Little Food from Asda Cafe

I always seem to end up doing my food shopping around teatime (silly I know).  So now when I say we are off to the shops Roo will ask if she can have little food to munch on whilst I do the shopping.

Now you are all probably scratching you heads thinking what is she on about?

Well in the Asda Cafe they have a Kids Pick & Mix selection, which offers any 5 items for £2.00 or 8 items for £3.00.

As we arrive to do the shopping we head to the cafe, grab a kids box, then I let Roo (and now Tigger) munch away in the trolley as I'm doing my shopping.  Ah peace and quiet!

If Roo is just having something then 5 items is sufficient but if Tigger wants to nibble too I get the 8 item box.

(We have also grabbed these when we have been on holiday as I think they are much better than some fast food options).

So what can you choose from?

Drinks:

Great Stuff Drinks - Apple & Grape 

Great Stuff Drinks - Tropical

Great Stuff Drinks - Cherries & Berries 

Great Stuff Drinks - Orange & Pineapple 

Great Stuff Drinks - Grape & Blackcurrant 

Sandwiches (made using Warburtons Milk Roll):
Asda CBY Cooked Ham

Asda Cheese Spread Light

Fruit:

Great Stuff Apples 

Great Stuff Oranges 

Great Stuff Bananas 

Great Stuff Pears 

Seedless Red Grapes 

Seedless Green Grapes 

Great Stuff Mini Raisins 

Great Stuff Chunky Fruit 

Great Stuff Fruity Snack Pack 

Crisps:

Asda Chosen By You Mini Chocolate Animals 

Asda Chosen By You Mini Moo Cows 

Asda Cheesy Wiggles 

Asda Curls 

Asda Prawn Cocktail Shells 

Asda French Stick crisps 

Other items:

Mini Cocktail Sausage

Great Stuff Cheese Sticks

Great Stuff Fromage Frais  (various flavours)

Great Stuff Banana Sticks

Great Stuff Strawberry Sticks


All the items available are from the Asda Chosen By You & Great Stuff ranges. 

Roo chose 5 items:

Ham sandwich

Cheese stick

Cherries & berries juice carton

Grapes

Cheesy Wiggles crisps 

Children's boxes come with a colouring pack too,

usually given out at the till

Roo loves getting her little food and I know some people may disagree with me but its great bribery too.  If I really need to pop to Asda and she doesn't want to go I'll say 'well if you are good I'll get you some little food'.

I'd love to see some mini breadsticks or crackers add to the selection.  Also carrot or cucumber sticks would be nice too.

Boo xxx

Disclaimer:  I have not been paid or requested to do this post, I'm just sharing a fab meal idea for kiddies.

@Slimavite - Week 13 (#MUMenTUM)

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

Weight: 11st 4lb (stayed the same)

No weight loss again this week, I've been feeling bloated due to it being that time of the month.  Although I'm a little saddened by this my clothes are fitting even better than they did last week.  This means that I have missed my 11st target before the end of January.

I'm starting to think that there is more to weight loss than counting lb's lost.  My body shape is changing and becoming much less jelly belly.

I've been enjoying the heavenly chocolate with warm milk on the cold mornings, a lovely hot chocolate to get me going.  I submitted my Cheese & Potato Pie recipe to Slimavite and was very surprised (and pleased) to see that each portion only works out at 2 bites which means I still have 4 bites left to complete my evening meal.


I'm still lacking in the fitness department so looking for any suggestions/recommendations on fitness DVDs.

Boo xxx

031/366 - Wellies

Day 031/366
It looked awful outside this morning so out came the wellies, however, Roo doesn't have any wellie socks so she borrowed a pair of my fluffy socks

Boo xxx

If Carlsberg made Toy Fair Films...

For everyone who didn't attend the recent Toy Fair, here's what we missed out on...

Pete the Geek and Krystal Balls present their pick of the crop from Toy Fair London.

Boo xxx

Disclaimer: I was sent this clip and wanted to share it with you all.

030/366 - Bedtime

Day 030/366
Roo and Tigger all ready for bed

Boo xxx

Getting dressed up... What to wear...

