Mums got Talent

From concocting gourmet meals for fussy eaters 

to entertaining hordes of little people at parties,

mums have many hidden talents. 

And with Mother's Day just around the corner 

it's high time to celebrate 

all those different and wonderful things mothers do. 

This is the aim of Littlewoods' campaign "Talented Mums" 

launched by lovely mum of two Myleene Klass. 

Mums, dads and kids across the UK are asked 

to submit a video describing their mum's hidden talent  

for a chance to win fabulous prizes, 

including a luxury weekend in London for two worth £1000  

and £250 to spend with Littlewoods.com. 

Scouts will also be hitting the streets of major cities 

to film talented mums, so be on the lookout!

So, which is the hidden talent of your mum?

To enter the competition, upload a short video to www.littlewoods.com/talent or send it via Twitter to @littlewoods with the hashtag TalentedMums by March 26th 2014.

Staple Toys for Toddlers

Toddlers and toys; 

it can be complicated. 

You present a toddler with a brand new toy. 

Enthusiastic clapping & cries of joy ensue. 

Seven minutes later: 

the not-so-brand-new-toy is tossed to the side 

and the toddler is happily playing 

with an empty tube of hand cream. 

After decluttering several mountains of unplayed toys,
the motto is: 'simple, affordable, not bulky'.  

Pretend Food 

Play: hours of cooking exotic toddler recipes

 and then proudly feeding the whole household. 

Learn: discovering different foods,  

becoming more independent by playing alone
and feeling helpful. 

Love: I like the wooden, sturdy material 

and that it's easy to store. 

The Toddler loves being the one
who does the feeding for a change.

Rubber Ducks

Play: ducks go everywhere; 

to the pool, to the park, to the supermarket. 

Ducks do anything: they fly, squirt,
splash & will even double as boats.

Learn: not much, admittedly, 

but it is a fun toy.  

Love: I like that they are cheap, 

therefore easily replaceable.

The Toddler likes giving them various uses:
From piloting planes to being a tiger's meal, 

ducks rule. 

Building Bricks

Play: hours of fun building houses, trains, aeroplanes. 

Learn: basic geometry, colours, shapes, 

using his hands & imagination to create. 

Love: Parents love to play with Legos too. 

I love building beautiful little houses 

& my Toddler simply loves demolishing them.  

Pretend Food by Melissa & Doug, £15.

Rubber Ducks, Mothercare, £6.

Building Bricks, Lego Duplo, from £10.

The Great British Winter: a Bright Side

It is grey. It is wet. 

It is cold - 'freezing' would be more accurate. 

It is dark. It is unending.

It is the Great British Winter.

Daylight

The facts: from November to February, 

there's light for an average of 8 hours per day 
(make them six in December). 

The gory details: it will be dark when you wake up at 8:00 am. 

It will be dark for the school run at 15:30 pm.

Vitamin D is valued as a precious commodity. 

The bright side: snoozing after 8:00 is the way to go;  

doctors say so. 

Your brain produces melatonin, a sleep hormone, 

to cope with the lack of sunshine. 

No need to rush out of bed, then.

Temperature

The facts: the average temperature 

for the UK in winter is 3.5 °C.

The gory details: when it's dry, you freeze; 

when it's wet, you soak. 

Don't expect anything above 10°C, 

you'll be disappointed.

The bright side: it is a nice, festive climate 

to have around Christmas. 

Perfect for shopping & drinking gluhwein 

at the Christmas markets.

Elements

The facts: rain, lots of it (winter 2013/14 was the wettest on record).
Wind and storms (it is an island after all).
Snow, mist & fog (picturesque, but annoying after two days).

The gory details: your umbrella will become your right hand, literally.
Tip: don't buy beautiful suede shoes, only wellies.

The bright side: those rare, much awaited days,
when the sun shines, which remind you
Spring is just around the corner.

Read More

Great British Autumn: Fall(ing) in Love

Great British Summer: the Basics