I *may* have mentioned a wedding that has happened recently.

If this managed to pass you by (obviously why, if you didn't send us a card) but the Man on the Pad finally decided to make an honest woman of me and we got married a week or so ago.

The girls really seemed to embrace us getting married, from getting excited about their bridesmaid dresses, to talking about walking down the aisle. There was a little debate over how they would actually walk down the aisle, mainly due to who was going first (me or them) but they came round to my way of thinking eventually. (I promise I wasn't a complete bridezilla).

The little one talked about the wedding alot. Everything seemed to be gauged whether it was happening before or after the wedding and she constantly referred to it as "our wedding".

The tween wanted to be a little more grown up, with styled hair and heeled shoes, while the little one wanted glittery shoes and sparkles in her hair!  

The wedding was full of emotion and then laughter, when a little voice pipes up with "so who am I marrying?"

 Has your little one said anything funny this week? We would love you to share your posts and link up below.

<a href="http://www.littlelilypad.co.uk/blog/" title="Wot So Funee?" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/WotSoFuneeBadge.gif" alt="Wot So Funee?" style="border:none;" /></a>

Tweet

There are a few things that you suddenly find yourself talking about when you become a parent and toilet habits are one of them! So when Tommee Tippee offered our baby blogger the chance to try their new nappy disposal unit, we thought we would give it a try .... here's what she thought.

Nappies; not the most glamorous of topics, but the subject of changing our little ones bum's is one that often comes up in our household and I expect others too! I'd never thought about a way of disposing nappies other than chucking them straight into the bin outside. However, when I was given the opportunity to review the Tommee Tippee Sangenic Nappy Disposal system, it was quite timely as nipping outside to the bin a few times a day in the winter months isn't quite so appealing, and with another baby due in December, it's only going to be a more frequent activity! 

The new coloured design of the Sangenic tub comes in blue and pink so I chose the blue one in order to match my son's bedroom, and I'm very pleased to say it actually goes really well, for a nappy bin it probably couldn't be more stylish. This pleases me for starters!

key features

It's simple to use, you just pop your nappies or nappy sacks into the top, spin it and the nappy disappears into the main tub. Can I smell anything after? Pleased to report no smell  ....... yippee! However when it comes to emptying the bin there is nothing to completely protect the senses so unfortunately this bin doesn't actually work miracles, but its good enough to mean that only one trip to the outside bin is needed per day or so. 

I think this bin is useful but will really come in handy when I've got two little bums to change. Tommee Tippee advise that on average, each cassette will last approximately 3-4 weeks (tested using size 3 nappies (5-9kg) using 3 nappies per day). So anything that makes life a little easier on a day to day basis is always a winner, and it gets an extra star for being surprisingly very good looking! Well done Tommee Tippee!

The new pink & blue nappy disposal system from Sangenic are part of an exclusive promotion at Mothercare and are usually £31.00 but currently on offer at £15.50! Go grab one while you can!

Tweet

Halloween happens to be one of my favourite holidays.

Hatton Country Park in Warwick also happens to be one of our favourite places to go with the children (we had the toddlers birthday here last year).

So Halloween at Hatton sounded a little bit like our ideal day out. It didn't disappoint.

The whole park was decorated, not just by a few simple decorations but all the staff were dressed up, there were pumpkins everywhere and there was no escaping Halloween.

The little one was more interested in the goats than the ghouls but at least she wasn't scared (by either of them).

During Pumpkin Week at Hatton, every child gets the chance to take home their own pumpkin ....... you just have to find one in the Pumpkin Patch!

So the search began ......

The tween became a little obsessed with finding the "perfect pumpkin".

This went on for some time .....

And as for the pumpkin ...... well the tween is fairly sure she picked the best of the patch!! Although it is Daddy's job to carve it (I will keep you posted on that one!)

There is still time to get your pumpkin and enjoy some fun with the family at Hatton this half term, you have until the 2nd November to enjoy the festivities! What are you waiting for??

Tweet

Yes, I mentioned the C word. I heard Christmas songs in a shop this week so the countdown is officially on!

I was talking to a friend about going Christmas shopping this week and whilst I much prefer to do my shopping online, there is something magical about going to the shops, listening to all the songs and getting into the Christmas spirit.

Nearly a quarter of Britons view Christmas shopping as more stressful than rush hour traffic, filling in forms or flying, according to a survey by Ocado. With lots of people to buy for, having a plan is the best way to ensure it is most definitely a happy Christmas, so here are our top tips for stress free Christmas shopping.

1. Make a list

I have been the worlds worst for impulse shopping in the past so making a list (and checking it twice, just to find out who is naughty or nice) absolutely helps to have a definitive number of gifts to buy and who to buy for. 

2. Start Early

Its never too early to start and although it is October, I know people who started in early September. Not only does this give you more time to get everything sorted, it will help you spread the cost too.

3. DIY Gifts

Sometimes it is the handmade gifts that mean more than the expensive cashmere jumper, so if you are a nifty knitter or a crochet queen, then a handmade scarf or blanket could be the ideal and very personal gift for someone this Christmas.

4. Create a budget

Budget, budget, budget. Do not spend what you don't have.  If you have a set budget, don't deviate from it. It will make gift selection easier and results in more practical purchases, rather than emotional ones.

5. Enjoy a little Christmas Spirit

In Birmingham,  the German and Craft Markets span a mile of the city from Symphony Hall through hundreds of stalls leading down New Street to the Bull Ring Shopping Centre, which houses some fabulous shops, restaurants and bars. So why not treat yourself to a glass or two of wine and a stay at a hotel to make a weekend of it. You know we love a good deal, so we have found some great places to stay in Birmingham:

Crowne Plaza

Holiday Inn Coventry

We actually have our Water Babies lessons at the Holiday Inn now, although I am more interested in splashing some festive cheer in a glass, than in the pool at the moment!

I think I just need to get some friends together and see if they fancy joining in the Christmas spirit with me! Who fancies it?

Tweet

Disclosure :  This post is in collaboration with IHG but all stress free tips are our own.