a lifetime prize.

I am championing the Birmingham Store, one of the six stores that are in the running to become the new Kiddicare Superstore. Stocking thousands of baby and nursery essentials under one roof and offering exceptional service including free car seat fittings and product repairs, Kiddicare is the one stop shop for every family's needs.

www.kiddicare.com/facebook

You have until the 9th March to vote and enter into this amazing competition. Share the news among your friends and follow @kiddicare on Twitter and use the hashtag #NewArrival to spread the word.

So don't forget to VOTE BIRMINGHAM and bring Kiddicare to the West midlands in Autumn!

When My Husband's Away....

2012-02-27T15:37:00.000Z

This week Ian is away on business. He left at the weekend and will be returning next Friday night. He is only a couple of hundred miles away staying in Windsor, near to where we used to live. But he may as well be on the other side of the world.

When we first moved to Shropshire, Ian still worked down south. His shifts were four days on, four days off so he stayed with my parents when he was working, and drove home after his last shift to spend his days off with us. It was a gruelling lifestyle for him, especially as he alternated between day shifts and night shifts and his body clock didn't have a clue whether it was day time or night time. He often fell asleep on the kitchen table in the middle of his dinner. Those were difficult days for us all and I'm glad to see the back of them.

Since then things have improved. His current job is in Birmingham which is 60 miles away from here and so is a commutable distance. He is however on call 24 hours a day which means he can get home after a slow drive up the M6 and be called straight back in again to fix a broken computer. It's sometimes really frustrating, but it is why he is paid so well so we can't complain.

This week he is on a course which will diversify his role, making him (hopefully) more useful to the company which is always a big plus in times of redundancies and cutbacks. It is great that they are still investing in him and giving him the kind of career progression he wants. But, how I hate him being away!

I feel like such a fraud. Millions of women cope with husbands that work away day in and day out. I seriously don't think I could handle that. I admire the strength of military wives raising a family while their husbands fight for their country. When Ian's away I feel like part of me is missing. We are such an old married couple, that I sometimes think we have just merged into one.

When it comes to division of labour, Ian does so much of the housework and childcare that I am spoilt! When he isn't here however, I become much more dynamic and ~~less lazy~~ more efficient. I think it's because I am at heart a control freak so if I don't do it 100% myself, I prefer to simply delegate the whole job responsibility to someone else. Ian's attempts at 'helping' over the years have landed him a whole load of personal chores. In his absence, I do everything with gusto and in my own way, which is actually quite satisfying. Plus, it's good for me to have to step away from the laptop and do some housework!

But I do miss my right hand man. I miss his hugs. I miss him making me cups of coffee. I miss his wake-up call in the morning. I miss him being there for a chat. I miss him helping look after Freddy and the girls. I miss him taxi-ing the kids around. I miss my best friend. However, the one thing that I totally do not miss at all is his snoring!! So it's not all bad ;)

Me and My Man x

Mixed Load Laundry with Colour Catcher

2012-02-27T10:38:00.000Z

When the laundry mountain is threatening to take over your house, the prospect of fastidiously sorting through every item according to the washing instructions and colour can prove daunting. With Colour Catcher from Dylon, you have one less thing to worry about as you can confidently do mixed coloured loads without fear of colour runs.

Less sorting also means you can do fewer loads. No need to wait for a full load of whites or running a load that is half empty. This reduces the amount of water, electricity and detergent you use...good for the pocket and the planet!

Just pop one sheet of Colour Catcher in with your mixed load and wash in the usual way.

Each sheet acts like a magnet, drawing away the traces of dirt and dye that bleed from coloured clothes and trapping them during the wash. This keeps the dyes away from the other clothing in the wash avoiding the grubby, grey appearance that can build up over time.

The proof is on the sheet!

I was sent a box to test for this review. Ella has a black and white dress which I hate washing! I never know whether to treat it as a 'light' or a 'dark'. With a Colour Catcher sheet in the wash, I was confident that I could I put it in a mixed coloured load and not worry about it. It came out perfectly. It is these type of items that benefit most from using a Colour Catcher, giving you peace of mind. With the fashion for colour blocking or monochrome clothing, it is reassuring to have a product that enables you to wash the garment without worrying that you'll ruin it. *Care still needs to be taken when doing laundry (see the Precautions list below).

Colour Catcher is available in three sizes 12, 24 and 40 sheet packs priced at £2.89, £3.65 and £4.99 RRP respectively. Available at Tesco, Asda, Wilkinson, Sainsbury's and Waitrose.

*Precautions:

Certain fabrics are more susceptible to colour runs; red or dark coloured fabrics and cotton garments. To ensure maximum effectiveness for items with poor colour fastness use 2 or 3 sheets
New coloured garments should be washed separately for at least the first 5 or 6 washes whilst certain large dark coloured items, such as jeans and towels, should always be washed separately
Effectiveness cannot be guaranteed where large quantities of dye run from non-colourfast garments
Reasonable care should be taken if mixing colours with whites
Always follow the washing machine manufacturer’s instructions

Fun With Wigs Week 8/52

2012-02-26T11:40:00.000Z

One of the fun things about sorting out the house is discovering all the mad things hidden in the garage...such as our wig collection!! Looking good kids!

Silent Sunday

2012-02-26T11:34:00.000Z

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Digital Thermometer

2012-02-25T22:04:00.000Z

A few weeks ago Freddy was very poorly with a virus that caused his temperature to shoot up rapidly causing him to have a convulsion. We had a frantic phone call with the out of hours doctor who gave us some advice which he followed. Thankfully we managed to bring his temperature down and he bounced back over the next few days. Having a child who is not well is extremely stressful and upsetting.

A rise in temperature is a tell-tale sign that your little one could be poorly. When you are nursing them at home, it is reassuring to be able to keep a close eye on their temperature. It gives peace of mind and can alert us to any changes in their condition.

Tommee Tippee has launched the new closer to nature® Digital Ear Thermometer to give parents that peace of mind. It is a real must-have for the medicine cabinet, ensuring that we can check our children's temperatures quickly, easily and accurately whenever necessary.

The speedy thermometer keeps track of baby’s temperature quickly and accurately; simply place the tip in your little one’s ear and press the scan button - then after just 1 second, an accurate temperature reading will show clearly on the easy to read LCD display. It has a tiny tip making it safe for everyone from newborn babies to grown-ups and is also really easy to operate - giving you one less thing to worry about!

Other great features of the closer to nature® Digital Ear Thermometer include:

A fever alert which alarms when baby’s temperature is too high, leaving you in no doubt.

