Joe Browns School Run Challenge

I have just come across the Joe Browns School Run Competition and I just had to enter. 

I lovvveee Joe Browns clothes, they are by far my favourite brand. Their clothes just some up my style and I would literally wear everything in the catalogue. The OH laughs at me because I get all excited when the latest catalogue comes through the door, like a child on christmas morning. I sit there with it and start to circle all of the things that I want, subtle hints for the OH again, the trouble is I end up circling everything.

So back to the competition. You have to create an outfit from the products on the website (something I do all the time anyway) that you would wear on the school run and then blog about it and why you have chosen it.

So here is my entry...

 Lovely Lace Trim Vest £12.95

Aviator Sunglasses £9.95

 Wacky Wooden Necklace £17.95    

                                                     

 Worn in Trousers £37.95

 

Antique Rose Floral Lace Up £9.95

So I love this outfit and think it would be perfect for the school run because it's not to dressy but it is still really stylish and it's all of my favourite colours, Bonus! The top is perfect because it covers up any unsightly wobbly bits and the glasses are great to hide a face free of make up (there's just no time in the morning).

That is just one of the outfits I would chose, the other products I really love include...

 Your turn now, what would you chose to wear? http://www.joebrowns.co.uk

Potty Fever - Day 7

Well we have done a whole week of potty training and it was all going so well until today! 

H seems to have now gone backwards and I've lost count of the amount of clean shorts and pants that he's got through today. 

I don't know whether it was the heat getting to him or the fact that he was a bit distracted today but it was by far the worst day yet.

I almost gave in a put a nappy on him when it got to the point where I ran out of clean clothes for him. That and the fact that I swear I can smell wee everywhere I go. Think I've got potty fever but I've come this far I must persevere!

I now just feel totally deflated because he was doing so well and surely it's meant to get easier not harder?

Oh well hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, well here's hoping x

The Gallery - Sunshine

So this weeks theme for The Gallery is Sunshine. 

Well I don't know about you but we've had plently of that down here the last couple of weeks, it's been ace! 

I can feel my serotonin levels increasing already, (which had seriously depleted with the never ending Winter which we've seemed to of had this year).

My entry this week isn't a picture of the sun or the sun shinning onto something but rather something that happens when the sun is out and which is a source of never ending amusment for little ones.

 To check out other amazing entries this week head over to Tara's blog at Sticky Fingers.

Bring out the Balloons

Today Lj attended her first birthday party without her big brother. She has been to parties before but only because H has been invited so she goes along as well. However the invite for this party was just for her. 

So I got her all dressed up in her pretty party dress (£10 from Tesco, Bargain!) dropped H at pre school and off we went. I think I was more excited than her.

When we got to the party she just sat on my lap and wouldn't move. She got down a few times if something caught her eye but was soon back in the comfort of my arms. I kept asking her if she wanted to get down and play but the only answer I got was "No No".

I've always thought she was quite a confident child because whenever we go anywhere she gets straight into it, playing with the toys that are on offer or chatting away in her toodler babble to the other children. What I have now realised is that she is confident but only when her big brother is there to show her the way.

Anyway the time came to leave, it was a lovely party which she spent more time observing than participating in and that was Lj's first experience of a party without her brother. Although all of that watching must have worn her out because she fell asleep straight away in the car, clutching the contents of her party bag.

 

Pinterest Party - The Beach

So this weeks very apt theme, what with all the beautiful sunshine we've been having, for Pinterest Party is... The Beach. 

 Image from Pinterest

I cannot get enough of sunset photo's, they are by far the best pictures. All of my favourite colours in one image. Love it.

So it's your turn now, go to Moors Mummy's blog to find out how to join in.

Potty Training - Day Four

Well we are on day four of our potty training period and I don’t want to jinx it but it has gone brilliantly. H has really taken to it really well. We’ve only had two accident in the last 3 days and one of those was because he had a late night on Saturday and was really tired. Even his bedtime nappy has been dry in the mornings and he asks to go as soon as he wakes up.

All I seem to of been saying this week is  ‘Do you need a wee? Do you need a poo?’. Over and over again. I must have said it a thousand times over the last couple of days but if it gets the job done!

Image by Angelina Purpura

A unexpected bonus to the potty training is that since we have been doing it with H, Lj has taken a real interest in it too. She keeps going up to the loo saying wee wee. I put her on but she doesn’t do anything yet but I suppose it’s a start. 