One of the ladies I work with turns 50 in February and is having a huge birthday bash which everyone at work has been invited to.  As partners are not invited I will be attending on my own which makes me nervous, Mr Boo always puts me at ease and I'm worried about walking into a party full of people.


My dilemma is what to wear, normally I would chose black trousers and a top that hides my mummy belly.  However, as I have lost weight I feel I should want to be more daring in my wardrobe choice.


I would love to wear my gorgeous Holly Willoughby dress I got back in October from Littlewoods (I still haven't had an occasion to wear it).

I'm always self-conscience about my bingo wings arms so unsure if to wear a cardigan or shawl.

As for accessories I have no idea, I've never been very good at choosing necklaces, shoes or bags that match an outfit.  I have many bags but certainly no shoes that I could put with this dress, I'm at a loss.

So any suggestions, cardie or shawl?  Links to gorgeous shoes would be most welcomed (thank you in advance).

Boo xxx

Time to sleep

Sleep is important to us all but more so to babies and children.  So it's important to try to make sure they are getting their quota.


Anyone who knows me will tell you I like love routine and structure, so bedtime to me is all about familiarity.  Ensuring that on the bedtime wind-down both parent and child knows what is about to happen.




1. Never go to bed hungry.
When I was younger my Granny would always make sure that I had an evening snack (always a bowl of cereal).  This is something I have carried forward to my children.


If you think about it, babies always have a feed before bed so why should younger children be any difference (I'm not saying give them something huge or full of sugar but a glass of milk, a hot chocolate, a bowl of cereal or a slice of toast is sufficient).

2. Bedtime countdown.
Most people don't like things sprung upon them at the last minute this is the same with children and 'it's time for bed now'.  Forewarn them, 30, 20, 10 minutes before hand that bedtime is approaching to make the 'come on bedtime!' less stressful.

3. A source of comfort.
Every child is different but if something of comfort is placed with them when they go to sleep, should they wake  finding their special thing next to them (hopefully) will make it easier for them to drop back off without much fuss.


For example, Tigger loves his muslin cloths (these are a source of comfort throughout the day too).  Roo has a teddy (Lucy bear) and a nightlight.






This is my entry into Baby Budgeting's childrens bed from Time 4 Sleep

Boo xxx

029/366 - Toys, toys, toys

Day 029/366
Everywhere I looked today I seemed to see toys... aarrrgggghhhhh!

Boo xxx

Roo's entry into the Appliances Online Cookers Yummy Food Competition

Roo's yummy food consists of:

• Peas
• Mashed potato
• Sausages
• Tomato Sauce

I'm sharing this picture as an entry into the Appliances online ‘Yummy food competition’ hosted on the “A boy with Aspergers” blog.


Also Roo's entry into the Appliances Online Cookers Yummy Food Competition with Madhouse Family Reviews blog.

Boo xxx

#SilentSunday - 29/01/12

Boo xxx

028/366 Teething

Day 028/366
Tigger is teething, he seems to live with a permanent red cheek

Boo xxx

027/366 - Potty about spots

Day 027/366
Today has been so busy and all day I have been looking forward to when I could put my pyjama's on (I love pyjama's, why can't we wear them all day long??).  Mr Boo bought me these ones for my birthday, I do love spots.

(I saved you from a photo of me wearing them)

Boo xxx

Reasons to be Cheerful #R2BC 26/01/12

I've been feeling more positive this week and whilst there have been somethings that have gotten on top of me emotionally I have not let them get me down for long.
1. Roo advanced to the blue reading level, one level above what the teachers wanted her to achieve by the end of the week.  I'm so proud.
2. Mr Boo's nanny is not well and has been transferred to the hospital ward where I work.  Whilst it is not a good thing that she is in hospital, I'm pleased that I can go and sit with her whenever I want whilst I'm at work.
3. Tigger is now standing, only for a few seconds at a time but it's progress.

If you fancy sharing your #R2BC or read some more entries check out Mummy From The Heart

Boo xxx

This is how to eat yoghurt mummy!

After posting about keeping Tigger a baby I've been trying to get him to self feed.  Maybe a yoghurt wasn't the best choice...

This is my entry to the Appliances Online messiest kids competition, check out all the other entries over on Me, The Man & The Baby

Boo xxx

026/366 - Look Mummy!

