A massive Apologies to my readers

If you have been regular reader of my little blog you may have noticed the lack of posts I have been writing. I am ever so sorry I let my little blog go and have found it hard to want to sit and write again.  Overtime I have started writing I have been sat there with a blank screen and suddenly whatever on the TV is a lot more appealing. Also life has been busy I have had many nights at work/ general life being busy . Also wanting to just sit and watch TV with the hubby. So Sorry guys.

A lot has happened since I last wrote we have been on holiday to France and camping three times! Three yes the last time was a bit mental Ami was up at 4:30 after an unsettled night I was almost ready to drive home. Another big thing I have learned to drive!! The world is now my oyster and I can go where I want. Its very strange I suddenly have a lot more time on my hands. 

I plan to write a few more posts this week but we will see today is only Monday and I haven't  wore anything for a few weeks I am a bit rusty. To be honest I am doing anything but my revalidation one of the many treats you get to complete when you are a nurse. I don't think many people realise that it costs to be a nurse not only that you also have the privilege of proving you have completed the right amount of hours etc. 

So here is us for now, life is busy its the summer and I am all for being outside when ever it is sunny. We have been exploring beaches and parks its been nice to get to places we have not been able to reach on our own. 

Mr Frosty Review

\

Back in my childhood days even into teenage years there was one toy that I wanted every birthday and summer. It was one that my parents would say I would never use but my childhood self would have used it every day. It would have made me the coolest kid at school being able to have slushy at home. If you are wondering what I am rambling about, yes I am talking about the Mr Frosty. It looks just like how it did (through the box) like when I was a child.

The children were exciting they didn't know quite what it was, but the cool little penguin was enough to get them super excited. I got all the piece and explained what it was all about and before we knew it they had Mr frosty in a ice grip (jokes) and was churning him up to created crushed ice. In the box contained a wonder of things to create frozen specials. A trio of ice cream moulds, 2 trays for ice cubes, two small plastic bowls, two little spoons that connect to Mr Frosty's arm and or course Mr Frosty himself and the tray compartment. Mr Frosty's hat also comes out to help press down on the ice that is about to be crushed.

The first time I used it I had not read the instructions which said to leave the ice cubes resulting in some very strong muscle arms whilst we kept on churning the ice. It is easy enough to use just take of Mr Frosty's Hat and pour the ice, turn the handle at the back and hey presto you have crushed ice. Hey presto add some squash and you have yourself your very own slushy perfect for a summers day.

Its perfect for all this lovely weather that we have had. The trio have been a lifesaver, I've just filled them up with watered down fruit juice and a refreshing treat on these hot days. We also used the ice moulds with fruit juice to make a different snack in the hot weather. All the little ones wanted to do was put it back in the Mr Frosty machine and crush it all. I love that it does not come with all the unhealthy syrups, this was really why my parents would not let me have it in the first place. The handle has also been made alot easier for little children to use too.

Me and the children have loved using it and can see it been an essential hot summers day product.

The toy retails at around £19.99 and is available in most toy retailers such as smyths and The Entertainer.

Find out more about Flairs range of products via there website here over at the cool create club. .

Don't for get to join in the Twitter Frenzy happening later on today from 5:30 - 6:30. Look out for the hash tag #lovemrfrosty and hosts @ukmumstv and @coolcreateclub its going to be fun. See you there later.

Have we been to busy for our kids?

I always said I liked being busy. I liked the days being filled with things to do but now I am starting to loathe being so busy. My days feel rushed and I often feel cheated. I feel like I have my finger in too many pies and a lot of things get left out. 

See we've have our busiest summer fitting in working/ volunteering at different community projects whilst fitting in our own jobs and family lives. Do not get me wrong we have loved it so much. My poor old blog got neglected as I took time to enjoy things. I sat and slouched on the sofa watching TV on my nights of. Now its all over were back to routine. The nights are pulling in, Summer feels well and truly over. Ive contemplated putting the heating on for my frozen toes its depressing. 

The kids have found it tough, they have been so busy they do not know what to do with themselves. They wander round emptying toy boxes. My eldest just wants to be in front of a screen and the babies fighting over anything and everything. I wonder did we over do it? We've seen a backlash from Ami and she's shown us some new bad behaviours. She never has been a rude child and now is on another level. They have been waking in the night sometimes for hours. Me and my husband are exhausted. Was it worth it? Im hoping this will settle down in the next few days. Questions are asked did we give the kids enough time? We were with them a lot but was it enough? Instead of staying out should we have missed it. We my heart says no but I am sometimes fat too free as a parent. 

