parenting

Children’s firsts!

- TracyB Leave a comment

If your anything like me you literally want to save everything from your child’s childhood!

However, this would only be possible if you had a huge mansion or paid storage space LOL

But I do keep a treasure box ( or should I say several boxes now) with the significant memories.

Photos however, are a different thing altogether, I have unbelievable amounts looking back at all their different stages. One of my favourite memories is when my youngest ( now 12) decided to colour himself in with red and orange felt tip pens just before we went to a toddler club!!!! HONESTLY I WAS ONLY ON THE PHONE FOR A MINUTE

Anyway check out this video below put together by Startrite for some of peoples memories of their children’s firsts:

 

Something for the memory box…

First smiles, first teeth, first steps…all monumental milestones in your baby’s development. As parents, we treasure these occasions and watch with pride and elation as our babies grow.

To help celebrate these special moments and everything it is to be a parent, Start-rite Shoes, with the help of the mums and dads, has created a touching video collection of special ‘first’ memories.  It forms part of a wider Start-rite campaign, which helps mums and dads treasure the precious memory of their child’s first steps and their first pair of shoes.

Parents who buy a pair of Start-rite first walking shoes will be invited to enter the online magical world of Mr Smith the shoe maker, where they can create a personalised video (set in Mr Smith’s shoe workshop) which stars their child and features photos of them experiencing special milestones in their development.

From first cuddles and smiles, to those tentative first steps and beyond.

The videos are easily sharable, either by email, or through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and provide parents with a digital keepsake to help preserve priceless memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvcC_Vs47JY&feature=plcp

 

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FIRSTS FOR YOUR CHILDREN?

Trouble with the Curve

- TracyB Leave a comment

That’s the title of a newly released (this weekend) film that I had the chance of going to see.

It stars the legendary Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams, and follows the estranged relationship between a father and daughter and loosely based around the sport of baseball.

Have a look at the down loadable link below:

Trouble with the Curve

This is a character based story and is a slow burner that simmers throughout enticing you to want to know what has made these characters how they are!

I like these sorts of films, you are not detracted from the story by loud, unnecessary stunts and noise. Clint Eastwood plays a fantastic ‘grumpy old man’ and actually you can almost feel his frustration as his general demeanor has changed so much from the ‘Dirty Harry’ suave days. Although he is cranky you want to slap and cuddle him at the same time. Amy Adams is a great counterpart to the dad. Successful but lonely striving for success in other parts of her life in order not to deal with the ‘father’ issue. Justin Timberlake, an acceptable eye candy, was a great fun, forward but like able character.

I’ve got to say the dads ‘old cronies’ club that seem to be at every game to are a fab bunch, showing that your sense of humour does not diminish as you get older.

Like I say, sometimes these stories are my favourites. The father/ daughter relationship keeps you captivated and it was nice that when the truth was out the relationship did not magically fix itself, but still kept you guessing if they would ever see ‘eye to eye’.

This is a heartwarming, enjoyable film great for a lovely quiet Sunday afternoon.

Here are some pics from the movie to get you wondering:

Trouble with the Curve

In cinemas now

AWOL……….GUILTY AS CHARGED!

- TracyB 4 Comments

MUM IN MELTDOWN– You are charged with being Absent Without Leave since your last post in the summer!!! HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

‘ Guilty m’lud!!!!! I have no excuses………………..what’s the penalty?’

A few weeks of HARD LABOUR getting your blog up to date and caught up on the social networks.

Like I’ve said I have no excuses, like everyone else life sometimes just gets in the way.

There have been :

CAMPING

TRAVELLING TO SEE FAMILY

A FAMILY WEDDING

BIRTHDAYS

NEW SCHOOLS

SCHOOL ROUTINE

CLUBS STARTING BACK

FISHING

KNITTING

READING

DECORATING

So in between eating and sleeping and all of the above I have failed to keep up to date on the social networking side of things.

So be warned, things to come…………….reviews, update to my knitting page, and more blog posts and updates on the crafty side of things from this end.

SO THE BIG QUESTION IS…………

HOW ARE YOU ALL?

 

 

 

 

Lost in London…….aged 11 yrs!!!!

- TracyB 6 Comments

No not a story about me as the 11 yr old but my own son.

