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Our Liverpool Experience and Little Livers/Mighty Red Giveaway

by admin on December 4, 2013, 6 comments

It’s been a while since I posted the first part of our Liverpool Football Club experience but needless to say it’s all still fresh in our minds. I won’t follow up with a full-on match report, but suffice to say seeing Luis Suarez score his first home hat-trick was an unbelievable experience! The atmosphere during the match was like nothing I’ve ever encountered before – you can genuinely feel the excitement crackle in the air like a firework and watching the stadium erupt into cheering and song when someone scores is one of the most exhilarating moments of my life.

If you’re a Liverpool fan, or even just a football fan in general, you’ll know that the song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is really important to the club. It’s originally from the film ‘Carousel’, written in 1945 by Rodgers and Hammerstein, but was recorded by Liverpool legends Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963 and was adopted as a club song by the fans. I’ve heard it sung by the Kop end of the stadium on TV and in audio recordings hundreds of times, but standing in front of the Kop, singing along with 12,400 die-hard Liverpool fans and watching my daughter sing along was something I’ll never, ever forget.

We all left after that game feeling utterly elated. I’m so pleased that we got to have this experience as a family and I’ll be making more effort in the future to get us all there again (providing we can get our hands on tickets!). Now that Sausage has been to Anfield, it’s only right that her sister gets to go too!

Now, the good news is that I have 4 kids Liverpool FC membership packages available for you to win! Here’s the blurb:

Liverpool FC also offer special memberships for little ones, with Little Livers (0-3 years) or Mighty Reds (4–11 years) packages available. Tailored to suit each age range, both welcome packs are worth over £25 and come with great benefits such as an LFC birthday card, priority access to Barclays Premier League home games and the chance to become an LFC Mascot. The ideal birthday or Christmas gift for little ones.

All you have to do to win is leave me a comment below telling me who your little one’s favourite Liverpool player is and why.

(winner will be chosen at random, giveaway closes at midnight on 11th December, no cash alternative will be offered. Prizes to be provided by LFC, Mum’s the Word accepts no liability for the provision of prizes)

Christmas Craft – Woollen Baubles

by admin on December 3, 2013, 16 comments

Every year, Sausage and I make a new set of decorations for the tree, just about a dozen or so to add to the current collection and each year I try to do something different with her. Last year we made some plaster of Paris models which she painted and the year before was salt dough, but this year I wanted something completely different. My good friend Jamillah posted one of her Pinterest finds on Facebook and I thought we’d try to recreate the effect for our tree, and I’m really chuffed with the results so I thought I’d share them with you!

What you’ll need:

Wool – we bought some small offcuts from Ebay, which were about £3 for a bag.
PVA glue
Saucer or tray for glue
Small balloons or water balloons

Method:

Place a splodge of glue onto your saucer or tray
Take a balloon (we used water balloons as they’re the perfect size) and blow it up to the rough size of a bauble.
Tie a small piece of wool around the knot of the balloon for hanging to dry
Snip off a piece of wool about 12 inches long
Drag the wool through the PVA glue
Wrap the sticky wool around the balloon
Repeat the process again with another piece of wool
Hang the baubles to dry (we snipped slots into a long piece of cardboard and slid the balloons into it, before hanging them off of the edge of a desk)
Once the baubles are completely dry (we gave ours about three hours), snip the knot carefully off of the balloon with a pair of scissors. The balloon should deflate but the wool bauble should spring back to shape once the balloon is removed
Tie a piece of coordinating wool at the top of the bauble in a loop, for hanging on the tree

And there you have it! Super easy, rather messy but the results are really worth it in the end. I think these baubles look really unique and effective and I’m really pleased with how they look on the tree. We used wool with a glittery strand running through it (although I can’t take a picture which does the glittery strand justice!) but you could also roll them in glitter before they dry, or even use a little bit of snow spray on the bottoms once they’re dry.

