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How to teach your children how to behave round dogs!

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We teach our children how to behave around babies, other children and adults but do you teach your children how to behave around dogs? Teaching our children how to behave around dogs can sometimes be forgotten, especially if your child doesn’t mix with dogs…. and then if they don’t mix with dogs how do you teach your children to behave round dogs? Can you see my dilemma?

I am not going to lie, mixing with dogs doesn’t come naturally to George, sure … he says loves them and yes, he talks about them…. A LOT…. But, when it comes to interacting with dogs, George gets a little scared and when a dog is arond he can be found cutting off the circulation round my legs with his eyes tightly shut!! I love animals, especially dogs so it is really important to me that George isn’t scared of dogs and it is also important to me that George understands animals and how to treat them nicely. A question I have often asked myself was “if we don’t have a dog and we rarely come in to contact with dogs how do we teach him to behave around dogs?”

Thankfully, I have discovered a beautiful book series created for this very thing, it is part of the Zara DogDog club series and it is a truly lovely read for a night time story.  

how to teach your children to behave around dogs

 

What is the Zara DogDog Club

Anna, the founder of Zara DogDog Club was inspired to create this fantastic series based on her own dog – Zara. Anna noticed that when she was out walking her dog, people were often unsure how to behave around her dog. The Zara DogDog Club is designed to help children develop positive relationships with dogs by understanding why dogs behave in certain ways whilst encouraging them to behave safely around dogs. The first book in the Zara DogDog Club book series is called “Zara DogDog on the school run” and I am excited to share our reading experience with you.

 

Zara DogDog book review

The book is beautifully illustrated by the talented Siobhan Barlow and written by the equally as talented Anna Crichton.

In the front of the book you will meet Zara’s family, there is mum, dad, Isaac, Amelia and of course Zara DogDog.

This beautifully illustrated, educational yet straightforward story begins with the alarm going off and Zara DogDog is waking up in the morning ready for her walk. Zara DogDog is initially enjoying her walk until it was cut short as she arrived at Isaac and Amelia’s school. The school was noisy and Zara was scared and began behaving differently.

This book explains very simply signs to look out for when a dog is uncomfortable or scared and it emphasises that you shouldn’t go and stroke a dog without asking first.

The book is aimed at 3 years plus but George understood it and we followed the 3 action steps printed in the back of the book to make it more interactive.

Before we started the books I asked George how he felt about dogs and he said he loves them, I asked him why he is scared when he is around them and he said because they bite, I explained that he doesn’t need to be scared of dogs but he should always ask the owner before stroking the dog.

George loved all the pictures in the book and when Zara DogDog become a little uncomfortable the pictures were clear and easy to understand, they illustrated 3 steps to look out for if a dog is feeling uncomfortable.

Afterwards, I spoke to George about how he felt about dogs now and what he needs to do before he strokes a dog and he said “ask the owner”.

 

I will continue to read this book each week as George really enjoyed the story and we both look forward to reading

more of Zara DogDogs adventures.

How to teach your children to behave around dogs 1

 

This fabulous book is only £7.99 and can be bought by clicking here.

 

We have awarded Zara DogDog Club with our Recommended on Badge as we absolutely love the book and the whole concept.

 

 

You can purchase your book here

Follow Zara DogDogs adventures by visiting the website

You can also follow her on

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Boogie Beat Music and Movement Review

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As a parent, I am sure you will agree it can be a little difficult to choose the right baby and toddler group to suit your needs. In this day and age, we are truly blessed when it comes to baby and toddler groups and selecting the right one for you can be a little.. how do you put it… overwhelming. Many of us have only have limited time available to spend with the little ones in our lives and we want to ensure that in between daily tasks, chores and general day to day lives, that when we finally get out of the house for an hour (sometimes we don’t), the class we attend has been enjoyable for all involved.

Today, we are really excited to share our own personal Boogie Beat Music and Movement experience with you. Rachael, the owner of the Preston and Fylde franchise invited us to come to a local class and write up a Boogie Beat Music and Movement Review – and, of course we jumped at the opportunity.

Obviously, before I attended the class I looked in to Boogie Beat Music and Movement a little further and I was delighted to find that our local classes were free of charge for everyone, so whether you are a grandparent, friend, relative, carer or childminder – you can attend these classes for FREE!!!!

The venues are currently;

Wednesday 1pm (45 mins) at Water’s Edge, Lytham St Anne’s

Thursday 11am (45 mins) Plum Tree Farm, Blackpool

More to be confirmed very soon.

 

I was also delighted to find out that Boogie Beat Music and Movement also support the local community by holding intergeneration workshops which I absolutely adore about this franchise… in fact, I would go as far to say it actually melts my heart.

Boogie Beat Review

 

Boogie Beat was founded in May 2000, the groups are aimed to help babies and children learn to express themselves whilst developing their coordination, social skills and confidence whilst having fun.

