GiftAlien gift box - Peppa Pig Movie night in Review

My children are massive Peppa pig fans its something that is on in our house a lot. We were recently approached to try out a box for children to have a movie night in. The lovely people at GiftAlien sent my little Peppa pig a little box full of all the goodies for a No adults allowed Peppa Pig Movie Night. The box has been on the table for a while and has sparked some interest, Ive found Ami under the table trying to prise the box open before now. Thankfully for them the time came to see what was in the green box.

Little shouts of joy came out as two little people saw that the box contained lots of Peppa Pig Goodies. The box contained enough for two children the list contained:

Peppa Pig DVD, with 10 short stories (lasting over 50 minutes)

Peppa Pig sticker set, 6 sheets of stickers (12 sheets in the 4 child box)

Peppa Pig poster art painting kits (one for each child)

Peppa Pig paper drinking cups (one for each child)

Kiddlicious, strawberry fruit wriggles (one for each child)

Organix oath bars (one for each child)

Robinsons Hydro Sprint water bottles (one for each child)

4 Peppa Pig balloons

GiftAlien movie ticket stubs (one for each child)

I brought the outside picnic bench and placed it in front of the TV so they could sit and watch Peppa. I also gave them there tickets and made them queue up as if they were at the cinema, although Ami actually thought she was going to the cinema. They were most excited about the painting and the balloons. They sat for a good 30 mins whilst I put Peppa on in the background and happily painted. I was actually rather impressed with the results. When they finished they moved onto the snacks and drinks, which all contained healthy snacks unlike when we go to the cinema and its all popcorn and chocolate.

Ami said "This is the best time ever" I think mainly because they are not allowed to paint in the front room and it made it that little bit extra special that they did. Personally I thought the idea was really cute and enjoyed seeing them so excited about what was in the box. Was defiantly a win with these two at ages 2 and 3. Obviously we didn't do the painting at night time and I didn't leave them on there own as they are only young (and the fact that they destroyed the carpet with there paint before now hence the paint in the kitchen only rule was evoked).

We loved this GiftAlien Box perfect for friend coming over, siblings to enjoy or even a special date with your child. It brings something a bit different and fun and would make a special birthday present for a child. This box mentioned about retails at £19.99 and includes free delivery which I personally think is a total bargain. I liked the extra features such as the admit one entry ticket.

Was defiantly a win at our house, GiftAlien also do other NO parents allowed Movie night in boxes and they range from Frozen, Minions and Disney Princesses. Looking forward to trying out another one some day we loved it that much.

Also as a social treat for my lovely readers here's a 10% off code for my readers with the code MLB10 

Do's and Dont's of bedtime for toddlers

Toddlers are the most strange funny creatures of this world. There ability to go from happy to psycho is somewhat impressive. I don't know how hilarious.... Borderline crazy other toddlers may be but this is based on my children (some may be exaggerated to some degree).

Do make sure you read a nice selection of stories, they say reading at bedtime is good for them. 

Don't forget to set a limit other wise you will be reading aaaallllll night. 

Do make sure there is some choice in bedtime stories

Don't forget to hide the books that are irritating or that you may have read for the last year EVERYNIGHT. Not Pip and posy again!

Do make sure they go to toilet before bed.

Don't think that they won't be at your bedside at 4am regardless needing a wee.

Do pander to the requests sometimes just to get them to go to bed, so you can look at photos of them and miss them whilet they are asleep.

Don't for the sake of all humanity turn out the hallway light. You will never hear the end of it.

Do make sure you place them back into there bed calmly if they continue to keep on getting out of bed.

Don't stand outside the bedroom playing sirens saying naughty policeman will come if you don't go to sleep, trust me it doesn't work. 

Do make sure that a you give a nice cuddle before bed. 

Do not under any circumstances forget otherwise it will be tears until dawn. "You didn't give me a big cuddle at bed time I can't sleep now ever".

Do purchase a gro clock for helping them know when to get up. 

Don't expect it to work or in my toddlers case learn how to change it themselves. She gets up when she wants to regardless of the clock. 

