The countdown begins..

Yesterday Archie turned 11 months - although I am pretty sure I gave birth to him only last month? - He lost his baby look and now every time I look at him he's looking more and more like a toddler. This scares me, I'm ready for him to grow up, I'm really not. Infact up until now I have put off talking / thinking about his birthday. But with a month to go, it's about time I did.

Presents
Thankfully buying for Archie is going to be easy, I have been keeping a wish list of items since he was born of things that he would enjoy to play with. He's still at that age that the things I buy for him are guesses at things he'd like rather then him telling me, which is good because I've noticed children always like the most expensive things. I have noticed, going through my wish lists that most of the toys are wooden, I love wooden toys. First of all they last alot longer as they normally don't require batteries that die after 5 minutes and secondly they don't break as easily as plastic toys do - plus they are hard wearing meaning Archie can bash them about as much as he likes and they will be only minor bumps and bangs to them. 

 Both of these can be found on Notonthehighstreet.com. (here and here) 

 

Day trip
It has become a tradition that on our birthday's we go out for the day somewhere. We've been to zoo's, beaches, theme parks, shopping trips etc. With this being Archies birthday we've been looking at things suitable for his age but with plenty of things to keep Eva happy too, which is why we have settled on Noahs Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol. With play areas, zoo animals and a farm area, it just seemed perfect for us. Archies birthday actually falls on a Sunday, but they shall be closed, so we plan to go the day before meaning he will have a whole weekend birthday. 

Tea party
As it's his first birthday I am planning a little tea party on his birthday. I shall be making his cake - I had Eva's made her first, but I have made her 3rd, 4th and 5th myself - and I'm still not sure what I shall be making yet. But I have sorted out the theme.. Vintage. Seeing as he's having mainly wooden toys which to me are quite vintage I thought it would be perfect. 

Bean xo

10 questions Tag

1.What is your dream vacation?

One place I really want to visit is Thailand or New York/LA. Actually there's a whole list of places I'd love to go, if only I was some sort of millionaire (ha). One place I do really wanna go is Disneyland.. I made a promise to Eva about a year ago that I'd take her to see "Tangled" - as she calls her. So in the next 5 years that's going to happen.

2. Are you spontaneous or do you like to plan ahead? 

I think I'm a bit of both really. I like to wake up one morning check the weather and then just do what ever, but now that's Eva's in school, day's out have to planned around school and work. I work weekends and my only day off is Fridays, when Eva is at school. It's hard to be spontaneous these days.

3. Tell us one thing you want to do but don’t dare do it.

Walk around naked, just for the ease if it. No washing, or ironing.. it would be great. But I don't think it's something I should do if I'm honest. Another one I would love to do, is go back to college. I have no idea what I want to do so I guess that's the main thing keeping me from actually doing it, also I guess a bit of fear.

4. What’s your biggest phobia?

I probably have two of the most random phobias in the world being in a shop at closing time and lorries. When I tell people these I get looks like I'm crazy but I do have reasons why! When I was younger - about 4/5 - I was taking my time in a shop, it was annoying my mother so she said "Hurry up or we will be locked in", that night I had the worst dream ever. I remember it even now, I was locked in the Library, alone and I was terrified, yes it was only a dream but after that being locked in anywhere freaked me out. I had to leave the lock on bathroom doors open and would have panic attacks if the shop announced it was near closing time. My mum admitted to me not long ago that she was stay in the shops until they did that to help me "get over" my fear, it only made it worse. Even as an adult I get stressed when they accounce the store is closing, even though I know that I won't be locked in. The lorry one was because I watched on tv a police show that saw a overturned lorry on top of a car with a women still trapped in it. I now close my eyes when I am in a car next to a lorry. I also have phobias of lifts (again the whole locked in thing) and spiders.

5. If you were stranded on a desert island-what three things would you want with you? (Not including your laptop or family)

My camera, an endless supply of my favourite foods, and some books.

6. Name three things in your life that you are thankful for.

one - For having two healthy happy children who brighten my day.
two - for being able to work, to provide for my children.
three - that I have a supportive loving mother who has my back no matter what.

