Christmas Stash Photographs – What are they really saying?

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I’ve been wanting to write a post for a while about ‘Christmas Stash’ photographs. As an avid social media fan I’m often found browsing Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. They are my go to social media. I don’t really get snapchat, maybe I’m too old. A few people have tried to teach me but I just don’t get it!

I’m in lots of different facebook groups. I have lots of varied interests so it really is a wide range of groups. Around this time of year my feed starts to fill up with other parents ‘Christmas stash’ photos. If you’ve never seen one, let me explain. It’s usually a photograph or photographs of a pile unwrapped of toys/gifts for a child (sometimes children). The photos are always accompanied by an explanation and often a question. The question is usually “Is this enough?” or “What else can I get?”.

This is what I just don’t understand. Why are people posting pictures of piles of presents and then asking if it’s enough or what else they can get?

Surely if its ‘enough’ is an individual decision. What some families might consider enough may be way over the top for others or visa versa.

Surely the amount or quantity of presents is an individual decision. I’m often left wondering if the photographs are just to show off? Is it that the person posting the photograph wants people to say that its way to much to make them feel better?

Is the poster feeling better about themselves by proving how much they can give their own child?

Do they do it to make other people feel inadequate?

I just don’t get it, to me it seems like showing off.

I honestly doesn’t bother me how much other parents by their own children.

What does bother me though is that these kind of photographs maybe making the parents feel upset, sad or inadequate.

If it’s your families tradition to buy 100 presents at Christmas then so be it. If you just get one per child then thats cool too. It’s ok to be proud of working hard and being able to afford to buy gifts.

It’s sad that in todays society there are so many people struggling with money, and many can’t afford to buy gifts for children at Christmas. Many can’t even afford food year round not to mention at Christmas.

I don’t even know what the purpose of this post is. Maybe if it makes one person think before posting a picture with the words “What else can I get?” or “Is this enough?”.

Enough is what you personally think is enough.

Enough is what you can afford to give at Christmas.

No two families are the same.

Children remember the love they feel and have felt in years to come not the gifts they receive.

 

 

 

 

Yeti in my Spaghetti – Board Game Review

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yeti in my spaghetti

This week we’ve been playing ‘Yeti in my Spaghetti’ board game so that we can write a little review.
Yeti in my spaghetti

Yeti in my Spaghetti is a board games aged at ages 4 and up however my 3 and half year old did enjoy joining in and understood how to play.

yeti in my spaghetti

You’ll need two or more players for the game and by gaming standards it’s pretty easy to understand how to play.

Theres only 3 main components to the game, the yeti (now he’s pretty cute!).

The bowl and the spaghetti. The aim of the game is simple. Don’t let the Yeti fall all the way into the bowl if you want to be the winner! The rules are simple to, just take it in turns to remove single pieces of spaghetti. Easy you might be thinking. Well yes easy to understand, difficult to be the one to not topple that cute yeti!

yeti in my spaghetti

Pros:

We loved how simple it was
We also loved how even little people can join in
Game play is relatively short so it keeps small peoples attention span
Easy to set up, even for small people
Theres only one thing to focus on and thats the Yeti
No potential choking hazards like similar games with smaller marble sizer pieces
Easy to put away
If you just want to fill a few short minutes its quick and easy to play!

Cons:

The spaghetti needs keeping together when you remove it or you’ll end up loosing it
Other players will endure the grumps if the loser doesn’t like the fact they’ve lost!

My 6 year old desperately wanted to make a video review of the game so here it is (it’s only short but it gives you a good idea of the game!)

Thanks to University Games for sending us the game to review. I was not paid for the review and as always we are free to write are own honest opinion.

My Sunday Photo – Brothers can sometimes get along!

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This weeks photo was captured as I was filming them together. My youngest had got upset about something and was crying. I actually can’t remember now why he was crying. The eldest offered to read him his current favourite book at the kitchen table. Currently his favourite book (which changes weekly!) is Hamiltons Hats. So as he started reading I picked up my phone to film. I like to film them as much as I can to keep for future. Not for anyone else to see just us, so we can look back at them in a few years.

As I’m filming on the phone I’ll often just take a snapshot as I go, so it’s only from my iPhone and totally unposed (when in so many ways it does look like it might have been) I can give my honest word it was just a lovely moment they had together.

