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An Amazing Summer With Amazon Prime Instant Video

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Last week we were invited to a super summer event in London hosted by Amazon Prime Instant Video. It was held at a really cool cafe called Drink, Shop, Do and as well as a pretty fantastic spread of food there were activities for all of the children and premieres of new children shows throughout the day.

The day was of particular interest to me as I have an Amazon Prime account already. You pay £79 per year and you have unlimited free one day deliveries as well as being able to loan 500,000 books on your kindle and now there is also Amazon Prime Instant Video included too which is a bit of a bargain really :

Did you know Amazon is the UK’s largest online video streaming service with more than 15,000 popular movies and TV episodes – including lots of family favourite TV shows such as Peppa Pig, Classic Digimon Seasons, 64 Zoo Lane and films such as Tangled and Toy Story?


Annedroids (for children ages 4 to 7 years)

Premiering on July 25, Annedroids is about a young scientist. Created by Emmy-nominated JJ Johnson (Dino Dan) and Sinking Ship Entertainment, and aimed at children aged four through seven, Annedroids is a live-action adventure series about a young female genius, her human friends, android assistants and the amazing scientific discoveries they make while undertaking the biggest experiment of them all: growing up. Addison Holley (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) stars as “Anne,” Adrianna Di Liello (Stage Fright) plays her friend “Shania,” and Jadiel Dowlin plays “Nick.”

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Tumble Leaf (for preschool-aged children):

Tumble Leaf comes from Emmy Award-winning director Drew Hodges and award-winning studio Bix Pix Entertainment. The preschool aged show follows Fig the Fox and his best friend Stick as they discover adventure, friendship and love around every bend. Themes found in the show promote exploration and scientific thinking through play. The talent behind the characters includes Christopher Downs as “Fig” and “Stick,” Zak McDowell as “Hedge,” Addie Zintel as “Pine,” Brooke Wolloff as “Maple” and Alex Trugman as “Ginkgo.”

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Also available to stream now on Amazon Prime Instant Video is Creative Galaxy, from acclaimed creator Angela Santomero and Out of the Blue (Super Why!, Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood). Featuring Samantha Bee (The Daily Show), Christian Distefano, Jason Jones (The Daily Show), Cloris Leachman (Malcolm in the Middle) and Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210). In this make-along, create-along, interactive art adventure series for preschoolers, characters Arty and Epiphany travel around the galaxy to solve problems with art, inspiring creative thinking through crafts, music and dance. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to re-create Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode will take viewers through the craft project that Arty showcased in the galaxy.

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Myself and Chloe sat in on the Annedroids premiere and it was fun. A bit quirky and different to most kids tv in my opinion. Slightly scary for Izzy I’m parts purely as she wouldn’t understand the android elementso we won’t watch it just yet but then she isn’t yet 3 and the recommended age is 4+ so that would be why.

We had a play in the ballpit and chatted to some of the other bloggers. It was really nice to meet some bloggers which I hadn’t come across before and also to catch up with bloggers I had met previously also.

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We listened to a talk about the Amazon Prime Instant Video service and learnt about the option to download films/TV shows and watch whilst offline and I have already done this and love it! I think it will be really handy for when we are travelling to festivals this summer as I can put kids tv shows onto the Kindle for Izzy to watch.

Oh did I mention we were given a super sleek Kindle Fire HDX at the end? It was a lovely surprise and I’ve really enjoyed having a play about with it. I love the Kindle FreeTime feature which allows you to set times and limits for what your children can watch. You can also set educational goals for children, younger children have apps for counting, learning letters and shapes while older children can read.

I’ve never owned a Kindle before as I’m a ‘real’ book fan but I’m a bit in love with it already.

For more information on Amazon Prime Instant Video please click here. Not sure if it’s for you? Why not try a 30day free trial?

Thanks Amazon for a lovely day out!

*We were invited to this event and given a Kindle goody bag as a thank you for attending. All opinions are my own.

Siblings – July

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Some months go by so quickly. The last 2-3 have really flown and both girls have grown so much. They are becoming thick as thieves and Izzy is really enjoying the fact that Chloe is big enough to play with now.

This photo captures the joy that Chloe gets from her time with her older sister and Izzy showing her caring side making sure she doesn’t fall off.

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It may not be the best photo I’ve ever taken but I love it.

dear beautiful

Avoid Teething Torture With Camilia

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Teething doesn’t just affect the baby. It has an impact on the whole family. There is less sleep and more tears so everyone is tired and grumpy. Snappy and surly.

Your normally smiley, happy baby is a like a different child. Crying, clingy..also tired. Your other children get frustrated as so much of your time is taken up with comforting the baby.