7. What was your nickname in High School?.

I don't think I had one at school. I was bullied alot and got called all sorts of things but my friends just called me carly.. actually I do remember one, "Hippy", because apparently I was always in a happy positive mood. Which I guess is a good thing. At home family would call me Carlsburg or Beany.

8. If you could meet the President of the United States, what would you say to him?

"S'up dude" - I have no idea. I don't think there anything I want to say to him, not because I hate him or what ever, it's just not something I have ever thought about..

9. If you could be any literary character, who would you be?

I am completely stuck on this question. I have read millions of books over the years and there's not one character that reminds me of myself or even sticks in my mind. Wow, just wow.

10. What is your favourite quote?

"Day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything's different"

I tag anyone who wants to take part in this tag, I look forward to reading your answers

Bean xo

Broadway park

Wreck This Journal.

I am one those OCD book crazy people who loves keeping her books in perfect condition. When I buy it new, I take great care not to ruin the spine - I could possibly hyperventilate at the thought of a crease in the spine (wow I have problems) that new book smell, as awesome as that new car smell and one of the things I love about new books. When I get a new book, I take my time in opening it, looking at it, taking it all in before I open the cover to the first page. (Please tell me I am not the only crazy person who does this?)

So I am asking myself why did I buy this book? The whole point of the Wreck This Journal book is to, well wreck it in as many creative ways as possibly. Each page has a instruction to follow and you do what ever you want, let your mind wander.

The first page I flipped it open to is this.. and my first thought? But the book will get wet, how will I get it dry! can you see my problem? Actually until getting this book I hadn't even realised I had a problem, I'm pretty sure I do sound like some crazy women who needs to get out more, (ha) but yes. 

Actually I am quite looking forward to it. Maybe as the book says "I may begin to live more recklessly" or maybe I'll end up some looney sitting in the corner rocking back and forth, I guess only time will tell.

To get your copy of Wreck This Journal buy here.

- Please note I have not been asked to promote this book in anyway, I brought this book off my back and wanted to write a post on it -

 

Broadway ; a day of rain.

(Lets just take a second to appreciate this photo shall we? #babyselfie. Now on with business..)

Today we decided it was the perfect day to go down to Broadway, - a little village out in the Cotwolds near to where we live - I say "perfect" with a slight smile on my face, for the fact it rained on and off the whole day. Infact even on our way there there was a shower and of course me being me, very stubbornly refused to change my plans. (Yes I was in one of those moods) Anyway just as we arrived and parked up, the rain started up again. Thank goodness there are plenty of shops there to hide in. We used this as an excuse to browse the sweet store and ended up buying too many pretty sweet things.

Once the rain calmed down we walked around looking in all the stores. There was a lovely little toy shop called Rikki Tikki which sold alot of wooden toys. With Archies birthday coming up (*sob*) I couldn't help but make a mental list of everything I loved. I am slightly obesed with wooden toys at the moment, they look so cute, plus they last so much longer!

After we headed to a book store which sold every book you could possibly want. From Charlottes web, to The Twits & of course all of Julia Donaldson's books. All the books were set together with all the charactors from them which I loved even more! I shall be going back here for christmas when "santa" has to fill up his sack. 

For lunch we had a choice of a Fish and chip place or a little Italian one along the main high street. Of course the fish place won. I was happily surprised by this place. It was beautiful the staff warm and inviting and the food was to die for! The toilets made me giggle, they were in the "poop deck", small things like that really appeal to my inner child. Anyway, I had grilled salmon with a salad and chips, Eva had the children's mini fish and chips with a side of mushy peas, she wasn't a fan of these but Archie was happy to eat it all up and had a try of my fish too. He's finally begining to enjoy textures and different tastes so yay!

As soon as lunch was over the heaven's opened once more. The whole reason we went here was to go to the park and that's the one thing we didn't do. Eva wasn't too upset, she was soggy and just wanted to eat her lolly pop. So we headed home, over all though we did have a lovely day. And if the weather is sunnier tomorrow I have pinky promised Eva that I shall take her to the park over there again.

