The weather really hasn't been on our side since the school holidays started last week. It has constantly rained non stop. However, we did manage to feed the ducks last week! We also found a break in the rain and managed a quick trip to the park. We weren't there very long as it started to down pour and we got very wet, it was quite fun though!

The little's had a go on the climbing frame first! And then the see-saw and slide!




After playing on the slide and climbing frame, Ellie and Charlie decided they'd quite like a game of basketball and we are rather lucky to have a small basketball court right next to the park! Such fun.


I may or may not have ran around the basket ball court trying to shoot the ball in the hoop... and failed everytime, which the kids thought was hilarious. Harry was playing football with his friends and even they all laughed at me. (Harry was too busy with his friends to pose for photos) It was great fun, we all had a fab time at the park! Hopefully the weather will pick up so we can go again, soon!

We hope you're all enjoying your summer so far :) 

Sarah xXx

Magic Moments. 

It's no big secret that we love birthday parties (who doesn't?!) and anything Disney, too! So when I was asked if I'd like to review children's party bags and supplies, I jumped at the chance. I chose the Monster University party bags and supplies because all three of my children adore Monsters University, especially Ellie. She is currently -anything- monsters university crazy at the moment.


We were sent the Monsters University Party Pack For 8 including tableware and 8 filled party bags pack, which I couldn't wait to open and have a look!

In our box, we received:

• 8 filled party bags,
• 8 paper plates
• 8 paper cups
• A plastic table cloth
• A pack of 20 napkins.

All of course, Monster University themed. I am ever so impressed! Especially with the party bags because they are already filled with a packet of mini Haribo sweets, a monster glider, a punch balloon and a monster jump! Not only does this save time filling the bags but I also think it saves money in the long run and is very good value indeed. I know that my children will LOVE these bags as will, I dare say, any other children that come along to Ellie's birthday party! Ellie told me "I really, really love these, they are so cool and very colourful, I especially love the monster jump! He's kind of cute" Awww, she's excited to share these out with her friends and other family members, bless.


The plates and cups are also monster University themed, they're very colourful and vibrant and certainly appeal to children (and adults, too! You can never be too old to appreciate character inspired party ware.) They are made from thick card/paper and are 23cm in size.The napkins are a lovely finishing touch, in my opinion.


The table cloth is also bright and colourful and perfect for a children's party! It will catch all the mess/crumbs and looks awesome!

Overall these party products are very good value for money and good quality, too! They are very appealing to children and would add a lovely finish to any children's party. I would totally recommend these to anyone who is hosting a children's party, looking for affordable and good quality supplies!

Party Bags And Supplies sell a wide range of children's party ware which is all very reasonably priced. In many different character themes, Frozen, Disney cars, minions, camouflage, owls and little Charlie bear, just name a few. From balloons to party bags, filled party bags to table cloths and pinatas! They have SO much choice in many different themes, which is amazing! I will very surprised if you don't find what you are looking for. Please do over to the website and have browse.

You can also follow Party Bags and Supplies on Twitter.

What's your childs favourite character?

Sarah xXx



We were sent these products for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own. I was not paid for this post.

So this week, I've had a few goodies come in the mail. Some of this stuff I have been waiting for, for a couple of weeks or so. It finally arrived. Yay!

First of all I ordered some stickers from ebay, I've been waiting for these to arrive for a little while. I bought some stickers for my snail mail and also for Ellie, too! She's been writing to her best friend, from her old school so I thought some stickers would jazz up her letters a bit. I may or may not have a slight sticker addiction... Oops. Ellie and I both love My Little Pony and I really adore anything Kawaii! These stickers came to under £3 for the lot! From different sellers I do believe and free postage. ♥


One of my free samples also arrived, I think on Thursday? The Aveeno mosturising lotion sample, which I am yet to try. I might try it tonight actually. Have any of you guys tried it before? I am in desperate need of finding a new mosturising lotion, especially in the summer when my skin is drier than ever!


I also received Harry's scientific calculator, ready for when he goes up to high school. Also been waiting a while for this to arrive. It cost under £4 and was worth the wait as it saved me a fair bit of money. I do love a good ebay bargain! Free postage, too!


I also got a new phone case for I think £1.99? May have even been cheaper. I have a phone case addiction! Some of my other phone cases have broken now though. I love this pale blue one, it sparkles! You can't really see in the picture though.I need to keep my phone in case at all times because I am clumsy - I've learned the hard way lol. It's very cute and a really lovely bargain, hehe. Also free postage and a screen protector, plus cloth!

 
I feel like I've had a lot this week, haha. Although, like I said some takes forever to come and not all weeks I'll have anything at all! I'm still waiting on a couple more things to arrive in the post, too! Kids uniform and school supplies. I think because I live in the countryside things seem to take longer to actually get here, does anyone else have this problem? Although I don't really mind. I don't really order things that I'm in urgent need of.

What was on your letter box this week?