 

Boogie Beat Music & Movement Review

After a few tantrums and slaps to the face (me.. not George), George was finally ready to get out of bed. He was very excited at the idea of attending a class and we headed to Plum tree farm in Blackpool at 11am on Thursday for our first session at Boogie Beat Music and Movement. We met Emily the class teacher who was extremely friendly and we instantly felt welcomed and included.

I was delighted to see such a wide age range in children, there were babies right the way up to 4 year olds and it was clear to see that the families at the class were big fans of the franchise, the excitement on the children’s faces was infectious and George was shaking with excitement (he does that a lot when he is excited)

The theme of the classes changes every 2 weeks to keep the suspense alive and the theme today was “The Snowman” which seemed very fitting as it was absolutely freezing that morning. The songs, stories, dances and games were all snowman themed… cleverly blended with the traditional timeless classic nurseries and fairytales that we all know and love.

The class began by saying hello to Giggles the monkey and singing the welcome song. The music and songs in the class were easy to sing along and the movement side of the class was very easy to follow. Throughout the class there were laughs, dancing, music and stories and the way all the children expressed themselves was beautiful. As well as being educational for the toddlers the class also had a sensory feel to it which was great for the little babies. The class finished with the goodbye song and George decided he wanted to stay and play in the kids area afterwards.

I am definitely taking George to this fabulous class again. These classes are suitable from birth right up to school. They offer parties and school and nursery workshops, if you would like your children to benefit from this fabulous class please speak to your nursery or school or email Rachael directly rachael@boogiebeat.co.uk or send her a message on Facebook

 

Intergenerational class at a local carehome

I was also invited to come to the intergenerational class at one of my local care homes. There are so many benefits when it comes to these types of groups and I was keen to see one for myself. I got there a little earlier and spoke to the guests who were very excited about the music class and little visitors. We had a chat about their day as we eagerly waited for the children to arrive. The guests were looking out the window and when the children started arriving their eyes lit up and I felt a shudder of excitement for them myself. The class started and the theme today was the Gingerbread Man so everyone could join in. Watching the two generations connect on this level was beautiful and if you saw my video on Facebook you will know that I did feel very emotional to be a part of it.

The local paper was also at the carehome and you can read the article here

 

We have awarded Boogie Beat Music and Movement with our “Recommended on MyBump2Baby” badge.

You can find Rachael’s classes on our directory or her website.

You can follow her pages for the latest news and updates below

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Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums Magazine

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Tell me… what is one thing you do for yourself each day? Just one thing for one hour a day? Perhaps it is taking an exercise class each day or maybe you opt for a relaxing bath? Or sit in the Jacuzzi at your local spa? What do you do for your self-care and positive wellness? Ah… Ah… Ah…. Social media with a coffee doesn’t count as that isn’t taking time for you!

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums

Time for Self-Care and Positive Wellness

I don’t think people realise how important self-care and positive wellness is … especially when it comes to new mums. As a mum it is so hard to prioritize taking a bath when you have a bucket load of washing literally suffocating your personal space (story of my life) and a screaming baby.

You may not realise but self-care and positive wellness are both very important when it comes to beating stress. It has been proven that when you are too tired, eating a poor diet and generally run down you will be more reactive to stresses in your life, your poor reactions may even create more issues by not responding from a place of inner calmness and strength.

It could be that you have to take your hour of self-care and wellness in stages during the day, 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there and that is ok too but however you use your hour make sure it is built in to your day and you treat it as none negotiable. It is time to take care of you!!

What if I was to tell you that there is a magazine out there that focuses on you, your self-care and positive wellbeing? “Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums” has been created by the incredible Isabella and Us.

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums 1

The graceful yet tranquil brand that is otherwise known as Isabella and Us promotes positive wellbeing in parents whilst raising awareness about important issues like mental health.

Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums Magazine

As a fellow parent, I am sure you will agree that your time for self-care and positive wellness each day is either none existent or can be occasionally broken down in to slots and this beautiful magazine promotes numerous self-care and positive wellness ideas of how you can focus more on you. Packed with a mixture of real life short articles, humorous stories, interviews and advice this beautifully designed magazine ensures that even if you only get that 5 minute break you can read something from this fabulous magazine

The Positive Wellbeing Zine for mums is a calm and tranquil timeless book of positivity and includes plenty of information about positive self-care ideas and habits.

The beautifully illustrated magazine is A5 which means it slots perfectly in to your handbag, desk drawer and even your glove compartment in the car – why do babies always fall asleep in the car by the way?

As well as supporting mums, The Positive Wellbeing Zine supports small independent businesses that also offer support and services to parents, their children and their families. If you would like to advertise click here.

We love the fact that that Emma the Founder of Isabella and Us has collaborated with a great deal of inspiring mums and mums in business to bring you this uplifting and encouraging publication. This magazine is a fantastic resource to uplift your mood when times get a little tough as a mum and helps change your mind set for the better.

This particular magazine includes a range of topics from Mindfulness, Top Tips for Self-Care, Mama Boss Feature, a Self-Care Planner, beautiful illustrations plus much more. You can purchase this magazine for as little as £4.50 – that’s less than a large cup of coffee!!!  Click here to purchase.