I plan to turn the tv off, get off my phone and play with them. I always find this hard always have, I really have to force my self. Its something I always try to change. See I don't have many memories of my parents playing with me and I do not want that for my own children.  All children are different but mine do not have much interest in toys. Thinking I should ship them of to the charity shop I am sure they will then! Im lost really Ive forgotten being mum at home. Its only been a few weeks, I need to get that messy play out. Make things be creative with them. Its taken me 9 years but I am finally relaxing about paint. 

I think its just been hard going back to work normal hours, sorting school stuff out again. Our summer was great and we must not forget that. I would go through it again for a few days of being rocked about by the kids, because the memories they have made over the summer were awesome. They really are privileged kids. The summer is when they are most free and able to do things they usually can't (like drink Dr Peppa, ok that was once in desperation to try and keep the kids in the Marquee one really windy tent!!). Yes Our Summer was great. 

Heres some Photos of all the family. I was supposed to take a family shot for our last of the summer Nando's but completely forgot. So heres some random ones from the car!!

I love my little family. 

Till next Summer (Sob Sob) 

Summer at Broadstairs - Beach Folk Week

Growing up by the sea we had out traditions as children. One would be as a family we would head over to Broadstairs during Folk week on the train. For my parents it was a chance to pub crawl and for me and my sisters it was amazing, we would return to our parents and get given more cash for them to have some peace. We would love it and the day would end with a carnival. We would then have to "help" them back to the train station and on a train. We used to love it was such a fun tradition. So as I have had my children I have tried to make it to Broadstairs on the train its only 4 stops for us so not far at all. I did not go on a pub crawl safe to say. 

Me and the kids and my friend Jess and her boy Noah all set of to make it for the 11am show. Which was interesting with lots of different folk dancers and entertainment. The kids enjoyed it, I didn't because I do not like those snappy dragon things they creep me out. I got chased by one as a kid and I still stay well clear. The lady below looked a little bit like my my Mother in law with Red hair which made the kids laugh.

We headed away from the bandstand and went for a little walk to get an ice cream and let the little ones have a play on the beach. It was a lovely day not to warm but not cold. Occasional sunshine making me not feel to guilty about leaving the sun tan cream at home (bad parenting). 

We let the toddlers go for a paddle Asti being far to cool to join in. Which for them was such fun except for me and my friend Jess who found it to be stressful especially when they looked like they were heading in deeper!

The summer is so my favourite time of the year. These pictures bring me such joy it really is a beautiful place to live. I love sand and the sea, we then had to get them back up the beach which was a massive mission. Three toddlers two adults, thankfully no casulties

We followed the beach of with an ice cream and a trip to the arcades. My friend got away with only spending £2 I got conned as they wanted to spend more. My son thought he was going to win a brand new phone but after £4 later it was a fake he was so disappointed. I always get ripped of in arcades they see me coming. 

We finished our day of with a trip to a park perfect little day for all of us., Home just in time for tea. I hope they look back fondly at our days out like I did. Hopefully my little blog posts might help to. I love our little adventures and random days out. Beautiful summer holidays. 

The Summer of Adventure part 1 - 2015

Sorry my little blog I've left you unattended as of late. I hope you forgive me you faithful readers we've been away and enjoying the summer holidays (also been working too drain). I have really enjoyed life these last few weeks but have found that time is just going by far too quickly. This is some high lights from the last few weeks, sure I can knock out some posts in a few weeks time when everything doesn't feel so busy.

Our summer started of the same way it has since I wAs a child with the Minnis bay scripture Union holiday club. This is. Beach mission run by a swarm of volunteers. My own mother sent me and my sisters as children just to get a bit of free time, little did she know it was just the start of a journey for me. I volunteered to help in the toddler venue which was fun and busy. There is also the massive water fight too where lots of  children meet for a massive water fight. There must of been well over 1500 people it was crazy and overwhelming. Lots of fun too, well I say fun I hate getting wet so does son son. 

I was then back to work and had my birthday which was a bit rubbish being at work, but thankfully my colleagues made it a good day and I got to see the kids after work. My friend Jess came in and embarrassed me with a cake and a flashing crown. Im never really a lover of my birthday no since having children.

We then had a little party to celebrate Ami's 3rd birthday and make sure she can see her friends and family as we were going away that day. She loved it although wasnt instructed in opening presents more playing and making a lot of mess typical Ami. When everyone had gone we finally got all the presents and opened them whilst Son Son had a nap so he would break any of it. We packed a weeks worth of stuff and headed down to Sidcup to be part of Lark in the Park.

