I took my eyes of her for just a few seconds. She was right behind me splashing around. The next thing I know someone is handing her too me, she had a blue tinge to her lips and seemed to be a bit shocked.

This is what happened on Sunday, we were at our local swimming pool. Elizabeth had taken her arm bands off just a minute before and was playing just behind me, next thing she steps of the ledge in the pool and I didn't even notice.

Thankfully there was a man with his children right next to us and when she didn't come to the service he reached into the water and pulled her out. Just a few seconds that's all it was but it could have been a tragedy. I don't even want to think about all the things that could have gone wrong and all I was doing was looking out into the pool to find my hubby and Alison. Its so scary that these things could happen and obviously having lifeguards at a pool doesnt actually mean these things don't happen but as a parent you relax a bit more with them there especially a pool you go to a lot.

Having read news stories of such accidents I know that it will take a lot for me to take my eyes of her again.

Last weekend we were invited along to the Imperial War Museum in Manchester to have a look at the new summer activities that they have planned. We have been to the museum before but this time rather than look at the exhibits we were more interested in the additional child friendly activities that were taking place.

On arrival we made our way to the crafts room where the girls had a story read to them about Animals in the War and then they made there own horses. Using the templates they draw around there horses and then stuck the pieces together with split pins. They loved it and really had fun making their horses lovely and colourful.

After the girls had enough of crafts we headed upstairs to the main exhibition area where we sat and listened to some re-enactments about the first world war and looked at all the images and film footage that was projected onto the walls. The girls sat quietly and they were really engrossed with what was going on. Once their tummies started to rumble we headed off to the cafe where they were treated to a ration pack of 5 items for their lunch. With a great assortment to choose from including lots of healthy snacks the girls really enjoyed picking which 5 items to have before sitting down and eating them all.

We had a brilliant day and we are really looking forward to heading back there during the holidays to join in with some of the other activities that they have planned.

Meet the Author: Bernard Ashley (Ideal for ages 7+)

Saturday 18 August, noon

Learning Studio

Meet Bernard Ashley, author of Little Solider, one of the books that feature in the Once Upon A Wartime exhibition. Learn what it is like to be a professional writer as he reveals the processes and inspirations that helped him write Little Soldier and his new book Dive Bombing. The talk will be followed by a book signing in the shop

 

Illustration Workshop: The Colour of Home (Ideal for ages 6+)

Friday 24 August, 10.30am and 2.30pm

Libeskind Rooms

Join professional illustrator, Karin Littlewood and take part in a workshop where she will reveal the techniques used to create her pictures in The Colour of Home and get the chance to try your hand at some illustrations of your own.

 

FREE but booking is required via learningnorth@iwm.org.uk or 0161 836 4000

 

Storytelling with Katrice Horsley (Ideal for all ages)

Tuesday 28 August, 1pm and 3pm

Libeskind Rooms

We are delighted to welcome back to IWM North the new National Storytelling Laureate, Katrice Horsley who will be asking ‘Are you sitting comfortably?…’ in this special storytelling session for all ages.

 

A Closer Look: Once Upon A Wartime (Ideal for all ages)

Tuesday 7, 14, 21, 28 August, 2.15pm

Meet at the Tour Point in the foyer

Join us for a 20 minute walk and talk to find out more about our current special exhibition, Once Upon A Wartime. This tour will look at the five books featured in the exhibition, War Horse, Carrie’s War, The Machine Gunners, The Silver Sword and Little Soldier. It will also look at the key themes of the books as highlighted in the exhibition, loyalty, separation, excitement, survival and identity.

 

What A Performance (Ideal for all ages)

Wednesday 1, 15, 29 August

11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm

Main Exhibition Space

See one of our special, family friendly performances dramatising stories of wartime adventure and themed to the exhibition, Once Upon A Wartime. Hear the story of the women who prepared horses for their new lives on the frontline, like Joey in the story War Horse.

Wednesday 8 and 22 August

11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm

Main Exhibition Space

See one of our special, family friendly performances dramatising stories of wartime adventure including the story of a daring female spy serving with the Special Operations Executive during the Second World War.

