At first glance, this is clearly a shape sorter combined with stacking cups. As a mum of 3 boys I can tell you that children love stacking cups and love shape sorting. Baby man will spend the best part of half an hour happily shape sorting, but not necessarily using the shapes provided. I am forever taking out, socks, little plastic people and balls. Towers are great fun, because they can be knocked down. Reviewing this toy has made me realise I do far less tower building with baby man than I did with big man. As big man is on his summer hols, he was happy to build towers for baby man instead.


The toy is good as the cups fit inside each other with the shape sorting pieces inside too so wont take up too much space in your house. What I really like though is that it has so many uses. It is a perfect example of how simple toys are the best. On each cup is a number from 1-10. I walked in the lounge the other day to find middle man counting and ordering them.

After an afternoon at a Set4Sport event, we took them outside too. We used them as skittles, then as buckets to throw objects in - there are so many things you can do with them and that is what I like in a toy. So when baby man has grown out of knocking down towers and sorting his shapes (and socks) then this will be moved outside as a garden toy. I would recommend this as a new baby present for a first child as from about 6 months they will be able to knock down towers and it has many uses for years to come.



We were sent the Giantte to review by DKL toys, but the opinions here are my own.

When I found out  I was expecting baby man, I knew I needed a bigger car. Three little men and all the things that go with equals the need for a larger family car. Parking sensors were a must, and after a few tears on how I was ever going to drive something that size, we finally purchased our S Max.



I have grown to love him. He is big enough to fit the boys in, without feeling too big. Parking isn't as horrendous as I thought as he beeps at me to let me know where I am. In the winter I like him even more, thanks to his heated windscreen.

He isn't the car of my dreams, but he is practical and I love him.


So what is the car of my dreams? The one I got married in.



Big man often asks why they don't make a convertible S-max. Well it just wouldn't be the same would it? I love my S-max but I dream of a mini convertible. Maybe one day I will live the dream, but for now I am more than happy with my 3 men in "Max."

This blog post  is my entry into Moneysupermarket.com's Phota Your Mota competition.  I would like to tag the following bloggers who may wish to take part:

Mummy to the Max

Sentwivlove

It is the summer holidays! We don't have to rush out of the door at 8.30 in the morning. I think that is a fab reason to be cheerful.

Yesterday my boys were complimented on being well behaved eating their happy meals in Mc Donalds. Yes I am half considering of spending every day there for the rest of the summer!

We actually made it to a blogging event (generally they don't fit in with school timings) and the boys had lots of fun trying out some of the Set4Sport activities. I will be writing a post about it soon, but it made me think about how as parents it is important for us to play with our children rather than throw money at sending them to a million classes. Having made the decision to cancel big man's gymnastics class this was reassuring. Here is big man with the person he knows as....

The Mummy of the man that won the tennis!

And we have a few days with Daddy to look forward to next week so I will continue being cheerful.

The baking book, party poppers, led bowl (that is on the fireplace) glow sticks and Prince William mask were 5 of the things we bought with our 99p stores £10 blogging challenge voucher.

Big man was so excited about the birth of middle man. He loved to feel middle man kick him (or me move my tummy so he thought he did) and was the perfect loving brother from the start. Middle man did not show the same interest in my tummy when baby man was inside. The age gap was slightly smaller, but he showed no interest at all. We wondered if he really understood what was going on.

Baby man was a planned Cesarean section. We wanted the boys to meet their brother as soon as they were able to. Big man came in first and was all smiles. He was very excited to be a big brother again and wanted to cuddle baby man as he was "so cute." Middle man came up to visit too but hadn't been that keen on walking so came up a few minutes after his brother. His reaction was slightly different. He wasn't interested in seeing me. Would you like to meet your baby brother I asked?

"No no no no no no!" he shouted as he ran round in circles and then out of the ward. My Mum went chasing after him and apparently he was more at ease looking at other peoples babies rather than one of his own!

Now middle man is three, I had hoped that his dislike for babies may have changed. No such luck. He didn't want to visit his nephew a few months ago and was only talked into it by the thought of there being cake and a party bag. A couple of weeks ago when I told him he was going to a Christening he exclaimed "But I don't like babies!" Again he was talked round with the talk of cake!

