JOHN LAWSON'S CIRCUS | HALF TERM FUN

Every half term parent's everywhere have the task of finding something to keep the kids busy that doesn't leave them eating bread and butter for the remainder of the holiday.

Which really isn't an easy thing to do now days especially if you have more than one child!

Each half term John Lawson's comes to our local garden centre and at only £6 a ticket for both adults and children with under 2's going free we'd be silly not to snap the offer up.

We've attended John Lawson's circus each time its returned local to us for a number of years now and it's something I plan to do for years to come, Lottie first went as a bump and again as a tiddly in her sling and we returned again this February half term when she was 18 months, it dawned on me as we chose our places just how difficult it might be to keep her entertained and how many people we would disrupt trying to make an exit with her if she was to become unsettled as we were sat in the middle of the very back row.

I was proven very wrong! as the show started she was mesmerised getting involved with the cheering and clapping until half way through when the excitement became to much and as you can see from our photo with ring master Attila Endresz and Pip the clown she fell asleep and stayed that way until we returned home.

John Lawson's circus is brilliant for the younger ones with it only lasting 45 minutes it's not to long for them to have to sit still and is a great starter circus but also provides enough entertainment for the older ones too. 

Daisie is 7 and Issy is 11 and each of them have enjoyed each show we've attended so far,

Each show comes with a selection of new acts so no show is the same although similar in style not performed by the same people we saw before, each show also comes with a theme this terms was a winter theme with Boris the dancing polar bear and their very own Elsa on the aerial rope. 

There's a number goodies available to buy at each show such as popcorn, slush puppies and candy floss as well as flashy toys all at a reasonable price but you will need to make sure you have cash on you, something we ran out of time to get before we scrambled to the circus tent and our garden centre doesn't have a cash machine or offer cash back, so Andy had to run to the local petrol garage and didn't manage to make it back in time before they closed ready to get the show started. 

Much to Issy's dismay because eating it afterwards just isn't the same.

There's a couple of other circus' on my hit list with acts aimed at the slightly older children with a lot more danger involved which are Issy's favourite acts but John Lawson's will always be one we return to until Lottie is of an age she requests she no longer wishes to go. 

WICKED THE MUSICAL | APOLLO THEATRE LONDON

Growing up I was a big Wizard of Oz fan, I watched it so many times I drove my mum to completely despise it.

It goes without saying that I'd want to go and watch Wicked the musical although I'm not a great lover of musicals now days, It was as if this would be a final chapter to my childhood,

I'd wanted to go for years and promised myself I would so I finally bit the bullet asked my friend if she would mind looking after the girls for me and booked myself tickets for my 27th birthday last year.

I booked directly with The Apollo theatre and was pleasantly surprised by the ticket prices, the main reason I held back on booking tickets for so long was because needing to book 2 tickets was sure to end up pricey and not something I could just decide to do randomly.

I was surprised at two tickets only costing £52 with booking fee, I did find ticket prices varied with which day of the week you go we could have had central tickets for the price of our dress circle ones if we went in the week. That being said although our seats weren't the greatest it was all about being there for me and we still got to see the show perfectly minus some fidgety head bobbing in front of us but even that was minimal. 

While waiting for the show to start I was sure it had been hyped up so much and being such a Wizard of Oz fan it wouldn't live up to my expectations and I'd be disappointed, Would it actually follow the stories of the witches of Oz? Would I get any answers to their back grounds? Would it trail off onto its own thing entirely? 

Oh how wrong was I!

I loved every minute and cried twice to the point I was actually sobbing much to Andy's amusement.

It was so much better than I'd expected it to be, covering stories of characters I didn't think could be linked into the story line as well as they did,  I got all the answers I needed and more.

 From the minute I left I was set on going again with a friend and again to take my daughters with possibly closer seats so I could see the detail of the make-up slightly better.

FRIENDSFEST 2O18 | KENNINGTON PARK LONDON

Friends Fest is a MUST event for any friends fan! 

Last year was the first ever Friends Fest and if I remember rightly it was supposed to be a one off because I sulked like a toddler in a sweet isle that's just been told no because tickets were snapped up within minutes and I wasn't one of the ticker owners. 

I got over it but pined over the photos going up all over social media, So as soon as I saw it was back this year and tickets were live I sulked some more because I had done the sensible thing the day before and paid some bills (f*ck you adulthood) 

After some more sulking I realised I did have enough for two tickets and managed to snap them up for the day of my birthday GET IN! *Strong arm emoji*

I'd be getting to sit on the set of not only Monica, Joey and Chandler's apartments but new and exclusive to this year Ross' too!

 Not only do you get a tour of the apartment sets, You get the chance to recreate the opening credits AND the famous 'PIVOT' scene, Sit in Phoebes taxi, Photo oppurtunites in Ross and Rachael's chapel of love and the 80's high school prom photo area, Grab a coffee in Central Perk, Have a slice of the Joey Special, drink character cocktails I went for 'seven' which was interesting. There was also the chance to take part in a quiz for your chance to win some goodies. 

