Christmas Gifts for Boys

So it's coming up to christmas and this year my gift guide is for boys! Since my pair are now five and eight, we are into getting them things that they can play with either together or on their own! This year this guide is in collaboration with Buzz Retail who have very kindly sent us a few things that the boys can play with together or apart!

First up we have Air Ball! Now this is something I think the boys are going to love! 

This can be played with on most floorings, the ball creates an air bubble underneath it, so its not actually on the ground it is actually hovering above!! 

I think the boys are going to have so much fun playing with this! Everytime one of them has a birthday they end up kicking balloons around the lounge and kitchen, so i think this is going to be a game changer as all we will need to do is keep replacing the batteries! This takes 4AA batteries which are not included!

This is currently retailing at £15.00 and can be purchased here

Next up we have Buzzing Stickerz.

Like most kids, James and Freddie adore stickers! I find them stuck all over the house when they get kids magazines containing them! In fact I still have Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly stickers stuck to the washing machine from when James was about three or four!

This kit can create over 180 3D holographic and metallic stickers! I can see this giving them hours of fun over the Christmas holidays especially if we are still in a high tier and not able to see nana and gaga!

This is currently retailing for £15.00 and can be purchased here

Next up we have Micro Jet!

This is aimed at ages 8 plus, so it is more something that James can play with , although I have a feeling Freddie will be trying to chase it!

James has been asking us for the last couple of years if he can have a drone, so I think this will be the next best thing for him till he is a bit older and can get an actual drone or he goes off the idea!

The drone itsself is rechargeable, but he remote takes 3AA batteries! I cant wait to see what the boys make of this come Christmas

This currently retails at £40.00 and can be purchased here!

And Finally we have Buzz Snow!

This is a polymer powder that when it is hydrated it looks and feels just like real snow except it never actually melts!

What we love about this is that it is eco friendly and non toxic making it safe for children and animals!

It expands to 100x its original size and will last up to two and a half weeks before it dehydrates and returns to its powder form ready to be hydrated and used again!

Where we live, we rarely get much snow, so something like this I can see giving the boys hours of fun, especially if we are stuck at home a lot over the school holidays!

This currently retails at £15.00 and can be purchased here!

(AD) Christmas Gift Guide for 7 Year Olds

So its nearly Christmas and parents all over are trying to work out what to get their kids for Christmas. As a parent of a 7 year old I sometimes struggle with what to get him. I'm hoping that some of the things in this gift guide will give other parents of 7 year olds some good ideas on what to get them for Christmas or even 7th birthdays!

The first item we are looking at for James is Little Brain Paint Sticks. He has seen these advertised on TV for months and they look brilliant! 

Science Mad Chemistry Lab. James has started to do science at school this year and they have been doing experiments in their classroom. 

Even though this is for age 10+ we felt it was something that James would get a lot out of and that it would help him with his education. He has really taken to starting science this year in year 3 and he comes home raving about what he has been doing. A few years ago, James had a volcano kit when you added water to the two chemicals and it flowed like lava.

Then we have Heelys! Now James only found out these existed a few weeks ago when he saw his school friend with a pair on one night when we were on our way to Beavers. 

He had been asking for roller skates but we figured something like this would be safer for him! I cannot wait to see his face when he opens these. James unfortunately has inherited his clumsy gene from mummy, and mummy thought if he had roller skates he would probably end up in a&e with a broken bone!

Next up with have Paint Sticks from Little Brain. James has seen these advertised for months on TV and has been banging on about us getting some. 

The reason I like these is the fact they are twisty like crayons and you don't need water or brushes. I have always avoided paint with the kids, but these are something I can see James having a lot of fun with. 

Then we have the Which Way Game. This is another STEM item which we think is fantastic. We have been looking at a lot of STEM items for James this year as he is now in Year Three at school and we want him to enjoy his learning at school and at home. 

Its based around a programme on Cbeebies called Messy goes to Okido. The aim of the game is to help Messy get across the board to his friends.

Its aimed at 4-8 year olds so I can see this being something we can play as a family to teach both boys coding skills. Four fantastic new games from OjO for STEM fans are open for investment through the Kickstartercrowdfunding platform until 25th November 2019.

So these are just a few items that would be suitable for boys and girls aged seven plus. I think James is going to really enjoy using these. 

**We were sent these items free of charge in exchange for featuring in this Christmas 2019 Seven Plus Gift Guide**

Living Arrows 2018 Week 15/53

Wow I am in total shock that we have made it to week 15!!

So in the last week we have had daddy off work for a week and we had planned to do a few things but it rained virtually every day apart from Friday!

So on Friday we got up early and jumped onto a bus to town and then hopped across to the metrocentre to meet nana and gaga! They then took Freddie off while mummy and daddy took James to see Peter Rabbit at the cinema!! We had a brilliant time! I think it will be a while before we attempt to take Freddie as I really don't think he would be able to sit still!!

