Silent Sunday 14.09.14 #MySundayPhoto

Feeling bad for not feeling bad!!

Today brought a day that I had for a long time been looking forward to...Jacob`s first day in reception.

Now there are many, many mums out there that have been dreading this day but for me I was happy for it to arrive. I know I`m going to be told I`m cold hearted that I was counting down the days till the end of the holidays but I knew that Jacob would be fine and that he he was soooo ready to start school.

Jacob is a very confident and bright little boy who needs stimulation and the need to learn has been apparent from an early age.


To say that I was counting down the days till he started school didn`t mean that I didn`t cry today....I did!!!

In the run up to today I have heard other mums saying that they are so emotional and crying all the time about their child starting school, and the whole time I have been like, nope I`m ok with it happening.

I started to feel bad for not feeling bad!!

This morning Jacob woke with so much enthusiasm about going to school that it warmed my heart. He jumped out of bed and asked if he could get dressed for school before breakfast but unfortunately he wasn`t due to start till 1 pm; a random time in my eyes but the school had decided to cut the class in half and do a staggered entry.

I was slightly apprehensive as to how Jacob would go into school this afternoon but I need not of worried....he ran on in and I had to call him back to grab a kiss and hug!!!


Emotionally I was ok until I found a lovely poem written by Emma Robinson from Motherhood for Slackers / http://www.facebook.com/motherhoodforslackers....after reading it I was a blubbering wreck!!!

Let me know what you think xxx

Dear Teacher

I know you're rather busy 

First day back, there's just no time

A whole new class of little ones 

And this one here is mine

I'm sure you have things covered

And have done this lots before

But my boy is very little

He hasn't long turned four

In his uniform this morning

He looked so tall and steady

But now beside your great big school

I’m not quite sure he’s ready

Do you help them eat their lunch?

Are you quick to soothe their fears?

And if he falls and hurts his knee

Will someone dry his tears?

And what if no-one plays with him?

What if someone’s mean?

What if two kids have a fight 

And he’s caught in between?

You’re right, I have to leave now

It’s time for him to go

I’m sure he’ll learn so much from you

Things that I don’t know

Yes, I’m sure they settle quickly

That he’s fine now without me

I know he has to go to school

It’s just so fast, you see

It seems like just a blink ago

I first held him in my arms

It’s been my job to love, to teach

To keep him safe from harm

So, when I wave goodbye in a moment 

And he turns to walk inside 

Forgive me if I crumple

Into tears of loss and pride

I know as I give him one more kiss

And watch him walk away, 

That he’ll never again be wholly mine

As he was before today.

Dear Parent,

I understand that you are scared

to wave your child goodbye

and leave him in a teacher’s hands

don’t worry if you cry!

I’m used to weeping parents

It’s hard to leave I know. 

But it’s time to share him (just a bit)

To help him learn and grow.

Let me reassure you

That I’ll give your child my best

I’ll wipe his tears, soothe his fears 

And change his dirty vest!

If your darling child is full of cold

I’ll blow their nose all day

Just like you, I’ll care for them

In a special way.

I’ll treat him like I would my own

I’ll catch him from a fall and

If there is ANY problem 

I’ll be sure to tell you all.

It’s true he’ll grow to love us

They’ll talk of school a lot

It doesn’t mean they hate you

And that you should lose the plot!

I’ll tell you a secret..

That when your child is here

They talk to me as much of you

Of this please have no fear.

You’ll always be their mother

Whilst teachers come and go

To them you are their number one

This I truly know.

Soon you’ll see some changes 

In your little girl or boy

They’ll become more independent 

And to see this, it’s a joy!

I’ll teach them all I have to give

To share, climb and to write

But to you they safely will return

To tuck them in at night.

With love from a teacher…

By Emma Robinson and Leonie Roberts

Giveaway #3 Little Grippers #PMBirthdayBonanza

Back at the start of the year I reviewed a set of baby socks from a company called Little Grippers.



Ben was continuously loosing socks when we were out and about and I was fed up of having to buy new pairs all the time.


Little Gripper changed all that!!






Using a unique stay-on technology, the 100% natural adhesive silicone is robotically applied to each sock cuff ensuring that they will stay on no matter how wriggly your little one is!!

And they work...no more lost socks!!

The stay-on technology is not just limited to infant socks, football and school socks are available too.

Check out the varied range here.







The guys at Little Grippers are kindly offering one lucky reader the chance to win a gift box containing 3 pairs of socks in your choice of size - newborn, 0-6 mths, 6-12 mths, or 12-24 mths, in either their Jungle mix or Ballerina mix designs. RRP £12.

To be in with a chance of winning a lovely little set of socks just fill out the rafflecopter widget below.

