Is that a butterfly? - a library book review

A great book we discovered at the library, that does a brilliantly simple job of explaining the life cycle of a butterfly to a small child, is this one by Claire Llewellyn and Ant Parker. 

FRAMED Life As It Is - CATERPILLAR TO CHRYSALIS

DAY 47 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO SPIDER'S BELLY AND A BUTTERFLY

Here's what else we discovered around our porch today...

An empty chrysalis, and below it...

DAY 47 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY - Wrapping up

DAY 47 OF FRAMED
CATERPILLAR TO SPIDER'S BELLY?

Well it is not looking good now is it?! And I fear that our half-morphed potentially sucked upon butterfly may never emerge.

Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey - A great day out with the kids

Bocketts Farm Park proved a surprisingly great day out with the GraceFaith girls.

DETAILS:
Bocketts Farm Park
Where: Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9BS
When: Daily from 10am
Age appropriate for: tots and young children in particular
Car park available: Yes - no extra charge
Admission: Adults £9.20, children from £8.
Wheelchair/pushchair friendly: Yes
Food options: Take your own picnic option, or, packed lunch available to buy
Do not leave without: Sunscreen, Sun hats, Towels, Swimmers (water play often available).

And to think...

...I was so excited about getting her home yesterday.

My God, she was a pain in the arse.

School's out for Summer!

...And in ten minutes my Esme Grace will be mine.

For six whole weeks - all mine.

FRAMED - Abstract Soup Art

All my own work

29/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

Esme's art was inspired this week by watching m m m m m m m m more milkshake. Yes, the advert fuelled children's breakfast television show on Channel Five, which shows Bananas in pyjamas, has a competition running currently... and the prize is three nights, staying in a zoo. (Not a lot different to being at home then).

All you have to do is send in your child's animal/favourite Milkshake character theme led pic to be in with a chance to win. I'm secretly praying we don't. Meanwhile Esme thinks she already has. This will be interesting.

Great ways to spend Summer days at home...

The Summer Reading Challenge gets three quarters of a million children into libraries to keep up their reading skills and confidence during the long holidays. This year the theme for 4-11year-olds is a mythical maze. Visit your local library for details.

Great ways to spend Summer days in London, Hampshire & Surrey

Want to know what to do with the little ones over the Summer? I've put together some great ideas to inspire you and yours, throughout the six week holiday.

DAY 40 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 40 OF FRAMED
CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

No real change except that a fine line now hangs in the balance of nature, and off of the bottom of the chrysalis.

Leonard Cohen once said...

..."There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."

Parenting is...

...being angry with your children sometimes

The 'f' word.

And there it was. Hanging in the air like my child. The 'f' word.

Esme had been gleefully upturned on the igloo when I had told her it was time to leave the park. Her quizzical look and 'oh fuck' response had completely taken me aback.

What made matters worse of course, was that I thought I'd heard her incorrectly, quickly asking, 'What did you say?' just as another mother and her beautifully turned out tot walked past... right in time to hear my little girl say again - this time with gusto... 'Oh fuck.'

I didn't have to look her way to know the woman was outraged. I felt the intensity of her stare. Its glare like the adjacent early evening summer sun, blindingly low in the sky. What with this, the shame, and the embarrassment, I began to burn inside out. There was no time to apologise, for now with her toddler wrapped about her and seemingly with disdain and disgust, she increased her pace and left the park.

Of course, completely stunned, I had grabbed Esme DIS-Grace and fled to a nearby bench, scolding her as we went, saying... No! And what? And why? And if she ever used that word again... blah blah blah. And she had cried. Great bulbous tears. For she had no idea what it all was about, let alone what it meant. And she had no idea that my reaction would be so aggrieved. So sadly disappointed. And that truly bothered her. For even though Esme had happened to use it in the right context, with the right amount of expression, intonation and 'tude', I realised she hadn't a clue. But still, there it was. Complete with her perfect delivery, my little girl, had opened her mouth and used the 'f' word.

Choice.

FOOTNOTE
Later that day as I recalled the events to my husband, he told me that on the weekend when he and Esme were at the park, some teens had also been there apparently with nothing better to do than cuss and mess. Wish I'd been there too. If I catch them back in the small children's play area, I'll have to have words. Polite ones of course.

What have you done today to make you feel proud? Happiness & hope

I was approached recently by World Vision - who are trying to spread the word about Ethiopia’s recovery from famine - to share a picture I feel represents happiness and hope.

FRAMED Currently, my 1Faith...