Lets not forget the gift shop!
BUT make sure you have your bank card handy, you'll find some fairly good priced bits and some good deals but it isn't until you get to the till that you'll find a sign saying it's card only.

Other than the guided tours you book a time slot while booking your tickets everything else is open for you to return to as much as you like and for as long as you wish to, You can sit and watch some of the best bits on a huge screen.

We had really good weather on the day we went, so good that you had to get yourself one of the really good seats to actually be able to see the screen through the sun and shadows of the metal frame work of the stage and with it being so warm that day we would have been guaranteed to burn with it being out in the open. 

KEEPING COSTS DOWN DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Well that's that, Another six weeks summer holiday down!

Six solid weeks of keeping your little cherubs busy while trying to keep costs down as much as possible because bills still need paying and the food shop almost doubles having the kids home. 

There's a few companies that lend a helping hand in making the holidays fun, getting the children out of the house all while not breaking the bank to much, Here's a few of the things we've got up to this and past school holidays.

Pets at Home - My Pet Pals Workshops

Pets at home hold daily workshops for children to get up close to some of their little furies while learning how best to care for them, Once each child has had a snuggle of some of the pets they get taken on a tour of the shop getting a look at all the other animals up for adoption and for sale. Each child also receives a little workbook and a poster once the workshops over.
It's perfect for getting them out the house for half an hour especially if like me you don't have any small furies at home.

ODEON - Bargain Mondays

On Mondays tickets cost £7.50 for both adults and children, This offer runs through out the year not just the school holidays! Perfect for an after school treat.
 Once you've got your tickets and your in they even have a great deal on snacks, Odeon offer a Family Mix which gets you a Regular popcorn, Two regular drinks and 2 Kids mixes which include popcorn, a choice of sweets and a drink all for £10.99!  

Hobbycraft - Craft Workshops 

Hobbycraft hold a number of different craft workshops through out the year for a small fee which ranges dependant on what it is you will be doing, The girls got to make and bring home their own jar of slime for £2 each.

Local Fun days

Though out the summer holidays our local parks and family friendly pubs hold family fun days. Where a number of local businesses come together and get involved. Some things within the events  involve a small cost if you wish to have food from the BBQ, face painting etc.
We got to hold a selection of reptiles at our local park for a small fee of £2 per child, We even had huge sticks of candyfloss in a range of amazing flavours. 

Nature Trails

Sadly we never made it to any of the nature trails this holiday but there were loads going on near by, These were either free or included a small fee to take part. Alot were held at local castles or country parks so you could take a picnic and make a day of it once the trail was over.


A lot of local events I came across on Facebook after clicking interested events of similar kinds nearby popped up almost daily.
 Making small work of finding things to do this summer

BENJY BUNN'S BUSY DAY | BOOK REVIEW

There's nothing I love more than a good book, Each of my girls have their own book collections so when we had the chance to share our thoughts on Benjy Bunn's Busy Day, I grabbed the chance with both hands.

Benjy Bunn's busy day is part of the Benjy Bunn series, he's been on many other adventures such as going to the shops and even the fun fair, The Benjy Bunn series is the perfect collection for new little readers with a large clear font and full of colour to keep younger ones focused. 

The first of Benjy Bunn's adventures was written by Bev Scott Prior back in 1973!  

written for her children, One story became two and Benjy Bunn's been on a number of adventures.

Benjy Bunn has since been illustrated by Bev's grandchildren and it continues to grow and be loved by her great grand-children and many other young readers.

With the school run over, girls in their jammies and dinner had, I grabbed my chance to see what Doo's thoughts were on our new book. 

I let her read Benjy Bunn's busy day as part of her school reading, Doo's had a little giggle at what Benjy had got up to on his busy day and loved his little friend that joined him on each thing he got up to and noticed when he was missing panicking he may have got himself into some trouble, she was relived to see his return on the next page. She struggled with a few words but not very many compared to some other books, over all she enjoyed the book for it's silliness and loved Benjy's creativity with things. 

With L only being 9 months she can't quite tell me what she thinks but as soon as I sat down with the post and opened our delivery of Benjy Bunn's busy day, She grabbed at it straight away and was mesmerised by the bright colours, cooing away happily at the pictures in the book, I had to wrestle it off her and bribe her with another book before she would let me have it in case she ripped any pages.

Doo's overall thoughts 

aged 6

3 words to describe Benjy Bunn's busy day 

GOOD, Funny, Silly.

Favourite part 

When he was making a cake for his mama.

Would you like to read anymore of Benjy Bunn's adventures?

YES

How many stars would you give Benjy Bunn's busy day?

5 Stars because it's really funny!

* We were sent a copy of Benjy Bunn's Busy Day in return for an honest review

5 THINGS HAVING MY 3RD BABY TAUGHT ME

Things change A LOT

So much had changed since I was pregnant with Issy and Doo's from how I had my pregnancy confirmed you self refer yourself straight to the midwife now, how I can be seen in EPU with Doo's I'd just ring ahead and turn up but not anymore, right down to what things were allowed.

I'd never heard of laying on a certain side while pregnant, I was told off for crossing my legs when pregnant with Doo's but never with Issy.

