Why move to Growing Up Milk?

With our little one "growing up" we are already having the debate about when to move her onto the next level of milk or whether to just give her whole milk. Here is a mum talking about the move to "Growing Up Milk" by our friends at Aptimal!

Helpful hints on how to keep cool this summer

The sunshine has finally come out to say hello to 2012, but while we all enjoy basking and bathing in this glorious weather it’s important we take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our little ones! Hot water expert, Megaflo has put together some top tips on how to keep cool and protect yourself in the heat.

1) Dress for the weather

Make sure you wear loose-fitting clothing to keep you cool. Try wearing light coloured garments too as dark clothes absorb the heat.

2) Cream up!

Make sure you use sun screen whenever you’re in the sunlight to prevent yourself from burning.

3) Refresh yourself

Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the fridge so when you need a refresh you can give your face a spritz!

4) Get fanning

Fans are a great way to cool yourself and get air circulating throughout your house!

5) Ice cool

Keep plenty of ice trays stocked up in the freezer so you can keep your drinks cool, or even make your own ice lollies!

6) Take a cool shower

Having a cool bath or shower helps keep your body temperature low leaving you feeling revitalised to carry on with your everyday duties.

7) Drink the right drinks

Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water especially while participating in sporting activities. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.

8) Protect your head and neck from the heat

Wear a cap or hat to protect your head from the heat as this will reduce sun exposure to your face.

9) Eat summer foods

Eat light summer dishes little and often rather than hot and heavy meals.

10) Chill out

Make sure you alter your outdoor exercise pattern to take advantage of cooler times. Early morning and late evening should be cooler so try and schedule your exercise for then.

For more information please visit http://www.megaflo.com/

Megaflo is showing its support to helping save water by co-funding a Pump Aid project to develop, dig or improve water wells and install pumps and flushing toilets for 21 schools in Malawi. Pump Aid is a charity dedicated to providing clean water and good safe sanitation to underprivileged areas in rural Africa. ..... They are showing their support, we wanted to show ours by posting this information.

Disclaimer : This post is not in any way sponsored, nor have we received any compensation or remuneration for this post.

These Bobux are made for walking : Step Up Shoe Review

Who doesnt love new shoes? Well actually the 10 month old is not a huge fan of shoes and takes every opportunity to take her little pram shoes off! So we were filled with excitement and trepidation when we were offered shoes from Bobux to review.

Bobux tell us that the step up range has been designed specifically for pre-walkers, with a natural shape, flexibility and easy accessability. Perfect for special occasions, the "twinkle toes" dress shoe will catch every girls eye. (they also caught her bug sisters eye, who thought, and I quote "mommy, they are toooo cute").

 

Now with the little one trying to go from crawling to walking in one massive (lilypad) leap, I dont think she is quite ready as she curls her toes underneath her when she is standing. However, when she has the Twinkle Toes on, she keeps her feet flat ..... this is definately progress

 

The velcro straps are quite sturdy and to date, she hasnt figured out how to get them off .... which is definately a bonus as I have spent many a time retracing our steps to find a "missing" shoe!

 

The shoe itself is just adorable (I refer to 7 year old's comment above) and make my baby girl look like a big girl. They are flexible and light weight, which makes them great for wearing indoors and outdoors, although given the weather at the moment its more likely to be indoors!

 

All in all, they get a huge thumbs up from us and we feel these Bobux are definately made for walking, and that's just what she'll do!

 

Shoes available from Bobux priced at £29.99 - also available in white!

The Evolution of the Family Holiday - Guest Post

As always, we are delighted to welcome our regular guest contributor from Moneysupermarket.com. What are your thoughts?

To us Brits the family holiday is one of the most important dates in our calendar, for parents and children alike there is not much that tops the excitement associated with getting away with our loved ones for a week or two.

But with populations, economic situations and even climates changing how will that leave our much cherished family holidays in the near future?

Currently a week to Cornwall or an all-inclusive break to Spain might be the norm, this infographic by TravelSupermarket shows how our holiday habits might change – who knows our children might be taking a sun break to Sweden by the time they have their own families!

The Butlins Future Report: What is a 3D Dad?

How have things changed?

In years gone by, the man was the bread winner and the woman was the bread maker (the loaf variety of course) but with the shift in family dynamics and more complex family structures means that as long as the "bread" is on the table, it doesnt necessarily "knead" to come from one direction.

