Date Night

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One of my resolutions is to spend more time with Daddy. Obviously I see Daddy every day but I do want to spend more time doing something just for us two. Being a parent is so time consuming and some days you don't have a minute to sit, chill and relax. When we do get to sit and talk we are normally to tired (or well I am) so its cut short. I love being a Mummy and spending as much time with my two monkeys as possible but I do think its nice to spend time alone with Daddy.

We did manage a few nights out together in December which was nice. We are not big drinkers so a night out on the town isn't for us really. We don't go crazy maybe just a meal or the cinema. For those two hours or so you feel completely relaxed knowing that you don't have to worry about anyone or anything.  One of our nights out was going to see the Hobbit - The Battle of The Five Armies. We booked our tickets really early to secure our seat at the Odeon in the Gallery. I love the Gallery and if you haven't been - you must. It's not available in every Odeon but if it is in one by you, do give it a try. It does cost slightly more than a usual ticket but the experience is so much more. 

We like to arrive at least 45 minutes before the movie but we got stuck in traffic with everyone christmas shopping so we were running slightly late. We headed up to the gallery which is located on the top floor. When the lift doors open you are greeted by a huge window the length of the cinema looking out over Liverpool. You can sit and relax on the sofa's while enjoying unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, nachos, popcorn and chocolates. 

I usually just have a Pepsi Max and Nacho's. I not a big fan of popcorn but Daddy loves it. The seats are so much bigger in the gallery too. You get a double leather sofa to share with speakers in. The Hobbit was in imax so the sound was amazing. Once we were settled and had our goodies to eat and drink we were ready to watch the film. We are huge Lord of The Rings fans and have been for years. We watch the trilogy every christmas and have seen the Hobbit films as soon as they come on the cinema.  Anyway the film was amazing and we didn't move for the duration which is probably a first for me because usually I am the one that squeezes past everyone to go the toilet at least twice through a long film.  After we watched we returned to the gallery and had a chat about the film. Its sad to think that this is the last one. I hope Peter Jackson does something again in the future.  So thats it, my resolution has been made that more 'Date Nights' are to be had for Daddy and I. We need to make the time and no excuses.  Do you have 'date nights?' How do you plan them?

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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

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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

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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

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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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