My Post-Baby Body

by admin on December 3, 2013, 0 comments

Written in collaboration with LA Fitness

I never thought I’d say this but pregnancy has actually helped me to lose weight. Being diabetic and pregnant means that I have to keep a close eye on what I eat and although I’m not making a conscious effort to ‘diet’, my sensible eating has meant that rather than gaining baby weight, I’ve actually managed to lose some. It’s made me realise that once the baby is here, eating sensibly won’t be that hard, so I’m determined to make the most of my new found eating habits and regain something akin to a decent figure once the baby is born.

Every year, I make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and I never really mean it, always choosing to remain sedentary and hooked on junk food, but this time I’ve had a real kick-start and although I can’t do much exercise at the moment because of the pelvic girdle pain, I’m raring to go once the baby arrives in the new year.

I’m lucky enough to have a few gyms close to my house, and I’ll be kicking off my mission with an LA Fitness Gym Trial. The excellent thing about LA Fitness is that I can use the membership at several different centres around the country, so even though we’re planning more travel as a family next year, I’ll still be able to visit a gym if there’s one nearby.

As well as all of the usual gym facilities (plus a sauna and steam room – YES PLEASE!) our local branch has a pool and my poor, SPD addled pelvis will really benefit from the sort of high-burn, low-impact exercise that swimming provides.

I’ve also realised that the older I get, the more realistic I am about my body – I spent most of my twenties coveting the body that I had when I was 21 but now that I’m approaching thirty, I realise that I’m probably not going to have that body again; I’ll have had two children by then and years of overeating behind me, so I’ve adjusted my expectations and I’m finally content with the idea of a slimmer, post-two-kids version of me!

Obviously, with another baby coming along after Christmas, funds will be tighter than they were before but I reckon that by eating less takeaways and using the car less, I can easily justify the cost of a gym membership in our budget, and I reckon more people could afford it that they realise, if they were to just make a few changes.

Lots of people gain weight over Christmas, but I have the added advantage of simply not being able to indulge in all of the usual sweet treats that I’d be indulging in every year, as it’s not just me who’d be at risk, but the baby too, so I’m hoping to come out of the other side of the festive period with no excess weight and a new found love of healthy eating…wish me luck!

Best Libraries in the UK

by admin on November 30, 2013, 0 comments

There are few pleasures as great as losing yourself in a good book, especially during the winter months. The ebook revolution has meant it’s easier than ever to enjoy books on the go, but spare a thought for Britain’s historic libraries. With many of our country’s finest reading rooms under threat, it’s time to appreciate anew those beautiful buildings where you can while away the afternoon curled up with a good (borrowed) book.

Central Library, Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Central Library is an oasis of calm in the middle of a bustling city. It’s slightly more relaxed than the huge National Library across the road, and has an excellent selection of books, from new releases and graphic novels to a section dedicated to the history of Scotland’s capital city. There are plenty of nooks and crannies, perfect for grabbing a bit of peace, and the gothic architecture will leave you feeling like you’re starring in a 1940’s film. Cycle there in one of these gorgeous day dresses with a satchel on your shoulder for a truly picture-perfect afternoon!

The British Library, London

London has more than its fair share of excellent libraries, but true book enthusiasts can’t look past the majestic British Library. Boasting over 150 million items, with 3 million new pieces added each year, you’re sure to find a book to inspire you. The library also has exhibition galleries, which show off legendary collectors’ items like the Lindisfarne Gospels, original Beatles manuscripts, and the world’s oldest printed book, the Diamond Sutra. This season’s major exhibition is entitled Georgians Revealed and looks to be as fascinating as we’ve come to expect – don’t miss it!

The Library of Birmingham, Birmingham

The new library on the block opened in September 2013. While a visit to Birmingham usually involves several hours in the Bullring enjoying retail therapy and large quantities of fast food, it’s well worth making a detour to visit this unique building. The architecture is certainly striking, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. The interior space is modern, bright and vibrant, with a café and plenty of places to sit and read. Their selection includes one of the best collections of works by Shakespeare, and an exhibition of children’s books and games dating back to the 16^th century.

Post provided by guest author, Kira.

