Family Time - BBQ Style

Family Time - BBQ Style

What a glorious day Sunday turned out to be, we had great weather, delicious food and good old fashioned family fun. I always find that unplanned, spontaneous days can become some of the best days of our lives. Our Sunday started out like any other, we got up, we had breakfast, we sat in front of the tv and done nothing. Well that was until Daddy got the grass trimmer out! As soon as the kids heard that roar, they were all off out into the garden with huge smiles on their faces. Daddy was cutting the grass which meant play time for them. They seem to love it when he's outside, he's like a big child magnet that they just can't resist. Once the grass was cut and the garden was tidy, Daddy decided to put of brand new BBQ together. This is where the excitement began to build, we've never had our own BBQ before. We've been to other peoples and had one of those cheap disposables that never really do much. This was a big deal for us, our very first family run BBQ. With the BBQ built and the kids happily playing, we had forgotten one thing: the food but a mad dash to our local Co-Op soon fixed that. The shelves were half empty where everyone else must have had the same idea whilst the sun was out but we got enough to feed our five. I think we got enough to feed a few more too by the looks of it.

Daddy was in his element doing his manly thing over by the BBQ, the kids and I played on the trampoline. The sun was shining, the wind had disappeared and the day had turned out just right. Even our cat Garfield was out lying around soaking up the sun, well as much as he could without being chased off every few minutes. The kids never did learn how to leave him alone, poor thing. We had hotdogs with proper sausages, delicious quarter pounder burgers with cheese and plenty of sauce. We had chicken tikka kebabs and potato salads, we had a feast fit for a king, well our king Daddy anyway. If I had tried to plan our day to have turned out like it did, it probably would have never happened. Like I said, it's always those unplanned spur of the moment kind of days that turn out to be the best. The kids had so much fun playing outside in the garden, Daddy looks so happy with his new toy and me, well I was so happy just being a part of it all. Our first family BBQ turned out to be a pretty good one if I do say so myself.

It's the little moments in life that make it all worth while, Ryan playing with his shadow looking so pleased with himself when he thought he'd caught it. Lily actually eating a bun with a burger in it and not just the bun. Chloe relaxing and smiling whilst swinging back and forth on the swing and Ryan jumping in Daddys seat when he got up. It's these special things that make our family who we are and will stay with us forever. Last Sunday started out like every other but turned into one better than I could have ever hoped for. A family fun day, BBQ style.

Can you use one Duvet ALL year round? You can with Slumberdown

Slumberdown Climate Control Duvets

I am proud to say that Mummy Of 3 Diaries is now a very proud Slumberdown Blogger, we will be testing out some of their lovely products over the next few months. I never thought I'd be getting so excited about bedding but I am. It's rather strange for me as I'm not your typical enthusiastic housewife. I must admit I like to keep things simple and do as little as possible.

Our first item was a Climate Control Duvet which I was very excited about as until it arrived I didn't actually know such a thing existed. For the past how many years I've been swapping between two duvets all year round. A thick, warmer one for the winter and a much thinner, cooler one for the summer. Who knew that you could get one duvet that adjusted to your body temperature making it suitable to use all year through! Not me, oops.

Our Climate Control Duvet arrived last week in a nice little bag which I couldn't resist opening right away. Within one hour of arriving it was all unwrapped and made at home on my bed. When I opened the bag I noticed the softness of it straight away. It felt so squishy, fluffy and soft. So nice in fact that I had to give it a big cuddle or two. I took a few pictures to try and show you what I mean, it's hard to see the fluff factor on pictures but I'll try. 

These first two pictures show the duvet unfolded straight out of the bag. 

Once opened out the duvet is actually quite thin and really light. I was excited too see how it was going to keep me as warm as my thicker (old) duvet did.

The last picture is my nice new Slumberdown duvet on my double bed all ready to sleep in. I've been using it for over a week now and feel I am ready to give you my thoughts on it. First off, I love the fact that it feels so light yet actually keeps you nice and warm. A cosy duvet means a cosy nights sleep, which is exactly what I've been enjoying. The only downside to my new duvet is that I don't want to get out from under it in the mornings. It's lovely and fluffy and really feels fresh. I'm not quite sure how it works but I can happily say that it does. I've been having some lovely nights sleep, the weather has been up and down like a yoyo but my sleep has been the same. The temperature outside has not affected my temperature inside which for us Britains is great. We never know what the weather is going to throw at us but at least now it doesn't matter, sleepwise as my new Slumberdown Climate Control Duvet does exactly what it claims to do. It keeps me at the perfect temperature to get that great nights sleep us mums need. I'm really happy with my new duvet. You really can have just one duvet and use it all year round!

The Slumberdown Climate Control Duvets are available in sizes: Single, Double and King in 10.5 tog. Their advansa fibres are technically proven to wick away moisture, creating an even temperature throughout the night, to prevent overheating whilst still maintaining tog. The fibres enhance comfortable sleep by transporting vapour from the body, permitting it to naturally evaporate into the atmosphere, thereby optimising the conditions for physical comfort and continuous sleep. The climate control fibres are encased in a luxury, soft touch poly cotton fabric. Their main benefit is their balanced temperature through the night provides a comfortable sleeping climate, resulting in a restful night. They're also machine washable.

