Tag: do

Kids and Make-up don’t mix!

Would you let your 4 year old wear make-up or worse, put it on you?

I don’t normally wear make-up as I’m such a natural beauty!  Joking aside, I don’t do it because no matter how long I spent on it, the result would be the same…Yes, I’m passed it!  This is what I normally wear, yes, just mascara and lip salve.

However, I was given a challenge…allow your kid to do your make-up with no direction or input and with free access to your make-up.  Gulp!  This required a glass of wine or two.

This is me before….after I removed my lovely white linen work shirt.

 

I honestly don’t have a huge supply of make-up but, over the years, I have accumulated a stock for Fancy dress and 80s blue eye-shadow.  I still have the same blusher from 8 years ago.

The Joker was a bit enthusiastic.  I have to admit the eye-lash curlers were slightly painful and can’t help thinking lipstick should go on the lips?

 

So what do you think???  Stunner?? Hear me roar!

After watching her work her magic, I’m convinced I need to spend a bit more time on myself.

I don’t normally join into this type of thing but this one is absolutely hilarious so I’m tagging the following fellow bloggers.

  • Annie from Just Annie QPR
  • Monika from Mum on the Brink
  • Lisa from Mummy Whisperer
  • Helen from Actually Mummy
  • and for a laugh, no chance in hell she will do it, but Sally Whittle from Who’s the Mummy

Honestly, ladies have fun, it was one of those lovely mother and daughter moments and remember Baby Wipes are  your friend.  Can’t wait to see the photos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Top Flyers, Chase Canyon

‘Put your knees to your chest, legs apart, chin to your chest and grit your teeth’ sounded a lot like child-birth to me but in fact is the landing position for Ziplining.

I’m absolutely terrified of heights; well in fact, I’m scared of a lot of things but most of my fears boil down to a fear of death.  However, I went Zip lining in Chase Canyon, BC, Canada with my niece, hubby and friends yesterday.  Unfortunately, our daughter wasn’t old or heavy enough.

The scariest part for me was the training line, it’s not as high or long as the others, but the suspended stairway to the platform was unnerving as it swayed from side to side as you walked up it.  My technique was not to look down come neither love nor money, if I did I would have bottled it.

On the way over to the platform, I had a quiet word with Daniel, one of the owners, just to let him know I was terrified of heights so he let me go first.  He did admit later that they secretly like it when people are scared and on one occasion they had to ‘boot’ a lady off the platform; but she did ask them to do so.  She was fine going up but chickened out at the top so when she wasn’t expecting it, after she was safely connected (obviously), they just pushed her off the edge.  Apparently, she loved it and said thanks.

The drive up to the lines in the Canyon was hairy to say the least with a sheer drop on one side.  I was so glad I was sitting on the other side of the van and spent most of the journey working out my escape route through the window in case it rolled, but once you got to the top the scenery was stunning.

The lines in the Canyon were not as scary as the training platform nor the drive up, but flying through the trees, over waterfalls and close to the Canyon walls was exhilarating.

They’ve only been open for a few weeks but we were truly impressed with the level of safety and customer service.  They’re really a friendly bunch of guys that put me totally at ease.  Thanks to the team at Tree Top Flyers for a great day out and we hope to see you again next year.

 

Lost for ideas….try a pick your own…

Don’t you just love summer holidays? Not!  I’m only on day 3 and already on my knees.  I don’t remember as a kid having such a fun filled agenda, my mum used to open the front door shoe us out and that was it for the rest of the day.  Now I find myself busier than a party planner and getting paid diddly squat for it!

We have had a full on day, gymnastics followed by a picnic in the park but this afternoon we did something a bit different.  We went to our local Pick your Own (not nose) and picked some strawberries and blackberries.  I think they’ve missed a trick; they should really weigh the kids before and after and not the punnet as not many berries made it into the pots.

It was a lovely way to kill an hour!  However, it dawned on me afterwards, ‘now what am I going to do with all this fruit?’ I’m no dab hand in the kitchen, a few people suggested making jam followed by scones.  I nearly fell about laughing.  Someone did suggest making wine with it and I was tempted.  I already had a punnet of strawberries and raspberries in the fridge that were out of date, ready to be composted.  My mate was going to make a crumble so I thought I’d give it a go as well.

It was really dead easy.  I used the following recipe….

We had great fun!  But now I know why I don’t bake just imagine we also made a trip to the shop especially for custard….

But her final words were….’I don’t like crumble!’

These kids don’t know they were born.

 

Free things to do with kids in or near St. Albans

The joys of Half-Term!  To stay sane we try to do at least one thing each day.  However, the cost really starts to add up so I’ve put together a wee list of things to do in or near St Albans that are virtually free. You can thank me later!  ;-)

Stockwood Discovery Centre – one of my favourite hidden gems.  It’s near the airport in Luton, only 15 minutes from St. Albans up the M1.  It has a permanent display of horse drawn carriages, plus changing displays, an outdoor playground, bee keeping display, beautiful gardens to run around and a café for a much needed latte.

See if you can find the Anderson Shelter.  It’s near the chickens. We’ve been at least a half a dozen times and discover something new each time.  It’s normally free but during half term they have special events that cost a couple of quid.  This time they have some Creepy Crawlies.

Cassiobury Park, in Watford, we often venture over there on the weekend.  It’s one of Madame’s favourite playgrounds.  It was rebuilt a few years ago and other parks should take note.  The playground is brilliant with very creative apparatus for kids to explore.  Plus, there’s a hot dog stand, ice cream truck, mini railway (£1) and nature reserve.  I love wandering down to the canal to watch the barges go through the locks.  I’ve also recently discovered that there is another ‘nice’ café and playground at the top of the park but I haven’t found it yet.  Do take your scooters!

Nottcutt’s Garden Centre on Hatfield Road.  This one is a bit cheeky, but perfect for a rainy day.  It has a great display of outdoor climbing frames, which technically you aren’t supposed to play on, loads of animals and fish, plus books and toys to browse.  There is also a café with reasonably priced kids meals, with a small fenced off play area.

Then next door there is PJ Camping, which has a giant display of tents that the little ones can run in and out of!  Great fun!

Aldenham Country Park and Rare Breeds Farm, another one of my favourites just past Costco on the A41, it’s well sign-posted.  Technically it isn’t free as it costs you £4 to get out of the carpark but worth it.  There’s an adventure playground, animals to visit, Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Aker Wood to explore and if you remember to bring some bread you can feed the ducks.  Plus, if you’re feeling energetic you can wander around the reservoir.  There’s also a café but if it’s nice out it’s a great place for a picnic.  Or you can do what we do and combine it with a trip to Costco; lunch for two is only £4.20!

The Wick, Marshalls Drive, St. Albans.  The majority of locals don’t even know this exists.  It’s a small wood which is just off one of the poshest streets in town, it has a very small playground in the back of it, but it’s a wonderful wood to explore.  We often go hunting for fairies and monsters.  It’s magical!  Plus, you can ogle the big houses!

Do you have any local hidden treasures you would like to share?