Stores 9 memory readings so you can monitor baby’s temperature with ease.

Complete with 8 replacement hygiene covers (replacements are available to purchase separately).

We were sent a digital thermometer to try out. Thankfully, my children are all well at the moment but we had a go taking each other's temperatures. The thermometer is comfortable to hold and very easy to use. The design is very user friendly.

The fever alert is a great feature of the thermometer. It is easy to forget what the norm is for body temperature, so the alarm is a fool proof way of knowing when your little one is getting too hot. The memory feature lets you keep track of your child's temperature, which would be really useful when monitoring their symptoms. Knowing an accurate reading of your child's temperature means you can provide relevant information when you seek medical advice. The closer to nature® Digital Ear Thermometer means you have one less thing to worry about when your child is poorly.

For the RRP of £34.99, this thermometer is a worthy investment for any household.

tommee tippee® products are available at, Amazon, Asda, Argos, Boots, Mothercare, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco, Toys R Us or online at www.tommeetippee.co.uk .

www.facebook.com/tommeetippee

www.twitter.com/tommeetippee

The Tooth Fairy 2

2012-02-25T20:43:00.000Z

Whenever any of my children lose a tooth, we leave it under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy. But never do we imagine the Tooth Fairy to look like the star of the new movie from 20th Century Fox. Available on DVD on March 12th, The Tooth Fairy 2 introduces us to an all new and very unlikely Tooth Fairy played by Larry the CableGuy.

When Larry Guthrie loses his first love to the sleazy town hot shot, he decides to try and win her back by tugging at her heart strings. He volunteers at the local kids' after school club but soon slips up when he tells the kids that the Tooth Fairy is not real. He then becomes magically transformed into a pink-winged, tutu-clad fairy in order for him to learn his lesson. He is sentenced to collect ten children's teeth in ten days. If he fails he loses his best ever memory.

The story is heart warming as you see Larry becoming a better man through his experiences and see his first love warming to him again. Her fiancée does all he can to sabotage Larry at every possible opportunity, creating some funny moments.

There were loads of funny moments which kept both Kizzy and Freddy entertained. We were all rooting for Larry on his journey of self discovery. It is a good fun-filled family film with some touching moments. The cute kids definitely added the 'cute' element to the film.

The Tooth Fairy 2 DVD is jam packed with extra special features...including an introduction to 'Larry The Hairy Fairy'. Tooth Fairy 2 is also available as part of a special double-pack that includes the original Tooth Fairy film starring Dwayne Johnson.

Release Date 12th March 2012
Running Time 86 minutes
Certificate PG
DVD Price RRP £15.99
DVD Double Pack RRP £19.99

Princess Galt is in the Papers

2012-02-24T13:17:00.000Z

From Shropshire Star Group Newspapers

Albelli Photo Books

2012-02-24T09:54:00.000Z

Albelli produce the most incredible photo books for every occasion. I like to regularly get my digital photos made into photo books, which are a wonderful way of preserving our memories. So far, this February has given us some unexpected snow days, half term and Valentine's Day. With so many fabulous photo opportunities I've got lots of lovely photographs of my family that deserve to be on display for everyone to look at. So I was very pleased when Albelli offered me the chance to make my own photo book.

I love the Albelli site. You can make photo books instantly by choosing which pictures you want including and letting the programme do the rest. But I love the freedom of making my own.

Page layouts, backgrounds, number of photos per page, text and photo sizes can be played around with to create your own unique design. I loved the creative freedom, dragging, dropping and cropping my pictures in my own way, picking colour schemes and adding text boxes.

It is quite intuitive and user friendly and regular save prompts ensure you don't lose your work!

Creating my Albelli Photo Book

When you have created your book you can choose optional extras such as a full photo front cover and extra thick glossy pages. These make your creation even more special.

My Photo Book arrived a week after I made it which is a great turnaround time. Email messages kept me informed of its progress along the way. The books are sent in sturdy cardboard packaging and are wrapped in plastic so they don't get damaged.

I have to confess that I let out a little gasp of joy when I saw my book. It was so glossy and colourful. No wonder Albelli were voted as the No1 Photo Book by The Gadget Show!

My Valentine's Cupcakes on the Cover

Different Layouts

Thick, glossy pages

Valentine's Day Photos

Funky Backgrounds

Prices start at just £6.95.

They would make a fabulous, unique and thoughtful gift for Mother's Day filled with family photos.

Find out more at Albelli.co.uk

Midnight in Paris

2012-02-24T09:32:00.000Z

It's the Oscars this weekend, and we LOVE The Oscars!! This year however, I hadn't seen any of the films nominated for Best Picture which was a bit of a shame. However, Warner Bros came to the rescue when they sent me Midnight In Paris to review as part of my rom-com package for Valentine's Day.

Directed by Woody Allen, the film tells the story of a young engaged couple, dreamer Gil (Owen Wilson) and materialistic, shallow Inez (Rachel McAdams) who travel to France with Inez's unpleasant parents who are on a business trip. Gil is a writer, fed up with his unfulfilling career in Hollywood but struggling with his first novel, who finds the ultimate inspiration in the city as he goes on midnight walks filled with fantasy. But the closer he gets to the heart of the city, the further away he gets from the woman he thought he loved.

Woody Allen embodies the charm and magic of Paris and the golden age of the Bohemian era of the '20s. Literary and artistic greats from the past are brought to life as Gil magically transports back in time night after night. He becomes involved with all these characters causing him to reassess his life. Inez accuses Gil of "being in love with a fantasy" and this becomes the theme of this movie. Searching for the Golden Age and seeking appreciation for his art becomes an obsession that changes his future and leads him to his destiny.

Why Gil time travels is never explained, but if you just accept that he does and go along with it, then you can share his journey into these bygone eras. I particularly liked his encounter with the Surrealists!

The cinematography is sumptuous, showing the sights of Paris in the romantic way we imagine and wish them to be. The script is sharp with some genuinely witty moments especially as Gil's double life alienates him further and further from reality and his fiancée. My only real problem is the casting. I love Rachel McAdams but felt she was very under-used. Owen Wilson's character seems to be the same in every film he acts in. I almost expected Marley to come bounding in at any moment wagging his tail at the sight of his master! I failed to see him as a struggling novelist willing to deconstruct his life of privilege in favour of the realisation of his Golden Age Notion. Someone with more intensity would have worked better for me. But even though I found his character unbelievable, he is likeable nevertheless.

