Pink Lining Mini Yummy Mummy Changing Bag

I know you all think I'm a bit addicted to changing bags (this is true) and you probably think I have too many (this is never possible).

But I have found a brilliant baby bag that bridges the gap between 'I need everything but the kitchen sink' and 'I'm not lugging a huge baby bag around with me '

Let me show you (drum roll please) The Mini Yummy Mummy ...

 

 

It's a lovely compact 27cm x 18cm and has a front zip pocket and back pouch, the back is the perfect size for your changing mat, which of course is included. There are two internal pouches and an internal zip pocket with a detachable shoulder strap it can be worn over shoulder, hung on the pram or as a clutch.

 

I love that I can fit in wipes, nappies, phone, purse, keys and a cleverly rolled spare set of clothes for termite and we are set for a trip out!

As with all the pink lining range the quality is amazing the embroidered motif on the front is perfectly finished and the whole bag is well made. I speak from experience when I say they take a beating and still come out on top! That's exactly why this mummy has her sight firmly set on some travel pieces from Pink Lining and top of my list is this gorgeous hold all.

Priced at £45 the Mini Yummy Mummy is at the lower end of the Pink Lining range so I think makes a fab gift for any Mummys you know

You can order your new bag here (just in time for Christmas hint hint anyone looking for gift inspiration) and you can connect with Pink Lining on Facebook or Twitter.

 

 

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The (not so ) Secret Diary of Smelf The Elf On The Shelf and Snowflake

Well this year Santa told me he was sending me back to Monkeyfeet HQ which made me very happy, I had loads of fun last year. But then he said I've to take Snowflake with me to keep me out of trouble!!! Honestly she gets up to waaaay more mischief than me!

So we arrived on Monday with advent calendars for all the kids, Peanut was so excited she almost fell over running to tell the mummy one that we were here !

Last night we snuck to the kitchen ("my idea" snowflake) to eat some of peanuts birthday cake

Tonight we decided to give mummy a shock by hiding over her on the headboard, the kids thought it hilarious but mummy seemed a little weirded out.

Ha ha! Snowflake spotted a box of chocolates last night so tonight we scoffed them. Then we both felt sick! The kids were shocked, they are such good kids they'd never eat sweets without permission!

Tonight we spotted a toy in a termites room that looked like loads of fun so we spent the evening sliding down it again and again. It was the golden child that found us this morning

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Elf Escapades - The Arrival

Hello there, welcome back to week 3 of our seasonal Linky!

As you know this linky is all about the tradition of Elf on the Shelf. Now if you haven't heard of this tradition that's taking the world by storm ( have you been living under a rock) let us enlighten you. Traditionally 'Buddy' is a Elf sent by Santa from the North Pole to watch over your children and report back to the big fella in red.

This idea originated from a book But while the house is sleeping he gets into all sorts of mischief. Now depending on your level of dedication this could involve, making breakfast and cakes or dancing with the other toys - well those Elves are here now - did they come bearing gifts at all?

Well that's it - December is upon us and our Elves have all arrived now - so tell me is yours Naughty, Nice or a bit of both?

<div align="center"><a href="http://blog.monkey-feet.com/" title="Elf Escapades" target="_blank"><img src="http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab203/Karen_English_Pt-vip/imagejpg1_zps48a5b737.jpg" alt="Elf Escapades" style="border:none;"></a></div>

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Thankful Thursday 4 December

So December has arrived and with it some very frosty days (well for us at least). This week has seen my biggest girl turn 6 which has reminded me of many reasons to be thankful, she's a brilliant little person and I'm grateful everyday to be her mum.

Please keep spreading the word so we can grow grow grow the linky. I can't wait to catch up with you all again this week, if you are just new here then the info below might help.

Thankful Thursday is my weekly linky for us all to share our silver linings, brags, boasts or just something that made us smile. Be it a picture, a word, a sentence or a great big essay lets share what we are thankful for this week. It can be a new post just for this linky, a picture, a video, one word or a thousand this linky is all about thankfulness so whatever has made you grateful this week I would love to know.

If you would like to link up I would love for you to grab the badge below and spread a little linky love to some of the others taking part, and don't forget to spread the word, invite lots of people and help me grow this and make Thursdays a happier place.

<div align="center"><a href="http://blog.monkey-feet.com/" title="Adventure of a Monkeyfooted Mummy"><img src="http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab203/Karen_English_Pt-vip/a31fbba4-ad8e-4a22-938f-50b7765ce356_zps48c213b3.jpg" alt="Adventure of a Monkeyfooted Mummy" style="border:none;"></a></div>

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Mins Move Book Review

Ever thought of upping sticks and moving across the world? We have, and we talk frequently about having an adventure. Spartacus grew up in some far away places (well they don't seem so far away now that you can fly almost everywhere easily) and he has fond memories of the lifestyle and cultural differences. So as his work could be done anywhere and technically I just need internet and something to type on then we really could be anywhere! So the opportunity to spend some time living in a different country is very very real. But as a parent you have to consider the effect this will have on your children first and foremost.

The lovely people over at Move Hub have helped more than 45,000 families abroad, a figure which is growing each year as more and more companies work internationally.So they have created Mins Move so that, parents can make any move become an exciting adventure together.

What They Say

Min’s Move has been developed with child psychologists and illustrators to give both children and their parents an easy way to tackle the difficult and emotional issues surrounding a big move, after finding that more and more families were struggling with the transition.

From making new friends, to exploring new areas, to leaving your first home; Min’s Move finds a sensitive and enjoyable way to discuss feelings and prepare for the move, all within a colourful and engaging bedtime read.

