Playdays and Runways

Collaboration · L&G · Value Of A Parent

The Value Of A Parent

I have almost completed my first year back in work after being on extended maternity leave. As many will know you only get 9 months maternity pay so for the extra year I took off I had no income at all. It was a hard choice but as little J had so many hospital appointments Daddy and I decided it was best to stay at home and take care of little J.

Our Boys

Collaboration · National Picnic Week · Primula

It's National Picnic Week

This week is National Picnic Week. We love picnics and try and have one as often as we possibly can. Whenever we head to the park or beach we always take a packed lunch with us. It's something we have always done since big J was a baby. There is something special about enjoying your lunch on a nice tartan blanket in the great outdoors. The best thing about a picnic is that you don't even have to leave your home to enjoy one. We have had many garden picnics, teddy bears picnic and even a carpet picnic on a rainy day.

Garden Picnic

review · Toddler Must Haves · Trunki · Trunki Yondi

Trunki Yondi Monkey Review

I recently took part in a twitter party hosted by Britmums all about car journeys. Lots of people joined in with hints and tips on how to make car journeys with the kids more exciting and more comfortable. As a family we travel up and down the country all the time so I did have some tips to share. I always like the boys to have a snooze especially if its a long journey as it passes the time. Big J is usually on his phone and little J loves the iPad but they both do relax.

When we were sent a Trunki Yondi Monkey to review I was convinced little J wouldn't be interested. The Trunki Yondi is a child's neck pillow He doesn't like things on him such as caps, sunglasses etc so I thought he might try and pull it off straight away but I was willing to give it a try. He always looks hunched over in his car seat and when he does fall asleep his head drops to his chest and it looks so uncomfortable. We are always reaching over and trying to prop his head back up.

Buyagift · Experiences · fathers day · Getting Personal · Gifts · Into The Blue · Prezzo

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day will soon be here and if I am honest I haven't got a clue what we are buying Daddy yet. I usually sway to something related to technology because that is what Daddy loves. I know he would love an Apple iWatch but he might have to ask Father Christmas for that. I do love buying little 'Daddy' gifts too such as teddies and mugs but we have so many and like I said recently about buying anniversary gifts there must come a point where you have to stop. Here are just a few choices that I may consider for Daddy.

Personalised Square Cufflinks

Blogger Buddy · Closed Giveaways · review · Toys and Games · WOW Toys

WOW Toys Countdown Calendar Competition

You may have spotted a nice new shiny badge on my sidebar this week letting you all know that I am now a WOW Blogger Buddy. We have recently been browsing toys shops and online for some new toys for little J because he has a sudden interest in figures and playsets and WOW was one of the brands we were looking at. I was so happy to receive an email to say that WOW toys would us to check out their new Countdown Calendars and also give one away to my readers.

I'm sure most of you will know WOW Toys and will agree that they are perfect for little ones. The toys are so colourful, cheery, chunky and they don't need batteries. I was quite excited to hear more about the WOW Toys Countdown Calendar. I instantly thought about Advent calendars and how exciting it is for little ones to open them each morning, counting down the days till Christmas.

Holidays · List · Parenting · Teenager · Tips · Travel

What To Pack In A Teenager's Suitcase

Big J has just arrived home from his third trip abroad without us. Its so weird to think he has experienced parts of the world without us. He has been to Rue in France for 5 days, Skiing for a whole week and last week he went to Spain for 5 days.

When it came to packing his suitcase he really wasn't interested at all. I think thats a boy thing because Daddy doesn't like packing either. They both are just happy to watch me do it. I did make a list of things he needed to make it easier for him but I still ended up doing it.

First I packed his hand luggage. He didn't have much in it as the school already had his Passport, EHIC and Euros. His hand luggage just had his phone, earphones, wallet containing some english money for the airport and plane and a book.

Project 365 Days 151 - 157

Well its been a funny old week which started with all four of us but that soon went to just Little J and I. Big J jetted off to Spain on a school trip early hours Monday morning and didn't return until Friday evening. Daddy was away with work in the middle of the week so it was an unusually quiet house.

151/365 - Today was mainly spent packing for Big J's holiday to Spain.

Closed Giveaways · food · little J · Organix · review

Win An Organix Hamper Worth £25

If you have read my blog before you may have noticed that little J loves his food. The good thing about him is he will try anything and he usually likes everything he tries. I'm so glad as it's hard work when you have a fussy eater. I love knowing that he will eat home made meals, fruit and vegetables.

For a treat Little J absolutely loves Organix Goodies. His favourite are Carrot Cake Soft Oaty Bars. Whenever he wants one he says 'cake' its so cute. He has tried most of the Organix goodies range and likes it all. The finger foods are another of his favourites including Tomato Slices. They look just like a pack of crisps and he loves having the control of eating as many or as few as he likes.