As far a romantic comedies go, this doesn't fall into the 'laugh out loud' sub-genre. The humour is more subtle, playful and gentle. The twist in the story at the end was quite predictable, but still made you smile as Gil gets his girl. It is definitely a more intelligent 'rom-com' as you would expect from Woody Allen's directorship. One for the more mature audience, who still enjoy a touch of fantasy and romance on screen!

You can buy Midnight in Paris at Amazon for £9.99 and keep an eye out for it at the Oscars on the 26th!

Reasons To Be Cheerful

2012-02-23T20:06:00.000Z

I can't believe we are racing towards the end of another week. Time to take stock again and give thanks for all the good bits!
1: The sun shining today gave us a taste of Springtime, which I hope will soon be upon us for real. The sunshine always makes things feel better! It was the first day that I didn't crank the heating up in the car on the school run. It'll soon be air con time :)
2: Kizzy was announced as the Face of Princess Galt. We attended an official photoshoot where some absolutely stunning professional photos were taken. She was an absolute star and did her mummy (and Galt Toys) proud!
3: Operation De-Clutter went off to a flying start with a car boot sale held at the local sports hall. We did really well making over £100 on the kids' old toys and other bits and bobs that we'd sorted out. The thing that I liked best was seeing our pre-loved toys re-housed with new boys and girls. Lots of children were made very happy getting something new to play with. It is recycling at its very best!Plus it takes us one step further towards our ultimate goal of moving house. We've seen some amazing homes in our price range in a lovely little town close to Northampton. It makes me believe that it is an achievable plan!
4: Freddy's new glasses are proving a bit of a challenge, but he is getting better at keeping them on with every passing hour. This makes me think they must be doing some good and getting his eye working. He looks so cute in them too!

Kizzy is The Face of Princess Galt

2012-02-23T14:04:00.000Z

A while ago I spotted a competition where you had to submit a video of your child showing why they should become the Face of Galt. There were four categories: Scientist, Artist, Baby and Princess. Kizzy embraced the idea of the contest and here is the video we submitted.

Earlier this year we had an email to say that Kizzy was to be crowned as Princess Galt! A photoshoot was organised at the Marriott Hotel in Derby, which is the oldest Marriott in the world with the charm of an olde worlde castle.

We met the other category winners which included Lisa, a long standing friend of mine from the Facebook who is a fellow comping blogger, mum to the gorgeous Dexter and a very lovely lady! We had a room which was filled with Galt products for the kids to play with while they waited for their turn in the limelight.

Galt Sequin Art

Kizzy was given a lovely princess outfit to wear which made her look absolutely gorgeous...like a real princess! She really was perfect!!

My Princess

Kizzy's photo shoot was very fairytale like. Brown toned filters and a smoke machine created a soft focused effect. The settings included a secret staircase and an ornate window sill. Kizzy followed the instructions of the photographer really well although that meant holding quite uncomfortable positions perched on the edge of a very narrow wooden step. She was a star!

Setting up the shot.

We had a lovely lunch and then the kids did a group shot. I felt so relieved that I had a 9 year old daughter who was able to hold her pose while all around her things were chaotic. The other three little ones and their parents had quite a time trying to get them to sit still and look at the camera. Getting them all looking in the right direction and smiling was a real challenge. I could just sit back and relax as Kizzy sat like a little angel, even when Baby Galt stuck his rattle in her eye!

We had a great day. Kizzy did so well and I was very proud of her. Freddy was pretty well behaved even though he ate four pieces of cake, crawling halfway across the table to get them...but he had a great time supporting Kizzy! Even big sister Ella enjoyed playing with all the arts and crafts sets that Galt had provided.

I can't wait to see the finished photos used by Galt...they were incredible. The photographer had such a great vision and the models were all gorgeous!

Take a look at Galt's website to see all of the Face of Galt winners.

How To Make a Toddler Wear Glasses

2012-02-23T12:57:00.000Z

Yesterday we picked up Freddy's new glasses! The trendy Mr Bump blue frames are very smart and stylish, a million miles away from the old NHS specs from my childhood. They make Freddy look very cute.

The right lens is just clear glass and I was shocked that the left lens was quite so strong and magnified. My poor little man has soldiered on with really poor vision in that eye. It is remarkable how well children can adapt to something that an adult would struggle with and moan about!

At first Fred was not interested in putting them on. He liked it when his toys put them on, when we put them on and even when the apple he had for his mid-morning snack put them on. But he was not impressed having to look through them himself. Ella, Kizzy, Nana and Grandad all put on their glasses to show Freddy how cool they looked, but he was still reluctant to wear them. I'm sure they must make his poor eye feel strained as it tries to start working again. It must seem very odd to a 2 year old who doesn't fully understand what it's all about.

Not Quite Right

As ever, my lovely virtual friends on Facebook offered me solutions, ideas and advice and just discussing the problem really helped. Thank you all for your much appreciated support :)

I've discovered that doing an activity with him that requires close-up vision is the best way to get him to comply. I tell him that if he looks through the 'magic windows' he'll see things better. I get him to look at things and describe colours and shapes to focus his eyes. We did a whole hour playing with Duplo in his glasses this morning which is a real positive step. Lots of praise and encouragement is the key...along with lots of distraction. He is getting less opposed to them and the odd ~~bribe~~ reward seems to work well too. I'm not going to make a huge deal out of it as I don't want him to become spectacle-phobic! So I'm being relaxed and giving him breaks and not pressuring him. Afterall it's early days!

My New Glasses

His next appointment is for six weeks time. I really hope it shows that his left eye has had its vision kick-started. We've caught it early and time is on our side. Eyesight is such a valuable thing and I''l do all I can to get Freddy's problem resolved....even resorting to Jelly Tot rewards for keeping his specs on!

Pillow Pets...Is It A Pillow? Is It A Pet?

2012-02-22T21:35:00.000Z

Everyone loves snuggling up to something warm, soft and cosy. If that warm, soft and cosy thing just happens to also be a cute, friendly and playful pal, then all the better!

Mookie Toys have brought the original Pillow Pets to the UK. They are premium quality, ultra-soft and cuddly chenille plush toys that double up as lovely soft pillows. Perfect for nap time, travelling in the car or playtime!

We were sent a Playful Penguin to try out. He had a very appealing little face that just cried out to be hugged! I really like the idea of a cuddly toy that also has a practical function, making it more than just another 'teddy'. It is really well made and the fabric is a great quality...beware of cheap imitations on the market!

