Harmony Majorettes

 
So these are my other loves Harmony Majorettes i talk about them A LOT and i would say i'm sorry but really i'm not as i am so so proud of them all!! i made them this little video from their parade on Saturday it was so very hot on Saturday here and they all did so incredibly well considering!! please take a look and show my girlies that people are very impressed by their talent :) * thumbs up *

Wicksteed At War

So today we went to Wicksteed park where this weekend they had a incredible war thing on they had all sorts going on, tanks, reenactments, demonstrations, walk through camps and of course the park was open as usual. Wicksteed park is in Kettering Northamptonshire. You can also camp here too!

So we didn't go yesterday as the girls had a parade to do it was sweltering yesterday and the girls marched and performed the whole way for a good 40 mins. so so proud of them they looked amazing they did amazing they are amazing i will do another post raving about them again i'm sure as i cannot get enough of them all. You guys will probably be sick of me talking about them.

So back to today the weather was miserable it just kept on raining but it was a light rain to start with so we had a good walk around had nosey watched some tanks and army vehicles drive around. I did the real British mum thing and took a good ole picnic, just sandwiches crisps and a chocolate bar (ok so he made the sandwiches ) which was eaten as we arrived i might add. There is ample parking here and you do have to pay for it but it is done at the end of your day you get a ticket on your way in and you pay on the way out at one of the machines ( like a shopping centre basically ).

 She got to go in a tank with a man in uniform (no not the one in the photo i am aware hes a dummy) is it wrong to want to go in with your child so you can see the man in uniform too?

    

 You could also pay to have you photo taken next to this war plane dressed up as an old RAF pilot. this was £3 which wasn't too pricey in thought. (again is it frowned upon for mummy to have a go)

 We loved walking around all the camps and seeing what life would have been like for them. at one point there was a loud explosion ( probably just acting obviously ) it scared the hell out of Alexa and she was terrified for the whole way around then literally wouldn't let us leave her side. There was on tent done up like a hospital on the battle field it had body parts in dishes out side ( alexa freaked again and held my hand very tight ) in side it had two patients (dummies) all injured and then all the equipment that they had back then was all laid out so you could see. Alexa's quote "it's very dark and i think it's much better now though mummy" also on our way in after spotting the body parts " they aren't real are they?" nervously asking bless her.

 They got to hold a REAL (disarmed i may add) grenade! so cool Ellie just thought it was a toy i think :S scared! where as Alexa was a lot more interested i think she secretly want a go at a gun instead though.

 The park its self is so lovely and its such a shame it was raining. there are loads of rides here that are great fun but not in the rain as much plus we were really only going today for the war bit.

In the park there are loads of rides for all ages to go on there is also a big new animal walk bit they looked like they were still doing work on it today though. There was a big tree top walk that looked really cool but in the rain with a grumpy toddler in tow we didn't even bother. All the rides you need either tickets or wrist bands for. Single tickets were £.125 or you could get a sheet of 20 for £20. The wristbands were adults £15 childs £18. It has a lot to see have a good wander around and then decide which rides you want or can do and then decide which will be best for you tickets or wrist bands as so rides need a different amount of tickets. Personally if your child is like my oldest and wants to go on everything and can go on everything a wristband is the way forward. There is a huge play park that is awesome this is suitable for all ages and is FREE! lovely word that. I would like to add that even if you have tickets and wristbands things like Rush ( a really big zip wire thing that looks totally wicked! ) and the indoor play area are not included so you do have to pay for these.  If you go onto the wicksteed website there is a map of the park its self and at the bottom it has a list of everything to do and also tells you how many tickets each one is too which is brill and makes life simple for you. There is this an adorable little train (ideal for the whole family) that goes all the way around the bottom end of the park (also cute photo op too). There are rides that you can get wet on so bare this in mind.

The food now when ever we have been we have taken a picnic and then bought a portion of chips to share near the end as a treat, these are OK but they are just that they weren't too expensive but the drinks were so take drinks if you can. (this is great if you still have a child small enough for a pushchair load it up and off you go!) The park also has a BBQ area too so if you wanted take a little BBQ. 

I have to say im a geek for this but i am super stocked at the fact that you could always see a bin! I hate hate hate when you go somewhere and there's rubbish all over the place and you cannot see a bin in sight. The park was immaculate no rubbish or over flowing bins in sight massive thumbs up for me!!   

 So if your near by and its a lovely day take a trip over check out this beautiful park you wont be disappointed. 

Thanks for reading!  

Going Green

So i have always wanted to grow fruit and veg and rely on the land for means of food as that's what people have always done to survive, I also think we should teach our children how to grown things and where the food on their plates comes from. Now in the past we have grown some pretty impressive pumpkins so when we moved into our new house and the garden is so much bigger than our old one i have dedicated a spot in the corner to grow veg my own little patch of heaven.

