Collaboration
Showing posts with label Collaboration. Show all posts

Little J's Bed Time

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When it comes to sleeping my two boys are completely the opposite, they couldn't be more different if they tried. When big J was younger he wouldn't sleep at all. He was awake all day and most of the night. We tried everything from getting in to bed with him to sleeping on his floor, anything to try and get a few hours sleep. He was permanently tired and so were we. Little J on the other hand is awake all day and sleeps all night and has done since he was a baby. He went in his own room in his cot and would quite happily fall asleep on his own and still does now. He goes to bed awake and within 10-15 minutes he is snoring.
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Daddy Gets Handy In The Kitchen

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Daddy has been making himself useful in the kitchen recently making us some yummy meals and treats. He's actually really good at cooking and I know its something he really wants to start making more of an effort on. Keep an eye out for some yummy posts showing off Daddy's talents but for now I'll pass you over to Daddy who is keen to tell you about what he is up to next.

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Pampers Little Champions

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Disclosure - This is a paid post

My boys have always been outgoing and even from a young age they both had so much energy to get up and go. I do love that they are happy being out and about and active. Little J is taking after his big brother and is constantly kicking a ball around or bouncing on the trampoline. He will stay on the trampoline for hours if I let him, just bouncing away or running round in circles.

children on a race track

I am so pleased to let you know that Pampers are teaming up with our very own sporting hero, Jessica Ennis-Hill (also mum to her own little champion, Reggie) to launch the Pampers Little Champions Campaign - shining a light on the next generation of little athletes and encouraging parents to celebrate their own little champions too.

Little J has always enjoyed moving around and he was one of those babies that would be sat somewhere one minute and the next he would be somewhere else. Whether he was bum shuffling, crawling or walking he was constantly on the go.

I read recently

A walking baby in one day can travel the distance of 29 football fields.                                   

A baby crawls as many steps as an adult walks in one day.

A crawling baby moves 8 times more than an adult just to get to the same place.

A cruising baby in one day can take as many steps as a marathon runner in a race.

To do all of the above our little ones need to be comfortable and as a mummy to her little boy Reggie, Jessica knows how important it is to have the right kit and also our babies need the freedom to move.

Pampers are the only nappies with the NEW revolutionary Magical Pods which are  absorbing channels that help to distribute wetness evenly giving a sag free fit and superior dryness so little ones can show off their champion moves.

Jessica says: ‘As a mum I love being active with Reggie – we have so much fun together and I know that it’s great for his development – that’s why I’ve teamed up with Pampers to encourage mums to celebrate their little one’s champion moves! Our babies are the future generation of medal winning athletes after all…’

Pampers understand that being able to move freely, and in comfort, is beneficial towards babies’ development. Pampers Love, Sleep & Play expert, Dr. Ellie Cannon knows that research shows that an opportunity to move is an opportunity for movement development to happen.

‘Feeling physically free and uninhibited whilst being supported and safe is an important part of a baby’s exploration of the world and physical development. Babies don’t need instructions to learn – they learn through self-discovery and encouragement from those around them. That encouragement comes in all forms: not just a clap from mum and dad, but also being unrestricted in their clothes and nappy. Freedom to move without restriction is a key aspect of your baby’s development environment’

Do you have a little champion at home? I would love to see their champion moves. Tweet me on twitter

Michelle
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How Often Do You Take Your Pet For A Checkup? | AD

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Disclosure - This is a paid post

I remember the day when my friend brought home a little puppy. The kids had grown up and weren't as dependant on her any more and she felt a little lost. She was torn between having a baby or getting a dog, the dog won. I couldn't understand it at first because to me a baby and a dog are two completely different things and of course they are but the idea of having something or someone to look after was the same. Someone or thing to need you and rely on you. I guess dogs and babies are quite similar when you think about it. 