Day 026/366
Tigger has been standing for a few seconds at a time and whenever I get my camera out he sits down (typical). However, today I managed to capture it...

Boo xxx

025/366 - Little reader

Day 025/366
Roo has made me so proud today.  At the beginning of the year each child in her class were challenged to get to the yellow reading level by the end of the year.  Roo reached this level just after the Christmas holidays and today she came home with blue level reading books.


Well done Roo!

Boo xxx

Chicken Pox Outbreak

There are 8 cases of chicken pox in Roo's class at school and there are children missing from every class.  The school are truly having an outbreak and whilst I understand that they can not control I believe that they could be helping parents more.

(image credit)

Firstly, parents have only been informed via a hand written notice outside each classroom informing them of how many children are off with chicken pox.  Why have they not sent a newsletter or emailed parents? what about those mums that are pregnant, surely they need to be warned before coming to the school?


Secondly, no information about chicken pox symptoms has been given, so how are you supposed to know if to send your child or not?


Luckily Roo has not come down with it yet and if she is anything like me she may have a natural immunity.  When I was younger my older sister got chicken pox and my mum had us sleep in the same hoping that I would catch it.  As my sister was sick she wasn't allowed out to play but I was was.  I never did get the chicken pox but my whole neighbourhood did!

Boo xxx

My little Senorita

Roo loves to dress up, so when Magic Nanny brought her a Spanish Senorita outfit home from Spain she couldn't wait to try it on...

...and show is all a little dance too (of course)

This is my entry into Mummy Loves fabulous competition with Appliances Online Washing Machines to hopefully win £100 Amazon voucher.

Boo xxx

024/366 - Story Cafe

Day 024/366
Every Tuesday afternoon Roo's class hold a Story Cafe where parents are invited to attend.  The teacher reads everyone a story inline with what the little ones have been learning over the last week.  Afterwards there are activities all around the hall.  Roo insists that I attend this every week, it's lovely to see what she has been up to at school.

Boo xxx

A change in management

At the beginning of December I received a letter from work informing me of a workforce review.  There was a form attached to the letter as me to complete a number of things, for example, contracted hours, location, job role, responsibilities etc.  As I read the letter two things concerned me.


Firstly, it stated that my line manager may change following this review.  The problem I have is that it listed the two ladies whom may (or may not) become my new line manager.  The thing is one of the ladies is one of my  previous line managers and although I can't go into detail, there are reasons why I changed positions and line manager.  The other lady is a dictator, she does not like any feedback from her staff and we have come across each other before and did not get on.  So as you can see either option would not be great.


Secondly, my place of work (i.e. location) and work (i.e. my actual job) my change.  So the way I read it is should they decide that they need me somewhere else, doing a different role then they will request for me to change.  I literally work at the bottom of my street, less than 5 minutes away.  I work there for many reasons not just because I am good at my job and I do enjoy it, but because my children's school and nursery are all within that area.  There is no way I could relocate and still take Roo to school and pick her up, Tigger I suppose is slightly easier as I could increase his hours at nursery but this would be an additional cost to me.


After receiving this letter I spoke with my line manager and asked if she knew anything about this review.  She was honest with me and said no.  After letting her read the letter, I asked if she also thought it read as though my line manager, location and role could all change.  She agreed that this is how the letter sounded.  I advised that I would be keeping a copy in case I needed to contact my union and she agreed that this would a wise thing to do.


I did mention to my current line manager that should either one of those ladies become my new line manager I would resigning, she understood where I was coming from.


The deadline for completing the form was last Friday, so now I just have to wait and see what the future holds. Although I didn't want to return to work after having Tigger and financially understanding that I had to, I do like my job and my line manager.  She is very understanding that I have children and occasionally childcare issues but she knows that I will always make my time up and work my socks off.




The future is uncertain... 

Boo xxx

@Slimavite - Week 12 (#MUMenTUM)

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

Weight: 11st 4lb (stayed the same)

No weight loss this week but after having a week off I half expected to have gained.  When I'm at work etc I find it so much easier to have my shakes etc but as last wee both myself and Mr Boo were off together I was more than a little bit naughty (oh dear).

