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Where Have I Been?

This blog has been pretty quiet over the last few months.  I thought I’d be able to pick it back up a bit more now Ella is at preschool and I have my non-working mornings to myself, while Sienna naps, before we head to pick up Ella.

But those mornings have been spent working.  I’m doing a big push on my business at the moment.  I’ve always worked towards the ‘work less for more’ approach with my business.  I want to spend time with the girls while they are young, but I also want my business to be a ‘success’ and for me to be a key person of influence in my industry.  And this, of course, does require some time.  I work two full days a week typically.  Some weeks, I work more and Sienna goes for an extra day to nursery, and Ella spends the afternoon after pre-school at nursery too.  But mostly, I work Tuesdays and Thursdays.  And the rest of the week I play at being a mum!

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Mamia

Feeding a Toddler On The Go With #MamiaDaysOut

I swear my kids are bottomless pits!  They can eat and eat and eat, and still demand more!  I feel like I’m forever trying to figure out the best snacks to give them that keep them going for longer, while still being healthy.

We were really pleased to try out the Mamia range from Aldi.  This award winning 100% organic baby food range starts at just 59p, so it’s really affordable and great for on the go too.  And I’ve discovered it definitely isn’t just for babies.  Not only does Sienna (1 year old) love the range, but Ella (3 years old) does too.  In fact, our hamper of goodies was quickly pounced on by Ella, and she had a fruit pot open and eaten before I had put any of the food away!!

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starting preschool

You Started Pre-School

Ella, you’re in your third week of preschool now, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to just let you know how super super proud I am of you and how you’ve handled your first foray in to the world of school!

From the moment you found out you’d be going to ‘school’, you were so excited!  You mentioned it all the time, but never actually asked when it would be happening.  Then, when we told you that you would be starting that Monday, you were beside yourself with excitement!

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#smartdiscoveries

Picnic In The Park With smarTrike #SmartDiscoveries

Sienna is at an age where she is absorbing everything.  I’d love to see the world through her innocent eyes, and to take in everything around me with the same wonder!

Over the summer, Ella went to nursery for an extra day to help prepare her for preschool.  They are usually both in childcare at the same time, so it was really lovely to get to spend some one-on-one time with Sienna, which I haven’t really done since she was a baby.  Every Wednesday, over the summer, would be mine and Sienna’s day.  And luckily the weather was usually good enough for us to get out with the dog for a long walk.  Because we didn’t have Ella with us, we didn’t need the option of the buggy board for a 3 year old who has the habit of wanting to hop on when walking gets too much.  So we were chuffed to receive a Explorer 5-in-1 smarTrike for Sienna to see the world from a new perspective, to take in more around her, and to enjoy her dog walk in a new set of wheels.

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Kidloland Toddler App

Ella is a bit of an iPad addict.  She’s never really been in to the telly, but is very happy with an iPad in her hand.  I can’t deny, it’s been handy during Sienna’s first year, on times when I’ve needed to focus on her and distract an energetic toddler.

So, it helps when her iPad activity is educational, rather than just distractional!  Ella has been trying out the Kidloland App.  The app comes with lots of different activities, games, stories and nursery rhymes to keep toddlers entertained.  It helps teach phonics, numbers, animals, days and months and puzzle solving.  And Ella loves it!  It’s easy for her to use on her own, without my input, though I’ve also enjoyed helping her out with the different activities.  And I’m sure I will see an improvement in her learning through the use of the app.

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Siblings (August ’16)

Hurray!  I’m just managing to squeeze my siblings post in before the month is out!!!  Determined to never miss one of these!

So, I ended last month’s siblings post pondering whether Sienna would be walking by the next one.  And I can now reveal that….

SHE IS!!!!

About two weeks ago, Sienna took about 4 steps for the first time.  She’s been cruising around furniture and walls, and charging along with her walker or holding a finger tip, for months now. Despite barely holding on, she just didn’t have the confidence to let go.  Then one day, she found it.  And we all cheered.  And sent her walking from one of us to the next and cheered each time.  And she was soooo happy!  From then, she’s really nailed it.  I think so much cruising practice has done her well, and she’s already really steady and not crawling any more at all.  It’s so strange to see a baby turn instantly into a toddler, walking around unaided!

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Back to School with Hartleys No Added Sugar Jelly Pots

And, just like that, the summer seems to be coming to an end!  And parents all over the UK are quickly trying to get organised for back to school.  And this year, that includes me!  Ella will be starting pre-school next week.  While it’s not ‘big school’ just yet, it does signal the start of the daily school run, and a big change for Ella.  She can’t wait!

Ella will actually be having school dinners at pre-school.  But I’m sure the thought of having to fill lunchboxes is making many a parent come out in a cold sweat!  Especially when your aim is to get them to eat, and in doing so, eat the healthiest things possible.  Which is where the Hartleys No Added Sugar Jelly Pots come in super handy!!!

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Dyson

Engineering The Future With Dyson and Currys PC World

I have a thirst for knowledge.  I love reading about new things, and trying them out too where possible!  And I’d love for the girls to have the same thirst.  Ella is definitely showing signs already, asking constant questions about how things work.  So, I was really pleased myself and Ella were invited along to learn about Dyson products and how they are engineered, with Dyson and Currys PC World at the Museum of Science and Industry.  I knew she’d love it, and I wasn’t wrong!

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Starting My Day At 5.30am

I’ve always been a morning person.  Even if I have the opportunity to lie in, I tend to struggle to.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t often spring out of bed, singing along with the birds.  I still have to drag myself up most mornings, especially if I’ve been up to the girls in the night (haha, ‘IF I’ve been up’!!  There hasn’t been a night in a long time that I haven’t got up to one or both!!).  But I find I’m better first thing, and tiredness creeps in as the day goes on.

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wagamama

Date Night at wagamama

We haven’t had many date nights recently.  The girls have both been poorly, and I feel hard of asking anyone to look after them when I can picture them crying for us when we’re out.  Plus, life has been busy!  I was really pleased when we were invited to try out the relatively new wagamama at The Trafford Centre, as it meant we HAD to get out together, just us two.  So, last night, that is what we did!

Wagamama opened in The Trafford Centre in October 2015.  It’s the largest wagamama site in the company, and has a mezzanine floor.  They’ve recently released a new menu, including build your own ramen, so it was great to be able to try it out.  I actually haven’t been in a wagamama since I was a student, ten years ago!  And Sean has never been!!  I think it’s easy to get in to a comfort zone, or to rule something out as ‘not for us’.  But now we’ve broken the wagamama seal, I can confirm it definitely is for us!!!

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