Are you pregnant again?

Admittedly I have not been doing very well on my @slimavite diet this week but today a lady at work made a comment that shocked me to my core...

She popped into the kitchen, tapped my belly and said...

'Are you pregnant again?'

OMG!!! Did she just say what I thought she said...

'Erm, NO!' I replied very shocked, another lady said she is losing weight not putting it on.  By which time I think the first lady had seen the shocked look on my face and muttered something about the way I was standing that made her think I was expecting again.

I just didn't know what to say, I mean its not everyday that someone asks if your pregnant.  I walked into the office and asked the others that were on shift to be 100% honest with me...

'Do I look pregnant?'

They all replied, no but then asked why I asked, once I had explained what had happened in the kitchen they nearly fell off their chairs laughing.

If this wasn't motivation to lose my jelly belly then nothing is

Boo xxx

I won the Kodak Big App Challenge

I can hardly believe I am writing this post... I was selected as one of the winners in the Kodak Big App Challenge! 

This was my entry...

What did I win...

A 7.1 Hero All-in-One printer with 4 packs of A4 photo paper and 5 printer cartridges each of black and colour ink

Boo xxx

Tell Me About Yourself

I was very kindly tagged by at least daddy can cook...

The rules for receiving this award are:

1. I must tell 7 secret things about myself.
2. I must pass the award onto 15 other bloggers.

Here goes...

7 Secret Things About Me (not sure how secret they all are, but they're certainly not things I share very often):

1. I cannot use toilets where the cistern is high up on the wall (I'm convinced I died in a previous life by one falling on my head)

2. I give myself pep talks whilst sitting on the toilet (I can put the world to rights sitting there)

3. I have no matching underwear

4. I have to clean my ears at least three times a week

5. I often feel alone, even in a room full of people

6. I think my eyes are best feature but are hidden behind my glasses

7. I have a fear of dying alone and unloved




And the Tell Me About Yourself award goes to...


1. Mummy From The Heart


2. Kate On Thin Ice


3. New Mum Online


4. Mummy Matters


5. Would Like To Be A Yummy Mummy


6. Managing Mayhem


7. Diary Of A First Child


8. Tired Mummy Of Two


9. Katie And The Kids


10. Blog By Baby


11. Me And My Kiddiwinks


12. Susan Mann


13. Mummy Of 3 Diaries


14. Gadget Mum


15. Me And My Shadow

Boo xxx

REVIEW: First 100 Animals - Priddy Books

Winner of the Gold Award Practical Preschool Awards 2007

The book contains 11 different types of animals:

• Pets
• Babies on the farm (my favourite)
• On the farm
• Rivers and lakes
• Forests and woods
• Jungle (Tigger's favourite)
• African animals
• Polar animals (Roo's favourite)
• Seas and oceans
• Australian animals
• Creepy crawlies

The pages are sturdy cardboard so hard wearing and great for little fingers.  Each page is eye catching and contains beautiful photos.

Parent's Guide: With over 100 different photographic images to look at and talk about, this wonderful word and picture book will quickly teach children to recognise all sorts of animals

(Quote taken from the back cover of the book) 

The book is aimed at any age, for teaching those first words or explaining the different animals.  Encouraging speaking and reading skills.

Overall

A sturdy book packed with beautiful photographs which are eye catching for young children to look at, engaging them in the book.

Tigger loved looking at the array of colour's throughout the book and giggled as I read out the names of the animals.  I am sure as he grows and his speech develops this will be a book that we go back to read and look through time and time again.

This would make a great present, babies are so difficult to buy for so why not buy them a book that will grow with them.

Price

£5.99

Where to buy

Priddy Books

More Info

   

Boo xxx

Disclaimer: Sponsored post I was sent the book free of charge for the purpose of this review, my thoughts are as ever my own.

@Slimavite - Week 5 (#MUMenTUM)

Starting weight: 12st 2lb (31/10/11)

Weight: 11st 10lb (stayed the same)

This week I haven't lost any weight and to be honest I thought I would be reporting a gain this week.  It has been a terrible week... I have been comfort eating (never a good thing).


