capturing memories as we make them
2020 will most certainly go down as a year to remember. Sadly this will be for all the heartache and loss it has brought to us all. But as with every bad situation you need to look for the good and for us there had certainly been some wonderful, simple moments that I will cherish forever, and as always I’m going to show you these in pictures as they convey the fun much more than my words ever could…
[AD] It is always a worry for me that the children don’t spend to much time indoors stuck to screens instead of getting outside and enjoying some good old fresh air and exercise.
I try my hardest to squeeze as much outdoor time into our days as we can and a great way to do this is through scooting.
All of my children have loved being able to hop on a scooter and pop to the shop, grab it from the boot and scoot to school or make a day of it at the skate park.
Over the years we have tried a large variety of scooters but have always favoured the three wheeled Micro Scooters for whole hosts of reasons; but the biggest pull was their amazing steering system that allows the scooter the turn the way the child leans into the turn. This saved so many falls that we had with other first scooters and allowed them to build confidence at a much quicker rate.
Now the boys are growing their need for a bigger, two wheeled style scooter was coming and Micro Scooters were not someone I would have thought about for this age range. So when we were asked to try some out I was pleasantly surprised what Micro Scooters has to offer.
For Oscar who is just five I wanted something a little sturdier to offer the transition to a two wheeler less daunting so the Micro Scooter Cruiser seemed to be the perfect option.
The Cruiser offers a wide foot plate, large wheels and bicycle style handle bars for a sturdy ride. This is brilliant for them to gain confidence and I really feel in love with the retro style so it was a win from all parties.
Oscar has loved nipping to the shops with me and when he has had enough as with all Micro Scooters it is super easy to fold up and carry.
Frankie wanted a little more than just a straight ride from a scooter so for him we opted for the Stunt Scooter. His older brother was a fan of scooting for many years and in fact competed so I think as he gets older this is something he wanted to try out for himself.
This scooter has been perfect for him to try out all kinds of jumps, spins and tricks due to its streamline and lightweight nature. The handlebars are also positioned higher than a traditional scooter allowing ease of movement.
As well as being perfect for the skate park this scooter has also been great for the trips into town and playing in the garden with his brother.
As well as the scooter themselves Micro Scooters offer a whole host of safety equipment and accessories to make you scoot safe as well as fun!
Micro Scooters always have been the first choice for me and since trying out these different styles I have fallen in love with them even more.
The attention to detail and really knowing what both kids and parents want shines through with every step of choosing, ordering and using the scooter.
What style do you think you would opt for, for your little ones?
Well February has been a pretty funny one weather wise hasn’t it. We spent the beginning of the month with everything crossed that the snow flurries were going to settle and give us a couple of ‘snow days’ and then the end of the month stripping back to T-shirts and eating ice cream in the park.
The beginning of the month was actually a cause for celebration in our house as we celebrated granddaughter number two’s imminent arrival with a baby shower for Alice. I haven’t quite got my head around being a nanny to Isla yet and we already have another one on the way to add to the madness of the family.
We also spend a good few hours in the garden getting it ready for the warmer weather. The boys have been really lucky to have a new playhouse, slide and sandpit and we can’t wait to find the perfect paddling pool to make us completely summer ready!
It’s not to often that I socialise in the evenings anymore and I decided this new year that I was going to stop being such a misery and get out with my friends more.
I had a lovely evening with the mums from Oscar’s class. Ate to much a drank more than I should which made for an all round great evening.
Getting back into my fitness has been a great success this month thanks to Jemma’s Heath Hub. Jemma and I had found each other though the wonderful world of Instagram and she asked me to trial her online fitness program which had seen me out of bed super early three times a week to take part in an online exercise session with a whole load of other likeminded women. Go and check her out if you are looking to get back into fitness and want something to do in your own home.
My husband is the romantic one in our relationship and my lack of romantic is something that really gets to him. So this Valentine’s Day we both took a few hours out of our day to grab some lunch and randomly walk around a local museum…not really his idea of a good day out!