A velcro-strap underneath the Pillow Pet is released to transform the cuddly toy into a pillow. It is quick and easy to switch between pillow and pal. The pillow really is super soft and very comfy!

Both two year old Freddy and nine year old Kizzy loved their Playful Penguin Pillow Pet. All ages can enjoy cuddling up with one, from toddlers to grandparents! I even enjoyed a snuggle! Catching a cheeky forty winks has never been such fun!

The range includes Silly Monkey, Playful Penguin, Comfy Panda, Snuggly Puppy, Magical Unicorn, Wiggly Pig, Ms Ladybug and Bumbly Bee! And especially for Easter, Cuddly Bunny, Thumpy Bunny, Puffy Duck and Fluffy Bunny will be joining the gang. They are all cute, colourful and fun!

Find out more at pillowpets.co.uk. The Original Pillow Pets are priced at £19.99 RRP and available from Toys ‘R’ Us and Amazon. They'd make a great Easter Gift Idea!

When Your Best Is Just Not Good Enough

2012-02-22T15:24:00.000Z

When once asked by one of my children what you should do if your best just isn't good enough, I replied that you should say bollocks to those who don't think you are good enough and carry on doing exactly what you're doing regardless. Sage advice I thought and congratulated myself on my words of wisdom.

However, I have been contemplating whether or not this is actually right. Is just doing your best really enough? Or should we be honest enough about our limitations to see that sometimes we simply aren't good enough for the job in hand and concede defeat. Should we take the pressure off ourselves and pass the challenge on to someone better equipped?

What about when the thing that you are doing is really important? What about if it is a matter of life and death and your best attempts fall short? If 'your best' really isn't good enough, how do you reconcile the fact that you are letting someone down or causing potential harm? Would it better to not try at all?

Suppose a plumber did his best, but still flooded your house? Or an inexperienced, sleep deprived junior doctor nicked an artery during surgery? Or a hairdresser, who in spite of trying her very best, managed to botch your cut and colour leaving you looking like a clown? Does the fact that they 'did their best' really help the situation?

We live in a target and results led society. Children are continually tested in schools, they are judged, they are made to sit exams, they are expected to reach a minimum requirement by the end of their education. If their best doesn't meet this criteria they are deemed to have failed. In the workplace we are given targets which need to be met. Pay rises, promotions or potential redundancies rely on these targets. Like it or not, we are constantly put in situations where we have to perform. Failure to do so, however hard we may have tried, is going to have repurcussions.

I think that this also applies to a certain extent to the art of parenting. I define myself first and foremost as being a mother. Motherhood takes precedent over all my other roles and I feel it is the most important thing I've ever done and will continue to do. I try with every molecule of my being to make my children happy in all aspects of their lives. I strive to be the one who can help them overcome all their obstacles. I try to empower them to find the solutions to their problems. I want to be the one who can fix anything that they need fixing.

Unfortunately, sometimes I can't 'fix' things. Realistically, there will always be problems that are beyond my control. It is human nature to feel somehow to blame if anything goes wrong, even if it is completely out of our control. As a mother we have to juggle so many balls at once. When one of those balls is dropped should we feel guilty or blame ourselves? The logical side of me says no, of course we shouldn't, but the emotional side starts doubting my abilities and my worthiness of being a mother. Maternal guilt is a powerful thing!

The universe blessed me with five amazing, inspiring and incredible children. I hope I'll be 'good enough' to allow them to realise their true potential. I hope they'll grow up knowing how loved, adored and cherished they are, and how they really are the centre of my universe. I hope they will learn from me, but make their own choices, forging their own path into the world. And if there are some things that I can't fix for them myself...I will be honest enough to face up to my limitations and admit that I can't simply wave a magic wand and make everything better for them. But I'll be resourceful enough to find someone better equipped who can help...and that's my promise to my babies!

Maybe it's admitting that we're sometimes 'not good enough' that makes us so much better than we think we are!

2012-02-22T12:36:00.000Z

Treasure Island Toys (www.treasureislandtoys.co.uk) has been a popular online store for many parents in the UK since 2008, but as of November 2011 the site became an entirely different sort of online experience.

Treasure Island has created what they like to call a ‘Fun and Party Search Engine’ and is unique in the fact that not only can parents buy toys, furniture and birthday presents from the website, they can now arrange parties and days out for the kids, by finding children’s entertainers, party venues, kids attractions, evening classes, workshops and much, much more - all in one place!

By entering a postcode or place name, parents can find a whole range of child friendly activities and more which are in their local area. They then have the ability to refine their search by using hundreds of different keywords ranging from Ballet, Balloon Modelling and Paintball, right through to Peddle Boats, African Drumming, Theatres and everything inbetween.

The website uses the latest technologies to make it super quick and utilises great features like ‘Favourites’ lists, videos of entertainers, date ranges for events, reviews, social networking (Facebook/Twitter/Google+) integration and much more.

The website is also what is known as a ‘wiki’ site, meaning that anyone can add a listing to the website for FREE, quickly and easily by themselves. So if you are an entertainer or are a parent that knows of any great kids’ attractions and local events in your local area, you have the ability to add them in seconds and let other parents benefit from your knowledge.

With thousands of listings already on the website, and more being added each day, we are confident that Treasure Island is the place for parents to go when in need for some great ideas to keep the kids entertained.

For parties see www.treasureislandtoys.co.uk/parties.aspx
For fun days out see www.treasureislandtoys.co.uk/fun.aspx

Information thanks to Blog Match.

Pancake Day!

2012-02-21T21:07:00.000Z

I have eaten my body weight in pancakes. Chocolate pancakes with Nutella and Scotch pancakes with maple syrup and ice cream. What a lot of stodgy, batter-y goodness! I've over indulged but my belly is happy...it's the little pleasures that make life worth living!

Pancakes with Maple Syrup

I love getting in the kitchen with the kids and getting our pancake production line in full swing: mixing, frying, tossing, topping and eating! Fred wasn't too impressed with his pancake, but I think he was expecting cupcakes making the flat little offering a disappointment!

However, the rest of us had his share!

Pancakes!

I hope you had a good Pancake Day and enjoyed your own carb-laden treats today, however you enjoyed them! Next stop....Lent!