Do grab all special teddies way before bedtime. 

Don't forget that sodding unicorn who five minutes to bedtime I swear leaves the house because he can never be found. Leaving you with a distraught toddler. Blooming selfish unicorn.

Do check on them in the night to make sure they are warm enough.

Don't forget to use the skills you learnt with a newborn for ninja stealth mode, you will have endless questions if you wake them.

Do encourage a settling down period before bedtime to ensure a swift bedtime. 

Don't expect your husband to abide as he hypes the children with dance music and biscuits. 

Do celebrate if your child goes to bed without fuss.
Don't do what I did and watch a comedy resulting in me laughing, resulting in what I call the toddler peep. the toddler peep is where you see something out of the corner of your eyes and too your surprise its a quite toddler wide eyed just staring at you, often found at 4am.

Do praise the nights when they go to bed well.
Don't forget  lollypop in the morning is not ever a good idea, believe me sugar high at 7am is NEVER fun. 




Do remember how ever hard bedtime is you may get a little free time and spend it looking at photos/ videos of your child remembering theres at least another 24 hours till you have to do  it again....

Adventures on Windy Days

When you are an outdoors person there is nothing worse than being indoors all day long. I love to be outside, I find that it helps to ground me, get me away from the monotony of the same old washing routine. Some days I need to get out, feel the fresh air on my face and forget about the pile of washing up in the sink, the million stains on the carpet and have a bit of fun with the little ones. The toddlers enjoy being outside, they play nicely and generally like to be outside.

We did our usual lets walk to the beach with the spades trip, which always involves it being high tide and the toddlers cross because the tide is in. It was so windy the tide was right on the prom, they were both afraid to get too close and stuck by the walls. This concluded our time at the beach so off we went looking for something to fill a bit of time before walking back home. It was sunny but with gusts of 50 MPH it was cold. We ended up in a shelter where it was warm at least, we stayed there for a bit before bracing the cold walk home. Made me realise I must go out more, no matter how cold. Everyone loved it, everyone was in a better mood for it. Just need to put on our 600 layers and just get on with it.

Check out the photo's I captured whilst out, yes I actually had the big camera with me too.

The Do's and Dont's of going to the park (with kids)

I added that (with kids) in the tittle because as I wrote it I thought maybe someone maybe click it hoping of some creepy tips for going to the park. Sorry if you are sadly this post is hoping to raise a laugh and share a bit of humour in the mundane things we parents have to put up with. For me I don't mind the park on a sunny day but I loathe it in the winter. I suppose I should say the kids love it so therefore I do too... but we all know thats not true. So here I am kicking off a list because we all love lists.

DO dress appropriately for the park.

DONT put your children in good clothes or even shoes because they will get ruined, well my kids enjoy destroying clothes.


DO take pictures of the kids at the park.

DONT instagram the photo straight away and forget the child to find them really high up dangling off the slide or worse in someones handbag (that's never happened..)

Typical Swing pic!

DO take food children are always hungry when active.

DONT take food because you will be a target for seagulls and dogs! Believe me Ive been nipped in the finger before from a hungry seagull after my pastry. The git.

DO encourage your child to break new boundaries by climbing up the high slide.

DON'T be browsing face box or instagram and not notice that first achievement (sorry kids).

One of the many slide pictures I have obtained over the years. 

DO take friends along with you.

DON'T think you will get time to chat to them as your child is the one out the gate every two minutes.


DO remember the park is a good place to make friends.

DONT talk to anyone the park if they are there without children or dogs, or sometimes don't talk to anyone that is my motto. Some how they always find me and tell me there problems. Once I had someone ask if they could follow me in which I did decline the offer.

DO take a magazine and read it smugly from the bench.

DONT take a magazine if you have a toddler as they will never let you read it. Or do what my children do and as soon as you open it they need a wee, a drink, some food or they are tired. Sometimes all at once please kids give me some peace.

DO take plenty of photos especially of slides people love them.

