Tag: kids

Question Time with Coach Alex

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You may have already gathered that we’re quite an active family.  I love my Fitness Blender Workouts, Alex Crockford Plans, PowerWave, Boxercise and jogging (not to mention walking!).  The Hubby plays football. The Pink One adores her gymnastics and trampolining.  Both the kiddies attend swimming lessons. Then the Blue One, you might have noticed has a slight penchant for football, and I’d go as far to say he’s pretty good.

The Blue One has been attending sessions since he was only 2 years old and 3 years on, the passion for football is continuously growing.  So I’ve managed to grab a fifteen-minute chat with his football coach, Alex Warner – of AW Football Coaching.  It literally is fifteen minutes (ok, ok, it’s closer to 17.5 minutes , but I’m sure you’ll forgive us the additional 2.5 minutes ;-P), with coaching upwards of 250 children a week, Coach Alex (as the kids and the parents know him) is an exceptionally busy man…
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40 before 40

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Having been inspired by  Mrs Ayla’s 30 before 30 post and also my friend’s Helen’s 30 by 30 challenge – I decided to do my own ‘things to do’ list, but sadly I’m too old to do one before 30 *sob* that ship has well and truly sailed! So considered going for 35, but felt that gave me too smaller a time frame (I don’t need that additional stress in my life ;-P) so I have gone for the next major milestone birthday – the BIG 4…0…. – and then this at least gives me just over seven years to do it all – I may actually get a few of them completed in that time! Haha!!! Plus I do like a good list, so in no particular order…

1 Run a half marathon
I think this is something I could actually manage – it’s a feasible distance.  I’ve completed a few 10km races, so maybe one day!

2 Run a full marathon
Part of me thinks this is wishful thinking – I would just love to be able to say ‘I completed a marathon’ but I don’t know if I have the stamina or if my mind would let me do this! If I do get to do one, I would love to do the London one, the atmosphere looks amazing and I do love London.

Have you ever run a marathon? What would be your advice?

3 Learn to swim
This is something I have actually been working on this year, but had to be put on the back burner when I broke my ankle in March!

My friend, who has been teaching me, has been exceptionally patient with me and has told me I can actually swim, so it’s a case of getting over my fear of the deep end and it is an all encompassing, pathological fear of the deep end.  Now my ankle is almost back to normal this is something I want to get back to doing and would actually be very good exercise for my ankle – so technically it’s a win win situation!

Any suggestions on how to get over my fear?

4 Be an extra in a film/TV show
I always wanted to be an actress but it didn’t come about (my parents weren’t so keen), so this would be amazingly good fun – though not entirely sure how to go about it!

5 Get my degree
I’m doing a BSc in Computing and IT – so at the time of writing I’ve now completed three modules! My first one I passed with distinction, the next two I am waiting for my results.  All being well, and I pass, that will be all my level one OU modules complete and I will be starting my level two modules.
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Naturelly Jelly Juice – Taste Test with the Pink One

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I started following Naturelly on Twitter and got a message politely asking if I’d like some of their Jelly Juices for my kiddies to try – I happily accepted, though I knew my Blue One wouldn’t try them because he’s a fuss bum I also knew my Pink One would leap at the chance of trying a new type of jelly!

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A few days later they arrived in the post – and then I had a thought (dangerous I know – it doesn’t happen often), maybe I could make a video of my Pink One trying them and then have a play on iMovies and create a proper little video (any excuse to play around in iMovies – could lose days to that program!)
IMG_0672So we set her up at a table – with the three flavours of Jelly Juice – and I filmed her – all of the responses she gave were her own opinion and each taste was literally the first time she had them! I may be biased, but I think she’s a natural! (watch out for a cameo from the Blue One!)

Did she like them? Did she have a favourite? The only way to know is to watch the video below!!! My very first (or should I say the Pink One’s) first vlog!

She had so much fun! I think she likes being in front of the camera! 😛
Jelly Juices
I really do think she is Naturelly Brilliant!!!

Would your kids give these a go? Have they tried them already? Let me know your thoughts on Facebook/Twitter or comment below! 🙂 xxx

This is not a sponsored post – it was completely our own idea – but the lovely people at Naturelly loved the Pink One’s video so much they are sending her some more Jelly Juices as a thank you! 🙂

A totally normal lunchtime…

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…when you’re dealing with a four-year-old boy!!!

