Category / Feature

by jo

Annie – Coming to a Cinema near you SOON!

Since I can remember I’ve loved musicals. My favourite film is The Sound of Music, and throughout the seventies and eighties many musicals became a part of my life. In 1982 the first Annie film was made, a film I was almost quite obsessed with, despite the difference to the stage play. In 2014 a new version of Annie hits cinemas, in fact, previews start next weekend (December 19th), and they’ve modernised it.

Annie Logo

Annie, the film with the curly haired little orphaned redhead has been updated. I really wanted to hate it – I generally do when this kind of thing happens – I’m not a fan of change. But then I saw the first trailer. Then the second. The third. I held my hands up – I surrender, from these impressions it looks like they’ve done a brilliant job, even with Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz) talking about Facebook, and them having to change the lyrics of some songs (fair enough).

Emma Thompson is involved! Just with the modernising, mind. Y’see, Annie is quite different. Everything is different. But if you’re going to do different, do it well.

The cast are –
Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks (the man we knew as Daddy Warbucks)
Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie
Rose Byrne as Grace
Bobby Cannavale as Guy
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Nash
David Zayas as Lou
Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan

Here’s the press release :

A Broadway classic that has delighted audiences for generations comes to the big screen with a new, contemporary vision in Columbia Pictures’ comedy, Annie. Director/Producer/Screenwriter Will Gluck teams with producers James Lassiter, Will Gluck, Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith, Caleeb Pinkett, Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, Laurence “Jay” Brown, Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith with a modern telling that captures the magic of the classic characters and original show that won seven Tony Awards. Celia Costas and Alicia Emmrich serve as Executive Producers. The screenplay is by Will Gluck and Aline Brosh McKenna, based on the musical stage play “Annie,” book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and on “Little Orphan Annie,” © and ® Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) – advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) – makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he’s her guardian angel, but Annie’s self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it’s the other way around.

All being well we’ll be watching Annie next weekend, with a review to follow! The updated soundtrack is released on Monday – we have it preordered, but I’m waiting until Christmas Day before H gets it! (affiliate link)

by jo

Christmas at Kew

Every year we try to do something a bit different for Christmas. While H still believes, it’s about finding good Father Christmases, but as she gets older it’s also about finding things for us parents too – so this year we bought tickets for Christmas at Kew.

Christmas at Kew

Christmas at Kew lives within Kew Gardens, a place we’ve only been once before (which is shameful!) – we knew there would be plenty of walking and it would be a cold night, so wrapped up warm to make the drive.

I have to say, Christmas at Kew isn’t well signposted from the Mortlake direction. I know, I know, you should know where Kew Gardens are, and we did – we just missed the turning to had to do a u-turn on the bridge. Once parked there was plenty of space (we booked in for 6.30) and we were in the grounds quickly, heading for the lit-up pathway which takes you around the park.

My memories of Kew got muddled with a few other places (like Wisley) but the trail was easy enough to follow – we headed straight for food and bought calzone pizza at £5.50 each – take plenty of cash with you! There were hot drinks stalls and snack (biscuits, marshmallows, doughnuts) stands around the gardens, but we stuck to the drinks.

Christmas at Kew

Father Christmas was a bit of a walk, and once we were there, there was quite a long queue. They do allow everyone in groups of 20 so be prepared to wait (we had 10-15 minutes) in the cold – it was about three degrees! Once we were inside, a Christmas Elf kept us entertained until it was our turn to go in. Father Christmas handed all the children a well wrapped book (one we don’t have), and while there was no individual photo opportunity, it was still fantastic. Coming out of the Grotto, you’re right by the butterflies – ohhh the warmth! You just turn up to Father Christmas and it costs £4.

Aside from that, alot of Christmas at Kew is walking around the grounds – things you would recognise in daylight look different in the dark, which made it enjoyable for all of us. H got to say a Christmas wish into a lantern, which you could pay £2.50 to keep, or it could be lit and put on the wishing tree for free. We went for the latter, mainly as we were rushing to Santa’s Grotto (which was in the Princess of Wales conservatory)!

The Palm House had a great light, fire and music display, while the lake at the front had a nice music and water fountain display – cue lots of “wowwwwww!!!”s From H – she loved it.

