Category: The Toddler Years

1. Country Kids : Finding a blackberry bush

   Posted on 9:24pm Sunday 3rd Aug 2014

   We went visiting my Nan today to give the man on the Lilypad some well deserved "blue" time as it all gets a little bit too pink and girly in our house sometimes. My girls love to see their Great Grandmother and sit playing with toys that I am quite sure have been in that toybox since I was a child but today with the weather being so lovely, they ventured out into her garden to go exploring.

   Soon I heard squeals of "we found a blackberry bush" and they were determined they were going to pick some!

   

   My Nan couldn't walk as far as the blackberry bush but she was giving them strict instructions to only pick the ripe ones and there little fingers were sneaking their way through the leaves to find them.

   

   Unfortunately for me, the only time I tried to get involved I managed to get caught in the thorns so I left them and their little hands to it. (note to self: Blackberry bushes can be dangerous if not careful or have tiny hands)

   

   

   They absolutely loved it and I am not sure if they were more excited about finding them in their Great Grandmothers own garden or wanting to have them for dessert!

   Sometimes it is just the little things that make your day!

   

2. When does the transition happen from baby swimming to just swimming?

   Posted on 9:43am Wednesday 30th Jul 2014

   We finished our swiming lessons for the summer holidays last week and we were suitably subdued that we would be missing our Water Babies adventures over the summer but even more so that our swimming teacher was moving on to pastures new. There are some of our Water Babies friends that are not continuing their lessons next term due to circumstances, which meant that there were more goodbyes to be said before the end of term.

    

   It got me thinking about the transition from Water Babies as some of our group are now obviously gaining exceptional water skills, not purely life saving and enjoyment but the ability to swim freely. So when does the transition happen from baby swimming to "just swimming".

    

   I can't imagine putting my youngest into traditional swimming lessons at the present time, in fact I think it would be counter productive to her confidence and development and in talking to Water Babies, they tell me that the transition period is usually around the age of 4 (so we definitely have some time!).

    

   There are lots of things to consider and prepare for in the transition to main stream lessons, even at ages 4 and above, such as; 

    

   • Before hand, take your child to the pool and ensure they can get in and out of the pool on their own
   • Explain to them that you will not be in the pool with them but you will be near by
   • Visit the venue before hand and show child where they will be swimming and where you will be sitting – it may mean you cannot see them swim
   • Help them pack their own swim bag (so they also know everything they need to bring home with them too!)
   • Explain to them that they should wait for you at a set point for collection after their lesson and not go with any one they do not know
   • Buy a swim hat – it is likely they will have to wear one so you might as well try it on before hand (my eldest was not a fan of this when she started her lessons but she just snaps it on her own head now).

    

   I never forget the tears and trantrums that we had with my eldest when she started traditional swimming lessons, so I know that it is important to make the transition from Water Babies to main stream lessons a smooth one. Thankfully it is not something I need to think about for another 12 months or so ...... or maybe it is me that is not ready to make the transition and accept that my water baby is growing up.

    

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3. Family Friendly Honeymoon Destinations

   Posted on 1:29pm Thursday 10th Jul 2014

   I recently wrote a post about how  life changes, seemingly in the blink of an eye, although these days more through tired eyes than anything else but my choice of honeymoon destination has changed in the last 10 years, as much as my lifestyle.

   I *may* have mentioned a wedding later this year and we are still debating over our honeymoon destination. Do we want a relaxing beach honeymoon (this may never happen with the children), a cultural city break (again, not sure how enthused the girls would be about this) or simply a big family holiday?

   I am a little reluctant to build my own package with independant agents, so I have been trawling through the First Choice website trying to find a solution. My top three family friendly honeymoon picks at the moment (I am a woman so allowed to change my mind) are:

   Kos

   We have been to Kos before the toddler was born and stayed in a gorgeous resort in Kos Town. I was always a little wary of the Greek Islands (given my necessity to put my toilet paper down the toilet and not in a bin) but so many of the new resorts have modern toilet / sewerage facilities, this isn't so much of an issue any more. You can almost always be guaranteed of the weather and with some amazing Holiday Villages to choose from, good flights and transfers, this makes it a great option for one week or two!

   Algarve

   There are those that love it and those that hate it, but the Algarve is Portugal's premier holiday destination, with pretty beaches, lots of resorts to choose from and picturesque whitewashed towns. We holidayed in Portugal some years ago and if you pick somewhere like Balaia, it is safely tucked away between the livelier resorts of Albufeira and Vilamoura on Portugal’s Algarve coast giving you the best of both worlds. The Holiday Villages again have something for everyone, from entertainment and buffet restaurants for the children to a la carte restuarants for the grown ups!

   Tunisia

   Tunisia was the choice of our first holiday as a family of 4. Again the flight times were not too long (especially when travelling with small children) but we chose to go in January last time, which was a little out of season. The best times to go here are really between April and October to take advantage of the weather ..... we learnt our lesson as the outside pool was a little chilly!! Thankfully there was a great indoor pool that the girls could enjoy.

   

   So given our October wedding, this may be a definite contender with 5* resorts a plenty.

   The girls feature in every decision we make as a family and it seems our honeymoon is no different. 

   In saying that, we could simply sneak off to an all inclusive, adults only resort on the Caribbean Coast in Mexico where I could spend days soaking up the historical sites like Chichen Itzá and Tulum, while my new husband soaks up the sunshine.

   We just need someone to have the children for 2 weeks. Any takers?

   This post is in collaboration with First Choice Holidays but all holiday experiences and honeymoon aspirations are our own!

4. Country Kids : We're forever blowing bubbles

   Posted on 7:24am Saturday 14th Jun 2014

   We're forever blowing bubbles, pretty bubbles everywhere ..... well almost.

   The weather this week has meant that we have been outside and enjoying the sunshine. So while big sister was at school, we have been out in the woods chasing bubbles.

   

   The little one frequently asks for the "bobble" mixture and has taken to trying to catch them back on the stick after she has blown them.

   

   

   The only problem with today's country kids link up is that she told me to stop taking her picture! So aside from chasing bubbles, I actually ended up chasing her!

   

    Can you spot her???

   

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