His opinion towards baby man is slowly changing. There  are sometimes slight glimmers of them getting along until baby man has a toy that middle man perceives as his. I like to believe that there was some love in the comment "No baby man, you are a big fat baby!" when he was annoyed with him stealing his leaflet at the doctors surgery this week.

One day I hope that middle man will grow to at least like babies. He certainly has a lot of love that he shows towards his Mickey, Donald and Petey Bear. Maybe one day he could show some to baby man too.

With the lovely news of William and Kate last night, how will we celebrate the arrival of the new Prince? I think I had better get baking!

Last year I was terrified about the long holidays with three little ones to entertain. I wrote a bucket list and the holiday flew by so fast we didn't even get to finish it. So I have decided to write another one to help focus me. The biggest thing I learnt from last year, is that the boys don't need or want a million expensive days out. It is their break and they are happy playing with their toys and getting out in the garden and park. It is also handy for me as unless my husband is around (which he isn't that much as he needs to work) I can't easily take them on days out unless I know the place well. So here is our list - which involves a lot of cooking as it kills 2 birds with 1 stone.

1. Space Day. This is top of Big man's list. Mainly because it involves rocket launching and eating freeze dried ice cream.
2. Dinosaur day - to include making 3D dinosaur cookies
3. Make pancakes with our pancake maker - a device you wouldn't think you needed until you have one!
4. Go strawberry picking and make ice cream.
5. Gruffalo Day - I have an activity book that has masks and things to colour and recipes to make
6. Go on a Gruffalo hunt
7. Make a sandcastle with flags (middle man especially wants to do this)
8. Hug a giant mouse (so so so excited about this and keeping it as a surprise to the boys)
9. Home Cinema afternoon - DVD, popcorn and meat free hot dogs
10. Go swimming - has to be done with Hubby
11. Go to the caves - all being well we are off to Wales
12. Go to Wellington Country Park
13. Go to Dinton pastures
14. Go to California country park
15. Go to Lockley Farm
16. Go to Legoland but only to watch the shows!
17. Do some fire experiments.....this one is from big man on the basis I let him light a match earlier. I am sure we can find a safe fire experiment - will have to get my thinking cap on!
18. Do some more experiments - big man again on this one - luckily he has a box full of stuff to do
19. Decorate Gingerbread men
20. Have a water balloon fight (already did this today but had so much fun I have now ordered 1000 water balloons!
21. Go on a Gromit trail
22. Toast marshmallows
23. Make something from some big cardboard boxes
24. Make smoothies
25. Make ice lollies
26. Make and decorate cup cakes
27. Make pizzas
28. Have a chocolate fondue
29. Make a big car park out of a card board box
30. Roll down the hills in the park
31. Fly a kite
32. Have a sports day
33. Have a snail race
34. Go body boarding - highly dependant on the weather in Swansea!
35. Walk down Mumbles and have an ice cream at Verdis
36. Go Geocaching
37. Get the sleeping bags out of the loft so they can play with them in their pop up tent.


So this is my list that will be chopped and changed as I feel fit. Have you got any more good ideas of things to add?

I can't quite believe that today is big man's last day in reception. This time last year, I was worrying about him starting school and making friends. I was an emotional wreck when I bought him the wrong jumper! Before he started I was upset that my little boy was growing up, yet on the first day with him beaming from ear to ear, I just had to smile.

Big man has had a fantastic year and learnt loads. So reflecting on this year, what have I learnt?

I have learnt that my worries about his school were pointless. Generally, I have noticed that most negative comments about schools come from people who don't actually go there. We are lucky we live in an area with many good schools, and big man is lucky that he is at one of them.

I have learnt that big man can make his own friends. I am no Katie Hopkins deciding who my boy can and cant play with. He is making his own choices and is no longer reliant on me making friends for him. It is a huge life skill to learn. I love that the children say hello to him on the walk into school and that he is proud when they do.

I have learnt that reception teaches them a lot more than I thought! Big man couldn't read or write at all when he started school and is now at the expected standard - which in my opinion is pretty high! I love that he now enjoys reading, and he has even got middle man sounding out his name.