I Love My Tassimo! #loveyourappliance

by admin on November 30, 2013, 1 comment

My Tassimo machine was one of those gifts that I didn’t even realise I wanted until I got it, but now, I don’t think I could live without it. Husband bought it for me for Christmas 2008, and he was nervous about his choice – being a thoroughly enlightened chap, he was worried that buying a kitchen gadget made him seem like a chauvinist, but he couldn’t have been more wrong. That machine has given me more hours of pleasure than any other. I love the fact that all I need to do it stick a cup on the front, pop in a pod and press a button, and I have coffee-shop quality drinks for a fraction of the price.

The whole family benefits now too, we often treat Sausage to some of the delicious brands of hot chocolate that Tassimo have to offer and Husband will occasionally indulge in a decaf from time to time – I don’t mind sharing my machine though! I’ve had to revive her a few times – last year, she decided to refuse to squirt the full amount of hot water out that was needed to make a drink, but after removing a few parts, cleaning them and putting her back together again, she works like new. I’ve had her for 5 years now and I’m hoping we’ll get to celebrate many more Christmases together yet.

So enamoured am I with my Tassimo machine that whilst thinking about writing this post poetry spewed forth from my fingers and heart, and I thought I’d share my poetic musings with you:

An Ode to My Tassimo

Oh Tassimo machine,
You’re always there for me
When I’m in desperate need
Or just plain greed,
Be it coffee, hot chocolate or tea.

You sit there on my counter
Looking shiny and eager and ready
At the flick of a switch
You become my bitch
Flowing forth your hotness, so steady.

I’ve been neglecting you recently,
Pregnancy and caffeine don’t mix
But as soon as I pop
I’ll be revving you up
Asking you to perform your hot, sweet tricks.

Tassimo, don’t ever leave me,
I’ll clean you more often, I swear.
Keep making your coffee,
So gorgeous and frothy
Together, we’re an unstoppable pair.

This appliance gets my seal of approval!

Sit Down, Love. Have a Cup of Tea…

by admin on November 27, 2013, 5 comments

I’m a live and let live kind of person, you know? I don’t hate anyone because of what they are or what they do, if it’s legal/consensual/doesn’t hurt anybody else. But there have been a string of articles in the papers recently which are seriously making me resent the women they’re written about. Meet Crystal Green and Lea-Ann Ellison:

Crystal is a martial arts champion who has continued her training right the way through her pregnancy and Lea-Ann has stirred up a whole shit-storm of controversy after posting pictures of herself doing weight-lifting whilst heavily up the duff.

Now, I’m from the Charlotte York school of pregnancy – her doctor tells her that running is fine for her to do because it’s something that she’s always done, so I’m sure that both of these women are fine to continue the levels of activity that they were doing before they fell pregnant (although, the weight-lifting one scares me a bit, I’m sure you’re supposed to be careful lifting heavy things whilst pregnant…?). But, as the title of this post suggests, I do feel like taking both of them to one side and saying “Come on, pet, why don’t you sit in a comfy chair and watch some telly?”.

Having a healthy pregnancy is vital and while part of me admires these women for their get-up-and-go during their gestation, I also can’t help but feel that they should be taking it easy, even if it’s just a little bit. I’m sure they’d look at my sedentary ass and hyperventilate at the thought of sitting on their butts for 9 months, but surely there’s some sort of middle ground.

There’s no way I could do either kick-boxing or weight lifting at the moment. Do you know why?

BECAUSE I’D WEE MYSELF.

That’s right, people. The combination of having had one c-section and being pregnant again means that the only safe place for me to sneeze or blow my nose at the moment is sitting on the loo, for fear of letting an involuntary stream of urine escape when my stomach muscles are engaged in such a way, so squatting down and attempting to heft a barbell around would undoubtedly end in some sort of dirty protest from my pelvic floor.

And, aside from the wee, do you know what happens when I so much as dare to separate my knees at the moment? A loud *CRACK* emanates from my pubic bone and I tend to spend a minute, holding the front of my fanny, trying to recover from the pain.

It’s not so much that I think these women are making me look bad, it’s more of a culmination of the “womens sanitary product advert effect” (catchy name, huh?). Anyone aware of TV in the 80′s and 90′s will know that women were besieged by images of other women, who through the use of subtext and blue water in a test-tube were hinted at being on the blob, yet they rollerskated with herds of Dalmatians, went running, partook of a spot of yachting and engaged in a whole load of other activities to demonstrate how UN-BOTHERED they were by their periods.

