We Are Trying To Keep Fit This Winter

We Are Trying To Keep Fit This Winter

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This morning when I woke up I actually thought it was the middle of the night. It was so dark outside but when I looked at the clock it was actually 6:30am. The dark mornings and dark nights are approaching fast and very soon it will be dark by 5pm. Its so easy to come home from work or school and pop on your Pjs and veg out on the sofa in front of the TV. I still like to keep motivated in the winter because I can easily pile on the pounds so I know if I don't stay active I start feeling sluggish and grumpy. I actually like going out in the cold dark evening even if its just a quick trip to the park before teatime. It may sound weird but I like to be out and about when its cold rather than when its warm. I am not to keen on the heat.

I have mentioned it before HERE that our local parks have outside gym equipment which you can use in any weather and its free. There is a variety to choose from and even if you just do the recommended amount on each one that can be 30 mins and it really doesn't feel like it. Big J goes on them and he loves them. He thinks its fun and doesn't realise he's actually exercising. Big J and Daddy go for a nice run most nights and when they return home I can always feel the cold on them but they feel refreshed. Big J usually wears astro trainers but we recently got a pair of running shoes from Sports Shoes to help support his ankles when he's running. He loves them and they are so light. We also like to visit on our local swimming pool at weekends too. Swimming is great for all over fitness and again lots of fun. Little J absolutely loves the water just like his big brother. They are definitely water babies. Do you like to keep fit in winter? *in collaboration with Sports Shoes*

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Mummy Takes The Reins

Mummy Takes The Reins

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Last month I posted that little J had finally took his first steps. It's took a long time to get him up on his feet and now that he is he doesn't want to stop. He is walking everywhere and he is just so quick. When we are out and about he just wants to be out the pram all the time. When we try and get him in the pram he arches his back or goes as stiff as a board and its impossible to get him in. I can understand why he doesn't want to go in the pram now, he has this new skill and he just wants to show it off. I am so glad Trunki sent us a Toddlepak to review recently, it was perfect timing.

The Toddlepak has been just what we needed when out and about. We were sent the orange Toddlepak which has a cute monkey design.  On a recent visit to very busy and crowded shopping centre we decided to try it out. Its design fits from the front. Its very easy to adjust the shoulder and waist by using the clip. It fitted securely around little J both with and without his thick winter coat.

Once we were up and running we just grabbed on to the rein and let little J wander around. There are two adjustments on the reins. It can be used as a training rein or a leading rein. 

We went to try the training rein but decided not. As you can see from above you have more control but we just left it the way it was set up and it was fine as a leading rein. 

Little J always tries to let go of my hand when we are put and about so I think he just loved the independence the Toddlepak gave him. I obviously didn't need to hold his hand whilst he was wearing it so he had complete freedom - or so he thought!!! There are a seven colours available in the Toddlepak range and each colour is represented by an different animal. To view the collection please visit Trunki 

*we were sent a trunk Toddlepak to review. All thoughts and opinions are our own*

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Christmas Is Over

Christmas Is Over

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Either today or tomorrow we will start to de-christmas our home. We actually put our decorations up really early this year and I think it was the 1st December so they have been up for over a month already. I always think the house looks bare once the decorations go away plus it means Christmas is over *sad face* This Christmas was very different for us and although I enjoyed it overall I never want to spend another like it. Leading up to Christmas both big J and little J were sick and I don't just mean for a few days, it was pretty much the whole of December.  They were full of cold, runny nose one minute then blocked nose the next. Both got an ear infection too so it wasn't pleasant for them both.  We did manage to get to our Santa's Sleepover in Alton Towers which as always is lots of fun and great for the kids. Before the journey we did have to take a trip to the local NHS walk in with big J who had mucus in his ear, poor thing. It didn't stop him having a good time though although the waterpark had to be postponed until they were both feeling better.

This year CBeebies and was open for us to enjoy. Little J loves Cbeebies land and although it was a little cold we had fun on the rides, including his two favourites, Postman Pat and In The Night Garden.

We did get to meet Upsy Daisy which was a nice treat. She was very friendly and gave us lots of cuddles.

Father Christmas was in his grotto in the woods and we got to meet him and he gave both big and little J a lovely present. Little J was too interested in seeing what he had got that he wouldn't pose for a photo. After an afternoon in the theme park it was time to head back the hotel for a Christmas dinner. We had a nice evening watching the children entertainment before it was time for bed. 

Christmas Eve started with our usual tea party. Little J however slept right through it so it was just the three of us. 

After little J had woke up and had some food it was time to watch The Snowman. I have watched the Snowman every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember so its our Christmas Eve tradition.

Then we opened a few Christmas Eve Presents. We always get new PJ's on Christmas Eve :)

Father Christmas has been.

Christmas Morning was filled with opening presents and lots of playing with toys. Then it was time to visit our families. Usually we will go to one of our parents in the morning and then the other in the afternoon. As little J wasn't too good we decided to keep him home which made Christmas very different. Daddy stayed home while big J and I went to my Mums then after we came home Daddy and big J went to his brothers for Christmas Dinner. This was the first year in fifteen years we haven't had Christmas Dinner together which was sad but it was better for little J to stay home. I then went to my Mums in the evening and had my Christmas dinner there.

Then just before bed there was still more presents to open.

Big J treated us to a home made snow cone which was very tasty indeed. So Christmas this year was very different but it still was fun. Big and little J got some lovely new toys to play with. Hopefully next year we will be illness free and we can enjoy the big day all together.