So we planted seeds a few months back and knowing be hold they have taken and are growing extremely well! We planted potatoes, carrots, pumpkins and strawberries. Although Ellie over watered our strawberries but its ok though as there is now a slug living in that pot.

I got a lot of ideas and help from my bestie Pinterest!! but mostly a newbie at this.

so this is our potatoes now just so guys can see how far we are coming along i'm hoping to keep you updated but not every week as i know that's not very exciting as you can't see much happening.

 

Also if you have any gardening hints or tips please leave me a comment so i can read them as a newbie at this i'd love any secrets you may know. 

Pontins UKFM 2016

So April 15th we set off for our first UKFM nationals at Pontins Camber sands. First impressions were good considering it was pouring it down and had been for the whole 3 hour road trip down there but apart from that it didn't look bad at all.

It was bright and colourful the guys on the gate were friendly, polite and helpful. they had obviously been out there a while though as they were drenched. We found it hard to park as a troupe it was just a free for all but again once we were parked that was us done for the weekend.

The chalets now before going we had read some reviews online for this particular Pontins resort and to be honest they were pretty bad so I was expecting the worst I took anti bac wipes and hand gel plenty of loo roll (always have one on me for comps) I was well prepared for the worst but I was pleasantly surprised the chalets them selves were lovely they weren't perfect but for what we needed them and for pontins I feel they were good. they were clean they were spacious and there were no noticeable health and safety risks. The chalets accommodated up to 7 but there was only four of us in our chalet. There was plenty of bedding that was clean most chalets had what looked to be brand new bedding as it was in packaging. It had a little kitchen that was useable and a bathroom which again was clean and usable. We did however notice there was a list of things that pontins provide in the chalet and there was quite a bit missing, however it didn't bother us as we were prepared and had made sure we had everything. The only thing I could fault was the curtains were very dated and none of them matched at all and the ovens needed a deep deep clean as every time you opened one it set the fire alarms off. As to which was hilarious to the little girls as everyone on pizza night was setting them off. But the fire alarms did work and that's the main thing!

The main halls, arcade and restaurant were ok they were not anything spectacular or anything but they served their purpose they were big and mostly clean. I feel that they didn't seem to have any staff what so ever at one point the bins in the main hall were over flowing and there was rubbish all over the floor I think a few of us parents had bin bags with us so we took it upon our selves to tidy up as the girls didn't want to be wading though rubbish to get in and out of the hall. The toilets in there were erm well I think I have seen cleaner petrol station toilets again no body seemed to be monitoring them and there was never any toilet roll in the (pet hate its ok as had some in my bag). The arcade was a very good size and was always busy we personally didn't go in there but walked though it. There was a few machines in the back that were obviously out of order or broken but were just left. In the arcade was a small little shop which is handy but very expensive so avoid it if you can. The restaurant however it wasn't very big but the staff were polite, friendly and helpful it was clean and ample room to sit although it did seem a little dark in there. The food it self was good and very well priced not like everything else on campus which seemed overly priced. There was also a pizza take away and a fish and chip shop but we didn't see these open. Oh and a pub the queen Victoria.

Security was something I was impressed with really considering how many of us there was with the UKFM. There was some one at the bottom of the stairs at all times checking that everyone had UKFM wrist bands. (all comps were upstairs you had to be with the UKFM and have a wristband to get up there). There was a couple of lost children and personal belongings but all were found safe and returned which to me made me feel very safe.

Over all I found that pontins wasn't actually that bad to be fair. Whilst we were there competing there was people there actually on holiday I believe it is through the £9.50 holidays. The campus also isn't far from the beach either. So if you were doing the £9.50 holidays and this place popped up it really isn't that bad (especially for £9.50).
I hope that this doesn't put people off and that my honest open opinion helped!!

Oh and the troupe came home with 35 awards!! Two of these were very big ones we got one colour guard and miss deputy UKFM they also got 1st in their outdoor group which is amazing as every girl competed together for this one. The whole weekend was amazing it was a real emotional rollercoaster the UKFM suffered a huge loss in a very special lady which affected everyone. The whole UKFM came together and supported each other when her troupe performed the whole room stood still and when they won awards at the end the room lifted to their feet and just applauded them it was so lovely to see so many people pull together and show their love and support for one another you really wouldn't find that any where else.