This photo of the boys together was taken on Easter weekend by my dad at the hotel him and my mum were staying in! I literally don't know when he actually managed to get it without me or Andy seeing!

This photo of Freddie makes me laugh! He had already eaten one bowl of cereal and asked for another one, but instead of going to his seat he decided he was going to sit in James chair!!

This is the last week of the holidays and James is off to stay with Nana and Gaga for a few days from Tuesday! Mummy and Freddie will miss him but I think the boys need a break from each other!

Living Arrows 9/52

And so half term is over and James is back at school! I'm ready for a rest! 

This week the boys have been to the dentist! Both were really good and opened their mouths! Although nana did bribe James with his latest craze zomlings(??) 

We have chilled out this week watching lots of Netflix and playing online games! James is crazy about the cbbc program Swashbuckle so we have been watching it on BBC iplayer and playing the games in the cbbc website! Then on Friday as it was daddy's day off work mummy, daddy and James went to see the Lego batman movie! James loved it but mummy and daddy found it rather cheesey. It was also James first visit to the cinema and he loved it! Although I think the popcorn might have helped!

While we were at the cinema nana and gaga took Freddie off around the metro centre! He's learning to walk and will confidently toddle along holding your hand and has done five steps on his own! It won't be long before I have two boys running me riot!

So it's back to school and back into a routine for mummy and Freddie! Having James at home totally knocks me for six and I get so confused as to what day it is and what I'm doing when!

Siblings in February

This month has been full of sickness for mummy, daddy and James with teething hitting Freddie big time!

I've noticed that the boys relationship is getting better and better every day. James adores Freddie and Freddie adores James.

James has been pretty ill this last week and didn't really want to play with Freddie. These photos were taken as he was feeling better. He does love nothing more than climbing on his little brother!

Living Arrows 4/52

My boys are so cheeky especially when they are together. Freddie absolutely adores his big brother and the feeling is actually mutual now! 

James had his second forest school afternoon at school and came home covered in even more mud than last week! In fact the whole class were so bad they couldn't bring them back through the school! The staff kept the kids outside while parents nipped in and grabbed water bottles and bags!

Freddie has been teething so bad this week with his molars! There's been a lot of disturbed nights and a few days of not much napping or napping across mummy so I couldn't do anything! We were back to our baby group this week which he loved! Some of his little pals who he went to baby social with were there. It was so nice to have the little gang back together! 

 

Living Arrows

Living Arrows 1/52

So one of my big resolutions (post coming out soon) for 2017 is to try and take part in more linkys. The first one I'm trying is Living Arrows hosted my the Lovely Donna at What the Redhead Said. 

So my boys are four and one, up until a few months ago James barely went near Freddie, and if Freddie went near him he would scream and shout take him away or get the baby away. But now the boys love each other to bits! 

James is full of beans and hardly ever sits still! He is a typical boy who loves trains, planes, fire engines, tractors in fact anything with wheels! But when he's asleep he is adorable.

Freddie is a cheeky mischievous little boy! He's a speedy crawler and demon climber! You have to make sure everything is out of his reach especially empty cups as he likes to try and chew on them!

 

Living Arrows

Big quiz of 2016

So I've been tagged by the lovely Alex from Lamb & Bear to answer some questions about 2016 so here goes!

What was your highlight of 2016?

My biggest highlight has been James starting primary school. He's the youngest in his class by about six weeks. 

Name one thing you are likely to remember about 2016 if asked in 5 years time.

Extreme tiredness! Freddie used to be a brilliant sleeper till he got a stomach bug at just over nine months old and since then he's been petrified of his cot and bedroom. 

Sum up 2016 in one word.

Exhausting! When James was at nursery we would drop him off at nine then had to be back at the gate for 1145 for a 12pm pick up. So we literally only had a couple of hours. Now he's at school it's a bit more settled as we drop off at 0855 and pick up at 1515!

Name one pearl of wisdom that you will carry through 2017.

They are only small once so enjoy it!

Do you have any New Year resolutions?

Defined to try and be more organised! I'm terrible for leaving things to the last minute! 

How are you seeing in the new year?

I'm on the sofa in my pjs, have a can of fruit cider and a film on with Andy, while my none sleeping 13 month old Freddie sings as we rock his pushchair 

What would you most like to do in 2017?

Would love to take my blog self hosted and hopefully a holiday with Andy and the boys!

What are your main goals for 2017?

To try and build the blog more, go self hosted and hopefully attend some blogging conferences!

I tag anyone who wants to give this a go!

Goodbye 2016

 So it's the last day of 2016 and what a year it's been!

We started the year with James at nursery and Freddie a tiny newborn and we've watched James turn four and then a couple of weeks later start reception at school! We've watched Freddie grow, turn one and turn into the most loving little boy.

James has really matured since he started school. He loves learning his phonics and trying to read his school books and key words!

