Baker Days – Valentine’s cake review

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With Valentines day coming up and b15of course it being Rockets 3rd birthday! It was the perfect time to review a cake from Baker Days. They sent us one of their popular ‘Letterbox’ cakes in the style ‘Superhero’.

The cake arrived in a cute little tin (which is handy even after the cake has gone!) and came with a mini tube of love hearts which I thought was a lovely touch.

We had submitted a photo of Rocket to put on the cake and also the words are personalisable and since Rocket is a valentines baby, we went with that!b13

At first sight I thought as the cake was small there wouldn’t be too much to it but once cut into portions (we got 8) you can get between 4-5 (as suggested on the website). We found that the bite size portions were just enough.

b11The cake itself was incredibly moist and very rich, we were all impressed with the taste and texture and Rocket stuffed his in the quickest!

I love that you can completely personalise a cake and send it as a gift to be received in the post! For £14.99 you get the personalised cake, cake tin, sweets and also free postage and packaging so I believe that it is a fair price to pay.

Overall it has been a great experience reviewing Baker Days Valentines cake and we will definetly be customers in the future!

You can find Baker Days on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and also their WEBSITE.

Ice Age 4 – Continental Drift – Review

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_3PA_jpgLR.jpg.jpg.jpgOn Monday the last installment of Ice Age was released on Blu Ray and 3D – Ice Age 4 Continental Drift. We were lucky enough to be sent a copy as we missed it at the cinema.

We have always been Ice Age fans here and enjoy the fun and frolics the gang get up too! Ice Age 4 delivers many laughs (which I’m always afraid that children’s films will do for me, but I laughed the whole film).

The story follows Manny and his friends who have been separated from his family as an earthquake splits the ice and he drifts away. Theres heartwarming moments and tension throughout as we meet new characters and also we see the infamous Scrat STILL after his acorn!

The only thing I’d say is that the films are getting slightly samey but at the same time I think it’s a fabulous family film which deserves a place in anyones film collection, regardless of age!

Here is an interview with Ray Romano who voices Manny!

ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT

Fox Home Entertainment Intl Q&A

Ray Romano (Manny)

 

 

QUESTION: What do Manny and the gang face in this new Ice Age adventure?

 

RAY ROMANO: The adventure in this Ice Age is Manny’s got a lot going on because his daughter is growing up and he doesn’t like it. They kind of argue a little bit and he wants to keep her under his wraps and she wants to branch out. She’s a teenager. In the meantime, the continents are shifting and they get separated and it’s Manny’s journey to try to get home.  He thinks he’s never going to see her again and they had this argument, so there’s a lot going on. She’s grown up. He’s got to save his crew, Sid, there are new villains, there are pirates, there’s little funny people running around and J. Lo’s in it. That’s all you need to know. [SMILES]

 

QUESTION: Quite a few new characters have been added to the Ice Age family. What do they bring to the mix?

 

ROMANO: Well, it’s always great in to have a good villain. There are some great new, little, lovable creatures, too. It’s always fun for the audience to see the regulars and then to see these new people and to interact. You root for the good guys. Then there’s a love interest and there’s a squad of funny little, I don’t even know what they are.  They’re kind of prehistoric gophers or something, but they’re funny and cute. We have a lot of them in this one.

 

QUESTION: Fans have been very loyal to Ice Age, an audience that keeps growing with every new chapter. What makes the Ice Age movies so appealing to all ages?

 

ROMANO: I identify with this story that Manny’s going through and that’s kind of what the people are experiencing.  They’re connecting with it.  It has a great message.  It’s all about the family.  Every story, every one, has been about family. But each one has a different dynamic and all the trials and tribulations a family goes through. People just connect with it.

 

QUESTION: Do you have a favorite scene in Ice Age 4?

 

ROMANO: I think the kids are going to love the little guys.  There’s a little army of, I have to get the correct term for what type of animal they are, but they look like little weasels. Manny and his crew have to fight these pirates and they come to his aid.  I think those are going to be the favorites.  Sid is always a favorite.  The guy going for the acorn, Scrat. Scrat’s always a favorite with kids. But these will be new the favorites, these little guys because they’re funny and they talk in gibberish.  That’s funny.