I have always been open when it comes to speaking about my personal struggles with postnatal depression, anxiety and PTSD. Looking back, I didn’t take regular time for myself and as soon as George came along the gym stopped, the relaxing baths turned in to a rushed shower whilst I had 2 minutes and I no longer felt like I had time to read books especially when any spare time I had was working on my new business launch. Looking back, it is no wonder I suffered with mental health issues, I put far too much pressure on myself. I no longer had time to love myself, my body and my positive wellness. I only wish I had access to this publication when I was suffering with my mental health.

If you are thinking of buying a new mum a little something that they can enjoy or perhaps you want to treat yourself. I highly recommend purchasing this beautifully designed magazine. As a mum myself, I wish I had something like this to turn to especially on my darker days.

Click here to take your first step in to self care and positive wellness.

Have a look at Isabella and Us on their beautiful website

 

You can follow Isabella and Us on social media

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Instagram

Twitter

 

KOACH Katie’s Online Fitness and Nutrition Plan Review

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If you type in the words “yo-yo dieter” in to Google you would probably see my face, you see… my relationship with food these last few years has been a little unhealthy to say the least and being an “all or nothing” type of person often means that I am either practically starving myself or sat in the corner gorging on food. Most of my money is often spent on takeaways or binge eating sessions, these arise when my mood is low and I need a “5-minute happiness moment” you know what I mean, surely? You know that five-minute moment from the second your doorbell rings to the last forced bite when you can’t physically eat anymore.

KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan

You see, before I started KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan my weeks always began the same – kind of like “Groundhog day”.

Every Sunday at around 2pm, you would find me in my local Aldi store (usually dressed in some form of legging/elastic type pants) aimlessly wandering up and down the aisles, aggressively throwing healthy low calorie items in to my trolley whilst promising myself that “next week will be different” “Next week I will be able to fasten the button on my Topshop jeans”. Monday and Tuesday’s often meant sticking to a ridiculous low calorie diet and then because I was not eating enough I would fall off the wagon and it would ultimately result in a mad binge eating session for the next couple of days.

My mood was low, my IBS was getting worse and the fact my jeans no longer fastened was the icing on the cake (no pun intended). I decided I had to do something about my eating habits and that is when I saw KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan.

KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan week 1

Before KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan

So what is KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan?

If you have body and health goals but have no idea where to start then Koach Katie’s online plan is perfect for you.

I have tried so many weight management and nutrition plans which were great short term but I had no idea what to do in the gym, I have had fitness plans before which again, is great but that ultimately meant I had no idea what to eat. The great thing about KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan is that it covers both nutrition and exercise so you can give it 100% and if you stick to it I promise you will see results.

Koach Katie’s online fitness plan is an investment in yourself, you will learn how to use the gym and eat clean without starving yourself. These are things that you should know and you can continue to use this plan as a healthy way of life even after you course finishes.

Before you begin your programme you fill in a form with Katie to tell her your ultimate goals, measurements and targets and Katie designs your nutrition and exercise plan based on that.

KOACH Katie’s Nutrition Plan review

KOACH Katie’s nutrition plan was very easy to follow, there were plenty of snacks and meals which meant that I wasn’t hungry which meant no falling off the band wagon. After only a few days I began to notice how much better I felt by simply following the plan. My mood was better, I no longer had dips and tired spells in the afternoon and I actually had energy to go to the gym.

Katie also has her Instagram page KOACH kitchen which has lots of amazing recipes to ensure that the meals do not get boring or repetitive. And, of course there will be times where you aren’t able to follow the diet but having the reassurance of a fitness guru during your programme means that Katie was able to guide me in the right direction as and when I needed it. This additional benefit ensured that I stuck to it as best as I could for maximum fat loss which was my ultimate goal.

 

KOACH Katie’s Exercise Plan review

Do you ever go to a gym, look around and then just head to the bike or the treadmill? I used to long to lift weights but I also didn’t want to make a complete idiot out of myself in front of “people who know what they are doing”. Katie sends over the exercise plan accompanied with videos so that you know exactly what to do. You can watch the videos on your phone so you can work out with Katie every single time.

I can now go to the gym and use machines and weights as thanks to KOACH Katie’s online fitness plan I know exactly what I am doing. The exercise plan is designed to meet your goals whatever they may be.

 My results after ONLY 6 weeks on Koach Katie’s online plan was a total loss of 13lbs. In this time I had my birthday, my husband’s birthday and Christmas night’s out and I still managed to lose a massive 13lbs.

KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan

My Results after a couple of weeks on KOACH Katie’s online fitness and nutrition plan

 

Week one   7lbs down

Week two   2lbs down

Week 3       2lbs down

Week 4       maintained

Week 5       1lbs down

Week 6       1lb down

 Overall summary of KOACH Katie’s Online Plan

 I saved more money doing this plan then the plan actually cost, how so, you ask? Well put it this way, 3 takeaways a week plus 2 binge eating trips to the local co-op cost me an absolute fortune so doing this plan actually resulted in me having more money. I now know how to fuel my body in the right way and how to use the gym effectively.