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Hello 2015

Hello 2015

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I can't believe its 2015 already. Eek. I hope everyone had a great 2014 and you are looking forward to 2015. Have you made any resolutions? I normally have a list as long as my arm but I never stick to them, so this year I am only doing a few and I must stick to them.  My first resolution is the same as every other year for as long as I can remember - lose weight and get fit. Unfortunately I never lose weight and I'm not fit either but this year I am going to try my hardest. We have a summer holiday planned and I really don't want to go away looking like a beached whale. I know I will never be a skinny minnie but I do think I could lose a stone or two. I just need to get motivated and I think once I see some results that will spur me on. I might start to record my progress on my blog each week. I know lots of bloggers do a weigh in Wednesday and show their results each week to help others get motivated too. I like the idea of this because I think it will make me more determined if I have to write down my results each week.  My other resolution isn't really a resolution but more of a 'must do'. This year will mark the five year angelversary of Isabella and Rosie and I would love to continue to fundraise for Sands and raise stillborn awareness. My just giving account has reached over £12,000 and I would love to reach £15,000 before the end of 2015.  I have a blog related resolution and that is to give vlogging a try. For those that don't know what vlogging is - its very similar to blogging but you video instead of writing. Its very very popular at the moment over on YouTube so I would love to give it a go too. Might take some practising. I would love to know your resolutions and to all my readers Happy New Year.

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The Snowman and The Dog Grotto at intu The Trafford Centre

The Snowman and The Dog Grotto at intu The Trafford Centre

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I recently saw an advert on TV that there was a Snowman and The Snowdog grotto in intu Trafford Centre. When I went online I was gutted that it was pretty much sold out, obviously very popular. We were going to the Trafford Centre last weekend but there was no times available. I double checked the night before to see if any times had become available and I was so please that one time slot was showing green instead of the sold out red. 
I quickly whizzed through the booking form and secured our placed in the grotto. There was an option to book and pay for your photographs and other souvenirs online but I decided to wait until we got there.
The Snowman and The Snowdog is situated in Barton Square amongst lots of festive stalls and a lovely Victorian Carousel.

We arrived 10 minutes earlier than are booking time and joined the queue. Only 45 people can go through at any one time so even though are timed slot had past by the time we got to the front of the queue we had to wait a further 15 minutes to go through as it had reached full capacity. 

We left our buggy by the entrance and when it was our time to go through we were taken into a room that was set out as Billys living room and we were greeted by Billy's Mum. We took a seat on the benches provided and the children were invited to sit on the floor at the front.
Billy's mum told us all about the Snowman and The Snowdog and what had happened on one Christmas Eve when Billy had made them both and at the magic hour 12:00am they both came alive.  There was a large TV screen and we got to watch snippets of The Snowman and The Snowdog. It really put us in the Christmassy mood both the Snowman and The Snowman and the Snowdog are our favourite christmas movies.

Once we had finished in Billy's living room (approx 15 minutes) we walked past all the snowmen until we cam to a place were we could write a letter to Santa.

We were actually first in the queue to walk through the magical walkway to see Santa but little J kept running back and forth and looking at all the snowman so we were actually last in the end.

Towards the end there is a huge display with the snowman and the snowdog. 

We managed to get little J to sit down for two minutes while big J wrote him out a list so we could post it in the big red postbox.
Once we had done that it was time to see Father Christmas. He was lovely and gave both big and little J a gift. 
The overall experience was lovely and it was well worth the wait and I can see just why it is so popular. We were inside for approx 30-40 minutes in total and it was truly magical.

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The Dinosaur That Pooped

The Dinosaur That Pooped

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Its pretty obvious from past posts that I am a huge Mcfly/Busted/McBusted fan. As well as amazing singers, song writers and musicians, Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter have put pen to paper and created a trio of children's books featuring a Dinosaur that likes to poop. The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas, The Dinosaur That Pooped A Planet and The Dinosaur That Pooped The Past all feature rhyming text, colourful illustrations, great fun and yes, a great big pooping dinosaur.   

There is quite an age gap between my two monkeys so I decided to read to both of them and yes as you probably guessed it my 12 year old was grinning from ear to ear throughout all three books. Why is it boys just love toilet humour? Little J loved looking at the pictures and sat for the whole story which he hasn't done before.   I have to admit I did find them quite funny myself and particularly liked the pooped a planet story.  The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas  

When Danny asks for too many presents, Father Christmas decides that Danny deserves a huge dinosaur. The Dinosaur is very, very big and very, very hungry and eats up all of Christmas and you guessed it what goes in must come out.   The Dinosaur That Pooped a Planet  

Danny and his dinosaur are back and this time they are going on an adventure into space. Unfortunately Danny forgets his very hungry dinosaurs lunchbox. Dinosaur starts to eat everything in sight including the rocket to get them home.   The Dinosaur That Pooped The Past    

Danny and his Dinosaur are sent back in time in their third adventure. Dinosaur gets to meet new friends and all is well until there is a huge volcano about to erupt. How will they get back to the future?   Lots of fun for children of all ages and adults too.   To find out more about Danny and his pooping dinosaur check out https://www.facebook.com/TheDinosaurThatPooped https://twitter.com/PoopingDinosaur   Have you read any of the Pooping Dinosaur Books? Which is your favourite?  

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