Project 365 Days 33-39

No comments

Hi all. Another week and another seven photographs capturing what we have been up to this week.

The sun has been shining this week but it is very very cold. It was -1 during the week on the way to school.

33/365 - Little J spent the morning in nursery today and was so tired he fell asleep for almost 4 hours. 

34/365 - The Meat and Greet details were available online for the forthcoming McBusted Tour. Too expensive for me. Gutted.

35/365 - It was nice to have some time with Big J tonight and we played some board games. We received Disney Hedbanz for christmas and its so much fun. Its very similar to Guess Who but with disney characters.

36/365 - Daddy had a little go on a tombola in Tesco today for charity and won two little prizes. Well done Daddy.

37/365 - Enjoying a pre valentines meal at Prezzo. Keep an eye out for our review this week.

38/365 - In the early hours of Friday Morning Daddy and I became an aunty and uncle for the first time. Big J has a new cousin, baby A. He is absolutely adorable and we couldn't wait for cuddles.

39/365 - Big J and little J rolling down the hill at Clifford Tower, York. We had a lovely day taking in the sights in York.

Read More

Project 365 Days 19-25

No comments

Welcome to this weeks Project 365. This week has flew over, its crazy that its Monday again already. It will soon be February. I have noticed its started to get lighter earlier in the mornings now, makes getting up for work and school that little bit easier.

19/365 - Little J received an new toy from his uncle Paul, his very own JCB and he loves it. Its got a horn on it too and he loves pressing it...all the time.

20/365 - Today we had a huge Nerf gun battle in our living room. Big J tried to his new Nerf Zombie Strike gun. Foam bullets flying everywhere but it was lots of fun.

21/365 - I've ate this pretty much every day this week. Chicken, lettuce, tomato, sweetcorn and sweet chilli sauce. I love it. Today I was feeling a littler hungry so I added some pasta to it.

22/365 - Today I got a lovely delivery from Tesco of lots of protein filled foods to help me with the #proteinchallenge I a taking part of thanks to Upbeat. Keep an eye out for how I get on.

23/365 - We got our new beds delivered today which I thought was exciting but big and little J were more excited about jumping and playing on the old mattresses. 

24/365 - A very cold day today but that didn't stop us wrapping up warm and heading of to New Brighton for a late afternoon stroll, a quick go on the arcades and to the pub for tea.

25/365 - No one can make little J smile like this except his big brother.

Read More

Project 365 Days 12-18

No comments

The days are whizzing past this month. Here is our project 365 Days 12-18

12/365 - Today little J went to his Nana and Grandads. He loves playing in his inflatable helicopter.

13/365 - I found a packet of Gluten free muffins in the cupboard that I had bought for a relative and big J asked could he try one. I take it from his smile he thought it was yummy!

14/365 - Little J has found a new way to eat his yoghurts. No need for a spoon just stick your tongue in.

15/365 - Daddy bought me the most toastiest socks ever. They are so thick and warm and perfect for my cold feet. 

16/365 - Caught red handed rooting through my shopping looking for treats.

17/365 - Daddy and I went to see Taken 3 at the cinema. I absolutely love the Taken films and I am gutted that this is the last one. Liam Neeson is just an amazing actor and didn't disappoint.

18/365 - Today we celebrated Daddy's Dads birthday. we all went for a lovely meal. I love this photo of all the boys together.

Read More

Fun On The Ice

No comments

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*

Read More

Christmas Is Over

No comments

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.

Read More

The Snowman and The Dog Grotto at intu The Trafford Centre

No comments

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.

Read More