As most of our regular blog readers know, we had a new addition last year and life hasnt been quite the same since she arrived. From her perfect arrival into the world, to the character she is becoming, I cant really remember life without her, or remember when I actually had a full nights sleep.

Up until a few weeks ago, you could put her down somewhere and be guaranteed that she would remain there until you returned, she might have a shout about it but recently she has decided she would like to be a bit more independent. She can now sit up, shuffle on her bottom and yesterday she decided to launch herself from a sitting position and literally leapt! I have quite a chilled personality but the little one is a firecracker and certainly doesnt share my temperament, if she wants something I have no doubt she will move heaven and earth to get it. At 7 months old you can see her determination .... this may not be a good thing for me in 10 years time.

My eldest regularly takes great delight in the Lilypad being named after her but with mini frog currently ruling the roost, maybe I should be  worried that with her new found ability to leap, she will want to be Chief Frog before I know it!

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You know we love children and we are also quite partial to our friends over at Travelsupermarket.com, so we are delighted to share this short guest post from Charlotte McColloch ..... get ready for a giggle!

It’s widely known that kids say the funniest things and when we invited a selection of 4 to 9 year olds to discuss their views on holidays it was no exception. Watch the below video to see what they had to say when TravelSupermarket’s resident travel expert, Bob Atkinson asked them their views on topics ranging from their favourite holiday destination to how much they think a family holiday to Spain would cost.

If these adorable descriptions of family holidays inspire you to take a break this year, TravelSupermarket has great deals to help make your trip that bit more affordable from cheap flights to all inclusive deals. Thankfully a break doesn’t have to cost as much as some of our mini travel experts think!

Happy Easter!

Today is Easter Sunday and a day to celebrate. Its only the second day of the year that shops are closed and families actually have the time to spend together without thinking that they could be somewhere else. It also obviously means that in the run up to Easter Sunday, everyone panic buys food because the shops are closed for one whole day.

As a child I loved Easter and I remember having chocolate eggs in the fridge till at least June but as a parent now, I inwardly groan at the mere sight of the ever increasing chocolate egg mountain.

Dont get me wrong, I love that we have so many generous friends and family who want to buy for our children at Easter time but I am something of a mean mommy and I have to admit to "sharing" the childrens chocolate. I am thinking of the childrens teeth (obviously) when I should actually be thinking of my own waistime (clearly).

So my challenge for next Easter is to find alternatives to chocolate for Easter gifts .... or should I simply just learn some self control??

Tonight we have had tears at bedtime. We are not talking about the well known book or the Elvis Costello song, no we have had tears, in stereo I might add, from the 7 month year old and the nearly 7 year old. (my lovely other half stood on the landing between the two rooms pretending to "conduct" the chorus of cries!)

The little one just simply didnt want to go to sleep and the big one wanted to snuggle in my bed and watch her new favourite show, The Voice, before going to sleep. Usually I would give in as its the weekend but today my patience has been tested by not being listened to over and over and over again. I am generally quite laid back and like to think of myself as firm but fair but I also dont want to suddenly wake up one day and realise that one is 17 and one is 11 years old and they still dont listen to me. So tonight we have had tough love, early to bed, no programmes, no chatting - just bed.

High drama ensued .... of course!

So I am sitting here, not watching The Voice (as I will undoubtedly let her watch it on demand in the morning and I dont want to watch it twice) and I am resolute that she needs to learn but sad that she has gone to bed in tears. Both of my girls have strong personalities in different ways and I dont want to crush that strength but they have to know that mummy knows best.

My children are a gift that I am thankful for every day and whilst they may not be thanking me this evening, hopefully one day they will understand that the only voice worth listening to, is mine!

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