28/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

The family Newland

Replaying that first morning of sickness:

Two days ago (my sensitive 5YO) Esme Grace appeared downstairs pale and peaky, announcing she felt bloody awful - not quite in those words - before losing her balance and falling on me. At which point, Sofia Faith (her 2YO drama queen of a sister), with no sense of concern whatsoever, announced somewhat louder - by yelling in fact:

"No Esme. I am sick. You aren't." (Accompanied with foot stamp and fake cough).

Meanwhile...

We went to the doc yesterday. Turns out Esme has tonsillitis and is very unwell. And Fia?
Well, what she has is something a little harder to treat: A classic sibling case of toddleritis.

It has been a testing couple of days.

Musings of a poorly 5YO

E: Mummy, I wish you would call the school and tell them I was sick on a day that I wasn't, just so I could stay home with you and have fun.

My sleeping beauty

Home from school today.

Win a free family ticket to see the new Octonauts stage show

The OCTONAUTS AND THE DEEP SEA VOLCANO ADVENTURE 

full length theatre experience

Yes kids, there's a brand new stage show coming, 

and it's touring the UK from Oct 2014 into 2015.

Life As It Is has a family ticket to giveaway.

More funding for children's drama please

David Wood, a playwright that has written around 75 productions for children including The Tiger Who Came To Tea - one of my favourite books, spoke out recently, saying that children who took part in drama workshops were "very unlikely to be going out with knives" because they would learn teamwork and tolerance.

DAY 30 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

27/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

Architecture by a 2YO

I love Mothercare...

...and I think that's probably because I remember being dragged around the store myself when I was a child. Nostalgia is a massive part of a brand's success. But then, so is being British. We all love a home grown brand don't we?

Can't concentrate? Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil Blend - a review

Did you know that the brain is around 60% fat? And therefore needs feeding fats - essential fats, Omega 3 particularly. Here's one great way of doing that... 

DETAILS: 
Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil Blend 

PRICE: £21.99 (500ml)

AVAILABLE FROM: Udo's Choice and selected retailers

Can't concentrate? I try an in-house experiment (5)

If you follow Life As It Is, you'll know that back in November of last year, Esme Grace (my fidgety 5YO), was struggling to concentrate. In class this was particularly obvious to the teacher, who then raised it as an issue one parents evening. Esme was unable to focus for long periods of time. Often, she would be in a world of her own;  not listening to what the teacher was saying.

I'd heard that omega 3 could be beneficial in this scenario, and as a result, I wanted to try Esme on a blend of omega oil. I was interested to know if it could help. For more about this, read here and follow the posts Can't concentrate? I try an in-house experiment, of which the last post (4), concludes:

The result of my in-house experiment with Udo's Choice blend of plant omega oils, and my fidgety 5YO is therefore, that this product does indeed have a positive effect on a child's ability to concentrate. It will help your child to sit still and focus for longer periods of time - not to mention the other health benefits it brings. Whacko. As a consequence, I'm putting Sofia on it too. 

When I began Esme on Udo's Choice, it was back in November 2013. As far as I knew, my in-house experiment was one of a kind. How naive of me. Turns out that's not the case at all. Udo's carried out its own study at Lever Park School in Bolton, with remarkable results:

Parenting is...

…putting yourself last - just not every time.

DAY 24 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 24 OF FRAMED
CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

Today the chrysalis is suddenly much darker in colour.
The protected pupa within, is nearing the end of this stage of its life cycle.
Any day now it will emerge.
Oh and I for one have learnt something new... a moth makes a cocoon - a silk covering.
And a butterfly makes a chrysalis - a hard, smooth covering with no silk.
So there you have it, we have a butterfly on our doorstep after all.
Whether we get to see it or not, is another story.

School Summer fete 2014

Me. The only mother at the school summer fete today with a screaming 2YO under her arm. Oh how I love winning the public humiliation award. Again. And the tatty teddy tombola. Although Esme's choice this year looks to be reasonably clean. Well, flea free at least. 

26/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

Legendary musings of a 5YO

E: Mummy, when Connor grows up he's going to be King Arthur. 

Travel Beyond Automatic Barriers - A poem

Rammed on an endless platform -

Fighting for breadth of space and breath of air.

So many of us, 
All destined for somewhere...

All rammed.

Need to eat gluten free? Did you know about this free app?

My sister was visiting from Ecuador recently, complete with all her food allergies and intolerances. 

I'm really not into phonics mum...