 

 

Photalife

Planning ahead for Christmas – Sending flowers as a gift

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This week we were offered the chance to review a bunch of flowers from Prestige flowers.

prestige flowers

Of course I couldn’t say no to a bunch of flowers being delivered. I love getting flowers. Flowers really brighten up the house. Part of the reason I also said I’d love to review a bunch is because I’ve been thinking about sending flowers as Christmas gifts this year to family and friends who live far away. When you order online prestige flowers will arrange to deliver the flowers via Royal Mail to the chosen recipient in a beautiful packaged box.

prestige flowers

I think a bunch of flowers would be lovely to receive just before Christmas because it would last through the festive season. We always have people popping in and out at Christmas and having fresh flowers would be lovely. When you do you’re mad last minute shop for fresh food a few days before Christmas I never think to get flowers for the house too. To receive a bunch as an early Christmas present would be fab. Which is why I’m going to be sending some myself this year.

The flowers that Prestige flowers sent for me were a stunning bouquet of autumnal colours.

Prestige flowers

As I opened the box I was blowed away by the beautiful combination of like pinks, autumnal yellows and pretty red touches.

Fresh from the Box Flowers

I lifted them out carefully and was amazed that they opened up into a gorgeous bunch. They had survived a journey in the postal service thanks to the robust packaging.
Prestige flowers

As with all flowers they will last longer with proper care and attention. It is recommended to cut their stems at a 45 degree angle every few days so that they can soak up lots of water. Be sure to top the water up daily too and use the flower food included. When someone has taken the time and money to send such a thoughtful gift its important to make the most of them.

I almost didn’t want to remove the beautiful wrapping from the outside of the flowers. It was clearly wrapped with care and hand tied before sending. All the stems were beautifully lined up and symmetrical. I know though to keep them at their best the care is vital.

Thankfully it was easy to trim them and make them look just as beautiful as they did when they arrived.

Prestige flowers really are stunning. You can tell that they are passionate about creating a great looking product. A product that arrives with the intended recipient in perfect condition. I hope my bunch last a long time. They look fab brightening up the kitchen table during the current rainy weather.

Thanks again to Prestige flowers for sending the bunch to review. I was gifted the product in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid to write about the flowers. As always I would only review items I really like or should by myself.

Prestige flowers

Does 3 children tip the balance too far? – Thoughts at 30 weeks pregnant

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3 Children – My thoughts

If you haven’t read my blog before then the first thing you should know about our family is that we have two boys age 6 and 3. Our third little boy is due to join us at the end of November this year.

new baby

Growing up I always saw myself with 3 children if I was to be blessed with any. I like odd numbers. I know some people don’t but to me odd is good. The age gap will be pretty even between them all. They are all boys too which I think is nice. I won’t lie I have always loved the thought of a girl but it wasn’t meant to be and I’m ok with that. I’m head over heels in love with my boys now and I already feel a connection to the one I’m growing inside me.

I do worry though that three is two many for me to cope with! I know millions of mums have done it before me. Lots of families now have three or more children. They all seem to cope fine. With this one being a boy we do already have a lot of things suitable for him. Which is obviously a finiancial saving. We will of course have to pay for him to go to nursery and having already spent an eye watering amount on childcare throughout the boys short lives this is a part I’m not looking forward too. But after this one is born and I’m lucky enough to have had my maternity leave then I will want to go back to work.

I’m not the sort of person suited to staying at home all day, as much as I’d love a job I could work from home, I’m far to easily distracted by the other household jobs, cleaning, washing, tidying etc! Plus after this baby I want to focus on me and my career. I want to try as hard as I can to be the best I can be at work. I want to feel like I’m doing a good job and making a difference.

But how will we juggle three? Two will be in school so thats a single drop off and pick up at breakfast club and after school club. The youngest will be in nursery so thats another drop off. We’ve managed two drop offs before, we can do it again!

What about when we’re walking to school though, I only have two hand, to hold when crossing the road. Will my eldest be ok to hold a younger brothers hand? It’s the small things I’m worried about. What if he starts walking into the road and I can’t grab him back in time as I don’t have his hand?

Being emtophobic I can’t bypass the elephant in my head either, what if they are all ill at the same time? How will I cope? What if we all come down with d&v? The rational part of my head says of course I will cope but the anxious part says how?

