Dear Zoo turns 30! Giveaway

Chester and I were lucky enough to be invited to the 30th birthday party of Dear Zoo, which was in London today.

Dear Zoo is a childrens book close to my heart because it was read to me as a child and now I am able to read it to my 2 children. It is already a big hit in our house and Chester takes great delight in reading the story to Millie, which is lovely for me to watch! I only hope it will be as popular in another 30 years so that my children can read it to their children!

Summer swimming lessons

Last term Chester started doing weekly swimming lessons, he had been on the waiting list for ages and finally I got the call to say he could start. In the deal that we got he gets unlimited use of the pool, all his swimming lessons and then two one week crash courses to use when I want throughout any of the school holidays.

So I booked him on for one of his crash courses for this week. To my horror all of the children's swim lessons start between 8am and 9am in the holidays! I am not a morning person at all, nor is my husband so its best to stay away from our house in the mornings! Chester was booked on for the 8.30 lesson, which to my surprise we managed to get to on time every day (even if it did mean messing up Millie's routine).

Watching my little boy grow up

Over the last couple of weeks, Chester seems to of done a lot of growing up and I am a bit sad about it. He has gone from a cheeky little 3 year old who relies on me for almost everything, to a cheeky bigger 3 year old who only needs me for cooking him meals and  being his personal taxi service!

I know that he is nearly 4 and I should be happy for him, but as his mother I am a little sad that my baby is growing up! It really does not seem that long ago that he was a tiny baby in my arms.

Fruit Shoot Smencils review

Chester, like most of the UK's kiddie population (I should imagine) LOVES Fruit Shoots. So a few days ago when I showed him these....

.....which we were sent to review, he could not believe his little eyes! They are called Smencils, they are the worlds only scented pencils made from 100% recycled newspaper! These particular ones are new out, and they are Robinsons Fruit Shoot Smencils, scented with the five popular flavours (Orange, apple and blackcurrant, summer fruits, tropical and apple). They are suitable for ages 3 and up.

Lollibop 2012 - My birthday weekend!

Ever since I realised that Skylanders were going to be at Lollibop this year I HAD to get tickets! Chester is totally obsessed with all things Skylanders so would be over the moon if we got a glimpse at the new Skylander Giants (they have not yet been released).

I was actually very lucky to win tickets to Lollibop this year, through a competition that Tiger tales was running. It just so happened that Lollibop was on my Birthday this year, and I was more than happy to celebrate it going to something that I knew my son would love! As soon as Chester was told that we were going he immediately asked if his Grangrad (yes that's how he says it) could come with us. I was more than happy for my Dad to come, Crag was working (which I was a little annoyed about as weekend birthdays do not come around that often!) My Mum offered to look after Millie as I felt at 8months (and in this heat) she was a bit too little to appreciate it!

An exhausting but fun trip to London!

A couple of weeks ago on my twitter feed, I noticed that Practical Parenting were asking for parents to go up to London to help with the judging of some of the larger items for their awards. Fancying a day trip to London and of course wanting to help out, I replied and got my name on the guest list. I asked my Mum if she would like to come with us (Me, Chester and Millie) as I know she loves to spend time with her grandchildren.

Poppy Cat DVD review

We have been sent the Poppy Cat DVD to review, it is being launched for the first time ever on DVD on the 3rd September 2012.

I have to say I was aware of Poppy Cat before now, but I had not taken any notice of it when it had been on our TV. Poppy Cat is aimed at pre school Children and is based on the best selling books by Lara Jones. It can be found on Nick Jr and CITV and now on DVD. Poppy Cat - Birthday Treasures and other adventures, is 121 minutes long and consists of 11 episodes.

Our favourite read of the summer.

Reading is a big hit in our house, I have always loved reading and whenever I get the chance, I will read a book. So I am trying to keep the interest going with our Children, so far it is working. Aside from story time before bed, Chester often asks for me to read him a book. Millie is happy to listen, she also loves to touch and explore the pages. So when I read that Tots100 were doing a summer reading challenge, I decided to join in!

