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We love Love Boo and hope you do too.

(I am a poet and I didn't know it).

We are therefore delighted to have a fantastic giveaway for you to win the brand new Once Upon a Bedtime Gift Set (RRP 21.99), just in time for Christmas.

Once Upon A Bedtime gift set contains:

• Soft & Splashy Bubbles, 250ml
• Kind & Calming Massage Oil, 100ml

Which makes it perfect for baby showers, new babies (and Mum's). It is not only beautifully presented, it smells divine too.

To be in with a chance to win, just enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Listed on PrizeFinder.com

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I had forgotten how seductive the TV can be. Not in that way, I mean the way it draws children in and can captivate them for hours. We have TV on demand, so this means that my eldest can select the programmes she wants, when she wants them, which is great in her mind BUT is it great for her mind and body really?

TV viewing has been linked to obesity in children, amongst other problems, so it's more than a good idea to stay on top of the time the children spend in front of the screen. Research shows that academic success is linked to how much TV your child watches and with whom she watches it. Children with moderate access to television who watch with a parent score significantly higher academically than children who watch a moderate amount of TV on their own. (yikes)

If we are all honest, the TV can be our friend. The TV can "help" when you just need five minutes to do something (even if it is just to go to the toilet, I have said before that this is apparently no longer a one person job anymore) but when the 2 year old becomes obsessed with Peppa Pig, I have begun to wonder how much influence that little pig (and TV in general) has on our lives.

The little one was bouncing on our bed and said "on Peppa's bouncy castle"

The eldest said "mommy, can you get me a garbage bag" (we are in the UK, not the USA)

Aaagggh, it made me want to grab a backpack and fill it with some essentials and get them outside, adventuring, exploring and NOT watching the television. Unfortunately we have been plagued with sickness, the other (back on the toilet again) and horrible conjunctivitis this week, so we decided on some crafting and painting. What did the little one want to paint? Peppa Pig!!!

How much influence does the TV have in your house?

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Swimming is a big thing in our family (and blog) and my girls love the water (we are on a Lilypad after all), so as it gets colder and wetter outside, we have started a new term in the slightly warmer water in the pool.

I remember having to literally drag my eldest to swimming lessons, although her passive personality could be eventually convinced but this week she has been doing her distance badges and it seems like a million years ago that she was refusing to go. On the flip side, the little one has returned to her Water Babies swimming lesson and as much as she loves the water, she has been expressing her strong personality and choice regarding which activities she undertakes. (going under the water was apparently off her agenda this week).

My eldest has decided that she is going to go to her swimming lessons in a bikini of late and whilst this may not be my swimming attire of choice for her, I am secretly pleased that she is getting some use out of it (and I don't need to buy yet another swimming costume).

The little one wears her Water Babies wet suit, which not only keeps her warm in the water but she looks super cute in it too. I did wonder as the winter draws in whether I could get away with buying one of these

womens wet suits

It made me think about when we become conscious of our attire or is it more conscious of our body? My eldest is really beginning to get into fashion (someone please help me) and those that know me, know that I LOVE fashion but there is no way I would go into our local swimming pool in a bikini! Is that my own insecurities or is that society?

Should I be wrapping myself up in a (nice warm) wet suit or should I be more like my daughter and wear a bikini just because I love it??

What do you think?

Disclosure: This post is brought to you in association with Eureka Cycle Sports but all swimming and fashion dillema's are our own!

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The Family Rules, do your family have them? I don't mean those gorgeous wall prints that you can buy that have a fabulous list of things to live by but I mean the actual ones that work in your family? You "may" have heard recently that there was a marriage proposal on the Lilypad and the "rules" are for marriage as well as for children, so here is what works in our house.

Treat each other with respect. No hurting anyone’s feelings (no yelling, putdowns, or name calling). No hurting anyone’s body (no hitting, pushing, or kicking). Ask permission to borrow things, don't just take them. The Man on the Pad always believes that I should be treated with the same respect as he gave me on our first date, which thankfully means no head holding under the duvet covers! (I shall not say anymore)

Put yourself in my place. This is a particular favourite of the Man on the Pad, whereby he stands by the ethos that if he thinks I would not like what he is doing, he doesn't do it. (I love this one) We encourage this with the children too.

Pick up after yourself - this is a work in progress.

Be generous. Not always with money but with your energy, time and consideration. (although I am never going to turn down a cartier watch)

Apologise and admit when you are wrong. Its not the easy choice but we all have to take responsibility for our behavior by creating a rule about how to respond if they’ve hurt someone. 

Forgive. There is alot to be said for letting go. A grudge only continues to hurt you.

Tell the truth. Children can’t tell the difference between “white lies” and other lies so if you’re going to stress the importance of honesty, you’ll need to show them that you’re honest too. (Not sure where the land lies about Father Christmas on this one though)

Be silly once in a while. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh. Alot. They say that Laughter is the best medicine and laughter lines are way better than frown ones!

Be there. Give your family not only your time, but your attention. Work and life can get in the way but take time to be there completely when you are with them.  

With your children and your partner. Love the good things, see the best bits and FALL IN LOVE OVER and OVER and OVER again.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net