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

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a Hallmark day. You don't have to buy a card, although it would be rude not to buy chocolates, especially when Thorntons have been flogging 333g boxes for £3.49!

I made Andy this simple card by layering a few papers and sticking on a ready-made heart:

I also wrote him a blog post, What is Love?.

In return he wrote a 'What is Love?' for me and it made me cry. It was lovely and means more to me than any card or gift.

There's nothing wrong with taking a little time to appreciate your partner once in a while.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

You can find more Valentine's Day ideas in the Homemade Valentine's Carnival over on Make it, Bake it.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

There is also a Valentine's Day Blogging Carnival over at The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend x




.

Happy Valentine's Day

Look out!

In less than three weeks I'll be forty years old. Forty. The big 4 0. Oh dear!

All my life I've formed opinions and theories as to how you're supposed to look or act at a certain age.

For instance, when I was eighteen my Mum celebrated her fortieth birthday. She had a ladies' night party for her and her friends. There was a stripper-gram. They all loved him. I shudder at the memory of this. I felt that at their age they should have some modicum of decorum. I still feel like this. One day I'll tell you about the worst night of my life, when a friend persuaded me to go to a hen night with her. Oh dear. I think I'm easily shocked!

When I was in my twenties I thought forty was really old. People were middle aged at forty. They were ancient. I couldn't see that far into the future.

Back then I had decided that women over thirty with long hair looked scruffy and unkempt. I got my hair cropped when I was thirty and immediately grew it again. What a silly notion that was!

In my thirties I didn't think much about how I would look or feel at forty. I decided not to look that far ahead. Now it has crept up on me. I can no longer avoid the note on the kitchen calendar. 'S-40', written mainly for Andy's benefit, is getting closer and closer.

I've enjoyed getting older because I feel that I'm maturing. I'm not necessarily wiser, but I'm definitely more comfortable in my own skin. Does life begin at forty? Not for me. My life began the day I met Andy. Before that I was stumbling around, making mistakes, looking for something.

Andy was forty last year. How I laughed, safe in the knowledge that he would always be older than me.

I've delayed planning anything for my Big Day, for three reasons:

1) I've never liked a fuss on my birthday,

2) I keep changing my mind,

3) I've been burying my head in the sand.

So what will it be like the day I turn forty?  Much the same as being thirty nine I expect - only with presents and, of course, cake!

Photo Credit

This post was written for the Sleep is for the Weak Writing Workshop. This week I chose prompt no.1 - What's made you feel a little old lately?

***

To read more writing.... The Best of the British Mummy (and Daddy) Bloggers Carnival is up at Insomniac Mummy. A feast awaits!

Look out!

Cakegate

As a stay at home mum I look back at my working career and realise that, by comparison, I didn't have to work that hard at all.

When I was a Financial Controller or a Financial Director I sometimes worked 90 hour weeks. I sometimes worked twenty hour days, but mostly I had my evenings and weekends to myself.

I could go walking or shopping in my lunch hour. I was made cups of coffee and there was a lot of cake. Okay, there's still a lot of cake. Work was a laugh, I had many friends, I was mentally stimulated and I was 'important' and respected.

Whenever I become wistful for my old life at work, one face pops up to remind me that it wasn't always quite so wonderful - Tina*. Tina the grinning assassin. Tina the invincible. Tina the untouchable. Tina the terminator.

I was working at ABC Ltd, I loved working there. I managed the accounts department and all the women in the office (but that's another story)! I had been warned that my predecessors had all tried, and failed, to get rid of Tina. I was giving her the benefit of the doubt and treated her with same amount of respect as I treated everyone else.

Until...CAKEGATE.

It still makes me shudder when I think about it. I has gone down as an OMG did that really happen? moment in the history of ABC Ltd.

It was my secretary Jo's birthday. She had bought frozen cheesecakes into work and by elevenses time they were defrosted. She carefully divided the cheesecakes into equal portions and dished them out to the hungry masses.

So far, so good.

After lunch Tina asked if she could speak to me in private. I shut the door and we sat down.

'Jo gave me the smallest piece of cake', she said.

'Oh', I said, satisfied with the size of my slice, not sure what the fuss was about.

'She gave me the smallest piece and all the rubbish from the edge of the tin. She doesn't like me'.

Tina started to cry. I'm always sympathetic when people cry and usually join in. I handed her my the box of tissues and listened to her sob story. This took quite a while. She had a lot to tell me. Jo giving her the smallest piece of cake was the last straw. She didn't like telling tales, but they had driven her to it. She couldn't go back into the office. They would know she had been talking about them and it would all get worse.

Oh crikey.

After a good hour of this I left Tina with the tissues and went to see Jo. I had to ask her about the cake. She told me she had saved a large piece of cake for Tina and given her the extra bits from around the foil tray 'because I know what she's like', she said.