Enjoy the Flavours of Real Italy with Sacla

2012-02-21T18:08:00.001Z

Sacla have always been a brand that has graced the shelves in my kitchen cupboard. Sacla gives us a mix of convenience and authenticity, allowing us to rustle up great tasting Italian meals with ease. The latest addition to the range, is a selection of fresh pasta, pesto and sauces. Using the finest ingredients and traditional recipes, Sacla have produced authentic tasting products with the big, bold flavours of real Italy! Fresh from the fields and sunshine of Italy, this range can be found in the chiller cabinet of supermarkets or from Ocado.

We were delighted to try out Sacla's Intensely Italian Classic Basil Pesto with Intensely Italian Trofie Pasta.

The packaging is very sophisticated and you can see at a glance that this is a quality range.

Pesto is a timeless and versatile Italian sauce. Made with fragrant basil grown in Asti, Sacla blends the herb with Italian cheese, pine nuts and olive oil. You simply stir it through steaming pasta for a very quick and easy meal for 2. Pesto delivers a burst of Italian flavour and adds colour and glory to cooked pasta, transforming it into a delicious dish.

The Trofie Pasta is lovingly made in Italy. The Ligurian shape is really different to the usual twists and shells that I use. It is designed to make sauce cling to its spiral shape. It goes perfectly with Pesto...a real match made in culinary heaven!

It is incredibly easy to make a fabulous authentic meal using these two ingredients. The pasta cooks in just 9-10 minutes, the pesto is simply stirred through the drained pasta. Simple!

I had my 20 year old daughter home from university at the weekend and we made ourselves a little Italian feast. She is a huge fan of pesto and really enjoyed the Sacla classic variety. I found there was a bit too much pesto for the quantity of pasta when using the whole pack for two, but that is purely my personal taste.

Pesto can be used as an ingredient to make other Italian dishes adding flavour and richness. It is very versatile. For inspiration check out the Italian Recipes on Sacla's website.

Other products in the chilled range include fiery chilli pesto, tomato pesto, spicy roasted pepper sauce, asparagus and white wine sauce, olive and tomato sauce, cherry tomato and basil sauce, cherry tomato and chilli sauce, tomato and marscapone sauce, tomato and wild garlic sauce and Orecchiette pasta.

From Sacla's Intensely Italian range.

Gardening and the Joys of Growing-Your-Own!

2012-02-21T11:03:00.002Z

I have never been the most green fingered person in the world, but I do try hard when it comes to gardening. It isn't through want of trying that I fail to have an amazing and well stocked garden. I fantasize about having a garden with an orchard growing apples, plums and pears. I imagine myself making delicious pies and crumbles using my home grown fruit. I'd love rows of carrots and onions and potatoes, giving my family the freshest possible veggies. A greenhouse growing fresh chillis and vine tomatoes would keep us in homemade salsa all year. Embracing the concept of 'grow your own' would be a wonderful way to live a more sustainable existence in this modern world.

When I was growing up, we lived in a house with a huge garden. I didn't appreciate it at the time, nor did I realise how amazing it was that my dad grew all his own vegetables. Row upon row of plants tied up to bamboo canes, tethered using a leg from a pair of my mum's old tights stood in a regimental fashion over three quarters of our garden. As a child I remember longing for beds of beautiful, bright flowers, but my dad's ethos was if you couldn't eat it, he wouldn't grow it! I recall helping him harvest peas, beans, rhubarb, strawberries, tomatoes, cabbages, onions and my own personal favourite, purple sprouting broccoli! In hindsight it seems quite idyllic and I'm sure even during times of austerity it meant we always had food on our table.

The reality of gardening for me is however a very different story. We moved into a brand new house, and although our home is lovely, we had to compromise on the garden. It is a very uniform square plot with high fences on every side. The sunlight doesn't reach into all the corners and the soil is very poor. In fact, the layer of top soil is so thin you can see the rubble left over from when they were building the estate through the turf. It is not a great garden, but I was not going to let it dampen my determination to grow my own!

Last year my gardening project got under way and with the children's help we set out to make a potted herb garden. Using troughs and terracotta pots, we planted up Parsley, Basil, Chives, Oregano and Mint from seed. We also sowed an array of fabulous sounding salad leaves in a gro-bag. We tended our seedlings and watered them everyday. We were very proud of our work and quickly we began to see the pots fill up with the aromatic plants.

Snipping our first handful of chives was a real revelation! Picking a baby salad leaf and eating it fresh from the soil was more exciting than it really should have been. We had worked with what he had and were reaping the reward of having some wonderful ingredients ready to use straight from our garden.

The end of this tale is sadly not a happy one. One day a few weeks ago high winds battered our garden causing the next door neighbour's six foot fence panel to crash over, crushing and smashing our herb garden. My foray into growing-my-own was over. However, all was not lost. As I look forward to the time when I move to a new house, the garden will be a big consideration. A little sunny space with fertile soil to grow some plants is now a definite priority!

Image from Love the Garden.com

Xia Xia Interactive Hermit Crabs

2012-02-20T09:11:00.000Z

The latest collectable has hit the stores in the form of the new Xia Xia Hermit Crabs from Character. These fun, cute crustaceans have scuttled all the way from the Caribbean to delight children with their crab like movements and interchangeable shells.

We were sent the pretty little Bimini crab and the Confetti Cottage to try out. Kizzy loves micro toys so she was really impressed by the Xia Xia Crabs (although she didn't have a clue how to pronounce it.) I really liked the packaging that the crab came in, it looked really attractive and interesting. It would make a really nice alternative to an Easter Egg if you want to avoid buying chocolate for your children.

The crabs move around with scuttling movements. They interact with their environment and if they hit an object in their way they scuttle off in a different direction. The movement is really erratic and 2 year old Freddy was giggling his head off after watching Bimini negotiate the obstacles on the kitchen floor. The fun motion makes the Xia Xia Crabs much more interesting than many of the other similar plastic toys on the market.

The crabs come with a removable shell and hiding underneath is a little micro-toy. Bimini had a cute cupcake. They are very small and probably best kept away from younger siblings. New shells can be purchased separately or swapped from other Xia Xia crabs to mix and match the designs.

The Confetti Cottage habitat is a little home for the crabs. It is also a convenient carrier and storage for your collection. It has a little door, window in the roof and a drop down front. The roof has a handle to carry it around. It is a playset for the crabs to play in, although it is a bit of a squeeze getting Bimini in upright with her shell on, which I'm sure would be a source of frustration to younger children. Kizzy ended up lying her down to fit her in. The Confetti Cottage can be attached to other playsets to build the ultimate Crab City. The cottage seems quite robust and I like the design and colours which are very appealing.