Seeing the grounds all lit up, and having a funfair was a great idea too. H went on the Helter Skelter and Carousel – both were £2 with the Helter Skelter price including Shaun to accompany her and slide down. There were lots of food choices, though less vegetarian options other than inside the main cafe.

Christmas at Kew

We left, pretty cold but happy. We had a wonderful time and if you’re reading this and are set to go, the main advice I can offer is – wrap up warm, and take enough cash with you! You do keep moving around but there aren’t that many warm places other than indoors. H loved Santa and I was impressed with how they did it – each child got a gift and had a huge smile on their face. I could smell the mulled wine (hurrah! My sense of smell must be returning!) and enjoyed a hot chocolate while walking around.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

by jo

Polesdenopoly – post-christmas frivolity for all the family

Families who love board games and a good walk during the Christmas holidays can combine the two at Polesden Lacey. Polesden are launching ‘Polesdenopoly’, a life-sized take on an old classic game!

Polesdenopoly

From Boxing Day onwards, players can make their way through the gardens and estate, attempting to become millionaires by completing fun challenges to earn Polesden pounds when playing Polesdenopoly. Players should elect the bossiest person as banker and cheating is widely encouraged, but only when the banker isn’t looking. To play you must bid to snap up your favourite Polesden beauty spots and the person with the most property at the end wins the game and a delicious prize. Yum!

Lauren Milsom, Polesden Lacey’s events officer, explained:
“Christmas is that time when family and friends come together and play corny old board games after the Christmas pudding has been served. We wanted to offer something to prolong that festive cheer. Polesdenopoly is good old frivolous fun, it’s a good excuse to be silly together.”

One of the challenges, entitled ‘Become a comedi-hen’, asks players to perform a chicken-themed one minute long stand-up routine for their fellow players. Just in case you haven’t had enough of bad cracker jokes by then, suggested gags include ‘What’s a chicken’s favourite book?’, answer: Great Egg-spectations (by Charles Chickens).

Polesdenopoly is launched at Polesden Lacey on Boxing Day and runs until Sunday 4th January. Suitable for children aged 7 – 75. Normal admission prices apply plus £5 per group of players (maximum 5 players to a group).

Polesdenopoly

by jo

Blue Peter Book Awards 2015 Shortlist Announced

A comic strip with facts, beautifully illustrated fiction and non-fiction, gripping stories and funny books are all on the shortlist for the Blue Peter Book Awards

Blue Peter Book Awards

One of the nicest things about H getting older is introducing her to things I enjoyed when I was five – Blue Peter being one of them. We make a point of watching it together and it has become a regular part of our week. H is doing amazingly well with her reading at school and tends to prefer paperback books these days, so I knew the Blue Peter Book Awards would be something she’d be interested in. Now in its 15th year, the shortlist has just been announced!

Award-winning author and illustrator Chris Riddell’s latest book on the adventures of Goth Girl is among six children’s books shortlisted for the prestigious Blue Peter Book Awards 2015.

For the first time, a book using comic strips to tell real-life stories is also nominated for an award.

The Blue Peter Book Awards, which are celebrating their 15th year, are special as they ask children to read the shortlisted books and then vote for the two winners.

The shortlist was announced live on today’s (Thursday December 4th) Blue Peter by Michael Morpurgo, author of more than 120 children’s books, including War Horse, and President of the reading charity Booktrust, which manages the Blue Peter Book Awards.

Morpurgo was also presented with the CBBC show’s highest accolade, the gold Blue Peter badge, for inspiring millions of children with his books.

Chris Riddell’s Goth Girl and the Fete Worse Than Death is vying for the Best Story Award along with Boy in the Tower by primary school teacher Polly Ho-Yen and The Spy Who Loved School Dinners written by Pamela Butchart and illustrated by Thomas Flintham.

Adam Murphy’s Corpse Talk, which uses comic strips to tell the stories of scientists, writers, sovereigns and rebels from history, is competing for the Best Book with Facts with Animalium written by Jenny Broom and illustrated by Katie Scott, and The Silly Book of Side-Splitting Stuff written by Andy Seed and illustrated by Scott Garrett.