Monday saw us heading back up town for another audition (remember my youngest is a ‘luvvy’ at heart and wants to be an actor). Anyway this really is nothing out of the ordinary for us. A short notice call a few days before with address details (normally quite obscure tiny offices in London’s backstreets) so we headed off as normal.

Audition done and return journey in process until…………….

Yes we went to get on a tube when my son walked on and the doors closed!!!! Leaving me on the platform…………OK PANIC NOW.

So told screamed at the guard that my son was on his own only to realise the tube he got on was going in the wrong direction that we were going! CAN THIS GET ANY WORSE??

Again the guard seemed a bit too chilled for my liking when he said I should go to the operations room WTF????? No you take me there and bloody tell someone my 11yr old son is on the tube going in the wrong direction…….EXCUSE ME IS ANYONE LISTENING TO ME ( i’m the mad shouting, hysterical lady crying down the phone to her husband telling him she has lost her son!!!- I know not a pretty sight)

However, by the time we got to the operations room they then had to calm me down to tell me they had my son at the next station with the guard!!!! OMG OMG OMG

So went back down to platform and got on next tube, still bawling my eyes out ( what a bloody picture) with people looking at me as though I was a complete loon (understandable I think).

Turned up at the next station and burst into tears again as my son came up and gave me a huge hug!!!

He was calm, and I asked him what he did.

‘Well I thought I would get off at the next station and wait for you to come along. But a nice young man offered to get off at the station with me and tell the guard what had happened’ ( there are some nice people out there! but we still warned him afterwards of the dangers).

So 11 yr old is calm, and 41 yr old mum is a complete wreck?????

He told me that he wasn’t panicked but he was worried about me because he knew I would be having a meltdown- talk about role reversal!

Anyway, all’s well that ends well and all that. For me I don’t think I have ever been so stressed in all my life. My M.E is affected considerably with stress and for the last few days I have been unable to do anything or eat properly so I know that is definitely the fallout from Monday!

However, everything happens for a reason and now we have at least got a contingency plan- if separated go to the next station and the other will follow!!

 

 

 

Top tips for camping with families

- TracyB 6 Comments

Top tips for camping with families

Having just had a week away at half term camping in Dorset, I started thinking why I love being away camping. Something that would have had me breaking out in a sweat a few years ago. So I thought I would share a few top tips for camping with families.

Top Tips for camping with families
This is me and my friend celebrating getting set up and starting a week away!

THE TRICK IS TO BE ORGANISED!

 Print off a camping list…

Of any of the main camping equipment online. Or make your own using their list as a starting point. Check the  list against your equipment several weeks before you go. Tick off the stuff you have and listing the stuff you need to get.

Make a shopping list..

Make a shopping list just for the time you are away. PLAN YOUR MEALS and take the basics with you. So, if your plan is to have a curry make sure you have the jar of sauce and then buy your meat fresh on the day.

Cool box and freezer blocks…

A good cool box and freezer blocks are essential for milks and butter to keep cold. I tend to freeze a pack of bacon and sausages to take for a cooked breakfast on our 1st morning there. They will also act as freezer blocks for the first day but will have defrosted well for the first mornings breakfast.

Go prepared…

Go prepared for cold and warm weather this is the UK after all.. Woolly hats and hot water bottles for the colder evenings and possible shorts and sun cream for warmer days.

Take games…

Take games suitable for your children and family to play. We take Uno cards and several decks of cards for Black Jack and Solitaire. Pens and writing pads for Hangman/ Battleship. These really don’t take up much space but can provide a few hours of entertainment on a rainy day. Don’t forget games for outsidetoo, such as,  football/ bats and balls/ Frisbees. These will all help keep the kids entertained after dinner in the evening.

Get the kids involved…

Get the kids involved by giving them some responsibility. Let them pack a small bag of things they want to bring for their own amusement like books, head torches, trump cards etc. Also during the camp try giving older kids a chore, such as, filling the water bottles, washing up, or taking rubbish to the bins etc.

Take Flasks…

Take flasks because not only are these fab to take out with you during the day for a sneaky cuppa. But we fill them at dinner time to make teas and hot chocolates before bed. Instant hot water when the kids are tired and don’t want to wait for the kettle to boil.

Take a windbreaker…

Take a windbreaker to mark an area close to your tent space. These can help create a great cooking area if your tent does not have a porch. Also they are easy to uproot and take with you for a day at the beach, presuming you get sunshine.