I was fortunate to read a report commissioned by Butlins on the future of family holidays and the one aspect that really caught my eye was the element regarding men and women and the shift from the traditional roles I mentioned above. Here is an extract:

3D Dads


More women entering the workplace has already driven the shift away from traditional gender roles, with women gaining greater financial independence. More responsibility for helping with housework and childcare will fall with fathers, and by 2037 we can expect to see an army of 3D Dads (Domesticated, Dynamic and Devoted).

According to the research, one in three (35%) dads currently shun housework, and one in six (16%) do little to no childcare. But it’s a far more optimistic outlook for 25 years time with 60% expected to split chores evenly, and 40% pulling their weight with childcare.

These figures seem incredulous but the report is really interesting. From supersized 14-strong Relation Vacations, to the rise of Super-Gs and 3D dads - The Butlins Future Report uncovers how changing family structures will redefine the way millions of Britons holiday in the future. The full report is available upon request or can be downloaded at www.butlins.com/future

Is your family traditional or do you have a 3D Dad??

Bloggers for #Shareniger

  

Would you want someone to help your child if they needed it? I dont need a lengthy blog post to tell you that £1.00 can simply help to change some childrens lives. £1 is less than the price of a glass of wine, than a bag of sweets and the same as a lottery ticket. Your chances of winning the lottery maybe millions to one but that £1 could give a chance to a young child with gratitude that is priceless.

How World Vision child sponsorship works...

World Vision believe the best way to change a child's life is to change the world in which they live. And the best way to change their world is to help their community to become self-sustaining. This is what World Vision Child Sponsorship does.

Other pages you might find useful.



http://www.shareniger.com/


http://www.worldvision.org.uk/child-sponsorship/


http://www.mummy-tips.com/2012/06/help-us-to-sponsor-child.html

Frankie and Bennys : Review of the new menu 2012

When we heard that Frankie and Bennys were launching new menu's, we were more than a little excited to be invited along to check them out. They launched their new menus at the end of March and in particular their dessert, lunch and specials menus were set for a change, so we were all set for a an eating challenge. (The challenge was set by my gorgeous other half who loves food *almost* as much as he loves us I think).

As we never like to do things by half, we went in force, so there were 10 of us to contend with and whilst our table wasnt quite ready when we arrived, this was somewhat compensated by the balloon decorations when we sat down (did i mention that it was the 7 year olds birthday?).

Frankie and Bennys has an old time diner feel and whilst its certainly not spacious, I think they are going for the more cozy, atmospheric feel to the restaurant. Our waitress for the evening was Jenny and she was friendly, helpful and genuinely lovely with the children. After some deliberation (and salivation) over the menu, we all decided and here is the round up of what we ate:

Cajun Chicken Burger - doubled up (of course)

OH says: Delightful 10/10

Steak & Fries with side salad

My Dad says: Not hot enough but tasty 9/10 (its worth pointing out that my dad puts EVERYTHING in the microwave before eating it so that it is scalding hot!!)

Salmon Fishcakes

My Mum says: Lovely 10/10

Spinach Ricotta

My Aunt says: Really nice 8/10

Full rack of BBQ Ribs

My Brother says: Excellent ribs - best tasted in a long while 10/10

Cajun Chicken Burger

My sister in law says: I have left nothing on the plate!!! 9/10

 

Chicken and Prawn Alfredo

I said: It was a little spicier than I anticipated but the prawns were delicious 9/10

Childs Chicken Pasta with cucumber and tomato 10/10

The birthday girl said: It was yummy

Now anyone who has been to Frankie and Benny's will know that if you have a birthday, the Frankie and Benny's staff will sing Happy Birthday to you. Now I have to be honest and say that this wouldnt be my choice of birthday celebration but for my daughter, she thinks its the best. so everytime the music started up, she would look around to see if it was for her! Needless to say, she was grinning from ear to ear when they did sing Happy Birthday to her.

So overall it was a big thumbs up from us all.

There was a little confusion when it came to pay as we were part paying with a voucher but Jenny, the helpful waitress, managed to sort it out with the Manager and we left happy, full and happy to recommend F&B's. There are always offers and updates on their website, so check it out before you go.

http://www.frankieandbennys.com/