One of my first real jobs was working in the food hall at Marks and Spencer. I still have fond memories of this and they were an amazing company to work for. So fast forward a good few years my new job has landed me back at Marks and Spencer…but behind the scenes at head office.
It really is moments like this that make me realise all the hours I put in are most definitely worth it and it was so amazing to be behind the scenes of a place that is so close to my heart.
The boys were gifted scooters from the wonderful Micro Scooters this month and they literally haven’t got off them since. They have always been my first choice for scooters as they are so easy to use and look amazing. They came with use on a trip to the park the other day where we all enjoyed our first ice cream of the year.
We get to explore many parts of London with my job but Battersea is someone I don’t I have ever been and the children certainly haven’t. We had a more than pleasant surprise when we went along to the power station during half term and got to witness what an amazing job they are doing there.
They have some great shops and restaurants and lots of bits and pieces to keep the children occupied along the waterfront. We were actually there to try out a class at the über cool Boom Cycle whist the kids were kept occupied at the lovely ladies from Kids Table. It is definitely one to put on your list.
We actually did a lot of eating in town this half term with a trip to Yo Sushi and Las Iguanas who both offer great deals during the school holidays so keep this in mind for Easter.
Half term was actually a pretty packed one for us and aside from duties of dog sitting at mum and dads we got to enjoy some great events, including a trip to Neville’s in Belgravia for the launch of the new range of hair care from Child’s Farm.
The boys thought they were super models and spent the morning requesting exactly how they wanted their hair styled whilst me and Izzy were treated to some braids and of course a bit of glitter.
The end of month saw an event just for me which is always a welcome change and I attended the launch of the Emma Willis Collection from Next.
It was an amazing evening where I got to see the whole range which was a stylish and gorgeous as Emma herself.
I spent the evening catching up with friends, drinking way to much Prosecco and fan girling Emma for most of the night!
I hold my hands up and can honestly say that I am the worst ice skater you are ever likely to see! Every christmas I head out with the kids and try my hardest to soak up the festive atmosphere whilst clinging onto the side of the rink for dear life!
With this in mind when an email hit my inbox inviting me along to Queens Ice Rink to skate with some of the stars from Disney On Ice and Frankie Bridge I knew that Izzy would be over the moon at the thought of this and I would have to face my fears!
We arrived at the rink and Izzy’s face lit up as we were handed a pair of beautiful white skates in preparation for our session and while Izzy was itching to get out onto the vastness of the huge rink I was coming out in a cold sweat.
Everyone took to the ice and after a few stumbles seemed to take to it pretty well. Izzy was off within minutes and left me to fumble along behind her.
The experts then joined us and I was guided round the ice by an extremely patient instructor who gave me a little more confidence but still didn’t manage to stop me falling spectacularly on more than one occasion…much to the embarrassment of my daughter.
The real stars of the show then showed us all how it was really done and span, twirled and lifted in a way that I could only ever dream of.
I definitely think the highlight of the afternoon though was getting the chance to meet and skate with the lovely Frankie Bridge. Izzy has been a fan of hers since her Saturdays days so getting the chance to meet her whilst skating was just the best treat.
She was warm and welcoming and fantastic with the little ones, even if she did take the mickey out of my skills!
Her talents are going to make a very welcome addition to the new Disney On Ice show – Worlds Of Enchantment that is set to start this April and we can’t wait to get along to see and tell you all about.
I came away from the afternoon with a little more confidence on the ice and a daughter who now has her heart set on being the next Disney princess on ice and left the rink clutching her boots exclaiming she is going to cherish them forever.
My eldest daughter will be turning eighteen this year and my biggest regret is that I did not find my passion for photography years ago. I will never forget all those special milestones that we have been through, but over time the little things get lost in our memory bank and photos and videos are the only thing we have to remind us of these special times.
It is actually only in these past couple of years that I have got into taking photos and I now see what a valuable thing they are to take a look back on fondly when time has moved on.
