What To Expect On A Young Driver Lesson

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disclosure - we were gifted a free driving lesson for the purpose of this post. 

boy sat in a young driver car having his first driving lesson
I had one very excited son on Sunday when he took his first ever driving lesson at just 12 years old. You might be wondering how he is having driving lessons so young, well its thanks to a company called Young Driver and Goodyear Driving Academy who have teamed up to teach children the importance of road safety. 
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Personalised Fathers Day Gifts To Make With The Kids

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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.

4m gift ideas
If you are stuck for some ideas for Fathers Day gifts this year I have a few ideas which will definitely get the thumbs up from Dad. At Easter we were sent alternative Easter gifts by Great Gizmos and now we have received a bundle just for Dads.
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Scotland Yard by Ravensburger

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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. 
Scotland yard board game
We always make time to play board games together. Big J is at an age now where he enjoys more challenging games such as Monopoly, Cluedo, Destination and our new favourite Scotland Yard by Ravensburger.

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Belo & Me Little Lunch Bag

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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. 

I recently found the cutest little lunch bags over at Belo & Me. I love jute bags and I have shopper bags that I take with me when I go the supermarket. I'm not a fan of plastic bags. They always rip or break so I prefer to take my own with me.
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I'm a #MorrisonsMum Thanks To BritMums | AD

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Disclosure - We were gifted £80 Morrisons vouchers for the purpose of this post.

£80 morrisons vouchers
I was so thrilled and honoured last week when BritMum's made me a Morrisons Mum. I was so excited when I opened my envelope and inside was a lovely letter telling me I had been chosen. Enclosed was £80 worth of vouchers for me to spend on May Bank Holiday Weekend.
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April 2014 Degustabox Review

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Degustabox
 We used to be quite adventurous when it came to food shopping but we now tend to buy the same items each week and it has become quite boring.  Receiving a monthly food and drink subscription box over the last few months has introduced us to lots of new brands and tastes. Aprils Degustabox arrived and there was plenty of treats for us to enjoy.
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Why Does My Child Stare At The Washing Machine?

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This post contain Affiliate Links. 

Have you noticed that your little one is fascinated with the washing machine? When my son started staring at the machine I started to worry. As a parent you watch your children a lot and wonder if little behaviours are normal or if it's something to be concerned about. My son loves it and if I let him I think he would happily sit there for hours watching it while it spins and I often wondered why does my child stare at the washing machine?

little boy sitting on the floor by a washing machine


The first time I really noticed it was when he was having his dinner in his high chair. He completely  moved himself around in the chair so he had the washing machine in his view. If something was in the way he would stretch so he could see it. I didn't really think about it at first but when it continued to happen I did start to wonder, why? 

Now he is able to move across the floor he takes himself into the kitchen, crawls to the washing machine, sits up and stares. When I try to move him away he can become quite grumpy and even if I pick him up and put him in another room he manages to scramble his way back to the kitchen. Most of the time the washing machine doesn't even have to be on for him to enjoy looking at it.

Like most I instantly headed to google. Should I be worried? Is this typical? I did a lot of research and the answer is yes it is a typical thing for babies and toddlers to be interested in washing machines and other household appliances and is actually very common.  Google also likes to tell us that if your child likes things that spin such as the washing machine then this could be a sign of autism or aspergers.

There is such a wide spectrum for autism and whilst watching spinning items can be one of the signs please don't read in to it this too much unless you have other concerns about your child. I don't have any concerns about little J at all so staring at the washing machine wouldn't make me think he has Autism or Aspergers. I would be looking for other signs and behaviours.

When babies become unsettled one of the ways to try and soothe them is to play white noise. Maybe they find watching the machine and hearing it spin relaxing. They did as baby, why shouldn't they as a toddler too?

Most of the time we have no idea why children they do the things they do. They are curious, they are constantly learning and exploring and I think watching the machine is just little J's way of trying to work out what it actually is. Why does it spin? Why does it make a noise?

Why not use their love of the washing machine to your advantage. I know my son would sit there for as long as he could so enjoy the peace, have a cup of coffee. It's better than giving them an iPad for 15 minutes. 

If your child does enjoy watching the washing machine and you have other concerns about the behaviours, you can always speak to your health visitor or GP for more advice or guidance.

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Comments - I love reading your opinions and thoughts - Does your child stare at the washing machine? How do you feel about it.

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Michelle

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New York Times Square II Jigsaw

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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.

Wentworth wooden puzzles - New York Times Square II jigsaw
I've had some spare time recently which is a surprise considering it's the Easter Holidays. I have been taking time out and completing a jigsaw that I was sent from a company called jigsaws. There was a wide range of puzzles to choose from and I chose New York Times Square II. because I love New York, I got married there and our hotel is on the puzzle. I was sent the 250 piece jigsaw and I thought it would be easy but I was wrong.
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Nakd Selection Box 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. 

Nakd selection box including mixed bars
I have seen Nakd bars in the supermarket when looking at the 'free from' ranges and I always think if they don't have something included like gluten or dairy then they probably won't taste nice. I was so wrong because after trying Nakd bars over the last week I can honestly say that they are actually really tasty.
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Alternative Easter Gifts From Great Gizmos

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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. 

plan toys coast guard
I'm not a big fan of Easter Eggs, in fact this year we have said that we don't really want or need any from friends and family so instead we are happy to give to a charity or maybe just a little toy for big and little J. Great Gizmos recently sent us some lovely gifts that are an ideal alternative to Easter eggs.

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Skibz Bib Review

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skibz bib packaging
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. 

toddler playing on a see saw in the park
Little J is now cutting his 6th tooth and is dribbling more than ever. Skibz gave us the chance for little J to try out their dribble bibs.

Skibz Khaki Camouflage

They are so cute and look like a fashion accessory rather than a bib. Little J wore his on a recent visit to the park and another mummy actually commented how cute it was :) I told her this was a Skibz bib and she hadn't heard of them before but will definitely be checking them out now.

Little J's clothes, vest and chest were all dry after wearing his Skibz bib in the park. So pleased as we usually have to change him at least twice before the journey home but no need with his Skibz on

close up of a Skibz bib drool bib
Each Skibz has a double layer backing to protect your little ones clothes and chest from drool. The logo is on the front of the bib.

I love bandana bibs because they fit lovely around the neck and Skibz have an adjustable popper fastening at the back that ensures it a perfect fit.

Little J has definitely given his Skibz a good workout but every time I wash it, it looks brand new. 

There are so many designs to choose from you will certainly find a Skibz to match any outfit.

To find out more visit Skibz

Michelle
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Love2Read Photo Book 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.

Love 2 Read has ceased trading however you can read here more about personalised gifts 
Mr brother personalised book
Last Christmas I got a lovely surprise from John, big J and little J, they bought me a gorgeous photobook. I wasn't expecting it and it is so lovely but there is one problem little J loves it so much that I never get to look at it long enough before it's snatched from my hands.
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March 2014 Degustabox 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.

open degustabox
Last week we got a lovely delivery from Degustabox. Big J was quick to tell me that 'degusta' means
'tasting' and so we had been sent a tasting box.
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