Which is great. If that’s what you want to do, then go for it. However, most women I know choose to wear jogging bottoms with a hot-water bottle in the waistband, eat chocolate and carb-based snacks and watch shit TV. WHICH IS ALSO FINE.

All I’m saying is, whilst being active is great, pregnancy is also a time to be gentle with yourself, be happy with the changes in your body and, if the mood takes you, have naps in the afternoon. Women are awesome and we can do awesome things, but sometimes, admitting that you need a rest is just as awesome as swinging a kettle-bell around. Don’t let the standards of others make you feel bad about your own choices.

There endeth the sermon…but mostly because it’s nap time.

Moshi Monsters Trunki Review and Giveaway

by admin on November 25, 2013, 135 comments

Recently, we took Sausage on her first weekend away and suffice to say, she absolutely loved it. We stayed in a hotel for one night before going to watch a football match, and she was probably the most excited I’ve ever seen her about sleeping in a room that wasn’t her own, which had a TV on the wall and a bathroom attached to it.

What she loved most of all was being able to pack a bag of things that she’d need to take with her for the weekend; Sausage is MAD about bags and cases – there’s a running joke in our house that if something goes missing, the first place you should look is inside Sausage’s handbag collection. Ever since she was little, one of her favourite things to do was pack her toys inside a bag and pretend to be going on a trip, so when the people at Trunki got in touch, I knew we’d be on to a real winner with Sausage. Here’s the case we chose:

Moshi Monsters are definitely the ‘in’ thing at the moment, Sausage has a huge collection of Moshi merchandise and toys, so we knew that the Poppet Trunki would appeal to her. Here’s the blurb:

Poppet is every bit as cute as her name suggests. With twinkling eyes and bright blue boots (wheels!) she’s the ultimate travelling companion for little monsters! Trunki was created to beat the boredom so often suffered by travelling tots. Designed to be used as hand luggage, kids can pack Trunki with all their favourite belongings whilst parents keep them in tow. It’s made from the same lightweight, durable plastic as adult cases, and has a generous 18 litre capacity for toys, games and spare clothes. Trunki comes with its own passport, which you can register online and fill with fun, travel friendly activities for the journey.

This would make a gorgeous gift for Christmas for any Moshi-mad kid, and even if they aren’t as Moshi crazy as Sausage, there’s a whole range of cases for kids to choose from.

Now, here’s the good news – we’re giving you the chance to win your very own Moshi Trunki! You can choose from the gorgeous Poppet case above or the equally awesome Katsuma Trunki.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply complete the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com

Bringing the Outdoors In: Indoor Picnic Ideas

by admin on November 25, 2013, 0 comments

Post provided by Fisher Price

Spending hours outdoors is an activity that most children will love to do; heading to the park, riding their bikes, playing in the garden – whatever it is, they love being outside. When the summer approaches, the opportunity for fabulous picnics on the green become an instant possibility, giving you and your family a perfect chance to enjoy eachother’s company. But what do we do in the meantime?

With the weather like it is during the winter and early spring in the UK, the possibility of spending plenty of time outdoors dwindles and the chance for a picnic disappears completely because of the risk of rain or a strong gust of wind blowing your sandwiches away. Instead, why not bring the picnic idea to the living room?

Creating a picnic in the comfort of your own home is great fun, not just for the children but for you as well. Why shouldn’t you fetch the hamper from the attic and pack it with loads of yummy goodies? Just because you’re not going anywhere doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the experience. Kids enjoy their own little tea parties and picnics all the time; laying out place settings for their teddies and using their say please tea set to pour pretend cups of tea for their favourite doll. Why not turn it into a full on indoor picnic? Here are some ideas that you can incorporate.

