It's all going on...

Firstly, I've been nominated for an award. 

I'm shortlisted in the 'Outstanding in their field' category in the British Mummy Bloggers Brilliance in Bogging 2010 awards.

Thank you to you if you nominated me, I'm absolutely delighted!

Congratulations to all nominees and finalists.

You can find more information and the all important voting form on the BMB Blog.

***

More good news, I'm Playpennies Blogger of the Week.

I have a love-hate relationship with Playpennies. I love finding out about all the bargains to be had, but I hate that I can't resist a bargain!


***

I've written a few reviews recently, including:

• Numberjacks: Mission to Learn
• In the Nigth Garden PJ Iggle Piggle, Animal Planet Wild Eyes Dinosuar, Tomy Aquadoodle Animal Magic Sounds, Fisher Price TRIO airplane, Pop Goes Froggio Game, Revensburger Jolly Octopus Game and the Crayola Colour Wonder magic Light Brush for the Toys R Us Toyologists programme
• CBeebies Song Time CD
• Dairy Cookbook, Good Food, Fast
• HEXBUG Nano
• Snowflake CD
• Red or Dead Tights at Tightsplease
• Tonka Chuck's Garage Deluxe Stunt Playset
• Whitworths and a recipe for the easiest fruitcake in the world

***

Robinsons Panto Karaoke is now live. All you need is a webcam and a sense of humour and you can make your own video. This fun challenge is aiming to raise funds for Barnados.


***

One of my favourite bloggers has a new project. Emily at Babyrambles has set up a new website offering real down-to-earth advice. It's called Real Parenting.


***

Do you like books and chocolate? I said yes to that question and was sent a book and some Galaxy chocolate. You can win books over at the Galaxy Facebook page.


***

Finally!

Check out the Matthew Walker Facebook page for your chance to win a gorgeous Christmas Pudding in their perfect Christmas campaign. I'm looking forward to trying mine.



.

It's all going on...

Mummy Bloggers on Woman's Hour

BBC Radio Four's Woman's Hour programme has been celebrating, informing and entertaining women for fifty years.

This morning they had a feature on mummy blogging. Jen Howze and Nixdminx were in the studio. Potty Mummy, Amy from And 1 More Means 4 and I recorded extracts from recent posts and these were also transmitted.

If you would like to listen to today's Woman's Hour please click here. We're on first.

Edited to add the following audio clip of the Woman's Hour Mummy Blogging feature.


Huge thanks to Nick at My Daddy Cooks for creating and hosting this clip for me.






I was delighted to be asked to read. After I had recorded my piece I felt uneasy. Would they broadcast the bit where I say 'arse'? No, in fact the whole piece was heavily edited!

The original post was My Old Man and you can also watch the video of me reading it at Cybermummy.

I thought us Mummy Bloggers were well represented and I loved Nixdminx's phrase 'Don't be a BUM (Blogging Unpaid Mum)'!

Again, huge thanks to all of you who have sent me kind messages about 'My Old Man'. I am still processing the fact that I made two hundred people cry at Cybermummy. It is quite overwhelming. The last ten days have  been unusual. On the one hand I have had a massive confidence boost and made loads of friends, old and new. On the other I have quietly marked the anniversary of my brother's death and today is one year since my old cat popped his pussy clogs.

As Ronan Keating once sang 'Life is a rollercoaster you've just got to ride it'.



.

Mummy Bloggers on Woman's Hour

CyberMummy 2010

I apologise in advance to any readers who didn't attend the CyberMummy 2010 blogging conference. I'm sorry you weren't there, especially if you wanted to be, to experience a phenomenal day.

There are not enough superlatives to describe my experience. The content sessions were very good, the goody bags plentiful and the organisation excellent, but it was the bloggers that made it such a unique and powerful event.

When I walked into the reception of the Ibis Hotel in Earls Court, several of my favourite bloggers all ran over to greet me. I burst into tears. The rest of the day was a bit like that. Recognition was followed by grins, scream and hugs. 