We had a great few days at Sidcup the kids adored it. I volunteered in the toddlers again which I finally plucked up the courage to talk to some of the people who came along. We as a family love Lark in the Park, its a safe place where my children can run around and be free. We hardly saw Asti all week, we loved being able to ge this own food and play with his friends. His highlight was being in the teen tent he love it. Ami had her face painted most days which is a new expfeience for us as she rubbed  it all over her face making me want to repaint her every few minutes. She really is growing up, I have loved seeing her sit down with all the other children and really enjoy being with the other children. Son Son is still all over the place but thankfully Ami is sensible at times.

It was Ami's actual birthday whilst we were away too, We woke her up in the morning saying its her birthday she said "No its not my birthday its Zacks" (her cousin). We had a normal day she got sung happy birthday a few times which she loved. In the evening we went out for Dinner with her cousin Zack as they share the same birthday. He is 11 years older and wanted to go to a rib shack place. As per usual Ami and Sonny ate nothing but Asti enjoyed it. The restaurant then put on this loud happy birthday and the whole restaurant clapped, was so worth it for that however red I got.

We had to leave Sidcup early for me to come back and go to work. It was very sad leaving early but the weather was good when we got back. I say that I was stuck in a hot hospital.

So thats the last two weeks briefly, I love the summer. I love Scripture Union and Lark in the Park. They make our families summers so special. Its such a blessing to get along these things no matter how tired it makes me for work. I tell you Friday I was exhausted needing countless energy drinks to get me through. Sorry if Im not posting much we are either at the beach or at work. 

Chill Factor Slushy Maker Tutti Fruity Review

We recently have been sent the Chill Factor Slushy Maker Tutti Fruity to review which my son has been after ever since he has seen the adverts. It has gone down a storm and Asti did not even mind it was pink he could not wait to try it out. I had to put it straight into the freezer so he could make one the next day. I did not believe the concept thinking it was just anther thing to buy that doesn't work but I was very impressed. Also I love that the slushy's that you make arnt filled with sugar hype like the ones you buy from the shop, you know exactly whats in it so can be healthy too.

All you do is put the cup into the freezer for 4+ hours and when its ready you pour your slushy drink into the cup. This is where the magic happens and you have to squeeze the outside of the cup to start making the slush. I was surprised the first time thinking it wouldn't work but it did. We choose a fruit juice and it was ready in less than a minute. Asti enjoyed the squeezing the most and said it tasted better than the ones you can buy in the shops. It comes in 7 parts and the solid plastic parts can go in the dishwasher meaning easy cleaning. The spoon straw was a big hit too he loved scooping and slurping. 

It was mess free and fun Asti was in his element. He wanted to make one again but had to wait till the next day. We look forward to using this in the summer months when the days are warmer. I may even pinch it for the evenings, look forward to testing what drinking would taste like as a slush. The  Chill Factor Slushy Maker Tutti Fruity which comes in 4 different colours is available at the reasonable price of £12.99. So why not get your hands on one before the summer is here, you wont be disappointed. 

Bring back the Summer

I find winter very tough, with little children more so. All I want to do is go outside and thankfully the kids share this love, but sadly the logistics of this is very different. We head I everyone is in a good mood until the toddler slips in a puddle. Wet slime all down her side she is not happy, this causes a chain reaction, the baby gets cross because he is stuck in theouchair and Asti is with his pre teen attitude "I knew we should have stayed inside". I then feel stressed and try not to turn round and say ok you want tone stuck indoors all day fine, I don't i say it's good to get fresh air. When secretly inside I a hating it my fingers are so numb from the cold. We head home I feel defeated and like a bad mum.

I am a summer person I hate all this wrapping up warm. I look ill where I have had no sun, my eyes are grey from being indoors all the time, my sun glasses are lost somewhere in hey toy box. See in the summer you can spend eh day outside if the weather is right. It doesn't take three years with he millions of coats and gloves that you have spent a fortune on over the year. I really can not wait for summer. 

Since we have move we have not even ventured into the garden sadly it's always so windy and cold. The babies claw at the windows wondering what is that outside and why is there leftover fireworks in the garden and burnt out sparklers. My days off can be spent sorting things outside and playing till tea time. Eating outside and having many picnics I really can not wait. My husband moms about moving abroad I am so up for it, somewhere where it is warm all year would suit me fine.i am not a lover of windy weather and the snow it even worse. 

There is also he cycle to work, I leave so wrapped up and as I got to the end of the road I am already hating the cycle, my fingers frozen on to the handle. My face bitterly cold, trying to avoid the massive puddles and even worse the cars that soak y in the puddles. Least in the summer the mornings are light I am not arriving at work in the dark and leaving in the dark. 

