Last weekend I met up for a friends birthday.

It was a big birthday (we won't mention the number but it *might* rhyme with naughty).

We have all been friends for over 15 years and don't get to see each other as often as we used to, you know the way work, children and life kind of takes priority at times but we do make an effort every couple of months and especially on birthdays.

It is kind of obligatory for me to insist we take a picture, so that we will all remember these times in our old age (although the years seems to be creeping up on us now).

Unfortunately I was trying to take the picture with the four of us in it, I managed to crop myself and my friend Kim out of it completely and this must have been the third or forth attempt. (We must have looked bonkers).

But do you know what?

I kind of like it!

I am linking up with Actually Mummy and her Expressions Linky, go and have a look at some of the other great expressions posts this week.

We love supporting UK style and products, so when we heard that tommee tippee® closer to nature were celebrating all things British this summer with a limited edition Best of British collection of bottles and gifts, we knew we neeeded to see them. (Our baby blogger is originally from London, so this was particularly well received).

The Best of British Limited Edition collection is a range of essential baby products decorated with iconic British imagery. The collection from British brand tommee tippee® closer to nature® consists of 3 gift sets containing 2 bottles and 2 soothers in pink, blue or traditional London bus red and 3 single 260 ml bottles. Each bottle has a unique iconic London Bus design, and comes in a gorgeous presentation / gift box.

The tommee tippee® closer to nature® bottles are suitable to use from birth and are designed to mimic the natural flex, stretch and movement of a mum’s breast.  The quality is second to none and typical of what we know and expect from a recognised brand. We also love that they fit perfectly into the Perfect Prep machine too!

With England out of the World Cup and Andy Murray out of Wimbledon, we can still rely on tommee tippee® to celebrate what is good about being British!

The tommee tippee® closer to nature® Best of British limited edition range is available from 16th June in Mothercare but we are giving you a chance to win a set (colour of your choice), by entering below:

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Everyone loves a giggle don't they? Well that is just what you will get with our latest giveaway!

Cirque Du Hilarious are award-winning father and son duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams. For over fifteen years, CIRQUE DU HILARIOUS has been bringing the magic of circus and mirth of comedy to audiences across the UK. 

They are currently touring Butlins and will be taking up residence in Blackpool over the summer in the Central Pier before heading over to Newcastle for their annual sell out panto. The Cirque du Hilarious show is a fantastic mix of slapstick comedy, death defying acts and pure stupidity. We hear that there are a range of catchphrases that the children love (although I suspect we won't if they are still repeating them a few weeks later). It is fun for all the family and will have your sides aching with laughter.

So would you like to see the show in Blackpool this summer? We are!

All you need to do is enter below but you had better be quick, the giveaway is only open until the 10th July!

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Raising a child is hard work! ....... This may be the undestatement of the year.

From getting to grips with the demanding routine of a newborn baby, to finding enough time to clean the home, earn a living and keep the children entertained and getting to school on time each morning, there are many challenges which you’ll face.

Obviously, the end results are more than reward enough though and there are very few parents who’d give up the sleepless nights and parental conflicts if it meant they didn’t have their bundles of joy with them anymore.

For those approaching parenthood - or already lucky enough to be in it - here are five things that only those with kids will understand. Whether you read this list alone or joking about it with your parents when visiting them at a McCarthy and Stone retirement home, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of things to relate to.

1. Sleep doesn’t stop, it changes forever

Sleepless nights are a common discussion topic for any prospective or current parent but the idea that you’ll ‘never sleep again’ isn’t entirely accurate. The truth is that while there will be a few sleepless nights to contend with, the rest of your evenings will be spent sleeping in a very different way.

Forget putting your head down and instantly falling into a deep slumber – once you’re a parent you’ll only ever doze lightly when turning in for the night. All of your senses will be pricked to detect the slightest disturbance or movement and this is something which will stay with you no matter how old your children get. Waking in the night when they are babies, to waiting up for them to get in when they are teenagers ..... I worry that I may never sleep properly again!!

2. Everyone thinks they know better – even those without kids

I have seen so many new parents may look for guidance from parents or friends but that doesn’t mean they want to be bombarded with every parenting opinion in circulation. Unfortunately, almost everyone has an idea of what “perfect parenting” consists of – and they won’t be shy about voicing it to you.

Even those without kids think they could do it better and new parents will have to learn a whole new level of restraint and patience when dealing with what can often come across as misguided and even condescending attitudes. Do. Not. Listen. Just find what works for you and your family.

3. Your definition of ‘gross’ will change radically

Always insisted on keeping a pristine house without an item out of place? Considered burps as vulgar and disgusting? Expect all of these sentiments to change when you have kids! Every parent must deal with their fair share of bodily functions – from nappy changing to sickness, you’ll have no time to think something is ‘gross’ when looking after a little one.

From rubbing all sorts of liquids and foods into their hair and faces, to running round the house like a whirlwind and upsetting your usual tidiness, you’ll need to reconsider your definition of ‘gross’ if you’re to survive! Trust me, I know.

4. Schoolwork is harder than you remember

Packing the kids off to school can seem like a relief for parents – until they bring you their homework that is! Most kids will need a little help and guidance from time to time and this puts a lot of pressure on parents who may have been out of education and the working world for some time.

Schoolwork will almost certainly be harder than you remember – research by The Open University Business School found 70% of adults couldn’t answer mock GCSE finance questions correctly and this will present numerous challenges for both you and your child. Only this weekend I was doing "mental maths" with my 9 year old and there were certainly some questions that made me have to think!

5. Everything you do is ‘embarrassing’

Finally, expect your kids to view every action, comment and move you make as ‘embarrassing’. For most parents, turning their children red-faced seems to be a natural talent and the phrase “you’re so embarrassing” is one you should become familiar with.

Don’t take it personally though – all parents are in the same boat and sometimes, just sometimes it is good to get them back for those "gross" moments! (but I didn't say that!)

This post is in collaboration with McCarthy and Stone but all none sleeping children are our own!

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