...I just want to draw

DAY 18 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 18 OF FRAMED
CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

The chrysalis has shown no external changes since my last FRAMED shot, eight days ago. But what about within? Inside its protective casing, the caterpillar is transforming - radically, and will eventually emerge. It takes approximately three weeks. But will it be as a butterfly or a moth? That's what I'm currently trying to identify.

Destination: Tylney Hall Hotel - A travel review

Home from home: Relaxing with the family at Tylney Hall

Set in stunning Hampshire countryside, the splendour of Tylney Hall is apparent from the moment you approach its grand redwood lined drive. Indeed, everything about this family friendly hotel is grand: accommodation, food, activities. No doubt that’s why it’s sitting pretty in the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World book.

A red bricked Victorian build, once used as a hospital, home, school, even donkey sanctuary, it’s now a Grade II listed mansion house hotel, steeped in history, about which the amiable staff are only to happy to share.

A wedding, #BritMumsLive & A+E - where else does one end up?

I figured that inside-out knickers were a better alternative to none at all - on this occasion at least. And as I sat there chatting to other bloggers and wearing my husband's roll on, I wondered if my breath smelt fuzzy from having had no tooth-brush.

25/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year
I'm posting the art one day earlier this week, as we are off to a wedding.
Here are the bride and groom to be, as sketched by Esme Grace

Tumble tot musings of a 5YO

Mummy, I've decided that when I grow up, I'm going to be in the circus...
And I'm practising right now.
Do you know what I'm going to be? (hanging off the wall somehow).
An acrobat. (Falls).
It obviously needs me to be barefoot.

FOOTNOTE:
Massive improvement on Esme's recent musing about when she grows up, which was...
When I grow up I'm going to live with you.

Parenting is...

…sometimes feeling like you have no control whatsoever - argh!

Peppa Pig World (Paulton's Park) - a review

A trip to Peppa Pig World will complete your Summer   

Yes, that's right... if you didn't already know, Peppa, a very pink and very bossy pig turned Hampshire Hog, has an attraction all of her own. And you should prepare to be as equally enthralled as your tot... But take a towel! 

DAY TEN OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 10 OF FRAMED
CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

Currently my 1Grace1Faith

Silent Sunday (15)

My family and other animals...

Romantic musings of a 5YO (and her 6YO friend).

I was inside out of sight, but not out of earshot.
Esme and her friend Axel were digging in the sand box, when Esme said:

E: Axel, do you know who I am going to marry?
A: Me?
E: No (giggling), Connor. In fact I think I'm already in love with him.

A: Do you know who I'm in love with?
E: Who?
A: Thomas.

Meanwhile, the very next day...
E: Mummy, Connor told me today he isn't in love with me.

M: Oh. Really. How does that make you feel Esme?

E: It's okay, I'll marry Max or Axel instead.

Priceless!

24/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

Three ballerinas dance, but the spot light shines only on one - and it isn't Sofia!

Tesco Mum of the Year Awards, the RNIB, & a gig for a good cause...

When I started working on Tesco magazine as a writer/editorial assistant in 2004, little did I know that I would become heavily involved in the Mum of the Year Awards. Little did I know, that a couple of years later I would become a mum myself - yet hardly one in the same calibre of the many amazing women this competition manages to find. Ah, I managed to find. What a responsibility that was. When I say heavily involved, part of my role was to read all the letters and emails (thousands of them) and select the possible winning mums to put forward. Of course there were a few tears and tantrums along the way. It was emotional! And wonderful! And a reminder that mums - yes that's you - are quite remarkable.

I'm only human after all...

Did you know that the 26th of June is Forgiveness day?
Loving that... for the day before is my darling OH's birthday.
The perfect get out clause, should I forget. Ha!

DAY SIX OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 6 OF FRAMED
CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

This photo is taken from a slightly different angle and shows how the chrysalis is turning darker. It reminds me of a bat!

And a new look for something else...

I found an old wood shelving unit on a neighbour's rubbish heap last week. I did knock on the door before helping myself, but as soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew it would be a great addition to Esme's somewhat over-cramped bedroom. Less the cobwebs of course.

A new look for LIFE AS IT IS

Good morning!

So what do you think of my brand new design for the GraceFaith blog LIFE AS IT IS?

I love it. Do you? 

I love that the talented Helen Braid, has captured the essence of my LIFE AS IT IS - right down to the subtle coffee cup stain and spill!

If you want Helen to design something for you, get in touch with her here:

Ellie Illustrates

Can't concentrate? I try an in-house experiment (4)

The news from Esme's teacher at the parent conference evening, that Esme (my 5YO) was now able to settle into class of a morning so much better, and remain focused for far longer periods of time, was great to hear.