I was never advised against certain things such as cot bumpers with both girls and they both had them but by the time I was due to have L there was talk of them not being allowed EVERYWHERE.

It was 10 and 6 years ago but a lot of what was okay to do with them as babies was no longer allowed or advised. 

NO pregnancy REALLY is the same

Although L was the smaller of the three girls I really felt pregnant this time round, with the older two girls I pretty much sailed through no undisturbed sleep, not much of a waddle and not many 'typical' pregnancy complaints.

(I hear you pregnant mummas 'oh f*ck off') 

With L I woke each time I rolled over to assist my bump over too even tho it was a smaller bump to my previous bumps, Certain movements she made were painful and made me walk funny or left me uncomfortable willing her to move or for it to be time to have her now. Both girls were late so it was clear L would be late too right?

Oh no, she surprised us a week EARLY! 

It's perfectly fine not to 'enjoy' every single second

It's taken three children for me to admit not every day is sunshine and rainbows, From pregnancy right up to pre-teens, I actually cried because I felt so bad for not enjoying certain moments of my pregnancy with L, It's perfectly okay to take yourself away just for a breather, to mutter f*ck sake when you hear your name for what feels like the 1,000 time when you've just sat down for the same request you've answered, to long for bedtime already and basically admitting its been a s*itter of a day and the kids have been testing from the moment they woke up.

Before I wouldn't dare mutter or admit I hadn't quite enjoyed that day so much because I'd be riddled with guilt for thinking such a thing

Not everything will be as you imagined it 

I've pictured my little family unit, my home and myself as a mum in many many ways and at times every single one seems so far from what I imagined.

The girls room doesn't stay tidy and the perfect children's bedroom for any longer than 5 minutes when I've let them loose in it, I'm not sure it's ever been the perfect little room I imagined.

I'm a mother of three girls and there isn't no Disney loving, no princess theme, no sickening amount of pink anywhere, no perfect little tidy bedrooms, barbies and dolls spilling out of every toy box YET!

L could well be my stereotypical girl.

I imagined L perfectly dressed in bloomers and knee high socks looking picture perfect at all times, lets all have a giggle together.

I'm not full of energy and crafting every weekend like I imagined and hoped, The girls hair isn't perfectly plaited because I STILL can't get the hang of a french plait, we don't run to the park with picnic in tow every time the sun shows it's face, we don't have a strict routine, my daughters don't take part in every after school club going and my house isn't  the clutter free minimal Insta perfect house I'd love it to be but do you know what that's okay! 

Me time is vital

It's taken my third baby to realise looking after myself is just as important as looking after them, Having my nails or hair done does not make me selfish, the girls don't need anything and I don't drink or smoke so is having my nails done such a bad thing?

I always had my nails done before but I often let them grow out until they started snapping off because I felt so guilty at spending £15 on myself for an infill, Andy often marched me there or gave me the money and forced me to go and have them done.

Booking to see WICKED after years of wanting to go? Go right ahead mumma you deserve it!

To just be is very much needed to help function as best as I can as a mum and it's nothing to feel guilty about, the girls will do just fine for a couple of hours without me while I'm me and not just mum.

It's only now that I've considered and am fully set on making happen a weekend away for mine and Andy's 10 years together next year because that's something to celebrate!

I would never have entertained the idea a couple of years ago and I wouldn't even pretend to consider it BUT it was actually my idea and I'm really looking forward to it.

It's a weekend, I'm coming back and I'm pretty sure all three girls will be quite happy to be shot of my face for a little while.

EASTER BAGS '18

I wasn't aware Easter bags/baskets or Christmas eve ones for that matter were a thing, Until I joined the blogging world a couple of years ago and I just loved the idea,

Some people are all for them others aren't to keen.

I'm on team keen and it's since become a tradition in our house to have one for Easter, Halloween and Christmas, this year I wasn't actually going to put one together until Doo's asked if they'd be getting a bag/basket this year, shes become pretty fond of waking up to one and how could I disappoint? it helped my itchy palms too! 

I'm a sucker for some tat! because if we're honest these bags tend to be full of things you only throw away in months to come or you kick it around the house because it doesn't quite have a place.

Although I plan on getting a storage box for Easter related items for things that can be whipped out year after year and any Easter bargains I manage to grab for future baskets.

Nothing in the girls bags cost me anymore than £2, £3 at the absolute maximum. 

 I hunt for bag fillers in the god send that is Poundland, Homebargains, B&M and Poundworld each one has great little fillings such as activity books, teddys, skipping ropes, colour changing cuties, head boppers/bands, Novelty pens etc.

This year I had an extra little bag to make up for little L, She's only 8 months this Easter so won't really understand to much about whats going on and definitely won't be needing much chocolate but I couldn't leave her out and TheWorks, Poundworld and Poundland made that pretty easy to do so!

Some items I grabbed have the usual 0-3 with the sad face on but are all things I plan to entertain her with myself like the collapsing bunny and if she does get her hands on it, it will be under very close supervision. 

L loves a book and each of the books I grabbed are perfect one with a little finger puppet and one 'lift the flap' book with different kinds of animals that come from eggs.