Sarah xXx

This last week has been a bit chaotic. With the kids breaking up from school, end of term (leavers) assembly, as Harry is leaving primary school and moving on up to high school. There has of course been end of term  picnics and school plays, there has needed to be three of me but we got through it and it was really quite fun. We really enjoyed the picnic at the school, on the last day of term. The boys school play was absolutely amazing. Now that school has broken up for summer, we can really enjoy our summer holidays.



We started our summer holidays by walking along the river bank and feeding the swans and geese. Feeding the swans, geese and ducks is one of our favourite things to do!


 Ellie was a little afraid of them as the geese were after the bag she was holding in her hand! They were hissing at her. To be fair, they are quite scary (especially when they're as big as you are... They are as tall as Ellie!) but I explained that they wouldn't harm her and they were just hungry, greedy geese, haha. Ellie wasn't overly convinced but she did enjoy feeding them "They're not so hungry now" she said to me. The things with geese is though, they just seem to eat and eat. And eat. And eat! Haha. They are such beautiful, pretty birds though.

Charlie however, has no fear and couldn't wait to get up and close, lol! "They're okay, they won't harm us, they just want the food" he told us all". Harry wasn't convinced, he stayed well clear and instead of coming down onto the riverbank sandy beach part, he stayed up on the bank itself. Bless him.


We finished our little trip out feeding the ducks with an ice-cream and a cold drink! We sat and admired the view. I am so glad my children enjoy the scenery as much as I do! I think they find it relaxing, too.


How have you been enjoying the summer so far?
Sarah xXx#

Yesterday my little's broke up from school for the six weeks holidays.
The last few days of term is always great fun but tiring.
Last week it was Ellie's end of term assembly, which was fantastic. Ellie had a couple of lines to say about South America, I am so proud that she remembered her lines and she stood up very proudly at the end of her assembly. I really enjoyed it very much. I wish I could have got a photo of her but I didn't manage to snap without other kids being in the photo and for obvious reasons I am not allowed to share photos of other peoples children on the internet, which is fair enough!


The beginning of this week was Harry and Charlie's school play. They did two performances, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. I went to the evening performance as it was more convenient. They performed a modern, funny version of Shakespeare's 'A Midnight Summers Dream'. Harry was Lysander and Charlie as Egeus. They both had a lot of lines to remember and act out and I was sitting there, in the audience welling up with tears in my eyes. They did fantastic! The best school play I have seen to date. The whole play was amazing. The music, the instruments, the acting... just everything! I am SO proud of them both. It's the last school play Harry will ever take part in at primary school because he starts high school in September.


Yesterday was the last day of term! It was a busy day all around. Harry had his leavers assembly, he was presented with three gifts (as were the other year six children), a Bible, a Dictionary and a memory folder/book. Three very lovely gifts. I managed not to cry when he was presented with his gifts, how I managed not to, I'll never know. It's so bittersweet, Harry is my eldest, my first born and now he's leaving primary school. I am so sad but at the same time I am so proud and excited for him to start high school. He's very, very excited and is certainly ready for it but my baby is growing up. Fast. It's like I blink and he's grown and inch and learned an encyclopedia (slight exaggeration) worth of knowledge, haha. It's craziness but in a good way.


Ellie and Charlie were also presented with there sports day bookmark stickers. I am very proud of them, they did amazingly on sports day (as did Harry) but seeing Ellie and Charlie get up and shake hands with the head teachers and thanking them for there awards, was a very proud moment. (And I may be feeling a bit emotional typing this post by the way).

We stayed at the school for a family picnic in the afternoon, we had cakes and crisps, rolls and orange juice. It was a super fun afternoon where the kids enjoyed many activities and played football with all the teachers. Just about everyone signed the year 6's shirts, a nice little keepsake and lots of good luck wishes, awww. It was fab. We left about 2pm! School is finally out for summer!
 My little's aren't so little any more, they start back at school in September. Harry will be in year 7, Charlie in year 6 (Charlie's last year of primary school. Like. WHAT?!)  and Ellie in year 3.

I can not put into words how proud I am of all three of my children. I am truly blessed.
All these proud moments will stay with me for the rest of my life. *wipes tear*

Now to make the most of our summer holidays! Yaaay! 

Sarah xXx

I thought I would share with you my inspiration and motivating things I do and tell myself when I really don't feel like working out. Now, it's no secret that I am on a weight loss journey. I currently power walk/jog lightly at least twice a week as well as Jillian Michaels thirty day shred six days a week.I give myself a "rest" day and of course have a treat on the same day. I say "rest" because I still try to reach at least 10,000 steps even on my "day off"because that is better than nothing. I allow myself a rest day because I honestly think everyone deserves one!
Anyway I'll stop waffling and get on with the "what I tell myself when I really don't feel like working out" tips.

So this is what I do when I loose all m motivation and inspiration. When I feeling all "I can't be bothered" and "Stuff it this is too hard, I'll just stay fat and unfit because it's easier" and of course the whole "One bat of chocolate won't hurt" (Can you relate yet?). I remind myself of why I started trying to loose weight in the first place. 