I honestly cannot rate this online plan enough, with a supportive group, weekly check-ins and an incredible motivating mentor I cannot rate this plan enough.

 

Follow Katie on;

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Don’t forget to check out her Koach Katie recipes on Instagram too.

The Perfect 2019 Diary for Mums in Business

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2018 has been amazing for MyBump2Baby, from becoming a finalist in Peter Jones’ and Sage’s competition in their quest find the UK’s most ambitious business, a business meeting with the CEO of Sage in the Shard London, connecting a mentor and launching our new MyBump2Baby ambassador role in Lancashire with a view to have one in each area throughout the UK.

Many people ask how we have grown MyBump2Baby so quickly and my response is always “having a none negotiable plan of action” and my none negotiable plan of action is stored in my diary – but this isn’t just any diary, this is THE perfect diary mums in business diary and here is why;

I started using the Ultimate diary planner last year and it was our best year yet in terms of business growth. The Ultimate Diary planner is perfect for both personal and business life and let’s be honest – those two parts of our lives often overlap no matter how much we want to keep them separate. Just the other day I was typing a review sat on the floor of the bathroom whilst George was having a bath so a diary that keeps both parts of your life in order is an absolute must.

The Ultimate Diary Planner

So are you looking for the perfect diary for mums in business? The perfect diary for mums in business to keep you on track throughout the year? The perfect diary to keep you smashing your goals whilst bringing your clients 100% satisfaction? Look no further!!!!

Regardless of what you do and what your passion is, whether it is running your own business online or travelling to attend meeting all over the world, I can honestly say that if this diary is used, it will help you. If you have goals and aspirations, from saving a bit of money to making your first million, then this diary is the diary for you.

The best diary for nmums in business

 

So why do I think the Ultimate Diary Planner is the MUST HAVE Diary for mums in business?

Goal setting pages

The Ultimate Diary planner has designated pages for you to document your goals and aspirations for the year ahead. It has been proven that writing goals down is more successful than merely having it in your mind. Writing this goals down is almost a promise to yourself.

The great thing about creating these goals in this diary is that we can then break them down in to bite size chunks so you know what you need to do to reach your goals on a weekly and daily basis.

the best diary for mums in business 2019

Year at a glance

Oh my… (insert heart emoji) I love this page – all our events, both family and business related go in to this section so I know where the hell I am meant to be and when. I didn’t think it was possible but this year is going to be even busier for my business so this diary has helped massively. If I am at a meeting, conference or planning a review for a brand and someone asks my availability, I can see at one quick glance what dates are available and what dates I need to try and fill.

 

Monthly and Weekly Planning

For me, this is where the magic happens, you create your monthly targets at the beginning of each month, you then create simple steps to ensure you are working as productively as possible to hit your targets.

The first page at the beginning of each month has turnover, profit target and achieved columns so see your figures and analyse your month to ensure that the following month is even better. There is lots of space to plot other targets too.

This section also looks at personal goals and week by week task lists, as mentioned revisiting the targets towards the end of the week for me is so powerful and it makes me get back on track before the new week starts (I have OCD about crossing things out and messy pages so that also helps).

 

The diary by day

The day by day part of the diary is laid out like a checklist which works wonders for me – there is something so exciting about ticking things off (yeah I know I need to get a life). It is colour coordinated in to morning, lunch time and afternoon. At the top it leaves space for none negotiable tasks.

Positive quotes, affirmations and more

Running your own business can be like a rollercoaster- you have great days where everything is going great and you can have utterly crap days where days are crap. Throughout the book you will see positive quotes to keep your mind in a positive state.

 

The plastic wallet 

The plastic wallet in the back of the planner is a life saver. I go to a lot of events and swap business cards. Just before I got this planner I was stuffing them down my bra and retrieving them later – ouch definitely not comfortable or recommended. The plastic wallet allows me to gather together the business cards in one place and they remain there until I have input my contacts on to my spreadsheet at home.

The group

As an ultimate diary planner owner you are invited to the ladies that plan Facebook group which is full of useful information, stories and networking. It is a great group to be in.

 

If you want to start getting more organised and sticking to your goals then click here to purchase the Ultimate Diary Planner

 

Brum Baby – The “Must Have” Soothing aid for Babies and Toddlers

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MyBump2Baby is often described as “The one stop shop for all your pregnancy to pre-school needs” and I must admit that one of our favourite parts of being the one stop shop is finding out about the newest “must-have” products on the market. We love it when we find a product that is simply created to make families lives easier and let’s face it, we need all the help we can when it comes to balancing work, family life, never-ending housework and rest.

Now of course, we all know how important it is that babies and toddlers get their much needed sleep, not only to help them grow and develop but also so us parents can actually have some time to themselves to either rest or get on with the endless list of jobs we have to do.