If you breastfeed there is every chance that your baby will decide that your nipples look like great teething toys and that normal feeding will be interrupted as their poor gums are so sore. Being bitten on both nipples after a night of extreme comfort feeding is far from pleasant.

So what can you do?

Teething has to happen which is unfortunate for both babies and parents but there are lots of ways to soothe by various methods:

* Using teething toys straight from the fridge. We like Munchkin teething toys and also Sophie the giraffe.

* If you are wearing try using cold chunks of cucumber so that they can gnaw away with the cold slightly numbing the pain. Frozen fruits in a mesh feeder can also be helpful

* Crusts of bread/breadsticks work well to chew on as do soft weaning spoons – always keep a close eye on your child when eating to avoid choking.

* Use medicines when it gets extreme. Homeopathic medicines such as Camilia are excellent at soothing and come in single-dose containers which are easy to carry and perfect for holidays/festivals or just out and about. They help with easing the pain and irritability of a teething child and can be used 2-3 times a day.

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* Most teething babies get nappy rash so try to avoid this by using a good barrier cream.

* Distraction – sometimes the pain will be too much for them and you will need to distract them until it eases. I find playing loud, happy music or singing her favourite songs can help.

*Comfort – Your baby is upset and in pain so lots of cuddles, feeds and kisses are what he/she is craving so be generous with them and remember it really doesn’t last forever.

Here is a little more information about Camilia:

Camilia® Oral Solution is a homeopathic medicinal product used within the homeopathic tradition for the relief of teething pain and other minor symptoms associated with teething in babies and toddlers.

Active Ingredients:
Chamomilla 9C – Relieves teething pain accompanied by irritability
Phytolacca decandra 5C – Relieves painful gums
Rheum officinale 5C – Relieves minor digestive disorders associated with teething
Inactive Ingredient:
Purified water

As with any medicines please be sure to read the label

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Camilia is becoming available in UK wide pharmacies and is also available in Boots.

*This post was written in collaboration with Camilia. All opinions are my own.

Growth Spurts – How To Cope

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We are just coming through the other side of a growth spurt. Chloe has also just cut another tooth. I’ve been feeling unwell all week and I think it’s pretty much entirely down to the fact that I’m tired and drained.

Growth spurts in the first year are typically supposed to occur:

Between 1-3wks
Between 6-8wks
At 3 months
At 6 months
At 9 months

But this is just a guide and each baby is different. Chloe has had all of hers around 4 weeks early and I do wonder if this is because she was overdue?

Most growth spurts last a few days but can be longer. Our last one was roughly 8 days and it was hard. Possibly the hardest one so far. Chloe fed like a newborn and I really struggled with it. Last night she slept for 6.5hrs straight through without a feed for the first time in ages. I feel like a new woman today..well almost.

Tips to get you through a growth spurt:

1. Drink plenty. If water bores you then get juice, flavoured waters, decaffeinated tea etc etc. You MUST increase your fluid intake or you will feel awful.

2. Eat plenty. Don’t diet through a growth spurt. I’ve tried and it’s not fun. You need extra calories if anything so eat healthy and generously sized meals with snacks in between and of course ..puddings or cake.

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3. Sleep whenever you can. Or rest. Your body is effectively running a marathon at this time and it needs to recuperate.

4. Have long, lazy baths. Have your partner bring the baby into you for a feed and take him/her away when finished. Relax. If your baby wants more milk then you feel you are producing a warm bath can stimulate milk production.

5. Sore nipples? Put some flannels in the fridge to cool and use them to soothe your nipples. Also Lansinoh is great.

6. Treat yourself. Buy yourself a good book to read during feeds or watch a rom com and eat something delicious.

7. If your baby is on solids get them lots of small, heathy snacks to chew on if you absolutely need to get something done but try not to avoids feeds as a growth spurt is baby’s way of increasing your milk supply to cope with their growing demands.

8. Don’t give up on your worst day. Wise advice from a good friend of mine. Last week saw me once again close to wanting to stop breastfeeding. I didn’t and I’m glad. We are 8 months in and I’m thrilled we have done so well.

9. Up all night feeding? Go on social media and chat to other mums who are going through the same thing. Search for breastfeeding hashtags, growth spurt or zombie mums. There is ALWAYS someone to talk to. I’m @writingforfun if you want to follow.

10. Remember it does end. It doesn’t feel like it but it does I promise.

Any other tips? Let me know and I will add them to the list.

