A Tour Of Storytelling Britain

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.

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

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.

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. 

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

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Michelle

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The World of Peter Rabbit - The Complete Collection of Original Tales Giveaway

The World of Peter Rabbit - The Complete Collection of Original Tales Giveaway

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You may have read my recent post about how cottages.com has created a beautiful map of all the places you can visit in Britain that inspired our favourite authors. To celebrate World Book Day and The Tour of Storytelling Britain I have teamed up with cottages . com to offer one of my readers and followers the chance to win a very special prize.

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Must See Musicals 10 Film Collection Giveaway

Must See Musicals 10 Film Collection Giveaway

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Ever since I was little I have always loved Musicals. I was brought up with both my Nana and my Mum watching movies such as Gypsy and my all time favourite Calamity Jane. My love of Musicals didn't just stop at watching the movies, I love listening to the soundtracks and watching the stage show versions too. You might have already read that we went to see Calamity Jane and it was amazing.

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Drumond Park LOGO Prize Bundle Giveaway

Drumond Park LOGO Prize Bundle Giveaway

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 You all know that I am a big fan of board games. It's a great way to spend time together and have lots of fun. We have a huge collection of games and I am always on the lookout for new ones. You can never have too many. 

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What You Need To Know When Potty Training.

What You Need To Know When Potty Training.

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Potty training comes naturally to some children and their parents, some find it quite a struggle. It's easy to say that it will happen and things will just click one day but if you are a parent of a child that doesn't seem to 'get it' then it can be a challenge.

When you decide it's time to potty train you have to be prepared that it may not happen overnight. It can take days, weeks and even months for some children. It's best to clear your schedule and make sure you have the time and energy to see it through. The first few days/ weeks can be the worst so some choose to do it while they have time off work or when the siblings are in school. This means that your child and the potty are your only focus. 

The fact that you have decided to potty train could be for a number of reasons. The child's age, the child is showing signs they are ready (knowing when they have had a wee or poo in their nappy) or it could be that other children of a similar age amongst friends or family are potty training. Unfortunately none of these may mean your child is ready you just have to go with what's best for you, take the leap and see where you end up. 

Using the potty is a huge milestone so you may want to use a reward system that works for you and your child. We used cars with little J as he was never bothered about stickers whilst other children love reward sticker charts. 

There are lots of different potties available, some with characters on, some are musical and others are just brightly coloured. Choose a potty you know your child will like or even better if they can pick it themselves. 

Talk to your child about the potty and what it's for. There are lots of children's books on potty training that are fun with great illustrations. Visuals really work for some children. 

Be supportive at all times. Accidents will happen. Try not to get upset or angry no matter how frustrated you are. It can really knock a child's confidence. If you react angrily when they have an accident they may start to hold it in and that could be really bad for them.

Make the decision of whether you will go for pull ups or underwear. In my opinion I always think underwear is best. You have taken the plunge to potty train and get rid of the nappy so why put a pull up on? To me I don't understand how a child would know the difference between a nappy and a pull up. They look and feel the same. Having said that I know lots of children that have had great success wearing pull-ups but my tip is to stick to underwear. They can feel if they have had an accident, and I can guarantee they won't like that feeling of wee dripping down their leg. You never know it might make them think twice next time.

Knowing your childs toilet routine for a poo is really important. Some children go at the same time every day or they will go to a certain spot in the house. If they have a routine you can then be ready to guide them to the potty just before to prevent accidents. 

When potty training children seem to get the hang of going for a wee easier than a poo. It's important to make sure they are still doing their poo because if they are not they can become severely blocked and it could become a medical issue. If your child isn't ready to poo on the potty you need to make the decision of putting a nappy back on them, on or around the time they usually go. They just might not be ready for this stage and that is normal.

I really hope these tips will help you on your potty training journey. 

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

Are you potty training? Leave us a comment below and let us know.

Like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

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

Michelle

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DisneyLife Review

DisneyLife Review

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This month we have been trying out a new subscription box called DisneyLife. I first noticed it just before Christmas when it popped up in our local Disney Store. As it was Christmas and a little manic I didn't stop to look what it was. If you haven't heard of DisneyLife let me tell you a little bit about it first.

