Let Your Body Drive - Interactive

Peugeot is driving us into the future. Get a whole new 208 experience with their interactive film. Will you be able to get yourself out of this sticky situation? Have a go!!

Viral video by ebuzzing

No More Holidays In Term Time!

It was announced last week that the Government are intending to ban parents from taking their children out of school for family holidays, during term time.

I will put my hand up and admit I take my children out of school for family holidays, and really do not see a problem with it, we only ever take a week, mainly due to the fact that my husband actually works in tourism, so he is very busy trying to encourage people to holiday on the lovely East Coast of Britain.

This is our first problem, we usually take our holidays February/March or November, because these are the least busy times for my husband and we are not a family that enjoys big crowds of people!  Some might call it unsociable...

I agree that some parents do take liberties, I think that taking a child out of school five or six times per year to go on holiday will be detrimental to their learning, and I know that it is hard for headteachers when Oftsed inspectors question their attendance rates, but we are not all the same and I would argue with anyone, that our holidays are just as educational for the children, as sitting in a classroom.

Our last holiday we took the children to Wales, whilst there we saw Dolphns, we took them rockpoolong and they caught various creatures, they went to a castle and had a fantastic time, not to mention the growing bond between all of the children and a brilliant, stress free week with both of their parents.

We do not take many trips abroad now, due to the logistical nightmare of six children and planes, hotels etc. However we did take four of the children to Disneyland Paris, travelling by car and boat, and I definitely think they got lots out of the trip, visiting French Supermarkets and tasting different foods, not to mention the sheer delight of all the Disney characters!! We took them on 9th december (I remember because it is my mums and Asa's dads birthday) for four nights, the only thing that they were doing at school was practising for their Christmas performances, therefore I would argue that their five days spent travelling to France taught them more than they would have learnt in their classes.

Even holidays in England, taken during school holidays increase by a minimum of £300, which I would rather use as spending money on a trip taken during term time.

What do you think ?

11 Questions About Me

11 questions about me...

I was tagged by the lovely Boo, Roo and Tigger Too, who is the only blogger I know that lives anywhere near me!.


The Rules:

• You must post these rules
• Each person must post 11 things about herself on their blog
• Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in their post and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
• Choose 11 people to tag and link them to the post
• Let each blogger know you’ve tagged them

1.How old were you when you had your first child?

I had just had my 22nd Birthday when Xene was born.

2.Are you an only child? or one of many?

I have one sister who is 3 years younger than me.

3.If you could do any job in the world what would it be and why?

I would like to be the owner of a Farm Park, I love animals and interacting with people, and I like being outdoors.

4.Coca Cola or Pepsi?

It would have to be Pepsi, I just LOVE the taste, it is definitely my junk food weakness! 

5.What is your favourite film?

Thats a tough one, there are so many great films, but I guess the film I have watched the most over the years, so would be considered my favourite is Dirty Dancing.

6.Bikini or swimsuit?

Not sure, probably bikini, though not at the moment until my mummy tummy has gone away!

7.What is your favourite sweet treat?

Raspberry Pavlova, it is a running joke throughout my family that I would kill someone over a slice of Pavlova!!

8.Do you believe in Father Christmas?

Of course, there is something magical about the whole Christmas experience with Father Christmas.

9.What is the oldest item of clothing you own?

wow thats a toughie, I am not known for being the most fashionable and up to date mum, so most of my clothes are pretty old, I have a lovely dark green fleece jacket that I have definitely had since I met Asa, which is 16 years ago, so probably that.

10.Which celeb would you like to swap lives with (just for a day)?

Angelina Jolie, who wouldn't want a day with Brad Pitt, i'd love to see how he copes with all those children!

11. How did you meet your best friend?

Asa is my best friend, we met whilst working together behind a bar.

My questions:

1. What is your favourite TV programme ?

2. Fish and Chips or Roast Dinner ?

3. Do you have a favourite band or singer ?

4. How did you meet your other half ?

5. Where would you like to go on holiday ?

6. What job did you want to do when you were little, and are you doing it ?

7. Hot Drink or Cold Drink ?

8. Do you drive, if so when did you pass your test ?

9. How many children do you have and are you planning any more ?

10. What starsign are you ?

11. City or Countryside ?

I'm not sure I can tag 11 people, but feel free to answer my questions even if you are not tagged (please leave me a comment with a link so I can check out your answers)

I tag mymummyspennies, mummyvswork, blogbybaby, mummy2five, Emmys Mummy, Mummy of 3 Diaries,Ghostwritermummy, Mummy not "Big Milk Thing", Cheetahs In My Shoes, mum2babyinsomniac and finally Preston Precious.

