tea with father christmas

That moment when you get to speak to Father Christmas, to tell him you've been good, and let him know some things that you might like on Christmas Day... it's such an iconic moment in the run up to Christmas, isn't it? And if you've been following our YouTube channel, you'll have already seen, that we had a very special meeting with the man in red, when we went to tea with him a couple of weeks back.

We were invited to Wyevale Garden Centres to test out their Tea with Father Christmas experience, and it impressed us no end. From being met by an elf and shown to a specially decorated table complete with place names and crackers, to sitting on the rug and using jingle bells to call on Father Christmas, then decorating gingerbread men before meeting the man himself. We booked our food when the booking was made, so everything was practically ready on our arrival. With hot dinners for the kids, and a lighter festive afternoon tea for Rich and I (with the yummiest Christmas scones I've ever had!); it definitely made the whole thing more like an event than it would have been if we'd simply queued up somewhere to meet him in a grotto.

The whole thing was just the kind of magical, sparkly experience you'd want it to be. The children loved their chat with the big guy, and it was lovely to feel in no way rushed. It felt like Father Christmas had lots of time to chat, he asked them lots of questions and had little jokes with them which the children loved.

I feel like video always tells the story of an experience like this, far better than photos alone, so you can see for yourself in this video what a lovely time we had... I definitely think we'll be back next year. And in case you've missed it, we've been daily vlogging our way through December, so do pop over to our YouTube channel to see what we've been up to.

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a wonderful weekend in norfolk

We love a mini break. There is something about the simplicity of a short break, something which doesn't require a ton of planning, but which gets you away from the grind of being at home. We really enjoy weekends away as a family somewhere lovely, where we can be just as happy relaxing together as going out to explore. Somewhere that holds all the creature comforts of home, without all the chores that home holds.

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festive frugi {and a little competition}

We've fallen pretty hard for Frugi since we became part of the Frugi Family this year. I just love their bright colours, bold designs, organic ethics, and the fact that they make clothes that children love, and that feel really fun and playful. They kindly sent us this little outfit for Ashlyn as an early Christmas gift, and she looks so cute in it. My children may well have more Frugi lurking under the tree on Christmas morning... I really do Frugi that much. 

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a festive pyjama party

If you've seen my instagram feed lately, then these amazing jimjams won't be new to you. You'll already know that we've been proudly working with Matalan and Alderney Children's Hospital on their festive collaboration, which this year is #GetYourStripes. I think it probably says it all really, that every time I post a snap including these stripey gems, I get several people commenting on the fact that they tried to buy some too but found they'd sold out. These babies have been very popular it would seem. And what's not to love; amazing design, amazing price, to help an amazing cause. 

And matching.... how have I got so far into this post and I'm only just saying the word matching? As a general rule I don't dress my children matching; coordinated maybe, but not matching. They have different personalities, and I feel like they should get to reflect that in what they wear. But Christmas means that normal rules don't apply. It is one time of year where I really allow myself to indulge in the cheesier side of life, and if that means dressing my children in the odd matching outfit for the sake of a lot of "awwwwwww"ing and some cute snaps for the memory bank, then so be it. And the fab thing about #GetYourStripes is you don't have to stop at your children, because they have them in adult sizes too (and in dog sizes if you have a fluffy family member who wants to join the fun).

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a baby gruffalo fan

The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child are long time favourites in this house. When I first started reading Dylan a bedtime story it was those two books that I started with, and for the longest time they were the only two books that he would accept as his bedtime book. Rich and I can both perform the entire books by heart; and I say perform because voices are a complete must. There is just something about those two stories and their simple twists on what you’d normally expect from a good versus bad story, that just inspires children and captures their imaginations - and those of their parents too.

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a big girl's rainbow dress

Back in April I shared a gorgeous rainbow dress that we had for Ashlyn from Frugi as part of our role in their Frugi Family. Well we have absolutely loved that dress (and it's still going strong nearly 6 months later!) and Everly especially has always commented on how pretty it is. So when we were asked what we would like to review from Frugi's new Autumn Winter collection, I decided it was probably time that my big girl got a beautiful, bright and colourful Frugi dress to call her own.

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our lovely long weekend in lincolnshire

Back in the school holidays we were offered an opportunity to check out a brand new ABI Holiday Home and we absolutely jumped at the chance. We got to stay in a gorgeous two bedroom Harewood caravan based on the Away Resorts park at Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire, and I have to say that the whole break exceeded our expectations in every possible way. From the caravan which was a true home-away-from-home with all the mod cons and luxuries you want on a holiday, to the beautiful site with just the right balance of things to do but also space to just breathe and chill out.

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our day at paultons park

Paultons Park has long been our favourite family theme park in this country, because it offers so much for our young family. Peppa Pig World is obviously a draw for anyone with a preschooler, and so much of the Paulton's Park theme park as a whole is so accessible for small children which we love; no saying no when they don't reach height requirements, no missing out on rides for the grown ups. 

With the addition of Lost Kingdom they have widened their appeal again. It's perfect for a family who is growing beyond those Peppa Pig years, and I'm sure it will keep people coming back to Paulton's Park for years to come. With some serious looking rollercoasters for the thrill-seekers, but with relatively low height restrictions, meant that our little daredevil Dylan could ride everything in Lost Kingdom... and he did! And at the same time there is still plenty for the whole family to enjoy even down to the youngest members.

