A Strong Coffee

From the moment you walk into Atlantis, you get the feeling that you have entered one of the massive themed hotels of Vegas. You walk past a variety of high End shops to the entrance of Aquaadventure. We had pre purchased tickets (as it is cheaper than buying on the day) but so had a lot of other guests and queued for a good half an hour to forty five minutes to get in. So make sure you get there early - they open at 10am. You can hire towels, lockers, cameras and even pre pay for meals. If you go for the family sized locker, be aware that there aren't family changing rooms - this caused quite a bit of confusion when we got our clothes mixed up in the bags!  It is worth noting that at 1.2 m you have to purchase an adult ticket as this is the height you need to be to ride the bigger waterflumes.

I have to say it was really confusing entering the park. You are expected to know how it all works and we hadn't got a clue. We weren't given a map and I believe that you can only get one at reception. There is a large child's water park similar to drench towers at Legoland. We headed here first. There were no free sunbeds so we stood at the side and watched the children.

Big man and his Dad went and rode one of the larger flumes and we finally worked out that we could take the younger children on the numerous Rapids rides if we each got a double dingy with a child seat. This was easier said than done! Unfortunately people grab hold of them like sunbeds and keep them for themselves. We finally managed to find 2 so could enjoy the rides. The Rapids went on for a good hour but there were numerous places you could stop in between, if you wanted to get out/needed to.

There was also a shorter wave pool that we enjoyed.

I rode the shark attack with big man which is a flume in the dark that then takes you slowly through a pool of Sharks and rays. I have to admit to being really frightened as I was worried he had got us on the wrong ride, which is a shear drop into the tanks. I should have trusted him more!

Big man went with Daddy to ride some other flumes whilst I relaxed on the beach with the younger two. We had a nice view of Burj Al Arab and due to its location on the Palm the sea was calm with no waves due to the location. It is a lovely place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the waterpark.

At around 5 we got changed and headed to the lost chambers before leaving at around 6. Here we found out the main problem with visiting Aquaadventure. There were no taxis and a HUGE queue. Talking to people it was about a 2 1/2hr wait. We chose to ride the monorail back to the Gateway in a hope of getting a taxi there. Whilst there were fewer people there were still no taxis. If we went again and the children were older, I would recommend staying later in Atlantis and eating there. Finally we did get a taxi but the traffic was mayhem accounting for the no taxi situation.

We had a lovely time in the park even with the niggles I had. Hopefully if you have read this and go you will be more clued up and find it easier. When it is warm there is nothing better than splashing around in the water or laying in the shade of a palm tree. There are many other things you can do there such as swim with dolphins, feed rays and use high wires all at an extra cost. We had a great day and I would recommend it to anyone with children over the age of 3 who are confident in the water.

This is the first time I have ever made houmous and it was so easy I will definately be making it again.

Ingredients:



1 can of chickpeas
1 clove of garlic
3tsps of tahini
1tbsp of oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp of water

All you do is put the above ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth.



Serve with pitta bread, carrots and cucumber for dipping.

When big man was 2 we decided to move him straight into a single bed. The main reason for this was that we needed the cotbed for his soon to be brother. Going from cot to single bed is a huge jump and we were worried about him falling out of bed. We decided to invest in a bed rail to put our mind at rest and it was a great investment. We used it with all three children and even took it on holiday with us. 

Safetots are a family business who specialise in child safety products. They sell, stair gates, fire guards, plug sockets. Pretty much all you can think you need to toddler proof your home.

Safetots stock a range of bed guards and have kindly offered one of their own bed guards as a prize to giveaway to one of my readers. They come in white, brown or blue and can be folded for easy storage and travel. If you have a little one that is soon to move into a bigger bed then this giveaway is for you. Just complete the Rafflecopter below. Good Luck!

T-Rex Terror is the new addition to the Parragon Dino Supersaurus range. Big man enjoyed the activity books in the range but I was unsure if he would like this comic strip style book as he is used to books with more text. Of course, I was wrong and he did enjoy it. The illustrations really bring the book to life. It tells the tale of how 4 dinosaurs become superheroes in order to keep their city safe.



Personally I prefer the activity books in the range, but if you have a fan then I am sure they would like this addition to the collection.