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The Side Effects Of Loving Food

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I’d never had heartburn or indigestion until I was pregnant with my first daughter. I had it pretty much for the entire second half of my pregnancy with her and it wasn’t much fun. I drank gallons of milk, Gaviscon and chewed tablets to help. The worst part was that it seemed to kick in as soon as I settled down to sleep at night. Grr. Also with heartburn during pregnancy it’s not just caused by certain foods it’s caused by everything. I could eat just toast and cereal and I would still get it.

In between my first pregnancy and second pregnancy I had no problems at all and then bang 3 months into being pregnant with Chloe there it was. Ouch.

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This time around its stuck though. I still get heartburn although thankfully nowhere near as bad as during pregnancy but I now seem to get indigestion too. If you aren’t sure of the differences between heartburn and indigestion pain then read on:

Heartburn:

The symptoms of heartburn (acid reflux) are generally described as a kind of tightening or burning sensation in the back of the throat and chest area
Some people also experience a bitter or acidic taste in the back of the throat

Indigestion:

With indigestion, pain may be felt in the chest or top of the stomach
However many people complain of feeling ‘bloated’ or uncomfortably full and gaseous – needing to burp, belch or pass wind a lot
There may also be nausea or vomiting and a loss of appetite.
If you are not sure which you are suffering from, see how you feel if you lie down or bend over. If this seems to make symptoms worse it is more likely that you have heartburn.

I’m guessing my love of spicy and rich food is to blame but has anybody else found this kind of change after having children? To me it’s just another of the massive differences in my body after two natural but stressful periods of time.

Can’t see me giving up my love of food anytime soon..

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Also note to the first time pregnant mums.. Heartburn definitely doesn’t mean a baby with a head full of hair. Izzy was practically bald until she turned 2yrs old.

*This post is in association with Gaviscon.

The Second Child

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I remember when Izzy was a baby how we delighted in everything she did. It was all so brand new and exciting. This time around although still delighted by Chloe we are so tired and so busy that it’s hard to spend the one on one time with her that she surely deserves as much as her sister.

Guilt.

By giving to one I’m taking away from the other.

This is our life now.

I would say until they grow up but I know that my mum still feels guilty if she spends more time with one of my siblings than another. Or with one set of grandchildren than another. It’s hard.

Will I feel guilty forever?

Hopefully not but probably so.

The only thing I can do is work around it. When Chloe naps we play games or do things with Izzy. When Izzy naps we focus on Chloe, her development etc. I can’t leave Chloe yet as she only feeds from me so for now I have started having one on one time with her when I travel to blogging events. Like today we are on our way to London. She is my sole focus. Izzy is with my OH and she is his sole focus. They each get that special attention.

When Chloe starts to feed less I plan to do more things one on one with Izzy like going to see a film or popping out for lunch. So she knows she may not be the baby anymore but she’s still just as important.

People say that the second child doesn’t develop as quickly but from my experience so far she’s doing just fine. Maybe we can’t spend hours teaching her to say Dadadadada but the look of pure joy on her face every single time she spots her big sister makes me confident we chose the right age gap.

It’s so hard at the moment but I can already see how close these two are going to be.. And then we better watch out right?

A Day At The Zoo With Aldi

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Yes that’s right we spent the day at London zoo with Aldi as well as a top food nutritionist telling us all about their new Mamia baby food range.

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I love Aldi. We have a local store and whilst we don’t use it for all our shopping we do shop there several times a month. We already love the Mamia nappies ( award winning don’t ya know? ) and the wet wipes and now they have started selling the all important food pouches and rice cakes too. In fact there is a lot more in store from Aldi baby and toddler range so keep looking out for more info on the blog.

Firstly we listened to a talk about Aldi from its beginnings to current day. It was interesting to hear how it all began and nice to know all about their family values – one of the reasons their prices are always so low. We all chatted about our favourite Aldi products. For us it’s the prosecco, brioche and brie.. In fact everyone loved the brioche.

We had a picnic full of lovely Aldi treats .. No prosecco I’m sad to say but all lovely bits. The babies and toddlers tried out the new fruit pouches and rice cakes and they seemed to go down a storm judging by the fruity coloured smiley faces.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the zoo. Saw this guy taking a laze in the shade. It was such a hot day!

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Here is a little info about the Mamia range:

Aldi’s Mamia baby range is fast becoming one of the UK’s leading baby brands. The retailer has scooped a string of awards from LovedByParents, including Gold for its Mamia nappy range, a Gold for its nappies in the Mother & Baby Awards and Prima Baby & Pregnancy’s Reader award for ‘6m+ older baby nappy’, proving savvy mums don’t have to pay a hefty price tag to get the best quality for their precious little one.

From baby food to washing powder to baby skincare, Aldi offers a whole range of essentials to help make life that little bit easier.

