Lottie Biggs Is Not Tragic Review - A Perfect Teen Read

Here are the top five things that we will miss about the Lottie Biggs series:

- The casual and infectious use of the word ‘ridonkulous’

- Gareth Stingcombe and his manly thighs

- Winnie, the wisest chinchilla in all of Wales

- Justin Timberlake knickers

- LOTTIE BIGGS

Lottie Biggs is (not) Tragic is the third and final book in the fantastic series that has captured the hearts of readers of all ages across the country. Written with the wit of Louise Rennison and the depth of Jacqueline Wilson, this has been the journey of Lottie Biggs, a very small teenage girl from Whitchurch, Cardiff. There are no vampires, werewolves, trolls, pirates, spaceships or ghosts. Just Lottie, and her hilarious, completely captivating voice. We have experienced the trails, tribulations, ups and downs of Lottie’s very REAL LIFE. . . complete with hair dye, rugby playing boys with manly thighs, older sisters, mental health problems, best friends, divorced parents, part-time jobs and of course, Justin Timberlake knickers.

In the last book of the series, Lottie is in the midst of an existential crisis. Her mum’s all soppy over a bloke with a horrible shemo* daughter, and her pal Goose has developed a severe case of Nerd rash. Time to get out of Cardiff and hit the road with the gorgeous Gareth (and his manly thighs). But things don’t go exactly to plan…*a female emo, obviously

Xene adores these type of books, so was very enthusiastic to read the complete series of three books in as many days. They must have been good, because she didn't put them down and I did have to draw the line at her reading whilst eating her dinner!
Her thoughts on the books were that they were hilariously funny and a truly typical teenage girl read, she is nearly fourteen and I asked which age she thinks they would be most suitable for and she said definitely thirteen upwards, as I skimmed through one book, the  words I saw his giant sausage lead me to believe that yes they are for her age and above!!
They certainly seem a popular read, as all of her friends at high school have either read, in the middle of or waiting to read the three books.
I would definitely recommend the series for any teen girl in your family, I am sure they would not be disappointed.

SANAMAMA Carrier Review - The Piggy Back with Straps!

You will already know that I LOVE to carry my little one around in a sling, I find it so much easier and it enables me to have both hands free to get on with things.

At the moment I have been using the Baby Bjorn, but I must admit, he is getting rather chunky and my back can only take so long. At the age of Tyrus, this type of sling is great, but what about when he gets a little older...

We have a rather chunky backpack that our children have used when we go out on a hike, but it is far too heavy for me, I would like to be able to carry one of the children on my back, without the extra weight of a large carrier.

So I was extremely excited when I was given the opportunity to review a Sanamama Carrier, for those of you unfamiliar with the carrier, it draws on the wisdom of an age old African Tradition, but with added safety features for your total peace of mind.

It can be used from approximately 4 months, when baby is able to support his or her own head.

I originally tried this with Tyrus but he was not keen on being put on my back, he preferred the face to face interaction. It was also recommended up to age 3, so I decided to ask Eowyn’s opinion, she was rather keen to give it a go.

With her being that little bit older I was able to attach the carrier easily whilst she stood on the chair, For a younger child it would probably be easier to lay them down and put them in it.

You fasten them in and then place them on your back, I thought it all sounded very complicated,. But actually it was very easy.

Here is my teenage daughter demonstrating how easy it easy to carry your little sister!

It is so lightweight, and takes up hardly any room, you can just have it in your changebag. Its brilliant for children that are not quite old enough to hold on for a piggyback and it gives parents the added safety, without the worry that they are going to let go.

Check out the video here of how to use this wonderful carrier.

It is a very reasonable price, compared to others on the market and it can be used until 3 years approx.

 

For more information on Sanamama please visit their website

 

I love this carrier and cannot wait to use it with Tyrus when he gets a little bigger, all children love a piggy back and this just takes away the hazards, it also means my two older children can take it in turns to carry their little siblings.

 

For anyone looking for the next stage from a baby sling, this is definitely worth a look.

Mutu Begins

As you all know I have begun the 12 week Mutu System , so I threw out all junk food and read the manual, to begin Saturday....

 

This was probably THE hardest part, actually having a photo of myself, as I am not one for appearing in photos, but I thought this might keep me motivated!!

My Mutu System Measurements

Weight                    10 stone

Chest                     38"

Waist                     33"

Hips                       38"

Thigh                     22"

Arm                       11"

Diastasis                   2

Midline Strength    Deep/Weak

I am the heaviest that I have ever been and although many people would say I am not big, in myself I feel too big, I am only 5ft 2, with a fairly small frame, so this, for me is far too big.

Two Days In

I have not had a fizzy drink since Friday, my one cup of tea limit per day, I thought would be really hard, but actually it hasn't been a problem, although it is only two days!! I am beginning to tolerate glasses of water, but I now need to up my exercise routine, so I shall be aiming to do either Just Dance 3 or the Body Workout on Kinect at least three times per week, although ideally every day - if I get time!

Glitzy Secrets Winner

And the winner is ....

Efemera

@KateBissell

Congratulations, please send your details to mandijmorrison@aol.com

Nine Months On, Nine Months Off

Well, that's what they say but ITS A LIE !!!
Now, don't get me wrong, with Xene I was back in my jeans within three days, Lochie it took two weeks, Neva one month, Kaide six weeks, Eowyn three months, and finally Tyrus - well I am heavier now than at nine months pregnant, which for me is a BIG deal.
Only 10 more days until Tyrus is nine months old and I am nowhere near my ideal weight, shape, toned body. So it is time to get SERIOUS.

On Saturday I shall be starting the fabulous Mutu, so today and tomorrow I shall begin reading the manual and get rid of all of the junk food in the house, I would love to say that I have the willpower to keep the sweets and treats in the house, just for the children, but I know my weaknesses....

The hardest challenge will be cutting out fizzy drinks and taking a picture of me with minimal clothes on, as I have tended to opt for the baggy jumper look lately.

I am not happy in myself with the weight that I am carrying and the way that I look, so onwards and upwards, feel free to follow me on my 12 week journey to gorgeousness (I hope !) If there are any mummies out there about to embark on the course, please let me know, its always nice to do something with another person.