The rrp of the book is £5.99 and it can be purchased from Amazon. Parragon have kindly offered me a copy to give away to one of my readers. Just complete the rafflecopter below. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My boys love Hot Wheels. I have to admit that I have a bit of a love hate relationship with Hot Wheels. We have a number of different sets and it tends to be the simplest ones that are enjoyed more by the boys. Generally we find the bigger sets are harder to put together.

When we received the Super Speed Blastway set I was initially excited as the race aspect would certainly interest my boys. I then took it out of the box and my heart sank a little looking at the many pieces.

It didn't take as long as I feared to build the set. 

It is worth noting that it only comes with one car. We have a lot of Hot Wheels cars but not all types will work. After a quick search around we found one that could be raced with.

The boys loved playing with the set as did Daddy. Actually so did I!

My only concern over the set is the ease of taking it apart. I'm worried that after a few uses by my heavy handed boys it could easily break as dismantling it for storage isn't simple.

Overall, I really like the set as do the boys. It is certainly one of the better larger sets that we have and the boys get excited about the competitive element. 

The RRP for the set is £22.99 and can be purchased from Amazon.

Hot Wheels are currently running a fantastic promotion: buy five Hot Wheels cars to get your hands on a free. limited edition Black Car! For more details visit http://www.hotwheelspromotions.co.uk

Do your children love Hot Wheels? Which sets would you recommend?

Daily life is hectic and holidays are so important to take time to relax and enjoy being a family.

We have spent half term sharing new experiences together.

We have been to the highest heights.

Had fun at in the sun.

We met a grumpy camel for a ride. I can't blame him for being grumpy with all that getting up and down in the heat.

Little man was adored by everyone he met. He drew hearts in the sand as "I love you a big bit Mummy." Unfortunately his love is not never ending as "I love Daddy a little bit!"

We were impressed by the towel art. Little man took the rose and gave it to me "I got this for you Mummy" I can't help but think that in years to come he will be taking roses out of my vase to give to a girl!

Middle Man kept talking about his role as a shepherd when he saw the Arabs headwear.

Daddy got to enjoy not one, or two but three Birthday cakes! (Middle Man couldn't help but tell everyone it was his Daddy's Birthday.)

I stayed off social media most of the time which was pretty good. I need to do this more often.

Big man enjoyed the water park.

We had fun in the sun and enjoyed being together.

Two of my favourite things are cocktails and sorbet, so when Lushice offered to send me their cocktail sorbets to review I jumped at the chance. I was sent the Pina Colada and Margarita and like their name they were lush! Choosing a favourite is like asking you to chose between your children.

I decided to make some lime shortbread to go with the Margarita sorbet.

I mixed 2oz butter, 1oz caster sugar and 3oz plain flour together.

Next I added the juice of 1 lime and rolled the dough onto a floured board.

I then used one of my icing holly plungers to cut them into shape.



Finally I baked them for around 15 mins at 190C.

Lushice are now being stocked in Waitrose at £4.99 a tub. They also have a Strawberry Daiquiri and Mojito flavours in the range which I can't wait to try. They average at around 100 kcal for 100g and contain around 2% alcohol. If you like cocktails and sorbets I would highly recommend you give them a try.

When middle man decided on a TMNT cake for his Birthday, I quickly Googled foe some simple ideas. This is what I settled on and am quite pleased with the result. The good thing about making icing figures is that you can make them in advance. I started by making 4 green balls and then rolled them into a point. A sausage of colour made the turtles and then I just added eyes.


I iced the cake in blue and added the turtles.


I then cut out a skyline in black icing.




I don't have a bead maker so I rolled little balls to cover the edges of the cake.


Middle man was very happy with it and little man is requesting one for his Birthday now!

Big man loves science and has a space themed room. When I was offered to review their glow in the dark stars, I was pretty sure they would be a hit. He already has their planets hanging from his ceiling and I thought he would like to add some constellations up their. He had other ideas and wanted to add them to his wall.

The planets and stars pack come with cardboard planets and 30 stars. Pluto is included if you wish to add it.



We arranged the planets and then added the stars as the Plough and Orion. When the lights are out they produce a small glow and look really good on big man's bedroom wall.