As some of you will know my mum moved away last Monday so I have been down in the dumps about that, add to this I've had a cold, my flu jab, Tigger's MMR jab... just a little of everything really and it pushed me over the threshold of my willpower to head for the chocolate, biscuits and all things naughty.


I did however start to regain my willpower over the weekend which is probably why I have stayed the same instead of gaining.  Plus after last weeks post I thought about what goals I could set myself and what treats I would like for reaching those goals.  You can see my goals/treats HERE.


With all that has happened this week I have not done much research into fitness/toning programmes.


I'm hoping that this week will be much better than last week and setting myself a 4lb loss goal... Fingers crossed


I hope all my fellow @Slimavite and #MUMenTUM ladies are doing well.

Boo xxx

#SilentSunday - 27/11/11

Boo xxx

REVIEW: Mega Bloks Fill and Dump Wagon

Over the summer we purchased the Mega Bloks fill and dump wagon and ever since both Roo and Tigger have had hours of fun and enjoyment playing with it.


Included is 25 chunky mega bloks inside a sturdy pull along wagon.  The handle folds over the top of the dump bucket when not in use or can be used for building on top of.  The wagon has nice big wheels that are easy to turn.


Available in two colour options, which makes it suitable for both sexes.  The wagon is suitable for age 1+, although Tigger has been happily playing with it since he was about 9mths.


The wagon is very strong and durable, Tigger has climbed all over it, used it as a standing aid, as well as chewed on it when he was teething.


Red, blue and yellow wagon

Pink and purple wagon

Price
£24.99 - £29.99 depending on where you buy


Where to buy

Boo xxx

Disclaimer: Non-sponsored post I bought and paid for items with my own hard earned money.  Just sharing some product love with you.  As always my thoughts and opinions are my own.

WINNER: Benefit Celebutante Gift Set

After 445 entries the winner is...

CONGRATULATIONS

Managing Mayhem

(@managingmayhem)

I have emailed you, please let me have your details and I will send out ASAP

Boo xxx

@Slimavite Goals/Treats

I having been thinking recently more and more recently about why I want to lose weight and treats that I can give myself  for reaching key goals.  I thought I'd share these with you all...


11st - My gorgeous shoes I have been pinning over ever since I wore them at the Littlewoods Christmas Blogger Event

10st - Spa Day - I've been on a spa day so would love to experience a whole day of pampering

9st - Personal Shopper experience - I struggle to pick clothes out for myself especially if they have any colour to them so would value a neutral person to suggest outfits

Boo xxx

If any companies would like to treat me please do contact me for a possible review #cheekyrequest

REVIEW: @findmeagift - Personalised Christmas Tree Stocking

I have been looking to get personalised Christmas stockings for the children for a while when I came across the Christmas tree stockings on Find Me A Gift.com in their wonderful Christmas gift section.

Size: 48cm x 18cm (approx), so plenty of room for all those little treats

Personalisation: Up to 15 letters, in white stitching

Design: The classic Christmas Tree design, which is suitable for both boys and girls

Delivery: As these are personalised items I expected them to take a 7-10 days for delivery, however they arrived the very next day (I could not believe it when I opened the package)

 

The hook for hanging the stocking I feel needs to be on the outside of the stocking as when hung up the stocking doesn't hang right and once the stocking is filled I imagine this will make it look even worse


Overall: I am very pleased with the stockings, they are a good size and quality.  At £7.99 for a personalised stocking I don't think you can go wrong.  My only negative is the hanging hook possibly being in the wrong place but this only a small thing and doesn't effect the usefulness of the stocking.


Price: £7.99


Where to buy: Find me a gift - Christmas Gifts


More Info:       

Boo xxx

Disclaimer: Sponsored post I was sent two Christmas Stockings in exchange for a review of the product.  My thoughts and opinions are and will always be my own

Oh No! The dishwasher is leaking...

