The Gallery/Writing Workshop: Emotions

One regret, that is all I have.

One regret.

It's not that I waited too long to become a mother. Putting it off; delaying; questioning.

It's not that I waited too long to become a mother. Meaning I had to stop at 2 children when I would have liked more.

It's that I waited too long to become a mother. And my children never got to meet my nana - a woman I adored and who would have adored my children too.

I regret that I denied her that joy by waiting.

And it's the only thing I look back on that makes me cry.

* This is my nan pictured around 1994 in my first flat, doing what she loved to do: Clearing up, helping, polishing my Del Amitri poster (ahem).

This post is for week 17 of The Gallery: Emotions.

If you're new here and want to know what the Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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Discovery Cove Orlando: What's it really like?

When we visited Orlando as a family last year, we coveted a day out at Discovery Cove.

It's an 'exclusive' all inclusive resort where you get to swim with dolphins and paddle in a pool where rays flap around your thighs.

What's not to love?

In the end we were so wiped out after a day at Magic Kingdom we opted to save our money, sit around our pool and sip cold beer. Me and the hubs, not the children obviously . . .

Then I was given the opportunity to visit Discovery Cove with a group of bloggers on a most amazing tour of Orlando theme parks - SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Discovery Cove.

I think I responded to the PR by saying "can I snap your hand off right up to your elbow? Errr, yes!"

Anyway, Discovery Cove.

It is a magical place. Only 1,000 people are allowed in at any one time so you need to book in advance. Well in advance. Like sometimes months in advance.

And here's why. My top 5 favourite bits of Discovery Cove:

1. Swimming with dolphins.

I've heard stories from so many people who have done it, but until you're there in the water with one of these amazing creatures, you really don't know what you're missing.

If there is ever a day my animal-obsessed little girl gets to do this, it will be a day she remembers for the rest of her life.
Pictured (from left): PRs Lucy and Kerry (both getting married v soon, so you can imagine how that went down with a group of women . . . there was squealing), English Mum Becky, Jo Beaufoix, Little Mummy Erica, Laura Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy, Me, Liz at Living With Kids. And the really quite gorgeous Rascal.

2. Lazy river.

I know, right up there at number 2! As I floated/swam my way around this picturesque waterway I never once felt I was in a Florida 'attraction'.

Draped in vines, bordered by rocky outcrops, flowing under a stalactite stuffed cave, I spent half an hour in heaven.

As I was floating/swimming around said river with bloggers Laura, Erica, Becky and Liz, I also laughed

3. The venue

It's idyllic. You would never know it's only been there 10 years as giant bamboo towers over you as you walk through the lush, gorgeous gardens.

Peaceful and beautiful - truth be told I felt like a movie star. Especially when Liz came walking back to our little beach with a very lovely young man carrying a tray of frozen slushy thingies (I'm sure they have posher names than that, but you can't take the 80s girl out of the modern-day miss!)

4. Up close and personal with rays

Standing in a pool with stingrays tickling your legs as they glide through the water. Bit weird but fabulous.

These are magnificent, graceful creatures - some are so big in the snorkelling pool that if you swim above them and spread your arms out like wings, you feel kind of small next to them.

5. The wetsuits

Trying to get 6 English mums into wetsuits was quite frankly hilarious. If you could have seen the antics of these bloggers in the changing rooms, using Sumo wrestler moves, a touch of leaping and lots of giggling to get into the skin-tight attire, well, let's just say that would be a video you'd all want to see.

Especially given that Erica and Jo managed to put theirs on back to front . . .

It wasn't perfect.

I was disappointed with the food, which given the exclusivity of the venue I thought would be a lot better. Or just less 'resorty'.

But my biggest disappointment? I went to this glorious place and didn't take my camera.

Yea gods, I felt like I'd lost a limb!

Included in the price is all food and drinks, your mask, snorkel, swim vest, towel, locker and sunscreen.

For full details of the park, the facilities, availability and prices visit the Discovery Cove website.

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The Gallery: Week 17

Hello and welcome to week 17 of The Gallery.

This week I have something special lined up for you: A limited edition Gallery if you will.

This week I am linking up with Josie at Sleep is for the Weak and her Writing Workshop.