This weekend showed me as a parent that I made the right decision to send A to majorettes because she has so much confidence and she works so hard to go out there and do her best. Watching her perform is just amazing she practiced long and hard for this and you could really tell. Although she didn't come home with a trophy of her own she didn't mind at all she didn't cry or whinge or complain (I noticed some of the girls where hysterical because they didn't win) A was just happy to be there and loved the atmosphere and being with everyone she made a friend in one of the other troupes too. Seeing her so happy for everyone else and not crying because she didn't win made me so proud as it means I have done a good job as a parent sometimes you don't always get that feeling or you don't always see that your doing a good job. Parent wins are the best ones!

 

Mum of HY20 x

supermarket etiquette.

So working in a supermarket both myself and RC have experienced all sorts like you wouldn't believe! I do honestly think that there should be a list of rules for supermarket shopping e.g you must wear clothes and shoes this means clothes that cover you and that are appropriate people shop with children funnily enough they have to eat too.

It amazes me that people do go out with out shoes on this is something incredible how did you not realise you have no shoes on?!

add ons. In some shops not necessarily supermarkets the cashier has to offer you add ons to your purchase they are not offering you a pen so you can sign your life away or offering you chocolate because they think your a chocoholic so will fall for it they are doing it because they have targets to meet as that is their job and in order to keep their job they have to do this. don't sign or make a awful comment "do I look like I need more chocolate then" or "I don't need it" politely reply with "no thank you"

feedback. now this is my favourite as this is your honest opinion of you experience in the store your in so this tells them how they are doing and for someone who is asking for that feedback that 5 mins it takes to answer the online questions is not a lot to ask for really. (you are probably on your phone just continually scolling for no reason in the evening any way) use this time to answer these simple questions for that person that served you today as they are probably waiting to hear they did good or someone recognised they were trying. plus some times you also get rewarded for doing this as some companies give you money off or vouchers.

manners. this is a big thing that people teach children and its probably one of the first things your child learns because your constantly saying "say please" "say thank you" but when it comes to adults we seems to think that we don't have to use our manners. no you are an adult there is probably a child either in the queue behind you or that can hear you if they see or hear you speaking to someone horribly they will copy. Also the person serving you is trying really hard not to use a curse word on you while you huff and puff at them or tell them you don't want that in that bag but in one you haven't even got out yet or be careful that's breakable. They are adults too they also know what they are doing and have probably been there since 5am so their patience is probably on the verge so don't push them too far.

Although the amount of times I have wanted to stand up on the counter or till and just rant back. Now that would be a good video to watch. 

Bags. now we all know that you have to pay for bags in all big supermarkets now and in most other stores. The person serving you does not control this do not then start ranting and raving about how it is robbing you just for a bag or how they cant do it as it is advertising. if you don't agree or simply don't want to pay 5p for a bag don't bring your own and stop complaining.

Queues.
please
wait
here.
we all hate queues and waiting but guess what its something we all have to do and deal with it doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing. queues are everywhere, on the phone, in the shops, in the doctors and even on the roads. You cannot control this it is like the weather it is out of everyone's  control. shouting or swearing or throwing you arms around because you have had to wait is not going to get you through that queue any quicker. If anything people will take one look at you and think what a moron and usually go slower. So yes quques are a big problem but again just grit your teeth, breathe and count to ten by the time you have done this you will probably be next or being served. it is also not the cashiers fault if you have come in for one thing because YOU forgot and now YOU are running late because you have been queuing in traffic for ages.

This is also a good time to take a look around notice things. how tidy is the store? are the staff friendly to every customer? is it a dark and dingy store or is it bright and airy? all things that may come up on the surveys you are given at the end.

Children. We were all children once. Yes they scream. Yes they run. Yes they can also be cute and lovely but 9/10 in a shop that they don't want to be in they are not. Having two of children my self I know that shopping with them is like climbing Everest it is that much of a task. they have probably been playing or something before hand and now they have been dragged shopping which lets be honest no body likes shopping really. This is really boring for them they aren't allowed to touch anything they certainly cant pick stuff off the shelves and just eat it either. They cant climb this big stand that's staring right in front of them. They cant take the most amazing toy with flashy lights and loud annoying sounds because its not theirs. so please if you see a child in a store that's kicking off and having a melt down or is crying because it wants to pull everything off of a shelf don't stop and stare at the parents or huff and puff or whilst your walking away make a rude comment about how they need to be disciplined or "I blame the parents" Those parents can see and hear you. This will hurt and upset them. That is their child having a moment and you have just made them feel very little when there is no need.

so next time you are in a store think about the people that work there. They are there because it is a job and they actually want to work. They work very hard to make sure that the customer (yes that's you) is satisfied. Smile at them say hello answer them when they speak to you. Ask them how they are how their day is. Do not start having a go at them or moaning at them. Look at them smile and say "its busy but your doing well" give them feedback as you never know it might make someone's day to know that somebody actually realised they were there and recognised that they were doing a good job.