University games have kindly offered one of my readers a chance to win a set of glow in the dark stars themselves. Just complete the rafflecopter below. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com - See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/glow-dark-star-selection#sthash.ANWHvGTW.dpuf

I have been a working parent and a stay at home Mum. When I was at work, I constantly felt guilty about leaving a crying big man at Nursery, not being able to attend Nursery events and general guilt about missing out.

I thought that being a stay at home Mum would solve the guilt.

It doesn't.

It is just different guilt instead. Guilt that the house is untidy whilst I am at home all the time. Guilt that I don't play with the children enough. Guilt that I must be a rubbish Mother because I find it hard. I have written before about how it can be lonely at home and that Facebook can be a SAHM's enemy.

Infact it was Facebook that prompted me to write this post. Friends commented on my calmness of being a mum of 3. Yes these clearly are not mums from the school run. I wish I was calm, but looking after my 3 little men is anything but. So here's a peak into my not so calm and not so perfect life.

Little man comes into my room at 7ish in tears as Daddy has left for work without giving him any Calpol. About half an hour later I find middle man running around the house naked looking for Daddy unaware that he has left. I get up and get showered and go downstairs for breakfast.

8.15: Panic! I have no idea what has happened but no one is dressed and we need to leave for school in 15 minutes. Big man doesn't see the severity of the situation and wants a second breakfast.

8.21: I have somehow got all children dressed and sit down to have a sip of my coffee. Little man bounds at me for a cuddle and spills it everywhere.

8.31: The kids still don't have their shoes or coats on despite my many pleas. Middle man is pretending to be a unicorn and big man is a ninja. Little man pops his head around the door saying "Middle man pulled off my trousers" and waves a pair of trousers at me. (Not the ones I had put him in 10 minutes ago.)

8.35: Despite 2 bowls of crunchy nut cornflakes, big man is whining that he is still hungry. He gets an orange to eat in the car and his brothers follow suit.

8.40: We have left the house to go to school. Middle man is in an old pair of school shoes as his have disappeared. He predicts that a ghost may have eaten them.

8.46: Children dropped off at school.

9.01: Return to the car to see that middle man has peeled his orange and thrown the peel on the floor.

9.10: Return home and have to convince little man that although Daddy's car is on the drive he is at work. Yes Daddy is a boy and yes he has a willy.

This is where my day gets slightly quieter. I write an e mail response to the pre school before tidying the carnage from breakfast.We have a wasted and long journey to town which only results in me swearing at bad drivers and getting annoyed that there are roadworks every way I turn. We get home to do some baking and then watch some Cbeebies. I am clearly paying too much attention to it as I am getting annoyed that they have stuck a jacket potato in a plant pot.

3.00: The madness starts again. Little man does not see the need to pick up his brothers from pre school. Like clockwork he decides that he needs to use his potty. Cue hurry up comments from me as we are going to be late.

3.15 The boys finish school. Big man always forgets something, so has to go in to retrieve his water bottle this time. Middle man bounds out like a puppy exclaiming he has homework (he doesn't he just sets himself some each week) and once again has an I ate all my dinner sticker. He has had one of these pretty much every day since he has started school yet the novelty has still not warn off.

We return home to have an early dinner as big man has football. The mere mention of football sends middle man over the edge. "I quitted football I tell ya!" He did indeed quit so we had to change big man's class. All I needed to do was drop big man off as my friend was bringing him back. She has kindly offered to do this as little man is too much of a distraction to her daughter who is meant to be doing homework whilst her brother is at the class. Middle man is distraught that he has to leave the house and suggests that he will look after the house whilst I take big man. As tempting as it is, I instead agree that he doesn't need to wear shoes and wrestle him into the car.

5.10: We return home for little man to strip off and sit naked by the fire. I tell him to put some clothes on. He put his pants on his head and grins. I find him a few minutes later with his pants on but with stones from the fireplace stuffed down them. His claims are that he is worried middle man will eat them. This isn't an unfounded worry as on New Years Day Middle Man swallowed a glass bead from his treasure chest. Cue lots of interest in middle man's bowels.

6.00: big man is back wanting to eat me out of house and home. His dinner before football was merely a snack.

