15/04/201426/03/2018 by jo

Can You Pledge One Hour?

A typical working week in this house involves me leaving around 7.20 and Shaun arriving home around 6.40. This isn’t a unique situation we’re in, and is the norm for most people living in London. Add your commute of up to an hour each way and being at work eats into your day. Andy Stephenson from Weekend Box commissioned a survey recently, and based on the results created Pledge One Hour.

Pledge One Hour works on the idea that you make sure for one hour a day you spend some quality family time together – and with that is a website with suggestions for activities you can do together.

This all came about as after a survey by Fly Research asked 1,100 parents how much time they spent with their children.

* 40% of parents get less than 1 hour per day of quality time with their children

* 83% want to spend more time with their children and 95% felt that doing activities together made them feel closer as a family.

* 73% cited not having easy access to activities and resources as the biggest barrier to spending more time with their children.

Which is where Pledge One Hour comes in. We’ve reviewed Weekend Box earlier this year and found them great fun. Using everyday objects it did a lot of the thinking for us, and everything is still being played with now. We’re also working through the 50 Things National Trust activity suggestions when we can, so imagine something that covers both?

There are three sections on the website – Explore the Great Outdoors, Indoor Arts & Crafts and Child-Friendly Recipes. They’re all based around things which you should already have – be it sitting outside listening to birds, baking some Popcorn Cupcakes (oh yes!) or just making a miniature kite from an old plastic bag (a Weekend Box activity we’re still getting a lot of play from!) – there’s a lot of choice and it doesn’t cost a lot of money to do it.

As Andy says, “I don’t want to live in a world where parents and children face greater detachment due to the pressures of daily life, where children are left to entertain themselves with solitary screen time or mindless toys that fall short of adding any sensory value to their development. We can’t change the world overnight, but lots of little steps will help to break down those barriers.”

David Bond, Film-maker of Project Wild Thing said: “Our kids are spending almost a third of their waking hours staring at screens and the evidence is clear that this has a serious impact on their health and wellbeing.”

So can you do it? Can you Pledge One Hour? Come and join in – use the hashtag #pledgeonehour and share what you’re doing – with this beautiful weather right now it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and do something fun!

13/04/201426/03/2018 by jo

Quick Update

Welcome to the sickly household. Shaun had it first and it slowed everything down, and now I’ve got it so have had most of this weekend in bed.

I have a gazillion things to write about, and so many things coming up. Oh, and two giveaways with some fabulous prizes which are massively delayed thanks to the illness.

H hasn’t had it yet, so who can say what will happen next?

I might even have time to have a rant about shinpads in there too… Easter is coming next weekend too, so don’t forget about the always-excellent National Trust ones in conjunction with Cadburys – we’ve been to the ones at Claremont Landscape Gardens and Polesden Lacey and both have been brilliant. We might keep it local this year and head to Morden Hall Park – head over to here for more information and to find your nearest one.

This week we’re going to have an Easter tea party with some friends popping over to try the latest Easter range from Waitrose – can’t wait for that one! We’re doing the shopping tomorrow night.

Our stereo has been filling the room with the sounds of the Magic Belles this last week too – yep, there’s an album on the way! We’ll tell you more about it really soon – and also I’ve been tricking H with some Tiny Me wall stickers I got in a Facebook deal. I’ve been putting random stars on her bedroom wall and convincing her that Star Belle from the Magic Belles had paid her a visit. Of course, I forgot for a few nights, and H now informs me she’d told Star Belle to go away as she wanted some of the others to come and visit… that’ll teach me!!

So yes, a few things planned, plus a big trip to somewhere we’ve always fancied this Friday – lots more to follow once we’re all feeling normal again!

Thanks for reading, and back soon!

07/04/2014 by jo

Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure

Top-selling children’s stage show producers Fiery Light today announce a brand new full-length theatre adventure for children, Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure. Based on the popular CBeebies’ TV show, Octonauts, this exciting new production opens at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, on Thursday 16 October and tours into 2015.

In Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure the entire crew of the Octonauts, led by intrepid explorer Captain Barnacles, Lieutenant Kwazii and Medic Peso, embark on an exciting new underwater quest and visit amazing underwater worlds full of adventure, with surprises around every corner. This action-packed interactive show features new music (from BAFTA-award winning composer Mani Svavarsson) and all the Octonauts live on stage for the very first time.

