I have to admit that since having the children, we have not been particularly brave with our hoilday choices. We have always chosen somewhere that is well known and a relatively short flight away but maybe we should be a little more adventurous and look at exploring somewhere new.

In recent years Oman has had a turn-around that is unheard of in almost any other country's history. A nearly bloodless exchange of power has put a forward-thinking, and modern monarch into power that has delivered the country into a golden age. You can get your Oman visa and book a trip to experience this new wave of Omani history.

This uprising and historical oddity have many people flocking to experience a country that was shut up in isolation for so long. Now, the new Sultan in power doesn't intend to let the raw beauty of the landfall by the wayside either. He's brought a balance to updating the country bringing in improved living condition and education access, as well as protecting these hidden gems. 

The Green Mountains

These mountains are regularly called “Magical Mountains” or “The Magic Mountain” which says a lot about their stunning geographical features, but more about what these mountains have done for Oman. Omani tribes were separated by these mountains creating historical divides that still have some semblance today. 

But you’ll find that these tribes have protected much of their culture, and these mountains truly are magical.

Wadi Nakhr

A Wadi is any channel or river that runs through a valley or ravine. Wadi Nakhr is special because it runs through an area known as Oman’s Grand Canyon. This ravine sets inside the Hajar Mountains. Its beautiful clear waters are an enchanting contrast to the sandstone cliffs that rise around it. 

When visiting Wadi Nakhr, you should plan the whole day. Because you’re far out from nearby cities or villages you should account for needing to bring water, and food. Oman camping policies don’t allow people to camp directly next to any wadi, so be sure to go out a few miles before setting up camp.

Misfat Al Abryeen

A bit of history still living today, the traditional Omani village of Misfat Al Abryeen is one of this country’s greatest hidden treasures. The stone housing flows right from the mountain. Many houses sit underneath a canopy of banana palms. You can walk through the many lanes of this old village for a lazy and relaxing day.

If you’re planning to see this ancient big of Omani culture and history, bring a lot of water. Always take your time getting there as well, much of the beauty in Oman is between the villages and towns.

Al Ayn Beehive Tombs 

These beehive-like structures are a far cry out from the killing fields that many travels to Cambodia to see. Instead, these toms commemorate a time frame in Oman. These tombs are from the 3^rd millennium, B.C. The tombs themselves stand individually with only a single opening to enter or exit and a single room inside.

When you're visiting the Al Ayn Beehive Tombs, you must be careful to watch your footing. The same stones used to craft these structures lay all across the ground. Losing your balance is easy.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve and Beach

Although this isn't necessarily a hidden gem, it is the most protected turtle beach in Oman. Ras al Jinz is a world-famous reserve for turtles, and it's only a short trip from the city of Sur. At the right time of year, you can watch sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean.

The warm gulf waters and mostly untouched beaches are the haven that sea turtles look for when nesting. If you're planning on making a trip  to Ras al Jinz, you'll need a reservation. Even during the offseason, many people flock to this reserve for the experience.

Whenever visiting reserves, or sanctuaries in foreign countries it’s important to ask about the rules. Some places only allow visitors during certain times of day, or in Ras al Jinz’s case, by reservation.

My girls would love the turtle beach and maybe, just maybe we should look beyond the usual all inclusive holiday options and look for something different next year!

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It is no secret that my girls love a collectible and if you mix a collectible with a squishy toy, what do you get? A Moj Moj (and happy children). 

Moj Moj squish, squash and stretch and are totally adorable. Moj Moj are perfect for cute little collectors aged 5 and up. The characters include family groups such as Adventure Seekers, Party Animals, Couch Potatoes, Happy Campers, Sun Bathers and Day Dreamers ... not to mention the sparkles!

MGA Entertainment, Inc are the makers of some your favorite brands including our other favourites L.O.L. Surprise! and they totally understand that as parents we want children's toys to be safe. So it is good to know that their toys are  subjected to a rigorous testing process that not only meets, but quite often exceeds legal requirements. 

Each Moj Moj pack is priced at £4 but we are thrilled to be able to give you the chance to win a Moj Moj bundle of 5 packs (each including 2 Moj Moj). There are over 95 to collect so lots of chances to find new little creatures to squish and maybe you’ll strike lucky and find one of the ultra-rare characters in your packs.