Walkabout Performances (Ideal for all ages)

Tuesday 7, 14, 21, 28 August

11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm

Special Exhibition Gallery

Silent masked characters are on the loose in the Special Exhibitions Gallery. Will you spot one of these specially developed characters as you explore the Once Upon a Wartime exhibition?  Inspired by the stories featured in the exhibition, the characters are brought to life through the use of full face masks and physical theatre techniques.

Meet an Evacuee (Ideal for age 7+)

Thursday 2 August

11am, Learning Studio

Intrigued by the tale of separation in Carrie’s War?  Meet a real Second World War evacuee; hear their true life tales of evacuation and life on the home front in the Second World War. Get hand on with real artefacts and objects, which help bring to life the themes of evacuation and the Second World War home front.

 

FREE but booking is required via learningnorth@iwm.org.uk or 0161 836 4000

 

Open Studio: Carrie’s War (Ideal for all ages)

Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 and Friday 3 August

1-4pm, Learning Studio

Be like Carrie from Carrie’s War and ‘Make Do and Mend’. Create your own elephant character to take home and keep in this drop-in creative session.

 

Meet a Second World War Home Front Eyewitness
Thursday 9 August

11am, Learning Studio

Excited by the action packed tale of The Machine Gunners? Meet a real Second World War eyewitness who lived through the challenges of life on the home front.  Find out about rationing and the reality of a child’s life in Second World War Britain.

 

Open Studio: The Machine Gunners (Ideal for all ages)

Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Monday 6, Tuesday 7 August
1-4pm, Learning Studio
Be inspired by the story of The Machine Gunners, in the exhibition Once Upon A Wartime and let your imagination soar. Decorate your own model plane to take home and keep.

Open Studio: The Machine Gunners (Ideal for all ages)

Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Friday 10 August
1-4pm, Learning Studio
Be inspired by the story of The Machine Gunners, in the exhibition Once Upon A Wartime and let your imagination soar. Decorate your own plan spotting binoculars before taking them to the Once Upon a Wartime exhibition to see if you can spot the planes above your head.

 

Open Studio: The Silver Sword (Ideal for all ages)

Saturday 11, Sunday 12, Monday 13, Tuesday 14 August
1-4pm, Learning Studio

Be inspired by the story of The Silver Sword and illustrate a scene using a range of colourful resources to create your own dramatic picture.

 

Open Studio: The Silver Sword (Ideal for all ages)

Wednesday 15, Thursday 16, Friday 17 August
1-4pm, Learning Studio

Be inspired by the story of The Silver Sword and create your own cheeky chimp door hanger to take home and keep.

 

Open Studio: Little Soldier (Ideal for all ages)
Saturday 18 August
1-4pm, Learning Studio
Be inspired by Kaninda’s pet in Little Soldier, one of the novels featured in the Once Upon A Wartime exhibition. Decorate your own pet Chameleon to take home and keep.

Open Studio: Little Soldier (Ideal for all ages)
Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, Thursday 23, Friday 24 August
1-4pm, Learning Studio
Be inspired by the story of Little Solider, one of the novels featured in the Once Upon A Wartime exhibition. Discover some of the creatures from Africa and make your own animal inspired gifts and keepsakes (19 - 24 August).

 

Open Studio: Final Page (Ideal for all ages)

Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Monday 27, Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29, Thursday 30, Friday 31 August

1-4pm, Learning Studio

Join us for a summer holiday finale of creative activities and fun in our friendly drop-in sessions reflecting on the themes of our special exhibition, Once Upon A Wartime and the five books that feature within in.

What Nancy Did Next (Ideal for all ages)

Wednesday (1, 27), Thursday (2, 28), Friday 3 August, 11.30am

Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet

Meet Nancy and hear her tales of life in the Land Army in the Second World War. Learn about her wartime experiences away from home and making new friends ... especially with a quiet and timid horse called Rufus.  In this interactive Family Friendly session, visitors can choose what happens and each story-telling session will be different. The session uses puppets and multi-sensory resources including sounds and smells.

Billy’s War (Ideal for all ages)

Saturday (4, 25), Sunday (5, 26), Monday 6 August, 11.30am

Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet

This lively and engaging session uses a range of visual materials, sound and replica objects to tell the captivating story of a young boy from Salford who was evacuated to the countryside during the Second World War. Led by a member of our friendly staff, families will follow the story of Billy (a charming rag doll character) and learn about life on the home front during the Second World War.