Richard Lewis adapts and directs this new production for the stage. He also adapted and directed the hugely popular three Peppa Pig stage shows and last year’s Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom tour. Matt Lewis is lyricist, Simon Scullion is designer, Matt Haskins is lighting designer and Ian Horrocks Taylor is sound designer.

Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure is produced by live children’s show supremos Fiery Light (joint venture by Fiery Angel and Limelight Productions), the team also behind the recent tours of the three successful Peppa Pig stage shows. Their most recent – Peppa Pig’s Big Splash – is currently on tour. It has broken box office records for a pre-school show and will return to the West End for fifth consecutive Christmas season at the Criterion Theatre this year. Other Fiery Light productions include the recent tour of Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, LazyTown Live! and Roald Dahl’s The BFG.

Director/adapter Richard Lewis said: ‘Octonauts is all about adventure and exploration which offers up a whole host of possibilities in a live environment. From the colourful characters and fantastic underwater setting to the amazing octopod where the Octonauts live, there’s great scope for a really unique, interactive theatre experience. We can’t wait to take fans on an adventure like never before.’

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Booking fees may apply. Please check with venue
www.octonautslive.co.uk

Age recommendation: 3 +

THURS 16 – SUN 19 OCTOBER ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
Thurs 16 at 4 pm www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Fri 17 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 18 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm
Sun 19 at 10 & 1 pm

TUES 21 – WED 22 OCTOBER PRINCES HALL, ALDERSHOT
Tues 21 & Wed 22 at 1 & 4 pm www.princeshall.com

SAT 25 – SUN 26 OCTOBER WYCOMBE SWAN, HIGH WYCOMBE
Sat 25 & Sun 26 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.wycombeswan.co.uk

WED 29 – THURS 30 OCTOBER FAIRFIELD HALLS, CROYDON
Wed 29 & Thurs 30 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.fairfield.co.uk

SAT 1 – SUN 2 NOVEMBER NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF
Sat 1 & Sun 2 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

WED 5 – THURS 6 NOVEMBER G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Wed 5 & Thurs 6 at 1 & 4 pm www.glive.co.uk

SAT 8 – SUN 9 NOVEMBER ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM
Sat 8 & Sun 9 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.atgtickets.com

WED 12 – THURS 13 NOVEMBER GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK
Wed 12 & Thurs 13 at 1 & 4 pm www.atgtickets.com

SAT 15 – SUN 16 NOVEMBER CORN EXCHANGE, CAMBRIDGE
Sat 15 at 4 pm www.cornex.co.uk
Sun 16 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

WED 19 – THURS 20 NOVEMBER ST GEORGE’S HALL, BRADFORD
Wed 19 & Thurs 20 at 1 & 4 pm www.bradfordtheatres.co.uk

SAT 22 – SUN 23 NOVEMBER GROVE THEATRE, DUNSTABLE
Sat 22 at 1 & 4 pm www.grovetheatre.co.uk
Sun 22 at 10 am & 1 pm

Further tour dates to be announced

04/04/201407/04/2014 by jo

Book Character Week

After the Easter break comes H’s school Book Character Week. There’s a day with a parade when they’re all dressed up like their favourite character.

H’s current favourite is Milly Molly Mandy. She can’t get enough of the books and has to read two stories every night from the paperback I got her.

You’d think a Milly Molly Mandy dress would be easy, wouldn’t you? But no. It isn’t.
A pink vertical striped dress – that’s all. Nowhere has pink vertical striped dresses. John Lewis have one which may have to do. Etsy have some choice but are in the US & Australia so there’s no guarantee it would get here on time.

I’m stumped! Now the obvious thing here would be to change books, as she’s currently enjoying reading some DC Super Friends ones we’ve been sent for review, a Superman or Spiderman costume is easy to come by, but it feels like a cop out – a bit like when she went as Rapunzel (with her Tangled book) for World Book Day that time. There were also about 20 or more other Rapunzel’s, it has to be said.