A Gallery/Writing Workshop hybrid.

I love Josie's workshop but never take part because I just can't write like that. I'd sit and agonise over the prompt for a week and then write two lines and then decide I hate it and then give up.

However. Some of the Galleries we have done have thrown up some truly inspirational words.

You probably wouldn't consider them for the Writing Workshop but, just as the Gallery doesn't expect fancy pants professional pictures, the workshop doesn't have to be glittering prose you'd only find at Waterstones bookstore.

You can all write wonderful words and we want to prove it to you.

So this week we are going to challenge conventions and get you to flex your photographic and writing muscles.

This week the theme is: Emotions.

I won't lie, it's a tough one: I mean emotions? How the heck? But I know you'll do us proud.

It doesn't have to be a novella. Four lines if you like. In fact don't do anything different to your normal post: Just be yourselves and let the prompt guide you.

As always, come back on Wednesday to add your link - you can add it here and also on Josie's site: Double hit! - visit as many others as you can, say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

Now get clicking!

The Gallery

If you're new to The Gallery, here's the brief: I will give you a prompt, an idea, a notion and you go out and take a photograph using that prompt. Or just use a photo you already have.

The prompt could be one word, an object, an idea, a phrase, anything, and you have to post a picture which you feel represents that prompt.

Post it on your blog and write about it.

That's it.

It's not about taking technically brilliant photos - although if you do, I'd love to see them too. It's about having a passion for pictures; any photos, all photos whether you took it with your all singing all dancing SLR or snapped it on your camera phone.
You don't even have to be a blogger to take part - just send me your photo and I will publish it on my blog for you. You don't even have to include your name if you prefer.

When you've published it, come back on Wednesday and via a groovy widget thing you can add a link to your post and share it with everyone. The link remains open for a week.
Visit others, comment if you like them or feel inspired by them. Just go out and encourage and support amateur photographers out there.

The more support you give, the more you will get back.

And if you want to add a pukka linkable Gallery button to your blog (instead of the amateurish one I've been using!) the code is just under The Gallery picture in the right hand column on this blog.

Come back on Wednesday and join in. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.
Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

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No more babies

In just 2 short months time my 4 year old will be wearing a school uniform.

That sentence alone sends a shiver down my spine.

My little girl, my baby, my love will be striking out into the big wide world without me.

She is so ready for it. She's independent, eager to learn new things and thrives in the company of others. She is going to have a fabulous time.

But what about me?

The minute she stands there in her school uniform that will be it, our baby will be gone. No more afternoon naps together (although truth be told, those stopped a long LONG time ago!), no more excuses for carrying the ‘baby weight’, no more cuddling up with mama for a mid-morning DVD or rocking or hand holding.
Well, that’s how it seems in my mind.

Going to school is a huge milestone – for them and for us as parents.
You are handing them over to someone else. Someone else gets to nurture them, comfort them, teach them.
And I don't know if I'm ready.

My little Mia is starting school and I really don't know how to feel about that.

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The Gallery: Creatures

This handsome chap is SimSim.

I met him on an amazing blogger visit to Florida when we were taken for a day out at Busch Gardens - an African-themed zoo come thrill-ride park (I was too scared to go on most of the rides, ahem) in Tampa.

I suspect my affections for him ran deeper than normal as he was being subjected to some quite chilly stares from English Mum who, before we entered his kingdom, declared: "I hate monkeys."

How can you hate monkeys? I mean look at how regal and powerful he is. Look at his amazingly soulful eyes.

And what about orangutans? Gorgeous creatures.

The photo is that close because we were given the opportunity to meet one of his keepers in an area up close and personal to the gorillas. And we chatted about his care and his personality and how he will do almost anything for a bucket full of mango!

SimSim, even if English Mum turns her nose up at you, I think you are magnificent. x

This post is for week 16 of The Gallery: Creatures.

If you're new here and want to know what the Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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The Gallery: Week 16

Hello and welcome to week 16 of The Gallery.

I was going to skip another week as I am currently sunning myself on a blogger trip in America, but I spent the most amazing day in the company of animals today I thought it would make a great theme.

Today I visited Sea World in Orlando: I got to meet a penguin up close and personal, feed sealions, eat dinner in the company of sharks and have my photo taken with one of the stars of the sealion show here.