Lay a picnic blanket on the living room floor and pile high with various plates and bowls ready for the food
Alternatively, make a den! Having a picnic inside a homemade den adds to the experience.
Use the picnic hamper for an authentic picnic experience. Cover the floor with scatter cushions and cosy throws so that you can really relax and have fun.
Make some traditional picnic sandwiches and stock the hamper with savoury and sweet treats.
Ask your children to help to prepare for the picnic so that they can feel involved
Let their imaginations run wild! Encourage them to dress up and let their creativity flow.
If they do decide to dress up, theme the picnic food to coincide.
Introduce a couple of games to play as part of the afternoon. Perhaps an indoor treasure hunt that you have been able to plan in advance, or some board games that can be enjoyed by all.
Invite some of their friends for a tea party to remember.

Picnics don’t just have to be outdoors – make a rainy day special using what you have at home, instead.

Win a Christmas Meat Hamper with Mum’s the Word and Bespoke Offers!

by admin on November 24, 2013, 272 comments

Everyone needs a little helping hand in the run-up to Christmas, so here at Mum’s the Word, we’ve got together with the lovely folk at Bespoke Offers to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Donald Russell Ultimate Christmas Box (worth £69) plus 4 smoked salmon packs as a bonus. Here’s what the box contains: • 1 Loué Bronze Turkey, free-range and kitchen-ready (minimum weight 5kg/feeds 6-8 people) • 1 pack of smoked dry cured streaky bacon (minimum weight 200g) • 1 pack of pork sausage meat (minimum weight 450g) • 8 pigs in blankets (minimum weight 315g) • 1 Mosimann’s Christmas pudding (minimum weight 730g) • 4 packs of smoked salmon (pack weight 140g) Christmas Box If you haven’t heard of Bespoke Offers before, it’s the new service from Barclaycard which gives you hundreds of great offers on one site, and you don’t even need to be a Barclaycard customer, you just have to be over 18 and a UK resident to use it. There are some brilliant things on offer at the moment, from jewellery to homewares to electrical gifts, experience days and much more. I rather fancy the spa day for two, myself! To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the Rafflecopter widget below (give away ends 8th December 2013):a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com

Pregnancy Hormones: Diary of an Unhinged Fatty

by admin on November 23, 2013, 13 comments

I’m almost 25 weeks gone now and the last few days have brought a new development in my pregnancy.

I’ve turned into an emotional wreck.

Okay, so anyone who knows me well enough will know that I’m not exactly the most…stable person at the best of times, but this is like some whole new level of emotional turbulence. Let me give you an example: yesterday, Husband and I were standing at the queue in Waitrose and there was a man, probably in his late seventies or early eighties, in front of us waiting to be served. The contents of his basket were a single serve apple crumble and a Radio Times. Upon seeing the loneliest collection of items ever, I proceeded to burst into tears in the middle of the supermarket. The thought of this poor old man, sitting alone with only the TV for company, eating his apple crumble made my heart hurt. I felt terrible for crying, though I’m pretty sure he didn’t see my woeful sobbing, but I just couldn’t help it.

It’s not just sadness that gets me, either. I’ve written before about how people’s lack of manners gets to me, especially when driving, but that seems to have escalated now too. I gave way to three people in a row the other day, two of whom failed to thank me, and I felt so cross about their ignorance that I could feel my pulse in my fingers. I sat in my car thinking (amongst plenty of words beginning with ‘f’ and ‘c’ that I won’t write here…) that I genuinely hoped every single one of those people tripped on their seatbelt on the way out of their cars and knocked their front teeth out. I was SEETHING.

As I said, I’m not exactly a measured person at the best of times – I’m a bit of a match-head (can I blame my ginger genes for that? They do say redheads are more fiery and my Dad is as red and fiery as they come!) and do tend to react before I properly absorb a situation, but it’s like that side of my personality had been amplified by a thousand times. I keep thinking of that quote from Fight Club…”I am Jack’s raging bile duct”

I’m fairly sure it’s the pregnancy hormones doing it to me, and they aren’t going away any time soon – I’ve got 13 weeks left of being a human incubator, so I’m guessing there’s going to be plenty more tears and rage between now and the end of February.

If anyone has any tips with how I can ride this roller-coaster without losing my mind completely, I’d be really grateful for the advice. And do me a favour, don’t suggest “The Little Book of Calm”; my love of Black Books has rendered me terrified of tiny tomes.

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Our Liverpool Experience and Little Livers/Mighty Red Giveaway