There really is only one option left. I need to make it. Or pay someone to make it for me! What would you do? We will have a little bit more time, but I need to get the sewing machine (and find fabric) and somehow make it.

I can do it! I can!

Or can I?

No pressure there. Has anyone else ever made a Milly Molly Mandy dress?

Follow my Pinterest board over here, which has a few Milly Molly Mandy dresses I’ve seen, including the one I went for in the end!

02/04/201401/01/2019 by jo

Lift the Lid on Bowel Cancer

Will you take up the challenge and join Beating Bowel Cancer to Lift the Lid on bowel cancer? Bowels, bottoms and poo are still a taboo and they need our help during April as they Lift the Lid on all things bowel cancer.

My dad died over seven years ago due to Bowel Cancer. It was something nobody expected him to have, yet he ticked all the boxes as far as symptoms go. We had four months from diagnosis until he died in October 2006. Things which make sense in retrospect made no sense at the time. He had secondary tumours in his liver which left him at Stage 4. Beating Bowel Cancer campaign every year to help raise awareness of Bowel Cancer, and symptoms we may not want to talk about. As a parent I can happily talk about H’s poo, but myself? Difficult. Please read on.

—

One in four of us have been affected by bowel cancer in some way, either personally or through family or friends. Yet how often do you think we talk about it? The truth is, not often enough.

Whilst this may not be easy, we want you to open up and get a conversation going during April.

We need you to start your own conversation and Lift the Lid – whether it’s with family members, friends, workmates or neighbours. All we need you to do is share the message that bowel cancer, bums and poo are nothing to be embarrassed about, and that learning the symptoms and acting on them can save lives.

Beating Bowel Cancer have designated Wednesday 16 April as Lift the Lid Day when they’ll be making lots of noise and encouraging everyone to get involved.

There’s lots we can help with; from putting up posters in your community, watching our video, spreading the word through social media and getting involved in activities around the UK.

All of these conversations could be lifesaving, so please help us to Lift the Lid. So what are you waiting for? Visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org/liftthelid

How you can Lift the Lid:

– Download the Lift the Lid and symptoms posters to put at work or in your community

– On Wednesday 16 April get involved and show your support on Twitter and Facebook. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #LiftTheLidDay

– Text LIFT14 £3 to 70070 to donate £3 or visit donation page for more options

– Have a collection or awareness event in your community
More info

– Watch the awareness video and share it so more people can learn about the symptoms

Every conversation you have and every time you Lift the Lid, you’re moving us all closer to beating bowel cancer.

31/03/201431/03/2014 by jo

Mothering Sunday at Painshill Park

I guess we have what is known as a tradition. Every year on Mothering Sunday we head to Painshill Park. My reasoning? It’s free for mums, I like it, and it’s MY day. We went five years ago when H was around seven months, and every year (apart from 2012) I’ve chosen to go back. In the past we’ve had sun, rain, snow, picnics and most importantly of all, fresh air.

I love Painshill. I love you can do as little or as much as you want and still get a good walk with new things to spot. We decided on a picnic as the weather was good, so headed to the Amphitheatre area which is a large flat section of the grounds, near the Gothic Temple and not too far from the start.

We stopped by the Vineyards as H wanted to read the sign at the top of the hill. That’s a new one – with the new words she’s picking up daily she wants to read everything! So she did pretty well with the information provided, with of course plenty of questions asked about everything afterwards.

We had our picnic, courtesy of whatever I could pick up in our local M&S, and of course some Quorn Scotch Eggs. H had her Bundlebean to sit on – which is still getting so much use several years since we got it. Afterwards it was compulsory for H and Shaun to race around the amphitheatre, though I declined!

A wander to the Gothic Temple, one of the best areas of Painshill to see the whole park, and one of the worst for taking photos as it’s the same colour as the sky, even Mr Tumble has sat in there. H is now tall enough to slide off the edge and run around, so devised a new game to keep herself amused while I tried to straighten out my back!

After that we headed towards The Grotto which unfortunately was closed. Instead the two bridges provided some lovely reflections in the water and photo opportunities. We had a quick play around the Mausoleum and a ‘spot the water wheel’ competition too.

