Saunton Sands|| Family time.

The time has finally arrived for our family vacay. This has been a long time coming. Those with children at school or preschool, know that the end of term is literally a C-R-AZY time. School trips, end of term parties, picnics, parent watching week, open days... The list is endless. 

So.... We have come to our fave place :

If you've never been here, then seriously think about it. The hotel is located on the beach, the place is a great mix of elegance but still very child friendly. 

I'm not one for shipping kids off all holiday for kids club, I think it's important to spend time together, BUT saying that, the girls love the kids club. It really is amazing. Pancake breakfast club, beach trips, pyjama movie night. I want to go.

Today, my wait is finally over. For the thing I've been waiting for since April (the last time we came).

FISH AND CHIPS! - seriously the best F&C you'll ever have.

Anyway, I'm off for some breakfast and then beach time. Ta-ra x

NEW Sure Compressed Variants!

Feeling fresh with Sure Compressed Variants - RRP £3.29* Nationwide

Ok, so I have to admit, I was a bit dubious about the sound of Sure's new deodorant. Motionsense definitely sounds like something you would hear throughout a tennis match at Wimbledon but I can tell you now, I have been pleasantly surprised.

Let me explain: Sure have created the world's first anti-perspirant that is activated directly by movement using Motionsense technology, so the more you move, the more you are protected.

Sounds a bit too good to be true? I put it to the test.

So I decided to go with Shower Fresh. First thoughts.... smells DIVINE! Really does live up to its name. I felt fresh as a daisy. Being a mother to 2 very active children (Molly is 4 and does not stop moving and Jack who is very nearly 8 months and into EVERYTHING), I knew this deodorant would be put through its paces. 

I popped the deodorant in the changing bag just in case I needed a little top up through out the day - these are the perfect handbag size - and I didn't need to reach for once. That lovely, fresh smell stayed with me ALL day AND I kid you not, even when I woke up the following day. According to Sure, it would even last for another 24 hours, although I'm not that brave to test that out.

These little wonders really are one to look out for when you are next doing a drugstore shop.

*Prices may vary depending on stockist

Cocoonababy Love

Hello folks.

So it only seemed like yesterday I was laying in an operating theatre thinking 'here we go again!' But 6 months on and I have the gorgeous, and a tummy baby Jack!

I will post about my birth in another post but firstly I wanted to draw attention to a product literally sent from heaven!

The Cocoonababy.

Now, 4 years ago when my little Molly was born, we really struggled with her reflux and constant griping pain especially at night time. We propped her head up with pillows, spent a fortune on reflux pillow wedges, you name it. The Cocoonababy would've made life so much easier.

We were lucky enough to have one for Jack, however.

At first, it feels a bit weird popping them in there. With just a little strap over them - but all we had to do was look at how content he was to know all was good.

The Cocoonababy literally is the shape of their body and is so soft and comforting. It almost feels like a little nest for them.

Those few weeks and months are so precious, even when they are sleeping you just can't help but want to stare at them. Jacks sleeping was greatly improved by the Cocoonababy - he felt safe and secure. Although, let's not kid ourselves here, I was still a boob leaking, constipated and emotional mess at 2 am at night feeds. 

But that's another story.

Fruit Heroes

I don't know about you but in our house treats are becoming less like treats. 'Mummy, can I have a treat from the cupboard?' I'm so tempted to chuck out all the party bag sweets, Christmas chocolates... The list is endless. Finding a healthy treat is hard to find - don't get me wrong, Molly loves fruit and she has a well balanced diet, but she is just like me. Loves her naughty goodies.

We've been sent Fruit Heroes to sample.

These are marketed as lunchbox snacks and this is what they are perfect for. On the go snacks which are a healthy alternative to chocolates, sweets and crisps. 

Let me clarify:

- No preservative

- No added sugar

- High in fibre

- One of your 5 a day

Yummy flavours too: Strawberry, Banana, Blackcurrant, Apple and Raspberry.

Molly loved these and at first was a little reluctant, I do feel that they don't look particularly appetising but she loved them and have been packed in our bags on many occasion.

Discover more about Fruit Heroes, including nutritional information and recipes you can do with the kids at http://fruitheroes.co.uk/

Hold on good weather... My body's not ready!

Post Christmas - miserable, wet, no money. The worst time of year. We're all so eager for Spring to make its grand entrance with freakishly good weather and have everything crossed for the best Spring we've had in years!

But wait...

You wake up one morning and the sun is shining, birds are tweeting and it no longer shows a - on the temp gauge in the car. Spring is here. But shit... I'm not ready physically!

I'm still shifting my Xmas weight (& baby) and my skin resembles a snakes. 

Sound like you? I can't help with the weight but I'm LOVING this new must have product:

Kai Body Glow is literally a slice of heaven. Having to bear more than an elbow? Then Kai literally gives you an all over body glow and makes you feel just glorious.

Not only that but smells bloody delicious too.

Kai Body Glow £25 from CultBeauty.

Letts Wild About Review - 9-11yrs

We've been lucky enough to have been given more Letts Wild About books, which are aimed at 9-11yr olds. These books are a fantastic way to improve your child's maths and English whilst also learning about the wider world around them.

What I love about Letts books, is that they are not only educational but exciting and capture a child's imagination and attention. Let's face it, the older your child gets, the less 'fun' homework becomes!

My cousins daughter Olivia is 9 and although she has a few more years until her SATS, these books will last her right up until she starts secondary school.

Olivia and her mummy have reviewed the books for you:

I just wish I had these when I were Olivia's age - but let's face it I'm sure there are a few things I could still learn from these books.

Letts Wild About books are also based on the new curriculum that was introduced into primary schools in September.

Discover more about Letts Wild About, including weird and wonderful animal facts and free activity sheets at www.wildaboutmathsandenglish.co.uk

Prepare your children for the clock change

We've packed away the flip flops, the little dresses have been put yo back of the wardrobe. My dear friends, Summer is over. Or it most definitely is on the 26th October when the clocks go back.

Most people hate this time of year, dark by 5 and feeling chilly. I, however, love it! I love Autumn and the feel of winter creeping in. But I do have to say, since having Molly, I have noticed that I dread clock change. 

Her body clock takes ages to adjust and we have a good few weeks of her waking up at ridonkulous times! 

Our good friends at In the Night Garden, have come up with some great tips and are holding a web discussion on the 10th October which will be live and they will be answering your questions. 

 Mandy Gurney, sleep expert and founder of a children’s sleep clinic will be offering her advice on how to adapt your child’s routine to cope with an extra hour in bed. From practical things about how to ease them with wind down time to the importance of establishing bedtime routines so that there are as little disruptions possible so they don’t get ratty.

The reason why they are doing it 2 weeks before the clocks go back is that is how long sleep experts recommend it takes to adjust a child’s routine, In the Night Garden is behind this as they’ve conducted some research showing parents notice their children being affected by the clocks going back.

The show will be live and interactive so people can send in any questions they might have in advance of the show going live, and also during the show.

To watch the show live and/or submit a question, click on this link http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/prepare-your-children-for-the-clocks-changing-and-get-an-extra-hour-in-bed  http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/prepare-your-children-for-the-clocks-changing-and-get-an-extra-hour-in-bed

 Show date: 10th October 2014 

 Show time: 3pm  

Website: www.inthenightgarden.co.uk 

 #NightGardenBedtime