Jump around
Being a Mum myself,  I know looking after a baby can be tough, you have to make sure you keep them safe and away from harm as best you can. They can't tell you how they are feeling, even when they are crying we are never 100% sure what they actually want, need or feel. Having a dog is the same. Being an owner of a pet it is your job, your responsibility to make sure your pet is cared for to the best of your ability. 

Just like babies, pets get unwell and it is important to know what could be causing your pet to feel like this and who to turn to if you need help. I know when we had our two dogs, both my Mum and Dad would make regular visits to the vets to get them checked out and if they needed any treatment it could be given. 


Parasites can hurt our pets both inside and out and we might not be able to see them. Merial Animal Health have created a fun but serious short video called 'The Parasite Party' about the more common parasites that could be found on or in your pet. 

It's important to remember that if your pets are infected then you and your family could be at risk too. I don't remember our dogs having anything really serious but I do remember them having fleas. I remember seeing them in the fur of one of our dogs, Kim. They were only small but you could see them clearly as she had white fur. The fleas lay eggs which fall off into the environment and develop into new adult fleas (did you know that the fleas you can see on your dog or cat only represent 5% of the problem- the rest of the flea population is in the environment in carpets, bedding etc). These new fleas can then jump on to us. Flea bites on humans can be serious so I know we took our dog to the vet and she was treated and sent home with a flea collar on. 

Internal parasites such as worms can also affect pets. Some of these worms can affect people too if they accidentally ingest the eggs, and it’s important to know that children are especially at risk because they often play on the floor or in soil where worm eggs may be found.

If you are unsure about the parasites that could be living on your pet you can visit the Parasite Party website and take a short questionnaire. 6 questions that could provide you with some information on what type of parasites your dog or pet could be exposed to. 

When caring for any pet it’s important to remember these top five tips. 

Wash your hands regularly.

Clean up your pet’s droppings daily.

Do not give your pet uncooked meat/offal.

Treat your pet regularly against parasites as instructed by your vet.

If you have several pets, make sure to treat all of them.

So just like babies, pets need check ups to. They need your help because they rely on you to care for them.

Michelle
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Pampers #BabyGrooves

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To celebrate the launch of NEW Premium Protection™ Active Fit, Pampers want to see your little one’s #babygrooves for the chance to win a starring role in their upcoming video.


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A Tour Of Storytelling Britain

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Disclosure This is a paid post in collaboration with Cottages.com

There are some lovely places to visit across the UK that are inspired by children's book authors, their characters and locations. Cottages.com has created a lovely map of places you can visit based around some of our favourite stories.

Hill Top



cottagescom

We are lucky that we have managed to visit a few of the places already.

husband and wife on boat on windermere

The Lake District
Everything about The Lake District makes me think of Beatrix Potter especially Bowness on Windermere and Hill Top. Bowness is a beautiful place to visit and a must do is a boat ride on Windermere to Ambleside. We have also visited Hill Top, this is where Beatrix once lived. It was truly amazing to wander around her home and see where she used to work. It is now owned by National Trust and we can't wait to visit again.

boy knocking on a door on privet drive

Warner Brothers Studio Tour London
A must for any Harry Potter fan. The studio tour based in Watford has everything a Harry Potter fan would want. Have a walk around the Great Hall, try a butter beer or even cast a spell. We would love to visit again as they host special events throughout the year. 

boy looking at Thomas


Thomas Land, Drayton Manor
Little J absolutely loved Thomas Land. Thomas Land is located inside Drayton Manor Theme Park featuring lots of rides and attractions based around the No.1 blue engine and his friends. 

If any of the places above or on the map take your fancy then you can be sure there is a cottages.com property close by. Renting a cottage can be an excellent way to have an affordable break together at any time of year. A break that isn't incredibly hard work, and gives you access to some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Many properties accept pets, and larger properties can sleep the whole family. We have stayed in a few cottages that can accommodate a large number of guests, Simgill in The Lake District and Snowdonia View in Wales. We would definitely choose a cottage again in the future.  

If you found this post useful there are a few ways that you could say thanks and support Playdays and Runways.

Have you been to visited any of the places on the map?  Leave us a comment below and let us know about your visit.