For a few days we have noticed that when walking in the kitchen in socks that our feet keep getting wet, even when there is no visible water on the floor.  Always in front of the dishwasher so today after work I thought, 'I'll just take a look'...

I pulled the dishwasher forward when suddenly I heard a hissing sound...


OMG! its water, where is the water coming from???


I looked under sink and found it spraying from the water hose pipe connected to the dishwasher.  I turned it off, when I realised that this must have been slowly leaking for a long time as the back of the cabinet was wet and had mold spores.

I decided to look behind the dishwasher and under the cabinet to find a river of water just sitting there, so the water must have been seeping through the grout in the tiles.

I have called an engineer out but he isn't coming until Monday! so until then I'm trying my best to soak up the river under the kitchen cabinets and hope for the best on Monday.

Boo xxx

REVIEW: Fairy Tales - Priddy Books

Roo really enjoys her story books and each term at school the focus on a different fairy tale.  So when we received this she was so pleased to see some familiar stories.

The book has nine stories, each spread over four pages:

• The Gingerbread Man
• The Three Little Pigs
• The Princess and The Pea (my favourite)
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Rapunzel
• The Ugly Duckling
• Goldilocks and The Three Bears (Roo's favourite)
• Hansel and Gretel
• Jack and The Beanstalk

The pages are sturdy cardboard so hard wearing and great for little fingers.  Each page is colourful and illustrated beautifully.

The book is aimed at 3+yrs, foundation stage.  Encouraging imagination, stimulating senses and speaking skills.

As Roo is just learning to read at school she unfortunately cannot just pick up a book and get lost in the story, which is why I love that this book comes with an audio CD.  I decided to download the stories onto my iPod so that she could listen to them at any time.

 Roo listening on my iPod 

Overall

A sturdy book packed with all the fairy tales you remember from your childhood.  I loved that this came complete with an audio CD, not only so children can listen whilst they following the story in the book but great to put into the car too.  The illustrations are beautiful and make each page eye catching and engaging for your child to look at.

Roo enjoyed listening to stories whilst looking at book and the pictures, even managing to repeat some of the key words in the stories, i.e. I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down!

This book would be great for boys or girls and would make a wonderful birthday or Christmas present.

Price

£9.99

Where to buy

Priddy Books

More Info

   

Boo xxx

Disclaimer: Sponsored post I was sent the book free of charge for the purpose of this review, my thoughts are as ever my own.

@Slimavite - Slimmer in the spotlight

I have been chosen as the Slimavite Slimmer in the spotlight...

please head over to their BLOG and take a look

Boo xxx

The A-Z Meme

ANORAK…Do you have a sad side?

Several things, like insisting the dishwasher is loaded a certain way, the dirty washing separated into whites and darks

BODY…What physical attribute would you most like to change?

My jelly belly, after two c-sections it has never been the same

CELEBRITY…Which one would you most like to date and why?

Joshua Jackson (aka Pacey Witter), he has rugged good looks and a great wit

DEBUT …Tell us about your first ever blog post. What made you start blogging?

Coming to the end... About me finishing my maternity leave and returning to work.  I started blogging as I enjoyed reading so many whilst I was on maternity leave and wanted to share my life juggling work, childcare and life

ERROR …What’s been your biggest regret?

Losing friends, either by growing apart or falling out... as the years go by I wonder why we lost touch

FUNNY – who’s making you laugh?

Peter Kay, the funniest man alive... he doesn't even need to speak some of his expressions get me giggling

GRAND…If we gave you one right now what would you spend it on?

I'd buy my husband an iPad for Christmas and save the rest (boring I know)

HOLIDAY… What’s your favourite destination?

I'd love to visit New York at Christmas, I want to see the Rockefellar Center Christmas tree

IRRITATE… What’s your most annoying habit?

I talk too much (way too much)

JOKER…Whats your favourite joke {the one that makes you laugh every time you hear it}?

We need to change your bum, this one has a crack in it

KENNEL… Do you have any pets?

Just fish

LOVE…Are you single, married, engaged, living with a long term partner?

Married, recently celebrating seven years (11 years together)

MEAL… Whats your ultimate starter, main and dessert?