What will be your step?

Celebrity ‘Steppers' go crazy during Fairtrade Fortnight (27 February to 11 March 2012)
(Alistair McGowan, Jessica Hynes, Simon Webbe, Francesca ‘Cheska’ Hull, Kate Walsh, Natalie Pinkham, Di Dougherty, Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, Will Clarke and Louisa Lytton).
As the country counts down to Fairtrade Fortnight (27 February – 11 March), a series of hilarious, celebrity- films will be hitting the web on YouTube this week to encourage the public to take 1.5 million steps for Fairtrade in 2012.
Through the ‘Take A Step for Fairtrade’ campaign, the Fairtrade Foundation wants to see more individuals and businesses buying and selling Fairtrade products in the UK, The public are being asked to think about what they can do every day, every week or every month throughout 2012 and take a step to make a difference to the lives of farmers in the developing world who produce the products they buy.
With Fairtrade every step counts. In Malawi, for example, sugar farmers earn an extra $60 for every tonne they sell on Fairtrade terms. As a result, farmers in Chinangwa village have been able to bring clean water and electricity to their homes, afford roofs for their houses and school fees for their children.
The more people that support Fairtrade, the more farmers and workers will be able to improve their lives through the better terms of trade it offers.

Viral video by ebuzzing

The Fairtrade Foundation encourages everyone to start their journey at www.fairtrade.org.uk/step

Hooray for boobies – The Breastfeeding Meme

1. Why did you choose boob over bottle?

I never gave it much thought, I just assumed that I would breastfeed, when I was pregnant with Xene I was in the middle of my nurse training, midwifery placement, I attended a breastfeeding workshop with my mentor and I decided that breastfeeding was what I was going to do.

2. How long did you breastfeed or are you planning to breastfeed?

I never really had a plan how long I was going to breastfeed, but with each of the children we have both mutually agrred between 14 months and 18 months, round about the time I have fallen pregnant with the next one!!

3. What is the best thing about breastfeeding?

The closeness and the lovely cuddles, it makes you sit down and have a rest, and its also a great time for reading a story with one of the other children.

4. Did you have to overcome challenges on your breastfeeding journey?

No real challenges, all of my children have taken to breastfeeding well, I have had a couple of cases of mastitis over the years and no-one warned me how much milk would come out of one little set of boobs - I could probably feed an entire nursery on the milk that flows!

5. Who supported you the most with breastfeeding?

Asa has been my support from the very beginning, and can be quite outspoken on the subject, although he has learnt to control his views over the years...

6. How did you feel when you first breastfed in public?

So long ago! I have never really had a problem with feeding in public, I am not someone that is happy to show off my body, but the mothering instinct just sort of took over and the needs of my baby to be fed far outweighed what anyone could say to me. I have had a few run ins over the years when shop assistants have advised me there is a toilet if I would like to go and feed my baby, to which my reply was usually "Would you like to go and eat your lunch in the toilet?" I am so relaxed now about feeding my baby in public, you will often find me sitting on a bench at my husband's rugby club feeding my son, although you will never find me in a short skirt!!

7. Have you been questioned for breastfeeding?

Quite often, usually once my baby turns 6 months, it would appear that most people can accept a baby being breastfed until six months, but after that people start to question Are you STILL breastfeeding!!

8. Has breastfeeding made you feel different about your body?

I feel perfectly happy with my tiny little boobs, after having gigantic boobs throughout breastfeeding, I love my little boobs., well, I will once I stop breastfeeding Tyrus!

9. What do you wish you had known before making the decision to breastfeed your baby?

That so many people around me would not be breastfeeding, when I had Xene the post natal wards were split into breast and bottle feeding, I was in a six bedded bay ALONE !

If there are any booby mums out there, please consider yourself tagged and link up at the lovely Mummy Alarm

 

Superbia

My children love to go on Computer Games and have recently got into some online games, although there are not many they are allowed to go on, unless I have checked that they are suitable, so I was very pleased to hear that Disney were going to release Superbia...