I've really been enjoying the vanilla shakes, it's funny I seemed to prefer one flavour over another each week and the swap the following week.

I haven't done any exercise, unless you count re-arranging furniture as exercise.

I have however been receiving lots of comments at work about how much weight I have lost and how great I'm looking.  I don't take compliments well, but it was lovely see that everyone had noticed my weight loss.  I manged to finally throw away my size 16 black trousers that I wear for work, as the size 14 ones were now comfortable to wear all day.

Weekly report: Could do better!!!

Boo xxx

023/366 - Back to work

Day 023/366
First day back at work after my holiday (boo...hiss)

Boo xxx

Blog link ups - How many do you comment on?

I've recently joined up with a few blog link ups and it got me thinking...

'How many other posts does everyone comment on?'

Personally I like to comment on the previous five posts before mine.  I try to comment on more if time allows but I always make sure I do at least five. 


Is this enough? or too many?


I'm not too sure on link up etiquette, so if anyone would enlighten me I'd be very thankful.

Boo xxx

My 2011 Highs & Lows

I was recently Tagged to complete this Meme, ‘My 2011 Highs & Lows by MummyConstant, her blog is about her little boy Noah and her pregnancy with baby no. 2

(1) What was your happiest event?

Our family holiday in June, firstly popping to Manchester to see my oldest friend and her new baby.  Then heading to Drayton Manor and Thomasland with the kids.


I was so worried how we would cope with Tigger being young but he was happy being in his pushchair watching the world go by.

(2) What was the saddest thing that happened?

Seeing how heartbroken Roo was when her Granny (my mum) moved away.

(3) What was the most unlikely thing to happen that actually went ahead and did?

This is a difficult one, I'd probably have to say being a blogger.  I read so many blogs whilst I was on maternity leave and although I though 'oh wouldn't be lovely if I did that' I never actually thought I would.

(4) Who let you down?

I don't want to say this but... My mum! I feel so alone now that she is not here.  I know that I didn't see her everyday but just knowing that I could was lovely.  Whereas now I have to plan any trips and justify the costs involved (when money is tight enough already).

(5) Who supported you?

Mr Boo, my darling husband.  Without him I would have crumbled this year, so many things have happened and he truly is my rock.

(6) Tell us one thing you learned

That no matter how hard I try, I am not and can not be Superwoman.  Instead of trying to do everything all at once, if I manage to finish at least one job everyday I should be pleased with that.

(7) Tell us one thing that made you laugh

Watching Roo is her first assembly, she was not nervous at all.  In fact you could hear her above all the other children in her class.

(8) Tell us one thing that made you cry

My mum moving back home... heartbreaking (I could cry now just thinking about it).

(9) Tell us three things your child or children did to make you feel proud

Roo starting school, she has made no fuss about going everyday.
Tigger settling into nursery so well and making my return to work that little bit easier.
Roo 

(10) Tell us one thing that made you proud of yourself

Starting to lose weight.  I've been unhappy with my weight for some time and finally realising that I'd reached the point were I did not want to get any bigger.  Taking the plunge and finding Slimavite has made me proud.

(11) Tell us one challenge you overcame

Returning to work after maternity leave, I found it so much harder this time round.  Maybe because I had longer off work this time but felt so horrible leaving Tigger in nursery.

(12) Tell us three things you would like to change about your life from 2011

Reach my target weight
Declutter my house (how do we manage to gain so much junk?)
Save money by cutting out the non-necessary expenditure

Is it bad that I'm so hung up on my mum leaving?  I understand why she moved but it's still a bitter pill to swallow.




Now… to tag some other fabulous mummy bloggers to complete the Meme! Hopefully they have not already been tagged (fingers crossed):


Danielle over at Blog by Baby - @DanielleGParker
Louise at The Working Parent - @TheWorkParent
Managing The Mayhem at (erm) Managing The Mayhem - @ManagingMayhem

Boo xxx

022/366 - Tea party

Day 022/366
Tea party with the family today

Boo xxx

#SilentSunday - 22/01/12

Boo xxx

021/366 - Big boy chair

Day 021/366
After my post yesterday about keeping Tigger a baby, today I thought I would try to introduce him to eating at the table.  I think he enjoyed it...

Boo xxx