Bean xo

A day at the park

I believe this was something I wanted to do this summer, in actual fact we've been to the park every week this summer. Eva loves them, Archie is still a bit unsure - he loves crawling around on the grass rather then actually playing on anything but he is only little still. (actually reading through my summer wish list, it seems I have done all of them)

Yesterday we decided it was the perfect day for the park. I took so many super cute photos that I struggled to find just one photo today, so I shall share a few more too..

APAD : Housework.

The last few days I have done nothing but clean. We have a house inspection on Friday (the joys of private renting) and although my house is tidy - as tidy as it can be with two young children - something about an inspection turns into some crazy women running around with a duster in one hand and the hoover in the other. 

Eva's room was a nightmare, a bomb had gone off in there, at least that's the only thing I can think of that could cause so much mess in one day! She was very happy when it was tidy as she could actually find her toys. 

So yeah, nothing exciting to report, no family fun days, just cleaning, cooking and crazy children moments.

Bean xo

A photo a day : A poorly Eva

"Poorly" is the only way I could think to describe what Eva is going through at the moment, we haven't been given a medical term for it, and it's not really an illness. Writing this has made me realise just how little I know about it all, which is awful. I'm her mummy, I should know every detail.

Back before easter, Eva began complaining that her bottom was sore when ever she had a poo. At first I assumed it was down to the fact she'd got a bit constipated and it had been a sore after she went. After a week though, it seemed there was more to it, so I asked her if I could look. She was happy for me to do so. I was shocked to find a small tear which had been causing her all this pain. 

I rang up her GP, who told me she needed lazatives to soften her stools and that was it. He's a GP right? a medical professional, if that's what will help her then I shall do it. Did I question the fact he'd taken my word for it over the phone rather then asking to see her? a little bit. But again he's a doctor, he knows what he's talking about. In the end I rang up the GP 7 times. Each time I was told the same thing, give her stool softeners, increase the amount of fibre in her diet and give her calpol for the pain. That was it..

Now all of that would have been fine if any of it worked, if even one thing the doctor had said had helped even a little bit. But no! Months went by, Eva got worse, panic attacks, refusing to sit on the loo, pooing herself, tears, screaming.. I cried for her every time. Watching your daughter in agony is awful, it's heart breaking and something no mother should see, and of course nothing any child should be going through. She's five years old, and dealing with such a scary medical issue.

Last week I had enough, I rang up the GP's and asked to see a female doctor. Not an over the phone converation, a face to face one, one where the doctor can see the look of fear in my daughter's eyes when the subject is even mentioned, maybe then someone would help and understand. Eva had also taken as much as she could, before the mention of doctors had her in tears and begging me not to. But this time around when I told her, she replied with "Ok mummy", I think this broke my heart even more.

The doctor was kind, she listened, she looked at Eva, felt her tummy and told me there was no longer a tear there, that it had long since healed. She believed the pain is now coming from a "nappy rash" caused by Eva's refusal to wipe / clean her bum because it's too painful to touch. She increased the dose of medication she was on and gave her some cream. We are now keeping a "poo diary" something which to most sounds amusing, to us it's very real. Every time she has a poo we have to write it down, every detail, the time she went.. what it looked like, the colour etc in 3 weeks if she's still in pain we are to be refered to someone who can help. Hearing this afrer 6 months was like a weigh had been lifted, finally someone listened and understood, finally someone was doing something to help us. 

It's been a week since Eva has seen the doctor and also a week since her last "proper" poo. She's pooped herself 3 times a day for the last 2 days, holding it in, stopping herself going. She crys herself to sleep every night asking me "why have I got this mummy" and "Who can make it go away".. while I silently rock her thinking "I wish I could".

Bean xo

Charity shop haul.

It's been a while since I did a chrity shop haul, June I believe, which is mad as I love my charity shops. Anyway, yesterday (saturday) I went shopping in my local town, People around here moan for having more charity shops then people but I am one who loves this!

My haul.

