Last weekend we overloaded the car, piled in four children, two adults, lots of wine and headed off to center parcs at Longleat.  The children were that excited as they have been on a count down for the past two months.  It was their second Center Parcs break as we went last year just before Erin’s operation.  Therefore they had high expectations and couldn’t wait to try even more activities.  We were hoping for sun as it rained non stop last time, not that it spoilt the fun.

On arriving at our accommodation the older two stripped to swim suits and were out the door before we had even unloaded (this is an advantage of having teenagers). Waiting for us in our lodge was a family hamper welcome pack.  The hamper was full of more than just basics, it included eggs, sausages and all the trimmings for a fry up.  We had welcome drinks including wine, beer, squash, fizzy and water – everyone was catered for and I was rather surprised by the vast amount included.  Bread, crisps, cookies and made up our lunch time snacks before the planned meal we had booked for Saturday night.  I had cooked up a big bolognaise that just needed to be reheated for Friday’s meal which I recommend as it means less cooking to do on your break.  We had chosen to take Northern Mum as our plus ones! Like us they have had a tough year health wise and lots of playing and fun for the children was just what the doctor ordered. Therefore we grabbed extra chairs from their lodge and eleven of us tucked into a lovely meal – even if my portion control was a bit generous. I have no idea how much pasta eleven people need!

Pre cooking also means that you can have a treatment booked for when you arrive!  I slipped off and had my pre arranged lime and ginger scrub. My legs haven’t yet left the comfy confines of jeans this summer. Therefore having my lovely therapist sloughing off the dead skin was lovely. I felt really refreshed afterwards and couldn’t believe what a difference it made to my skin. I did see comment about not drinking for six hours after treatments to get the best results – I failed on two accounts as I was given a glass of champayne after my treatmet and invitied to relax in a soft room adorned with loungers and blankets – a little slice of heaven.  Secondly Jane met me walking back to the lodge with a large glass of prosecco in hand!

The evening brought lots of giggles, drinking and a very late night! The children enjoyed chilling out – the littles loving the chalkboard in our lodges.  However we up at a decent time for a fry up cooked by Jane before we all headed off swimming. Swimming with so many children was fun and they whooped down the rapids and even jumped in the freezing plunge pool. Dylan gained confidence in the water and was soon swirling around in the rapids and even trying the slides. Then it was a quick lunch before dropping the two littles off at the princess party that was going to entertain them for three hours. After filling in the medical forms (we had alot to write) the girls were settled whilst we drove down to the farm for our horse riding adventure.

The horse-riding was quite relaxing once we had gotten over the initial nerves of getting on a horse. The kids thought it very funny when Liam’s horse decided to have a massive wee! Although we did enjoy the riding I think next time I would choose something a little more adventurous. The horses just walked on in single file for half an hour before turning back. We were beginners but there wasn’t much challenge – apart from getting on and off the horse!  Having done the aerial challenge last time I should have stuck to something more adrenlin based!

Once back we collected the girls who had had the best time. Both left with party bags, faces painted and were tired out. Erin had won a dancing competition too. It was heartwarming to see two little girls who this time last couldn’t walk due to DDH and operations, together they held hands and kept saying that they were best friends. They even compared scars – not too competitive then!

We then went for our evening meal at the Grand Cafe which was divine. There was live music playing and the playground next door meant the kids were able to nip out between courses. The menu had something for everyone – although the adults all went for a fillet steak. There was a children’s menu too and they were happy for Dylan to eat off the children’s menu but have a starter off the main menu too. The puddings were lovely and the drink kept flowing.  I have definately discovered that fizzy rose or prosecco keeps the hang overs away – another top tip!

After a slightly earlier night, we woke up (with no hangovers – result!!) and Jane and I were so kind as we gave the men full responsibility ofall  the children, allowing them to spend some quality time with their children on Fathers Day whilst we swanned off to the Aqua Sana for three hours. It was pure bliss as we tried out all the different experience rooms. The steam rooms were well fragranced, there were heated beds and also water beds in which I could easily lost total track of everything and slept for hours!

We all met up again at the pancake house as I promised the children we could go again after sampling them last year. Then it was time for a quick play in the adventure playground before packing up and heading home. The adventure park bought out the child in all of us as we all tried the zip wire. Obviously I fell off which was luckily not captured on camera!  Due to teaching were we not able to make use of the last night but it didn’t really matter.  It was great to have the lodge all day Sunday and not have to pack up until we were ready to leave.

We absolutely had a blast at Center Parcs as the pictures show and I am so glad that through Tots100 I was selected as an ambassador.  I think it is an amazing place to spend time with family and friends.  I just wish we could do it all again!

Disclosure: The visit to center parcs was complimentary for the purpose of the ambassador programme.