From the day our son George came home from hospital, I began playing him lullabies from my phone to help soothe and settle him down when he was a little restless. It often worked well but the odd time my phone would ring just as he was nodding off which was a little frustrating to say the least. As George got older his temper when he was tired got a little worse (that is putting it kindly) which resulted in plenty of trips to the local phone shop to repair my smashed screen and as much as I “googled” the terms “soothing aids for babies and toddlers” – I couldn’t find anything suitable. I wanted something easy to use on the move.

 

BrumBaby Portable Soothing Aid

Now, imagine having a portable soothing aid that you can clip on your key ring, to your bag, to your pushchair or a portable soothing aid that you could even simply slide it neatly in to your purse so you know this amazing product is always accessible even at the most awkward times. This product is designed so it can be used at home or on the go. A soothing aid that’s whole purpose is to simply Sooth your child – nothing more and nothing less.

I have some exciting news for all the new and existing parents out there – THIS PRODUCT EXISTS!!!!

brumbaby portable soothing aid

BrumBaby is the must-have soothing aid for babies and toddlers. Lightweight, simple to use and affordable – we believe this product is something that EVERY new parent should add to their “must have” list. With a simple click of the button, gentle soothing rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” begins to play, you can then watch your child drift off in to a peaceful sleep.

It is clear to see that a lot of research has been made prior to creating this product. The BrumBaby portable soothing aid has been designed to ensure it reaches all parents needs with its sleek design, a simple on/off button and a charging cable to ensure you know you won’t run out of battery on the go.

brumbaby portable soothing aid

Brum Baby portable soothing aid has recently received a lot of media attention and has been praised by the likes of Fearne Mccann, Malin Anderson plus many more celebrities with little ones and I can see why.

At only £14.99, I am sure you will agree that the price for this Portable soothing aid is incredible. The benefits it brings both parents and young children are priceless. I mean, come on – who doesn’t want more sleep?

 

The great news is you can buy this product with an amazing 20% discount using the code “mybump2baby” when purchasing this product via the website.

 

You will not be disappointed!!!!

BrumBaby Portable Soothing Aid
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Aladdin Christmas Pantomime Blackpool Circus

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I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a family trip to a pantomime around Christmas and if I did, well…. I would probably be questioning our relationship right now!

Pantomimes around Christmas are a tradition for most families, a tradition that has often been passed on from generation to generation. Pantomimes are often based around kid’s stories combining the perfect balance of magic, audience interaction and music peppered with witty humour creating an everlasting memory for all the family – whatever the age.

We reviewed the fantastic Mooky Doolitte Christmas pantomime this time last year and of course, we jumped at the chance when we got invited to this years “Aladdin Christmas Pantomime” at Blackpool Circus. I personally love the added edge that a circus panto brings above the usual pantomimes. Last year our son George was 18 months old and he really enjoyed the Mooky Doolittle Pantomime so I was really excited for us all to go again this Christmas.

Aladdin Pantomime Blackpool Circus

 

You can read our Aladdin Christmas Pantomime, Blackpool Circus overall review below.

Aladdin Christmas Pantomime at Blackpool Circus

Parking

We parked in the Houndshill shopping centre car park in Blackpool, you can pay via card or cash when you return to your car.  The walk from Houndshill shopping centre car park to Blackpool tower takes around 5 minutes. The postcode for the houndshill car park is FY1 4NY.

I would suggest leaving the pram in the car as they cannot be taken in to the circus and must be left in the buggy park downstairs.

Ticket Prices

The Blackpool Tower Winter Pantomime now! Season runs between 24/11/2018 – 20/01/2018

Save money if you can by booking online by clicking here

You can upgrade to VIP or second row seating by calling 0871 222 9929 or via the link above.

 

 

Adult (15+)

 

£16.50 walk up price

 £14.00  

Booked online

Child (3-14 years)£13.50 walk up price£11.50 Booked online
Toddler (Under 3)£5.95 walk up price£5.95 Booked online
Group of 4*£54.00 walk up price£46.00 Booked online

 

Safety

You will struggle to get telephone signal in the circus and it can get a little confusing when looking for your seat especially as it is dark during the show. I strongly suggest that you have a meeting point should anyone get lost.

Recommendations for babies and toddlers

2 hours is a long time to keep a baby or young toddler happy and interested – George can’t even colour in felt tips on our walls for that long so I knew he would probably get a little stressed sat in the same seat for 2 hours. I would suggest bringing milk and some snacks if you can. We brought a couple of emergency sweets that George could eat and we also treated him to an ice lolly and juice in the interval which kept him quiet.

The Refreshment kiosk had;

Alcohol (always handy if your child is giving you a hard time)
Crisps
Tea
Coffee
Fizzy drinks
Popcorn
Ben and Jerrys ice cream
Ice lollies

 The Aladdin Pantomime, Blackpool Tower Circus 2018

 The Aladdin Pantomine at Blackpool tower circus is the perfect combination of theatre, music, dance, jokes, audience participation, and mild yet hilarious innuendos. We laughed from start to finish. The first half displayed the most beautiful rendition of “A whole new world” and once the circus ring filled with water, Aladdin and Jasmin sat on the magic carpet and made their way around waving at the audience – a tear actually fell down my cheek (ok, ok I may have had a few too many vinos the night before but it really was a beautiful moment)

By the second half it was clear to see that Blackpool circus had really upped their game since last year, the jaw dropping acts that were totally different to last year which was refreshing and showed how dedicated and hardworking the performers must be.