I'm finding it difficult to describe just how amazing it is to meet people for the first time when you already know them so well. I felt like I had been friends with all of them for years. Conversation came easy, there was no need to make small talk. Everywhere I turned I saw my friends. Even bloggers I didn't know that well were friends by the end of the day.

I'm deliberately not mentioning any names, mainly because I haven't got time to add any links before the boys wake up from their naps, but I do want to thank Sian (Mummy Tips), Jen (Alpha Mummy) and Susanna (A Modern Mother) for bringing us all together.

I could have spent a week with everyone and still felt like we hadn't talked enough or hugged enough.

The most moving part of the day was the final content session, the crowd-sourced keynote speeches. These were blog posts read by the bloggers themselves. I was over the moon to be asked to read. Here I am:

It is one thing to write a post about having wind on your wedding day and the death of your father, but it is another thing entirely to read this to a room full of friends. I struggled to compose myself at the end.

The following morning I woke up crying. I couldn't stop, tears were pouring down my face. I think this was a release of emotion and grief and that can only be A Good Thing.

I was overwhelmed by the response from those in the room. I'd like to thank everyone for their hugs, kind words, tweets, emails and mentions on their blogs.

It was lovely to see so many of us winning prizes in the draw. Please, Weather Gods, let it be sunny enough for me to need my Summer's supply of Wilkinson's Sun Care products!

A few of us were sensible and had some dinner to soak up the wine, I even vlogged it!

The parties carried on late into the night (I know this because I was one of the last bloggers to go to bed)! There were more tears, brought on by laughter this time.

I can't wait for CyberMummy 2011!




.

CyberMummy 2010

Competition, Cuddles and Rock and Roll

The MADs 2010 are blogging awards, celebrating the UK's best mummy and daddy blogs. MAD stands for Mummy And Daddy (in case you were wondering)! Since their launch last week there have been over 1,000 nominations! Wow.

There are awards for the following:

MAD Blogger of the Year

Most Innovative MAD Blog
Best MAD Family Fun Blog
Funniest MAD Blog
Best-Looking MAD Blog
Best MAD Baby Blogger
Best New MAD Blog
Most Inspirational MAD Blog
Best MAD Blog Photography
Best MAD Blog Writer

The five blogs with the most nominations in each category will go forward to the public vote. The MAD Blogger of the Year will be decided by a panel of judges.

When I first heard about the awards, and the prizes on offer, I thought 'that's great'. There are awards in all areas, why not blogging?

On the launch day, however, I felt uneasy. What if Baby Baby wasn't nominated? This was short-lived. Thankfully a couple of friends let me know that they had nominated me. Phew!

I haven't nominated yet as there are a few categories where I can not decide which blog to vote for. You can only nominate one blog in each category.

I've been delighted to see loads of my favourite bloggers being nominated, including many new blogs. The current list of nominees can be found on Who's The Mummy?.

Through Twitter and Facebook I have seen how happy people are to see their blogs nominated - I know I am. I've also been pleased to see congratulations flying about.

There are some bloggers who have openly criticised the awards, saying that they don't like competition. I can understand this. I know how I felt before I found out that I had been nominated. There can only be a few winners, this makes the rest of us losers. Or does it? 

Competition is part of life. Competition is apparently being removed from the curriculum in schools. When my boys are at school maybe I'll agree with this, but right now I can't see how it prepares them for real life. Surely children need to understand that they can't win at everything. They should be encouraged to excel where they can or improve where they can't - and to know the difference between the two.

I write a public blog. I am excited when I see that I have a new reader or when someone leaves a comment. I am honestly happy that some people like Baby Baby enough to nominate it/me. I'd love to win an award. There I've said it. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? I don't expect to make it to the public vote, but that's okay. Really. I am happy to be taking part. I certainly haven't got it in me to launch a Vote Baby Baby campaign. Imagine begging for nominations and not getting them. Oh the shame!

For more thoughts on competition please read these excellent posts from Baking Mad Mama, Sleep is for the Weak, Hot Cross Mum, Babyrambles and Battling On.

If you haven't nominated yet, but would like to do so, click here. Nominations close on 25th April.

For more examples of blogs to nominate check out the best of the British Mummy Bloggers carnival at The Mad House.

