Emotions

My Sunday photo 28/07/2019

Book recommendations August 2019 **AD**

Hey readers,

I have been kindly gifted some books to review from Carlton. 

They have an extensive range of fiction and non-fiction books to keep any child entertained. I have some cracking ones that may be of interest to you.  

1. Youtube World Records.

What child doesn't like Youtube and combined with amazing world records this book is a hit. 

My eldest loves facts and non-fiction book so this went down well. Especially as the records are amazing covering human feats right through to nature and machinery this book has it covered to blow your mind.  

What I like about this book is on each page there is a QR code which you can scan on your phone and it will come up with the related to the video of that record, which is great to add to modern books. 

There is no age recommendation as there is something for all and family-friendly content. 

The book cost £16.99 and will be released on 8th August 2019. 

2. We Love Sonic. 

I used to love Sonic when I was a child so this book brings some happy memories whilst reading it with the kiddos.
  

If you want to know everything there is to Sonic the Hedgehog then this book is for you. 

The book covers each character of the game whether a friend or foe you will get to know who they are. 

Plus not only does the book discuss all things gaming but also includes discussion about Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon and the upcoming movie soon to be released at the cinema. 

Also, the book covers Sonic's tricks and help you learn more about how to improve playing Sonic. 

This book is recommended for 7+.

The book cost £7.99 and will be released on the 8 August 2019. 

3. How To Be A Pro Gamer. 

Gaming is very popular with children and if you're looking for a book to help as a guide to be a pro-gamer then this is the one. 

This book is a step-to-step guide on everything you need to know when it comes to gaming. It explains what you need to play, how to play it and even how to get signed up to a pro team to start your own streaming channel. 

The age recommendation for this book is 11+. 

The book cost £7.99 and will be released on the 8 August 2019. 

4. Roald Dahl's Beastly Brutes & Heroic Human Beans. 

This is both my boy's favourite book as they are fans of Roald Dhal. It is a beautiful book full of the classic illustrations from Quentin Blake. 

The book is all about the famous characters from Roald Dhal's stories, there are the likes of Charlie and Grandpa Joe from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Matilda and the BFG to name a few.  

The pages contain die-cut pages let the work come alive and it is simple to press out the parts of the page to reveal the characters. It is a fun way to get kids imagination going and bring the characters alive. 

There is also an envelope at the back of the book to keep your cut out characters safe and to continue to use them at a later date. 

The age recommendation for this book is 6+. 

The price of the book is £14.99 and the release day of the book is 8 august 2019. 

5. You Can Code. 

Coding is ever growing with the times of the technology world that we live in and they even learn it at reception age at school. 

A lot of children really enjoy learning about coding so this next book is brilliant information. The pictures are clear on how to go about coding whether it is making your own game or app then this book ticks all the boxes. 

It is clearly written and it is suitable for complete beginners. It is easy to learn with the fun step-to-step guides this will go down a treat. 

The age recommendation is for 9+. 

The book cost £8.99 and the book will be released on the 8 August 2019. 

Cheers for reading X 

This is an AD for Carlton. I was kindly gifted the books discussed above in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. 

With or without anxiety

Hey readers,

I am struggling with my anxiety at the moment. One moment I feel like I am doing alright with life and then the next thing bang the darkness appears. I swear at times anxiety hates me, it is on 24-hour alert to catch me, especially when I am most venerable. 

It hates the fact that I am doing OK and hates to see me managing and getting on with life. My brain needs anxiety I feel, I can't relax and that is the biggest downfall. 

As I have experienced anxiety for so long where it is not there I worry about worrying if you know what I mean.

I have this inability to relax. I like the adrenaline at times, feeling alert and it almost feels like a way to clarify that I am alive and living.

I have had anxiety for most of my life that when I am not having anxiety I think it is my problem adapting to change. It feels weird to not have the anxiety around.

I am learning to try and let go, allow that anxiety to come and to try not to shy away from it. it is what it is, fear brings it on and that's not healthy either.

 I think being present at the moment with the anxiety is one of my biggest challenges. I can't believe how hard it is to just be and face the anxiety head-on.