If you are looking for a pantomime with an extra sprinkle of edge from daredevil performers to keep you gasping throughout then look no further Aladdin Pantomime at Blackpool Circus is for you.

 

Get your tickets here

Peppa Pig World, Paulton Park Review

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If you are a regular follower of my blogs, Instagram stories and other social media updates you will know that Peppa Pig and I have a kind of love/hate relationship – I mean COME ON… you have to agree that when you are forced to listen to anything on repeat it does begin to get somewhat torturous.

Initially, I must admit, I was filled with pure happiness when George finally got bored of Baby TV as the songs on Baby TV often made me question my sanity. When George first started watching Peppa Pig it was fun and I didn’t mind the pink little pig but as George’s obsession with Peppa grew so did my headache.

But, although the love George has for Peppa Pig is extremely intense – it is very real and I felt it was only fair to let him run riot in his version of heaven at the fabulous Peppa Pig World at Paulton Park. I am really excited to share with you my Peppa Pig World, Paulton Park Review so here goes;

Peppa Pig World, Paulton Park Review

MyBump2Baby’s Peppa Pig World Review, Paulton Park

Parking

I was impressed to see that parking was completely free of charge – big thumbs up for me!

Opening times

Opening times were 10:30am – 4:30pm. Please note that we headed here in November and these times can change depending on the day or time of year so make sure you check the website in advance.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices were FREE for children under 1 meter and £25 for anyone over 1 meter on the day. If you booked in advance online the price was £23. These were winter prices and I felt that these were extremely reasonable compared to other theme parks we had been to. Remember to check the ticket prices as they do adjust depending on the time of year.

First Impressions

Our bags were not checked upon entry in to the park.

Peppa Pig World is just one part of Paulton Park, we thought it was great how Paulton park appeals to ALL family members from excitable young toddlers right the way through to thrill seeking adults.

The place was clean and extremely pram friendly which is always good to see.

Changing Facilities

There are plenty of changing facilities to use and all were extremely clean and well kept, there was plenty of room and also a room if you wanted to breastfeed privately too which I thought was a great idea. The changing rooms also had a microwave to heat babies milk/food. George is potty training and I did notice that there was no foot stool so George couldn’t get on and off the toilet easily like he can at home.

Peppa Pig Baby Change

Lost Child Stickers

We filled in a lost child sticker and stuck our contact details to Georges back in case we lost him – you know how toddlers like to run off.

Strollers

You can hire a stroller a single or double stroller for the day from £8.00, the stroller is suitable for children up to the age of 6 years, it has a sun canopy for additional shade and has plenty of room to carry picnics. We brought our pram so didn’t need to use one.

 Peppa Pig World Stroller Hire

 

Peppa Pig World Rides

Peppa Pig world was truly magical and it felt like we were actually in the cartoon. There were 9 rides in total and George could go on them all. Even with no queue times we didn’t manage to ride all 9 rides in the time we were there. There was more than enough for children to do which is the way it should be and we left Peppa Pig world wanting to come back for more fun.

 

Peppa Pigs Balloon Ride

This was the first ride we went on, there were 6 of us and the kids absolutely loved it. This ride is great for looking over the whole park and planning your next ride.

 

Miss Rabbits Helicopter Flight

This ride was suitable for 4 people and George really enjoyed it. He did get a little frustrated when he couldn’t reach the control unit but once the ride started he soon got over it and we had plenty of laughs and screams.

 

Windy Castle Ride

This ride reminded me of a big wheel. Another great ride for having a good look over the park. This carried a family of 4.

The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride

The Queen’s Flying Coach was good fun Each carriage carries up to 4 adults and 2 children.

Grampy Rabbits Sailing Club

George loved sailing away with Grampy Rabbit, we were greeted with some great surprises including Peppa Pig and her pals. This ride fits 4 people on.

George’s Dinosaur Adventure

Our George absolutely loves dinosaur so this ride was something he was really keen to go on with his daddy. This ride is suitable for children under 1 metre and children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. This ride can fit 2 people on.

 

Daddy Pig Ride

We all know how much daddy pig loves his car, this ride gives you a chance to take a ride in daddy pigs car with your family and have a tour of the peppa pig village.

 

Grandpa Pigs Little Train Ride

This lovely little train ride is the perfect ride for all the family, a lovely circuit on Grandpa pigs train.

 

Grandpa Pigs Boat Trip

This boat ride is great fun for all the family, this would be a great ride in Summer.

 

Meet and Greet with Peppa Pig

Let’s face it, we came to Peppa Pig world because George is a huge fan of Peppa Pig so of course, when the opportunity arose to meet the famous pig and her little brother George we jumped at the chance. We queued for around 10 minutes and just as we got to the front of the queue and stood before Peppa Pig, George’s personality changed and as we posed for our picture the biggest tantrum you have ever seen began (typical). You may have seen my Instagram post.