Yet I was left wondering how much of that was down to the fact that as time had passed, my daughter had settled into her new school year, had settled with her new friends. Not forgetting too, that she had also developed in all areas generally.

I felt I could not be sure it was solely down to the omega oil, and I knew to prove that I'd have to carry out an experiment within an experiment. So I brought Esme off the Udo's Choice oil for six weeks. And guess what? Within four, all the old habits had returned. 

Can't concentrate? I try an in-house experiment (3)

Yesterday, I posted about a probiotic, a windy baby and an in-house experiment. But it's not the first in-house experiment I've carried out. Here I revisit the omega oil trial...

A wee while ago, I set out trialling omega oil to see if it could help with my fidgety five-year-old's concentration levels. Her school day was particularly affected. You can read about that here. 

I had noticed after eight weeks that Esme Grace, having had Udo's choice (an oil which is a blend of plant omegas 3,6 and 9) was far more able to concentrate at home, and things were better in general as she was able to focus for longer periods of time. 

I last visited this experiment here, and was about to find out what Esme's parent evening was going to bring... Had the omega oil made a difference to Esme's school life? She had been finding it difficult to sit still, to listen and to focus on what her teacher was saying. I had seen the difference at home, surely there would be a difference in the classroom too?  I was intrigued to find out...

DAY FOUR OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 4 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

There aren't any obvious changes that have appeared over the last 24 hours to the chrysalis. But inside the metamorphosis continues: 

"To become a butterfly, a caterpillar first digests itself. But certain groups of cells survive, turning the soup into eyes, wings, antennae and other adult structures."
Ferris Jabr

A probiotic suitable from birth? A review & in-house experiment (1)

After my Cows Milk Allergy Explained post, I've been sent details of a new product that hits the shelves from August, called Bio-Kult Infantis. 

I've found the information very interesting, and have given the product to a friend Andrea, for her three-month-old baby to try. Zak hasn't yet settled, and is very windy with potential allergy issues. It appears to have lots of good stuff in it for babies with problematic guts, which the press release blurb explains below. 

For me, the following par has shed some light as to why Esme Grace (now my vivacious 5YO), had such an unsettled gut as a baby, and was in and out of hospital within her first year. (She was flushed with antibiotics in my womb during labour, and then given ten days of intravenous antibiotics immediately after birth for suspected meningitis).

'As 70% of the immune system is located in the gut a balanced gut flora from birth is essential to stimulate the development of the infant’s immature immune system. A balanced gut flora could help to avoid conditions such as colic, diarrhoea and allergies including eczema, hay fever and food intolerances.'

DAY THREE OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 3 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

Continuing its metamorphosis, changing colour.

DAY TWO OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

DAY 2 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

My my, the caterpillar has been busy! 

He is going to sleep now. 

For approximately three weeks. 

I will watch and record any changes with my GraceFaith blog girls.

And you can share in this miracle of nature. 

That is right on our doorstep.

DAY ONE OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY (Silent Sunday 14)

Yesterday we found a caterpillar crawling on the porch ceiling.

I didn't take a picture - we all had a good long look instead.

I never imagined the caterpillar would still be there in the morning.

Or that it would choose that spot to carry on with its life cycle.

But this is what we found today - and we are all very excited!

DAY 1 OF FRAMED - CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

23/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

COWS MILK ALLERGY EXPLAINED

So your baby is inconsolable and having trouble feeding. Maybe it’s colic? Or is there more to it? As a mother, sometimes it’s simply a matter of gut instinct…

COW'S MILK ALLERGY (CMA) - SOME COMMON QUESTIONS EXPLAINED 

A little more detail (10) Esme starts school & Fia's allergy issues plague us all

Thankfully, Esme began school at the end of the summer holidays. It was emotional. She was only just four... But on the whole, I didn't feel guilty about her missing out on time at home with me, due to Fia's constant shouts and demands. I figured she would probably enjoy the peace - I'm imagining her with her hands over her ears, begging me to stop the baby crying. Again.  

Sofia now one-year-old was walking. Running in fact. Cheeky. Naughty. Oh my. Everything went in her mouth. Everything. Even dishwasher Rinse Aid. (Miraculously, we didn't have to visit A+E that time, we took advice from the NHS Poison Line who assured us she would be fine). 

