Being good has meant the girls had enough stars for a day out and what a day it was. I will get around to sorting out all the photos and writing a post but in the meantime here's a quick video of our adventures today at the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo In The Forest Of Dean:
There was so much to see and do. I can't wait to share more.
Karen x
What a busy week we have had.
Daisy has taken off with her crawling so is all over the place. This means I now need eyes in the back of my head and the start of the mischief. She is also pulling herself up but isn't very strong so ends up head butting various bits of furniture. Oh and she's teething too. Looks more than one is about to cut though….her gums are bulging and you can see lots of white.
We've been to support Husband Dragonboat racing, made a birthday cake for a friend, watched Poppy in a School play and been to visit Nanny and Gramps. Lovely!
132. “Pretty Face Paint” – we went to watch Daddy dragonboat racing and whilst there the girls had their faces painted. They looked very pretty.
133. “Crawling Is Hard Work” – Daisy has taken off crawling this week. This was her at the start of the week, exhausted!
134. “Making Music” – Daisy loved the music mat tonight. Lots of fun for all the girls but this one was mesmerised.
135. “Deep Sea Diving” – it was my friends Birthday today so we headed over to hers for a picnic lunch. Whilst there Rosie enjoyed a bit of dressing up and imaginative play.
136. “Daisy Loves Sticks” – every time we are outside Daisy finds sticks. She loves them.
137. “Poppy Is A Tree” – It was Poppys School Assembly for the parents today to show us what they have learnt. It was very cute and Poppy had quite a bit to say. She did very well, remembered all her words and danced and sang with the rest of them. I was very proud of her.
My favourite photo this week though was taken today. Number 138. “Reading Stories” :
Poppy loves reading now she can and luckily her Sisters love it too. Daisy happily snuggled in for one today, it's so cute to see.
Can't wait to see what you've all been up to.
Karen x
Although we have been outside playing everyday this week, I haven't taken as many pictures as usual. Not sure why really. Anyway here's few of my favourites.
We've been out on the bikes and scooters daily as well as enjoyed trips to the park. This is the girls enjoying the sunshine after School on Tuesday:
They thought they looked so cool in their sunglasses and wouldn't take them off until it was time for dinner!
Daisy loves being outside too. She loves nice sunny days but also quite likes the feel of the wind on her face and in her hair. Here she is enjoying the toys in her Nanny and Gramps garden…..such a happy little girl but looking a bit too grown up here 
So there you go, a little glimpse of what we've been up to outside this week.
Karen x
As you might already know, I love pretty things. I also love spots and dots, unusual gifts and am a sucker for gift wrapping. I was therefore thrilled to be asked to review a few products from The Dotty Popsy Gift Shop in Hove (Such a cute name).
Now this place looks like somewhere I would love to go with my girls. First up there is the shop itself which sells gifts for all the children in your life. From babies and toddlers to school age children and even teenagers there is something for everyone. They even do party bags. Best of all there is free gift wrapping…I love this!!
There is also a Tea Parlour tucked away at the back of the shop complete with an enclosed play area so you can sit back and relax whilst the children play. Breastfeeding is welcomed so no need to worry about that either. Perfect. Mmmmmm home made cake and a coffee whilst the girls are occupied, I can see myself there now. I wish I lived closer, I would definitely be checking it out.
In the meantime we were sent two cute products to review. A pair of Crawlings knee pads and a clothes plaster.
I had heard of Crawlings before but never used them. The Dotty Popsy Gift Shop is only 1 of 2 shops in the whole of the UK to stock them. Basically they are little baby knee pads. Super soft, vented behind the knee and very stretchy, they are perfect for little legs of all shapes and sizes. Daisy is crawling now so I am so glad she has them.
At 9 months Daisy doesn't sit still and wriggles everywhere. For the past month prior to her taking off I have been watching her rolling over and over, crawling forward 1 pace and then back tons more. She was practising going from lying down to sitting up and then just staying on her hands & knees rocking for ages.
Luckily though we had the Crawlings so I didn't have to worry about her getting sore knees. These are perfect! As you can see she likes them too:
In fact even big Sister Rosie (almost 3) has had a go:
Rosie always has scabby knees from falling off her bike and scooter etc so was quite interested when she realised they would protect her. I'm not she would wear them all the time but had she grown up with them she might do.
Now the clothes plaster has been a real blessing too. A few weeks ago I went through a pile of clothes that used to be Poppy's and found one of my favourite little summer dresses that would fit Rosie now. The only problem was it had a teeny tiny hole. I couldn't bring myself to bin it so I shoved it back in the bag meaning to ask my mum if she had any ideas.