DONT forget that the kids are there to enjoy themselves not to pose at every angle, move for the best lighting and have a massive smile.

DO tell them not to climb up the slide it delays the other kids and you will get evils from the other parents.

DONT forget that its a great achievement to climb up that massive slide, it takes a lot of skill and fearlessness to get up there, no matter how much the Old grannie wants to report you to social services.


DO take some toys depending on the length of the park stay at the park.

DONT expect your child to cry when some big kid has stolen there Buzz and won't give it back. Leaving you to try and communicate with Facebook mum, oye love watch your kids.


DO wear wellies and old clothes that you do not mind them wrecking.

DONT let the kids wear the new clothes you got them, yes the park is a nice setting to show of those new zara leggings but what you don't know is that they hate those tee pee leggings and want to cover the knees with mud!!



DO make sure they play with there siblings.

DONT encourage them ganging up on other kids, an example of this a child pushes one off your children then the other who could have been fighting with the sibling moments before will stick uo for that other said sibling as if they have been tight for years. Advice to other kids do not mess with toddler siblings at the park you will NEVER win.


DO watch out for rubbish at the park.

DONT forget that sometimes youth/ people/ animals use the park in the night so unless you want your toddler eating cigarette stubs and swinging the dregs of white lightning be vigilant.

DO dress appropriately regarding the weather, there is nothing worse than standing freezing cold at the park, or the opposite boiling hot. Ive risked the unshaven arm pit shame on more than one occasion.

DONT forget the children, those other parents beady eyes will be on you quicker than the kids on the ice cream man if your kids is wearing no shoes, or no hats on a sunny day. Not that we are too fussed we once went to the park and my son had odd shoes and girls leggings. Oh dear.


SO here we are a little list of advice for going to the park. If you have anything you would like to add feel free or even some funny stories Please share I love writing these posts they make me laugh so so much.

The Do's and Dont's of going to the Beach with toddlers

Going to the beach can be a lot of fun especially with toddlers. They love the free space to run around and let of some energy. There is also a lot of risk that comes with going to the beach so here is my list of Do's and Dont's for going to the beach.

DO play in the sand make sand castles.

DONT let your children eat sand and then get gastroentritus and you end up in A&E covered in toddler sick and poop (true story, of course I wouldn't go to A&E now that was many years ago)

DO paddle and play in the water.

DONT take lots of photos and then your toddler falls and you end up dropping your phone in the water. Doh

DO get a ice cream, they are mainly what going to the beach is about right.

DONT drop it you wally!!! Oh wait my toddlers do this EVERY TIME. Then cry meaning you have to pay £500 for another ice cream, why arnt they 99p anymore?

DO cover the children in sun tan cream on sunny days.

DONT forget it meaning buying a really expensive cream from the beach shop or worse trying to keep them in the shade aka going home. There is a lot of shame for the parent who hasn't covered there kids with cream (I am actually one of those mums who forgets it on the reg doh).

DO take towels or a blanket to sit on

DONT forget to bring them as you may get a wet bum on the sand, you don't want to walk round looking like you have wet yourself.

DO take some food for the toddlers otherwise they will demand Ice creams every two minutes.

DONT forget the sand and it ends up in your sandwich nothing like a ham and sand sarnie .. GRIM

DO take your shoes of on the sand.

DONT forget flip flops when rock pooling as a cut from a shell is as bad as child birth and nearly as much blood (ok thats a massive exaggeration but you get my drift).

DO take spades it nice to dig in the sand.

DONT take spades as the toddlers will bash everyone and everything with them.

DO take swimming stuff in case you fancy a dip in the water.

DONT go in the water its freezing.

DO buy some chips or anything unhealthy.

DONT let the seagulls see you will be there victim in less than 60 seconds.

DO take all crabbing gear.

DONT get all cocky and try and pick up a red eater crab, it will end with you backed up against the wall  whilst it tries to get you with its claws (been there not fun).

DO make sure you empty your shoes before leaving the beach.

DONT forget otherwise you get home and your carpet will be covered and you will be finding it for days.

