New years eve..a fishy outing!

As much as time as a couple is important in the world of Parenting, I cannot understand the need to go out and waste lots of money on new years eve only to have a hangover to show for it the next day.  So instead, this year we've opted to use a fraction of that cost and go for a day out at THE DEEP!

We told Rio the night before and getting into bed, and up the next morning, was a constant chant of 'fishes'. Rio was also convinced he'd see a penguin. Highly unlikely little man!

See the middle photo? That's his cheeky little reaction to seeing penguins, okay...not real penguins..but I had told him repeatedly there'd be NO penguins!

He spent the rest of the time running around and sitting at various tanks in awe!

As for when 12 oclock comes? We'll all be tucked up in bed waiting for the fireworks and text messages to wake us up again. We're so rock and roll! ;)

Christmas Craft: Lightbulb edition!

I've been working non stop up to Christmas, so getting in the festive spirit this year has been harder than usual. I use every minute I get with Rio getting him to be excited for Santa, crafting and singing away. So when I was asked if I wanted to enter a Christmas craft competition I thought why not? I'm not really good but every little helps ;)

The task? To decorate a lightbulb!

My first attempt, a reindeer, kind of 'melted' when I dried him with the hairdryer. Oopsie!

So I raided the cupboards for another bulb, the last one, remind me to buy another, and started again with a more 'simple' design.

- First I covered the metal with red tape then added red ribbon.

- I then let Rio splodge some gold glitter glue on and added little pom poms to those areas.

- I then finished off by putting little dots of silver glitter glue to the bulb. And although it doesn't look in the pictures, in real life the clear glass with the little dots actually does like quite pretty.

If like me, you'd like to do some Christmas crafts, or even enter to win £100 John Lewis vouchers last minute. You can read all the details here.

Christmas crafts with Hobbycraft

I hear "want to draw", countless times a day. Rio loves drawing. He'll get out his crayons and his paper and will happily sit and draw circles ("snowmen") endlessly. Recently we've been venturing out into crafts.. leaf art, footprints, painting and what not. So when asked if we'd like to try out Christmas crafts I thought, why not?

Annalise is craft crazy so of course we invited her over to join the fun.

The candy canes, glitter gingerbread men etc given to decorate the tree were so creative and easy to use but the star was a little fiddly to keep balanced.

If you've ever been to Hobbycraft you will know that the list of things to do/create is endless, so there is something for everyone, quite literally! If tree's aren't your thing why not have a go at creating your own wreath?

This kit retails at £5 and is currently included in hobbycrafts 3for2 offer!

Overall they were lots of fun to do, even at Rio's age, and made great personal decorations for the Grandparents!!

This product was sent to me free of charge for review. The content and opinions however are all truthful and my own!

Rio's first advent experience

Other than buttons, Rio wasn't really much of a chocolate eater last year so we didn't get him an advent calendar. This year he's a bit more interested in Christmas, and chocolate, so when Craigs mum offered to quilt him one we was like "yes please grandma". Its filled with a mixture of things, mainly Christmas themed chocolates and kinder. And although he doesn't know how to find the right number, he has pretty good fun guessing :)

Thorntons Christmas Hero

Do you ever wish you could show that one person in your life just how much you appreciate what they do? Well, Thorntons have given me that chance!

I was recently contacted asking if id like to take part in their Christmas hero's competition, a chance to give a gift to someone who really deserves it and one person sprang to mind. My Mum!

Despite being ill with a arm's length list of illness' and on a page long list of medication, she watches Rio twice a week so i'm able to go back to work. She goes out her way for my other two sisters and their children too and never grumbles.

She's gave me a part of my life back, so although this is tiny in comparison, it wont go unrecognised, im sure of it!  In fact.. she's a soppy so and so and will most definitely blub like a baby when it arrives!

On top of that since being originally contacted I've fell down the stairs and broke my foot in two places. Despite being exhausted my mum didn't hesitate to tell me to fetch Rio through on the way to the hospital. And though I'm being 'miss independent' and looking after Rio myself..she hasn't batted an eyelid at my million clothing alteration requests so I can actually get dressed.

Life lately, going stir crazy!

At first having to lounge about all day down to a broken foot is great. You get to catch up on all your programmes, read books to your little ones all day and build endless brick towers. But after a while, being cooped up sends you a little crazy.. okay a lot crazy.

I woke up today with the determination that we would get to the park. Id put on my 'boot' and force myself to push the pushchair to the other side of the village just to get little Rio out! He misses it too. But the reality hit me as soon as I opened the door. It was freezing out! I'm not one to grumble, I'm all for getting wrapped up and well and truly exploring nature but with my poor toes out? I wasn't so sure.

Instead we headed round to the back garden, which Rio didn't mind in the slightest..not when there's a football out there!

Oh and Annalise stopped by for a visit too ,adding to the fun! He loves 'annylisey'

I always used to wonder why it took so long for my OH to bath Rio..now I know. BEST DADDY EVER!