This is how the conversation with my four-year-old Blue One went today…

Me: “What do you want for lunch – a sandwich thin or a crumpet?”
Blue One: “Hmmm, a crumpet”
Me: “Are you sure?”
Blue One: “Yes”
Me: “I’m putting your crumpet in the toaster”
Blue One: “Ok”

A couple of minutes later the crumpet is toasted and I’m buttering it…
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Spring into Joe Browns

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So very excitingly the other day the Joe Browns Spring catalogue appeared on my door mat! This is always a pleasant sight as you know that I have a love for all things Joe Browns. So obviously I thought the best thing to do would be to share a wish list with my lovely readers of all my favourite items… ok that would be the whole catalogue …so I’ve whittled it down to a more restrained list! Also doing this makes me feel cheerful – Joe Browns clothes never fail to put a smile on my face.  Let’s hope my family see this (and are feeling generous… ;-P)
Enjoy!!!

Taormina Jacket (£74.95)
Taormina Jacket

Loving all the detailing on this gorgeous jacket – this would totally dress up a lovely pair of skinny jeans and a plain top.  Great for mild spring days, that are a bit nippy first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Can imagine wearing this for a shopping trip or at lunch with the girls, but would be equally at home for an evening at the pub! (not that I get to do that often – instead this would be showcased on the school run!)
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Janathon Day 30 – Parenting took Priority!

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Today I was meant to be going for a 5km run with other members of the UK Fitness Bloggers Facebook group who were participants of the virtual 5km. I was meant to travel with the lovely Helen, who had organised this event with the equally delightful Mollie, getting to The Running Works for around 9.30am. Unfortunately for me and the hubby, at 1.30am our poor little Pink One was sick! This put paid to my plans!

I’ve had a bad week with my anxiety, so this wasn’t particularly great timing, I know no one likes anyone throwing up, but I am emetophobic, I am really not good with this! Kindly my hubby dealt with the poorly throwing up child and I dealt with the Blue One who had woken up strolling into our room saying his sister had a ‘Big cough’.

So pretty much a sleepless night all round (except the Blue One) who cuddled up and slept on me, literally, all night.

Come the morning, the hubby stayed with the Pink One, whilst I took the Blue One to his new footie session – which initially seemed like it wasn’t going to go so well – he was being all nervous and kept saying he wanted to sit with me and didn’t want to play, but fortunately he came around and listened to Coach Alex and thoroughly enjoyed his hour of football!

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Big Thumbs up for his footie session!

 

From there the Blue One and I did the Morrison’s Big Shop – which is exercise in itself I assure you, lugging 6 pint bottles of milk around is heavy lifting!

We then came home, I helped the hubby put the shopping away. He then took the Blue One to a birthday party – the little social boy! I stayed with the Pink One, who even though she had a high temperature was pretty perky. She played with her Play-Doh (from this you can gage how sorry I felt for her, she had meant to be going with her uncles, granddad and cousin to the Cosmonaut Exhibition at the Science Museum, she would have so loved it, fortunately we hadn’t told her she was going. So I let her play with the Play-Doh, I can’t stand Play-Doh, it messes with my head!) whilst I got on with some OU study.

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Looking beautiful even though she’s poorly and had no sleep!

 

When the Hubby returned with the Blue One, I asked if he minded whether I went for a walk, which he didn’t, because he is the kindest Hubby ever! So I went for a good solid 5km walk in the fresh evening air, and it felt so good.
ActivitySo there we have it, my penultimate day of Janathon! Not quite what I had planned, but a full and busy day none the less! 🙂 xxx

Janathon Day 11 – Busy Day!

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I have two small people – running around after them must be exercise!?!

Today is my busy day with them – I drop them off at school and nursery, then it’s normally home to study – but today I had to include a quick trip to Morrisons to return the RugDoctor, then back home, did a bit of OU maths study. From there I had to go and collect the Blue One from Nursery, get him home, fed and changed (well he can do that bit himself and insists on doing it) and then back out for his football session.
Return home, then not long after we’re back out to get the Pink One from school – give both her and the Blue One a snack, then it’s out for swimming lessons. Once we’re back home – time to make dinner, then relax with the small people, read books and then take them up to bed… whew…

Skills
The Blue One showing his football skills!