Visit our Walks In The North West post for more walk ideas

Like us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram


Share This Post With Friends Who May Also Find It Useful. 

Michelle

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Pampers Want To Help Make Life #BetterForBaby

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Today, our friends at Pampers released a short film which showcases just how babies bring out the best in us all, highlighting that there’s nothing we wouldn’t do to make life #BetterForBaby - if you haven’t seen it, you can watch it here 


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Christmas At Liverpool ONE

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We are so lucky to have Liverpool ONE so close to where we live. For years we had to venture further afield for shopping trips and meals out. Since Liverpool ONE arrived we have everything we could ask for. Now you can drop the kids off at school and you can get everything you need and more before you have to pick them up again. Here's how we recently went Christmas Shopping at Liverpool ONE. 

Liverpool ONE Christmas Tree 2015
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5 Gift Ideas For All Food Lovers

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One of the best ideas when looking for inspiration for picking gifts is the recipients hobbies. Today I am going to take some time and share five great gift ideas for those people who love cooking, baking and food in general. As Christmas is the time to show that you love someone, this list of five gift ideas is a great place to start the joys of gift shopping.
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I Can't Do That Now, I Am A Mummy.

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The other day on the way to work I was listening to the radio. It was one of those 'guess the top answer in a survey' and people were ringing up trying to guess. The question was ' What is the one thing you can't do now because you are a Mummy?' I stopped and thought for a moment and my mind went blank. I couldn't think of anything that wasn't obvious as I knew it would probably be something you wouldn't expect people to say. I was listening to the callers saying things like 'go out clubbing till 4am' or 'sleeping in till noon'.


The actual top answer given my 79% of the Mums asked was ' Bounce on a trampoline or similar type of exercise'
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Halloween - Don't Get Tricked By Treats

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Halloween in almost here and just like the kids I am really excited. I love Halloween and for us it's the start of the countdown to Christmas, Halloween, then Bonfire Night and then before you know it Christmas is here. Although Halloween is lots of fun with chocolate and sweets you will have to make sure your little ones don't get tricked by treats
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Pampers Unicef Partnership - Wishes

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If someone asks me to make a wish I always think about my boys. I never think about myself and what I want my thoughts go to them instantly. Being a parent you put your children first always. I have been following the Pampers Unicef Partnership - Wishes campaign recently and my one wish is always, that I want the best for my boys. I want them to be happy and healthy. I'm sure all parents think alike but not everyone gets their wish. 


Pampers Unicef Logo BAdge
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Daddy Changes Nappies Too.

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I honestly cannot remember changing big J's nappy when we were out and about, it was 13 years ago and I can't remember whether there was a problem or not. Nowadays I am so aware that some changing room facilities are only located in the ladies which can cause a problem for Daddy when he is out and about. Daddy changes nappies too so its surprising how many places just don't cater for this.

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Pumpkinanza October Half Term

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Discover the 4 corners of the Greater Yarmouth borough on the Pumpkinanza Trail on the last weekend of October half term! Join in on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November.

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Pampers Wonder Week

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The 1st October 2015 at 10am marks the launch of Pampers Wonder Week and I am really excited. You all know I like looking for deals and bargains and I am always happy to 'stock up' if the price is right. So when I heard about Pampers Wonder Week I was keen to find out more. Pampers are offering amazing savings for a whole seven days, with wonderful deals that shouldn't be missed.

Pampers Jumbo Pack
 I buy jumbo packs which can help save some pennies

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How To Make Sure Your Children Are Healthy And Happy

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Disclosure - this is a collaborative post

When you’re raising children, regardless of how old they are their health remains a top priority. A child’s health encompasses many things: their diet, exercise as well as their emotional wellbeing. It can be tough to juggle these concerns simultaneously and yet by managing to do so can only mean that you are doing the best for your child. Like anything else, practice makes perfect and parenting offers lots of chances for practice!