***

I was delighted to be asked to contribute a guest post for the new Cuddledry blog (remember them from Dragons Den?). Funnily enough the post I wrote is about child development NOT being a competition - a pet subject of mine. The editor of the blog, Jo, who also writes the excellent Slummy Single Mummy blog, gave my post the title 'Being a Parent - Some Words of Wisdom'. It amused me to be called wise!

***

Finally... I've finally added a new song to my Myspace. It's called 'I Want More' and it's a rock number! It's about people with no talent who think they deserve to be famous - another example of the anti-competitive trend? I hope you like it.

Competition, Cuddles and Rock and Roll

It's Carnival Time!

Welcome to the Best of the British Mummy Bloggers Carnival. This is a collection of the best posts from the last month submitted by members of BMB. If you would like to know more about this blogging carnival, or even offer to host one yourself, check out the schedule at A Modern Mother.

I hope you see something you like, if you do why don't you leave them a comment to let them know? You may find some new favourites in amongst some old favourites. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the entries and I hope you do too.

Baby Baby is delighted to be your host, so grab yourself a margarita or a cup of tea (if that's your cup of tea) and settle down to watch the parade!

The first float is for carnival virgins! This is their first time so please welcome them with open arms.

First up is Eggs Cream and Honey with her guilty pleasures. She thinks we shouldn't put a price on pleasure and as such gives us a recipe for toasted coconut custard tart to prove her point. Yum.

Wendy at No More Excuses writes about how little control we have over labour and what happens when your birth doesn't go to plan.

In Fantastic Fiction for Kids - Babysitting, Zoe at Playing by the Book gives us her usual brilliant ideas for themed crafts and activities for children based on books.

Nova from Cherished By Me stands up (very well) for the reluctant single mother in there's a chip on my shoulder.

I hope you're not too hungry because The Alice gives us her perfect pork belly recipe. Yum, again!

Chic Mama discusses the important subject of stress levels in children and the consequences.

Vic from Glowstars writes about getting back into a routine when you have a (gorgeous) new baby.

Finally, who knew that Gigi from MumsRock was a carnival virgin?! She writes about *whispers* Mumsnet, Janet Street Porter and pigeon-holes in for those of us that don't wear Boden.

Tim from Bringing Up Charlie gives us a fascinating history lesson in Mother's Day.

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels? Rubbish! says Muddling Along Mummy. Hear hear.

Have you thought about eating less meat? Helen at Cheeky Wipes is having a meat free March.

Jumbly Mummy at Mellow Mummy has some great advice for new parents to be, in particular her list of things to do while there's still two of you in passing on parenting tips.

Is there a plan B? writes a letter of resignation, telling her three children why mummy is no longer doing a proper job.

Liz at Living With Kids writes about the fear inside, about what we can and can not control as parents.

Do you believe in smacking? Joanne at Parentdish sparked a heated debate in the comments with this post.

There's more controversy from Carly at Wives and Daughters when she asks the question swine flu: to vaccinate or not?

Jax from Making It Up discusses friendships and socialisation in who are your friends?

Carol takes us through the great bathroom clear out on New Mummy's Tips.

Karin from Cafebebe has started a get fit campaign called mummy tummy begone and she's looking for support and advice.

In transitions: starting nursery, Cartside from Mummy Do That! writes about moving her daughter from a childminder to a nursery.

Nicola from Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em tells us about her day and her son's version of events in selective memory syndrome.

Hot Cross Mum asks what's on your bottom step? In this house it's all my things, apparently!

Aqueela from Aqueela's House writes at Have a Lovely Time about her first holiday as a parent. This is something I've got to face sooner or later! There is some excellent advice in the comments on a first holiday with your baby isn't always great, what's your advice?

All Grown Up... Still Feeling Like a Kid writes beautifully about sibling love. Aw.

To find out how The Moiderer met her husband you have to read we got together because of bouncing potatoes

Poor Smurf, son of Lorraine from Ramblings of a Mum on the Run has missing you issues

You may need to get the tissues out, if you haven't already, as Sarah the Suburbanite talks about World Book Day, the first since her husband was killed in a bike accident. 