DO make a safe area where you can see the toddlers at all times.

DONT sit to near other people or your toddlers may help them selves to the other peoples food and drink, its very embarrassing.

DO go for a paddle in the water.

DONT let your child go for a paddle then they get soaking wet and cry because there clothes are wet!

 So here is my tips - be prepared and have fun. Or as much fun as you can have chasing toddlers!

Toddler High Street Fashion - Holiday Edition

I love children's clothes and much often would rather clothes for the kids love me any day. I also love it when I find a good bargain especially as my little monkeys are not the cleanest of children, another reason my hubby would tell me off big time if I spent too much. So with that I spend ages looking for clothes and love to find lasting items. Especially good quality clothes that will last a long time. So here is my little holiday fashion for toddlers.

Festival Babe

I brought this little dress for £2.99 from H&M and what good value. It has cute watermelons on with smily faces. Looks like it should have cost more than £3. Ami chose the wellies too it was a sunny day but would look great at a festival. 

Son Son the dude

I love boys clothes and you can not beat a good T shirt short combo. I brought this little T-shirt that says Daddy is my superhero, I loved it so much I got a bigger one for Ami so it can also be passed down in a few years too. 

Beach Chick

A very popular T-shirt this one, seen a lot of other children on instagram with the same t-shirt on. I love it who doesn't love cameras. She also chose her shorts too which were a right bargain at £3.00 for two pairs, perfect to stick in the bag when at the beach.

Short Love

A sad fact I love these shorts, I buy the two pack every year and have done for the last 8 years. They go with everything and last well, if you get them big enough they will last 2 summers. Also Can not beat a good polo shirt. 

So heres a few little outfits my little toddlers have been wearing lately. They are more fashionable than me!

Days at the beach - Margate

There is one thing I love and that is going to the beach. I love the smells (even on seaweedy days), I love the salty air, I love the sense of freedom at the beach. You see I grew up on the beach (not literally) we lived a stones throw away from Minnis Bay beach and as a result we were forced there every day. All the seasons I have plenty of memories of the beach. I am never a lover of the beach in the winter though as when we were children those icy dog walks along the prom were horrific! 

With my love of the beach I have been trying to show my children the joy they can have. It's taken many years and sometimes Asti lives the beach but if he has nobody to play with often will moan. We had to take him to football practice so he was a little pleased to miss out. Ami and son son they adore the beach. As soon as they see any beach they are excited. So the other day I needed to kill a few hours it was a sunny day so I decided to head to Margate beach. I was surprised to see people in small bakinis when I was still wrapping my cardie round myself. It was busy and getting warm. After a about 3 seconds ami started to throw the sand at sonny and it didn't stop the whole time we were there .

The tide was right out and Ami and Sonny walked some of the way before both of them protesting to be carried. Meaning I had to take it in turns whilst the other protests to carried. Then son son saw a seagul and off he went trying to chase it. Ami didn't go near she is scared of most animals, I really don't know why she's so scared if an animal comes near she always says don't eat me.

We had some lunch and played some bubbles it really was a lovely way to spend a few hours on the beach. I promised them an ice lolly and brought them both a mini milk for a mighty cost of 95p each!!! Wowsers! We did have to leave the beach as son son kept on trying to escape of the beach and run towards the road the little monkey.

A beautiful afternoon if you ignore the endless sand throwing especially in my lunch and the many rescue attempts to save a fearless 18 month year old! I did not mind really I love to be on the beach I can put up with getting home and it sit being on my clothes, must have looked a right state when I popped into co op for some milk with sand on my face and the kids too. Sign of a good day to me! 

How to survive train journeys with toddlers

Ok I am not saying I am some kind of expert on train journeys but the other day I managed to travel across London catching 6 trains and still living to tell the tale. Often you may find the idea is a lot worse than the actual journey and you end up enjoying it. So here is some of my advice when travelling on a train.

1 - First thing to do is to make sure you find either a table or somewhere that has a bit of space for the kids to be free. I found tables to be good as I can sit in front of the toddler to stop them escaping and running up and down the isles.