Firstly, I find that looking at my -what I call- skinny photos of myself really does help! I know I am never going to be 110lbs again but it does help to remind myself of why I actually started working out. How good I look and how good I use to feel (Even though back then I was convinced I was fat. There wasn't even half an ounce of fat on me.. What was I thinking?!)

I look at the clothes I use to wear, my skinny clothes. This always, always helps me to get motivated! I have a pair of jeans I try on from time to time and of course they are WAY too small. Do you know what though? This time last year, I couldn't even get them over my KNEES, this year? I can get them over knees AND my thighs and up to my waste. Ok, so they're very tight and the button or zip doesn't do up, no matter how many times I lay flat on the bed trying my darn hardest to get that zip up... I am still too fat. But it's inspiring to see and I know that they do at least do over my thighs, yay!

I am not alone in this whole weight loss journey. I talk to people who are also trying to loose weight, like my friend Laura. She understands. She encourages me and motivates me. She also inspires me, too! She really helps me so much, I can't even put into words. Also reading other bloggers posts about weight loss. I enjoy joining in with blog hops and linkies, (Blogging To Jogging, Weight Loss Wednesday and Fitness Tuesday, just to name a few) reading other peoples weight loss stories, goals, success and even struggles. I like to encourages others too and I hope one day I can be an inspiration with my own successful weight loss story. I know that I am not alone and this, THIS, really helps in knowing other people know exactly how I feel!

Oh I have a problem with food and trying to stay strong and motivated with the whole healthy eating thing but again, I do the above and tell myself NO! "A moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips" and all that. I also know that everything is ok in moderation and it's about having will power! Eat less and move more! This DOES help when I tell myself it's ok. And it IS ok. A few malteasers instead of a whole packet? Sure! None would be the better option, obviously but it's ok. I will get there in the end.

Quotes!! Motivational quotes also help. Pinterest is a really good idea for this! I quite often head over to pinterest when I'm looking for a quote that describes exactly how I feel (about everything and every situation in life, not just weight loss) which actually, is quite inspiring. In fact searching pinterest for weight loss tips, goals and so on, is also helpful.

I also tell myself (quite often) to stop making excuses. Making excuses will get me nowhere.



And last but not least. I tell myself. I CAN DO IT. And don't stop! Keep going. "It doesn't matter how slow you go, just as long as you don't stop". The last few days have been good, I HAVE stayed motivated.

I also find that weighing myself less frequesntly helps, that way if I haven't lost weight or I've gained a few ounces or not had a very big weight loss, I won't be as disheartend. I seriously hate the scales (or perhaps they hate me, haha) and would rather judge my weight on how my clothes are fitting. Right now I am between a size 10 and a 12! So I've dropped a jean size. I'll go by the way my clothes fit I think!

It's not going to happen over night. I need to have patience, be strong and just keep going with it. I remind myself of all the above, I talk to other people and I read other peoples weight loss journey stories so that I know I'm not alone and it helps. It really, really helps.

And reminding myself of this:


What are your "stay motivated tips"?

Sarah xXx

Yellow moon sent us these really lovely boat ceramic coin banks to review. Now, as most of you know by now, my children really love arts & crafts. In fact, they would rather be creative and make/decorate things than play on electronics and these coin banks were no exception. They seriously could not wait to get stuck into decorating these. So much that Ellie tore the box in the process, bless her.


These come in a set of four. Four blank boat coin banks. The boats are 12cm in size. They have a coin slot in the top of the boat and a removable plastic stopper on the bottom, which is very easy to remove and put back onto the boat. The children had no problem doing this themselves.


We used the 'Gitto Metallic Decor Pens' which we were sent a while ago from Yellow Moon. These pens work on most services and leave a lovely metallic look to whatever you are colouring and decorating. They are very pretty pens and work very well on ceramic. They've completed many projects and decorated many different items in the past. They have lasted really well in my opinion.


Ellie and Charlie soon started colouring there boats in and drawing on there designs. "I'm drawing a face on mine" Charlie told me, ha, so cute.
They really enjoyed decorating there boats!


It took them a good half and hour or so to complete there boats to there own tastes and likings. Ellie loves her gold and silver boat. "It's so shiny and pretty" she was telling me. Awww.

Once the boats were completed, they dropped in a few coins and have already started saving up for a rainy day (Charlies words, haha).


They really enjoyed these ceramic coin boats. They're now sitting proudly on there window sills in the bedroom to encourage them to save up some pennies.
The boats are priced at just £4.99 for a box of four, I personally think they are well worth the money and make a lovey summer craft activity for children. I feel that these would also make a really lovely gift.

You can follow Yellow Moon on Twitter for more information.

Sarah xXx


(We were sent this product for the purpose of this review, all opinions are our own, honest, personal opinions. I was not paid for this post.)

Linked up with:
Tried & Tested