Linda from You've Got Your Hands Full wrote a guest post on Mummy Limited where she asks the question you don't have to say you love me... or do you?

Not Supermum shares her simple pleasures with us. Lovely.

You can read some really sweet powims written by Anna's six year old daughter, Ella, at Part Mummy Part Me.

Ella from Most/Least made me sigh with her beautiful post where does my time go?

You know this is going to be more than vaguely amusing, More Than Just a Mother takes her children supermarket shopping in self-service

Ellen at the wonderfully named In A Bun Dance listens in on a few phone calls in dial S for subtext

You'll never believe what you can buy from the supermarket in Lapland. Heather from Notes From Lapland reveals all in supermarket sex toys!

Miss Leslieanne at Life With a Little Dude tells us about the (delicious) dark side of baby-led weaning!

It's also dinnertime at A Place of My Own. Kelly has filmed her gorgeous baby Piran eating and blowing raspberries. :-)

Fraught Mummy from Brits in Bosnia turns her real day into an uber mummy day in the mistress of spin. This made me laugh and grimace in recognition. I do this!

This post will bring tears to your eyes, 20 Something Mum tells us why she'll never go on Masterchef!

Rachel at Strange & Beautiful rides a motobility scooter in life in the fast lane.

Tattie Weasle is feeling neglected and wonders why her husband can't be more like the leader of the free world?

Dinner's ready, or why Tiddlyompompom shouldn't be allowed in a kitchen!

Angels and Urchins writes a few (very funny) letters in dear little so-and-so, part 1

Mummy Limited guest posts at You've Got Your Hands Full, or rather Mini Mick takes over as mummy wimps out with a parents' progress report.

The Cat Herder from Balancing Books and Herding Cats regales us with her tale of fatties, flights and infestations.

In they blinded me with science, Emma from Mommy Has a Headache releases her 'inner old git' in a rant against technology.

Our final chuckle comes from Laura at Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? She's a nervous flyer, as she explains in clenching one's buttocks in the air.

Diney from Older Mums Are Fun wrote a bitter-sweet guest post over at Flying Start Magazine called role reversal about the child becoming the parent when their parent has dementia.

Nickie from Typecast writes eloquently on the mental health blog Breaking The Silence in a carer's cry for help: the reality of living with someone in mental distress.

In her moving post, Susie from New Day New Lesson asks that you document your parents' and grandparents' life story before it is too late.

Insomniac Mummy shares with us in Fight or flight? Learning to live with panic attacks. There is some excellent advice in the comments to this post.

Andrea from The Accidental BusinessMum, writing in the Coventry Telegraph blog, From Dawn till Rusk, writes openly about her 8 year old son's bedwetting issues and how they have tackled them.

Sally from Who's the Mummy? writes a touching post about the two sides of adoption/fostering in Happy Mother's Day.

Did you hear about the shocking incident where a charity shop manager sprayed a breastfeeding mum with air-freshener? Emma from Me, The Man & The Baby responds brilliantly in breastfeeding.

Baking Mad Mama writes honestly about her acceptance of what life is throwing at her in better.

Jo from Slummy Single Mummy ponders a difficult subject in showing your vulnerable side - should you cry in front of your children?

Emily at Babyrambles asks is there anything you won't blog about? 

Notes To Self, Plus Two (And The Need For Red Shoes) tells us why she'll be going back to work after her baby is born in me, my job and a little baby: just to be clear.

Susan K Mann has written a short story called fear. It's scary. That is all!

Also on a creative theme, GeekyMummy from The Hair Dog Chronicles becomes VetMummy in a different life.

Elsie from Flower Fairies and Fairy Cakes explains how she manages her time in busy rant.

Motivating Mum tells us what she learnt from Cath Kidston.

I love this idea, Becky from Baby Budgeting tells us I went to a swishing party.

Rachel from Retro-Wife writes her own six-month appraisal, with help from her two children, and she's not doing a bad job at all.

Maggy has two blogs, on Red Ted Art she tells us if you feel you have too much to do, do more and on The Good Life Blog she shows us her shameful 8 year old jeans in a new pair!