I’ve had a baby and a toddler together at the same time but what if this time its different? What if I’m trying to feed baby and the middle one needs the toilet while we are out and about? That’s without adding the eldest into the mix! A sling will probably be my best friend again. I remember writing last time about how I cope with a baby and a toddler at the same time. You can read that post here.

baby sling

Learning to Cope

I’m sure I’ll manage some how but sometimes it just feels like I’m wobbling just a little bit. Of course I don’t regret the decision to have 3. In fact I’m pretty damn excited to be doing it all one last time. I’ve been given one last chance to have and hold my very own newborn. I know how quickly time will pass with a baby so need to make sure I enjoy every single second. Including enjoying the last few weeks of pregnancy. But sometimes, just sometimes the wobble happens and I need to give my own head a wobble to stop worrying. Things will work out, it will be ok.

At 30 weeks time is passing very quickly, it’s now roughly 10 weeks until he joins us and I become a new mum for the very last time.

new mum

Blog On Christmas Linky 2017 – I’m joining in!

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 BlogOn Christmas 2017

I’ve been to quite a few BlogOn conferences (I think it’s 4 now?) but I still get nervous going. I don’t really feel like I fit in very well. I have no idea why, everyone has seemed very friendly! In my full time job I am confident in walking into a new room full of people I don’t know and just making networking. With blogging for me it’s very different, I still get very nervous. I love to join in with the link up though as I feel like I get to know something about other people going and that I’m not the only nervous one! So here goes…

BlogOnXmasJumper@2x.png

1. Please share your favourite photo of you.

Ekk do I have to? I’m like most people I don’t like photos of me but I suppose this one is ok. I’m the one in the middle taking the photo, it just makes me laugh when I see this photo. I love the make-up artists style, she was so cool!

BlogOn

2. If you could choose a band to play in your garden for your birthday, who would you pick?

Easy – Take That, I have always been a TT fan but imagine them in the garden, now that would be awesome!

3. What do you take with you for long visits to the toilet?

I’m shy, I don’t use the toilet……

4. What word can’t you spell?

I actually can’t think of that, not because I’m perfect (far from it!) but because by the time I’ve typed things and looked back up the Mac has autocorrected for me!

5. What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?

Not had that many different jobs but I suppose driving a tractor on a farm when I was a teenager was pretty unusual?

6. Knitting, sewing or crotchet?

Sewing – I would love to crochet but I have tried several times and I’m pretty rubbish so I’ve given up 🙁

7. Without looking it up, what is a jerkinhead?

I have no idea, at a guess some kind of pickle or maybe a beer?

8. If you could have as much of one food as you wanted forever, what would it be?

Mango – I love mango

9. What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Lived through a sickness bug as I have emetophobia (phobia of vomit and vomiting) so to me its the scariest!

10. If you needed a getaway driver, who would you choose?

My brother, he drives like a maniac but so far touch wood hasn’t hurt himself so I think he could get me away!

11. Would you rather live in Narnia or at Hogwarts?

Hogwarts, the people of Narnia seem to cry a lot and its very very cold!

12. What snack food says ‘Christmas’ to you?

Mince pies – is that technically a snack?

13. Is there life on Mars?

Yes I think so

14. Which Christmas movie would you be a character in, and who would play you?

Jovie in Elf, it’s my all time favourite Christmas film and I’d love to be her singing in the shower with Elf!

15. What are you proudest of?

My children, I’m so proud that I made them and so far have kept them mostly safe growing up!

I’m really looking forward to BlogOn Christmas as it’s my absolutely favourite time of year. I can never have too much Christmas. This time at blog on I’ll be the heavily pregnant one, looking tired and worn out! Can’t wait to see everyone there, please say hi to me it would make my day! I’ll make an effort to say hi to everyone else too without feeling nervous or awkward!

Blog ON Conference

My Sunday Photo – Brothers

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This week my favourite photo was taken just yesterday on a last minute day out. I love this picture because it’s completely natural, no posing, no filter.

What ever big boy does the little one copies. He adores his big brother. This picture means so much to me because in just a few short weeks time these two will become three. I hope they always share and remember the bond they had as a pair before their final brother joins them in this world.

 

Photalife

Dear Boys – It’s been a while

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brothers

Dear Boys,

Sorry I haven’t written in a while and when I started writing to you I thought I’d have more to write about.  I guess life gets in the way. I’ll try and make more of an effort and make sure our little moments aren’t forgotten about with the passing of time.

So much has happened since I last wrote and so much is about to change.

