Winning December

Winning December

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I tried to start my hobby again in December which is probably the worst time to start entering competitions but I did and I managed a few little wins. 
I thought I would share them on here so I had a little record of what I won in December. I mainly did twitter competitions which are a lot easier to enter than Facebook or websites especially if you don't have a lot of time. I do however like to have a browse at the website of the companies giving away prizes as sometimes you can come across sites you might not stumble upon usually.

My first win of the month was from Smooth Radio. There was a competition over on twitter which asked you to tweet a photo or a memory of Blackpool. I have so many memories of Blackpool. I have been going since I was little. Its such a fun day out and we try to go as often as we can. My memory however was the first time that big J walked on the Skywalk. The piece of thick glass that you can walk on which when you look down is 380ft. Its expanded over the years but when we first went on it it was only a small square and big J lay on it. He was bothered at all that you could see right down to the floor. He loved it. Anyway this was my memory and it won. I won afternoon tea at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Sounds lovely and we can't wait to go.

Next I entered a competition over a Hitachi Finance to win a Festive Betty's Hamper. I was so pleased when I got the message to say I won. Daddy loves christmas cake and there was a lovely one included in the hamper. The presentation of the hamper was lovely. It came in a gorgeous hat box which I will use for something else once we've ate it all.

Boyles Bingo picked me as one of the winners of their festive stocking competition and I received a stocking full of christmas treats including lovely Jelly lollipops which big and little J enjoyed.  I did win a few other competitions but the prizes haven't arrived yet so I will include them next month.

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Getting Cosy With Gro

Getting Cosy With Gro

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I'm not quite sure why we never used a sleeping bag with big J when he was little. It is almost 13 years ago now so I don't know whether they were not available to buy or maybe we just missed them amongst the madness and craziness that comes with having your first baby. Little J however was a different story we knew about sleeping bags before he was born as a friend had recommended we get one. He has slept in one ever since he was born and not only does he enjoy snuggling into it each night, its part of his routine. Little J has been getting cosy in a travel Grobag over Winter and its been perfect for late evenings out over the Christmas.

 Its very unusual for us to be out and about around bedtime as little J loves his routine but over the Christmas the routine went out the window and there was a lot of late night shopping and evenings out. Little J loves his sleep and would drift off in the car on the way home. The travel version of the Grobag was prefect for such occasions because of the travel opening at the back allowing a 5 point harness to fit through. We were able to pop him into his sleeping bag before our journey, fasten him securely in his car seat. It was just as easy to then remove him from the car seat then into his cot if he was asleep. 
We were sent an 18-36 months sleeping bag and I was really happy with the room little J has to spread his legs and move around. He is quite tall for a 21 month old but there is plenty of room for him to grow.

Even when not using it as a travel Grobag it is just the same as a normal Grobag which can be used in the cot as the travel opening just closes with velcro.
The Up and Away Travel Grobag is available in 2.5, 1.0 and 0.5 tog and in sizes 0-6, 6-18 and 18-36 months.
100% woven cotton with a two way zip at the front.
Easy access travel opening.
Machine washable and can be tumble dried on low heat.
There are lots of designs to choose from  and you can view them over on Grobag website.

*we were sent a Travel Grobag in return for a full honest review - all thoughts, opinions and photos above are our own*

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A Perfect Smile

A Perfect Smile

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If there is one thing I would love to change about myself it would have to be my fear of the dentist. I have been scared of the dentist for as long as I can remember and I would love to completely conquer that fear one day. I say completely conquer my fear because I have to admit it isn't as bad now as it was. As I have grown up and got older I realise it probably isn't the horrendous experience as I used to think but I do still walk in the room with butterflies and my tummy churns every time I sit down in the chair. 