 

The Adventures of Able Seaman Wally Tobin (Ideal for all ages)

Tuesday 7, Wednesday (8, 15), Thursday (9, 16), Friday (10, 17) August, 11.30am
Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet

Find out what a parrot, a coconut and a motorbike have in common. This event includes a special storytelling session revealing the adventures of Able Seaman Wally Tobin and looks at how people from different cultures and countries work together in times of hardship and war.

 

Shaping Up (Ideal for all ages)

Saturday 11, Sunday 12, Monday 13, Tuesday 14, Wednesday 22, Thursday 23, Friday 24 August, 11.30am

Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet

What brings together an alien, his space craft and a playground full of friendly shapes? In this special storytelling event follow a group of shapes who discover how much better things can be when we all get along. 

 

Animals and War (Ideal for all ages)

Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Monday 20, Tuesday 21 August, 11.30am
Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet

Discover the fictional story of Joey from War Horse in the Once Upon A Wartime exhibition, then join us as puppets and pictures bring to life true heroic and heart-warming tales of wartime animal bravery, such as the stories of Simpson and his donkeys or Bonfire the horse owned by poet John McCrae.

 

Oskar’s Journey (Ideal for all ages)

Wednesday 29, Thursday 30, Friday 31 August, 11.30am
Meet underneath the Harrier Jump Jet

Meet our charming cat puppet character Oskar and discover his tale of adventure on a journey across a divided city as he seeks out a friend on the other side of the Berlin Wall.  The session uses puppets, multi-sensory resources including sounds and smells, and object handling including the chance to see a real piece of the Berlin Wall.  

 

Hotspots (All ages)

Sunday 5, 12, 19, 26 August
Please see Daily Events sheet for details
Creative sessions using a range of art and craft materials to help you make your own unique souvenir.

TimeStack Handling Sessions (Ideal for ages 5+)
Daily at 12.30pm

Main Exhibition Space
A great opportunity to get hands-on with objects from IWM’s collection in these themed 20-minute object-handling sessions. Join a member of staff for an opportunity to discover the stories behind the artefacts.

Action Stations: The Interactive Timeline

Visit the interactive family Action Stations around the gallery with activities such as exploring the smells and creatures of the First World War trench or revealing the power of the poster during wartime.

Your History - Explore Imperial War Museum online.
Ground level.

Personal stories and intriguing facts, family quizzes and tips for tracing people’s wartime history are all available at the online access area.

Today we had an amazing opportunity to head up to Blackpool to review Nickelodeon Land in Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The weather this week looked perfect but I think it heard about our plans. Today we had one of those days where it was gorgeous sunshine one minute and raining the next. However this may have working in our favour, because although Blackpool Pleasure Beach was busy we didnt really have to wait for any rides.


A Nickelodeon Land wristband cost £15 each and a Blackpool Pleasure Beach wristband costs £25 (over 12) and £20 (under 12) *all online prices*. If you have young children like ours then a Nickelodeon Land wristband is perfect. We were there from 10:30am when it opened until 16:30 and we never needed to leave the Nickelodeon Land part. With 12 rides in total including a Rugrats Log flume, Dora the explorer rapids type ride and even a mini roller coaster there really was every ride imaginable but on a smaller scale. We only went on 10 of the 12 rides, skipping out the Airbender one and the Mr Crab one as the girls said these were too scary looking. However of the 10 rides we did go on we went on them again and again and again.

Each ride is themed around a different Nickelodeon show from Spongebob Square pants, Rugrats, Dora, Diego, Backyardigans and the Wonder pets there was so many bright colours and interesting things to look at. One of the things the girls liked most was the characters who were walking around. We got to see Chuckie, Dora, Spongebob, Patrick, Diego and Boots.

Whilst we were there we were recommended to to eat in the Big Pizza Kitchen and I am really glad we were. Its not often that we enjoy eating out as family at a theme park but this has amazing. The Big Pizza Kitchen works on an all you can eat buffet basis. With five choices of pizza, two different pastas and a well stocked salad bar it managed to cater for all four of our tastes really well. The pizzas had a lovely crust to them and the carbonara was full of lovely chunks of ham. The restaurant itself was clean, well decorated and nice an open whilst still being child friendly. I was even more shocked by the price, for an adult it only cost £7.50 and for a child it was £3.75. Considering the quality of the food it was amazing.