 The four judges – Liz Pichon, Michael de Souza, Anna James and Ewan Vinnicombe – highlighted the quality of illustrations used in many of this year’s shortlisted books, as well as the brilliant stories and imaginations of the authors.

 Liz Pichon, author of the Tom Gates series, and winner of the Blue Peter Book Awards Best Story 2013, said: ‘We have a brilliant selection, something for everyone. There’s beautifully illustrated fiction, gripping stories, funny books and the FIRST comic strip style book with facts which is fantastic.

‘We keep hearing that kids don’t read anymore, but if you get the right books in front of them they really will – I’ve seen it!

‘The Blue Peter Awards are a fantastic way of showcasing even more great books.’

Michael de Souza, co-creator of Rastamouse said: ‘We have a great selection of original stories as well as a book using comic strips, which is very different.

‘Books open up a new world for children. If we want to encourage children to read, we need to give them great stories, great illustrations and something they can relate to.’

Blue Peter Editor Ewan Vinnicombe, who was the non-voting Chair of the judging panel, said: ‘In our 15th year of the Blue Peter Book Awards I’m really excited with the judges’ shortlist. There is such a good range of titles in the mix and I can’t wait to find out on World Book Day when the winners are revealed – live on Blue Peter.

‘It was great that we could honour Michael Morpurgo with a Blue Peter gold badge. His stories have inspired so many children over so many years to read and love books.’

Approximately 200 children from 10 schools across the UK will read the shortlisted books and vote for their favourites in each category. The two winning books will be announced on the Blue Peter programme scheduled for World Book Day on 5 March 2015.

The enormously popular Blue Peter Book Awards, which are managed by Booktrust, celebrate the best authors, most creative illustrators and the greatest reads for children.

Blue Peter Book Awards 2015 Shortlist

The shortlist:

Best Book with Facts

  • Animalium written by Jenny Broom and illustrated by Katie Scott (Big Picture Press)
  • Corpse Talk: Season 1 by Adam Murphy (David Fickling Books)
  • The Silly Book of Side-Splitting Stuff written by Andy Seed and illustrated by Scott Garrett (Bloomsbury)

 Best Story

  • Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen (Doubleday Children’s)
  • Goth Girl and the Fete Worse Than Death by Chris Riddell (Macmillan Children’s Books)
  • The Spy Who Loved School Dinners written by Pamela Butchart and illustrated by Thomas Flintham (Nosy Crow)

 The judges for this year’s Awards are:

    • Michael de Souza – Co-creator of the Rastamouse book series and co-founder of Little Roots Ltd.
    • Anna James – Editor, We Love This Book and Media Editor, The Bookseller, and former school librarian
    • Liz Pichon – author of the Tom Gates series, and winner of the Blue Peter Book Awards Best Story 2013
    • Ewan Vinnicombe (non-voting chair) – Editor, Blue Peter and Head of Presentation for CBeebies and CBBC

Booktrust Inspire logo

by jo

Samsung Galaxy S5 Teddy Bear Tea Party

So as I previously mentioned, we were sent a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone to try out – just for a couple of weeks, mind. It was long enough to help me make up my mind about what I’m going to do when my current contract runs out – I’m switching to Three, and I’ll also be getting the Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini (I like a phone that fits in my pocket!).

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

So it was a breezy Saturday in November when H and I got on the train and made our way to Oxford Street – an easy journey from here, thankfully. This was also a perfect opportunity to take as many pictures on the phone as I could before I had to hand it back!

We were invited to a Teddy Bear Picnic at Build a Bear, Hamleys – and despite us living in London, I don’t get into the West End that often, so for H this was a whole new experience (despite the fact she has been there before – she just has no recollection). Build A Bear, however, she’s been to several times! We met up with the other bloggers and the lovely ladies from the PR company, who took us upstairs – where the children were encouraged to be as noisy as they possibly could thanks to our fabulous party leader. H was a bit shy until she saw the ‘bear’ she’d decided she wanted – Olaf from Frozen. I got the chance to play around with the filters on the camera in the process which kept me happy!

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

Oh, and to add to this, Olaf has ‘In Summer’ embedded onto a disc and placed in his paw from the ‘Pick A Sound’ booth. We were assured it wasn’t too loud, something I put to the test on the train on the way home, where the entire carriage wondered what on earth was going on, while I tried to smother Olaf to muffle the noise.. oops! Let’s just say, we know when H is awake if she happens to press Olaf’s foot… she makes sure we do.