We decided after the 36 minutes of pure hell we would take him back to see Peppa Pig and thank goodness we finally managed to get our picture. I loved that we were allowed to take pictures on our own phone.

Peppa Pig World, Paulton Park Review family theme park

 

Georges Spaceship Playzone

It began raining around 12pm so we decided to get our lunch but if it wasn’t lunch time we would have used this fantastic playzone. Initially, we headed in to this area for food but all the tables were taken so we went to the Café at the front.

I was really happy to see a play area as some of the parks I have previously reviewed don’t have an indoor play area which I feel is important on hot summer days and rainy days too.

Socks must be worn at all times in the play area.

 

Wild Forest Family Restaurant

The Wild Forest family restaurant was clean and affordable and I was impressed with the menu and the waitress service. You head to the till to order and pay but the staff members bring your food out once it is ready. You can have a look at the menu here

I also noticed that there was a charging point for phones in the resturant too which was handy.

Other food options are;

Base Camp which was a great place for a break, there isn’t much choice of food but you can see the menu here

Railroad Diner offering fish and chips.

 

The Ice-cream Kiosk

My husband and George enjoyed some sweet treats from the kiosk, I had stupidly started a diet the day before so sadly missed out but the prices were extremely reasonable.

What was Peppa Pig World missing?

I think Peppa Pig had it all covered in terms of indoor and outdoor activities. There were plenty of places to go including Peppa Pigs classroom and her house too. There were plenty of play areas too.

 

Peppa Pig world, Paulton Park overall review

I thought Peppa Pig World was extremely well priced in comparison to other theme parks we have previously visited. I really feel that Peppa Pig did think of everything for toddlers. There are plenty of play areas and distractions to keep queues to a minimum.

The Paultons Park app was also very useful and I do recommend you download it to plan your day effectively.

Our MyBump2Baby Peppa Pig World, Paulton Park overall Review

 

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4.6 / 5 Our Score
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Customer service3
Family Friendly5
Food & Drink5
Value for Money5
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The Perfect gift for a baby – My Sensory Box Review

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Those of you who regularly follow my Instagram stories and blogs you will know that I absolutely love supporting mums in business and when we were given the opportunity to review a new sensory brand we were very excited.

When it comes to babies, we remember the bottles, cots, bouncers, video monitors and clothes, but we can sometimes forget about the importance of stimulating our little one’s senses. Sensory play helps with development, it improves hand eye co-ordination and can promote early language development.

Now, I am certainly no expert in this field, nor do I claim to be but this is why MyBump2Baby loves to work with the experts like Natalie, The Founder of My Sensory Box.

My Sensory Box is the perfect gift/purchase for expecting and new parents. The box is filled with magnificent, colourful props that will help stimulate your babies’ senses whilst creating memories that will last a lifetime.

My Sensory box currently has a unique family of 3, The Fidget Sensory Box, The Original Sensory Box and finally The Bumper Box which is the one we are reviewing today.

 

First Impressions of My Sensory Bumper box

I love how much effort went in to the packaging of the box, it came wrapped in cellophane with a neat ribbon on the right hand corner which showed it was ideal for a baby shower or as a gift when a new baby has been born. It is also ideal for someone last minute like me who often gets gifts on the way to the event

Upon opening the box, it was beautifully wrapped in green tissue paper. I was impressed with the amount of items in the box it was literally full to the brim of goodies.

 

Contents of the Bumper Box

An LED Bulb

3 Balls

Glow Sticks

Egg Shaker and Maraca

Scarf

Ribbons

Foil

Black and White Picture Cards

Feathers

Bubbles

Balloons

Now, you could be like I was and wonder “what the hell do I do with these items?”…. FEAR NOT, I can reassure you that Natalie, the founder of My Sensory box has literally thought of everything. Inside the box comes a fabulous little card with all the features and benefits of each prop so you know exactly what to do with each item.

What are the Benefits of the props inside My Sensory Box?

The Led Bulb provides your little ones with visual stimulation and helps with relaxation. The bulb can fit in to a main ceiling light or a table light and babies can enjoy the beautiful shapes and colours. George is 2 and a half and loved this, he is always asking for the magic light.

The Glow sticks are a great way to add fun to bath time, George and I used them and turned the lights down and put the shark song on he absolutely loved it.

The Egg Shaker and Maraca are great exploring sound; they can use whilst singing nursery rhymes.

What baby doesn’t love a game of peekaboo? The scarfs come in some stunning colours to drape of your babies face to stimulate touch.

The ribbons are a fantastic way to encourage movement and they are excellent for hand eye co-ordination.

What it is about foil and babies? Foil was Georges favourite items whenever we went to any sensory places, he still loves it now.

Did you know that Black and white is the first colours your baby sees? I didn’t until I read the information inside the box, the different black and white picture cards can be placed anywhere and help maximise early visual stimulation

Feathers are included to stoke over your little ones face, arms and legs.