The Xia Xia Crabs are another collectable from the company that brought us Zhu-Zhu pets. As with all collectables, the potential to spend a fortune can be a huge pitfall to some parents. At approximately £10 each they are quite an expensive product for something so small. However, as far as collectables go, they are colourful, fun, cute and original. The quirky movement really is entertaining and quite unique.

Find out more at the Xia Xia Pets website.

My Son #Project 52

2012-02-19T22:01:00.000Z

My Son

Crazy Stupid Love

2012-02-19T18:15:00.001Z

Crazy Stupid Love was the film I chose to watch last night from my Valentine's Package from Warner Bros. with my daughters Megan 20 and Ella 15. I didn't know anything about this film, other than it starred Ryan Gosling who we all love, so had no expectations whatsoever. I would now rate it as one of my favourite films in the romantic comedy genre ever!

The all-star cast includes Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, Ryan Gosling and the adorably quirky Emma Stone.

Middle-aged Cal Weaver is living the American dream with a beautiful wife who was his high school sweetheart, a lovely home and great kids. Suddenly, his life is turned upside down as his wife admits to having an affair and asks him for a divorce. His 'perfect' life unravels as he realises he has forgotten who he is and is completely out of his depth as a singleton. A meeting with handsome player and serial womaniser Jacob Palmer in a bar, leads to Cal finding himself a mentor. New clothes, new hairstyle, new confidence and new opportunities with women open Cal's eyes to a whole new world. But the one thing he can't change is his heart.

Meanwhile, Cal's teenage son is harbouring a crush on the babysitter, but the babysitter has a crush of her own. Other characters are having their own dilemmas, seeking love in all the wrong places. Then ladies' man Jacob eventually finds what he has always been looking for leaving Cal feeling abandoned. When all the loose ends come together it culminates in a fantastically funny confrontation, with the characters having to face up to the reality of "Crazy, Stupid Love".

The intertwined story, the inspired performances and the beautifully written script make this an absolute gem. I laughed out loud so many times and found myself totally rooting for the characters!

I genuinely loved this film. My girls loved it too and are now even more in love with the very sexy Ryan Gosling.

Buy "Crazy, Stupid Love" now at Amazon on Triple Play for just £13.99.

Sweet Corn Bites

2012-02-19T17:29:00.000Z

As a mum, I'm always on the look out for healthy and exciting snacks to entice my toddler and fill him up between meals. So when I was offered the chance of trying some new Sweet Corn Bites I hoped they would be something that Freddy would enjoy.

Each pack contains eight bitesize cobbettes of 100% fresh, natural corn on the cob. The size is perfect for a quick snack or can be used as a side vegetable. The cobbettes are far more manageable and convenient than a full sized corn on the cob.

The corn can be microwaved, boiled, steamed, roasted or barbecued making it very versatile. You can serve it covered in butter, but it is so sweet and tender, it doesn't need anything added at all. it is a real taste of sunshine!

They are grown on Barfoots Farm in West Sussex with love! The farmers practice sustainable farming and have a fabulous philosophy. They say:

"Our farming is all about respect. We love the land because we know happy soil makes happy corn! We have a simple philosophy and that’s to grow the tastiest, juiciest, freshest veggies we can. We do this in an innovative and sustainable way, which is why the land loves us back."

I love the idea of the Sweetcorn Bites being the right size for little hands. Freddy does like corn on the cob but struggles to hold a whole one, and then only eats a fraction of it creating waste. The bites were perfect for him.

It was very easy to microwave a pack of Sweetcorn Bites, just 4 minutes in the microwave with a tablespoon of water in the bag, and you have delicious sweet, crispy, juicy corn.

We served them with dinner and Freddy absolutely loved them! They really are incredibly sweet and so fresh. I enjoyed them too and four bites contribute one of an adults five a day.

Freddy with a Sweetcorn Bite

Fresh sweetcorn is so much better than frozen or canned corn, and these bites make it so much more convenient. It is completely natural and a brilliant source of nutrition, containing carotenoids, vitamins A, B3 and C, plus Folic Acid, fibre, carbohydrates, sugars and protein for energy.

They are available from Ocado, and selected Tesco, Waitrose and Co-Op stores.

Perfect for Little Hands

Find out more from the Sweetcornbites.com or on their Facebook page.

Pancakes are Flipping Great!

2012-02-18T12:25:00.000Z

Get Shrove Tuesday off to a cracking start with Aldi's range of great value pancake goodies. Whether you go traditional and opt for lemon and sugar, or if you prefer a sweeter, stickier topping of Golden Syrup, Aldi has a fabulous selection of treats to top your pancake. They also have pancake mixes or ready made pancakes to make things as simple as possible on Pancake Day!

Special Buys on sale from 16^th February for as long as stocks last:

Classic Pancakes – 99p, 480g (pack of 8)

Classic Pancake Mix – 69p, 232g (10 servings)

Fiddes Payne Vanilla Sugar – £1.09,

Golden Syrup – £1.19, 680g

Lemon Juice – 29p, 200ml

Available in stores nationwide all year round:

Dairyfine Milk Chocolate Buttons – 35p, 70g

Grandessa Pure Canadian Maple Syrup – £2.99, 250ml

Grandessa Hazelnut Chocolate Spread – 99p, 350g

We had a trial run for Pancake Day using the Aldi goodies and we had a go at their Flipping Good Fun Pancake Challenge. Take a look at the Aldi Video to find out more and take part for yourself!

Here is our Pancake Challenge video...see how I got on! How many flips did I do?

Find out more about Aldi's offers at Aldi.co.uk.

I hope you have Flipping good fun on Tuesday!!

No Tantrums Just Tiaras

2012-02-17T19:55:00.001Z

My Beautiful Freddy!

Love Life You Count

2012-02-17T17:50:00.000Z

The new Waitrose LOVE Life You Count… range, including tasty breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacking options, is the simple way to watch what you eat – and relish every mouthful.

The range is based on the principles of healthy weight loss - eat a bit less and move a bit more. Selecting products from the LOVE Life You Count... range at each meal occasion will make sure that you eat around 500 fewer calories than you normally would, which, when combined with our regular exercise, should help you to shift any excess pounds.

The new range boasts lower fat versions and calorie controlled portions of favourites including a tasty Macaroni Cheese, creamy yogurts and indulgent chocolate puddings. With brightly coloured calorie counts on the front of the packs – you can literally count the calories as you do your shopping.