Then this turned up saying it could be used to repair clothes or jazz up shoes. Perfect! It was even the right colours:
We ironed it on and voila……..:
What do you think?
I think it couldn't be any more perfect. It looks great, was super easy to apply in fact the name is spot on too as it really was like a plaster.
Just two of the lovely gift ideas from The Dotty Popsy Gift Shop. Definitely worth a look if you're in the area 
Karen x
It amazes me how confident my little girl is at 4 and how much she is doing/learning at School. Im sure its far more than what I was doing at that age. This week it was her turn to present to her class. Thats right, little presentations at 4 years old. They don't call it that of course but that's what she did.
Poppy has excitedly been waiting for her turn to bring home the Marvellous Me box. The children have to pick up to 5 special things to go in the box that tell the class something about them. They then take the full box back into School and show everyone what they have chosen and explain why they are special to them. They also answer any of the other children's questions.
For weeks I have heard about whose turn it was and what they bought in but this week it was Poppy's turn. I was interested to see what she would pick.
She chose:
Her Candy (from the Skyline Gang) Costume – because she likes dressing up and holidays to Butlins with her family.
Her Winnie the Pooh teddy aka Yellow Ted – because her Auntie Sarah brought him for her when she was little and he used to be her special bear that looked after her at Nursery.
Ballet shoes – because she loves ballet and has been having lessons since she was 2 1/2.
A photo with her Sisters – because they love her, are kind and play with her.
Her digital camera (one of Mummy's very old ones) – because she likes to take photos and wants to get good like Mummy and Daddy.
We went through lots of items before we arrived at these 5, lots didn't fit in! I loved hearing her reasons for picking each thing and how excited she got about sharing them with the class.
I was very shy when I was younger and the thought of this would have terrified me. Apparently though, all the children are loving it and Poppy was certainly thrilled with herself.
A brilliant way of installing confidence in young children.
Karen x
What a lovely afternoon we have had today. Despite the drizzly weather we headed off to Gloucester Docks where Husband took part in the Dragon Boat Regatta. It was not only great fun but all in a cause too, with all proceeds going to the very worth while children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.
Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese tradition thought to have originated some 2,500 years ago but this is the 16th year in which Gloucester has hosted it's own exciting event. I wasn't sure what to expect but thoughly enjoyed myself. The girls did too.
Here's a few pictures:
The Dragon bit
Big smiles
There was live entertainment which included belly dancing, singers, drummers and all sorts, there was little stalls to browse and buy from and a small fun fair which would have been great if it wasn't so cold and wet. The girls particularly enjoyed the free ice creams they were giving out and the face painting:
Delicious ice cream
The actual races were pretty quick and it was all very exciting. The girls were stood at the side cheering and waving Daddy on getting very excited. Whilst baby Daisy just slept.
Sleeping Daisy
His team “Not Noah's Arc” won their three heats and the semi final too but just missed out on winning the whole thing by just 0.4 of a second. They ended up coming 2nd out of 30 teams. They may have been a little disappointed but we think they did great!
Lots and lots of fun and definitely worth a look if you are about next year.
Karen x
Well I've survived a week of being a single Mum to three children. I must admit it was hard work but the sunny weather really helped. We've been outside everyday and the girls have loved it.
There has been parties, the usual groups, picnics, playing in the garden and even a go in our friends paddling pool. It was hard picking photos I can tell you.
125. “Matching Dresses & Bubbles” – the girls went to a birthday party in a ball park in the morning. Afraid I might lose one I dressed them all in matching dresses. This afternoon we lazed around in the garden enjoying the sunshine & played with bubbles.
126. “Never Too Old To Bounce” – Nanny & Gramps popped round this afternoon & helped with bath & bed times. Gramps helped tire them out after tea too. Such fun!
127. “Sunshine Means Pretty Dresses” – we are loving the sunny weather especially as it means the gorgeous dresses can come out.
128. “Kisses Before Naptine” – Aaahhh this made my heart melt! It was a quiet day today and Rosie decided to play lovely with her baby Sister.
130. “Goldilocks & The 3 Bears” – Rosie and I played lots today. Here she is acting out her favourite book.
131, “Party Time” – the girls went to a birthday party today so I dressed them up in cute dresses. I thought Poppy looked very pretty in this picture.
But my favourite photo this week is this one of my lovely husband and our baby girl, number 129. “Daddy Snuggles”:
Husband came home last night after a week away and didnt want to go into work this morning. Here he is with Daisy enjoying a little cuddle before he had to rush off.
Hope you've all had a lovely week too.
Karen x