Fans of Disney Channel shows will be pleased to learn that Disney UK has launched Superbia, www.disneychannel.co.uk/superbia, a fun and entertaining online game where kids can safely play in digital areas inspired by Disney Channel’s hit shows and popular characters.

The vibrant city of Superbia features a variety of Disney Channel inspired places for kids to explore such as the Hannah Montana concert hall, Shake It Up dance studio and other sites dedicated to hit shows like Good Luck Charlie, A.N.T. Farm and The Suite Life on Deck. The latest location to be added to the city of Superbia is Jessie’s New York Penthouse apartment where players can buy Jessie themed items to decorate their house in the latest Manhattan style and dress up like their favourite Jessie characters. There will also be a quest where they can win a very special house guest (Mr Kipling – the family’s pet lizard) for their in-game Superbia house.

As a citizen of Superbia, users can choose their own personalised avatars, select special outfits, decorate their own virtual rooms or visit the virtual homes of their favourite Disney Channel characters. Players also face the challenge of creating new desserts for the ice cream parlour and undertake a series of quests to unlock cool new rooms in the community.

Superbia is based on Disney Channel Italy’s hugely popular social game, Fun and Friends, which boasts over 60,000 registered users, numerous dedicated fan forums and Facebook pages. Superbia is the newest addition to Disney’s successful collection of digital environments, which includes the Children’s BAFTA-nominated website Club Penguin, the world’s most successful virtual world for kids.

A unique platform for self-expression and personalisation, Superbia contains exciting and engaging content to create a truly unique online experience for kids. Superbia is a safe online game, giving parents the confidence that their children can enjoy the internet securely.

The four eldest children have all tried the game and gave it a big thumbs up, go and try with your children and let me know what you think.

Jessie Starts Today !

As you all know Disney Channel is a big favourite in our household, and the girls are very excited because today sees the launch of a brand new show, Jessie, starring Bailey from Suite Life on Deck.

Disney Channel’s brand new comedy series Jessie, is set to take the UK by storm, following its huge ratings success in the U.S. with 4.6 million viewers tuning in to make it the most-watched Friday series premiere in three years.* The series stars 18-year-old teen starlet Debby Ryan of The Suite Life on Deck and 16 Wishes fame, and will premiere on the channel at 5:35pm this Friday 17^th February 2012.

The story follows the journey of an idealistic teen, played by Ryan, from rural Texas who moves to New York City and becomes a nanny for a high-profile couple Morgan and Christina and their four children, Emma, Ravi, Luke and Zuri. Starring alongside her is a talented cast including Tony Award-nominated Kevin Chamberlin (Broadway's The Addams Family) as Bertram; Peyton List (27 Dresses, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules) as Emma; Karan Brar (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules) as Ravi; Cameron Boyce (Grown Ups) as Luke; and Skai Jackson (Royal Pains) as Zuri.

With a whole new world of opportunities within her reach, Jessie begins to navigate young adulthood and life in the big city. She surprises herself with how much she comes to rely on the support and advice of the kids in her care. Also helping to keep her moral compass in check are Bertram, the family’s butler, and Tony, the building's 20-year-old doorman.

I used to be a nanny myself, before having my own children, but I am sure she will get up to a lot more exciting adventures than I did, the only similarity may be that a romance may blossom with the doorman, just as the romance blossomed with Asa and I whilst I was nannying!!

Take a look and let me know what you think, will it be the next big show on Disnay Channel ?

Phineas and Ferb and The Platypus Dance.

My children absolutely love Phineas and Ferb, with both older boys proudly able to sing the entire theme song, and the two girls joining in with "Driving our sister insane"!

When I received news about the Platypus Dance, I thought I would let you guys see it too.

David Beckham episode

Disney’s TV show Phineas and Ferb has grown into a global phenomenon - the show has featured celebrity guest stars including David Beckham, Jamie Oliver, Michael Douglas and Selena Gomez and nearly one in two kids are tuning in across the UK.



Jamie Oliver episode





The show has proved so popular that even Michelle Obama was seen performing a Phineas and Ferb inspired dance at a healthy living event designed to inspire kids and families to lead healthier and active lifestyles.



First Lady Michelle Obama joined kids and families – along with favourite Disney Channel and Disney XD stars, and the hugely popular "Phineas and Ferb" character, Perry the Platypus – at an event to get kids moving, during Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living & "Let's Move!" celebration at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Channel stars Debby Ryan ("Jessie"), Roshon Fegan ("Shake It Up"), and Disney XD stars Doc Shaw and Kelsey Chow ("Pair of Kings") and Olivia Holt ("Kickin' It") inspired kids to get active with the new dance "The Platypus Walk."