I was treated to some of the products to try out. I was very impressed with the packaging which clearly showed the calorie content and nutritional details of each and every product. This made it easy to see exactly what each product contained. If you are trying to stick to the recommended 2000 calories a day for a woman, the information made it very easy to tally up your intake. It keeps it simple yet really informative.

The range is very extensive and covers both chilled and ambient products so you can find a Love Life You Count...option in most aisles! There are quite a few veggie options which is really pleasing!

This is what I thought of the products that I tried:

The Soup in a Cup makes a nice hot snack, perfect for this chilly weather and at only approximately 60 calories it is not going to contribute too much to your daily intake!
At just 44 calories per serving the Cottage Cheese is a great filling for a jacket spud for a wholesome lunch. The Macaroni Cheese was pretty good, but I prefer a more vegetable based meal meal that would contribute towards my five a day and would be less calorie heavy. It was good comfort food though.
The Chocolate Sponge at only 198 calories is a lower calorie alternative to stodgy puddings if you want to indulge your sweet tooth. They are not as good as a luxury cake oozing in cream, but they are a fraction of the calories.
The yoghurts were good and creamy and fruity. A good light dessert or snack.
The cereal bars are under 100 calories and are quite filling. I liked the flavour varieties on offer and the kids enjoyed them.
My favourite product overall was the Crustless Cheese Quiche which was delicious! As the thick pastry crust was not present, the calories were reduced to just 277 calories. It was moist, cheesy and full of flavour. Perfect for lunch with some salad.

The website contains lots of information to help you to adopt a healthy lifestyle, with meal planners, exercises and recipes. You can also catch up on news from three people including sportsman Sir Matthew Pinsent, who have taken on the Love Life Challenge.

Bloggers' Q & A

2012-02-16T19:27:00.001Z

The lovely Heather from SAHM Loving It has tagged me in a Q & A meme. The idea is that the person who tags you makes their own set of questions that they want answered. Then once you've answered them, you get to make up your own questions and tag your own favourite bloggers to answer them! That way...it never gets stale!

So, here are the questions Heather wants me and her other taggees to answer:

What's the worst present you've ever been given? Oh dear, this is a tricky one as I always try to be very diplomatic about the receipt of gifts. It's the thought that counts after all! However, my lovely old Nan was the sweetest lady, but her present buying was always a bit awry. Age inappropriate pressies for the kids, more than one of the same gift in a year or secondhand items were the norm. But the very worst gift was a second hand vanity set, brought from a Bring & Buy Sale, that included a hair brush full of old lady, white hairs. EW!!
If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I am a rubbish traveller which has meant that holidaying tends not to extend beyond France. If a teleport machine was invented I would love to 'do Florida' with the whole family as I am embarrassingly excited by theme parks and attractions. I'd also love to see turtles swimming around in the sea in Bora Bora and pet an Orang-Utan in Borneo.
What's your most embarrassing moment? I haven't embarrassed myself easily for a while thank goodness. Apart from occasionally flashing the postman when I've answered the door to him with a boob out, which is an occupational hazard of breastfeeding, I can't think of much else. I've probably blocked all the other mortifying moments from my mind in an attempt to retain what little dignity I have left.
If you won £45m on the Euro Lottery (like that young couple did the other week), what would you do with the money? The amount of times that I have fantasized about winning a vast fortune on the lottery means that I can answer this without having to even think about it! I would do all the practical things first, like make my older children millionaires and buy an amazing house for the family. Then I'd hire out the top floor of the Disneyland Hotel and invite everyone that I love to the ultimate Disney party. I'd donate some money to hand picked charities and individuals. I'd bank a load (because I'm very sensible like that). I'd see that my parents and my in-laws never wanted for anything in their old age. I'd pay off the mortgages on my sister and sister-in-law's houses. I'd see that my nephews and nieces had a nice nest egg. Then I'd host a competition on my blog with a £10,000 prize and sell all my old things at a car boot sale with everything costing 1p regardless of what it was...how cool would that be! One thing for sure though...I wouldn't want a yacht, or a flash car or ridiculously priced designer clothes and jewellery...I'm just not that fancy!
If you weren't with your partner/boyfriend/husband/significant other (or, if you aren't with anyone right now - bonus!) and you could have one date night with someone else, who would it be and what would you do? I'd go to the Oscars as Brad Pitt's date. (Angelina can stay at home and babysit!)
Football or rugby? I get equally into football and rugby when a big match or a World Cup is on. All other times I am equally not arsed about either. With a husband who does not follow or play sport, this is easy to do.
If there was a film made about your life, which actor/actress would play you? That'd be the aforementioned Angelina Jolie. She could go a bit 'Girl Interrupted' for the teenage years and then she can harness the harassed mother inside her to portray my present day vibe.
Do you prefer a wild night out or a quiet night in? I've not done a night out for years! But then again, nights in aren't exactly quiet with my family around. So I'll go for a wild night in!!
Is there one television programme that you couldn't live without in your life? Oh dear, I feel a confession coming on! For me I couldn't do without Playing It Straight, True Blood, Glee, American Horror Story, How I Met Your Mother, One Tree Hill, Desperate Housewives or Weeds. Me and my big girls love our Mummy/Daughter TV shows!!
If you could turn back time, what would you do differently? I can't answer this, because I am a firm believer that every action that I've ever taken has directed me down the path to where I am now with the five most amazing children and the most wonderful husband I could wish for. I wouldn't change a thing....but if I could guarantee that it wouldn't alter the space/ time continuum in anyway I would most definitely love to go back in time with the knowledge, confidence and wherewithal that I have now and handle some of the situations that I got myself into differently. All those abusive blokes would not know what hit them!
What's your guilty pleasure? Apart from the huge list of TV programmes above, my guilty pleasure has to be toilet humour. A good diarrhoea, skid mark or sharting story has me in hysterics. I'm sorry :(

The Rules:

You must post these rules.
Each person must post 11 things about herself on their blog.
Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
Choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
Let each blogger know that you have tagged them.

So, here are the questions I would like the people I've tagged to answer:

1: If you could be anyone else for the day, who would you choose and why?
2: What is your favourite ice cream flavour?
3: If you could time travel to any period of history what era would you visit?
4: If you had to live without either cheese or chocolate, which one would you never have again?
5: If you were an animal....what animal would you be?
6: What super power would you most want to have?
7: If you had to be genetically modified, would you rather have a third arm, a third leg, a second head or some other modification???
8: Which song do you think you sing best? (...in my mind, when I crack out Total Eclipse of the Heart I believe I could sell out stadiums!!)
9: On a scale of 1-10, how good a dancer do you rate yourself to be?
10: Which film have you watched the most times? (Do not include films played over and over to appease your kids!)
11: Which Disney character can you most relate to? (I like to think I'm most like geeky, bookish, brunette Belle...which technically makes Ian a beast! Rawr!!)