To my beautiful first born big boy. This summer you turned 6 years old. Where has the time gone? It doesn’t seem two minutes since you were a new born and I was struggling with all those sleepless nights. The long lonely nights of feeds and comforting. Back in the early days it was hard but I had no experience of this before and it was all so new. How quickly 6 years has passed. You are now developing into a handsome, thoughtful, clever little boy who makes me proud everyday. You really like reading comics and playing computer games just like your daddy. You are most proud of you ‘Library’ and ‘office’ in your bedroom. For your birthday you asked for stationary, a microscope, a cricket set and some other littel things. You were happy with the carrot cake we bought at your request.

The stationary went down really well, you were so happy with all the bits and pieces that Grandma had bought for you, including the hole punch and paper clips.

You have now started year 2 in school and I think you’re getting on ok. It’s only been a week but so far so good. I know you dislike writing so will try and get away with minimum effort on that but it would be nice if you at least tried! Maths and reading are your absolute strong subjects. You are a little wizard with numbers, I hope you carry on learning and enjoying maths as much as you do now. All I ever ask is that you try your very best with everything.

To my beautiful baby boy (soon to be not such a baby) you are fast developing the cheekiest little personality. Your speech over the last few months has come on so quickly and I can now hold full conversations with you which I love doing. You are showing more of an interest in books too and love listening to a bedtime story (if you’re not distracted too much!) Your favourite thing is to be outside, you’re such an outdoor person. You love nothing better no matter what the weather than throwing on a pair of shoes and getting out. The first thing you tell me about nursery is if you’ve had chance to go out or not.

At nursery you’ve now moved up to the pre-school room and you are learning more and more each day. The lovely ladie have also noted how you’ve started to come out of your shell and speak a lot more. You are good at nursery which I’m pleased about as you’re not always an angel at home! I think you and your brother wind each other up quite a bit when you are together though so it’s not just you! After Christmas you’ll be starting at the new nursery which is attached to the school I hope you will attend. To prepare you we’ve visted and talked about it lots, so much so that you want to go now. I do hope you love it as much as your current nusery. Your current nursery i so much more homely and they’ve known you a long time. the new nursery is much more like a school but I guess I have to let you grow up sometime. You won’t be my baby forever. Although for now I treasure the times you get so tired on a Friday night when we watch family films that you fall asleep in my arms, like a baby. I love it.

 

We’ve started toilet training 5 days ago and so far so good. You seem to have mastered the wee’s and were doing ok with the poo’s until you got to nursery. Hopefully you’ll get it very soon and stop having the accidents. I think you just get so distraced when playing and forget! I’m proud of how you’ve done though so far.

All too soon boys our little world of just you two will change forever as you’re new brother arrives to join us. I’m worried that you’ll feel pushed out but I’ve tried to include you in everything. I hope you remember watching the bump grow as you grow older yourselves. At 6 and 3 you’re likely to not remember a whole lot about the pregnancy but I do want to involve you. This is the last little person we’ll be adding to the family and I guess he will take the place of ‘baby boy’. I hope we don’t upset the balance.

I’m planning another home birth and I sort of hope it coincides with you being able to be there when he’s born. I think it would be a fabulous thing for you to experience and I think you’d be ok with it all and take it in your stride. I thik it would help you understand that the baby just didn’t turn up out of the blue but arrived into this world surounded by love.

Just becasue we’re having another baby doesn’t mean I will love you any less, in fact I hope my love will just keep on growing like it always has with you both. My heart can accomodate one more little guy.

I can’t wait for you to all grow up together, I hope you all stay close. By close I mean close at heart, no matter where life takes you. No matter what journey you follow or how far you travel always know you have each otherNever forget I love you with all my heart forever and always.

Mummy xxx

Baby Wish List – Newborn 2017

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Baby Wish List 2017

I’ve thought about writing this baby wish list post for a while now. Whilst thinking about it I have managed to be able to buy some of the things on the list. As it’s baby number three for us you’d think I’d already know what I’d like. Or have most things. It’s true we did keep some things from the other two boys. Some things on the list are things I’ve always wanted and some are dream things.

This baby is our last baby so I’m really trying to enjoy every single second of my last pregnancy.Therefore I also want to enjoy every single moment of the newborn days. I want to enjoy every sleepless night. Every cry that I’m called to. Each nappy change. Every pointless walk to try to get baby to sleep in the pram.