Garlic Bread, Lasagne, Apple Crumble and Custard

NOW…If you could be anywhere right now where would you be and who with?

New York with Mr Boo watching the Christmas lights get switched on

OFF DUTY…What do you do in your spare time?

Blog

PROUD MOMENTS …What are you most proud of?

Getting married and having my children

QUEASY …What turns your stomach?

Vomit and spitting

RELAX…How do you relax?

Watch a film

SONG…What’s your favourite song of all time?

Robert Miles - Children

TIME …If you could go back in time and relive it again, when would you choose?

My wedding date, it seemed to go so fast and would love to relive the day again

UNKNOWN…Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows?

I can be in a room full of people but feel lonely

VOCAL…. Who is your favourite artist?

Musicially? Rod Stewart, there is just something about his husky voice

WORK….. What is your dream job, and are you doing it now?

I love to organise so wedding or party planning would be great, sadly I'm not doing that at the moment but I try my best to organise the ladies I work with now

XRAY…Any broken bones?

No, thankfully

YIKES…What’s been your most embarrassing moment?

Too many to think of the worst, but probably ruining Mr Boo's 18th birthday by being sick everywhere

ZOO…. If you were an animal, which one would you be?

Penguin, so I could mate for life

Boo xxx

REVIEW: Big Game Hunters - Hexagonal Sandpit

We were very kindly contacted by Big Game Hunters to review one of their products and after looking at what was available we decided one the sandpit as Roo is still old enough to enjoy playing, Tigger is just approaching the age were he will spend many a happy hour play, digging and probably throwing sand.

How it arrives (well apart from the box!)

Slats simply slot into place then secure the top ledge with screws (supplied)

Sandpit completed (just the lining to sort)

The lining simply pops under the sandpit and is cut to the desired size

 All covered up for winter

Cover simply slips over the out ledge and then pull the drawstring tight

Price

£59.99

Great value, considering the ease of set up and quality of the product

Size and contents

1.5m across

Wooden slats and ledge

Geotexile underlay

Protective cover

Where to buy

Big Game Hunters

Overall

The ordering service from Big Game Hunters was outstanding, I was emailed every step of the way from picking, packing, shipping and also emailed to confirm that it was on the delivery van that day.

I know that we have not had any sand in there yet so I can't comment on functionality but the ease of assembly was surprising.  Simply slot together and screw the top ledge on, add the lining, sand or balls and hey presto it's ready to go.

Roo and Tigger are going to have great fun using this next summer and whilst the weather is not great it will be ball pit until we can fill with sand.

Boo xxx

Disclaimer: Sponsored post I was sent the Hexagonal Sandpit free of charge.  My thoughts and opinions are and will always be my own

@StorkUp - Social shopping for mums

StorkUp founders Fiona and Claire met when Fiona set up a Facebook group for local mums. As well as sharing their experiences of pregnancy and motherhood, they began to exchange links to some of the best children’s products they found on the web. Wondering if there was an easier way to do this, they decided to work together to find a simple but fun way for mums to discover, share and buy their favourite products online. After a lot of discussion and many, many cups of tea, StorkUp was conceived.

COLLECT: With StorkUp you can save products from any online retailer without leaving their site. This is perfect if you are browsing your favourite sites, and need an easy way to keep track of your potential purchases.

DISCOVER: If you are seeking inspiration (or don’t know where to begin) then you can turn to our crowd-sourced catalog, where every item has been discovered and added by a mom like you. The product range will constantly evolve, revealing the most popular items as well as highlighting current trends.

ORGANIZE: With StorkUp you can create lists for day-to-day purchases as well as special events, like a new arrival. If you choose, you can share your lists (or even just individual products) with friends and family. Which is perfect for gifts and occasions when others want to lend a hand.

...and if you add your email before December 4th you'll be entered into a free prize draw for the chance to win a £150 Toys-R-Us Gift Voucher!


Follow via Twitter:

@claireejeffreys

@feemcdonald

@StorkUp

Boo xxx