The boys are developing the most lovely relationship. Freddie absolutely adores James and everything James does seems to make Freddie laugh hysterically! This time last year I was worried that the boys would never have any relationship as James seemed to hate Freddie and stay away from him!

We had great plans to start doing up our house and we have kind of started. We bough roller blinds for the bedroom windows, had the boiler replaced and started boarding out the loft! 

2017 is the year we finally start putting our stamp on the place decorating and making it a proper family home for us and our boys!

Pizza Express Autumn Menu Review

When Pizza Express asked us to come in and try out their Autumn Menu we were thrilled. As busy parents of two young boys we don't get much time to go out and have a meal just us. So we arranged for Nana and Gaga to take James and Freddie for a couple of hours and off we went to our local Pizza Express, which is located on Gosforth High Street, about ten minutes on the bus from our house. 

When we got there the restaurant was very quiet. We were booked in for twelve on a Saturday and when we arrived we were actually the only people there. But by the time we had ordered the restaurant was starting to get busier. I have been past the restaurant late on in the day and it's been packed! 

We had a choice of starter from the main menu, Andy went for garlic bread with cheese and I went for dough balls. Our starters were lovely. Dough balls are definitely my favourite Pizza express starter. 

For our main course we had a choice of Basilicata Romana, Rustichella and Cannelloni. Andy decided to go for the Basilicata Romana, which he said was really good although he didn't realise it was actually a pizza till it arrived! I went for the Cannelloni which was beautiful. It was well cooked and tasted amazing!

For desert we had the chocolate fondant, which was literally amazing. You put your spoon in and the chocolate oozed out! 

Over all we had a fantastic time. The food was amazing and the company was lovely. It was so nice spending time as a couple. Thank you Pizza Express for a lovely time and absolutely gorgeous food.

Disclosure: We were gifted this meal free of charge in exchange for this review, all words and pictures are our own. 

Blogtober day Eight!

So favourite TV programs!

I'm such a boring person and don't really change the channel much! We either have Netflix on for James so it's Paw Patrol, Dinotrux or Bubble Guppies on! 

If it's not Netflix then it's either Sky News I have on. During the week it's normally channel five so James can watch milkshake before school then I will watch the Wright Stuff and then turn over for Sky News.

So yep it's official I'm a boring news junkie! 

Blogtober Day Seven!

So what made me start blogging? 

Well we had not long moved house and I was spending more time at our house with James. He was 21 months old and I thought it would be a good way of recording our memories of him growing up.

He is now four and we have obviously added Freddie to the family and I recorded my pregnancy and his birth and so far his first ten months of life.

I think it will be lovely to look back on when the boys are older and they can see photographs of things we did and places we went to.

Blogtober Day Three

So day #3 is 'Ifyou won the lottery you would'

Oh this is a tough one, but if I won the lottery I would probably do boring things like pay off the mortgage on our house and learn to drive and buy a car!

But the big one would definitely have to be go on a holiday to Disney world Orlando!

We went there five years past September on our honeymoon and it was actually the last time we went abroad! The kids have never been away and now that James has started school it's going to take a lot of saving for us to actually get away during school holidays!

We always said we would love to go back to Orlando,but obviously now we have the kids it will be a lot more expensive and we would probably have to take my mum and dad with is to help with the kids. 

When we were there the last time, we went to Discovery Cove and did dolphin swimming. The minimum age for that is six years old. So we basically have six years to save to take the kids!

But yes would definitely be the boring stuff first of the mortgage and driving and a car!

Silent Sunday

Silent Sunday

Freddie one week update

So our little man is now a whole week old! How is that possible, it feels like he's been here forever.

I'm going to write about Freddie first, then mummy, then James.

So at a week old Freddie now weighs 7lbs 4oz so he didn't actually lose any of his birth weight he gained 2oz. He takes 3oz feeds every three to four hours. He's wearing size 1 nappies and is wearing newborn size clothing. He is such a mummy's boy and likes nothing better than lying on mummy's chest after a feed for a snooze. He's not too impressed with his Moses basket, so he normally settles on me then daddy moves him into his basket. He had his heel prick at five days old and yes screamed his head off! Someone needs to remind Freddie that he is only a week old as he uses his legs to push himself up my body when he's lying on my shoulder. And like his big brother he has amazing head control for a newborn!

A week on for mummy from c section and I'm not feeling too bad. I'm getting out and about walking slowly normally just up to the nursery to pick up James. Still getting plenty of rest while Andy is off work and able to help with James! The dressing has been taken off and I'm using a maternity pad to cover the stitches to avoid catching them on clothing or James catching them.

We need to try and get ourselves organised a bit better in the morning as once Andy is back to work we will need to be out the door by half past eight to get to school on time!

James is still very unsure about his little brother. He always says good morning and good night to Freddie but still no kisses or cuddles. I know it's going to take time but hopefully we will get there!