Mummy Of 3 Diaries gives the Slumberdown Climate Control Duvet a 5/5 - HUGE Thumbs Up!

I was given my Climate Control Duvet for free for the purpose of this post but rest assured, all the opinions expressed are 100% honest and entirely my own.

#SilentSunday 19/05/2013

Silent Sunday

#Review Walkers Hoops and Crosses

Walkers Hoops and Crosses Review

Product Details:

Whole grain goodness

Source of fibre and whole grain

85 calories per bag

No MSG

No artificial colours or preservatives

Suitable for vegetarians

Roast beef flavour baked corn snack

30% Less Fat than everyday potato crisps on average.

These new Walkers Hoops & Crosses are really delicious hooped & crosses shaped snacks. They're a fun new range of tasty snacks that you can feel good about giving to your family without any worries. You can visit them at www.walkershoopsandcrosses.co.uk

A few weeks ago we were sent a sweet little package from Walkers themselves so that we could try out their new snacks for ourselves. Not only did we get a packet of yummy Beef flavoured Hoops and Crosses but we also got this cute cuddly monkey too. He's very sweet! 

He arrived cuddling our review sample which sadly we had to prise out of his fingers or paws as I should say.

My little man Ryan loves monkeys so he was happily welcomed into our family. His name is still monkey but that's ok as Ryan is only 2 after all. I'm sure his name will change once he's had a chance to think about it. Maybe he just likes the name monkey, we'll never know.

I really liked the packaging, it's simple yet bright and clearly marked with everything you need to know. The Beef flavour comes in a bright yellow packet containing lots of yummy goodness. I was pleasantly surprised by the portion size, there was plenty in there to satisfy a little persons hunger or cravings. We shared our packet out four ways so we each had a few to taste. The flavour is nice, not too strong or overpowering but just enough to get that meaty beefy taste. We all really enjoyed them, so much so that we were a little sad when they were all gone. It's ok though as we have purchased a few more bags since that day. Our family happiness has been restored, a little melodramatic I know but it's true. They really are yummy!

Walkers have done a good job creating these new Hoops and Crosses, they're fun and tasty. What more could we want for our kids. A snack that isn't bad for them, tastes good and appeals to their eye has got to be a good thing. Well, I think so anyway. Hoops and Crosses got a fab thumbs up from all of us here at Mummy Of 3 Diaries. A well deserved 5/5.

This is a sponsored post. I received a small payment as well as our review sample and toy monkey.

New Cuddledry ‘coffee and cream’ range designed exclusively for Mothercare

New Cuddledry ‘coffee and cream’ range designed exclusively for Mothercare

Cuddledry ‘hands-­‐free’ apron towels are a regular on a new parents’ list of must-­‐haves for their baby. This Spring, Cuddledry will launch a brand new range designed exclusively for Mothercare, in gorgeous ‘coffee and cream’ colours. Made with supersoft bamboo towelling, the range includes the award winning apron towel, a cute little bear poncho and a handy hair towel. The new range will be available in leading Mothercare stores across the UK. The super softness and absorbency stays after washing – unlike normal cotton only towels -­‐ thanks to Cuddledry’s signature blend of pure cotton and bamboo. The bamboo is amazing stuff – antibacterial, 60% more absorbent than cotton, and with an incredible lasting silky softness – perfect for tender young skin. 

‘Mothercare have thought of everyone with the exclusive new ‘coffee and cream’ range of products from Cuddledry. To make life simple for new mums and dads there is our stress-­‐ busting apron towel, as seen on TV. For toddlers there is the gorgeous ‘little bear’ poncho towel made with Cuddledry’s signature stay soft bamboo towelling. And finally there is the bamboo Cuddle twist for drying your little one’s hair, or to pinch and use for yourself!’ 
Helen Wooldridge – Cuddledry.

Coffee and cream apron towel £29.99 Little Bear poncho towel £27.99 Coffee and cream hair towel £8.99 The coffee and cream range will be available in stores and on the Mothercare website www.mothercare.com from the beginning of May.

Time for a change..

Time for a change.

I started blogging back in 2010 as a simple diary log for my children. Something that I could look back on to remember all those special moments that so easily get lost in the busyness of general day to day life. Over the years our posts have changed a lot  as we've started to do more product reviews and become more interactive with more and more brands. 

Since the start I've always used the same header which I made myself from a simple collage of our family pics. That was until today when I've finally plucked up the courage to make a new one and change it.

This was my old header:

This is my new one:

Not only have I changed my blog header but I've changed my whole theme and background too, yes I was feeling very brave today. I was aiming for simple, clean and fresh looking? Do you think I've succeeded? I've also personalised our new background to add that personal touch.

Now that the changes are done I'm a little scared, have I made it better or worse? I would love to hear what you think as I'm always trying to better my blog for you my readers as it is you that will be reading it. For now, I think I am happy with it but I'm not sure how long for. Be warned, it could all change again real soon.

Christine x

#SilentSunday Sleepy Head x

Silent Sunday - 12/05/2013