Many years ago my eldest daughter had a number of Lalaloopsy dolls and whilst I always thought that they were super cute, my youngest daughter never showed much interest. So when the time came, I gave her collection of dolls away to a charity shop. Typically just months later my youngest daughter becomes obsessed with baby dolls and suddenly I am kicking myself for giving her sisters away. Since then and on a fairly daily basis, my daughter asks for a potty for her "babies" so when we were given the chance to review the Lalaloopsy Babies Potty Surprise, we leapt at the chance. 

Lalaloopsy dolls are not your conventional "baby dolls", they have a  very distinctive look about them and the Lalaloopsy Babies Potty Surprise is no different.

Obviously you have to wrestle with all the ties and packaging whilst having a small child bouncing up and down next to you while you attempt to remove everything from the box but once it is open, the set includes:

• Lalaloopsy Baby wearing a cute little bib and a pretty nappy.
• Potty,
• Bowl with spoon
• 3 pots of magic food. wearing a cute little bib and a pretty nappy. 

My daughter played with the doll by itself for some time before asking about the "potty surprises" and so we set about trying to feed the doll with the food. (Think magic sand and you won't be far wrong).

So in theory you pop the spoon with some food on it into her mouth and turn the dial on the back of the baby to one of the four positions.Then you need to turn the belly button to the right and hold it there for a few seconds. (this is the tough bit and my daughter couldn't do this by herself). You then need to sit the baby on the potty and gently rock her forwards and backwards a few times, which techinically triggers the poop release and out comes the potty surprise. 

In all honesty, we haven't managed to consistently achieve some of the shapes above but that doesn't mean we haven't laughed everytime the baby has pooped out a random shape into the potty.

At £29.99, the Lalaloopsy Babies Potty Surprise is not only well priced but well made too. Aside from this, my daughter adores her and gets excited to play with her every single day. We are therefore just as excited to give you the chance to win one and all you need to do is enter below!

Good luck

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Prize: Lalaloopsy Babies Potty Surprise Doll £29.99
The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
There is no monetary equivalent.
Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
End Date 30/06/2017 at 12am

Nobody ever said that being a parent would be easy, but we’re sure nobody said it would be so hard at times either! When baby duties and all the other details of life are beginning to stack up around you, it can be difficult to keep a calm and relaxed attitude. However, just because that attitude doesn’t come naturally doesn’t mean you can’t get it! You just need to put the systems in place to make it so. Below, we’ve put together five tips to ensure you can remain a calm parent no matter how hectic things get.

Source: Pexels.com

Advice from the Experts

Believe it or not, you’re not the first parent to be overwhelmed by the responsibilities in front of them! Every other mum in the world has been through the same thing, and there’s a lot of literature out there that can guide you on how to navigate the difficult periods. Pick up a few good parenting books and use your downtime to read through them. It’s much better than scrolling through Facebook, especially as reading naturally calms us, too.

Finding Your Moments of Zen

Besides your duties as a parent, how are you spending your time? What we do reflects how we feel. If we’re moving at a million miles per hour, then using our non-baby time to do things that don’t relax us, then there’s no wonder we’re stressed! Start your morning with a jog or some yoga, or whatever it is you like to do. It’ll put you in the right frame of mind to tackle the day head on.

Camille from www.thefloatspa.co.uk said: ‘Yoga is not only used for fitness, it can be a very effective relaxation technique that can calm the mind and motivate you for the day ahead.’

Being Prepared

We can eliminate a lot of issues from our life if we’re just prepared! For example, if you wake up in the morning and have to take care of clothes, meals,  figuring out a plan for the afternoon, and so on, then, of course, you’ll feel overwhelmed. However, if you took care of all of them the night before, you’ll be free and clear. This preparation extends to little time-saving hacks, too. If you have a GP at hand via your smartphone or web browser, you’ll be able to easily get medical advice when it’s needed, without having to book an appointment for the doctor. Getting your supermarket shopping delivered can also save hours each week. In essence, it’s all about using the most of the technology and time-saving hacks available to you!  

Don’t Let The Small Things Cripple You

We’re all confronted by little things each day that threaten to derail our happiness. The next time it happens to you...just let it go (it’s unimportant). Don’t let it work its way under your skin. Ignore, and move on. Life is much easier when we have a relaxed attitude: and it us just an attitude; anyone can have it!

Calling in the Help

And finally, don’t be afraid to rope in the help of your friends and family. Just having people around can be enough to calm us down. There’s no reason to battle through alone!

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Italy is the must-see country that sits at the top of most bucket-lists. The combination of romance, stunning architecture and delicious food is irresistible.

I have wanted to go to one of the many gorgeous Italian locations for years and I might add it to my list of things to do before I am 40, so if you have been saving up for a break away this year, Italy could tick all of your boxes. It is a safe, family-friendly destination if you want to take the kids and a romantic getaway if you decide to have a break away without them. Here are 5 gorgeous Italian destinations that you simply can’t resist.

Image source

1. Impressive Rome

Rome is the glorious capital of both modern Italy and the ancient Roman Empire so you get to see two cities in one. There are so many sights to see in Rome, it is important to get organised before you go to make the most of your time there. European Tours are the easiest way to make sure that you are not missing anything. Your itinerary will be planned perfectly to ensure that you get to experience both the major sights and hidden gems. You get your own tour guide so you can ask whatever questions you like and learn as much as you can from the experience. Obviously, you cannot miss the Colosseum and the St. Peter Basilique in the Vatican but you will also love the Spanish steps of Piazza di Spagna.