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

Finally, the children were all given hearts which would live inside the bear, and given various things to do to make sure the heart will keep a happy bear – or indeed, rubbing it on your knees so you can run faster.

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

I can’t remember what they were doing here, other than rubbing it on their nose!

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

The children all started to forget us adults were there (which was kind of nice, I could stand back, take photos and watch her enjoying herself) and played a few games – including ‘Dress the Reindeer’ – where they were encouraged to get whatever they wanted from the racks to dress up two Build a Bear Reindeers – they missed a trick here, surely? There should be a Sven!!!

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

Anyway, the kids looked to be having a brilliant time, and us adults were all laughing along too, despite it being the middle of the day in Hamleys on a Saturday so pretty rammed!

I liked using the S5 for indoor photography – often I’ve found that pictures can be grainy, but I found the ones taken were really clear. My Picasa album has lots of pictures in there, with a selection in here.

H was happy to have another Frozen themed bear to add to her collection – the two she got when she was at holiday club have Elsa and Anna dresses as well.

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

After Hamleys, we jumped into black cabs and headed to Scoff and Banter in Covent Garden for afternoon tea. I have a confession – I have never had afternoon tea, ever. I had no idea what to expect. So when this arrived and I was told this was my vegetarian selection, I had to work out where to start!! It was delicious – and I couldn’t finish it.

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

Luckily as one blogger had to leave early there was room for Shaun too who had come into Central London to meet us! Scoff and Banter was lovely, H really enjoyed the food, and LOVED the milkshakes – she polished off a strawberry and a chocolate one pretty quickly!

From Samsung Galaxy S5 test

We chatted, ate, take photos and tried to convince Elly that I hadn’t laden down the S5 box with scones, and there really was a phone in there… Just kidding! Before long it was time to say our farewells, the phone and I. I gently wiped it clear of all my photos and fingerprints and sadly handed it back. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is a very lovely phone!

In fact, the biggest downer was walking through Covent Garden afterwards, and taking photos of the Christmas decorations, knowing that the pictures would have been so much better with the S5. We headed to the Tower of London to see the poppies afterwards, and I had to switch to using my camera – I do wonder how the S5 would have fared.

All in all, it was a brilliant day, and we had a wonderful time. I loved trying out the Samsung Galaxy S5, and found it easy to use (I have an S3 Mini at the moment) once I’d worked out how to get Swype going. Three as a network are definitely better signal-wise than my current provider – and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to try the phone and network to help make my mind up.

We were sent a Samsung Galaxy S5 to try and take photos at the event, as well as a bear from Build A Bear (or rather, a HAPPY Snowman!), and food afterwards – thank you Three & Samsung! 

by jo

Stage 2 ASA Swimming Award r Us!

H has had swimming lessons since she was a baby. She has been awarded various badges in the last four and a half years, starting from the Duckling Award scheme ; she has Duckling 1-5, as well as Stage 1. Tonight H got her certificate for Stage 2, which also means moving up to the Yellow Hat classes, into the big pool for lessons.

stage 2

Stage 2 is a jump up from the lower levels. We’re lucky, as H’s teacher takes her class into the main pool for a jump and swim at the end of their lesson each week which got them used to the difference in pools. H had a trial earlier in the year but panicked when she got in, as the big pool is colder and deeper. I knew she had the skills, we just needed to work on her confidence. She can swim on her back fine (you don’t have to think about breathing then!) and just needs to work on her front, which seems to be what Stage 3 is about anyway – getting the correct breathing techniques in place.

ASA swimming awards

I’m so proud of my little girl and her swimming achievements – Stage 2 is something she’s achieved on her own through hard work and confidence. Swimming lessons are a good thing too – they teach a child to listen and learn – something they’re going to have to do at school anyway, so may as well get those skills started as early as possible. Mind, she still doesn’t listen to me..!