At the moment the children's favourite books are the Say Hello/Say Goodnight range, in particular the Say Hello to the Animals book. It is a brightly coloured book which enables you to touch and feel the different textures on every page.

Wahanda spa days review

Sometimes, its fair to say that I need a bit of a break from my hectic Mummy lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job as a SAHM and wouldn't have it any other way. But like any job I sometimes need a break.

Wahanda, a company who have a health and beauty deals website, asked me if I would like to check their site out and review a spa day local to me in Kent. I happily accepted and set about exploring their website!

Finding local hidden gems

We have lived where we do for 6 years or so, but to be honest we have a very limited knowledge on the local area. All our families and most of our friends live in another part of Kent where we used to live, we grew up there and Craig still works there. So socially we are still drawn there. Since having the kiddies I have been more aware of places that are more local too us, and along the way we have found some hidden gems. A few weeks ago it was a country park just a 5 minute drive from our house, it would probably only take us 20 minutes to walk to it!

Garden Olympics 2012!

Ok I hold my hands up! I was one of those people at the beginning of The Olympics who said I was not interested whatsoever. But I will admit that my opinion has changed completely, this has mostly been down to how interested Chester has been in it all. He has been getting so excited cheering on Team GB and any other Olympian that is wearing a colour he likes, he is constantly asking me lots of questions about it all too. Yesterday he told me that when he grows up he would like to be a High Jumper, he told me he was going to be very good at it and  would get one of those giant chocolate medals. Yes thats right, he is convinced the medals are Chocolate, I have explained they are not but he thinks I am fibbing!

First attempt on a push bike!

Chester recently sold some of his Happyland toys. They were getting in the way, well taking over the front room actually. He does still play with some Happyland so we sorted through and he agreed to sell about 3 quarters of it. He made over £100 and he wanted to buy a Ben 10 bike, so I looked into buying one for him. I am so glad that I researched it as one company were charging just short of £100 but I managed to find it on another website for £50 with free delivery to store!

Rice Krispie Colour off!!

Me and hubbie are just big kids really, I mean his favourite films are The Goonies and Toy Story. Mine is Peter Pan!

When Chester coloured in his Rice Krispie box recently (post here) we were both a bit jealous and wanted to have a go ourselves! So I decided (and others agreed) that it would be a good idea for me and Craig (hubbie) to have a little colour off.... just for fun and a bar of chocolate!

The Children's special day.

Yesterday was a very special day for me. I say me rather than we because it was my decision not hubbies, although now hubbie is pleased with my decision and agreed it was a special day for them. Anyway, back to the point...... Yesterday was a very special day because it was Chester and Millie's Christening!

Another rainy summers day

When I woke up this morning, it was sunny. I even put the washing out! Chester was busy planning a picnic in the garden with all his Ben 10 figures and I was happily feeding Millie. All of a sudden a rain cloud just came out from nowhere and the typical British downpour began! Scuppering all of our plans for the day!

Yesterday we were mean't to be baking but I decided it was a much better idea to go to a local shopping centre and see what clothing bargains I could pick up for the kiddies so the baking never happened. I did manage to pick up some clothes bargains for both of them so it was not a wasted day. So as the weather ruined today's plans I decided that baking would be the activity of the day!

Scanning through the kiddies cookery books with Chester he quickly decided that he would like to make cookies. He went to the kitchen to choose the cookie cutters he would be using and picked them all! He is at the age now where is has a little (and only a little) more patience so I can spend more time doing activities with him without him getting bored.

ChokaBlok chocolate review

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a very sweet tooth! It is ridiculously sweet to the point that if I am going out for dinner I always check the dessert menu before I decide if we are eating at the restaurant!

So when I was asked if I would like to review ChokaBlok chocolate it was an easy decision to make! I have to admit that although I have seen them in the shops I had never really taken much notice, going for my usual choices. Now that I have tried them I am very pleased that I have, and here is why.

Weaning videos by Plum

Weaning can be a pretty anxious and tough time for parents and for baby, I know from personal experience that no two babies are the same and both times I was (still am with Millie) forever looking for some advice.