Our favourite new product is the rice cakes:

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Rice cakes that don’t taste like cardboard… Who knew?

Look out for the new Mamia range instore very soon. Hope you will be as impressed as we were.

* We were invited to this event as guests of Aldi.

Keeping Everyone Happy At Camp Bestival- The Den

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Camp Bestival is a holiday for everyone. There really is something for all ages. When we go obviously we look for the toddler friendly but if you are taking older children/teens take a look at what is coming to this years CB:

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Yes that’s right an area specifically set aside for 13-17year olds. Described as a micro festival within a festival it will have something for all tastes.

With bands, DJs, spoken word and film screenings I kinda want to pop into the den myself!

The Den’s genre-swerving line-up won’t disappoint, either – whether its contemporary folk, live drum & bass or house that rings your bell, you better come prepared to hear some future stars. There will be live sets from founders of brand new genre Fip Fok, CoCo and the Butterfields, Cornish surfer and singer songwriter Nathan Ball, live drum & bass four-piece Animal House, the darkly melodic Fran Lobo, R&B pop force Karyma Ellis, Uke warriors Medina Ukulele Orchestra, nu-soulster Christen Kwama, acoustic troubadour Ali Gauld, multi-genre rap artist ShaoDow, classically trained Tyler Rix and party hip-hoppers Too Many T’s . Plus there will be DJ sets from Pharaoh K & Absynth, DJ Lukey, SGI DJs, Rats In Me Kitchen, Stanley Hood, Hadda and Erol Sabadosh.

Also did you know day tickets are now on sale.. These are really limited so snap em up while you can:

Camp Bestival Info and Tickets
Ticketline: 0844 888 4410

Limited Day Tickets available now:

Adult Day Ticket – £60 per day

Age 15 to 17 Day Ticket – £35 per day

Age 11-14 Day Ticket – £30 per day

Age 5 – 10 Day Ticket – £15 per day

Age 4 & Under Day Ticket – FREE (but ticket required)

Day Car Parking – £5 cash available in advance or payable on arrival

You Shall Have A Fishy On Your Little Dishy

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As someone who absolutely loves all things food you may be surprised to learn that I don’t really eat fish or other seafood.

Sure I eat tuna and cod but that’s about it.

I know fish is really good for you and what’s more I LOVE the ideas behind most seafood recipes. When we go on holiday the fish dishes are always the best to look at.. So fresh.

We went to The Gambia a few years ago and every day we ate fish. Mostly a mild local fish called Ladyfish. It was even served with the head on. We ate this. Mainly because we had no choice. We were working as volunteers and the chef who was a local villager just cooked whatever they had in abundance which just happened to be fish. I enjoyed it for the most part.

Andrew eating his fish in the style in which the villagers eat..with his hands from a communal bowl on the floor:

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I said when I returned that I would start eating more fish but it didn’t happen. Now that I have two children I don’t want to pass on this fussiness to them and so I want to start cooking and eating more fish dishes.

So readers I would love it if you could send me your favourite fish dishes. Initially I would like a mild fishy taste if possible until we get more used to it.

I’m aiming for one fish dish a fortnight. Anyone want to join me?

I’ll be blogging any recipes I create and sharing our thoughts along the way.

Life Is A Picnic..Munchkin Review

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We are really enjoying our roles as blog ambassadors for Munchkin UK, not only are the team we work with really lovely but we already adore the brand so it’s really easy to chat about them and rave to you about how good they are.

Last week we received a picnic hamper full of goodies to enjoy over these summer days and what a lovely hamper it was.

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Some of the products we already know and love like their divider plates and beakers but some were new to us like the bento style lunch box – I want an adult version please!

The mesh feeder is great to give Chloe chunks of frozen fruit to gnaw on without the worries of her choking on a lump of it.

The toddler snack grab pot is really useful and Izzy loves to use it for blueberries and rice cakes!

The spoons in funky bright colours are really easy to feed Chloe with and long enough that you don’t get baby food all over your hands. They are also quite chewy so she likes to chomp on them once she’s done with her meal.

The wipe down, crumb catcher bibs are a huge hit with both of them. Izzy doesn’t like to wear bibs anymore as she’s nearly 3 don’t ya know but she is a fan of these.. Maybe the bright colours or the large neck so it doesn’t rub.. I’m not sure but I’m glad.

And most useful product of the lot are the bowls with lids which come everywhere with us!

Here are some pics of us enjoying backyard and park picnics with our goodies:

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Visit Munchkin for more brilliantly useful products.

*These products were gifted for the purpose of this review and as part of my role on the Munchkin blogger panel.