Disposable BBQ…

Disposable BBQ’s can be picked up for a few quid in most places. They are great alternative to take to the beach for a lovely evening with a Hot Dog or Burger thrown in for a cheap and easy dinner. Sometimes we don’t even bother with the BBQ.  We just use one of our single stoves and a frying pan for the same results. They are portable so make use of them.

Relax and enjoy…

Relax and enjoy the time. There doesn’t need to be a strict regime like at home. No one will be knocking at your door. The ironing and cleaning do not need doing. Have a break from social media. Take each day as it comes, late mornings/ late bedtimes/ extra snacks and treats. THIS IS YOUR HOLIDAY AFTER ALL!

Let me know if you go camping and have some tips I haven’t mentioned here.

I’m off! ……….on holiday that is.

- TracyB Leave a comment

Before you get all excited and start asking me which exotic, sunny, warm and relaxing part of the world I am heading to I will say one word……………………………..CAMPING!

Now that put it in perspective didn’t it. That means this country, hoping for sun, dodging the rain, and occupying an 11 and 14 yr old so they don’t kill each other, all under the roof of my fab ( huge) tent.

YET I LOVE IT AND CANNOT WAIT TO GO.

Madness I hear you say but once we have set up and settled ourselves these are a few things that make it relaxing and enjoyable:

No one knocks on the front door

No TV for the boys to be glued to

No games consoles so boys will talk to us

Mostly our phones are off!!

Time for us all to be together

No real schedule

Everyone mucking in with- cooking, washing up etc

NO CLEANING!! (a major bonus)

Time to do what we want to do without the rosta of kids clubs and parties

Beating the kids at Black Jack

A great RELAX

So I will be going cold turkey on all things technical ( except my camera). No Facebook, no Twitter, No Blog or reading other blogs……………………………Like I say cold turkey for 6 whole carefree, chilled out days. Come rain or shine we are going to have a fab time.

Therefore, without further ado I wish you all a GREAT HALF TERM and I will see you on the other side.

Wish you were here and all that……………………Happy Half Term.

Top tips on getting your family involved in party planning.

- TracyB Leave a comment

With all the celebrations coming up you can find great hints and tips for parties, picnics, tea party’s all over the Internet.

I think it’s important with any occasion ( birthdays, Christmas, Easter etc) that the kids get fully involved otherwise I think it would be difficult to celebrate these events as they get older. I believe in the importance of celebrating things along the way and would love my boys to still be doing some of my little traditions when they both have children.

If your the same and love to get the children involved then tune into a great WebTV show today at 3pm.

With last year’s Royal Wedding celebrations still a fond memory for most; the excitement is now building for this summer’s celebration – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! It is fast approaching and many of us are preparing to party – and panic!  

Whether you are attending one of the thousands of street parties that are set to take place, or having your own Jubilee celebrations, there are lots of ways to get the whole family involved and take the pressure off at the same time…

The Flour Advisory Bureau is launching a campaign to remind people to Love their Loaf this Jubilee year and to help us avoid any catering crises, they have put together an invaluable free party planning tool kit to help people across Britain plan effectively for what looks sure to be a record breaking few months of socialising and entertaining.

From classic buffet recipes, tips for truly modern sandwiches, delicious drinks to pour and advice on handling your guests, the guide contains everything you might need to deliver a Jubilee party to remember.

Over half of those planning on organising parties during this summer of celebration, whether it is street or back garden based, proudly proclaim they will be making everything, or almost all of their party food from scratch. But what will feature on our menus and what quintessential British dishes are the must-haves for our patriotic parties?

Tune into our live and interactive webTV show where celebrity baker, Paul Hollywood, and event planner, Catherine Borowski, show you how to party plan as a family.

Show date: Thursday 24th May

Show time:  3pm

Tune into our live and interactive webTV show to hear more from Paul Hollywood, Celebrity Master Baker and judge on the BBC’s Great British Bake Off and event planner Catherine Borowski.

Paul Hollywood and Catherine Borowski join us live online at http://www.studiotalk.co.uk/show/party-planning-masterclass on 24th May 2012 at 3pm

Click here to submit questions before the show: http://www.studiotalk.co.uk/show/party-planning-masterclass

Beware the teenage hormones!