I went back in to Tina, who was still crying. I told her what Jo had said (well, some of it anyway). Tina called Jo a liar. There was a lot more crying from Tina. I was scratching my head.

Next, Jo rang me in tears so I went to see her. 'Tina always does this', she said. 'She's a nightmare. I can't work in the same office as her anymore'.

We were going round in circles.

I told Jo I'd deal with Tina - having heard both sides I was beginning to realise that Tina was playing me for a fool.

I said Tina could spend as long as she needed composing herself in my office. It was Friday afternoon, perhaps we should all calm down over the weekend. Things would look different on Monday morning.

It took Tina until 4:50pm to compose herself. This gave her enough time to turn her computer off and put her coat on ready to go home at 5pm. As soon as she was safely in the car park the whole office surrounded me. Some laughed, in fact one guy laughed until he cried, and the rest commiserated with me.

Apparently I'd had my first Tina 'episode'.

I couldn't believe I'd spent the afternoon listening to someone squeeze out crocodile tears to accompany a list of alleged slights as long as both my arms and legs. I needed a drink.

Cakegate, as it became known, was the first of a few Tina 'episodes' I had to endure. After cakegate came windowgate and ambulancegate. Don't ask.

Whenever I find it hard work managing two needy toddlers I remember Tina and I remember cakegate and I decide that paid work wasn't always a bed of roses!

*Names have been changed to protect the annoying.

Photo Credit

This post was written for the Sleep is for the weak writing workshop. I chose prompt 3 - What are you guilty of viewing through rose-coloured spectacles?

***

For more reading material, the fabulous Emily O is hosting the Best of the British Mummy Bloggers Carnival on the theme of grandparents over at Babyrambles.

Cakegate

It's All Going On...

The lovely Susanna (A Modern Mother) is hosting the first Best of the British Mummy Bloggers Carnival of 2010. It's a marathon effort and I'm please she found room to include a post from Baby Baby.

Secondly the fabulous Baby Genie is running a Big Mummy Blogger Survey. Please take part, it only takes a couple of minutes. There are some interesting results already.

Finally we were lucky enough to be sent a Vtech Animal Fun Bounce & Ride Giraffe to try. You can read my review at the Great Toy Guide.

It's All Going On...

Link-tastic!

There are a few things I'd like to share with you.

Firstly, my terrific Twitter mate Stevyn Colgan has a blog post that sums up how most bloggers feel about working for nothing. I laughed, a lot!

***

Secondly, the Best of the British Mummy Bloggers Carnival is up at Muddling Along Mummy. The lovely MAM kindly included one of my posts and there are plenty more posts to read and new blogs to discover.

***

There is an amazing Mega Mother and Baby Giveaway at My Funny Bunny. Check out the prizes - wow!

***

There is also a competition over at the Huggies Blog: Enjoy The Ride. I've been trying to fathom the clues today. It's a treasure hunt around parenting websites and blogs. The top prize is a trip to EuroDisney, but there are loads of smaller prizes too. I don't mind admitting that I'm hooked and looking forward to tomorrow's clue!

***

Finally, did I tell you that I went to a party at 10 Downing Street earlier this month? I think I may have mentioned it! There is now a video of the night, made by my new friend Gretel Truong for The White House Correspondent website - and I'm on the video!

Link-tastic!

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!

A Carnival, a Bath, Soup and Pygmies

Firstly, in case you haven't seen it, the best of the British Mummy Bloggers Hallowe'en carnival is being hosted by Hot Cross Mum. Head over there for some parenting horror stories!

In other news the Great Toy Guide just gets bigger and better. We have been testing reusable advent calendars. Those reviews are coming soon. You can now find the GTG on Twitter too.

The Calico household tried some of the Tinti natural bath products, including popping bath candy. You can read my review here.

***

Finally, I mentioned in an earlier post that I had printed out a short story that I had written. I was planning to take it to Word Soup, Preston's live literature night. Well, I took it last week and it stayed in my bag the whole night.

Last night I went to a mini Word Soup event. It was primarily a poetry evening, but other people read prose at the open mic. I plucked up courage during the interval and put my name down for a spot in the second half.

When I was introduced I stood up and made my way to the microphone. I told the audience that this was the first time I had read any of my work in public. I took a deep breath and read my story. Towards the end I struggled to keep my breathing regular. I read the last line and with shaking hands I folded my 750 words. The applause lasted until I sat down.

At the end of the night several people came over to tell me they had enjoyed my story, that they couldn't believe how confidently I read and that I should definitely carry on writing. I was in shock! Complete strangers were so kind and supportive.

I originally called my little story 'Halloween Party', but later changed my mind to 'Playing With Fire'. It is particularly apt for this time of year anyway. I'm delighted to say that it was published today on The Pygmy Giant and you can read it here if you like.

A Carnival, a Bath, Soup and Pygmies

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