I have learn't that sistema bottles don't leak and that expensive metal ones get dented when he drops them on the floor all the time.

I have learnt that there is more to life than sewing in name labels and a permanent pen is just as good. Either way they still manage to lose things. Somewhere there is a left size 12 plimsoll looking for its partner!

I have learn't that Twinkl is a fab resource that can be used to compliment what the children are learning at school.

I have learnt that I really should have a loaf of bread in the freezer so that I don't run out of it when I am making packed lunches.

I have learnt that I need to write events down in my planner so that I don't forget them. There is always something to bring in or an event to attend!


Big man and I have learnt a lot this year. I shall now look forward to picking my son up at the earlier time of 2.15 and our summer break will start!





Anything I have recommended here is because I think it is good, not because someone has asked me to!

It has been a couple of weeks since my last reasons to be cheerful, so what am I happy about this week?

It is only 2 days until the summer holiday starts! Whoop whoop. I am excited about this and even better my post I wrote about why I am excited got put on the Parentdish website.

Big man's caterpillars turned into butterflies this week. Whilst there have been tears, all 10 of them made it! And thankfully one returned to say thanks, which made big man's day!


Blogging in general is going well - 2 months running I have gone up in the tots and I have a couple of events coming up that I am taking the boys to and am sure they will enjoy. Oh and I have a competition running for a lovely planner if you fancy one too. I am hoping it will organise my life - and if not, it is pretty to look at. You don't often have pretty things with 3 boys around!

Oh and last but not least, I have made my nicest dish to date, which was inspired by my new found love for Mojito's

Let's hope that next week is just as good and that I am not cursing the length of the school holidays!

I have high hopes for our new personal planner. I am hoping that it will organise our lives! I am always rushing around, forgetting things for school and only last week it was by chance I over heard a conversation about middle man's pre school sing a long.

Choosing our planner was hard. Mainly because you get to choose so many things. You can upload a photo for the cover if you wish, but I chose this spotty design with this message on the first page. Inside there is lots of room to list my numerous daily activities and I chose extra bits in the bottom to help further. To look into one further have a look at the personal planner site.



Now I have it, it is like a brand new exercise book that I don't want to write in, incase I make a mistake. Please tell me I am not the only one that was like this at school? It also has a plastic wallet at the back that I can keep party invites in. Only time will tell if this planner is as life changing as I hope, but for now I am really impressed with the quality of it. The lovely people at Personal Planners have also offered a planner or notebook to giveawat to one of my readers. Just fill in the rafflecopter below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions
Open to UK residents over the age of 18 only
Entries will be moderated, so please make sure that you comment if necessary
There is one prize of a personalised planner or notebook from Personalised Planners UK.There is no cash alternative
No bulk or automated entries
The winner will be chosen randomly using random.orgThe winner will be notified by email (make sure you leave your contact details) and will have 1 week to respond so that I can send it onto the PR company. If they fail to respond a new winner will be drawn.
Competition closes on 9th August 11.59pm

I was given a planner for the purpose of this review but the opinions here are my own.

Last week I gave you my rather grumpy opinion of the sun.

This week I am sharing the insights of big man. On Sunday he decided to play libraries with middle man, complete with fiction and non fiction books. Middle man showed an interest in one of big man's science books.This is an unusual event as he is often found running round the house shouting "I don't like science!"

Big man jumped at the chance of explaining some science to him:

"The sun is made of tiny balls called atoms. They are so hot, they could burn your finger!"

I don't think these exact words in the book - but not bad for a five year old's interpretation. I don't think middle man has any desire to go to the sun now.

Two weeks ago I wrote my Get Good Summer post. A bucket list of 5 things you want to achieve over the summer. So how am I doing? Not that great! Here is a quick update.

1. Lose half a stone.

I have made it to Bowkwa and 2 swims at the gym, but no weight lost.

2. Read a book

No progress. Infact I don't even know where the book is.

3. Do some little DIY jobs

Not a great week for DIY but I have made a start on organising big man's room.

4. Learn to make Mojito's

Once again, this is the task that has captured my attention. If you haven't seen my Mojito Chicken Skewers recipe, I recommend you click on the photo, as it tastes really good. I am now thinking of having a go at Mojito ice lollies.