2. Beautiful Florence

Florence is the classic Renaissance city, packed with charming elegance, architecture, art, and culture. It is hard to pick out the most beautiful aspects of Florence because it is all stunning but the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria are both places where you can view the highlights of Florentin architecture. They were once the political and religious centres of this historic city and give an insight into the Florence of the past. If art is what you are seeking, you need to head straight to the Uffizi Gallery where you can find the most famous paintings by Leonardo and Raphael. For a taste of modern Italy and an injection of Italian culture, book a performance at the new opera house in Florence for an evening that you won’t forget.

3. Stunning Cinque Terre

Translated this means the ‘Five Lands’ and it is a set of five linked villages which are located on a cliff on the Italian Riviera. They are an impressive sight. It is not surprising that this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts thousands of tourists every year who come to see that colourful houses and fortified towers. You can view the houses from the sea or there is a panoramic hiking trail called the Sentiero Azzuro (light blue trail) which connects the five villages. However, be warned, it ends with a climb up 368 steps and so is not suitable for very young children or those with mobility problems.

4. Unique Venice

There is nowhere quite like Venice anywhere else in the world. It is built on a lagoon and transport is via a series of canals. There no roads or cars. It’s packed with history and art and is simply the most romantic place on earth. It is best to visit out of season when it is cooler, less busy and you get to avoid all of the cruise ships that visit in the height of summer. On the other hand, in the winter it can be chilly and covered in sea mist so you will miss the beauty of the city. Early Spring is probably the best option. Don’t miss a ride in a traditional gondola but be prepared to pay a high price for it!

5. Gorgeous Amalfi Coast and Capri

Here you can combine relaxation with some sight-seeing. The area is steeped in culture and nature and you are never far from the breath-taking rocky coast. The first villas here date back to Roman times and there have been settlers here ever since leaving a rich tapestry of history and architecture. At one point is was one of the four Marine Republics ruling Italy. The three hotspots for tourists are the unmistakable Cathedral of Amalfi, Ravello and Postiano. Then you can head out to the wonderful island of Capris. Dubbed the ‘Garden of Eden’ this island is incredibly popular with tourists and can get very busy.  It was once home to an emperor and a monastery so there is plenty of history to discover. The best view is from the north of the island from which you can spot Vesuvius in all her glory!

Have you ever been and is there anywhere you would recommend as a must see part of Italy?

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Summer is well and truly here. We’ve been promised some hefty heatwaves in the UK over the next few weeks, and I wore a skirt, so I can confirm that we’re all ready for it.

In theory, that is. In reality, we’ll have to shed our cardis and give up our cuppas – we’ll be wishing for autumn again in no time. But for now, let’s imagine the bliss of the summer sun, bbq's in the back garden, and children happily playing outside, heads in the clouds rather than attached to screens.

As parents, we all understand that sun comes with safety issues. The best way to protect little ones from harm is to keep them covered. Sunblock is advised from birth to five years, with factor 30+ sunscreen thereafter. You should also be sure that your selection protects from both UVA and UVB rays.

Sun cream aside, there are other ways to keep our youngsters safe in the sun, whether you’re holidaying at home or venturing abroad.

Invest in a sun safe swimsuit

Unlike other items in your kids’ wardrobes, sun safe swimwear is made from material that offers a specific level of ultraviolet (UV) protection. Look for a swim piece that provides UPF 50. This will block 98 per cent of the sun’s UV radiation. All very scientific, but in practical talk, it means not having to reapply sun cream every single hour of the summer holidays. I know it is nice to get a bit of colour but I would rather have the peace of mind than the worry of sunburn.

Aim for the shaded areas

Keep the kids in shaded areas. It may seem like common sense, but sun worshippers out there can be too quick to dismiss the risks of being out in direct sun all day. Give your children’s sensitive skin a break from harmful UV rays and find a cool spot out of the sun. It is also possible to buy sun safe play tents for young children, which provide shade and additional UPF protection.

Stay out of the midday heat

The sun is at its strongest between midday and 3pm, wherever you are in the world. This is the best time for children to take a break from being outdoors. Head inside, grab some lunch. If you’re out and about, find somewhere cool to sit inside for a little while. When holidaying with nippers, try to build in a daytime nap just after noon. That way everyone gets some rest, and the children miss the glare of the midday heat.

Pack a sun hat

Sun hats can help prevent the scalp from burning, while providing shade over sensitive facial areas. UPF protector caps are now available to buy too, which usually include sunshade neck flaps as well. Keep the head undercover, there’s nothing worse for children than a serious bout of sunstroke on holiday. Or for us grown-ups, for that matter.

Reconsider your holiday dates

Sure, it’s good to getaway to Greek isles in the peak of summer, but have you considered holidaying slightly out of season? As well as getting more holiday for your money, temperatures are likely to be much better for young ones. April to May and early October are ideal times to fly to typical holiday destinations, which is what we did this year. A May half term holiday was a novelty for us but it was also a tolerable temperature for the children. 

Do you have any other tips?

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