my Sunday photo 22/03/2020

Holiday packing tips.

Hey readers,

One thing when it comes to holidaying with a family is remembering that preparation is key. 

It is important to be prepared for all emergencies and planning is essential. 

So here are some of my tips to help with family packing that may be of benefit to you and your family to make a smooth experience.

1. Washbag.

With having a family on holiday, there will be a lot of dirty washing. However, you don't want to mix dirty clothing with clean clothing so a great tip to deal with this situation is to simply pack a spare bag to keep your dirty clothes in.

2. Spare clothes.

We all know young children especially get dirty easily it is a fact of childhood. So it is always a good idea to pack more clothes then necessary. As you do not want to stress about running out of clean clothes in the middle of the week because that is a nightmare believe me and you. Also, don't forget extra pants and socks as well.

3. Packing cube.

Although they are pricey at first they can be a good investment and keep your luggage organised when your away on holiday. The packing cubes come in sets of different square type fabric containers. 

They are great because they save space, you can divide different items into sections and not only clothing.

 Some items are just for travelling so you can keep them stored away in the cubes for a later date. This will save time next time around and you don't have to worry about losing items as they will be safe in the storage compartments. 

Such items that can be left for a later date are batteries, toiletries etc. Also with using cubes for clothing, they make an impromptu pillow if need be. 

4. Roll clothes.

A fab packing hack is to roll your clothes into your suitcases as these reduces space needed. You can pack more stuff into your suitcase which is always a win.

5. Medication. 

I find that it is easy to keep medication close by in your everyday bag or someone where you know it will be such as the inside pocket of the suitcase. 

6. Packing. 

Always best to keep heavy items at the bottom of your suitcase so they don't squish clothes and make them wrinkly because let's face it none has the time for ironing on holiday right?!

7. Outfit. 

To save stress with the travelling and getting used to the new routine one best tip I suggest is packing your first-day outfit at the top of your suitcase. This, therefore, means it is there ready there and waiting for the first day of your holiday. 

8. Washing powder.

A good product to buy for travelling is washing powder for the sink. 

This is brilliant in an emergency where something happens for whatever reason and you want a quick solution to get something clean. 

Well, you can place the item of clothing in the sink and hand wash your clothing. The washing powder stuff comes in a small bottle so handy for travelling with as it doesn't take too much space up.

What are your go-to packing tips that make your life easy? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cheers for reading X 

You know your a school mum when...

Hey readers,

My eldest is in year one in primary school and I have noticed some things that happen once you become a school mum. Here are some of the signs you are definitely a school mum.

Mornings.

are a slapdash affair, trying to remain calm but more frequently than not losing your s**t about the fact, your child can take 30 bloody mins and still not got their shoes on.

Letters, Letters, Letters.

How many? the never-ending forms of dates of book sales to trips and parents evening. It is non-stop and at times a bit overwhelming trying to keep on track of it all.

Homework.

 is now something you have to get done and let's face it on a Sunday night mad dash to get something coherent down.

Social Pressure.

Knowing that you are losing the walls of protection of your child and social pressure is a big player now and that it is just the start.

Money.

Having to keep a check on making sure that you have paid for XYZ. You basically need a diary to keep on top of all the payments and dates that are happening.

Lost Property.

Constant arguments of wondering how your son could lose this and that. Bringing home someone else's jumper or at the end of the term accidentally losing his pumps from three weeks ago and not mentioning it to us, which coincidentally it is now half term holiday so you can't do naff all about it.

PTA.

 is there pestering you every week about this or that just so they can look good amongst all us other parents who are totally below there standards?

Assembly.

Having to sit and listen to this and that committee every week it is something, why can't they just let kids be kids and actually learn to fail instead of constantly trying to see positive in everything.

School Run.

Arguing with your spouse with who is going to collect your child as you know it is mayhem and you can't stand the small talk waiting for your little child to be returned to you.

Statistics.

When teachers can't be arsed to listen to you and feel totally helpless because all they see is one side of our child and they seem more bothered about attendance.

Cheers for reading X

10 things great about being a parent

Hey readers,

I thought I would share a positive post all about the awesome things that come with parenting. Here are my top 10 things that are great about being a parent. 

1. Bringing up children gives you a new sense in life. Like you have a direction and you have a goal to raise good humans. 

2. Nothing beats unconditional love a child, it is pure and true and I don't think anyone could love you like a child loves a parent regardless of all their flaws. 

3. Their imagination is amazing and how they can think outside the box will astound you. 

4. Being a parent you want to be the best person you can be for your children. 

5. I have learnt to be more patient since having children, especially when you are teaching them something new and a little bit tricky.

6. You get to watch your child shape and form into their own person. 

7. Being with children and looking after them makes you feel young again especially when you have to learn how to think like them to get them. 

8. One of the best things about being a parent is making a kid laugh, it truly is wonderful especially when the smile is bright and they just go into a full giggly mode. 