So, what does ASA Stage 3 bring? She’ll learn to…

1. Jump in from poolside and submerge (min depth 0.9m)
2. Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position
3. Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back
4. Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front
5. Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back.
6. Fully submerge to pick up an object
7. Answer correctly three questions on the Water Safety Code
8. Travel 10 metres on the back
9. Travel 10 metres on the front

ASA swimming hats

and to be honest, she’s probably done a few of these already. Bring it on! Next week can’t come soon enough!!

by jo

Save Our Paws with BEAR and WWF

We’re big fans of the BEAR snacks in this house – H loves them, and we always have a supply ready in the cupboard for after school snacks. BEAR have partnered with the WWF on some special WWF Save Our Paws packs to help protect the world’s most endangered paws and other species – with 5p from each individual pack and 25p from multipacks.

Save Our Paws

We were sent a selection of the snacks, as well as a fabulous world map, and some party activities so H could have a little 5th Birthday Celebration as BEAR snacks are now 5. She’s quite happy about this as it means she’s slightly older than them (this may be a fallback from being the youngest in Year 1 and reminded of this a lot) – so she quite enjoyed celebrating.

Six of the eight bears of the world are threatened with extinction – that’s pretty scary. BEAR wanted to celebrate their fifth birthday and help address this, so partnered with the WWF to help try and make a difference – which is Save Our Paws.

BEAR’s founder, Hayley Gait Golding, says: “BEAR started because we wanted to help people get back to nature – both in terms of the food that they were eating, but also in getting them really excited about the world around them. Working with a partner as special as WWF is a real privilege. Together we want to help get young children really engaged with these magical animals – about where they live and what makes them unique- and for them to feel excited that they have made a difference.’

bearpaws-1

Nicky Day Director of Corporate Partnerships at WWF-UK says: “WWF is really excited to be partnering with BEAR, a company that shares our values in respecting the natural world.  Through working with BEAR we will be able to engage with families and children about our work safeguarding the world’s most iconic and threatened species whilst raising vital funds for our conservation work around the world.”

BEAR snacks are available in four varieties – Dino Paws (strawberry and apple), Jungle Paws (apple and blackcurrant), Arctic Paws (raspberry and blueberry) and Arctic Paws (raspberry and blueberry) and are Vegetarian and Vegan-friendly. Each pack also contains five paw prints from animals that live in that habitat.

Don’t leave it too long – the Save Our Paws celebrations are only happening until early November!

We were sent a lovely package from BEAR nibbles to help celebrate their 5th birthday and promote the WWF snacks. 

by jo

It’s a Higgidy Recipe Hunt!

A couple of weeks ago we were sent some goodies from Higgidy as they’re on a recipe hunt. While we’re not quite ready to share our creation (and you’ll know about it when we are), it only seemed fair to let you all know about it too.

Higgidy-logo

The Higgidy Recipe Hunt is on! Head over to Higgidy’s website to find out more

I think it’s pretty exciting – create your own pie, and submit it to Higgidy. Higgidy will then shortlist all the entries into a final three which you can vote for. The winning pie will be available from Sainsburys next spring! The terms & conditions are here.

The best thing is, you don’t have to be able to cook to enter the Higgidy Recipe Hunt – if you have a combination you always wished you’d tried, you can do just that. All you have to do is pop your entry idea onto the form on the page above.

Don’t leave it too long though – you only have until the 26th October, which isn’t very long at all!

We have been sent some pie-making goodies to submit an entry – which will follow very soon! 

 

by jo

Singalonga Frozen at Hampton Court

In the last year our lives have very slowly been taken over by THAT film. Last Christmas we took H to see Frozen, and in the months since it has become her latest obsession. When it was announced Singalonga Frozen would be coming to Hampton Court, and would go ahead whatever the weather, we bought tickets.

Singalonga Frozen

Singalonga Frozen was at Hampton Court and has been doing a tour around loads of interesting venues (alongside other films) with The Luna Cinema – the last night of the season at Leeds Castle tonight (Sunday 12th October).

So what do you need to know? Here’s my handy checklist:

Singalonga Frozen

It is October – it is COLD. Take fleeces, blankets, waterproofs, warm things. There was one tea stand which was reasonably priced, but the queue was long. I’d suggest taking a flask.

We took camping chairs for everyone – even though once the film started the girls all sat on our knees – this was a good thing as it was getting so cold I thought I might faint (this happens a lot) – we warmed up quickly, so it wasn’t so bad.

