Today has been glorious hasn't it? It reminded me of long summer days when I was a child! What I don't remember is my mom constantly lathering me with suncream every hour like I seem to be doing with my own girls. Yesterday they were playing in the sand pit, so when it came to putting the sun cream on, it was like they were getting a mini exfoliation too!

The NHS recommends that you use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 but the higher the SPF, the better. They also remind you to make sure the product is not past its expiry date as most sunscreens have a shelf life of two to three years. I remember my Dad thinking factor 8 was high when we holidayed abroad as children and even using a tanning oil on the last few days. ( My mom is oblivious to expiry dates ... don't let me start on the tins we found when they moved house ... so the tanning oil was undoubtedly giving no protection whatsoever).

Awareness of skin cancer has made us all more conscious of looking after our skin, I shudder at the amount of sun bed sessions I had in my early twenties and the long term effects it has had on my skin. My girls get lathered in Factor 50 suncream to protect their beautiful skin as they are both fair English Roses and I am happy for them to stay that way but when they are babies, it is always best to keep them out of the sun wherever possible as babies skin is so delicate.

I was shocked to learn that there are almost 100,000 cases of non melanoma skin cancer diagnosed in the UK each year. This makes it the most common type of cancer by far and this type of cancer tends to be under reported. The actual number of cases could be more because non melanoma skin cancers are easy to treat and cure, they are often left out of national cancer statistics. *

I know that looking tanned and glowing is the ultimate goal for some sun worshippers but at what cost? I also know I probably go overboard with my daughters, especially on days like this. I love the sun and I do love having a sun tab but I am much more careful with my own skin as I get older with the only tanning I get, coming out of a bottle!!

What about you?

*research by Cancer UK.

This weekend saw the start of my eldest daughter's 8th birthday celebrations with an ice skating disco party. When I was 8 years old, I think the most "glamorous" thing any of my friends did was have a party at McDonalds as that was a "treat" when I was young, so an hour on the ice, plus food, party games and a disco was certainly not something my parents would have entertained. My folks always worked hard to give us everything we needed but maybe not everything we wanted as they felt it was important to establish values and appreciation and I do worry that sometimes I go over board with my girls.

My daughters birthday is not actually till next week but so far she has had her birthday party with her friends, a bbq with family friends and that is without the plans for a get together with all the family planned for later in the week. On top of this there is the presents ..... let's not get started on that list.

If I total up the cost, I would have to add up:

• The birthday party = excessive but they loved it
• The party bags = filled to the brim with girlie treats
• The cupcakes = just because
• The party outfits = she actually wore 4 different outfits yesterday (apparently you need a different outfit for skating, disco, bbq and a spare!!)
• The BBQ food = well the sun was out, it would have been rude not to!
• The birthday cake = again, her choice! You have to have a cake don't you?
• The presents = I can't mention them yet .... just incase she reads the blog ;-)

Today has been exhausting. Most days I have it covered, we all get out of the house in the morning looking "mostly" immaculate, with everything needed for the school run, the nappies and wipes for the little one, my laptop, phone, handbag and sky scraping heels. Today, was somehow a little more frazzled.

Today the school run was done and dusted with no drama, we were even early, we then had a playdate to help develop the little ones social skills, nap time (the little one not me), emails dealt with, back to school and then somehow the military operation that is our daily life somehow became a little  less organised.

We scraped to the swimming lesson by the skin of our teeth (I blame the tractor that delayed our journey), there was no where to sit so the toddler was running around (again the tractor is to blame in my eyes), I had no change for the vending machine (I can't blame the tractor for this one), so after swimming snacks were a no-go (much to the disappointment of my eldest but secretly to my delight) and then we get home, dinner seemed to take forever and was then proceeded to be flung around the kitchen. *takes a breath*

Now I am sitting here, looking back on the day and chuckling to myself at the things the girls have said and their funny little ways. Ultimately, the children were where they were supposed to be, when they were supposed to be there, my deadlines were met when they needed to be, admitedly my eldest daughter did not get the snacks she wanted, but at the end of the day when I kicked off my sky scraper heels, I maybe more like a tightrope walker than a juggler in the circus of our family life, but I am glad I have got ring side seats to the laughter.

I was having a conversation online with my friend this evening, she was in bed at home and I was eating chocolate whilst catching up on some emails. That is how rock and roll we are! I seem to talk to my friends online or via text way more than I did 10 years ago, I can have 3 conversations at once, be cooking dinner, washing clothes or watching tv but keeping in touch with my friends at the same time .... who could ever question that a woman can't multi task?

Friday nights have always been my "girls" night, whether it was a night in or a night out, it was always with my friends. We moved from ice skating as school girls, to pubs and clubs as teenagers, through to drinks and dinner parties in our (ahem) twenties and thirties. I never forget one of my closest friends suggesting Bingo on one Friday night. Now don't get me wrong, I know lots of women that enjoy and win big at Bingo but for girls in their early twenties, it wasn't top of the plans for a night out. Fast forward to today, bingo is much more glamorous than old fashioned bingo halls and like most things now, you can play that online too.

I have to admit that having had dancing lessons throughout my entire childhood, I love to go out on a Friday night with my friends, in my sky rocketing heels and have a dance. There is no doubt that you can get the dance mat's and dancing games to do it at home but it is not quite the same as getting all glammed up for a Friday night out with the girls. So whilst this Friday I maybe staying home with my chocolate and some online chatting, you can be rest assured that whilst chatting, we are actually planning out next girly night out!