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When A Celebrity Retweets Your Tweet

When A Celebrity Retweets Your Tweet

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It's only recently I have started to use Twitter properly and it's by far my favourite of all the social media channels. I love how fast it is and that you get an actual reply from people when you tweet them. It's a quick way to get in touch with a friend, speak to a company or even tweet a celebrity. Am I the only one who gets excited when a celebrity retweets your tweet?

I don't really tweet celebrities mainly because I don't have anything to say to them, but on the odd occasion I have tweeted a few. If I was going a concert to see a band or solo artist I will send a tweet or if I have seen a tweet from them I have replied.

I have however tweeted a few members from McBusted and also Giovanna Fletcher and I am so happy when they retweet. Is that sad? I just think its nice to know that amongst the thousands (maybe more) tweets they receive each minute/hour/day they have chose one of mine to retweet. I have had a reply once from Tom Fletcher and that made my day.

A few months ago I tagged Ruth Langsford in a tweet because I had blogged about her campaign to keep pets healthy this summer and she retweeted instantly which got me thinking. Do you think the celebrities actually read the tweets or just hit the retweet button to keep us happy? I am hoping they do read as I like to think they are interested in what people have to say. I know they must get so many but it is nice if they reply or retweet to a select few.

In the Summer I got a lovely retweet and reply off the lovely Duncan James too.

Have you ever tweeted a celebrity? Did they reply or retweet?

Michelle

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Teletubbies Toys Review

Teletubbies Toys Review

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Disclosure - We were sent the products below for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our unless stated. This post contains affiliate links. 

You may have read last week that a very special and exciting box turned up. Inside was a selection of the new Teletubbies toys range and we were chosen to try them out. Teletubbies was such a big part of big J life when he was growing up and I am so pleased they are back now that little J is a toddler. When it came to opening the box we were so excited to find out what was inside. Little J was jumping around when he saw all the coloured tissue paper inside the box, it was like Christmas.

Inside the beautiful and very colourful tissue paper were 6 Teletubbies toys for little J. He was so pleased when he saw Po, she is his favourite. 

Teletubbies Tickle And Giggle Po

Tickle and Giggle Po is very cute and likes to be tickled. She is made from supersoft plush and when you tickle her tummy she will giggle and say "eh-oh" "Big Hugs" "Po" "Again Again"

Little J loves interactive toys and really enjoys tickling her tummy. Little J also enjoys pushing her around in the pram too.

Teletubbies Supersoft Plush

Dipsy and Laa Laa are supersoft plushes. They are a perfect size for little J to hold and cuddle. He likes to take them to bed and they are perfect for snuggles.

Dipsy and Laa Laa are regulars at our carpet picnics and we play a game were they can only eat pretend food that matches their colours. Dipsy enjoys green pears and Laa Laa likes yellow lemons.

Teletubbies Talking Po Soft Toy

This is probably little J's favourite toy out of the plushes. Talking Po is again made of a supersoft plush. 

Press her tummy and she will say a variety of phrases including

"Po"

"Eh Oh"

"Again, Again"

"Big Hugs"

"Hooray, Hooray, Hooray"

"ooh," followed by a giggle 

"Very Happy"

Tubby Phone

A cute phone with just 4 coloured buttons representing each of the Teletubbies. Press the colour of your choice and the Teletubbie will come on the mirrored screen. Press it once and a voice will say "Hello (name of teletubbie chosen)" press again and the voice will say "Hello Teletubbies" press a third time and it will say "Tubby Phone Party" and play a song. Unfortunately all four buttons do and say exactly the same.

Little J seems to like chatting away to the Teletubbies.

Tinky Winky Figure

We haven't found a home for our Tinky Winky figure just yet as we are hoping little J will be a good boy over the next few months and maybe he will get the Teletubbies Superdome for his birthday and also some more figures. 

I have popped down the RRP of the toys above for you but the full range will be available to see over at Character Toys

Tickle and Giggle Po - RRP £19.99

Talking Po - RRP £9.99

Supersoft Plush - RRP £6.99

Tubby Phone - RRP £9.99

Figure - £3.99

As you can see little J was thrilled with all his new Teletubbies toys and I know our collection will grow over the next few months. I am going to dig out all of big J's old Teletubbies toys as we had the dome, a Noo Noo and all the talking Teletubbies too. Little J will love them. 

Michelle

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