Here are some tips for ensuring your little ones stay fighting fit.

boy and man painting



Encourage them to eat their vegetables from a young age

It can be tough getting your children to take an interest in healthy eating if you don’t start early. A fun way to ensure that your little ones enjoy their food is to make sure that you yourself don’t see healthy eating as a chore, but rather something that can be fun and enjoyable. Cutting their vegetables into funny shapes can help when they’re reluctant to try something new. Similarly, appreciating the various colours and textures of vegetables can help – if your children don’t like peas, try something else! There’s no point trying to force them to love something but with so much variety of vegetables available, there’s bound to be something that they will enjoy!

boy on an exercise machine
Keep an active lifestyle 

Whether it’s walking to school instead of driving or treating yourself to a quick swim in the evening it is vital that your children learn the importance of keeping active from a young age. If they show an interest in a sport or hobby, encourage them to practice it and take an active interest in it yourself. This will not only help them develop confidence but will also help your relationship as parent and child.

Have their own mind

Unfortunately as our children get older they can become involved with smoking, vaping and other things. However schools are taking this seriously installing vape detector to try and minimise this. 

Follow your own advice

Like any of the ideas I’ve listed, the key to making sure your children realise the wisdom behind them is to employ them yourself. There’s no point asking your children to be active and conscientious of other people’s feelings if at the end of the day you ignore your own advice!



*collaboration*
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September, The Beginning Of My Year

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For me the beginning of the year is never January its always September. I think because big J starts his new school year September and my work year starts in September it just feels right. So with September here its time for me to start planning. They say there are 3 types of people, a past person, a present person and a future person. I am definitely a future person. I'm not truly happy unless I am planning something.
The iPhone calendar is a great way for me to keep on top of what I need to plan for.


So every year around this time I start thinking about the year ahead and what I need to plan and usually it involves working to a budget.
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Time To Freshen Up Our Home

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I recently mentioned that our bedroom needs a makeover but after sitting back and thinking about it the whole house does too. We got a double extension on our house back in 2007 and we decorated from top to bottom. Since then it has only been painted once. I think when we found out we were pregnant with little J we didn't want to decorate then as it meant lots of work and we didn't have the time or money as we were saving for a new baby. Then it got to the point were we thought we don't want to decorate when he's a toddler because he will be drawing on the walls and getting up to all sorts of mischief. Actually little J is a very good toddler and I don't think he will have the 'terrible twos' at all, *fingers crossed* so we have decided to decorate the whole house.

The beige coloured walls and dark furniture were great at first but now its time to add a bit of colour.
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5 Reasons To Get A Dehumidifier For Your Home

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Daddy and I have been thinking about giving our home a makeover. It's in desperate need of a  Spring  Autumn clean. There are a few items we want to get too including a fan. Our home gets so warm during the evenings and I suspect we may have an Indian Summer so I am expecting it to be warm in September. Also we want a Dehumidifier. I actually didn't even know these excited until recently but after reading the benefits we want one. They are a cheap but excellent addition to your home. They come in different sizes and can stop many problems.


Here are five reasons to get a dehumidifier for your home.

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Our Bedroom Makeover With The Yorkshire Linen Company

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There is one thing about me that you possibly don't know yet but I love sleep. I have always loved sleep and if I don't get enough I get very grumpy. When I was younger I loved my bedroom it was the one place in our house that was mine. Okay my Mum and Dad technically owned it really as it was their house but it was decorated the way I wanted it and my bed was always so comfy. Now I share the bedroom with Daddy and it isn't as cosy as I suppose it could be. Our room can become messy quite quickly especially with little J wandering in early in the morning carrying various toys and teddies. Also our duvets are in desperate need of a change and so are our covers. Sometimes I find it very hard to drift off to sleep and I'm wondering if my surroundings have anything to do with it.


Our current bedding set is very dark and although its New York (which we love) the colours don't really reflect our personalities. We need something a bit more bold and bright. The Disney cushion is years old as you can probably see. Daddy uses this if he is reading or playing on his phone or computer.
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