 I am on alert, my body is tight, my muscles and mind hurt. Every night I have a splitting headache due to fighting this anxiety.

It feels like I am doing a mental workout, it is exhausting but with being anxiety warrior you can't deny resilience is there. 

Good or bad resilience it is in me and I keep on fighting when at times I just want to hide under a fort, but sadly I need to get up and go, with or without anxiety.

However, that being said I have spent years trying to get rid of this anxiety. Now, I am trying a new approach where I allow it to come, greet it with open arms. 

I don't want to be scared of anxiety anymore. I have autism as well and anxiety is a common trait for a lot of people on the spectrum including me. So, instead of trying to change it, I am going to acknowledge the anxiety.

 Sometimes the anxiety can be good, it might make me think twice about what I am doing. it may be anxiety cause let's face it not all anxiety is bad. 

I think the media portray it with negative connotations but you can use to your advantage.

The main line of this anxiety post is that I am trying to learn to live with the anxiety, accept it for what it is.

I don't put everything I have one then anxiety and know that it is the only sort of me. it doesn't define me and that actually in control of my life.

Cheers for reading X

How to save money as a parent during summer holidays.

Hey readers,

My boys have split up for summer holiday gulp! So do some planning I thought I would come up some ideas on how to save money during that long holiday of six weeks!

1. Boxes.

Kids love boxes and drawing on them. They are so easy to get from your local supermarket costing nothing and just giving your child some paint or colouring pens. You will guarantee to have lots of fun. 

2. Food shopping.

Meal planning will save you loads of money and if you do struggle with going shopping with children then my advice would be to order online. 

Then you won't have arguing and stress of shopping with kids. Plus the chances of impulse buying are nil and you can do it from the comfort of your home with a cuppa, win-win!

3. Play-Doh.

Make your own playdoh so simple to do and you only need three ingredients (flour, salt, water, vegetable oil) and if you want to go fancy you can add food colouring to give that twist. 

4. Gloop. 

If your feeling brave then making gloop is lots of fun, though I would advise making sure you have a table cloth on the floor so doesn't go everywhere.

 Kids love gloop because of it is messy fun. All you need to is place some cornflour into a tub and gradually add water. You can put colouring as well to make it more vivid. It is brilliant sensory fun and fine motor skills as well.

5. Park. 

You can't go wrong with going to the park and bringing a picnic also makes it a fun day out for all. 

6. Libraries. 

Libraries are brilliant, they are free and so many books to chose from. Going to the library is fab in getting kids into reading. 

They can also take part in the reading challenge during the summer and if completed your child gets a certificate and medal.

7. Boredom Jar. 

A great little activity is to write activities or things to do, such as washing the car or reading a book or watching a film for example on a piece of paper cut them out and put them in a jar. 

When your child complains that they are bored during the summer holiday, tell them to take out a piece of paper and do that activity. 

8. Museums. 

Check out your local museum as they have fun centred children's activities on during the summer. There will be often a free museum somewhere so just google and go to your local free one. 

9. Walks. 

Woodland trust has brilliant information on their website of woodlands near you which make a great family nature walk and get away from the four walls for a bit. 

Though you don't have to go to woodlands for a walk, where I live there are some large feeds that my boys love to raise others around and have a kick about with a football. 

10. Kids Run Free. 

Some places offer a thing called Kids Run free where they offer sessions in local parks for children under 16 years of age. 

It is free and parents can come along and it just encourages kids to run with their peers. It is a great way of burning their energy and your getting out of the house. 

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday photo 21/07/2019

Final

Hey readers,

My word of the week is: 

This week is the final week of school for both boys which means six weeks of no school. Kinda happy I don't have to deal with the social aspect. I know both boys will be more relaxed and let's hope not too much squabbling before I end up turning into my mother 

My eldest after growing his hair for two and a half years got it cute. So strange seeing it so short and can, see his head haha. He loves it because he really struggles with the sensory aspect of brushing his hair so I am hoping for less screaming in the morning.

My youngest has moved upon his book band which makes me so proud and he has worked so hard with his reading. 

We are planning to do the reading challenge at the library so that should help with continuing with his progress. 

Hope you have had a good week. 

 Cheers for reading X