- TracyB 2 Comments

Beware the teenage hormones!

Teenage hormones

So this afternoon has consisted of a rampage of teenage hormones:

Happy chat

Grunting answers

Mad waving of hands in a ‘ WTF’ attitude!

Shouting at top of voice

Total meltdown complete with tears

Silence

Slamming of cups and plates

Then total chill out!!!

 

So if you take a quick look at the list you will probably come to 1 of 2 conclusions……….

I’m premenstrual  OR

teenage daughter is premenstrual!

WRONG…………………………………………Teenage boy must be ( I have no girls)!!!!!!  As this was the behavior we had in the space of about an hour.

SO GOD HELP ME AND SOMEONE PASS THE GIN PLEASE

The truth hurts!

- TracyB 2 Comments

Yes it does, really it does.

Yesterday the truth hurt me…………..

I became a mother of a 14yr old!! ( can you feel the pain?)

That means I have to accept I am now OLD enough to have a 14yr old- not quite sure how that happened to be honest. One minute he was a bundle of gurgles and poo, I have watched him learn to walk and talk, ride a bike, go to school, learn to read and write. I remember his little words when he couldn’t say things properly:

‘Daddy where’s my scoobydriver?’  meaning screwdriver!!

Yesterday I was hit with the hammer of truth and it nearly knocked me out. I HAVE A 14YR OLD!!

The candles say it all- it was nearly a fire hazard!

 

So what have I got left to look forward to?

Strops- yes he does that already

Independence- Oh god help me

Drinking- not going there

Girls- The stress is too much

LIKE I SAY- THE TRUTH HURTS (LOL)

 

 

 

Top Parenting Tips

- TracyB 2 Comments

When we become parents we have sometime very definite ideas on how we are going to be as parents, how are children are going to be brought up, how they will behave etc.

Anyway as all parents know that plan goes completely out of the window the minute the baby is born! As a new parent we are thrown in at the deep end and pretty much left to get on with it as best we can.

Each stage of a baby/ child’s development brings new worries and stress as we hope we are doing things right. We learn from books, and friends, and family about what works for that particular child. So it’s always interesting when others offer tips of what works for them. Sometime the ideas are new and sometimes they are tried and tested.

I have included a video link below from Myleene Klass revealing her top parenting tips.

http://www.broadcastexchange.tv/live/myleene-klass-parenting-top-tips

“Umbilical whiplash?!”

From separation anxiety to breastfeeding in public, watch our video where celebrity mum, Myleene Klass reveals her top parenting tips

Motherhood presents plenty of challenges and all of us mums know just how different life becomes when the little one arrives and becomes part of the family.

Whether you’re a working, stay-at-home or a celebrity mum, it is hard to know the best way to overcome any challenges you may face. From breastfeeding to separation anxiety, shopping and sharing, it is important to remember that when it comes to parenting, there is no size that fits all.

No one knows more about balancing a career and the pressures and joys of motherhood than Myleene Klass. Mum to two little girls under five, Myleene knows all too well the worries that every parent faces in trying to do the best for their children: “There are so many things parents have to think and worry about when bringing up their children, what they are eating, if they are warm enough, if they have good manners, but feet always seem to get forgotten.” 

Myleene has this year joined forces with Start-rite shoes with the aim of promoting to like minded parents, the importance of having their children’s feet properly measured and fitted with quality fitted footwear to support their long term healthy foot development. “Many parents don’t realise just how malleable children’s feet are right up until their teens and hence the importance of looking after them right from the very start.  By ensuring children wear shoes that properly fit their feet you can help prevent problems in later life.” 

To find out more and hear about what Myleene has to say go to the Start-rite YouTube channel www.youtube.com/startriteshoes

July will also see the introduction of a dedicated Start-rite by Myleene Autumn/Winter 12 range of shoes which supports her passion for children’s fitted foot wear with an injection of her own sense of style and personality.

In our video, Myleene Klass shares the top parenting tips that help her get to through daily life with two young girls. From thoughts on breastfeeding to separation anxiety or “umbilical whiplash” as Myleene calls it, watch the video to find out how you can strive to create a balance and be the best mum you can possibly be.

Check out the video below:

http://www.broadcastexchange.tv/live/myleene-klass-parenting-top-tips

What are your top parenting tips?