Yeah, pretty darn awesome!

And so this week the theme is: Creatures.

They don't have to be exotic like the ones I've met today - there is beauty to be had in the bugs in our back garden, the pets in our homes or the animals we encounter in zoos, wildlife parks or in the wild.

As always, come back on Wednesday to add your link, visit as many others as you can, say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.

Appreciate the wonderful photos that are opening themselves up to you.

Now get clicking!

The Gallery

If you're new to The Gallery, here's the brief: I will give you a prompt, an idea, a notion and you go out and take a photograph using that prompt. Or just use a photo you already have.

The prompt could be one word, an object, an idea, a phrase, anything, and you have to post a picture which you feel represents that prompt.

Post it on your blog and write about it.

That's it.

It's not about taking technically brilliant photos - although if you do, I'd love to see them too. It's about having a passion for pictures; any photos, all photos whether you took it with your all singing all dancing SLR or snapped it on your camera phone.
You don't even have to be a blogger to take part - just send me your photo and I will publish it on my blog for you. You don't even have to include your name if you prefer.

When you've published it, come back on Wednesday and via a groovy widget thing you can add a link to your post and share it with everyone. The link remains open for a week.
Visit others, comment if you like them or feel inspired by them. Just go out and encourage and support amateur photographers out there.

The more support you give, the more you will get back.

And if you want to add a pukka linkable Gallery button to your blog (instead of the amateurish one I've been using!) the code is just under The Gallery picture in the right hand column on this blog.

Come back on Wednesday and join in. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.
Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

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The Gallery: Motherhood

When you have a baby, you kind of know the sort of things parenthood will bring.

There are unwritten Rules.

You will love your child with the heat of a thousand suns.

You will understand - really understand - the meaning of love.

You will feel different. It won't always be good.

But it's not until you have that child; actually see it giggling, crying, needing, holding little chubby arms up to you, not until then do you actually understand what it means to be a parent.

I would call it amazing except even that doesn't suitably describe it.

This photo to me sums up everything I feel about being a mother.

Their two little heads together; the children I love, who love each other.

Motherhood is a journey of emotions, a journey of self discovery - and I feel as if I'm still right at the beginning.

This post is for week 15 of The Gallery: Motherhood.
A bit of a special week. The week all entries will be printed off for a REAL LIVE EXHIBITION at the CyberMummy conference on July 3. Woo hoo.

And there are prizes. Woo hoo hoo.

The online photo company Photobox are sponsoring our little Gallery this week.

You don't have to be attending the conference to enter - all photographs are welcome. Wherever you are in the world.

The prizes?

1st prize: Your winning entry recreated on an Ornate Framed Canvas.

Plus your own personalised PhotoBook and a Photo Ted.

2nd & 3rd prize: The 2 runners up will each receive a medium Canvas of their winning photograph along with a personalised A4 PhotoBook.

Full terms & conditions are on the CyberMummy site at the bottom of this page. The link stays open until Tuesday (June 22) despite what it says in the terms & conditions so you still have plenty of time to join in!

And if you don't want to enter the Photobox competition but still want to be part of this week's Gallery, well that's OK too. Just make sure you let me know and I'll do the important stuff.

If you're new here and want to know what the Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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A week in the Loire Valley. In pictures

At half term this family spent the week 'posh camping' in the Loire Valley, France with Keycamp.

I say posh camping as we were in a mobile home with a shower and a fridge. And actual beds.

This is something rather new to us as we're more used to camping where you have to trek to the toilet - usually in the middle of the night when you have young children.

I think you can tell from the photos, we had the greatest time.

When asked if we would like to try out one of their holidays, we put ourselves into the hands of Keycamp to chose us a venue (there are SO MANY) and only asked for somewhere not too big, somewhere quiet and rural and somewhere the children wouldn't get bored.

They came up trumps with Le Chateau des Marais parc, near Chambord where we totally chilled out for a week.

I mean totally chilled out. Drank wine, played cards, chatted. Bonded as a family.

The leafy parc is quite small and set in a woodland and had the feel of the 1950s about it as people hung out on their porches, children ran around making friends and there was not a radio or a TV to be seen.