2 lots of bubbles are included in the box and we all love bubbles

Balloons in line with first colours and includes and led light

The 3 balls are a great way to end the session with a gentle massage.

 

Overall Review of My Sensory Box

We love The Bumper Box from My Sensory Box. I can’t believe how much thought goes in to each box, it is clearly something that the founder Natalie is very passionate about. I feel that the price of £25.00 is very reasonable considering the amount of props in each box.

Although the box is aimed at babies, George really enjoys playing with the items from this box too.

I would purchase this box for a friend or family member and even myself if I was to have another baby. I love how compact the box is and the way that everything fits back in to the box neatly and can be stored away ready for the next play session.

**Please do not leave baby unattended with any of the items in the box. Must always be used under supervision of an adult**

 

Where can I purchase My Sensory Box?

The website is currently being built but in the meantime if you want to purchase this item you can click here

 

At MyBump2Baby we recognise how important sensory is and we have hundreds of local classes listing throughout the UK, you can find your nearest class here.

My Sensory Box Review

Moonlite Story Book Projector Review

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I am really excited to be sharing our Moonlite Story Book Projector Review with you. I must admit, bedtime can be a bit of a battle at times and I often hand over the IPad like it is a God given right, so I was really excited when I was asked to review the Moonlite Story book projector.

If I said my son wasn’t slightly addicted to his IPad, I would be lying. Running a business from home means that a lot of my time in the evening is spent on MyBump2Baby and what started as a perfect distraction now causes numerous issues in our house especially at bedtime. You see, Georges first word when he wakes up is IPad and the last words before he goes to sleep is IPad which is not ideal for a 2-year-old and I can’t help but feel a bit guilty about it but it is the only way I have time to do everything.

I have been thinking about different ways that I can put some magic back in to bed time without relying on Mr. Tumble, Peppa Pig or Waffle Doggy. I want to stimulate George’s mind at bedtime and calm him down so he gets the sleep he needs after a long day, I also want to embrace the fact that he is still finds me fun, as sad as it is, I am sure it is only a matter of time before I am locked out of his room whilst he plays his Xbox or Playstation.

The clocks are going back next weekend and with the evenings getting darker earlier – I am hoping this will be the start of a healthier bedtime routine for George. Moonlite has come up with an alternative way to read books, ideal for special occasions or when trying to wean your little one from IPad back to books. I am really excited to introduce the Moonlite Story Book Projector to George.

Moonlite Story reel projector review

Moonlite has a unique, wonderful way to bring story books to life. Moonlite uses a story book Projector which makes for a more exciting bedtime. The Moonlite projector is created by simply using the app on your smart phone. Creating a truly magical, immersive storytelling experience that fuels your child’s imagination like no other.

The projector is a small device that simply clips onto a smartphone and uses the torch to project timeless classics on to the wall, whilst projecting the images, the Moonlite app plays harmonic sound effects. Moonlite cleverly bridges the gap between traditional and digital books, offering a unique and memorable experience for both parent and child. Building story time, in whatever form it takes, into a bedtime routine is essential

Here are some of the incredible stories launching in the UK;

  • The Moonlite Starter Pack (SRP £19.99) featuring Eric Carle’s popular “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “The Very Busy Spider”
  • The Moonlite Gift Pack (SRP £39.99) featuring Mr Men and Fairy Tales
  • The Moonlite Story Reels (SRP £7.99 each) featuring Spot the Dog and Beatrix Potter The Tale of Jemima PuddleDuck, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

We received the Fairy Tale Gift Pack and Spot the Dog story reel. Fairy tales were always my first choice at bedtime when I was a little girl so I was really looking forward to sharing some “all time classic magical stories with George.

Moonlite enhances that experience and makes children excited for bedtime, while promoting early literacy.

So How Does Moonlite work?

Moonlite is very quick and easy to use, you can follow the instructions below;

  1. Simply download Moonlite from the App Store or Google Play Store – it’s free!
    2. Pop one of the story reels into the Moonlite projector
    3. Attach Moonlite to your phone
    4. Open the app, unlock the story with the included activation code and start reading

The app goes through each step, showing you the steps to set it up.

Our Moonlite Story Book Projector Review

George was asking for his IPad initially and then as soon as we set up the projector and he could see the pictures, he was speechless. The music that plays alongside the story is magical and we all really enjoyed the whole experience.

I must admit that turning the story reel was a little difficult on my phone – a galaxy S8 which is a little slippy to the hand (my phone has more cracks than my foundation these days). It could be better for me if there was a device attached which you could click and it would turn the reel but I do think the issue is down to my phone and it didn’t take away from the fun we had.

We read 3 books in total that night including; Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the three bears and George has asked for the Moonlite story projector every night since so it was a definite hit in our house. I plan to buy plenty more story reels for the big C!

Moonlite Story reel projector review

I must stress that I am a huge book lover and I am in no way saying that these should be used as a book but perhaps as an alternative to books when you fancy a bit of a change.

Available From

The product is available at all good retailers including The Entertainer, Smyths Toys and Amazon.