The event marks the second anniversary of "Let’s Move!," the First Lady's initiative to fight childhood obesity, and Disney Magic of Healthy Living, a Company-wide initiative designed to inspire kids and families to lead healthier and active lifestyles.

But, not only do I have photos, check out below for a look at the actual dance!

What do you think, will this be the dance of 2012 ?

Natural and Clean Products Review

The wonderful people at Natural and Clean sent me some of their fantastic products to review.

The first product we tried was the Whoops a-daisy. It is an absorbent rapid response for all body spillages, now as you can imagine in a house of eight, body spillages will happen, from a potty training toddler, to a school child tummy bug and a rugby playing husband, there have been incidents of blood, vomit and urine. With this  wonderful product, you just sprinkle it directly onto the spillage, and the very clever crystals expand and absorb the spillage, then after a few minutes you are able to clear away the mess using a dustpan and brush or vacumming it up.
So far we have tested on Urine and Vomit and it really is a remarkable product, definitely one I would recommend for a family with young children.

The Dry Carpet Cleaner comes with a little brush, it is very simple to use. If you have a stain on the carpet, which happens frequently in this house, the older children have a habit of spilling something and thinking that it will just miraculously clear itself up, therefore leaving the spillage to turn into a nice ugly looking mark on the carpet. With this product you vacuum the floor and then sprinkle the powder onto the stain, using the brush to get the powder into the carpet, after a minimum of 10  minutes, you then vacuum away.
It is a brilliant product and you don't have the inconvenience of a wet carpet, that you do with so many products, I would definitely recommend this product.

The next product was Spot Remover Wipes, the pack contains 25 wipes that can be used for cleaning stubborn spots and spills from carpets and fabrics. You literally just dab the wipe on the spill and rub in a circular motion and the spill just vanishes, my toddler saw me do this and said it was magic! not sure if that was a good move or not as she now thinks its OK if she spills something because mummy can do magic....

By far, my most favourite product from Natural and Clean is the

Whoops, Essential Baby and Toddler Clean Up Kit. It is fantastic and has everything you need for the car, when out travelling with children. It contains absorbent granules for clearing up body spillages, which can occur during long car journeys! Not only that but two Card Scraper/Scoops for clearing away the mess, two polythene gloves, two disposal bags, four spot remover sachets, Hand sanitiser and deodoriser. It really is the most wonderful little package I have ever seen!
It fits neatly in the glovebox of my car and is there for any type of child accident. So far I have only had to use a spot remover wipe when my toddler decided to fall asleep whilst eating a chocolate bar, resulting in chocolate being smeared all over the seat, the wipe was able to clean up all of the mess.
This Little Kit is amazing and I would urge all parents that are driving around with small children to purchase one, it cannot prevent your child from being sick or having a toileting accident, but it certainly helps to know that if either of these were to happen, then you have the right equipment to deal with it, a big thumbs up for these products.

Natural and Clean are the UKs cleaning specialists which offer a wide range of innovative and environmentally-friendly household, travel and pet cleaning products to leave your home fresh, clean and odour-free.
For more information, or to purchase some of their remarkable products please visit http://www.naturalandclean.com/

Sudocrem Skin Care Cream Competition

Sudocrem Skin Care Cream is an innovative beauty related sister product to the iconic Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream and is the perfect handbag accessory, especially in this weather!

They have a fantastic competition running, details can be found below:

Step 1– Go to www.facebook.com/SudocremTube and ‘Like’ the page
Step 2– Click on the Diane Von Furstenberg & iPhone 4S Competition page
Step 3- Follow the competition page instructions: Enter your email and answer the three product related questions correctly
Step 4- Keep your fingers crossed that your name is drawn from the hat of correct entries on 25^th February 2012

The Sudocrem Skin Care Cream competition prizes:
1^st Prize: Diane Von Furstenberg Handbag, iPhone 4S (16GB) and 12 tubes of Sudocrem Skin Care Cream
2^nd Prize: 50 runners up will receive a tube of Sudocrem Skin Care Cream

Competition Finish Date– 25^th February 2012
Competition winners announced– 29^h February 2012