2 - pack food or be prepared to buy food before getting on every train. Food like crisps and raisins that take time to eat are a good idea. I prepare a massive bag of treats just to make sure if they get restless I can give them something to eat. Also drinks drinks drinks, if your toddler is like both of mine they drink for England and always want a drink. Strong shoulders are a must if you do not have a pushchair. 

3 - make sure you take a stroller, I once made the mistake of going to britmums conference with just a baby in a sling?? What was I thinking. All those different tubes and trains my shoulders ached least with the pushchair if they have a sleep you can put them in it. Although I didn't take a pushchair with ,y 2 year old just packed some reigns, is then backfired when she fell asleep on the tube. People are usually happy to help if they see you struggling up the stairs or on a train. 

4 - colouring and sticking are a good time waster. My toddlers spend the time sticking them to them selves and the table and ignoring the colouring. I always take crayola as I know they wash off well if they go on clothes or face. 

5 - as back up I packed my iPad where I downloaded lots of programs they like in order to calm them down when they got a bit hyper. This worked when they didn't fight over the iPad and who got to hold it.

6 - remember lots of little games such as I spy or look out the window at the bird. These are usually last minute games to help those times where you are desperate. 

7 - don't worry about packing anything for you, if your lucky you may get a child that naps but most the time you will be trying to keep a child entertained and wondering why oh why did I do this 

So I hope some of these tips have helped, I'm no expert just a mum that likes to have adventures how ever crazy they are.

Indoor activities for toddlers

 I often feel guilty staying indoors and not going out with the babies. I myself actually like going out bit all off a sudden find it really hard to find motivation to go out. Maybe since working alot more and moving to a new place its harder to get anywhere than before. I am beginning to not feel bad and embrace it. We at home have been doing some little things indoors and now the weather is getting colder its time to start to stay warm indoors. Here is some things we have been up to lately.

Making a tent and reading
Ok may sound like a simple thing but we made a tent in the week and me and Ami spent ages reading, she put all her blankets in there and her little stuffed animals. She very much enjoyed making a little house and then she read to her animals which was super cute.

Mess Free Painting

Yes you heard me mess free!!! There was no approns needed, no washing of hand and no paint on the floor. We filled up some plastic wallets with paint and stuck them to the windows to and Ami and Little bear enjoyed moving the paints around. It worked better with our gel like paint. Was good sensory activity too feeling the textures and mixing the colours. 

Actual painting

We collected some leaves and pine cones on the way home from the school run which we painted later that day. Ami enjoyed getting paint everywhere including her hair and my hair. A little autumn craft for the little ones and big ones too, my eight year old enjoyed going o his bike to collect more leaves as Ami painted hers rather quickly. 

With half term now upon us we shall try to get out but not beat ourselves up if were not dressed by teatime! Blame the cold weather or something like that just try to keep the tv of and let the kids just play. 

THIS MONTH - Monthy baby/ child update Linky comming soon

If you are anything Like me you may love to write a monthly update or even an annual update for your child. I Love to write and also read other peoples its great to see how much babies can change in a month. So for that reason I have decided to start a monthly Linky where you can post your babies and childrens updates and maybe you may find other mums with babies the same age. 

This linky will last for a month maybe more if its popular and I will do my best to share your posts on social media outlets and feel free to spread the word. 

Also remember all babies and toddlers do things at different ages all special and unique

So why not have a go, and link up your posts I can not wait to read them. 

Siblings - July

Being a parent is the biggest gift in life. One day I will sit my son down and tell him how much he helped me be who I am today. He filled me with so much love that I just wanted better for us. He helped me meet my husband and is the best big brother to his little brother and sister.

They both adore him and the main part of Ami's day is getting Pants from school. The other day he slept next to her cot, she was so excited he was there I could hear he squealing at 6am the other morning.We wondered how much being an only child for nearly 6 years would effect him, but actually he flourished and really loved the two little ones.

For this month's Siblings photo challenge we attempted to go to the beach.