7.30 I have finally got all 3 children in bed and hope that they don't wake when my husband walks through the door.

So there you go, a peak into my not so perfect life. I may need a strong coffee to get me through the day, but some nights all I want is a large glass of red.

Are you calm and relaxed? Does it get better as they get older? Please say yes. So there we are I think we can safely say that I am more of a Desperate Housewife than a Stepford one.

I don't remember life without middle man. It may have only been 5 short years he has been with us but he has certainly made his mark. He is the most amazing person. He bounds out of school happy to see me with his "I ate all my dinner" sticker pretty much every day. He is trying so hard at school. He is even setting himself homework.

He loves Moshi Monsters and Superheros and now he loves his new room makeover. He has the most annoying Blu blu dolphin who he looks after and tells me off for being too noisy as he is trying to sleep!

As I drop him at school each morning he takes his water bottle and bookbag and then announces "there's just one more thing Mummy" as he puckers up for a kiss.

He loves to dance and I love the way he kicks his leg out and goes round in circles.

He introduces himself to everyone he meets along with the rest of his family. It certainly makes paying for shopping take a little bit longer but his charm brings a smile to everyone's face.

His last day of being 4 went really well with him getting in the golden book at school for good phonics work. He was more excited about telling me that he had eaten all his lunch.

He is the apple of my eye, but I would rather he put his apple cores in the bin. Middle man I love you to the moon and back and more.

Happy 5th Birthday my gorgeous gorgeous "nosey" boy xxxxx

Looking through my Twitter feed, you would think that my husband and I are the most unromantic people on the earth. We don't buy expensive presents on Valentine's Day. We don't even buy each other cards. 

We tend to just cook a meal, turn the TV off, put the phones away and have a chat.

I do some heart themed things for the boys for a bit of fun. I've made hidden heart cupcakes and heart cake pops and they will be excited to find some heart shaped marshmallows come February 14th.

This year however, Hartley's jam have challenged me to make breakfast for my husband and sent me some heart shaped goodies.

I met my husband at University and one thing I learnt about him was his love of cheese. Every evening he would have a slice of toast with jam and cheese. Personally I don't get the combination but strangely it's something my Dad likes too!

So here is the "Hart" felt breakfast for my husband on Valentine's Day. 

Obviously, this one wasn't for my husband and I can confirm that little man is a fan of the cheese and jam combo too!

Cut 2 slices of bread using a heart shaped cutter. Toast, add butter, Hartley's strawberry jam and a heart shaped slice of cheese. Serve with a strong coffee (as it helps my husband get through the day too!) 

What do you do to celebrate Valentine's Day?

I have been having a major household declutter this year. From our bedroom to middle man's room makeover. Our kitchen cupboards have been my latest project. So here are my 5 easy steps to get your kitchen cupboards organised.

1. Throw away out of date ingredients.

I am sure I am not the only person that has a bottle of soy sauce or similar that is a couple of years out of date. Go through and check that everything is within it's use by date and discard anything else.

2. Combine double purchases.

I tend to buy products on special offer. It seems that I then open a packet push it to the back of the cupboard and open a new one. I had 3 packets of caster sugar open as well as 2 chocolate milkshake powders.

3. Put ingredients you use the most low down and to the front.

Also make sure that you have your shelves at the right height. It wasn't until I look my "before" photo that I realised that if I moved my shelf one rung higher I could fit in the large packets of cereal that I was keeping in the utility room!

4. Invest in some storage containers.

This is where OXO comes in. They provided me with 3 of their Good Grips POP containers. I have to say I am really impressed. They have a button on top that you press to open and then press to seal tight.

They are a good size. This is important as there's no point in buying a bag of sugar and only fitting half in. They have a clever locking system. Yes they are on the expensive side, but that is because they are a product that will last you a long time. I am certainly going to look at investing in some of the smaller containers to get my cupboards organised even further.

5. Label your containers. 

This is something I am rubbish at. Often I am looking at a white powder wondering if it's corn, plain or self raising flour. A quick label makes things so much easier in the long run.

So here are my before

and after pictures.

I think there is a big difference and the OXO Good Grips POP containers have certainly helped. Have you got any tips on how I can organise my kitchen further?