It is the older ones that I struggle to get pictures of now as they like to be out and about doing their own thing, or are to shy to have their picture taken. Number two is especially hard work but we were having a good day today as he agreed to let me take some photos at the skatepark.
We had an issue when we arrived though as there were other people there so I was limited to one position, behind a board so that I couldn’t be seen by anybody. This was still a big move for him as just breathing seems to embarrass him at the moment!!
He has a massive passion for scooting and I really wanted to photograph it as it may be a phase that passes and then as I said we will have nothing to look back on.
After I had annoyed him for a while I joined the others in the playground area to get a few snaps. The others are younger and always more than happy to be in the lime light.
I am new to blogging and photography but have found a real love for it. I am enjoying reading and getting inspiration from other people’s blogs and am going to enrol on a photography course as I’m just guessing at what I’m doing at the moment.
Hopefully with time I will be able to compile a beautiful look book of our lives that we can sit down and look back on together in years to come and my children will be able to pass down to their children.
Number three has recently found a real love for photography and looking through fashion vlogs and blogs online. I often catch her making her own vlogs and writing blogs in her notepad.
Because of her passion for this I have told her that every Sunday she can write and take pictures of anything she likes and I will add it to my blog.
I hope you all enjoy seeing the world through her eyes.
Hi this is my weekend with a sleepover at my Aunties.
First I had to go to Italia Conti, but I had to leave 15mins early this week because my Auntie was taking me to see the new Cinderella movie, it was great. After that we went to Ask Italian where I had a lovely spaghetti carbonara and a plateful of olives. If you don’t know I love olives.
The next morning I went for a two mile run. I go to a place called South London Harriers so this was good for my training. When we finally got back I had a nice bubble bath then watched the London Marathon with some pancakes and maple syrup yum yum yum.
Then we met the rest of the family in Priory Park. We didn’t stay in the playground very long. We went to see my older brother in the skatepark. He was not very happy we were there, he didn’t speak to us. I think he was pretending we were not his family. Teenagers!!!!
Next we went round to the duck pond and a nice man gave us some bread to feed the ducks. After that we went through the woods And my little bro was pretending to be a dinosaur, silly him!!
I took some nature pictures and found some animals made out of willow.
Finally we had a stroll down the High Street and I was eager to get into Acsessorize where I bought some mini notes and a pen.
I hope you enjoyed a bit of my weekend.
With so many children interested in different things I am ‘Mum’s Taxi’ all day on a Saturday.
Number two has massive passion for scooting so he is dropped off first thing to our local indoor skatepark Skaterham where he spends the whole day trying to perfect his tricks.
We then have a short drive to drop our drama queen number three off to Italia Conti in Reigate to hone her skills in singing, dancing and acting.
I have found that as they grow they try out a variety of different activities which I actively encourage. Some of them they love and others they quickly lose interest in. It is just good for them to get as many life experiences in to turn them into well rounded confident adults.
After my last drop this leaves me a couple of hours to occupy number four and five. Our favourite port of call come rain or shine is Priory Park in Reigate. This beautiful park in Reigate town centre has a plethora of activities to occupy all ages.
Some of the benefits are the large lake which is perfect to take a stroll around and feed the ducks or stop for a picnic, beautiful formal gardens with a grand fountain as a centre piece, tennis and ball courts, a croquet lawn, football pitches, an outstanding skatepark, a children’s play area with water features in the summer and lastly a superb cafe that has recently been taken over by Pistachio’s In The Park.
We popped in there today for a spot of lunch and were overwhelmed by the attentiveness of the new owner. As you know we have to be picky where we eat out due to number fours allergies, but he made a consertive effort to come over and make sure all our needs were catered for and even asked how he could make future visits a good experience.
We a had a great experience at the cafe. Friendly, attentive staff, plenty of room to manoeuvre the buggy, vast menu with a variety of freshly prepared food and my top requirement which is a great cup of coffee.
From there we wondered down to feed the very hungry ducks and had a wet and windy walk around the lake. Then finally topped off our trip with run around the playground and a spot of sandcastle building.