Maybe we’ll have them both done and dusted with nappies by next summer and then with the money we will save from not having to buy two lots of nappies we could probably afford an extra holiday yey, well at least a long weekend! X

Image by David Merrigan

You may laugh but I’ve actually worked it out…

We buy the huggies deal of two boxes for £16, each box has 76 nappies in. We generally go through those 2 boxes in 2 weeks (that’s if we are averaging 5 nappies a day per child roughly). So that’s £8 a week on nappies. If I then add that up for the amount of weeks until next summer…

52 weeks in a year takes us up to the beginning of next June, so that’s a grand total saving of £416! That’s a lot of money on nappies and could easily pay for a long weekend away, Venice here I come!

Yes I know, I know, I have way to much time on my hands today but I have an excuse… our electric is out, so that means no washing, no ironing, no hoovering, no cooking and no cash to go shopping, which has resulted in me being bored and only having a calculator to play with!

Serenity You: Photo Challenge

I'm joining in with 'Serenity You: Photo Challenge' today. 

This month theme is 'Wide Space', so naturally because we live by the coast I have chosen a sea shot. So here it is...

This photo was taken off of our boat on a trip from Torquay to Brixham. It was a gorgeous day and we stopped half way across for the kiddies to do their first bit of Mackerel fishing. They caught 3 fish so we took them home and they had them for their tea. Lovely x

Click on this link if you fancy joining in with the 'Serenity You: Photo Challenge ' or just to check out the other entries. Happy Snapping x

Potty Training - Day One

I have now decided that H is never going to be fully ready for potty training so instead I'm throwing him in at the deep end!

Today was day one and that meant no more nappies, (well except at bedtime).

To prepare for this I have stockpilled pants in anticipation of lots of accidents, brought stain removal spray for the carpets and mentally prepared myself for a couple of weeks of hell. 

Image by Nom & Malc

 14 trips to the loo, 6 pairs of wet pants and one pair of pants beyond saving later and we had our first day of potty training!

I have to say though that today went a lot better than I expected, well except for the little accident in the supermarket, (if you are going to Asda watch out for the wet patch in the Gardening aisle, opps).

What he does is start to wee and then realises what he is doing and then tells me that he needs a wee, so if we can just get him to tell us before he lets anything go we might just get somwhere. There's hope yet and at least the suns out, the sun makes everything more bearable.

The Gallery - Picture Perfect

This weeks theme for The Gallery is 'Picture Perfect', so here is my entry...

 Even though this picture was taken on a disposable camera, it is my all time favourite. 

I was working on a straw bale house in Italy at the time and I had a day off and decided I had to go to Venice. I went on my own and it was totally terrifying but the most amazing day ever.

I managed to navigate my way around the whole of Venice and spent the day in awe of all the amazing architecture. 

I just wish I had had a better camera at the time, oh well I'll just have to get the OH to take me back there one day *cough* subtle hint if you are reading this *cough*

To check out other people's entries for this week visit Tara's blog at Sticky Fingers.

A Thank You Post

When I first started blogging I had absoultely no idea what I was doing and it's only now that I'm just starting to feel that I'm really getting the hang of it all.

My blog is starting to look how I want it to, I've got some lovely followers and people have started commenting on my blog. It all seems to be heading in the right direction.

I never knew what a great community Mummy blogging was. Everyone seems so nice and plenty of people have offered me help when I've been seconds away from throwing my computer out the window! (I'm not great with technology).

I wouldn't have got to this point without you, the lovely people that read this. I just wanted to take the time to thank a few people that have helped me along the way. You are truly lovely people.

Karen at 365 Pearls of Wisdom

Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Tara at Sticky Fingers

Erica at Little Mummy  (without your Mum Blogger E-Course I would never had made it this far)

and of course all of my lovely followers. 

Thank you x

10 Things I Said I'd Never Do With My Kids

Quite a few of my friends are pregnant at the moment with their first children (spring is in the air) and I can't help but find the things they say amusing. 

They have it all worked out, they know how they are going to raise their children, how their child will behave and what they are definatley NOT going to do with them.

It makes me think back to when I was first pregnant and the things that I said I would NEVER do with my kids, so I've complied a list for you...

1) I will never let my children watch TV - My son now has his own armchair and his own tv, He's 3!

2) I will never let my children have sweets or chocolate - Sometimes bribery with sweet stuff is the only answer!