 

QUESTION: Families all over the world enjoy Ice Age on Blu-ray and DVD. Are you a fan of these formats at home, too?

 

ROMANO: We have a Blu-ray system and we have the DVDs lined up. I always like DVDs because my wife goes to bed before I do and she likes the TV off, sound off. So my laptop comes up, DVD goes in, earplugs and she still yells at me. [LAUGHS] But it’s the only way I can do it. Yeah, and I also like stopping and rewinding and all of that.

 

QUESTION: What do you think has been the best thing about Blu-ray, especially for films like Ice Age?

 

ROMANO: Well, just the look of it! I will say this about this Ice Age film. It’s a great film, but the look is unbelievable. And the 3D, of course, is wild. You just want to jump into the screen.  It’s right there with it.  I really like doing animation and being a wooly mammoth with all this technology because that’s safe for me.  I don’t want all this technology when you’re going to get in close here on the real me because I want it as dark as possible as I get older. I may just do only animation from now on. [LAUGHS]31

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Birthday Celebrations and an Elephant never forgets!

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This last weekend was Rockets Uncle (Leo’s) 21st Birthday so we drove down to visit him! He hadn’t seen Rocket in coming up a year I think? So it was lovely to see them interacting and Leo seemed pretty smitten by Rocket!

Things i’ve noticed about Rockets development recenty is that he has the memor of an Elephant! He seriously doesn’t forget a thing. He is pretty obsessed by playgrounds and trains at the moment and also he is amazing at road directions! So much better than I am! It’s quite worrying that he has a better memory than me!

Also we are at the parrot stage and I have to be so careful what is said around him…. especially after I dropped something in Tescos and said Bollox… 😉

I have his first ever nursery parents evening this week and I’m secretly really excited to hear what they have to say! I’m so proud of my little bear 🙂

 

Chronic Pain and the weather.

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The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, the shops are stocking not only Halloween items but Christmas too! In someways Autumn is my favourite season, it’s exciting, it’s the lead up to Christmas and has fireworks too! I love watching the leaves fall and snuggling up in the warm with a cup of hot honey and lemon (my current favourite drink!).

Unfortunately, with the fun and exciting times Autumn brings comes the extra Hypermobility Syndrome pain. This is also the time I have to really start watching what i’m doing and pace myself. It’s so hard to explain to someone that doesn’t suffer from chronic pain just how bad things can get and how such the simplest of tasks (like walking from the car into the shops) can seem like the most daunting task for someone that suffers with joint pain.

The nature of Hypermobility is that you can have no problem doing a task one day and then you get a knock on effect which means you cannot physically move for up to weeks later, from one simple action! It’s quite isolating to be honest and can make you feel very down.

With a 2 and a half year old things get harder, he is so active, he’s a whirlwind of fun and energy and it’s going to be a challenge keeping him entertained through the months where I struggle to go out, luckily I have a new Homestart volunteer coming to us as of Friday so that will help a bit.

Today I walked to the park with my friend ( thank goodness for my Stokke Xplory as I may have had a problem!) I was able to push Rocket with relative ease and he had a fabulous time as the park, although my friend had to take over and chase him as I coul’dnt do it, signs things are slowing down again. I’m proud of myself that I managed to walk but as I write this I am in a lot of pain and can’t leave the sofa.. what do you do when your’e up to the maximum dose of prescribed painkillers and you are still in a lot of pain? how do you ease it?

If anyone needs me i’l be wrapped up in my electric blanket, enjoying the autumn from my window.

How do you cope with chronic pain and a demanding toddler?

Monday Mobile

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The Monday Mobile blog hop!

Today we had a relaxing sofa day, mostly because of the grizzly weather outside.. but we also had a power cut at 8am this morning. We lost all power, including the phone lines (home phone AND mobile!) It was like being in the dark ages and actually felt like the end of the world! (I know, I’m a drama queen 😉 ) It was traumatic 😛

That lasted til 10:30am, enough time to let my fridge go soggy and have the 2 year old screaming at me for Mickey Mouse!

