We're Going To London…

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I'm very excited!

Before Christmas, I bought my ticket for the Britmums Live in London in June. Last year I had many lengthy discussions with other mums and bloggers on twitter about going to the equivalent conference held at the same time, but decided that it would be too much like an INSET day for me and therefore I didn't want to go. As it so happened, the closer it got to the big day, and the more twitter was completely and utterly taken over with plans surrounding Cybermummy, I became just that teensiest bit green about the hundreds of mummy bloggers going. It was made worse by the fact that I was having to attend the school Summer fayre and paint children's faces. As pink butterflies.

However, this year I am determined not to miss out again! So during a discussion with someone on twitter, they offered to sponsor me and bought my ticket for the blogging conference there and then. They offered to contribute towards my travel and hotel costs but I declined. I know! Foolishness? No, I don't think so at all. I won't be going there on my own you see, I will be accompanied by The Boy and Mr. TheBoyandMe. Friday to Sunday is a long time for me to be away from my boys and I don't honestly think I'd enjoy it as much as I should knowing that they're three hours and 150 miles away from me. Therefore we're turning it into a family weekend, hence paying for our own accommodation.

Doing it this way means that we'll be able to spend Sunday together as a family in London and show our (then) three year old son some of the sites which he will hopefully find exciting. Last Summer was filled with days out and weekend breaks away, one of which was to Cadbury World in Bourneville. I want this Summer to be filled with similar family days out and excursions, be it to the beach or our trip to London. I'm at a loss as to whether he will enjoy the London Eye or if that might be too chaotic for him? It might be better to go for a quieter (and cheaper) venue which he will enjoy, and will allow us to actually spend time relaxed in each other's company. Possibly one of the parks? I went to Kew Gardens in London on a school trip when I was a teenager and really enjoyed that, maybe it would be better as it is sited on the escape from central London back to the cooler and calmer climes of Cardiff?

It may only be January, but I'm starting to make preparations and get excited about our trip in June. I can't wait to see London again, it's been such a long time since we were last there. I'm just as excited about seeing all the other bloggers, but I'm possibly most jubilant that I won't be painting any pink butterflies that day!

And who is my sponsor? That's another blog-post.

Getting Snowy With Charley

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It's snowing today here in south Wales. Not proper snow you understand though. Yes, it's cold and white and fluffy, but it's the wrong side of wet to be settling, so it's just making the world look that little bit dreary today. We need to immerse ourselves in proper snow, although not literally! With The Boy having been poorly over the past few days, we need a little quiet and creative time, and I think we'll be making a snow-den and watching some Antarctic explorers this afternoon.

There's another fan of snow who has been pretending he's an explorer lately; that loveable character with the big imagination, Little Charley Bear. Antarctic Charley is a new release today (30th January) which features six episodes narrated by James Corden, someone who I think has got a brilliant voice for narration. Charley loves pretending he's building a snow-house as much as the next little one, and regardless of the time of year, he manages to dive into his imagination to play with penguins and climb snowy mountains.

It's a captivating DVD with simple and beautiful stories. At just under an hour long, it's going to be perfect to watch in the car this weekend when we head down to Bluestone for our own Winter wonderland adventure. Priced at £12.99.

For more Charley Bear fun, visit the Facebook page or the Little Charley Bear homepage.

We were sent a check-disc for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

Sunday 29th January 2012 – 'Trio' (29/366)

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One photo today, but three versions. I wanted to see how Instagram (iPod Touch), Little Photo (HTC Desire) and Picnik compared; I've used a similar effect on all three but the photo was originally taken on the iPod Touch.

Instagram

Little Photo

Picnik

Nope, it's no good: I'm still a DSLR and Picnik bird. Which means come April 19th, I shall be sobbing into my frappucino.

366 #4

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Well done! You've completed your first month of #Project366. Now don't give up, keep it going. Maybe you could pick a theme for each week? I never thought of doing that last year, but there are some great ideas floating around out there, and that's the beauty of this linky: take inspiration from each other's ideas. I am personally loving this theme: 'From Where I Stand' by the clever Tao of Me.

Anyone taking part is welcome to join the Project 366 Facebook group. The fabulous community building up there offer support to those taking part in this photography project, and give much blog love. We've made it a closed group so that not every Tom, Dick or Harry can see the content but if you'd like to join just click the 'ask to join group' button in the top right hand corner of the page.

  1. Choose your favourite photo from the past week and link it up below.
  2. Please add the badge to your linked-up post so that other people know how to find all the other fabulous entries.
  3. If you can spare five minutes to comment on just a few other entries I know they'd appreciate it!
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#4:52

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This week with nanny, he has made a train and a rocket. Last night in amongst all the chaos of two poorly parents, grandad was told to supervise him doing some sticking and let him use all the stickers in one go. What the hell, he had fun anyway! (I might prise them off to recycle, is that awful?)