Having that fear means my teeth are not as good as what they should or could of been. I will go the dentist for check ups and I have had work done on my teeth over the years but I probably leave it too long in between but that is something I am working on because I would love a nice smile showing off lovely straight teeth. I have looked trying to get that perfect smile before and I have considered braces in the past and it would be something I would have if the dentist recommended it. There are so many different procedures you can get now to give you that smile you always wished for and I would have to opt the easiest option available.  I have been looking at fastbraces recently. Although its a new fixed brace treatment its actually been in development for over 20 years. It appealed to me straight away because it promises speedy results and a beautiful straight smile. Fast braces are able to produce the same results as fixed braces but in half the time so around 12 months. Using state of the art materials enables the braces to work quickly and painlessly. This would be a perfect combination for me. Daddy had braces when he was younger and his teeth are lovely and straight. He is confident to smile with his mouth open and teeth showing whereas I prefer to smile with my mouth closed. I try not to let my fear of the dentist effect my two monkeys because going the dentist is such an important part of life. Luckily they both have lovely teeth and enjoy going the dentist. I hope it stays that way. *collaboration with Sensu*

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Fun On The Ice

Fun On The Ice

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I mentioned recently that whilst we were in Disneyland Paris the ice rink was not open which was very disappointing for both Daddy and big J. They love ice skating and were keen to have a go whilst we were there. They were both pleased though when I told them that there was an ice skating rink at Selfridges, intu Trafford Centre and we had been invited to pop along for a family skate. We booked in the same day we were going to see Father Christmas at The Snowman and The Snowdog grotto so it was a nice christmas family day out.

The ice rink is situated in Selfridges Car Park. We arrived before our allocated time so we could get booked in and Daddy and big J could put on their ice skates. I stayed and watched from the side because I had to look after little J plus I haven't been ice skating before. It looks so scary.

Their was a member of staff brushing all the ice from the rink towards the sides and everyone had to wait until he had finished. 

Daddy and big J put on their boots and were ready to go.

 Big J fell a few times but he kept on going and towards the end he was a lot better than at the beginning.

There were skate aids which were available for those that wanted them. They were a seal design and you could either push them or sit on them and get someone to push you.

I was going to get one for big J just so he could get his balance and used to the ice but they had all gone so I would advise getting there early to ensure you get one, if needed.

There is plenty of room for spectators and there is a also a place to grab a coffee to keep warm.

Although it was quite busy the rink was big enough for everyone to have lots of space to skate round. Big J really enjoyed it and I would definitely return next year.

*we were invited to the selfridges ice rink in return for a honest review, all thoughts above are our own*

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Back To Reality

Back To Reality

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I am so lucky to be in a job which allows me to have the entire Christmas holidays off. It's a lovely feeling knowing I don't have to worry about work and I can spend precious time with my friends and family. Although its only two weeks off and its basically all for just one day - I find it really hard to get back in to a routine. 

I love Christmas but I do find the lack of routine a little stressful at times. Some days over the Christmas I had to ask what day it was because I just didn't have a clue. I don't think I cleaned up for about a week at one point. Toys everywhere but we had lots of fun just playing all day. I think me and Daddy enjoy some of the toys more than big and little J.

Little J was staying up so much later than usual because we were out and about more in the evenings. This meant he was waking later than normal so taking a later nap which then led to a later bedtime and so on. We did have a few pyjama days too. Who doesn't over Christmas?

Big J was also staying up later talking online with his friends so again was waking much later, some days it was almost dinner time?  He's been missing breakfast and just snacking on buffet food, biscuits and chocolates which we have boxes and boxes of. I don't think I have cooked a proper meal in weeks.  I did try and start trying to get our routine back before work and school started again but its really hard to get back into the swing of things. So basically on Monday when it was back to reality I did go  to work feeling a little tired but once I was there I felt okay. I think as the days go on our routine will fit back into place, hopefully. We will start eating breakfast, lunch and dinner which doesn't involve any biscuits, chocolate or eating out. Our bedtime routine for both big and little J will return to normal and there will be no-one awake past 11pm on a school night. Having said all the above I do enjoy Christmas and I am sad its over but it is nice when everything goes back to normal. Do like getting back to your routine after the festive period?

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Energy Saving Awareness with LED Planet

Energy Saving Awareness with LED Planet

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Now that we have darker mornings and it goes dark earlier in the evenings we have had our lights on a lot more than normal. Back in October we switched most of our bulbs over to LED lights which prove to save on energy, bills and don't need to be replaced as often. We started my using an LED Lamp in little J's room and it was perfect so that's when we made the switch.

After reading about energy saving I cam across LED planet which have a wide range of products. I have to admit that while at first I thought that LED lighting seemed a little more expensive than normal bulbs I now realise that over the long term it's definately a money saver and I wouldn't switch back. 

Whilst browsing the website I came across this infographic and I thought it would be a great read for those that are still unsure about making the switch to LED lighting.

*in collaboration with LED planet*

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