New Look, Pink / Purple flower print top - £3.
 Top Shop, Dark purple tank top (bad lighting makes it look black) - £2.
New Look, long pink top / dress - £2.
The white strappy top isn't from a charity shop but it was on sale (70% off) so I included it. - £1.99
And a book (not pictured) The boy in the stripped PJ's - £1.49

Eva's Haul.

I was quite disappointed by the lack of clothing for Eva, there was a few things in each store but nothing she would wear - Yes at 5 years old she already has her own style!
Where's Wally books - 70p each
Sam Plants a sun flower - 99p
The snail and the Whale - 99p
Kittens - 70p

 I also found these John Lewis pumps in her size for £1.99. I don't normally buy her shoes with heels but these are "play" shoes and to be worn every day. Although she loves having shoes "like mummy".

Archie's Haul.

(Please excuse the bad lighting, I took the photo's in the evening by the ceiling light)

Little green radicals, all in one - £1.49
George Jeans - £1.50
Disney @ George hoodie - £1.50
Mini animal plate - 70p
Noddy plate - 70p.

After our charity shop haul we headed to Next and I ended up buying a few super cute things for Archie (Ooops) In my defence though, he's now out grown all his 6-9 months bottoms so he did need more. (I've put up the links incase you want to buy any of them)

 

1. Navy blue and white stripped T-shirt, £4
(buy here)
2. Plum Braces Trousers - £13
(buy here)
3. Orange Dino T-shirt £6
(buy here)
4. Navy blue joggers - £6
(buy here)

- The dino t-shirt and Joggers when brought together are £10.

A photo a day : Slimbridge wetland centre.

Okay so I am day late with this one, but lets just pretend that it is still Friday.. 

We had been planning this trip since last summer when I was heavily pregnant with my boy. Slimbridge (or duck land as Eva calls it) is one of our favourite places to visit. As a toddler Eva adored birds and this being mainly a duck / bird place was the perfect place in her eyes. I would reccommend checking out the events before you go as it's a seasonal place, meaning not all activities are available due to weather etc. 

One new feature was the "passport". Each child was given a passport and every activity on it that they completed they were given a sticker. If they collected all of them, then they got a certificate. Sadly we weren't able to complete all the activities due to the closing hours of each one (check before you go and plan your day - had we been aware of the new passport we'd have done just this) Still Eva completed, feeding the ducks (with the bird seed provided), looking for bugs in the mud, holding a Fire Salamander, Pond dipping and another one which I have forgotten completely! 

We had a lunch in the cafe and the food is amazing! if a little pricey, but well worth it in my opinion after all you get what you paid for. We had a lovely day, Eva loved bird watching, Archie loved watching Eva feed the swans and us adults had a lovely time too.

Bean xo

A photo a day : The Forest Of Dean

After our lazy day yesterday we decided today, we'd do something very active. Walking. Of course living at the edge of the Cotswolds, we are completely surrounded by many perfect walking sites. However, we fancied something different, so headed over to The Forest Of Dean. We have been here many times, and each time we do it rains, so I was somewhat surprised and pleased that the weather stayed hot and sunny the whole time we were there. 

We decided to take a packed lunch with us, for Eva this was a egg and cress sandwich, some fruit (Mango) a pack of ready salted crisps and a drink. I had a ham and egg sandwich, malt loaf with butter, one ginger cookie and a bottle of water. Archie enjoyed Red Pepper, sweet potato and apple for his lunch, washed down with a bottle of milk. We ate our lunch over looking Cannop Ponds, Eva fed her crusts to the ducks and swans who were swimming on the lake. I remembered we still had duck feed left in the car from our trip to Studely Grange on Tuesday, so once the bread had run out we switched to that. 

After lunch, we began our walk. Honestly, we had no plan where we were going, just walk till we were tired out and then head home. We ended up somewhere, in the woods. I have no idea where if I'm honest, it all looks the same. In the end we had a 1 1/2 hour walk and then went home. I love the drive back through the Forest and much as the walking through it. This place is beautiful, it's on our list for a long weekend away next year.