We had some amazing experiences today and we have unanimously agreed that we will have to come back again as we have all had an amazing time. Elizabeth and Alison also agreed on there favourite ride which was the Wonder Pets Big Circus Bounce which Alison must have been on atleast 10 times. We worked out that the longest we had to wait was for two goes on the Diego Rainforest adventure ride which considering it was a Saturday in the summer holidays is amazing.

At the end of the day we ventured into the Nick Shop to have a look at the goodies on offer and to see if they were reasonably priced. Straight away the girls were attracted to a table full of charms and bracelets, with some skepticism I walked forward expecting extortionate prices but instead I was pleasantly surprised. A silver or gold coloured charm bracelet cost £1.50 and then each Nickelodeon themed charm cost £1. There was Dora, Boots, Map and Backpack charms as well as Spongebob Square Pants themed charms. The girls each got the four Dora charms and a charm bracelet and I happily handed over £11 before heading back to the car for our journey home.

 

As a parent I have made lots of mistakes, little mistakes that soon turn into big mistakes and big regrets.

Both my girls had dummies and I was adamant that they would give them up by the time they turned 2 and they did. They gave up there dummies easily and they gave up there bottles by swapping them with anywayup cups.

The anywayup cups is where the problem lies. Every night the girls had an anywayup Cup of milk to take to bed, Elizabeth being a bad sleeper occasionally wanted more milk so in the end I started giving her two bottles at bed time, one for when she went to bed and one for when she woke up. I admit it I messed up. She started drinking both when she went to bed and still woke up for more.

Well enough is enough, yesterday the anywayup cups disappeared. Gone never to be seen again. Last night went well the kids were tired and after minimal arguments they went to sleep with no milk. Tonight is harder, they haven't actually asked for there milk but with the heat agitating them and the excitement of summer holidays they just wont sleep.

I wish they would just

"I don't love you"                 
                  Its ok hunny I love you anyway
"I hate you mummy"
                    I know you are angry but thats ok
"Go away I dont love you any more"             
*Stomp Stomp Stomp
*SLAM

Wow that was a fun conversation.

You would think I had a teenage in this house but no that is just my four year old. I have no idea where this has come from or who she has picked this up from but it certainly wasn't something from our house. Elizabeth is four going on fourteen and I would really like it if she got out of this phase of saying she didn't love or like people. She has become very loving on the opposite side of the temper scale though and is more likely to run up give me a hug and tell me she loves me but that is usually when she wants something or I have done something particularly nice.

Have you had any experience of this? Anything I can do

As you can guess from the title this post has taken a long time coming. We were lucky enough to be invited to Play Factore in Manchester to celebrate the jubilee festivities with them.

Now I would normally say if you have seen one soft play area then you have seen them all but in play factore's case it is more than just a soft play area. Think of this as a play experience for adults as well as children. When I originally saw the prices I was shocked that they charged the adults to enter but actually we had so much fun playing on the equipment too.

My husband hates soft play areas and I literally dragged him along to this one with the promise of going to the Old Trafford Megastore afterwards. Ever since we have been though he has been telling everyone (and I mean everyone) about it and even though he is as tight as his dad (which believe me is really tight) he would still be willing to go back and actually pay this time.

The smaller toddler area was the best I have ever seen, with teh equipment just downsized rather than basic. It had great slides, an interactive play panel and an amazing sensory area as well as a little tykes track and cars.

The one thing we loved more than the 40 metre long slide or the 15 metre high play frame was the food. The pizza's looked and smelt divine but we went for pasta, the girls had spaghetti bolognese and we had chicken and chorizo meatballs, it was all cooked fresh and was absolutely gorgeous. I mean it was the sort of quality you expect from an expensive italian restaurant and to top it all off they have decent coffee!

Our kids were a bit young but Play Factore also includes a Lazer Tag arena and Electric Go Karts all of which are available for over 5's.

Head on over to my Blogoversary Competitions where you can have the chance to win 2 family passes to Play Factore!

... I honestly thought I had done it, I worked so hard, did so much research and I had a case. A really solid case.

I haven't yet had the letter that explains why I didn't succeed all I have received is a letter informing me that my appeal has been rejected.