Whilst the kids’ pizzas were cooking I did manage to do 2 minutes of skipping, which along with the above, is my contribution for Janathon Day 11!

Excitingly today, I also used my new spiralizer, which I got for Christmas, for the first time today! It was so cool, easy to use (and clean) and I made zucchini (I know, I know, we call them courgettes, but zucchini sounds so much nicer) noodles, and I did them in a passata sauce with ham – it was yummy! I can’t believe I actually ate a whole courgette – I don’t even like courgettes, but like this you couldn’t tell that they were veg! Hopefully this could be the way forward…
Spiralizer

Cheerio until tomorrow! 🙂 xxx

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Janathon Day 3 – In the Buff!!!

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Don’t get too excited, more precisely I’m in a Buff, but more on that in a moment!

Ok, not a massive amount of exercise today, felt really iffy with a grumpy tummy, but still managed to get up and out, with the hubby, for a 9am showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens! It was awesome! Everything I’d hoped for and so much more – highly recommend it – a good few nods to the originals (4, 5 & 6 that is – we’ll just let 1, 2 & 3 slip from our minds…).
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After the film, I noticed that Bluewater now has a Buff shop, oh the excitement, I was like a kid in a sweet shop, so many beautiful ones to choose from, I really like some of the Star Wars ones, but opted for a fuschia one for my first Buff! I’m sure I’ll be buying more!
Buff

In the Buff
I’m in the Buff!!!!

 

Then we went into the Speedo shop and had a look at their swimsuit sale and managed to get new ones for the kids (the Pink Ones was in the sale, the Blue Ones unfortunately wasn’t) but they’re lovely swim suits and they look so cute! 😊

Swimsuits
Ready for their swimming lesson… tomorrow!

Still feeling lacklustre with a grumpy tum, my exercise contribution today was 10 leg lifts with each of my kids (20 in total) – that was enough for me today!

Proof of exercise!!!
Blue One Leg Lifts

Pink One Leg Lifts

Hopefully for Janathon day 4 I’ll be feeling better! 🙂 xxx

 

Suddenly she’s turned six!!!

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So on this day six years ago, at 6:52am our Pink One came into the world, weighing 7lb 3oz and changed our lives forever!

I cannot believe she is six years old already – seriously where has the time gone?

So this year, I’ve written a poem for my beautiful, intelligent and incredible daughter…

  
Now You Are Six

The morning you came you changed our lives forever.

Before you arrived life was good but now with you in the world it just got better

Our family of two become a wonderful three with this beautiful baby girl, half daddy, half me

Big blue eyes and a complete cutie pie, you are the apple of mine and daddy’s eye

We would watch you for hours, we were completely besotted. Each little facial expression and the way your arms swatted.

  
But how time flew and before we knew you were walking and talking how ‘independent’ you’d grown.

You made us laugh with your cheeky ways, the little pickle who brightens our days.

I’m not saying it’s all been easy, as we know it has not, but I wouldn’t change a thing, not a single part

There are times that we clash and mummy gets mad, but remember my child you are not bad

Everything we do and say is because we love you so much, your zest for life our hearts has touched

We gave you a brother, it’s so lovely, how you play so well with each other
You’re a wonderful big sister (most of the time) and to see you laugh together brings a tear of joy to my eye

Watching you grow is an honour and blessing, what you’ll be when you’re older has everyone guessing
We’re so lucky to have you, you’re a joy to behold and now my amazing daughter you are six years old!

  

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my darling Pink One!!! Love you loads!!!

Mummy 😊xxx

Need my bed!

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It’s been a lovely but busy day! Saw the Minion movie with the family and it was fab. BAAAANNNNAAANNNAAA!!! 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌

  
Then visited a few shops afterwards so walking was involved – so that counts for Juneathon Day 27!

Did some OU study when I got home and then my sister and her family came over for the late afternoon/evening! The kids had loads of fun playing with their cousins but have only just now (10:50pm) fallen asleep!

  
I’m off to bed now too – so walking and a token star jump for today it is then!!! 😊xxx