5. Do some arts and crafts.

Hmmmmm been playing with the new lens on our camera if that counts?

So that is my update for Get Good Summer week 2. Conclusion - must try harder!

The sun is out and so is the BBQ. Cooking outside on a cool summer evening has to beat cooking indoors. As you may already know, after spending a week in Spain relaxing with a Mojito in my hand, I came home eager to learn how to make one. Therefore when John Lewis asked if I would be interested in coming up with a recipe for the BBQ for a competition they are running, I knew exactly what I was going to make. I don't normally boast, but I suprised myself with how good they tasted. So here is my recipe for Moijto Chicken skewers

I think I was pretty aware of what I was walking into when we decided to have a third child. I was aware that the cost implication was going to be huge. I needed a new, bigger car. Holidays would become even more expensive. Only having 2 arms could be problematic if they went in three directions. What I didn't appreciate was how isolating it could feel.

I make decisions for the boys all the time. What they will wear, eat, places to go. I don't normally have a problem with this. Today I do. Today I have had to make the decision as to whether big man continues with gymnastics or not. He doesn't really know what he wants to do. One minute he wants to do rugby, then football, then back to gymnastics. At over £120 for next term, I am reluctant to say the least about forking out the money, when in a months time he is likely to decide that he doesn't want to do it. Reading Suzanne's post about extra cirricular activities has got me thinking.

Without a doubt, when big man was a baby, I joined a variety of groups for my own sanity. These continued, I had more babies and there were more classes. At the beginning of the this year we were paying out for 3 children to swim, two to do a pre school music class, one after school rugby, one gymnastics class and 2 football classes. It was a lot of money and a lot of time. Family time at weekends was cut down by football and swimming and something needed to change.

I know that big man wont be the next Olympic gymnast. I know this as I sat talking to one on a train back from the Olympics last year and they are in an elite club at the age of 3. I know that given a few weeks he will be happy in football or rugby. I know that I will be much happier. I have never enjoyed going and on the basis that at the receptionists window there is a notice saying that no verbal abuse is tolerated, I hope you can see why. I know that if he continues with gymnastics, it will get to a point where they want him to go more than once a week. Taking 2 small children into hot a packed room that smells of feet and expecting them to sit still for 45 mins whilst big man does his class is ridiculous.

So why do I feel so guilty? Of that I am not sure. I am not prepared to spend my entire time ferrying the kids from one club to another at such a young age. Do lots of after school activities make a happier child? I don't think so. Swimming lessons are not negotiable and the boys have been told that these will continue until they can swim properly. I'm not sure what I mean by properly, but I am pretty sure that I continued until I could swim 50m. To me it is a life skill and that is why it must continue. To be honest, our holiday could have ended horrifically if middle man had never had swimming lessons. For now, at the ages of 5 and under I think it is acceptable to say they can each do one other class.

So the decision has been made. No more gymnastics. He can chose to play football or rugby after school where not only do I not have to take the younger boys, but he has the added advantage of playing with his peers. I think it is the right decision, but I still feel bad about it.

I have held off writing about Katie Hopkins and her rude and insulting attempt at a publicity stunt as I figured it would die a death and she could creep back to the dark and slimey pond that she came from. Then I made the mistake of looking at her twitter feed before going on the school run. Her snobbish hateful remarks are by no means funny and I could even go as far as saying they amount to inciting hatred in others. Why she thinks she has the right to attack people for their class, weight or hair colour is beyond me.

I would be a liar if I told you I have never judged someone on a name. In my past life as a teacher I would joke about kids having a name that made them naughty. But it was a joke. Every pupil in my class would be given the same chance, whatever their name. Having worked in both state and private sectors, I can tell you I would much rather teach a child that works hard with one of Katie's disliked names, than a suitable named arrogant child that seemed to think you should spoon feed them knowledge. I would like to add here that both of these types of children can be found at both types of school.

When it came to choosing my children's names, I went for pretty normal top 10 names. The Twilight series may well have swayed me on liking baby mans name. Katie would probably say I was uneducated. I think the 3 degrees I have say otherwise. So do I care who big man plays with at school? No. I care that people like him and that he has friends that are nice and caring like he is. I don't care about the size of their houses or whether their clothes are from Tesco or Boden. I care that my boy is happy and that is all.