In one way I am glad because it means that Elizabeth gets to go to the school which is closer, that isn't catholic and who's foundation stage is taught use the montessori methods.

I am sad though, I am sad for Elizabeth who has to say goodbye to her friends on Thursday, friends who she may not see again. In September she starts school surrounded by children who might already know each other and she will be the new kid. I hope there are lots of other new kids too.

I would gratefully receive any tips on explaining to my 4 year old that she won't be coming back to the school she loves and the teachers she has grown fond off. All the teachers are talking about at the moment is going into reception, she assumes she will be going with them.

Today was the Manchester Skyride and we were very lucky to be invited to attend as guests of Sky. We had an amazing day, first we were looked after by the lovely Sky Staff, we had a gorgeous lunch at Duke 92 before I went to have a chat and a photo with the lovely and absolutely stunning Kelly Brook.

Kelly is the face of Skyride on Manchester and her aim is to get people on their bikes and to dispel the idea that cyclists have to wear lycra and look awful. Kelly was wearing a lovely red dress and some really high wedges but she still got on her bike for a cycle around Manchester looking glamorous.

I managed to ask ask Kelly a few questions before she rushed of to sign bibs or whatever she was doing next.

Q. Do you have any tips for busy mums who have to rush out of the house quickly in the morning?

I have an emergency kite which a mini hair brush, a compact mirror and some mints or chewing gum. I also love having a face spray, i love Caudalie Beauty Elixir as it makes me feel refreshed and revitalised.

Q. What would you recommend for cycling whilst staying fashionable?

I love little ballet pumps for cycling along with some Capri pants and then maybe a tie front vest or tshirt. Its very stylish but comfortable and suitable for cycling.

Q. Do you go cycling often?

I love cycling, I ride my bike a lot around London especially around Richmond. I used to love cycling around LA as its such a nice place to ride around.

Interviewing Kelly Brook was a lovely part of the day for me but the girls definitely preferred our chat with Lloyd Warbey from Art Attack. We met Lloyd whilst we were eating our lunch but we caught up with him later when he signed the girls bibs and even drew Mickey Mouse of the bibs for them. Lloyd was lovely and Hubby actually started asking him some questions about Art Attack and how he got involved in it, it was nice to hear that Lloyd used to watch it as a kid and was very excited when he landed the job to present it himself.

We got a chance to have a sneak preview of a new show that will be out on Disney Junior in the autumn called Doc McStuffin who is like a Dr Dolittle but instead of talking to animals she talks to toys. The girls watched the same episode three times so I know that will be a hit in our house. We finished off our time in the Disney Junior area by colouring a Disney Junior character to stick on their fabulous colouring wall.

The best part of the day though was the Skyride itself, Sky had kindly organised some bikes for us so we could take part as a family and the girls loved it. After many years of not cycling it also brought back my love of riding a bike and having the bike extension on the back for Beth made her feel like such a big girl that she was very happy and didn't want to stop.

Thanks to Sky for such a lovely day and a huge thank you to Lloyd for entertaining my girls and doing drawings for them and to Kelly for allowing me to have the chance to interview her.

My heart was beating too loudly in my chest.

My palms were wet with sweat.

My nerves were on end .....

and no I wasn't reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

Today I had Elizabeth's appeal. I had prepared really well I had a good case but I was still very very nervous.

It actually went really well. I presented my case clearly, handed over the evidence I had gathered and even had the schools headteacher agree that if certain things were done or including in the policy then Elizabeth would have automatically received a place.

So now I wait. Did I succeed? Do I even want the place anymore? I think I am going to let Elizabeth decide. If she wins the appeal then I will ask her which school she wants to go to.

Blogging has brought me a great many things, adventures, memories, toys, holidays and some fab friends but nothing and I mean nothing has made my friends as jealous as the thing I will be doing on Sunday.

This sunday I will be fighting off all my male friends who wish to chaperone me as I do a 10k bike ride around Manchester. Now obviously that is not the bit they are jealous about but the fact that they would be willing to accomany me to do that must show the dedication that these men have to this particular activity.


This Sunday I get to interview Kelly Brook


Yes the Kelly Brook of teenage boys dreams (and grown mens dreams too it would seem). Even my dear hubby wishes to accompany me but I am not sure if I should allow that.

So what would you ask her if you got the chance?