Bean xo

A photo a day : Lazy day

Today we have done, well nothing! Which is nice sometimes, to just laze about the house the children. We baked some Tom and Jerry cupcakes - on Eva's request and she spent alot of the day enjoying the sun in the garden. But most the day we spent snuggled up on the sofa watching some of our favourite films.. Marley and me and Charlotte's Web (Both of these I recorded on Sky+) Archie had a very lazy day indeed, he spent most of it napping!I love day's like these, just talking to my children, giggling together, this is one my favourite things about motherhood.

Bean xo

A photo a day : Studley Grange

We couldn't decide between The Living Rainforest and Studley Grange for a day out, in the end it came down to cost (Studley is only £4.95 each, under 3's are free) plus it had so much there that we decided to do The Living Rainforest another time. It took about an hour and half to get there, we arrived at lunch time so had lunch first. Eva had a children's packed lunch which was, a sandwich, a bag of plain crisps, an apple, 4 biscuits and a carton of juice. The food there wasn't great, the Lasagna I had was over cooked, dry and didn't have much taste but then again it was a simple cafe so I don't think it should have been anything more.

After lunch we headed to butterfly world, this also lead out to the reptiles and animal paddock too. Eva adore's butterflies so really enjoyed herself here. I managed to get some lovely photographs from here. Out in the animal paddock were pigs, ducks, otters, meer kats and ducks. We brought some animal feed for £1 a bag and Eva got to feed the goats. Archie found the goats highly amusing, he couldn't stop laughing at them, he laughed even more when the goat got hold of the paper bag of food.

Next we went around the craft village, had we known just how much things there were to do here we would have brought some more money with us. We did have a look in all the shops though, and paid to go into the little lego place, kind of like a mini (very mini) lego land. We took the children into the play zone / barn in the middle and both of them had fun playing with all the toys, ball pits and slides. 

On leaving I brought Eva a lolly pop and a teddy and Archie just had a small teddy. It was a lovely little place, very small but perfect for children - and as it's all in doors it's perfect for when the weather isn't at it's best, like today.

Bean xo

A photo a day : A day at Worcester woods

Today has been very busy. We began the day with a trip to Morrisons for some breakfast - the evening before my mum had locked herself out (this is a very long story) so she ended up sleeping at our house. I went over first thing in the morning and managed to get her front door unjammed / unlocked, she had an hour before she was due at work so we headed out for breakfast. Eva is currently on a very healthy diet due to some health problems, so a fry up was a little treat for her. 

After dropping my mum off at work we headed back home, as I mentioned above Eva has been having some health problems lately so I had to book a doctors appointment for her. She'd requested that she wanted to see a female doctor. The receptionist was rather rude about me not wanting her regular doctor, apparently this was "inconvenient", however my daughter wanted a female doctor and that was that. I was then told a doctor would call me back ASAP, pfftt. An hour later another receptionist called to say an appointment had been made for 2:40. It was only 10am, so we decided to go out until her appointment - I also hoped it would keep her mind off it.

We headed over to Worcester Woods. A lovely wood, just outside of the city with some very enjoyable walks - one more suitable for pushchairs then the others - large feilds with play parks and a lovely cafe serving healthy meals made from locally sourced ingredients. We took a walk through the woods and were amazed by how many squirrel's were running about. Me and Eva went on mini adventures through the trees and came across empty Acorn shells, birds and other animals hiding there. It was lovely. We stayed for lunch, Eva had cheesey pasta but she didn't like it so we swapped, I had her pasta while she ate my Tomato and tyme soup. 

After lunch we headed back to get to Eva's appointment and after months of being ignored we finally got somewhere (I shall write a post soon about this). This is a huge step forward we are hoping.

The rest of the day was spent at the park, Archie loves the swings and spent alot of time giggling on them while Eva went off making friends with a group of girls and playing. Archie and I ended up sitting on a blanket watching her - well I watched her. Archie was crawling around playing his own little game. The day ended up a trip to tesco for the weekly shop and watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Tim Burton version) before bed. It's lovely being able to spend time as a family.

Bean xo