#Britmumslive ticket

Can't sell it, can't give it away.
I might as well accept it, it is clearly meant to be mine.
I might be mad, but I'm going to try and make it in for the keynote speeches on Saturday.
After all, they're saving the best til last right?!

'Kicking A Ball' by Allan Ahlberg - A book review

Considering the title, this book has hit the shelves at a rather opportune time - what with the World Cup just around the corner...

DETAILS:

TITLE: Kicking a ball

AUTHOR: Allan Ahlberg

ILLUSTRATED BY: Sebastien Braun

PUBLISHED BY:  Puffin

PUBLISHED: May 2014

AGE SUITABLE FOR: 2-5 years 

PRICE: £6.99

AVAILABLE FROM: Online and at all good book shops

When you first read Kicking a ball to your little one, you have no idea of the journey you are about to embark on. And I don't just mean the rhythm, language and drawings. But the journey from childhood to fatherhood. And with it, the bonds of love and friendship. 

I'm NO LONGER going to Britmums Live 2014 - would you like my place?

...As for me this year, it's not happening. Even though as a consequence of missing out last year, I got in early for a 2014 ticket. You see, shortly after paying for it, I received this...

Parenting is...

...Realising that your 2 and 3/4 YO is still a long way off potty training.

Doughnut musings of a 5YO

In the bakery aisle at the supermarket...

Mummy: Shall we have doughnuts this week Esme???!!!! 
Esme: Ooh yes! 
Mummy: Iced, jam, ring or apple?
Esme: Apple please. Are they peeled?

Best foot forward - Crocs Stretch Sole Flats - A review

How very considerate of Crocs to put a spring in my step this summer season with their newly designed Stretch Sole Flats. I've bounced my way across London Underground to wear them in the office, and I've sauntered through airport lounges to wear them on the beach. Truth is, one shoe really does fit all!

DETAILS

CROCS 
STYLE: Stretch Sole Flats

COLOURS: vibrant violet/orange, espresso/electric blue, khaki/stucco and black/light grey
SIZES: 3-8  

PRICE: £64.99
AVAILABLE FROM: www.crocs.co.uk and selected retailers

IDEAL FOR: Work or play

An Anniversary Poem

I love you.
Today as much as ever. 
And then some.

22/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

Inspired by a trip to Hampton Court Palace - Esme is currently studying the Tudors. 

21/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

20/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

Sofia surprised me on the plane last week, when she took my drawing of a face and added a body. This week she has taken it further, with one person sitting, and another skipping!

Travel musings of a 5YO & 2YO

En route to Stanstead airport:
E: Mummy, Miriam's been to Greece. She says it's awesome. So it must be.

Pulling into South Mimms Services:
S: Yey! Greece. We're here!

FRAMED Greece - a natural beauty

Journey Buddies by Cardooo - A review

Cardooo, the clever people that have put an 'ooo' into cards, have gone one step further with their latest creation Journey Buddies.

DETAILS

TITLE: Journey Buddies

PUBLISHED BY: Cardooo

PRICE: £3.50 (and free delivery in the UK)

AVAILABLE FROM: cardooo.com

SUITABLE FOR: children age 5-10

Want to keep your child occupied on a long journey? With something that captures their imagination? Stimulates creativity? And most importantly holds their attention? If so, then this pocket-size travel fun is a must...

FRAMED - a great way of keeping kids occupied on a journey

To find out what's caught Esme's imagination here, see my next post - 

- A review of 'Journey Buddies' by Cardooo.

Parenting is...

…settling back in with angels turned brats, after a most indulgent week away in Greece

19/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

The girlies get busy in the Eagles Palace 'Kid's Club' 

this week, massive thanks to you Ilia!

18/52 The GraceFaith year long art project

Choosing a favourite piece of art, each week of the year

LITTLE LONDON - a book review

DETAILS

TITLE: LITTLE LONDON Child-friendly days out and fun things to do

AUTHORS: Sunshine Jackson & Kate Hodges

PUBLISHED BY: Virgin Books

PRICE: £12.99

AVAILABLE FROM: All good book shops & online

IDEAL FOR: Families with children of all ages

Want to experience London like a Londoner? To be aware of the big smoke's little gritty details that you would otherwise miss? Such as knowing to spot peregrines on the rooftop at Tate Modern? Or that you can build sandcastles at Chalk Farm's Roundhouse beach? If so, then this book's for you...

Parenting is...

…accepting the snot stains

Syringes & sirens (2)

Peering through the kitchen window, the image of the boiling pan hit me. 

Shit. Crap. Holy smoke. So much smoke. 

Very black smoke.