My BritMums Carnival Party

I am very excited today to be hosting the Britmums Blog Carnival.
It is really a virtual party to celebrate the wonderful world of blogging in general and parent bloggers in particular.

We’ve all got something in common in this (sometimes) rough road of parenting and so I feel a great affinity to some of the amazing people who have come to join my party.

So without further ado, let’s turn the music up, pour yourself a drink (I’m opting for an un-festive Pepsi Max thanks to pregnancy) and let the fun begin. I have put lipstick on for you though-how honoured are you?

It’s the time of year for colds and bugs and unfortunately, Lisa at MummaScribbles has had her fair share of caring for a sick baby. In a letter to my poorly toddler, she really opens up about the fear of seeing your child sick and the wish that you could take the hurt away for them. Really cute post.

Similarly, sickness has reared its ugly head at Niki’s house over at Play and Learn Every day but to ease the suffering they have made some rather marvellous snow men out of play dough-surely a hit to make little people forget their sniffles and have fun.

Gemma at You’re My Sunshine on a Cloudy Day wrote a poignant piece about World Prematurity Day and reflects on how her child was born six weeks early. He is a gorgeous little boy and any parent can empathise with the traumatic start to life little Corey had and the rough time poor Gemma has been through.

Lightening the atmosphere a bit, Jill at Cake Junki writes a piece about the things that change when you have children like the state of your car, your appearance and even what you carry in your handbag but, that despite it all,  love really does change everything. This is a really funny piece that I think a lot of people will relate to.

The hilarious piece from Jane at Hodge Podge Days gives you helpful tips about how to have a child-free, dog-free bath in peace, or not as the case may be. I found this particularly funny, not just because Jane is brilliant but I quite often have an audience in the bathroom too with my daughter and dog-the joys.

Then we’re getting a bit festive with Catherine at Story Snug with her book themed Advent Calendar. Honestly, this is such a thoughtful and brilliant idea. Read for yourself how you can excite your children for Christmas with the power of words which as we all know are mightier than the sword and, dare I say the chocolate Advent calendar version-controversial I know.

The UnCheshire Wife is also getting festive but reminding us to think of the less fortunate this Christmas too. As the weather gets colder and we turn our thoughts to gift giving and feasting, it has long been tradition to also think of the less fortunate in our communities. She talks about her local foodbank and it really is a worth while read to inspire others to go and do the same.

Fiona at Coombe Mill lives on a farm like me and, she lives far enough away that I can copy her animal purchases without being taken to court for libel-my bunny village is coming along quite nicely thank you.
Seriously though, Coombe Mill is a farm holiday business where children and their families can stay and live on a real-life farm. This is very close to my heart.
We read in the papers all the time that children do not know where their food comes from. As a farm mummy, I take it for granted that my children will grow up knowing that our cute lambs in Spring will eventually end up as Sunday dinner and that most of the food in our kitchen has started out at some point on a farm.
Places like Coombe Mill are an essential taster for children who, ordinarily wouldn’t get the chance to experience what it is like to really live on a farm and they have set up a new area on their website where children can learn age-related farm facts and gain knowledge on the different areas of farming and not even have to get their feet muddy-winner.

Another farmer’s wife is Emma at Bubble Blue and Me. She is talking primary school places. What to ask, how many to look around-all the advice you could possibly need. My Boo is also starting primary school next year but rather than be a blubbering mess like me, Emma is much more pragmatic about it all and I am going to take a leaf out of her book. She is right. By the time it comes, they will all be ready.

Emma and I are scarily alike-we have the same name, are both married to farmers and our children are more or less, exactly the same age-spooky.

 

So that’s it, the neighbours sheep are complaining about my loud music and, if you want to know the truth, the Pepsi Max has gone to my head. Ive had a great time at the BritMums Carnival. I hope you have too.