• Camping at Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Isle of Wight
    Family Life - Isle of Wight

    Camping at Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Isle of Wight

    August 23, 2019 - By 

    Last weekend we finally got our tent and camping stuff up together and went camping at Parkdean Resorts, Nodes Point, Isle of Wight. We had booked a short weekend break with my sister and her family, and were looking forward to camping again. Camping at Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Isle of Wight We took the Red Funnel ferry over to the Isle of Wight from Southampton. For us, this is when our journey really begins! It was a quick crossing over to West Cowes and we kept the children busy with a selection of Rubik’s toys. From West Cowes it…

  • holiday

    Dreaming of a summer holiday

    March 22, 2013 - By 

    March has been a pretty hard month for us as we’ve all been ill and I’m fed up of playing nurse! I don’t care that it’s snowing again as I’ve been thinking about fun Easter breaks with the family so we have something to look forward to. There’s so much choice and lots of places we want to visit. Whilst the children are young we’ll be staying in the UK. I know lots of people take their children abroad but I don’t think you can beat UK breaks at Butlins. When I was growing up we always had a couple…

  • baby products - holidays

    A weekend away

    March 4, 2013 - By 

    We treated ourselves to a weekend away visiting my sister on the Isle of Wight. We didn’t need beach towels but the cold weather didn’t stop us enjoying the trip and the children had an amazing time with their cousins. There was a boat trip, long pub lunches, face painting for the toddler, and some rare child-free hours for me to go charity shopping which was really lovely and much appreciated. Staying in a hotel is never easy with two young children. Our routine goes out of the window and mealtimes and bedtimes slip. The children did go to bed…

  • clothing - Orla Kiely

    Preparations for a big day

    July 11, 2012 - By 

    We’re getting both the children christened at the end of the month. We’ve arranged the service, the god-parents, the gifts, a hotel for us all, and a great big family meal to finish it all off. All that’s left are the clothes. The toddler has a lovely pair of smart trousers and a shirt. His sister has a pretty cream dress, her first pair of shoes, and a cardigan. My husband always looks smart in trousers and a shirt. Which just leaves me. I’ve seen some really pretty summer dresses but it just doesn’t feel right to wear a dress…

  • Gingerbread house finds - holidays - Isle of Wight - vintage

    Ventnor charity shops

    July 2, 2012 - By 

    I’ve mentioned before how fantastic the Isle of Wight is for charity shops. We’re fortunate we have family that live there so I have lots of opportunities to shop. Saturday was the Round the Island Yacht Race  so we had an amazing view of the yachts heading round the Island. Ventnor is a great place to spend a couple of hours. It’s full of quirky vintage and charity shops, as well as the beautiful Art Deco Winter Gardens which holds the occasional sale where we picked up this gorgeous vintage wooden chair a couple of years ago. There’s also plenty for…

  • days out - exploring - holidays

    Fun for all the family with Easter Egg Trails

    March 20, 2012 - By 

    Looking for something fun for all the family this Easter? Cadbury and National Trust are once again teaming up to bring the magic back to the Easter weekend (6th – 9th April) by offering enchanting Easter Egg Trails across 245 spectacular National Trust places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trails Set in the grounds of some of the UK’s most beautiful and prestigious locations, Easter Egg Trails are a Cadbury twist on the classic Easter egg hunt. Follow the clues, answer the questions and complete the challenges to find your way to a special Cadbury prize.…

  • Christmas - pushchairs - Quinny Caster - Quinny Zapp Xtra - reviews - sleeping

    Sleeping beauty – Quinny Zapp Xtra style

    January 17, 2011 - By 

    The latest QuinnyCasters challenge is to photograph our little ones in their Zapp Xtras in an interesting or unique environment. Sadly I’m a Zone 3 suburban mum and the most exciting place we usually go is Brent Cross. However when I was looking through my recent photographs I found this: My son snoozing in his Quinny Zapp Xtra at our favourite coffee shop on the Isle of Wight where we spent Christmas. We’ve used the footmuff every day since we bought it as it’s so useful and keeps him snug. He’s wearing his little monster outfit and sucking on his…

  • baby - daddy

    Separation anxiety

    November 26, 2010 - By 

    Right now I feel torn in two. Edward and I spend every day together but my husband has been in hospital since Tuesday evening for his planned stoma reversal surgery. We’ve been staying with my mum so she can look after Edward and I can visit my husband. It’s so hard leaving Edward in the morning, especially when my mum tells he spends the day looking for me! The NCT website has some really helpful advice on responding to separation anxiety. I know that at 8 months Edward can tell when I’m not around but has no concept of time…