After that H and I had our photo taken on ‘our’ bench. I found four other pictures from Mothering Sunday through the years when we’d gone which was nice to see… see, tradition!

After that we wandered back towards the main buildings, via the Ice Store (which I’d never been into), and past fields of daffodils, and woody areas. It was lovely, peaceful and calm. Possibly lesser so when H and Shaun decided to play frisbee with her hat.

After that it was a walk back to the main entrance and a drive home – all of us tired. We’re a bit run down at the moment and I pulled something in my back – not ideal!

I’m linking up to Country Kids!

Painshill Park is open every day. The Grotto is open at weekends from 1-3. Painshill costs £7.70 per adult, children under 5 go free. For more information head to their website. I’m now seriously considering having H’s 5th birthday party there as it’s somewhere I feel completely calm with the world. H does too. Perfect.

27/03/201426/03/2018 by jo

Keeping It Local – Tillee Vanillee

If you live in the Carshalton area, the name Tillee Vanillee may already be familiar to you.

Tillee Vanillee are a local business who make Natural Handmade Bespoke Confections – and there’s a lot of choice. If you live in Carshalton you may have come across Tillee Vanillee in our new grocers, Rhubarb and Bramley on the high street, or at the wonderful Calladoodles store.

It just so happens that Rachael who owns the business is a mum at the same school as H, so when the chance to try one of her whisky and ginger marshmallows came about I jumped at it!

Oh my, it was divine too – soft in the middle and just right on the outside – both flavours came through well and I know next time I head into the village I’ll be picking some up.

Mothers Day hearts, soon to be dipped in chocolate – mmm!

This is where those of you who don’t live in Carshalton come in – Tillee Vanillee also do direct Mail Order – so you can order what you need. There are currently some heart-shaped marshmallows dipped in chocolate for Mother’s Day (on sale in Rhubarb and Bramley) – with loads more choice on the official site. Need Wedding favours? They’re covered. Gourmet Marshmallows? But of course. Hand piped gourmet mallows in a variety of flavours? Oh YES! What makes it even better is they’re not expensive – they’re a good price and taste delicious. I love that Rachael says “please get in touch if you like what we do and how I do it! – I’m more than happy to talk you through custom or personalised options if you would like something a little different to the products featured on this site”Tillee Vanillee also has an Etsy store – check out the range on offer there. Mmm!

Tillee Vanillee started making marshmallows, then moved onto macarons, and are now working on other treats from around the world – you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter too. I highly recommend that you do!

26/03/2014 by jo

Your Eggselency Hotel Chocolat Giveaway!

Mum Friendly is like a bus right now. You wait forever for a giveaway and then I launch FOUR in a week. The rest will follow soon…. for this second one we have a rather marvellous prize. I’m a long-standing Hotel Chocolate customer, I can’t even remember when I placed my first order with them it was that long ago, so I’m delighted to bring this one to you.

Hotel Chocolat have an amazing Easter Egg range in store right now, and I’m able to offer you a Your Eggselency Extra Thick Chocolate Easter Egg – look at it! It’s amazing!!!!

Allow me to copy and paste the product details from the website :

When we first started making our eggs 13 years ago, we were advised by experts to make them as thin as possible and put the chocolates on the outside. We did the opposite!

Our extremely distinguished extra thick egg has one 40% milk shell and one 70% dark shell, filled with 12 of our finest real cream truffles with Champagne, port, Amaretto and other delights.

So yes, quite a choc-feast. Oh my. The full menu is here.

In order for the egg to make it in time for Easter, this giveaway is running now, and finishing on April 5th which should leave enough time! UK entrants only please, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25/03/2014 by jo

Go! Go! Go! Show Giveaway!

Last year at Lollibop we must have seen the Go! Go! Go! Show several times in one day, and funnily enough it was Shaun who knew most of the songs…. must’ve been all those mornings he spent doing the ironing before work while watching Nick Jr, right? I also know he’s not the only dad to do this….

Go! Go! Go! Show is a fun five minute segment in the morning on Nick Jr, perfect for young ones (and dads) with simple pop songs and dance routines; and they’re releasing a new CD/DVD album on April 7th 2014, Radio Go! Go! Go!. Join Gemma, Carl, Jade, Steve and Holly plus the permanently confused Mr Baffled and his sock guzzling side-kick the Fluffalope as they take over the Radio and TV airwaves of the Islands of Baffadopolis for a wild and exciting fun-filled pop music extravaganza.

