Blog : Little Lilypad Co

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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.
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  1. When does the transition happen from baby swimming to just swimming?

    Posted on

    We finished our swiming lessons for the summer holidays last week and we were suitably subdued that we would be missing our Water Babies adventures over the summer but even more so that our swimming teacher was moving on to pastures new. There are some of our Water Babies friends that are not continuing their lessons next term due to circumstances, which meant that there were more goodbyes to be said before the end of term.
     
    It got me thinking about the transition from Water Babies as some of our group are now obviously gaining exceptional water skills, not purely life saving and enjoyment but the ability to swim freely. So when does the transition happen from baby swimming to "just swimming".
     
    I can't imagine putting my youngest into traditional swimming lessons at the present time, in fact I think it would be counter productive to her confidence and development and in talking to Water Babies, they tell me that the transition period is usually around the age of 4 (so we definitely have some time!).
     
    There are lots of things to consider and prepare for in the transition to main stream lessons, even at ages 4 and above, such as; 
     
    • Before hand, take your child to the pool and ensure they can get in and out of the pool on their own
    • Explain to them that you will not be in the pool with them but you will be near by
    • Visit the venue before hand and show child where they will be swimming and where you will be sitting – it may mean you cannot see them swim
    • Help them pack their own swim bag (so they also know everything they need to bring home with them too!)
    • Explain to them that they should wait for you at a set point for collection after their lesson and not go with any one they do not know
    • Buy a swim hat – it is likely they will have to wear one so you might as well try it on before hand (my eldest was not a fan of this when she started her lessons but she just snaps it on her own head now).

     

    I never forget the tears and trantrums that we had with my eldest when she started traditional swimming lessons, so I know that it is important to make the transition from Water Babies to main stream lessons a smooth one. Thankfully it is not something I need to think about for another 12 months or so ...... or maybe it is me that is not ready to make the transition and accept that my water baby is growing up.
     

  2. Kids Go Free : Cbeebies Magazine & Merlin Entertainments

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    I read an email that said the words "Kids Go Free"

    You know the kind of email that makes you pay attention because where children are concerned, there are not a lot of things that are free!

    I now hope that this blog post does the same for you.

    CBeebies magazine has teamed up with Merlin Entertainments to launch a fabulous Summer long campaign which gives parents the chance to save up to £355 on top kids’ attractions in the UK.  (see I told you that you would want to pay attention).

    cbeebies kids go free issue cover

    Every issue of CBeebies Magazine from the 16th July until the 7th October will come with two vouchers for kids to go free to a different attraction every issue with some of the most popular kids’ attractions in the country including Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures and Sealife.

    Issue 409 has been on sale for a while but the full list of attractions and dates included in this fantastic offer are:  

    • Issue 410 (30th July) - Chessington World of Adventures – Save £68 (£34 per ticket)
    • Issue 411 (13th Aug) – Alton Towers Resort inc. CBeebies Land – Save £86.40 (£43.20 per ticket)
    • Issue 412 (27th Aug) - Warwick Castle – Save £39.60 (£19.80 per ticket)
    • Issue 413 (10th Sept) - Legoland and Legoland Discovery Centre – Save £82.80 (£41.40 per ticket)
    • Issue 414 (24th Sept) – Sealife Centres and Seal sanctuaries – Save £39 (£19.50 per ticket)

    cbeebies kids go free spread 

    We love ways of saving money and having fun, so in exchange for a magazine costing less than £3, we get oodles of adventures and priceless fun with the children ...... I'm in, are you?

     

  3. Country Kids : Skytrail

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    We haven't joined in with Country Kids for a few weeks, as we have been out in the sunshine with a drink in hand rather than the camera but this week we took the girls to the amazing Skytrail and I couldn't resist snapping these shots. Skytrail is right on our doorstep and I didn't know it was there!

    The little one enjoyed the mini beach ....

    Country Kids 260714

    While the big one showed me that she is suddenly a fearless 9 year old by not only going on the Skytrail ....

    Country Kids 260714 1

    ..... but going to the top level of the Skytrail. She was harnessed in and totally safe and in the end we had to convince her to fall off because she was so good! (she took great pleasure in this!)

    country kids 260714 2

    Unfortunately for me, she has now turned into an adrenalin junkie and wants to do it for her next birthday party! I love that she wants to be outside, rather than in front of a TV screen .... I just need to remember that I need to wear suncream as well as the children as I *may* have got a little sunburnt whilst staring at her in the sky!

    Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

  4. Wot So Funee : A clever sausage

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    Do you know what is funny?

    I *almost* forgot to post the Wot So Funee linky this week.

    I absolutely didn't need a nudge from Actually Mummy and of course my post was ready and waiting to be published. 

    So without further ado, it may be short and sweet but here goes .......

    It has been more than a little warm lately and when picking the little one up from her first full day at nursery, we popped to our high street and celebrated what a "big girl" she was with an ice lolly. 

    All she could talk about was her new lunch bag and eating salad at nursery. She looked like a big girl and my heart ached just a little bit.

    We got back into the car to come home and despite the air con, the ice lolly started to melt. Now at home she always has a bowel with an ice lolly (to stop the drips obviously) but then when it eventually falls off the stick, she has great fun smashing it up in the bowl with said stick.

    So imagine my panic when a little voice from the back of the car says "mommy, I need a bowl" ...... I clearly had thought through the ice lolly in the car process.

    So improvisation mommy flew into action and whilst I don't usually keep a bowl in the car, I remember the lunch box and flipped the remenants of her lunch into the bag (lovely job for me later to clean) and handed her the box.

    She just looked at me and replied "oh mommy, you are such a clever sausage".

    I think that may be the best compliment I have ever received!

    Have your little ones said anything funee this week?