9. Keeping all the best artwork and turning your home Tate Modern. Just a sense of children around is lovely to have because it is important to you as you are so proud of your little darlings. 

10. Hearing your child say "Mum" and wondering who that is, then realising - it's YOU!

What do you think is good about parenting? Do you recognise any of these observations about why parenting is good? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X 

my Sunday photo 15/03/2020

My top 5 kids apps

Hey readers,

Technology is so great, you can learn so much and it is for everyone. What I love though is that my boys can use the tablet for fun or learning and it gives me five minutes peace.

CBeebies play app.

I love this because it is an app based on most of the children's programmes on Cbeebies, so there is familiarity.

 There is also more than one choice you can paint with Mr Tumble, to Nina and the neurons where you programme the floor for the robot to follow the instructions. So, there is a mix of fun and educational games to play.

Kids Doodle.

This is a fun one for letting your little ones be creative and there are no rules. 

My eldest is autistic and this has helped him when he is stressed or having a meltdown, can help relax him and take the mind of his worries. You can make pretty patterns, glow in the dark.

Minions.

What kid doesn't like minions. It is a platform game and even though my 4 year does play on it, I am not sure he strictly follows the runs but nonetheless still enjoys it.

Whereas my 6-year-old understands the rules and likes to play competitively. This is one of the longest we have and it gets used the most.

Fish Farts

This a funny game, it involves touching the fish on the screen and hearing them move with the vibrations of the fart. 

Both boys find this so hilarious because let's face it what kid doesn't find the sound of farting funny.

Zombie Smash.

Zombies is a good game (some parents may frown) but it is fun. It makes silly noises and pictures and they not allowed to squash the children which makes them laugh they do.

What apps do your children enjoy?

Cheers for reading X

Review of Birmingham Sea Life Centre.

Hey readers,

Last week I and the family went to visit the sea life centre in Birmingham. If you haven't ever been to the sea life centre they showcase a variety of different sea life creatures for you to go and see them in their natural habitat.

The types of sea life available to look at.

At the start of the centre you could see the penguins playing, squabbling, and swimming that type of thing.

There is a section for octopus and you can see the way they transform into the spaces and sometimes got to see their long tentacles.

There is also seahorses which are really elegant and very beautiful to watch.

The centre has the option for children to touch a starfish. This is a great experience for children to interact with fish. A child can feel what a fish feels like and work out the different textures on their fingers.

There is a massive fish display at the beginning like an upward tank that hols different fish swimming around.

There are rays in a big area further along that swim a big area and the glass is clear so you can watch them swim about.

We really enjoyed seeing the different types of jellyfish and you even got to change get to change the lighting in the tank by a touch screen which I thought was rather cool.

One of the big features is the 360c transparent tunnel where you can walk under the fish and see them go around you. You can walk on the glass floor while the big sea turtle and sharks swim by, totally blow your mind.

Obviously, there are much more fish but I am just giving you a general feel of some the types of fish you can visit.

Extra fun parts for children.

At the end of exploring all there is to see at the sea life centre there is a soft play which is free. It is small but wonderful for kids who love to have a free play and to run around and get in the ball pit. There are two tiers so you can climb as well.

At the reception desk where you pay for tickets or enter the centre, you can get a stamp sheet where you go and collect six stamps around the location. During the Halloween period as well there is a list where you write all the Halloween items you have spotted that are hidden in various location. At the end you can collect a medal and a cup as a price, no change occurred, which I thought was really good as one it is Merlin and we know they don't do cheap normally and secondly, most places that similar activities normally just give you a sticker.

Photography.

With the witch though lucky that the camera was broken so could use your own camera and was free saving made of £10-£15. However before in the middle section, there is a green screen where you could sit in a boat and present you're being attacked by a shark. We did actually buy them pictures for £15 which I think is a lot but my hubby is a sucker for things like that, lol.

4d cinema experience.

4d cinema experience (free and part of the price ticket) is great fun for kids and adults too. We saw a show though I have been before and it is different so they do change the films. Not only do you get to experience a short film based around a fish but also there is plenty of balls, the vibration of the chair you get randomly squirt water unexpected making it more fun. Plus with the 3d glasses, you feel the fish are coming out of the screen.

Location of Birmingham sea life centre.

The location of the sea life centre is fairly easy to get to as is in the city centre and not far from Lego Land adventure world and the arena and ICC.

Cost of tickets.

How much does a ticket cost, well as national sea life centre is part of the Merlin attractions you can get a combined ticket that includes another attraction such as Warwick Castle or Lego Land discovery centre they start from £23 24 hours in advance online? For just your basic sea life centre is from £13 through if your carer and have a letter to confirm you can go free. You do also have to book 24 hours advance on the website.

Car parking.

With regard to parking there is a car park very close by and in walking distance however due to location costs a lot more. We go to paradise parking car park which is a lot cheaper but five minute but very easy to get to. So always best to check before going where the parking is and the pricing.

Cheers for reading X