So here we are at 5pm… still rocking the bed hair… still not dressed!

Center Parcs 2012

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After last years amazing holiday to Center Parcs Elveden Forest, we booked up quick for September 2012 and got a nicer Villa that had a sauna attached which my dad absolutely loved as he’s a big sauna fan!

We arrived on the monday around early lunchtime and our first pit stop is always the Starbucks by the lake where we meet up with Rockets Grandparents and have a chat before we head off swimming whilst the time passes until we can unload the car at the villa.

Mum and I got mobility scooters, I had one last year but as my mum is getting more painful these days we decided it would be more enjoyable to have a helping hand in the form of 4 wheels. Center Parcs is great for Disabled guests, the roads are easily maneuvered and you can take the mobility scooters everywhere (although other than in the main shop we parked outside).

 

Rocket was only 18 months last year ad still in a travel cot, not really talking and obviously just a baby so I was terrified when we were faced with a walking, talking, climbing toddler who now sleeps in a big bed and gets into everything! My fears were for nothing really, as we had got an extra bedroom for him, all we needed was 2 baby gates from home and we pushed the double bed up against the wall with a baby bed guard on the other side and locked his bathroom from the outside with a knife (i’m sure the maid wondered what was going on in there 😉 ) But he was a star! He thoroughly enjoyed himself and best of all he slept no problem and most the nights straight through! He also loved writing on the blackboard with the chalks too! (nice little touch!)

Aaron went off to do Knee-Boarding which was a new activity for him, as a complete first timer he was nervous but he rocked it and didn’t fall off once!! It’s safe to say that he is an adrenaline junkie! even if i was physically able, i’m not sure you would have caught me flying around a lake in a wetsuit! Luckily I was able to take some funky pictures as there is a bridge (wobbly and terrifying) to the other side where they start the KneeBoarding from and I made friends with the mum of another girl taking part so I wasn’t too lonely 😛

Aaron came back on a total high and got ready for his next activity! High Ropes! He did this last year but it took an hour and a half and you could do as much as you liked but this year it was just a ‘go around once’ deal which he was done in 10 minutes, luckily as he is cheeky they let him go again, but for the money it costs to do that activity .. 10 minutes really isn’t great. However the activity was really enjoyable for him and the weather held out!

It’s a shame the new ride isn’t open yet but we could see it being constructed from the outside pool. I was a litttle sad to see the salt water pool had dissapeared as the space is being used to make a new lagoon but I have faith in Center Parcs that the  Lagoon will be amazing!

Customer Service wise there were two members of staff that stuck out, both gentlemen. One was called James and hes a younger guy that works in HUCKS, he was fantastic, id give him 5/5 stars of service and we left after having an amazing meal with smiles on our faces! The other guy I didn’t get his name unfortunately but he works in the poolside bar. He was lovely and very kind also!

Mum and I took my dad to the spa this time and that was a little disappointing this year as they were renovating and had blocked off a large chunk of the spa (including my favourite steam room!) . We were told as we were entering and given a 5 voucher each to use towards anything in the spa shop but they could have told us on earlier, I know there were  a lot of people in the spa that wern’t too happy. The voucher redeemed itself in the end as dad left early so mum and I had a Garra Fish spa for just £5 for the both of us and that was an experience!

Home now! Planning our next Ceter Parcs visit and hopefully to another site further afield!

Review – 4little1 Sleepytime Wash

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Winding down in the evenings can be a struggle for us here with Rocket being 2 and a half and definitely into the terrible twos! I find that he can be very wound up from the day and it seems to take him a while to settle.

A nice hot bath is usually how we get him to be sleepy and dozy and i’ve tried many different bubble baths etc suitable for little ones skin but I hadn’t actually settled on a body wash, I seem to change randomly dependant on mood.