Strangely, big man had his own worries about names when he came home from school today. He likes a boy at school. The problem is his name. Is he worried that the child is of the wrong class for him to associate with? No. He is worried because the boy shares his name. The problem? It is very confusing, especially when the register is being taken. I love big mans worries and I am sure that he will overcome the confusion so their friendship can grow. As for Katie, I'm pretty sure that people will become bored of you soon, so I would start thinking of another way to draw attention to yourself. I do think you should however, remember that no matter what class you are, or think you are, we come into and exit the world in the same way. If you are ever in need, I hope that Tiffany, Tyler or Chardonnay, who are probably obese and ginger, show a bit more compassion to you, than you will ever have shown to them.

I would like to start this post by telling you it has made me question my sanity. However, rest assured it is just a case of getting wrapped up in the excitement of a 5 year old and an excuse to eat cake!

Let me start at the beginning. Big man has been learning about mini beasts at school and when he saw the advert on Nick Jnr to buy some caterpillars he kept asking and asking. I am not one for pets, so seeing as these required minimal looking after and would be set free after a month, I gave in to his nagging and bought some.

Our caterpillars arrived on Monday after having spent the weekend in a Royal Mail sorting office and survived! They were small and cute and big man fell in love. He took them to school the next day, and to McDonalds! They were a talking point and one little girl wouldn't leave us alone with all her questions.


Big man also started his questions. Do caterpillars like roller coasters? Can we have a party for the caterpillars as they won't have a birthday? I think I was still wondering about the roller coaster question and before I knew it I had agreed to two parties. One for the caterpillars and one for when they turn into butterflies!

So after speaking to big man about the requirements of a caterpillar party, we decided that he would make a leaf arrangement for the table and I would buy the foods that the hungry caterpillar ate.




Big man decided that it was important to have a caterpillar race. Strangely when baby man did well at this, the rules changed so that the winner was the "caterpillar" that came last. I suggested that maybe he was changing the rules so that he could win. "No Mummy, it is because caterpillars are slow!"


Our place mats were also Play Doh mats from twinkl, so whilst I set up the flour game Big man completed these.


For those of you not aware of the flour game, you have a sandcastle of flour that you stick a sweet in the top. you then take it in turns to cut away the flour. If the sweet falls you get to eat it, but have to get it out of the flour with your mouth.


And my favourite was the blindfold taste testing of a variety of the hungry caterpillar foods that he ate in the book.


We ended our caterpillar themed day by reading The Hungry Caterpillar book. I don't think the caterpillars know how loved they are. I think that they will soon be wrapping themselves in their cocoons and getting ready for their very own butterfly party!

Last week I wrote my Get Good Summer post. A bucket list of 5 things you want to achieve over the summer.

1. Lose half a stone.

I can't say I have tried that hard on this one, but I did opt for salad rather than chips when I went out on Saturday. I have also been to the gym, so at least I am heading in the right direction.

2. Read a book

I have managed the first 3 chapters!

3. Do some little DIY jobs

I built a shoe cupboard which has made a difference already. It never ceases to amaze me, the things I get excited about these days.

4. Learn to make Mojito's

Strangely, I have worked hard on this one! I bought all the ingredients and have made a couple. Now I feel I need to get the perfect recipe to share with you guys ;-)

5. Do some arts and crafts.

I have started on the piggy bank. Unfortunately I left baby man at the table and returned to find him sticking soggy bran flake in it!

So that is my update for Get Good Summer week one - next week I will take some pictures!

Having spent my holidays from Uni selling ice creams from a cart at Legoland and spending many a happy day wandering around the place with my boys, I like to think I know the theme park pretty well. My sister asked me to write down some tips for her friend who visited over the bank holiday. After visiting today and the park being busy with school trips, I thought that my tips might also be of use to my readers, if you are planning a trip over the summer.

Get there early. The rides open at 10, but if you aim to get there for 9-9.30 then you will queue to get your tickets and go through the gates into "the beginning." You can wait here and look at the views of Windsor and London (if it is a clear day) until they let you down the hill.