3) I will never let my children wear clothes with cartoon character logos on then - My son has two Fireman Sam tops and my daughter has a Peppa Pig one!

4) I will never let my children come into our bed in the morning - Every morning our bed is invaded by two little ones!

5) I will never let my children have a dummy - this one lasted all of 3 days!

6) I will never let my children have jarred food - we lived above a pub with no kitchen upstairs, chef's don't like mashing up two carrots!

7) I will never let my children have Mc Donalds - now at least once a month!

8) I will never bribe my children - see number 2!

9) I will never lose my temper - ha, how naive was I!

10)  I will never let my children have lots of plastic, noneducational toys - you try stopping doting Aunt's, Nannies, Grannies, Uncles and Grandads from buying them toys that you don't approve of.

So there you have it, my list of shame. Your turn now, what did you say that you'd never do that you have done?

 

Pinterest Party - Country Life

This weeks theme for Pinterest Party is ... Country Life.

When I typed Country Life into the search on Pinterset there were loads of great photots that I could have chosen (which you can find on my Pinterset Party Board if you are interested) but in the end I went for this one...

Image from  I am Worth It originally form Elle

 This to me sums up what growing up in the country is all about. I remember doing things like this all the time when I was young. You could always find me up a tree somwhere or making a den in the woods. 

I feel that nowadays with our modern world children don't do things like this anymore and it's such a shame. They'd rather spend the time on their Wii's, Playstations, Xboxes or whatever the latest gadget is. 

Whatever happened to making mud pies, playing pooh sticks over a bridge or wheelbarrow racing.

To check out other entries this week go over to Moors Mummy's blog, you could even join in x

A Brothers Love

When Lj was born we were really worried about how H would react to her. You hear so many horror stories about some of the things older children do to younger ones to get back at them for disrupting their home. Like ripping up their favourite teddy, locking them in cupboards or pushing them over at every opportunity. 
We needn't have worried though, from the minute Lj was born he doted on her. If there was ever an oppurtunity to give her a cuddle he was there like a shot.

Lj is always looking uo to her big brother and she copies everything he does (which isn't always a good thing!)

The poor girl is never going to be allowed a boyfriend, not if H and the OH have anything to do with it.

They do everything together and H always makes sure she is safe.

They sit and watch their program together, snuggled up by the fire.

He shows her how to do things.

It's a bond that will never die and no one will ever come between.

The Gallery - Morning

This weeks theme for the Gallery is 'Morning'. As soon as I read that I knew which picture I would use, (yes another picture of one of my children, sorry about that).

I am not a morning person by any stretch, infact as far as I'm concerned mornings are the work of the Devil. However with having kids I have, inevitably, had to get use to them. 

The best thing for me in the mornings now is hearing Lj's little voice calling "Mummy, Mummy" from the confines of her cot. I then go into her room to find her standing upright with a big beaming smile because she is so happy to see you. With all her hair stuck to her face with snot and dribble from the night before. Lovely! She then puts her arms up for a cuddle and tucks herself in under my chin and won't let go, just so she can catch up on any cuddles she's missed during the 12 or so hours that she's been asleep.

It's moments like that, that remind you what being a Mummy is all about.

To check out other people's entries this week go to Tara's blog at Sticky Fingers, you could even join in yourself. 

Pinterest Party - Bubbles

This weeks theme for Moors Mummy's Pinterest Party is - Bubbles.

I have chosen the following picture because I think it's really unsual and would be fab to wear.

Image was originally uploaded to Pinterest by Hirokazu Ono
Original source - Dwell

So now it's your turn to join in the party, check out Moors Mummy's blog for details. 

I've found heaven!

Yesterday, as it was the first day in what seems like months that it wasn't raining and was infact hot & sunny, we decided to make the most of it. 

The beach had to be the only option.

We've pretty much exhausted all of the beaches that are close by to us so therefore we decided to go a little further afield, and this is what we found...

 Now I don't know what you think but to me this is heaven! 
As I sat there on the beach I was thinking about how we could have been anywhere in the world but this was right on our doorstep, without all of the hasssle of passports, bags or foreign money. 
We took the fishing rods and buckets for the kids to catch fish although they didn't really get a look in with the bigger kids (a.k.a the daddies) around.

Lj was a little unsure about the whole thing, I don't think she likes the feel of the sand moving under her feet. She spent most of the time just sitting in her little chair watching everyone else. 