All you need to do is enter below: 

 Moj Moj giveaway

Terms & Conditions

The Prize:  1 x Moj Moj bundle (1 prize)

The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Gleam and notified within 7 working days by email
There is no monetary equivalent.
Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
End Date 29/09/2018

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Our cat may lack a tail following a childhood accident and likes to bring us unwanted presents on a regular basis, but she is our little bundle of joy and is part of the family. We don't often blog about our pets and trust me we have a few but like any member of the family, it is just as scary when she gets injured or sick, especially as cats often hide their injuries and attempt to deal with them on their own. According to pet specialists James Wellbeloved, there are a whole host of injuries that commonly afflict cats, from broken bones and insect stings to kidney failure and tooth disease. One of the most vulnerable areas to injury for any cat is their eyes. This is hardly surprising when you think about how often they run through bushes with sharp branches or stick their nose in a bed of thorny flowers to have a good smell.

Our cat was recently diagnosed with conjunctivitis, which is the inflammation of the lining on and around the eye. The white of the eye turns red and is quite uncomfortable for your cat, so, even if they do their best to put on a brave face, you can usually tell something is wrong if they are winking, struggling to open an eye, or have discharge around the eye. You may also notice the eye begins to swell.

Sometimes the cause is easy to spot, especially if it is by a foreign object or irritant still in the eye, or a particularly nasty puncture. However, some scratches can be too small to detect, and invisible bacteria or fungi are also to blame. If you can catch the problem early enough before it does further damage, your vet will probably treat the injury by washing the eye out with a clean solution and monitoring the healing process. Unfortunately, causes can also be viral and seemingly unrelated, including being a symptom of upper respiratory illness, so indoor cats are also at risk. For viral causes, your cat will need a course of antibiotics.

Conjunctivitis is the most common eye injury in cats because it has so many differing causes. However, owners should also keep a look out for other frequently occurring eye injuries.

* A cloudy, milky eye lens is a clear indicator of a cataract and causes impaired vision;

* Excessive eye rubbing and squinting is a sign of pain and may mean your cat has glaucoma — a build up of pressure in the eye;

* A nasty fall, bump or fight can even result in cats’ eyes protruding from the socket.

Whatever the symptoms, eyes are delicate and need to be treated with care, so you should see your vet for the best advice for how to treat your cat.

Just remember, like our children, we can’t always keep our cats from injuring themselves (as much as we would like to!). So, instead of wrapping them up in cotton wool all their life, make it a habit to keep a close watch on your cat, have regular bonding time, and always check their eyes for anything unusual.

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The summer holidays are almost over and it seems like everywhere you look there are "back to school" signs up in the shops. 

It is interesting to think that parents might be battling the stress and soaring cost of back-to-school shopping by hunting for loose change down the back of the sofa … and borrowing from their own children. A Coinstar Back-to-School survey among UK parents showed 65% of British mums and dads say they find the process of shopping for new school kit stressful - and expect to spend an average of £328 per child to return to school. 

We may not be looking for coins down the back of the sofa but having a teenager with a stationery habit, we need to look for the best (and long lasting) stationery products to go back to school with, so her is her essential Back To School Stationery Checklist! 

Highlighters

This is the top choice. Forget essentials like pens and pencils, our teenager is a big fan of a higlighter as apparently it makes her work much more interesting. The Stabilo pastel shade highlighters are a particular favourite and are available from most retailers.They also do a super cute mini pastellove set for £8.78.

Pens

This might sound silly but buying a pen is apparently no easy task. The teen is extremely specific about the type of pen she likes and the colour it has to be. I am quite sure that we have pens in every colour available (you can tell that she likes to be expressive in her workbooks). The Stabilo range of writing pens have a variety for her to choose from (lucky really!!) 

Maths set

Oxford metallics maths set and ballpoint pen in silver and rose gold - £9.99. Rose gold is really popular at the moment, so makes it very on trend from Maped Helix, who are a British company that have been synonymous with the stationery world for over 130 years. 

Those added extras

Some may say that stationery is quite boring (don't utter those words to the teenager) but it is good to add a little fun to your school set and this year, Helix are featuring a  'Pepsi' stationery range that are destined to be the must have school product for 2018.

So while there are some children who are happy with a couple of pens and a calculator to go back to school with, it is good to know that you don't need to break the bank to find different products out there for those who like that little bit extra. This is useful, especially when forty-two per cent of parents are worrying about costs and have said school clothing was the biggest expense they faced before September, followed by extracurricular fees (18%), school supplies (15%), electronics (14%), and tutoring (10%).

It seems that whilst parents are crunching the numbers before school even starts, the only thing the kids are worried about is making sure that they have a pencil case to put all their new stuff into!