Somebody help Bare Naked Mummy as she rants I hate clothes shopping!

Deb from Carrots and Kids writes beautifully about family life in mothering and gardening.

Nadine from Time Management Mum shows us what's in my bag? Inside the bag of a mummy blogger!

In Young and Younger, the Young Mummy of six month old twins talks about ideas of motherhood before and after children in a slave to routine.

Of course it wouldn't be a carnival without a carnival queen and it wouldn't be a BMB carnival without a mention of poo, so I bring you Queen Susanna from A Modern Mother with Is it just me? Do your kids flush?

Thank you for reading through to the end. I hope you have enjoyed this, my first carnival. Here is the entry from Baby Baby, called Angels and Demons.

If there are any errors or omissions please let me know and I'll correct them. I'm only human and 71 (count 'em, yes 71) entries is a lot of links to get right!

It's Carnival Time!

Call For Posts For The BMB Carnival

On Tuesday 16th March 2010 Baby Baby will be hosting the Best of the British Mummy (and Daddy) Bloggers Carnival.

I'll be spending the next ten days sticking on feathers and sewing on sequins to make my carnival costume. I'll also be buying in plenty of nibbles and cutting up limes for the margaritas.

All you need to do is let me have a link to your best post from the last month - on any subject -  either in the comments on this post, or by email to sandycalico [at] ymail [dot] com.

Please let me know if this is the first time you have submitted a post for a carnival. Please don't be shy, everyone is welcome to join in and there will be a special float at the front for carnival virgins!

Follow these links if you would like to find out more:
British Mummy Bloggers
BMB Carnivals
The current carnival at Working Mum

The deadline for post submissions is midnight on Sunday 14th March.

See you back here on the 16th, if not before...



Photo Credit


.

Call For Posts For The BMB Carnival

Are we friends?

Look at these smiling faces. This is a photograph from the recent British Mummy Bloggers meet up at London Zoo.

I would have said that these were my friends. We have been reading each other's blogs for a while. We've left comments and built up an online relationship. I met and chatted to almost all of the thirty bloggers who attended. There was a friendly, excited atmosphere. I had a fabulous time.

Then I read Circle of Trust by the fabulous Josie at Sleep is for the weak. I also read the fifty comments - that took a while! I was going to comment myself, but my comment turned into this post.

Josie poses the question should we trust our online friends?

I initially thought, when I read Josie's post, that perhaps I am naive and far too trusting. I take everyone at face value. It hadn't crossed my mind that any of my online friends may not be who they claim to be.

I have loved making new friends on Twitter and via blogging, I hope these friendships are 'real'. I have found it so easy to make new friends this way, much easier than at Playgroup.

In my experience the people I have chosen to meet in real life have been just as wonderful as their online persona, especially the fabulous Kim.

I've been to two BMB meet-ups now, at London Zoo and at MOSI, and out of the forty or so people that I have met I would say only one was different to her online persona (she was so much nicer in real life)! I also met Josie at MOSI and I can tell you that she is as genuine and lovely offline as she is online.

Did I mention that I went to Downing Street last week? Just in case you were locked in a wardrobe or something, here is my post. This was another example of the power of social media. I met a few people there that I had only spoken to previously online. They're great people.

I guess you have to exercise the same judgement that you would in real life.

Having said all of the above, I have had one bad experience. I have hinted at it here and here. I met my ex online and he turned out to be a big fat hairy liar. Lying was one of his more likeable personality traits.

Amazing really that I tried internet dating again. The second time I tried it I met Andy, my husband. I will have to write about our eight hour first date at some point! Absolute proof that not everyone you meet online is a weirdo!

So, are we friends?

Photo credit: A Modern Mother

Are we friends?

Check It Out!

I've got so much to tell you...

I'll start with the promised update on the

Auction for the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund.

The organisers have been unable to set up a raffle in the time available,

instead all donated items have been added to the auction.

The auction closes at 6pm on Sunday 6th December,

so there's plenty of time to make a bid and grab a bargain!

***

Next up is the Best of the British Mummy Bloggers Carnival.

The lovely Pippa from A Mother's Ramblings is hosting, and

a fine job she's done too. Huge thanks to her for including one of

my posts even though I missed the deadline!