Because it was a relatively small site, people got to know each other; tipped their hat as you walked by their veranda, said a hello as you swam by them in the pool, stopped for a chat when you met in the shop.

It's that kind of place.

And see that in the distance of the above photo? That's a tree house you can stay in - how cool is that?

Of course, most of our time was spent in the pools (even on the day it rained). And the 'lazy river'? BIG hit with the children.

So after a day at the pool, it was a slow walk back home pulling the children along in the Radio Flyer and another glass of vino.



We actually found this region to be just about the friendliest place we've visited in quite a while. I mean everyone from the boulangerie owner to the men hiring out boats at the nearby Chambord Chateau - all inviting, welcoming and understanding of our appalling attempts at the French language.



Chambord Chateau, only a 10 minute drive from the parc, was a perfect day out.
We hired a 4-man bike to ride along the river, then boated along said river, then indulged in the biggest ice creams money could buy.



And I must say a word about the trees: All shaped to form box canopies for you to walk in their shade. Just lovely.

We have been on many holidays as a family; some expensive, some simple, some disasters, some huge hits.
I can honestly say this comes under the huge hit box.

Lovely venue and we got to really be a family for a whole week.
Thanks Keycamp - we had a blast.

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The Gallery: Week 15

Hello and welcome to week 15 of The Gallery.

We skipped a week last week as I was sunning myself in France. And so to make up for it, this week is a little bit special.

This week your photographs will be watched. And they will be printed off for a REAL LIVE EXHIBITION.

This week there are prizes.

Was that a collective intake of breath I heard there?

Is anyone jumping up and down like I did?

Just like a mother watching over her brood, I am so very proud of each and every one of you who has joined in the Gallery over the weeks.

I've seen your photos grow in confidence, I've seen people discovering each other and I've seen friendships made.

That my friends, is ruddy marvellous.

And so to this week. Why am I getting all excited about it?

The online photo company Photobox are sponsoring our little Gallery this week.

And. And, they will be featuring all entries in a real life exhibition at the CyberMummy conference on July 3, 2010.

Hear that? YOUR photos will be on show for all to see.

I don't know about you but I think that's pretty darn fabulous.

And you don't even have to be attending the conference to enter - all photographs are welcome. Wherever you are in the world.

The prizes? Sure there are prizes too!

1st prize: Your winning entry recreated on an Ornate Framed Canvas.

Plus your own personalised PhotoBook and a Photo Ted.

2nd & 3rd prize: The 2 runners up will each receive a medium Canvas of their winning photograph along with a personalised A4 PhotoBook.

Full terms and conditions are on the CyberMummy site at the bottom of this page.

And if you don't want to enter the Photobox competition but still want to be part of this week's Gallery, well that's OK too. Just make sure you let me know and I'll do the important stuff.

So. This week's theme. To tie in with the UKs first parenting blogger conference, the theme is simply: Motherhood.

Interpret it any way you like and as always, come back on Wednesday to add your link, visit as many others as you can, say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.

Appreciate the wonderful photos that are opening themselves up to you.

Now get clicking!

The Gallery

If you're new to The Gallery, here's the brief: I will give you a prompt, an idea, a notion and you go out and take a photograph using that prompt. Or just use a photo you already have.

The prompt could be one word, an object, an idea, a phrase, anything, and you have to post a picture which you feel represents that prompt.

Post it on your blog and write about it.

That's it.

It's not about taking technically brilliant photos - although if you do, I'd love to see them too. It's about having a passion for pictures; any photos, all photos whether you took it with your all singing all dancing SLR or snapped it on your camera phone.
You don't even have to be a blogger to take part - just send me your photo and I will publish it on my blog for you. You don't even have to include your name if you prefer.

When you've published it, come back on Wednesday and via a groovy widget thing you can add a link to your post and share it with everyone. The link remains open for a week.
Visit others, comment if you like them or feel inspired by them. Just go out and encourage and support amateur photographers out there.

The more support you give, the more you will get back.

And if you want to add a pukka linkable Gallery button to your blog (instead of the amateurish one I've been using!) the code is just under The Gallery picture in the right hand column on this blog.

Come back on Wednesday and join in. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.
Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

Read more...