Rio: 19 month update

Firstly, I know I don't/shouldn't have to but id like to apologise for the lack of posts. A lot is changing happening in my life at the moment, some amazing and some pretty horrible..like falling down the stairs and breaking my foot in two places horrible! Therefore my blog has took a bit of a back seat mainly because I hate posts without pictures and I've been in no fit state to run after Rio for a few snaps, especially not with my new camera! All will be revealed in due course.

Onto the update..

- Rio can say anything now and his daily vocabulary is growing into little conversations.

- He frequently tells me "I've found it..it was down there", and asks "whats that?"

- He still has a bottle of milk which he put him movicol in. But is finally a fan of juice :)

- He says uv you mummy, uv you daddy.

- He now says cuddle instead of "luv"

- He will ask me for "ring a roses" etc. And also ask me for "dinner" if he gets hungry and will tell me exactly what he wants to eat on occasion. And tell me if he's tired/cold..which as a parent is great because you always do worry. & now likes a "blanky" for bed.

- At the moment his favourite foods are egg, mushrooms and oranges.

- Everything must have a blob of tomato sauce on the side!

- He finally likes building towers and will build little jumps for his toy horse to go over..mega cute and imaginative right?

- He loves drawing.."want to draw".. and knows quite a few of the colours now..mainly orange and purple.

- He likes to have a shower!

- He'll say "move" and when I look at him will continue to say "move...please". haha

- He likes to inform me when its raining

- He's obsessed with watching documentaries..we have the nature channel on constantly so much so he knows what a hippo, fox etc are now.

- He's had his hair cut yet again and even let them shave the sides (grade 4) instead of just tidying it back up with the scissors. Whilst there he demands at least 3 biscuits!

- He knows mummys foot is "broken", he's mainly an angel about it but sometimes runs away with my crutches.. and shouts "no mummy" when I ask for them back...hmmm!!

- He has all four of his fangs through, meaning we're only waiting on a set of back teeth!

- His "dream feed" in the night has got less and he will sleep from 9-9 most nights..amazing!

- He's well and truly learnt to say "NO"

Joules Wishlist*

With Christmas fast approaching my wish lists are getting pretty out of control. Rio is usually a walking advertisement for Next but I'm trying to branch out now he's getting older and took a little look at the Joules website. Big mistake!! As a horse lover I instantly fell in love with the Joules range of boys clothing This wish list is just a tiny snippet of what id secretly love to slip in my Christmas basket, along side about 100 things for myself!!

Have you bought anything from the Joules range before? I bet a few of you own some of their fabulous wellies!

Its always a bonus to see companies supporting a great cause too!

Silent Sunday

Sulks & smiles

 

Mummy: Shall we go home now?

Rio: Noo Mummy *pouts*

 

 

It amazes me how much character and personality an 18 month can have! How fast a baby can stop being a baby. How much love you can have for one person. Whether its sulks or smiles, this little man makes my day, everyday!

18 months, an update!

- The other day we was out for tea and Rio was pointing and saying everything he wanted on his plate, peas, pasta, cucumber etc. He got to sweet corn and was stuck, he's never come across sweet corn before so he just pointed and said "yellow".

- He does the same for getting dressed, trousers, jumper, jacket, coat etc.

- He can count to five (though nine times out of 10 refuses to say one). And will copy your counting as high as you like. Stairs are now a fun learning thing :)

- He will also see pairs and say two, or see three birds on a roof and say three birds etc.

- We've started watering down his milk (he still likes lots of bottles so it makes his BM's a struggle), and he's now going a lot better and even sleeping longer. He now does 9pm-9am!

- He's in 9-12 clothes (Next).

- He walked all the way from the park home! (not the one around the corner either). And will sometimes do a little paddy about going back in the pushchair! Toddlers!!

-  He says "Whale" in a Welsh accent, courtesy of Daddy. I cant help but giggle every time he points one out!

- He loves coronation street, just for the meerkats. At every break he will say "ba-bye meerkats"

-  He's now got both of his top fangs, finally!

- Every time he see's a female in the street he shouts 'lady'.

- He will bite food in half then declare "I've broke it", before proceeding onto the next one!

- If a toy doesn't make a noise he will fetch it to me and say "needs batteries mummy".

- He become such a daddies boy!

The art of autumn

 

Today Rio walked ALL the way home from the park!

 

Also..who knew how much wildlife you could fetch home in a bag of leaves?

Tomy Be Baby Starlight Dreamshow Yellow

A while a go I was sent a Tomy Be Baby Starlight Dreamshow Yellow to try. And although my first impressions were very mixed I decided to keep with it for a while longer..and on Sunday night I was so glad that we did!

Rio's cold progressed and moved on into a cough resulting in him projectile vomiting three times in the night!! He was beside himself, he hates being sick. He was inconsolable and as a spur of the moment last resort I fetched his "night light" into our room and pressed ON. Magic! Within two minutes he had gone from distraught to fast asleep! Me and my OH just looked at each other in awe..and then watched the projections on the ceiling in sheer fascination!