Transport

The first thing on my baby wish list was a new pram. I’ve always loved prams, ever since I was a little girl. I’ve had quite a few with the boys (as my hubby will tell you!) The one I’ve always wanted though is a Bugaboo. The one I’d really like is a Bugaboo Buffalo as I do a lot of walking. Most of my walks involve not so smooth paths and some off-road tracks the buffalo seems perfect for that. Plus I like the height of the handle. Being a 6ft lady I need a high handled pram and the Bugaboo Buffalo really fits the bill with this. I also like the ability to choose a variety if colours for the hood and the accessories available.

The one I’ve been looking at is available many places but I love John Lewis customer service so will probably buy it from there. Just to mention I have no affiliation with John Lewis they have not asked me to link to them, I just genuinely like shopping there and the customer service they offered.

Car Seat

For the boys I had a pretty standard car seat and I borrowed a base from a friend which made getting in and out of the car with a baby and a toddler far easier! This time I’ve looked at a lot of car seat systems and I’ve decided I’d really like a Cyber Cloud Q. I really like that it lies flat when not in the car to make sure baby is in the best possible position. It’s compatible with the Bugaboo Buffalo too which is ideal. It comes in loads of colours and although I currently can’t choose a favourite I do like the dark blue one!

baby wish list 2017

Sleeping

Both boys were breastfed and so wanted to be fed little and often on demand throughout the night. I’m hoping if all goes well I can once again breastfeed this little one. So I expect to be feeding in the night lots and so I want to keep baby close to me. Safe sleep guidelines by UNICEF recommend baby being in their parents room for at least the first 6 months of life. My second baby and I coslept for almost a year. We always followed the golden rules of bed sharing which are:

  • Baby was born full term
  • I did not drink alcohol or use any illegal drugs or legal drugs that would make me drowsy
  • I’m a non-smoker
  • I kept blankets and pillows away from baby (I did not even use a blanket I just dressed appropriately)
  • My hair was tied back and there were no loose cords etc
  • The mattress was a firm flat one not memory foam, we NEVER slept on a sofa or chair, always the bed
  • My husband didn’t stay in the bed with us, this was a choice we made together
  • Baby was not over dressed for the room temperate

I have no idea what this baby will be like in terms of sleep. I would like him to be able to have his own space at night and so would really like a small bed for baby beside our bed. I’ve looked around and have my eye on a Chicco Next to Me Crib to add to the baby wish list. I really like how close it can be to my bed and as space in the bedroom is limited it looks like an ideal solution.

baby wish list

I love this grey one with the white cloud design. I’ve used grey and white to decorate the nursery so I think it’s colours I’m drawn too. Again I’d most likely be buying it from John Lewis as well.

Changing Bag

As this is a baby wish list and not my shopping list I have found my dream changing bag. I doubt I’ll be able to afford it since I’m due to go on maternity leave soon but it doesn’t hurt to look!

With the boys I had a Pacapod changing bag. I used cloth nappies with them both and so found the organisation of a pacapod bag ideal. It as the name suggests has several ‘pods’ to store things and keep organised. Since I bought my first pacapod in 2011 things have come on quite a lot with them and they now produce some amazingly beautiful bags. When I saw this Pacapod Firenze bag in the shop I was immediately drawn to its beautiful looks. I didn’t realise at first it was a Pacapod changing bag. It really does look stunning.

baby wish list

Stunning Pacapod Firenze changing bag

Inside the bag are Pacapods signature pods to keep yourself organised.This really is the stuff my changing bag dreams are made of! I’ve fallen in love with a changing bag!

These are what I’d call my ‘big buys’ the things that will likely cost the most of all the things I’d love for baby. Despite being my third baby it’s taken me a while to make my final choices. I’ve looking at whats out there to buy, things change so quickly in a few short years since my other two were babies.

Now to start working on a wish list for the smaller items and the nursery decorations. I can’t believe there’s only 12 weeks to due date. Where has the time gone?

 

 

My Sunday Photo

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This week it’s another photo of the boys. I love to watch them grow. I love it when they are being nice to each other. I really want to keep the memories of them whilst they are small. This was last Sunday afternoon, walking back from a very wet Kite festival in Lytham St Annes. We went to look at the kites despite the weather. We did get wet but at least we got some exercise, although I wished I’d worn a jumper. I did start to get cold. I think the weather is really starting to turn towards Autumn now.

brothers

 

Photalife