Month: December 2013

Actually rather good: companies of the year 2013

by Helen I used to work in a customer-facing industry. I learned quickly the very simple art of pleasing a customer or a potential client. I also learned how easy it is to deal with a disgruntled customer, how little it costs in real terms, and how crucial to your business it is to turn a problem around. I wrote about customer service last year. This is a parenting blog, so I don’t write often about business issues, but as a parent I experience a lot of services and products. Most of them are fine, some are terrible; a few …

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Our family: Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 in pictures One of the best parts of a family blog, is being able to record moments in our family’s life. Things we would otherwise probably forget, or which would at least fade in our memories. Christmas 2013 has been packed with fun, so here is our family Christmas, in pictures: Our Christmas got off to a fabulous start at Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball, at the O2. Not many 9 year olds get to see Olly Murs and Katy Perry live, especially close enough to need earplugs! And the Bug’s grumpy face? Totally because Daddy said we …

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Our letters to Santa

Well it’s Christmas Eve. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve taken a sneak peek at GG and the Bug’s letters to Santa. I know I shouldn’t – I know I should wait until tomorrow to see what the big man brings for my occasionally cheeky, but mostly gorgeously good children. But I couldn’t resist. Here’s what they asked for: Ok, so it could have been worse. Bit worried about the gun though… Let’s have a look at The Bug’s greatest desires (he was stropping about his writing ability so his sister stepped up and wrote for him: Uh-oh more guns. But …

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Happy birthday to you…

Today was my birthday. A day when my 9 year old daughter gave me this: Which made me smile, because she has been noticing the job of a Mum recently, giving me credit for how hard I work to keep things ticking over. I am loving this new appreciation she has for me, so I’m writing about it. Sorry. But I am. Because I know it won’t last. As well as my new camera, I was gifted Lush bath bombs and Hotel Chocolat delights. I made a quip about all 3 shops being within 10 metres of each other. Jason …

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Gifts for girls

This year for Christmas the Bug and I wanted to go shopping together to buy our own gifts for our family. Normally we just add our names to the gift cards our parents write, but at my school Christmas fair I had the option to make small purchases, and so I came home with gifts for M&D and my brother. Of course the Bug wanted to do similar, so yesterday Mummy took us to our local pound shop, with £1 each for each member of our family. Leaving her at the end of an aisle so she couldn’t see our …

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Family Frolics: remembering an amazing mother

I’ve had a good cry today. I knew when I woke up this morning that today would see a lot of sadness, and a lot of bloggers remembering Kerry Farrow – Multiple Mummy, who died a year ago today. The tears have come from watching this video posted by Kerry’s husband. But as well as sadness for her loss, I’ve been moved by what a happy, lovely family she left behind, by how well her children are growing up surrounded by her family, and most of all, her incredible husband. Kerry was the sort of Mum most of us aspire …

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Hilarious childrens’ book: The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race! (review)

The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race Yes it really is as mad as it sounds. But then that’s the great thing about a book for kids, especially a book which appeals to boys. And girls, as it turns out. Seriously, when you’re 6 (or 9, as it turns out) what could be better than a pig using a chocolate submarine to cheat his way through a race? In fact, all the animals in this delightfully-illustrated children’s book find the most absurd ways to cheat their way to the finish. All except one. The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig …

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We are Mark Warner ski ambassadors!

Last week GG told you why she needs to take us all on a family skiing holiday. There was much mirth over poor old Actually Daddy and his lack of ability to say something that didn’t sound like it was destined for the board room. Well I am absolutely bowled over and blown away by the news that Mark Warner have today asked us to be ski ambassadors for them. This is how I revealed the news to the rest of my family: Apparently I was too cryptic, although GG confessed that she got it by the second watching, but …

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Lucky Voice karaoke: perfect gift for girls, and a great little stocking filler

You may have seen our review of Lucky Voice online back in the summer. There are people in that video who will never be able to look us in the eye again after we put them online – but a truly epic performance is what it was! Well now, Lucky Voice have launched their karaoke app. You know when you’re at a friends house, or out for the evening (in your case it’s probably at the pub, but for me it would probably be Wagamama or the local roller-rink, obviously!) and the urge suddenly hits to start singing? But you …

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The perfect Christmas Day

perfect Christmas day chocolate

This year on Christmas Eve the perfect Christmas Day will start. Daddy will remember that it’s sleigh bells in the garden at bedtime. A tambourine sounds nothing like Santa’s sleigh. *** I will be allowed out of bed every half hour to check the palpability of my stocking for evidence of a visit from the bloke in red. *** We will get up at 5.30am. All of us. Whilst I don’t mind a bit of covert rummaging in a baggy sock by torchlight, there comes a point when I require the input of a delighted adult to validate my excitement. …

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Why any book is a good book when you’re 6 – even one by a footballer

I heard a muffled protest this morning evanescing from Mummy’s room. Apparently the Bug had finished his new book, got up, dressed for school, and was itching to do a book review. Go figure. I snuck out to get my confiscated Kindle, and left them to it. Frankie’s Magic Football, by Frank Lampard Being honest, I’d heard Mummy say that she wasn’t going to bother writing about Frankie’s Magic Football. I could even tell you what she was thinking: it’s written by a footballer, how is that going to be any good? Plus the Bug is not really a fan of his …

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Why I MUST take my family skiing! #MarkWarnerMum

TWO SKI HOLIDAYS A YEAR! It’s non-negotiable! You knew that  when we got married! It was inevitable that I would become a skier. It was in-utero that I heard these words, flung down the stairs in frustration and anguish. Daddy was having to come to terms with the fact that I would turn 9 weeks old as the ski season began, and Mummy was not as keen to hurtle down the black runs as she used to be. He couldn’t fathom it. I think the words “baby-backpack” were used… Apparently this was acceptable attire in the 90’s. Don’t worry, I’ll …

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Things children want: Wot so Funee?

As my writing becomes more legible, the #funee moments have become less frequent. However, I have great news, all ye who like to laugh at your kids (it’s outrageously bad form, but we don’t seem able to stop you, so we may as well take some control over the situation)! My brother, the Bug, is beginning to take over the reins. A reluctant writer, he has discovered that there is an advantage to an occasional flourish of the pen. Who knew, for instance, that being asked to write on the shopping list could be so lucrative? The Bug complained last …

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