 

 Its so easy to use too. I cant even trick Rio into thinking the "batteries have run out" as he knows to use the switch at the side in correlation to the on/off one! I do however still stand by my original opinions. This product would definitely benefit from a volume button, as at night I find it too loud to be soothing! And that it is more suitable for use from a younger age, I can see little ones loving this, and being absolutely fascinated. (I've already seen this in a few nursery pictures here in the blog world).

Overall I think as far as value for moneys concerned, this ones a real winner! And will definitely be keeping it close to hand to pass on to our next one..if Rio lets me!

Hush Baby Bunting

For me its the little touches that make a room. When I was pregnant with Rio I was hit with the dilemma of decorating his nursery, I did the total opposite to most parents already knowing the sex and went neutral. But now at 17 months he's such a character that his little neutral room seems bland in comparison.

So when the lovely Laura from Polka Dot Teapot designs contacted me asking if she could make him some personalised bunting I jumped at the chance. Not only because this would kick start his nursery makeover but also because they did such an amazing job on my makeup bag and brush roll.

After a few messages back and forth we decided on a nautical boat theme. I'd recently fell in love with some pirate bedding at Next so I'm pretty sure that is the route I'm going to go down.

Que a few more messages, a short wait, and a parcel in the post!

For £1.25 a letter I think this bunting is amazing. I'm in love with the boat fabric!

Discounts can be applied to orders over 10 letters, which is ideal if your wanting it to say 'Happy Birthday', 'Just Married', etc.. Infact the bunting can be made for all occasions as well as just for the home. And can be personalised in any way whether it be by colour, theme, pattern or name.

I think the personal touch is what makes this bunting unique. You can create exactly what's in your mind without having to compromise with something pre made. Why have something every other home in the village has when you can have a one off?

You can find Laura and Polka Dot Teapot Designs on Facebook & Etsy



I couldn't not include a photo of her handmade bears!

This product was made and sent to me free of charge, but the opinions and content (other than final picture) are 100% honest and my own.

Chasing the ducks and other autumn adventures!

Autumn is my favourite time of the year. I get to wrap up cosy but still have the days out that come hand in hand with the sunshine. Todays post is another trip to the park im afraid. Partly because my OH has the car today but mainly because its one of Rio's favourite things to do.

Not only is outdoor play fun, its also important for childrens development. It helps then stay fit and active, encourages creativity, imagination and lets them get face to face with nature. And most of all gives them freedom!

Whilst it is great to keep giving your children different games and activities to do.. its also important to have unstructured play. A chance for them to just enjoy themselves and do what ever it is that takes their fancy. And the park is a prime example of this. Theres always lots to do at the park!

 
 

Much to the Ducks dismay, Rio realised he could touch them today! This may or may not of ended in them running away and him bounding after them..oopsie! His face when he stroked the first one was a picture!

Giveaway: Thomas & Friends All Around Sodor Train Set

Have you heard people use the C word recently? I have! At work we've already had truck loads full of Christmas stock and while at first I thought, are you crazy? I then realised it's less than 100 days away. And if being a parent has taught me anything its that time flies.

It got me thinking of what I was going to get Rio. I then counted my remaining paydays and had a oh lord moment!

So how would you like to win a Thomas & Friends All Around Sodor Train Set to get you started?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can view the prize along with the rest of the Thomas the Tank Engine range here.

Giveaway will end on the 18th October 2013. The winner will be announced on twitter and contacted by me shortly after.

*The prize, although chosen by me, is being provided by Argos and will be sent directly to the winner by them.

Picture heavy playdate

Today was one of those days, no not one of THOSE DAYS, one of the good ones! The kind makes you smile midst soap watching and think "today was a great day". It started as an early one..Rio heard daddy heading out the door and although I wasn't at work, so in no rush to go anywhere, I felt the urge to go out and get some fresh air, gloomy sky or not. The sun took pity on me and came out though..of course, it always does when I wear a jumper!

We started off at the park, it was peacefully quiet with the school holidays being over. The only children there were around Rio's age so it was a pleasant trip all round. Apart from the bread, WE FORGOT THE BREAD. The ducks didn't take too long to realise this however and waddled back into the water to await their next victim. Stalking avoided!! ;)

Not wanting the day to end there I headed over to my sisters where my mum was watching one of my nephews. Cue sandpit play date!

 

We headed home but fitted in some pirate ship play  and 'sneaky dog on the grass-ness' before daddy got home!

Bedlam at the bookcase!

As the proceeds were going to charity, when we bought Rio's pirate ship we also bought a bookcase among other things. Like me, Rio is a bookworm and instead of them being locked away in the cupboard I thought, lets put them in a bookcase so he can help himself. Only..im beginning to think the locked cupboard was the better option ;)

Only joking. Kinda ;) God help him in the library! Some of his favourites include..

Has your little one got a favourite? Or have you got one that you prefer to read over the rest? Personally I cant wait for Rio to be old enough to discover Roald Dahl! ..I may or may not of read Georges marvellous medicine to him already, and by that I may mean I read it, and he..urm hopped off my knee and played/fell to sleep?