Being July we thought it would be ok but we seemed to get the only day in July where the wind was so strong it was blowing a storm on the beach. As you can see from some photos how windswept the kids all look. We ended up giving up on that plan and just played on the banks by the beach. Ami and Pants climbing whilst Little bear tried to crawl. We love our little beach its so close we do not go there enough sometimes. 

Ami just loves everyone she asks where her brothers are and get so concerned when one of them is missing. She hates to be parted from either of them and will be well looked after when older. When Ami was a baby she would  only laugh at Pants, he was the funniest thing ever and he still is to her. I can not wait to see this become more as she gets older and Little bear too. I am so so blessed with my three. 

We have joined in with the awesome Siblings project find out more and how you can join in by clicking on picture below.

Days at the seaside

Now my son is older he would much rather go to the park to play football rather than go to the beach. Much to my disappointment but there are a rare few times when I have managed to get him to the beach and avoid the boring old park (and believe me it is boring when you spend 5+ hours there a week!!). We live very close to the beach and the although with alot of moaning he does enjoy it. 

My toddler Ami also enjoys it, although the sea was a little cold she enjoyed building sand castles and then breaking them. Its funny to see how different she is to her brother at a similar age, I can see her decorating the castles with shells where her brother had to be restrained from other peoples sand masterpieces. Pants enjoyed swimming the tide was right out so he had to go way too far out to get to his waist, and still push the boundaries and go deeper. He had swimming lessons but I wouldn't call him a strong swimmer. So I had to stand on the edge of the water shouting him to come closer good fun, gave me a sore throat. 

On return from the sea he found a abandoned starfish in which he insisted of torturing saving. He held it to get a bucket ( the sea was alot closer) then keep it in the bucket to show his friend. The tide was so far out he didn't want to return it (he did eventually after a stern word from me). Little Bear also enjoyed a bit of the beach being only 6 months the sand is too much temptation. He was so cross he couldn't eat the sand he fell asleep covered in sand and very cross. I took that time to try and play bat and ball with a 22 month old, she wasn't to bad she has really got hand eye coordination. 

It was a lovely late afternoon at the beach, one I hope to repeat alot this summer. We walked home bare foot taking in as much as we can. Pants playing on the bank trying to stay out longer, Ami trying her hardest to get out the pushchair and little bear crying because he was covered in sand/ hungry/ teething or generally whatever these babies cry about. Then we get home sand is everywhere but the kids are all tired and happy, good end to the day if you ask me.

Camping with a baby and a toddler!! Am I Crazy?

So this weekend we are going camping at a festival called big church day out, Little Bear is 6 months Ami is 21 months oh and Asti who is 7. I don't know if I am mad or an adventurer. Its only for two nights and the forecast is rain but hey ho better than being at home on my own whilst my husband is away. So here I am thinking is this a good idea? See I am very much an adventurer and like to go with the flow of things, do things then think about what it will mean later. I try to think about it but I don't know, I don't know what I am doing most the time! I need to get my head around what to take, how much is too much. I always under pack! Its just for two nights.

I know Pants will be fine he will explore but its the tantruming toddler and a busy husband. I think she will be on the move alot no chance of sitting still for the weekend. My husband is busy volunteering at the event along with some of our friends so may get a bit of rest sometimes. Look out for a post next week from either a stressed out mum or a happy after a little break mum!

Here is list of stuff I am taking please help me!

• air beds (dont want to sleep on the gound)
• Clothes X 1 million due to being outside bound to get dirty 
• Nappies size 3 + 5 (Deffo need these)
• Food ( nothing worse than hungry children)
• blankets (lots of them) 
• Milk 
• Toys and balls ( stuff to keep kids entertained when they wake at sunlight!) 
• Reigns (dont want to loose toddler)
• Sling/ Wrap ( same as above)
• pushchair (although unsure how much I want to drag a double pushchair around with me)
• Rain clothes (foretasted rain some days) 
• wash stuff (to try and stay clean) 

So my little list let me know if there is anything you think I need? Maybe a holiday somewhere hot? That would be nice!