To Enter:

• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Entries can be by comment, Facebook, twitter etc
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 30th September 2014
• If there is no form hit refresh (F5) and it should appear
• If still not working please check that your computer is running Javascript
• You need to complete the mandatory entries first.
• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway #2 el Rhey - Colour Me Wellies #PMBirthdayBonanza

I love hearing success stories of local businesses starting up from scratch and excelling in their niche area.

A few months ago I began seeing and hearing a buzz on twitter about a Bournemouth company called el Rhey.

Me being a nosey moo wanted to learn more about them so started to look into them. I started chatting to the el Rhey team through twitter and finally met with the lovely Sophie, el Rheys PR a few weeks ago and had a lovely chat with her, learning more about the el Rhey brand, products and philosophy.

el Rhey is a specialist rain wear designer and wholesaler based on the South coast in Bournemouth. They supply creative and original rain wear collections that are only exclusively available through selected retailers.

The el Rhey team believe in the importance of encouraging creativity in children; all of their products are designed to bring joy whilst allowing children to develop their skills and future ambitions.

The first product of many to be launched are ColourMe Wellies. The ColourMe Wellies allow your children to be fashion designers, artists, explorers and owners of the most beautiful and original wellies in the world.

The wellies come in two designs at present - a giant moth and zebra. These designs allow your children to colour and decorate to their hearts content. The sizes available at the moment are UK 9-12.5 ( EU 27-31)

Supplied with each pair of wellies are a selection of el Rhey`s art markers. They are permanent, non-toxic, acid and odour free with transparent ink which drys fast, The colour stays on the boot permanently but washes off skin with a little soap and warm water. The markers are dual nibbed with one broad nib for bulk colouring and a fine nib for delicate edging and detailing. Adding more layers of the colour to the boots will produce a more vibrant colour and variety of shades.

I absolutely love the whole idea of the ColourMe wellies and can`t wait to see what is next in the pipeline for el Rhey.

The ColourMe Wellies are being launched this October, perfect timing for all the great Autumn fun to be had in the falling leaves and muddy puddles!!

The amazing el Rhey team are offering one of you lucky readers the chance to be one of the first people to get your hands on a pair of these gorgeous wellies as soon as they are released.







To enter just fill out the raflecopter widget below and keep your fingers crossed!! You can also leave your email address to subscribe to the el Rhey newsletter; every subscriber will receive a £5 money off gift voucher, so its a win win situation!!

To Enter:

• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Entries can be by Facebook, twitter, blog comment etc
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 30th September 2014
• If there is no form hit refresh (F5) and it should appear
• If still not working please check that your computer is running Javascript
• You need to complete the mandatory entries first.
• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway #1 Gumigem Jewellery #PMBirthdayBonanza

Hands up who is fed up with their teeth baby or toddler constantly grabbing, tugging and sucking their necklaces??

I know I am!!! * virtual hand up in the air*

Benjamin loves to grab my name necklace and chew on the ends and I was worried about him injuring his gums on the sharp edges rather than helping his teeth break through.

This worry spurred me on to do some research on the internet and found a lovely family run company called Gumigem.


Gumigem produce silicone jewellery designed to provide all carers, not just mum`s!!, with a stylish accessory that will keep little hands and mouths busy for hours. The range available is huge so no matter what your taste in clothes is you are sure to find a product to match your outfit and personality.



Recently they have increased their range from just necklaces to bangles and the adorable Bubba Bag; a neoprene play bag with silicone toys.

Unlike many other nursing necklaces which are made from hard beads each piece of Gumigem jewellery is made from the same silicone that dummies are made of, so is soft but flexible and strong. The silicone is PVC, BPA, Lead, Latex and Phthalate free so should be suitable for even the most sensitive babies.

I personally love these necklaces and am excited to say that I have a necklace in the Maisie Moo design to offer one of my readers. The Maisie Moo RRP £12.95 is a classic heart shape design, with a nice point for getting to those sore gums. A polished finished gives it a lovely purple shimmer and it comes on a soft silky cord and break away clasp for safety and comfort.

To be in with a chance of winning this stunning necklace just fill in the rafflecopter widget below.

To Enter:

• Fill in the Rafflecopter widget below to verify your entries
• Entries can be by Facebook, twitter etc
• Please read the rules below
• Closing Date: 30th September 2014
• If there is no form hit refresh (F5) and it should appear
• If still not working please check that your computer is running Javascript
• You need to complete the mandatory entries first.
• Rafflecopter will tweet, like and follow on your behalf making it really easy to enter
• Really want to win the prize? Come back every day for bonus entries via twitter
• Terms and Conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway