Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Ideas for family time for the New Year

   Posted on 10:59am Wednesday 16th Oct 2013

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   I am looking outside my window and it is raining. My hands are wrapped around a hot cup of tea as I am cold and it feels like it has been raining for weeks.

   

   I read a news report this week that said by November, the winter will have taken a grip and we should expect the coldest winter in 100 years! Now if that is not an excuse to hibernate, I don't know what is? It is also an excuse to buy a whole new winter wardrobe but shhhh, we won't say too much about that out loud.

   So I suspect we should take advantage of the autumn leaves (that are no so crunchy after all this rain) and get outside before the cold snap really takes hold .... although I suspect the children will have me outside making snowmen when it finally does snow. It doesn't really matter what the weather is like outside as ultimately there are always things we can do as a family.

   I am a secret control freak and love to plan everything, even those things that may "look" spontaneous are usually executed with precision planning, so I am already thinking about what family new year breaks to consider. Christmas is always magical in our house, so going somewhere like Butlins for New Year would be fabulous as it caters for everyone. (there is also up to 40% off at the moment, which appeals to my family budgeting heart). It sounds exciting to have a huge confetti blast at midnight in the Skyline Pavilion, which is then followed by a fantastic fireworks display on New Year’s Day (our British weather permitting of course .... let's hope the rain has stopped by then). 

    

   So today might be dull and cold outside but looking at exciting family choices for New Year has added a little sparkle to my day!

   

    

2. Godparents : How important are your choices?

   Posted on 8:35pm Sunday 13th Oct 2013

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   The choice of godparent is always a difficult one. Whether you are religeous in any way or not at all, this choice is whom you are trusting the care of your child if the unspeakable happens and you are not around anymore.

   Godparent  

   Noun A person who presents a child at baptism and responds on the child's behalf, promising to take responsibility for the child. The secular view of a godparent tends to be an individual chosen by the parents to take an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development

   Synonyms godfather - sponsor - godmother

   In some countries, god-parents are carefully selected by the parents to strengthen familial, political and business ties. thereby obligating these god-parents to help out. 
   
   Some cultures have stated that the refusal to accept the invitation to become a god-parent will bring bad luck. Thus, this is being capitalized upon by many families who engage up to twenty pairs (or sometimes even more) of god-parents on baptisms and weddings, wherein they expect tons of gifts in kind or cash to make up for their celebration expenses but ultimately being asked to be a god parent is a huge honour.

   There is huge speculation about who Prince George's godparents will be and sources have said the couple chose childhood friends because they want to give George a sense of “stability and normality. William and Kate have named their childhood friends as Prince George's godparents which is a break from royal tradition and will probably raise some eyebrows but I salute them. The choice of godparents is a difficult one without the press speculation and whole world having an opinion.

   So whilst I wish them every happiness and the honour bestowed on Prince George's godparents is a big one but I hope that they never actually have to step up to their obligations.

3. Can you have a fun and affordable family holiday in London? Featured Post

   Posted on 9:06pm Tuesday 8th Oct 2013

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   Now, I can understand your eyebrow raising at my suggestion to take the kids to a densely populated capital city with expensive tourist attractions, busy public transport system and the worst traffic of any UK city. You could also be forgiven for questioning why anyone would want to take a family trip to a city where you can never guarantee the weather.

   However, London is actually a great place to take kids; it has countless family-friendly restaurants, loads of child-orientated activities, and even the odd free event for your little ones. Once you’ve mastered the capital’s public transport system, it is actually very easy to get around. Plus, kids under five can travel totally free!

   Here are some days out I know all the family will enjoy, along with some top tips for coping with kids in the UK’s buzzing capital, and most importantly, keeping them safe.

   Step back through time

   London has one of the densest collections of mind broadening museums and galleries, however, a sure-fire option to keep curious minds occupied is the Natural History Museum. With dinosaurs, wildlife and even a 1000 square-meter ice rink come winter, it’s a great day out for all the family. I wonder if you could get any little kids believing the exhibitions come alive at night.

   See some heroes

   Fancy standing shoulder to shoulder with the Queen? How about an A-list celebrity or one of the Marvel superheroes? Madame Tussauds have a waxwork to please every member of the family, and if anyone has a teenage daughter screwing up her face at the idea, the new One Direction waxworks are sure to change her mind.

   Spot of tea

   Fairy cakes, little sandwiches, jam and scones – what kid, or big kid for that matter, wouldn’t enjoy that? There are countless hotels and bakeries that offer up a very British afternoon tea option, all ranging in price. A must when in England’s historical capital.

   Holiday in style, and comfort

   A key element to any family holiday is accommodation. Kids can become bored in cramped hotel rooms, especially if there is no TV, and central hotels can be extremely pricey for a family room. If you’d rather have your own space at a cheaper price, why not consider these short stay apartments in London, where your little ones can make loads of mess, and no one will know!

   There is simply so much on offer in London, I could go on for hours, but those are my top recommendations. One last thing however is making sure the kids have a safe, and enjoyable trip. A good option for any parent is to create a little pack for them, including any accommodation details, your phone number and a little bit cash should they get separated from you or lost. This simply means they can easily phone you should you lose sight of one another. I’m sure it won’t happen but better to be safe than sorry. ]

   Now go and enjoy ....

   

4. It is not the years in your life but the life in your years

   Posted on 8:20pm Sunday 6th Oct 2013

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   Today we went to a snow play party, which is essentially a group of children running around in the snow, squealing, laughing and throwing snow at each other but they had a fabulous time! It was a beautiful day today and it seemed bonkers to be wrapping the girls up in snow suits and gloves, especially when it was so warm outside. 

   

   Being in the snow got me thinking, I never understand the whole skiing holiday philosophy, to me a holiday is all about the sea and sunshine but some of our very best friends love going skiing each year and have repeatedly tried to convince me to go. I clearly still need some convincing as snow is fun but it is no holiday.

   Whereas another of our good friends cannot say enough about cruising. For the purpose of this post, I asked Lynette why she loved it so much (disclaimer; she loves cruising and loves to talk) "Everything you need, all in one place, where do I start? From the many bars to enjoy a pint, or a cocktail or two, to the restaurants where 5 star dining is a way of life every evening. From day wear, to beach wear, casual nights, to formal nights if you enjoy the finer things in life and waking up in different country each day is your idea of heaven, then cruising is the perfect holiday for you". (I think she should maybe be a sales rep for them!)

   Once upon a time I would have been all about the night life and decent sun bed spot, whereas as I have got older I am more interested in stunning scenary, delicious food, quality accomodation and good entertainment for the children. (I just uttered the words "as I have got older" ..... shudder) It seems I am probably more suited to a norwegian fjords cruise than a raucous booze cruise these days but that suits me just fine.

   I have spent the afternoon running around and playing in the snow so while my choices may have changed as I mature in years, my heart remains as young as my children throwing snowballs today.

   Someone once told me,

   "It is not the years in your life but the life in your years".

   That sounds a perfect description to me!