We were lucky enough to be invited along to a preview day for the new Lost Kingdom, part of the Paulton's Park theme park. This is a little mini movie of our time there.

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her chariot {silver cross wayfarer eton grey}

We refer to our Silver Cross Wayfarer Eton Grey as our chariot. And that sums up how we feel about it pretty effectively I'd say. It is a classic, quality and high-end piece of baby kit. 

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our thoughts on the snuzpod

I feel like I could really write this entire review in just three words... We love it!

But that doesn't really do a very thorough job of it, and it definitely doesn't do the SnuzPod justice.

I originally planned to write up my thoughts on the Snuz quite a while back when Ashlyn was still very new (like in that top picture - just look how teeny she was!). I mentioned it in my post on how we helped our baby sleep and in my 10 best baby products vlog too, but I decided to hold off a bit on doing my full review. Newborns spend their lives in a cycle of sleep, feed, nappy change, sleep, feed, nappy change, sleep... they aren't the best test subjects. At least Ashlyn wasn't, she just slept whenever and wherever she wanted to. So she was hardly a good judge of what made a good crib. That being said even as a teeny baby, she definitely seemed to prefer snoozing in the SnuzPod to anywhere else, and always had her longest naps in there compared to sleeping in her carrycot, bouncy chair or in our arms.

For anyone who isn't familiar with the SnuzPod concept; it is a bedside crib that attaches onto the side of the parents' bed to keep baby close at night, but with a space all their own. It features a zip down side which allows you to move baby to and from your own bed with ease (definitely a great feature for those inevitable night feeds.) It is technically a 3 in 1 crib, because as well as being used as a bedside crib, it can be used as a stand alone crib or the top bassinet part can be taken off to use alone, for naps elsewhere in the house for example.

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bikini babe

Everly is very much at an age where she knows her own mind. She knows what she likes and what she doesn't and is definitely interested in what she wears. And while it can be hard to relinquish control, having been able to pick out all her outfits for the past three and a half years, it's also nice to see her developing her own sense of style... mainly because she seems to like a lot of the same things that I do (I have trained her well it would seem!)

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my sunshine rainbow girl

I like babies wearing clothes that look like children's clothes... you know what I mean; baby grows, playsuits, simple styles, practical, fun, colourful. Because isn't that what childhood should be all about? They have their whole adult lives to wear "dull". In fact I'll confess that while I'm naturally quite averse to wearing very much colour in my own wardrobe, I relish living vicariously through my children with a riot of colour in their wardrobes. And no more so than with my littlest one. 

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a little place to call their own

My older two are absolutely at the roleplaying age. Practically all of their play revolves around them pretending to be something or someone else, and a lot of the time that means acting out things they see. Of course with a new baby in the house, good old 'mummies and daddies' gets played a lot, and I always find it hilarious to watch them pretending to be me and their daddy... nothing makes you quite so aware of your own quirks as when a child is play acting at being you! Apparently Daddy shouts quite a lot, and Mummy is always holding the baby!

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a bear and a wolf

I know we aren't the only family for whom a big part of Christmas is some snazzy new pjs. There is something about the cold days and long nights that start in what should be the afternoon that just cries out for some cosy, comfy sleepwear.

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sisters

When I was still pregnant I was so intrigued to see how our beautiful girl would take to her baby sister when she arrived. It seemed like the changes would be bigger for her than for our beautiful boy, who was already a big brother and was simply gaining another little sister to look out for. By contrast, for our biggest girl her place in the order of things was about to change dramatically; she would go from being the baby of the family to being an older sibling. But she was also about to gain something very different too... a sister. And the sister thing has always kind of fascinated me.

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90/10 {a little something for him}

There is a long running joke in this house that my husband is 90% man. The other 10% is sometimes labelled as child, or sometimes ape, or sometimes idiot; but he is definitely only 90% grown-up, sensible, human man. And I wouldn't have him any other way. Yes, he can be gross sometimes. And yes, it is sometimes like having another child around to look after. But he's my disgusting big kid. And we all love him to pieces, because when you are still 10% kid, its really easy to get in touch with that part of you, and that makes you really fun.

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these boots are made for walking

This girly of mine isn't an especially girly girl. She's a bit wild and crazy, she's generally a bit scruffy, she has an amazingly cheeky tomboyish nature to her, and we absolutely love that. But the result is that we don't do the stereotypically girly, pretty thing in this house. Tutu skirts get rocked up with band t-shirts, dresses go with converse trainers... and we like it that way.

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a little piece of heaven

Time alone as a couple becomes really priceless when you have children. Between dealing with the wants and needs of two young children, work commitments and the general chaos of life; Rich and I have to really grab any opportunity for some valuable "us time" with both hands. Last year we celebrated my 30th birthday and our fifth wedding anniversary with two lovely nights away and having never really been 'mini-breakers' before that, we are now total converts to the beauty of a night away from reality just remembering what came before the children... us.

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being 'growed up'

Our little miss has definintely hit that stage where her imagination has come to life, and all she wants to do these days is make believe and play at being mummy to her toys or being 'growed up' by making us all 'cup-a-teas'. Her attention to detail as she role plays is amazing, and watching her play in this new kitchen from Great Little Trading Company is such an absolute pleasure.

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an autumn stroll

I kind of feel like a stuck record for saying it, but family photos really do mean the world to me. There is something so incredibly precious and priceless about capturing a moment in time, especially when that moment includes children, who seem to have this tendency to change and grow so fast.

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