We also took a picnic. Some people brought in Pizza Express takeouts, but you really could take anything in there.

Benefit makeover

There was a Benefit stand as you walk in – you get your photo taken and if you’re lucky you can win a chance to sit in the VIP inflatable chairs just in front of the blanket area. We missed this, as it wasn’t completely obvious, but it wasn’t a problem.

Ah yes, the seating areas – there’s a flat bit at the front for people with blankets, the inflatable chairs, the VIP areas (approx £25 per person) then the area everyone else can sit. H could see in our regular seats, but sat on my knee and could see even better.

You get the words to the songs! This is good as obviously even though your child will probably know them off by heart, you can bluff your way around it too.

Singalonga Frozen

The only food option was hot dogs – fine if you’re not a vegetarian. If you are, take some food in! They had some granola for sale with the coffee which I did buy, as well as crisps and popcorn.

Merch. There was plenty – I bought H a ring for £1 and a purse for £2. There was pricey stuff and the cheaper ones too, so a good balance.

Benefit were one of the sponsors – you could buy sample sizes of the cosmetics for £2 with all money going to Refuge – I bought a bag. Benefit were also offering £1 makeovers which the girls all had done as well.

Singalonga Frozen

Follow the Luna Cinema on Facebook for information about more events – they’re planning next year already, and I know it’s something we’ll do again. The girls loved it, and despite the cold it was a brilliant night – plus they got to get their photos taken with ‘Elsa’ – we missed ‘Kristoff’ though (I haven’t dared tell H!).

Tickets came in around £15 each, with loads of options available. I’d definitely recommend it if you want to do something a bit different – especially if you’re already a fan of the film! We were also able to wander around the grounds prior to the film starting, although it was the girls who ran around a bit more than we did!

by jo

Clearing the Clutter Before Christmas

Joanne Mallon has set a challenge – and we’re in! A proper pre-Christmas clutter clearout – and it’s something I need to do badly.

Now H is five we have so many things we don’t need any more. She isn’t going to have a little brother or sister so space needs to be made – and I need to get rid.

Getting rid of baby things is hard. It’s like saying “that’s all folks!” and facing reality – I don’t get as many people asking these days “will you have another do you think?” so I must be starting to look (or act?!) my age a bit more maybe.

Things I need to shift.
Our lovely Maclaren Techno buggy. So many people request one on FB groups, ours comes with all the extras, I try for £50 and they tell me it’s too much. Sob.
Fisher-Price sit to stand microphone. I drove all the way to Crawley to buy this, as it was for sale at ELC – for £25. It took me almost two hours to get there and back, and probably almost as much petrol. It was much loved – H played with it so much when we got it.
Fisher-Price infant to toddler rocker – this lasted years – it made a great seat until H decided she wanted to fasten herself into it again, and I knew she was way too big. See also – the pink bumbo which she would sit in (last year!) and crawl around on all fours like some crazy snail child.
A Little Life Infant backpack carrier. As good as new, pretty much. Nobody wants it. I don’t want to give it away.
Oh, and the Ozbozz scooter I bought, which was obviously too small for H, but she took it outside once assembled to skate on it, so I couldn’t take it back. Nobody wants that, not even for £10 – and it was used for about 30 seconds.

There’s so much more, but practical things like that… I could ebay them (and may well resort to doing that) but I’d much rather sell locally. The only problem is nobody seems to want them.

Then there’s her clothes. So many clothes all carefully washed and bagged up into ages, doing nothing. They need to go, we need the space. They’re just clothes. I didn’t keep her first outfit or anything, there is no emotional attachment.

I think her cot is in the loft too.

So yes, we have a lot of things to get rid of. I also have a large pile of CDs that I need to get to Music Magpie to help raise a bit of cash towards Christmas. I sorted out all my old clothes and they were left in a pile in our closet for about six months until Shaun took them to the clothes bank at the end of the road.

So I’m setting myself a challenge. I need to make space. Things need to be sorted out and it needs to be done now. So I want to get rid of one thing a week – be it giving it away or selling it. There is a public photo album on my FB profile which has everything that needs to go. I just need to make a start.

So here goes…