***

I have been writing a series of Blogger Basics lessons over at

New Mummy's Tips. The latest lesson is adding video.

There is also a comprehensive FREE blogging E-course generously written by

Erica at LittleMummy. It's not too late to make a start.

On this course you will find out everything you need to know about blogging.

It is suitable for complete beginners, old hands may also learn a thing or two.

***

Have you done all your Christmas shopping yet?

The Great Toy Guide team have been busy reviewing 100 toys under £10.

Presley personally tested the brilliant My First Lacing Tools and the Bambini beads

There is also an amazing competition. Check out the prizes:

What are you still doing here?! :-)

Check It Out!

Words and Pictures

I was tagged (oops, ages ago) by the lovely Kelly at A Place of My Own with the Photo Tag.

Here are the rules:

• Mention who tagged you.
• Go to your photo files…Select the 6th photo folder.
• Select the 6th photo in that folder.
• Post that photo along with the story behind it.
• Then challenge 5 blog friends to do the same!

This is a photo of Presley taken by Andy about a year ago. I must have been out, or feeding Cash or something. Andy thinks it's hilarious to give the boys guitar magazines to read. This is one of Andy's technical manuals. Presley looks quite interested - or perhaps he's contemplating what it will taste like!

Rather than singling out five of you, I'll throw this open to anyone who fancies it.

***

Far more recently Kelly also tagged me with the Randomness of the Book Meme, as did the wonderful Lorraine at Ramblings of a Mum on the Run.

So here are the rules…

• Collect the book that you have most handy.
• Turn to page 161.
• Find the 5th complete sentence.
• Site the sentence on your blog.
• Pass it on to 5 other bloggers.

Funnily enough the book I'm currently reading, 'The Philosophical Baby' by Alison Gopnik', is the book Kelly used for her tag. So I'm going to pick up the next book I'm planning to read.

"Describe the problem:

'I'd like to help you out. The problem is the electrician is coming in the nest half hour' "

This is from 'How to talk so kids will listen and how to listen so kids will talk' by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. This book has been recommended to me by so many parents. I'm looking forward to reading it. When I get a minute!

Again I'm going to pass this on to anyone that fancies it, but I would specifically like to invite those who have contributed to the "What are you reading?" stream on British Mummy Bloggers.

Words and Pictures

Proud to be Meme

Thanks to the lovely Linda at You've got your hands full for tagging me with the 'proud to be meme'. You can listen to Heather Small singing 'Proud' while you read if you like. Isn't youtube wonderful?!

I'm proud of so much in my life, but I also have a few not so proud skeletons lurking in the Calico closet. What do you mean you want to hear about those? No!

I' ll stick to listing five things that I'm proud of today:

1. Presley walked to and from playgroup today. He held on to Cash's pushchair all the way and stopped patiently on the kerb as I taught him the Green Cross Code.
2. At playgroup the boys were spectacularly well behaved, (if you ignore Presley trying to open the main door - my 'UH UH' cut through the hubbub and he walked sheepishly back). Today was the first time Presley asked to join the craft table. He glued some paper and felt on to a squirrel-shaped piece of paper. It's lovely *wipes away a tear*. Yes, child art work is still a novelty. Yes, it's going on the fridge!
3. I managed not to pass out with the pain when Cash whacked me round the face with the potty. I saw stars. Unfortunately not the George Clooney/Johnny Depp kind of stars.
4. We survived day five without CBeebies. I will write a post on this soon. Incidentally, our television was unplugged before the news report about the Aussies banning it for the under-twos. I just couldn't watch another episode of 'Big and Small'.
5. I'm proud of being involved in all this blogging erm... stuff:

• The Best of British Mummy Bloggers Carnival is being held by Antonia at Family Friendly Working.
• A Mother's Secrets has a collection of posts on pregnancy lows.
• I've written another Blogger Basics post for Carol at New Mummy's Tips, this time on adding images to posts.
• I've reviewed the best children's dressing up costume in the world ever on the Great Toy Guide. If you're looking for a Halloween costume you'll find the best twelve here.