For parents, there is a section with questions they can ask their children, and suggestions about ways to ease their kids through the process; such as talking about exciting places near their new home, introducing them to other children before they start school, and planning several goodbye parties to lessen the shock.
Throughout the book, Min and her brother Max learn more about the new place they will move to, become curious about new friends they can make and their confusion turns to excitement as they begin to understand the process and think what their new lives will be like.

 

What We Say

 

The book has lots of information about the people who helped create it and lots of questions and activities to work on together and the story is lovely, it really does make you feel the same as a child must, Min is obviously very nervous and has lots of questions in her head and concerns that may not even occur to us as parents.I think its sometimes hard to really put yourself in the mind of a little person, no matter how hard we try. There were parts of the book when I got a little emotional but its actually really lovely and positive. There are a lots of descriptive explanations about moving and packing and learning about your new country. I really think this book would be a valuable and effective tool to use in the plan for any move, not just those around the world!

MYou can get a copy of Min's Move here and you can connect with Move Hub on Facebook and Twitter

 

 

 

 

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The Christmas Grump at Northern Stage

 This past week we visited one of my most favourite places in the world, Northern Stage, to see their under 6s show, The Christmas Grump We have been to see the under 6's show every year since my Peanut was born and we have loved each and every one of them, you can read our review of last years Tallest Tales from The Furthest Forest here. Everything about the Northern Stage under 6's show is perfect for children (and their grown ups!) The casual seating arrangement and informal feel, the fabulous set and brilliant songs, the superbly written story and fantastic performances from the cast.

This Years show The Christmas Grump is the story of Mr Scratch who should be cockerhoop happy, he's a toymaker and he's rich what more could you need. But Mr Scratch is a grump and he need to learn some lessons, from three very lovely children, who just love Christmas. Inspired by Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol, you'd already got that hadn't you? The Christmas Grump is a brilliant story, written by Susan Mulholland and Directed by Mark Calvert  with a gorgeous set created by Andrew Stephenson. The costumes are lovely and the songs (all original music by Kate Doherty) will have you singing along, and tapping your feet so its a good job that the story and CD are available to buy when you are there. Performances are brilliant from the small cast , only four members. Who are woderfully funny, engaging and convincing all at the same time.

 

Without any doubt both mine and Termites favourite part of the show is the Christmas Elves, the whole scene had me chuckling heartily.

Your cast are:

•  Ruth Johnson - after playing the Penguin in The Prince and The Penguin, Mole in The Wind in the Willows and starring in Shhh... A Christmas Story Ruth is delighted to be back at Northern Stage for Christmas.
•  Alice Blundell – a graduate of NORTH, Alice has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, Theatre 503 and has been a member of the National Youth Theatre since 2005. She performed at Northern Stage in 2011 as part of Springboard, was a founder member of The Letter Room and is very happy to be back for her first professional job.
• Michael Blair – also a graduate of NORTH and a member of The Letter Room, Michael graduated from Northumbria University, has featured in new writing festivals (INK), undertaken improvisation workshops with The Suggestibles and performed extensively at The People’s Theatre in Newcastle.
•  Alexandra Tahnee - after appearing in Byker Grove in her teens Alex went on to study at RADA and East 15 before returning to the North East to take part in NORTH. She recently performed in Jerusalem at The People’s Theatre. Alex first performed at Northern Stage as part of Springboard 2011 and is delighted to be back

This visit was just for Termite and I and she happily sat watching the show and munching her snacks for the full hour, with a little break for dancing and clapping to the tunes of course. Which in my book is high praise indeed, if you can keep a 15 month toddler enthralled you've cracked it for the rest of your audience! I cant wait to go back after Christmas with Peanut and The Golden Child as well and they are really excited and even though she's now a big 6 year old my Peanut will not here any talk of not seeing the 'little show' as she has always called it!

For us Christmas isnt complete without a visit to northern Stage and if you can only do one thing this Christmas it should definatley be coming to see The Christmas Grump it is another resounding success from a marvelous creative team and brilliant cast. If you haven't booked your tickets I would get them sorted quick smart because this show is a real popular one. You can book online and you can connect with Northern Stage on Facebook or Twitter

Keep you eyes peeled for our review of Get Santa next wee.

All pictures courtesy of Topher Mcgrillis

My Biggest Littlie Is Six!

Six years ago I had been through a very long 'latent labour' (hateful term) and then a rather uneventful 8 hours from water breaking to having you in my arms! I can vividly remember My first thoughts being 'oh you're here'! Infact for quite a few weeks I felt a bit like you weren't really mine and someone would tell me it had all been a muddle. And then the fierce animalistic protection and love hit me like a bolt and my little peanut I can tell you with no doubt I will always fight for you I will stand up for you and protect you and support you FOREVER! I will champion you in whatever path you decide upon and I will always try to make the best choices for you and with you.

 

You are kind, caring, sharing, brilliantly clever, fabulously funny and passionately emotional (Im afraid the emotions come from me!) we have learned lots together and you teach me everyday how to be the best parent I can, although I realise that some days both of us being 'led by our emotions' can make for frustrating times we are always happy to hug it out.

 

I love how much you like to help others learn and how you look after people and your little shows always make me smile you certainly have a theatrical streak! You are a brilliant story teller and give absolutely amazing hugs you fill my heart with pride and I love to watch you grow and learn and as sad as it makes me that you are growing and learning so quickly it's is a joy to watch the amazing person you are develop every day into more and more amazing things! You are a star and I'm proud privileged and grateful to have been blessed with you

Happy birthday my crazy little nut

 

xxx

 

 

 

 

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