Thank you.

16 year old me.

So I'm sat watching teen mom og and my head says what the. I mean I love the show and I love the girls/ladies on the programme. but if I know that teenagers are watching this programme this isn't real life!
For starts these girls look amazing because they have the money to look amazing their houses are beautiful, its a different country too I envy their houses as I just love them but they get paid for this so obviously everything is amazing and pretty.
Don't think for one second that they haven't been up all night with a baby that's screaming the house down just because they like the sound of their own voice and there is nothing that you or any lullaby toy or dummy can do to stop that tiny human being from screaming like a dying cat at 2am. Or that they haven't had like 3 outfit changes because they have been sicked on or peed on, yes their hair looks great in a messy bun and like its supposed to look like that no they have sick and probably some breakfast stuck in there from two days ago as they haven't got time to wash their hair as often as they used to. Yes they get me time but as soon as you do all you want to do is sleep or drink a hot cup of tea, no you will never have a hot cup of tea in peace again that little human you birthed out of your lady garden can hear that kettle click and they will suddenly be hungry or have had a poo explosion that smeared all up their back and you have it all in your finger nails. Oh and also it will smell worse than anything that you have ever smelt before in your life and you have to hold that sick in the back of your throat until they aren't looking as they see this as a weakness!
Don't get me wrong I love my girls to pieces and yes I met her way earlier than what I would ever have imagined but life is one hell of an insane ride! but if I could rewind time and talk to my 16 year old self again I would shake her senseless!
You are 16!! the boy that actually cares about you more than you will ever understand is just sitting in the background listening to all of your fears and problems and is your shoulder to lean on even when you text him in the middle of the night. That boy that is flirting with you or saying things to make you feel like a princess right in this moment is he real does he know every little deep stupid thing about you e.g your favourite colour, favourite film. Will this boy be there in the pouring rain to walk you home to make sure that you get home safe, does he have a short temper, does he have good people skills and manners. I know that at 16 you aren't thinking all of these things your just thinking "wow" this boy really likes me listen to all this stuff he's saying to and about me he really means it. No he doesn't this boy is exactly that a boy no manners no life skills no people skills he doesn't know your favourite Disney film that's not the sort of negativity you need in your life at 16 I mean girls life at 16 is hard enough. GCSE's, Prom, Clothes, Hollyoaks, the rest of your life. I remember being asked once by a teacher " what is it you are wanting to do when you leave school" my head screamed! I haven't got the foggiest what I'm going to wear to ice skating tonight (that was the thing to do) let alone in a few years what I'm going to do after I finish school I honestly thought I was at school for the rest of my life. Don't do what I did you can literally do anything right now I'm not saying don't have fun with your friends because you need to so you have the memories to look back on when your old. All I'm saying is don't throw your life in completely the opposite direction just because one boy made you feel special in that moment because that's all it is.
One moment.
Can change your whole life although at that moment you have no idea what you want to do with your life don't let this moment take all of those other options in a different direction. Don't put your self in that situation  boys are crazy and can make you feel so incredible but he isn't your dad or your granddad or even your best friend you might think he is because your "in love" but its just hormones and these horrible little beggars will screw you over more than boys. You think that your body is messed up now, you have no idea what will happen if you have a baby. Stretch marks are the least of your worries I can remember hearing some girls talking about hair in places and thinking to myself what the actual hell is that for real and now I think where isn't there hair. I mean we worry about getting changed in the changing rooms in front of other girls all the same age all going through the same things but yet this is so daunting and scary you try and hide away in the corner but yet you reach the point where you go in to a changing room and you don't give a damn what's on show as so many people have already seen it all that a couple more wont harm it wont change the way that you look or make those wobbly stretch marks disappear, nor will they make them bigger or more wibbly wobbly.
I would love to go back to my old school and talk to a class and brutally and honestly answer their questions tell them the truth about the ins and outs of babies and not just this is how you do it scientifically and watch a god awful old science video.
Being a 16 year old girl is hard massively hard but being a 16 year old with a baby is ten times harder and your life will never be the same.

16

23

Stressed to the limit

stressed to the absolute max! Is any one else at that point?! I'm pretty sure that the summer holidays are there to test you patience and ability as a parent.

So I haven't posted recently as so much has been going on; school holidays (stressful on their own), new job, families being well families and just general day to day stuff that is just nothing but when you are under so much pressure it seems like the most annoying thing in the world!

My girls can throw a wobbly about literally anything quite literally! For example brushing alexas hair in the morning sounds like a horror film! And that's every morning!

Any solutions on dealing with this sort of thing are greatly appreciated and if you can raise your hand and tell me I'm not the only one going completely insane this holidays then please do!