I am tagging:
Bloggomy
The Crazy Kitchen
Real Suburban Mummy
Red Rose Mummy
Not Met Megan
Emma and Three
Blog By Baby
Kate On Thin Ice
Mummy Loves

As ever, no pressure to join in, but if you do, I'm looking forward to your answers!! xxx

Peppa's My First Laptop

2012-02-16T18:58:00.000Z

I don't think there are many toddlers out there that aren't fans of Peppa Pig. The Porcine Prima Donna may have received some negative press attention recently for encouraging bratty behaviour in pre-schoolers, but in our house the antics of Peppa and George are thoroughly enjoyed (and thankfully none of Peppa's 'chocolate cake for breakfast' tantrums are emulated!)

The Peppa Pig merchandise lends itself beautifully to the colours and imagery of the show. The characters are instantly recognisable and appeal to little ones. We were lucky enough to be sent the Peppa Pig's My First Laptop from Inspiration Works for Freddy to try out.

The laptop toy has a flip up screen which lights up various images that are displayed on it. There are four built in activities that encourage interactive play. Little ones can learn colours, numbers, phonics, music and new words. The laptop 'talks' to the child, giving instructions for each activity.

"It's Peppa Pig!"

As soon as Freddy flipped open the lid and heard the welcome tune he was hooked! The colours and shapes on the keyboard are intriguing and inviting, encouraging further exploration. Freddy enjoyed pressing, turning, sliding various keys which made tunes and sound effects, named items, colours and numbers. The laptop has a lot going on and keeps youngsters engaged.

At two and a half, Freddy is not really old enough to completely interact independently with the Quiz modes where children are challenged to find specific objects by colour, quantity or starting letter. However his big sister helps him and you can see him learning as he plays. Having the different modes means this toy grows with your child and will last until school age.

The laptop is sturdy, strong and robust. The buttons are chunky for little hands. There is a carry case so little ones can carry their laptop around, perfect for the car, holidays or visits to the grandparents' house!

Perfect for little hands.

Freddy really enjoys his Peppa Pig My First Laptop. I like the fact that it is a self-contained toy with no little pieces or removable parts (always a plus!) and it is educational and fun. Batteries are included so you can play straight away (another big plus!) For more information, see the details below.

Peppa Pig My First Laptop, RRP £19.99

24months – 5 years

Explore the world of Peppa with the exciting My First Laptop. Use the 4 game modes to learn colours, numbers, the alphabet and more! Peppa Pig’s Laptop allows children to learn and play in the most exciting way possible. Open up the screen to reveal the colourful picture of Peppa Pig with her brother George and press the buttons to play music. My First Laptop also has a large chunky handle that makes it easy to carry around with you. Available at Amazon, Mothercare, John Lewis, The Entertainer, Morrisons.

Also available:

Peppa Pig Fun Phonics 2, RRP £19.99

3 years +

Have fun learning with Peppa and friends. Peppa Pig Fun Phonics has 8 great activities to keep all three year olds entertained! The great memory games, melodies and colourful illustrations are not only educational but also enormous amounts of fun! Available at Amazon, Tesco, Boots, Smyths, Sainsburys, ELC, Next, Morrisons

#Win A £50 Experience Days Voucher

2012-02-16T17:57:00.003Z

Have you ever fancied having a go at indoor sky diving?

What about having a fantastic makeover and photoshoot?

Or maybe you'd rather make your own chocolates!

Well, now you have the opportunity to try one of these, or one of the other great experiences from Experience Days, as readers of Inside the Wendy House have a chance to win themselves a £50 voucher!

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter Entry Form below and keep your fingers crossed that you will be the lucky winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe Ever!

2012-02-16T15:19:00.000Z

If, like me, you like your chocolate mousse like Cheryl Cole likes her men...dark, rich, smooth and a bit dense, then this is the ultimate recipe that is so easy, but so luscious!

Chocolate Mousse

100g bar of dark chocolate (I used Green and Black's 70% dark chocolate with raspberry, but Bournville works equally well)
2 Free Range Eggs - separated

Melt chocolate in the microwave.
Meanwhile whisk the egg whites until stiff.
When chocolate is melted and slightly cooled, beat in egg yolks.
Fold together.
Pour into two individual serving dishes and chill until set.
Serve with fresh whipped cream, chocolate drops (I used Beyond Dark) and a strawberry cut into a fan.

Chocolate Mousse

Half-Term Film Fun with Warner Bros

2012-02-15T18:38:00.000Z

My children are very, very lucky! A parcel arrived from Warner Bros Kids to keep them entertained over half term, and what a lot of lovely things it contained!

Two Scooby Doo Mystery Incoporated DVD's arrived along with an activity book, some sweets and an alien head. Scooby, Shaggy and the gang are extremely loved in our household. Me and Ian feel nostalgic as we enjoy Scooby Doo with our little ones. These titles are updated animations full of paranormal events and monsters centred around Crystal Cove. I love how Scooby Doo spans the generations. These two volumes include eight full episodes of spook hunting antics!

We also received a fabulous Warner Bros Kids Bumper Box of Toons, ten full length DVDs in a Big Faces Box Set! Including favourites from Road Runner, Tom & Jerry, Tweetie Pie, Taz, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Speedy Gonzales, Porky Pig and Wile E. Coyote, this set introduces the classic characters from my childhood to a whole new generation.

Ian was extremely excited to rediscover the cartoons from his youth and took huge delight sharing his favourites with Freddy. He used to enjoy watching them with his own dad as a child, now he gets to do it with his youngest son! I was surprised how much my toddler enjoyed watching the episodes of the classic toons and giggled his way through the DVDs. They contain scenes of cartoon comedy violence which really tickled him. As Wile E. Coyote got buried alive by falling rocks, Freddy chuckled away! It never did me any harm watching them, so I have no qualms about him doing so. He loved the characters, proving that they are ageless and appeal to old and young alike.

We spent a lovely afternoon watching cartoons with the children. It is a lovely way to spend a few hours during a grey, wet and windy half term holiday. It is great to have some classic titles in the DVD collection, especially ones that appeal to both us parents and our little ones. When it comes to Scooby Doo and Looney Toons there is no such thing as a generation gap.