I am so excited to team up with Organix to offer 3 of my lucky readers the chance to win an Organix Hamper worth £25

anniversary · Brothers · Figurine · Gifts · Willow Tree

Brothers By Willow Tree

Yesterday Daddy and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary. Its been a odd week with Daddy working lots and Big J on holiday in Spain. For most of the week it was just little J and I so we didn't make any specific Anniversary plans. Usually we will do something special but we decided to visit Alton Towers a few weeks earlier and maybe just go out for a meal on our actual anniversary.

Brothers by Willow Tree

10 Reasons · anniversary · Holidays · New York · Summer · Travel · Wimbledon

10 Reasons Why I Love June

I am so excited that June has finally arrived and here is why.

1. Daddy and I had our first ever date in June. It was the 21st June which is the longest day. This year the 21st falls on Fathers Day too so it's twice as special.

Looking Back - June 2010 Central Park, New York City

2. Daddy and I were married in June. This year we will be celebrating 15 years together and 5 years married. We were married in New York City and it was the best day of my life. It was so amazing and very personal as I had always wanted to get married in New York and Daddy made my dreams come true.

Alton Towers · The Smiler

#TheSmiler Crash At Alton Towers

I think it's pretty obvious if you read my blog regularly that we are big fans of Alton Towers. I have been going there since before Nemesis opened and this year its celebrating its 21st birthday. It's also a special place for us as it's where Daddy proposed to me.

I was really upset and shocked yesterday to hear that there was a crash on The Smiler. I am a huge fan of rollercoasters but there is something about that ride that I just don't like. I have been on it twice this year but after the last time which was less than two weeks ago I said to Daddy I probably won't go on it again.

Taken 23rd May After Big J Had Been On The Ride

Clothing · Disney · Fashion · LamaLoLi · review

Preparing For Summer With LamaLoLi

I am a huge fan of character clothing and always have been. I used to love dressing big J in Disney or Star Wars but unfortunately now he is a teenager he isn't so keen to walk around with Mickey Mouse on his chest. Luckily I still have little J and this month he has been wearing lots of new summer clothing from LamaLoLi

Star Wars - The Clone Wars (2 Pack T-shirt)

Holidays · Travel

Going On Holiday - How Do You Choose?

I was watching the boys in the garden last week and they were playing in the water. It was bright, warm and sunny and it got me thinking about our Summer holiday.

Sa Coma - June 2003

Project 365 Days 144 - 150

This week is Half Term and I love Half Term. Its great not having to get up and get dressed for the school run or work. We have been getting up a little later than usual and just chilling in the mornings. Big J has enjoyed not having any homework and little J has loved his big brother being at home during the day.

144/365 - Carrying on from last week project 365 we were still in Alton Towers today. We had been invited to Iggle Piggles Birthday Party. We had an amazing three days and the party on Sunday just made the whole weekend extra special. I love this photo of the boys on the way home.

BP · Collaboration · food · Pizza Express · Restaurant

#BPDriveInDineOut With BP And Pizza Express

Spending time together as a family is very important to us and I hope that shows on my blog. As there is an eleven year age gap between my two it is important that we make sure we do things together that interests both my boys. It could be just watching a movie together, visiting a theme park or eating out. Both my boys love visiting restaurants and while sometimes it can be manic dining out with a toddler its always worth it.

Closed Giveaways · Drink · Hamper · Serenata Flowers

Beers Of The World - Serenata Hamper Giveaway

We recently stumbled across the website Serenata Flowers. I was actually browsing for some ideas for Father's Day and I noticed that not only did they do flowers but they also did lots of other gifts including hampers.

3 Queens · Albert Dock · Cunard · Days Out · Family Day out · River Mersey

The 3 Queens Arrive In Liverpool

Every year in Liverpool we seem to have a special event that brings millions of visitors to the city. One of my favourites was Little Girl Giant who has travelled to the city twice over the last few years and last year we got to see her with her Grandma. It was a spectacular event that I know we will never forget. Yesterday was another event that I was really excited about and I am so glad I got to witness it. Three huge ships, The Queen Victoria, The Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mary 2 all made their way into the River Mersey.

We arrived quite early and was lucky to find a spot just by the front so we had a perfect view of the 3 Queens when they made their way.

The 3 Queens

#TattyTeddyTrends · Carte Blanche · Closed Giveaways · Me to You · Tatty Teddy

Me To You #TattyTeddyTrends Competition

Last week we took part in a Me To You #TattyTeddyTrends Twitter Party. It was lots of fun and there were lots of activities to take part in.

Alton Towers · CBeebies Land · Days Out · Experiences · Family Day out · holiday · In The Night Garden · Party · review · Travel

In The Night Garden Party At Alton Towers

A few weeks ago little J got his first ever birthday party invite. It was so exciting as it was to celebrate the first anniversary of the In The Night Garden Boat Ride in CBeebies Land at Alton Towers.

Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy and Little J blowing kisses

Alton Towers · Alton Towers Hotel · Cariba Creek · Cbeebies · CBeebies Land · Legoland Discovery Centre · little J · Project 365

Project 365 Days 137-143

This week has been a busy week but a really fun one.

137/365 - Today we visited the new Duplo Farm in the Legoland Discovery Centre. It was lots of fun for both big J and little J.

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