Now to pass the meme on to five unsuspecting bloggers, off the top of my head:

Bringing Up Charlie

The Wife of Bold

Clarebabbling

The MadHouse

Gigi's Ramblings

Consider yourselves tagged!

Proud to be Meme

Mummy Bloggers Meet at MOSI in Manchester

On Sunday Presley and I drove to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester to the British Mummy Bloggers Northern Meet up.

I was confident that we would enjoy meeting more Bloggers after the success of my Blogger Blind Date the week before.

Presley and I arrived early and had time for a look around the amazing MOSI. We would thoroughly recommend it and will be going back for a proper explore.

We all met in the cafe. The children played together and the Bloggers and their partners were able to have a chat. I managed to talk to everyone, albeit briefly. All Grown Up was there with her beautiful four week old baby. I resisted the temptation to ask for a cuddle, I feared my hormones would rise up and order me home to my husband immediately!

It was lovely to see Sally and Lindy again, wonderful to meet Josie and Parklover, and I was in awe of the Wife of Bold and Amy with their four daughters each, all behaving impeccably. Huge thanks to Amy for organising the event too.

Special thanks goes to NotSupermum who made sure Presley didn't get his roast dinner on his head at lunch time and who also emailed me the wonderful photograph she took of him playing.

After lunch there was a presentation from Silver Cross. They unveiled their snazzy new travel system. If I needed another pram this would be on my short list.

Silver Cross also revealed their new toy ranges. All the children were invited to play with them, Presley didn't need asking twice.

I proved that I only open my mouth to change feet by telling the Silver Cross rep that their toys looked like those you get in Mamas & Papas, but in a good way. The toys are lovely. Really. Oh dear.

Pretty soon after that I got my coat.

We had a fabulous time. If you're thinking about going to a British Mummy Bloggers meet up, I can thoroughly recommend it.

***

In other news.... I'm staggered to see Baby Baby at number 21 in the index of Top UK Parent Blogs. I don't know how it got there, but I'm delighted.

***

And finally.... There's a carnival over at Conversations With Moms. Maria has kindly included one of my posts.

Mummy Bloggers Meet at MOSI in Manchester

My First Review

I read on British Mummy Bloggers that someone called Luke from The Edge was looking for 'family-focused bloggers to test and review a selection of Carex products and our Hands Up For Hygiene educational campaign'. I emailed him and was sent loads of free Carex, see above photograph.

I've arrived, I thought. I've got myself a piece of the freebie action!

Then along came 'Indie-gate' and I felt bad. The comments on this article made me feel silly and naive, I felt belittled. I wondered whether I should stop blogging. I soon got over it of course, but I thought long and hard about posting reviews on my blog. Was I being used? Were the PR companies that targeted mummy bloggers being cynical or ill-advised?

Actually, it doesn't matter. I've signed up to the Blogging with Integrity campaign. Most of my readers are 'family-focused' too. If you don't want to read this review however, skip past it, I won't mind.

So anyway, Carex.

I have contact dermatitis. At its peak it's like having a thousand tiny cuts on my hands. My fingers swell and they're so itchy. With a baby you're constantly washing your hands and this can be particularly uncomfortable. The pain keeps me awake at night.

When the Carex arrived I only had one stubborn patch on one finger, but it was enough to stop me squeezing a lemon I can tell you. Also I live in fear of being made to use alcohol gel to cleanse my hands!

I started using the Carex with trepidation, but I thought in for a penny in for a pound and put it by every sink. Amazingly enough the dermatitis has completely cleared up. Could be a coincidence, but I can say categorically that Carex hasn't made it worse.

In addition to the above I love the smell. Some handwashes make me feel nauseous, but not this. My favourite was the Moisture Plus.

Since my hands are no longer sore I've been able to use the hand-gels. The small ones are perfect for handbag or changing bag and I've been teaching the boys how to wash their hands with it. So important these days with the threat of the dreaded swine flu.

There was only one thing I didn't like, and that was the amount of handwash that was dispensed with each press. Far too much came out each time and of course this means it doesn't last long.

So will I buy Carex from now on? Yes.

My First Review