I was sent the new Sleepytime Hair and Body Wash made by 4little1s and I was interested to see what it smelt like first and foremost! I do like what I use on Rockets hair to leave him smelling yummy and clean and this was is made of  Organic Lavender and Roman Chamomile. My first impressions were that it really did smell like proper lavender, not the synthetic smell that a lot of lavender hair products have. You could tell that this was good stuff (I do love the smell of fresh Lavender!)

The Sleepytime Hair and Body Wash goes on smoothly and works into a gentle lather, rather than bubbling up like other shampoos. Its so soft it actually felt like I was washing my hands through satin rather a head full of ginger (thick) hair!

It is completely safe for sensitive baby skin and is Free from parabens, sulphates and petrochemicals.

Each bottle contains around 300 pumps in 250mls.

I’m impressed and I love the fact that’s it’s a gentle holistic way of calmig down my little Rocket after a long day. I don’t know if its coincidence or not but he’s also been sleeping through the night!

You can find out more about the Sleepytime range HERE and follow 4little1 on TWITTER and FACEBOOK.

 

 

Review – Barbarossa Pirate Ship

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We are very into Pirates in this household and it’s something that Rocket is being brought up with and he loves it just as much as mummy and daddy! There arn’t many pirate play things for the younger ones but we had a chance to review the Barbarossa Pirate Ship from Big Game Hunters Doll Houses Shop and it is a simply stunning older fashioned wooden toy.

It wasn’t long before Rocket and his wild developing imagination were sailing around the living room and shooting canons whilst getting up to mischief!

We have to keep a close eye on Rocket whilst he’s playing though as the age range is 3+ and of course, our little man is only 2 and a half! (thats not to say he doesn’t love it!)

The detail on the ship is beautiful, there are fabric sails with a skulls and swords motif on and working wind up anchor and a fully functioning trap door which makes the ship even more fun to play with.

I find the best thing is it’s beautifully displayed in our lounge whilst not being played with and is definitely an eye catcher when we have guests round!.

Daddy built it as I’m not too great with assembling things, but there’s easy to read instructions with the ship so that’s not a problem!

One small negative we found about the Barbarossa Pirate Ship was the mechanism for the canon, as its spring loaded if not used properly and carefully it can give you a nasty pinch, which we found out about as Rocket used it and it caused a bruise. On closer inspection it is possible that this could also happen to an adult too. We resolved this by taking the canon away (as it’s not fixed onto the ship it didn’t cause a problem.)

I love how it’s so sturdy and detailed! The ship is made from high quality and long lasting wood and you can certainly feel the quality.

We also were sent the Le Toy Van Pirates Budkins which I fell in love with! They are so quirky and I love the costume made out of fun bright colours and the detail that has gone into creating them! Rocket has had lots of fun having pretend battles and posing them onto the ship.

I know the Barbarossa Pirate Ship will be a well loved toy for many years for Rocket and I would recommend it for any little Pirate or Wench!

My Poor Neglected Blog!

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Looking at my blog, I can see how i’ve neglected it in the past 6 months BIG TIME! lots of things have been happening and I made the mistake of only writing my Emma’s Diary posts (I’m an Emma’s Diary Blogger) and not actually updating my actual blog, which I miss!

There are other reasons that I haven’t really posted but I won’t go into them and to be honest, I don’t actually think they matter anymore so I’m pleased to say that ‘past service’ will resume!

We have just come back from out holiday, which I will talk about in a separate post and this past week we got two new family member in the shape of two adorable fluff balls called Dory and Flo… yes from Finding Nemo! Flo was actual called Bruce until we discovered he was actually a she!

Rocket is growing so big now, 31 months old! I cannot believe how quickly time is going. Soon I will be planning his 3rd birthday party *squee*

We have definitely hit the terrible twos now, he talks now and the last couple of weeks have been ‘NO’ or ‘why not?’ and he likes to push us as much as he possibly can! But at the same time he is the sweetest smiliest boy and he is so polite too, he can be a real joy and i’m so proud of him.

I’l leave you with some recent pictures, and I promise not to leave it too long til the next post 😉