My little water baby loves all things to do with swimming and sea life.  I think she was a mermaid in a previous life, she is so confident and full of life as she dives,  flips and giggles galore when in the water.  Erin would prefer to swim than walk and would happily stay in the pool for hours.  Swimming has helped her muscles and hip so much in the past year.  She is always exhausted afterwards but nonetheless wants to go again the next day!

Therefore when we were offered a trip to Brimingham’s Sea life centre courtesy of Superbreaks it was a day out too good to ignore! Birmingham is just an hour away from us so it was a quick trip down the motorway and a promise of the Villa Park and the Villa shop for Dylan on the way home!  We arrived and parked up in the car park which is right next door to the sea life center – just a short walk over the canal bridge.  We were able to use the fast pre booked lane as we had tickets e tickets – top hint – do this!  The line next to us was long as people queued to pay and enter.

The fish are so beautiful and Erin was enchanted straight away.  She couldn’t believe the size of some of the fish, there was a activity sheet for the older two to complete on the way around which kept them entertained and encouraged them to read all the ‘Did you know’s ‘ that adorned the walls.  Once completed the children could swap there answer cards for a medal in the shop.

Erin found herself some seating areas where she could watch the fish and sea life swimming about. She also got to hold a starfish with one of the rangers helping her. She was little hesitant at first but pleased when she had done it.

The jellyfish entertained her for a few minutes and she enjoyed the interactive displays which were very tactile. We had a great time although I am surprised by how quickly we got around. The experience lasted about an hour and twenty minutes and once done there is no need to go back and see anything else. We couldn’t have made it last any longer, so like many of these attractions it is quite expensive for a family of five. There is not as much to do as say at Cadburys World which we reviewed last Christmas.  However buying tickets in advance through Superbreaks is ideal as you avoid the queues and get straight in which is ideal when you have toddlers who are impatient!  The attraction was fully buggy friendly which is important for us as Erin cannot walk far.  She was able to hop in and out of her transport as needed.

Disclosure: We were gifted entry to the Sea Life Centre from www.superbreak.com

This week has been a stinker, four visits to the hospital and one to the doctors – all for the kids. Joints and bones plus a rogue chest infection for Dylan have taken their toll this week. Its been hard going with Erin having a total emotional breakdown during her assessment with physio.  Finally though we are starting to use the terminology hyper-mobility syndrome, this is important to me as I want everything ready for when Erin starts school in 2014.  This week was coupled with Chloe’s emergency dash to A&E and more heartbreak when she was told by the consultant on Friday that she has stress fractures and is not allowed to run atall for a further two months. 

One thing we have learnt regards the hypermobility is how important it is to get and keep Erin strong.  This is not easy for a child who sleeps and rests as much as she does.  Erin is quite inactive and complains of aches and pains regularly especially in her right leg which has been affected by the DDH.  Thankfully the ear consultant gave Erin the all clear to get back to swimming this weekend which was a pleasure to see.  My water baby was so excited and happy to back in the water.  Another way of building strength is encouraging Erin to use a scooter.  The motion of pushing, gliding and scooting is great for developing her gross motor skills  and building that strength she needs.  We have also been told that this movement will help deepen her hip socket.  Erin was really lucky to be sent a brand spanking new micro-scooter, I chose the mini which is for age 3-5 yr olds. Erin’s love of purple continues and she opted for the new limited edition in candy lilac.

The wonderful people behind micro scooters really impressed me when I found out that they give hospitals scooters to use with children that are inpatients or that can benefit from using the scooters as part of their physio, this is really good for children like Erin but also those really poorly children who have conditions like cystic fibrous and need physio to keep their lungs clear.

The scooters are really well made with a brake feature  that I am sure Erin will get to use one day!  The steering is straightforward and the frame is really sturdy.  I am looking forward to Erin getting to grips with it and the photos show how much she is already enjoying her new skills already!  This micro-scooter sells for £59.95 and there are a number of other models for younger and older children plus some really cool accessories we already have our eye on, so do check out the website.

Disclosure:  Erin was gifted the scooter for the purpose of the review.

What do you buy someone that has virtually everything?  It is really hard isn’t it.  However a personalised iPhone case may just do the trick. I have recently been given the opportunity to try out the service from Caseapp and I am really impressed.

It was really simple to customise a case for my new iPhone which is the 4s. The biggest decision was which picture to use! Having three children I couldn’t just choose one child so I got them all to do a quick pose together! You can also add text to the case.

Once I had uploaded my image and approved the template all I had to do was submit it and sit back and wait for it to arrive in the post. Postage is free which is another bonus!

The case arrived quickly and is well made. The image of the children has worked really well and I have already had some lovely comments on it. The teen really likes it and wants one for her phone now! She wants to use a picture she had taken of her a while ago.

In addition to personalising and making the iPhone look good, it does protect the phone from damage caused by knocks. I think this is a great product and the service was excellent.

Disclosure: I was gifted the case for the purpose of the review.