It just so happens I have three copies to give away. Before we get to that bit, let me tell you a few bits I know… they’re heading out on tour next month.

Tour Dates:

12/4 Sheffield University
13/4 Leeds City Varieties
14/4 Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre Newcastle
15/4 Palace Theatre Manchester
16/4 Town Hall Birmingham
17/4 Leamington Spa Assembly
18/4 Ipswich Regent Theatre
21/4 O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

The album is a CD/DVD package, and features all the Go! Go! Go! songs you know and love – ‘Wake Up Smiling’ of course, ‘This is the Life’ and ‘Lay the Rhythm Down’ to name just three. Here’s the tracklist –

CD Contents
1 Wake Up Smiling
2 This Is The Life
3 Lay The Rhythm Down
4 Blue Sky Sunshine Day
5 My Picture Of The World
6 Choices
7 The Get Along Song
8 Questions Questions
9 It’s Your Birthday
10 Holiday Bay
11 Let Him Go
12 Hey There Sleepy Head

DVD Contents
13 Wake Up Smiling (Karaoke)
14 It’s Your Birthday (Karaoke)
15 Wake Up Smiling (Music Video with Intro)
16 This Is The Life (Music Video with Intro)
17 Lay The Rhythm Down (Music Video with Intro)
18 Choices (Music Video with Intro)
19 The Get Along Song (Music Video with Intro)
20 Questions Questions (Music Video with Intro)
21 Hey There Sleepy Head (Music Video with Intro)
22 Wake Up Smiling (Learn The Dance Moves)
23 Questions Questions (Learn The Dance Moves)
24 Go!Go!Go! At Work and Play

Have a little video taken at Lollibop last year

So yes, we have three copies of Radio Go! Go! Go! to give away! So that’s three winners – fancy your luck? Here goes… Ends on the 3rd April 2014 at midnight – so not long!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25/03/201431/03/2018 by jo

Lollibop 2014 Has a New Home!

LolliBop 2014, the UK’s biggest kids festival, has announced this year’s festival will take place at Hatfield House, August 15-17 2014.

Lollibop 2014 has been announced! Lollibop is our favourite kids festival (though to be fair it is also the only one we’ve been to) – we loved it last year, oh, and H did too. They’ve moved venues again, moving from Stratford over to the North of London. Situated in Hertfordshire, just off the A1 or a 22 minute train journey from London Kings Cross, the stunning country house and gardens of Hatfield House offer an incredible array of spaces to house LolliBop’s vast activity and entertainment programme.

Renowned for bringing some of the biggest names in children’s entertainment to its live stages, LolliBop 2014 will also play host to science and educational zones, craft areas and adventure activities. The 2014 lineup promises to be more diverse; exciting and extraordinary than ever before, with a host of brand new names, partnerships and play never before seen at LolliBop.

Hatfield House is famous for its beautiful gardens and attractions, including the incredible sundial garden and fountains, a magical woodlands and the famous knot garden adjoining the Tudor Old Palace where Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her time as a child.

Festival Director Gareth Cooper said: “For a family destination, Hatfield House can’t be beaten. LolliBop has taken place in numerous locations over the years, and we firmly believe our home for 2014 is our best yet. The setting is breathtaking – with stunning gardens, lush green areas and a woodlands just waiting to be explored – it’s allowed us to open our imaginations and programme an event like never before.

“We’ve been working hard to secure some of the best-loved names in children’s entertainment. Lollibop’s lineup will be jam packed with big names for the main stage, alongside an unprecedented number of live theatre performances; plus sporting activities; creative workshops; nature talks and brand new areas and acts, never before seen at LolliBop.”

Hatfield House is one of the Treasure Houses of England, making it one of the top 10 most magnificent palaces in all of the UK.

With good motorways links, extensive on site parking and just a five minute walk from Hatfield train station, LolliBop 2014 is more accessible than ever before.

LolliBop 2014 Early Bird tickets go on sale on March 28, priced £17.50pp.