 

  In all though we had a great day and the kiddies were exhausted by the time we got home (always a bonus). They even slept in this morning and have gone to bed early tonight. Result!

Potty Hell

***Warning this post contains poo issues***
Im really starting to worry now about H and his potty training or lack of it for that matter.

He'll be 3 and a half soon and still wears nappies!

Since he's been born he has never had what I would call a proper number 2. 

He has a milk intolerance and dairy products don't really agree with him and the resulting effect resembles something that looks like it's come out of a cow. So add that to the fact that he has a number two at least 4 times a day it's making the potty training impossible.

I don't think he even knows when he has gone and would quite happily sit in a dirty nappy all day if I didn't change him.

He never tells me if he does a number 1 or 2 whereas our 18 month old is already telling us when she is going. 

We stopped forcing the potty issue with him a while ago because it was clear that he just wasn't ready but now it's got to the point where all of his friends of the same age are in pants and using the toilet. He's the only one still left in nappies! 

So I started it up again the other day by taking away his nappies and putting him in pants. This resulted in me having to clear up three wee's and two poo's off of my floor all within the space of an hour. My carpet can't take much more.

I took him to the doctors the other day and I've now demanded to have full allergy testing done so that we can find out exactlly what it is that is upsetting his tummy. Then we can eliminate whatever it is completley from his diet and hopefully that will firm him up a bit.  
Then hopefully we might get somewhere with it.

If anyone has any suggestions or tips it would be much appreciated.

Mummy CV

Career Objective

 A full-time position in Mummyness where I can demonstrate my cleaning, washing and running around after everyone else skills.

I can work for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year without sick pay, days off  or holidays.

If you are seeking a person that is so tired that they end up putting the kettle in the fridge and the milk in the washing machine then I’m the woman for you. 

Summary of Skills 

• Cook
• Cleaner
• Taxi Driver
• Bottle Washer
• Nappy Changer 
• Councellor
• Negotiator 
• Nurse
• Fluent in Baby Gibberish
• Stain Removing Skills
• Healing Hands
• Great Intuition
• Teacher
• Referee 
• Maid

  Career Highlights

Finally getting baby to go to sleep after hours of rocking Getting a fussy toddler to eat a brussel sprout Building a home out of playdough Getting the crayon marks off of the wall Keeping a child amused with a upside down tin and a wooden spoon Getting everyone up, dressed, fed & out of the house in under and hour Surviving their first day of school without becoming a nervous wreck Shopping in Tesco with two children and coming out in one piece & with everything I went in for   Cooking an 'almost' edible meal while having a screaming toddler clung to one leg

 

The First Five Years

 The first five years of a little ones life are by far the most important in terms of their development and also for setting a good foundation of morals and values.

 'The experiences of the child during such sensitive periods may shape his or her future course of development in a manner that will be difficult to change later'. (Introduction to Psychology)

Research has also shown that the first five years are particulary important for the development of the childs brain. These early experiences will have a direct impact on how the child will develop social and emotional skills which will have an effect on them for the rest of their lives. 

'Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life. They need love and nurturing to develop a sense of trust and security that turns into confidence as they grow'. (Facts for Life)

 Image by Christina Welsh

'New research shows the critical impact of a child's "environment of relationships" on developing brain architecture during the first months and years of life. ' (Harvard University)

Now I don't know about you but this kind of thing really freaks me out. I have two children under 5 and I am constantly worried about everything I do with them and how that will effect them later on in life. Whether it be letting them watch a bit too much TV, sometimes forgetting to brush their teeth or losing my temper with them because they have just pushed me too far that day and then spending the entire evening feeling like the worst Mother in the world.

Image by Nichole

 They say the first five years are the most crucial for the childs development but what they don'y say is that it's also the hardest years for the Mother. 

There will never again be a time where they will be so demanding of you, totally rely on you for everything from wiping their bums, feeding and clothing them to seeing to them when they wake in the night. 

So my question is, that if a Mother is already under so much pressure just to get through a day with everyone in one piece, how can any of this so called 'breakthrough research' really help us?

We already know that our children look to us for guidance and reassurance in this big scary world. We already know that to much TV is bad for them. We already know they need to eat fruit and veg everyday and we already know that we must teach them right from wrong. 
So how about trusting us Mothers to bring up our children the best we can and just letting us get on with it. They don't call it Mother's Intuition for nothing you know.

Image by Chirastar