Category: Views & Ramblings

1. My Reverse Resolutions 2012 - 2013

   Posted on 11:03pm Friday 28th Dec 2012

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   Best quote of the year : "Dont be the person who could juggle but just didnt have the balls"

   Last year I decided that rather than start a list of New Years Resolutions, that would probably be broken by the second week in January, I would do a reverse list of all the things I have achieved in the last 12 months.  2011 was an amazing year and it made me realise that I dont need a list to aspire to but I just need to aspire to be the best I can be, whether that is mum, daughter, friend, business associate (or indeed juggler).

   So on reflection, here are my reverse resolutions for 2012. 

   1. I was nominated and subsequently named one fo the Top 100 Mumpreneurs by the national network, Mumsclub.

   2. The Lilypad Blog was nominated and a finalist in the first Women Inspiring Women awards.

   3. The Lilypad Blog has developed its own identity this year and has been a great platform to work with amazing brands like Fisher Price, Plum Baby and Groupon.

   4. I have been able to give both daughters a new life skill through swimming. The eldest can now swim competently and the little one is enjoying the water with Water Babies classes. As you can imagine, bath time is hugely amusing in our house with neither of them being afraid of being splashed and dunked!

   5. My love of blogging and addiction to social media has resulted in new opportunities and the start of some exciting new working partnerships.

    

   The start of the year was a haze of breastfeeding and nappies, so I was probably wasnt focused enough to make any achievable resolutions but on reflection, the girl did good!

   Watch out 2013, I have the balls and I am ready for some juggling!

   

2. Making holiday plans with a toddler!

   Posted on 9:43pm Wednesday 12th Dec 2012

   Regular blog readers know that I have two daughters and the little one is now toddling around and causing havoc as she goes. (my poor Christmas tree is testament to this), so thinking about holidays for next year is an interesting concept for us.

   As children, my brother and I never went without a holiday but for the first 5 or 6 years of our lives we always holidayed in the UK and it was my grandparents who encouraged my folks to take us on an aeroplane to the exotic location of Jersey! We loved it but children love holidays wherever they are. I didnt take my eldest daughter to a hot country until she was 5 years old as I would fret about the water, the food, being too close to the pool ... you name it, I worried about it so now I am back to square one with my youngest daughter.

   So what are my choices? A tent, a caravan or a UK holiday park? I have to admit that I am not a massive fan of camping as I always seem to sleep on the airbed that goes flat in the middle of the night, so a holiday park would be my definate location of choice. I vividly remember going to Butlins Holiday Park in Minehead with my best friend and her family when I was 12 and have the very best memories of us pretending to be so grown up and dancing the night away in the disco. Given that this was some 20 (ahem) years ago, Butlins has changed alot since then and they have the same quality entertainment and facilities as many of their continental counterparts. They have three main stages at every Resort, The Skyline Stage - where the daytime shows can be seen, Centre Stage - where you’ll see the big evening music and dance shows and Reds - where you’ll see live bands and some of the best tribute acts in the UK performing live. I love that Butlins offer family weekend breaks too because sometimes its nice to just pack the suitcases and the children into the car and get away for the weekend.

   Given that I loved Butlins at age 12, I am quite sure that my girls will love it too. With my eldest being in Junior School we have to holiday around the school holidays, if we dont want to get a slap on the wrist, so with the first half term in February, its good to know that you can grab a cheap break in February half term and not have to worry about passports and changing currency!

   So while it is cold outside, I dont think I can start dreaming of tropical holidays just yet but having spent far too much time looking round the Butlins website tonight ..... I think a little adventure to Minehead could be on the cards, even if it is to dance the night away again  pretending I am a grown up!

   

    

3. On the fourth day of Christmas ...

   Posted on 8:30am Tuesday 4th Dec 2012

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   Todays blog is a guest post from the lovely Chelle McCann at Social Sparkle .... we love this!

    

   On the 4th day of Christmas I was suppose to have a baby! 

    

   Fizz was a little too comfy to come out and arrived on the 15th in 2009. Christmas is always a special time in our house and with Fizz being born 10 days before Christmas it did make for an extra special one that year. The year before we were still planning our January wedding and in a year our family was complete.

    

   I do love having a December baby. It snowed on the day we left hospital and we got snowed in that evening. It meant that we were in a proper baby bubble for quite a while as people could not travel to see her. Everytime it snows now my sister asks what we have done this time (it also snowed the day after our wedding) .

    

   This year I am hoping that Fizz gets to go and play out in the snow, it certainly does make Christmas seem so much more special and obviously memories of our big moments come flooding back. Of course I am hoping to make a big snowman and show her how to make snow angels. It is the first year she is starting to grasp the concept of her birthday and Christmas so we are determined to make it extra special.

    

   Did you have a snow baby and did you have a special arrival during the 12 days of Christmas?

    

   

4. On the third day of Christmas ...

   Posted on 8:05am Monday 3rd Dec 2012

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   On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me ...... My Christmas Tree! 

   Now I love Christmas, I think the fact that we have had a Christmas countdown on the Lilypad since October leads us to this conclusion and I am usually more excited than the children about putting the decorations up and feeling festive but this didnt happen on the 1st this year, as it our usual tradition.

   I had done two Christmas Fayres and had a pain in my neck (not the children, I promise), which would make putting the star on the top of the tree a little difficult, so I have been a little grouchy for two days and not getting into the Christmas spirit at all. (and when I say spirit, I dont mean a cheeky Southern Comfort or too .... although that might have helped to numb the neck pain).

   So creating an amazing Christmas Tree is kind of my thing. I like nice things, I love beautiful things and I adore sparkly things and my Christmas tree is full of all of them. I have spent a copious amount of money over the years on decorations (no french hens in sight) and I have got some absolute bargains too, so its a constant work in progress every year.

   My worry this year is that my beautiful tiny toddler will try and climb my masterpiece, she will need more than three french hens to save her if she does ....