Life is so simple when you're 4

We have recently returned from the most relaxing holiday in the Loire Valley region of France with Keycamp (more on that later), where the whole family got to just be for a week.

We hung out, we played cards, we stayed up late, we spent relaxing days wondering around chateau and walking along river banks.

Yes, it was bliss.

My 4 year old daughter discovered her inner wild child.

She ran around the campsite in bare feet, she sat on the porches of neighbours chewing the fat, she didn't brush her hair for 3 days straight.

Then one afternoon she came running home saying all matter of fact: "I've got a boyfriend mummy. I don't know what his name is yet. I'll ask him next time I see him."

Life really is so simple when you're 4.

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Things I say ALL THE TIME #3

1. No Daniel, I can't teach you how to snog. It's inappropriate.

2. Thank you, but no, I don't want to see the bone in your willy

3. Mia, can you please eat something other than frozen peas?

4. No I can't carry you up the stairs you're not a baby any more. And I'm not strong enough.

5. No. No. I still can't trust you with scissors.

6. Please please don't wake me up with a poke in the face.

7. Mia, STILL I'm having to tell you: Wipe your bottom.

8. Daniel if you're going to underarm trump do it at home with us. Not at school, not at the supermarket and I really don't think grandma is interested in learning how to do it.

9. No Mia you can't wear shorts it's too cold. And no I won't turn the heating up to make it like summer.

10. No Mia, you're not a mountain goat, you're a girl. Now get down.

Things I have learned:

You will say 'no' an average of 152 times every single day.
Anything you say under your breath they will hear instantly. Anything you say out load they will not.
You will have to give an instruction 4 times before it sinks through the outer layer of their skull.

Boys start turning into men at a very very early age.

For the love of god, someone stop me turning into my mother!

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Mia

I am on a journey of discovery with my daughter Mia.
A difficult journey, an emotional journey; it's a bumpy ride and a challenge for both of us.

She is so strong willed and fiery. She doesn't want to be confined by rules and boundaries; she naturally rebels against them. It's in her nature. She's not naughty, she's independent, spirited, free.
It took me a long time to recognise this.

"Why can't she be like her brother?" I would secretly lament to myself.

Then feel like the World's Worst Mother for even thinking it.

"Why doesn't she listen to reason? Why isn't she thoughtful, considerate, compassionate?"

Why?

Of course, she is all these things just not in the same way. She does it her way.

My 4 year old daughter Mia has tested my parenting skills.

After having a model child when her older brother was born, I thought all babies were like this. I thought this parenting lark is a breeze. What was everyone talking about when they said it was tough sometimes?

Tonight we are in the bathroom together and we're removing her war paint from a party where she got to be a 'Flower Princess'.

She's looking in the mirror and I can clearly see myself reflected in her big brown eyes.

I see me as a little girl, determined, fierce, a little bit cheeky.

She is my daughter and I couldn't be more proud.

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The Gallery: Still life

Does this pictured actually require any words?

Other than 'nom nom nom' . . .

This is a cupcake made with my 4 year old - one of her very favourite pastimes. I do need to teach her not to give them ALL away though.

This post is for week 14 of The Gallery: Still Life.
There will be no Gallery prompt this Friday as I am on holiday, lazing in the sunshine (I hope), switching off and - I can't believe my audacity - I've packed a book to read!

But fear ye not, a new theme will be posted the following Friday (June 11th) for your viewing pleasure.

So what did you all come up with?
It's week 14 of The Gallery and this showcase of all your amazing photographs - this online art gallery of all your work - has been stunning.

People taking part have seen the number of people visiting their blog rise, they've met new people and have helped create an exciting buzz around the internet.
That's you helping drive this. You are making a different just by taking photographs!

And the beauty is you can jump in any time you like.

Miss a week, miss 2, come back; you don't even have to post a picture if you don't want to, just visit everyone else's. If you are joining in this week at the foot of this post you will find a widget to add the URL to your own Gallery post.
The aim is to get as many of your photographs viewed by others, so if you do have the time, make sure you try and visit some of the other entries - even if it's only a couple - and let them know what you think.
And if you've missed this week's prompt, no problem as there will be a new one on Friday.

I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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