I love where we live we have lots of lovely beaches which are beautiful any time of year, we really blessed. The summer lifts the haze I get into in the winter, counting the months down now, waiting, longing for summer. 

Siblings - August

One thing I love about summer is days spent playing at the beach. Even though we live a stones throw away we still do not go as much as I would like. Also it has taken my youngest a few trips to like the sand. One day we popped to the beach on a warm afternoon and the kids (well me) made a castle. Pants made the bridges, Ami got the shells and Little bear ate alot of sand. It was a lovely time at the beach, it may have been short but the kids loved it, I loved it. Making memories and loving the seaside what could be more fun.

 

Ami was over the moon, its not very often that Pants is away from a ball game and wanting to play with her she loved it more for that reason. 

Join in with the Siblings Portrait challenge or click the badge below to see some more lovely pictures too. 

Raincoats and Wellyboots

An essential item any busy toddler needs is a raincoat and some welly boots, nothing is more exciting than jumping in a muddy puddle or playing on the beach. Never more are these items more important than in the summer, one minute its glorious sunshine the next a heavy rain pour. I can not seem to get it right at the moment either. We were privileged to be asked by House of Fraser to pick some items of clothes for the wetter weather.

 If you havent checked out House of Frasers clothes online you are missing out and with a fab range for boys and girls why not take a look. I decided to go for more nutral colours I am a bit in love with blue as you can see from the wellyboots and raincoat that we decided on. I loved the little hunter wellies and House of Friaser have a massive selection of a verity of colours it took me ages to choose, I went for Navy as it goes with anything.

The jacket is Polan O. Pyret which I ordered at age 2-4 and has plenty of growing space. Ami has only just turned 2 and even though she is large for her age I can see this lasting quite a while. Which is such a good thing I would rather pay more money for an item that is good quality and that will last. It has a detachable hood a fleece lining inside. It is very lightweight and fits nicely under a pushchair or in a rucksack. Will be a perfect addition to her new nursery attire (maybe not I like it too much for it to get ruined at nursery).  The jacket also consists of visible reflectors on both the front and back for extra safety. The coat retails at £35 which I feel is reasonable for the quality and finish of the coat.

 The Wellyboots I just need to get a matching pair, when they first came she refused to wear them. She is not a lover of shoes and often is found flinging shoes into hedges and anywhere I can not find them, but for the first time ever I caught her putting these on. I love the style of them they are so cute on chubby little toddler legs. They are made to such a high standard and finish and have an comfy orthopedic last to provide extra strength. Lots of people commented on her boots and have loved the style of them. They retail at £28 which I thought was rather well price for such a well known brand of wellies.

We have been blessed with such glorious sunshine lately its always sad to see it go. Although Ami is looking forward to heading out in the rain in her new rain gear and splashing in the puddles.

Disclaimer: We were sent the wellyboots and raincoat for the purpose of the review all pictures and writing is my own.

Little Adventures - Trip to Broadstairs

Sometimes weekdays can be the same, I take Pants to school we come home babies have a sleep we have lunch then before we know it we are back up the school. Not that I mind the school run it can be a lifesaver when I have to go out as I dont have a choice, we always feel better for the walk to school and back. So the other day Pants Nan was picking him up leaving us with the freedom to do what we wanted, just me and the little ones. We decided to go to Broadstairs as its just a few train stops away and make a little afternoon out of it, the sun was shining and it was beautifully warm so off we headed with one of my friends for a little adventure into Broadstairs.

Little bear isnt to fond of beaches there is too much sand to eat and he gets very cross. I shall keep on persevering as we love the beach. Me and Ami dug a massive hole and Ami had great fun climbing in and out, also filling it back up.

We also placed little bear in the hole who actually liked it maybe because it was a bit cooler than the warm beach. He also enjoyed standing up on the side, well untill Ami got him with sand!

Ami is recently a bit scared of water, think its a little bit too cold so she watched the sea from a distance not getting close. Little bear did not like the water either, the cool water was so refreshing on my poor hot feet!

I do love broadstairs beach it brings back fond memories of my childhood and warm summers, even though it gets busy Ami and Little bear enjoyed it. Me and my friend enjoyed some cool drinks then we went and had some chips. Was a lovely seaside day, and nice just to be with the smalls and no rush to get Pants from school. So looking forward to the school holidays and no routines, just us going on little adventures.

Add caption

took her bucket and spade, she was more impressed with a cup