When I agreed to become part of the Wot So Funee team, I knew that comedy wasn't my forte. I am the kind of person that thinks of a brilliant response ten minutes after a conversation has ended. I am REALLY funny by text message, as I have a chance to think about my reply. This however, is not the case for my youngest daughter.

She is a toddler, so provides us with no end of amusing anecdotes but this week she reached a new level.

It has been sunny and there is no escaping the need for sunscreen, hats and sunglasses ...... well unless you are Daddy apparently.

 

Toddler : Why are you putting that cream on your face Daddy?

Daddy : Because its sunny.

Toddler : Why are you wearing sunglasses Daddy?

Daddy : Because its sunny.

Toddler : Why are you wearing a hat Daddy?

Daddy : Because it's sunny

Toddler : Don't do that Daddy .... it will hide your beautiful face.

 

Should I be concerned that she has never questioned me putting cream on my face?

 

Has your little ones said anything funny this week? Fancy linking up to Wot So Funee?

Rules are simple:

Wake up and smell the roses. What does it even mean? I think that it actually comes from a mixing up of metaphors, namely;

• Stop and smell the roses (rough meaning: appreciate life).

• Wake up and smell the coffee (rough meaning: get real)

I think "appreciate life" is much more agreeable than simply "get real" and today the sun is shining and we have been outside appreciating it.

Unfortunately our morning has been more about running through the daisies and blowing bubbles than actually stopping and smelling the roses, (maybe I should scour those gifts for her and get some roses shipped in), but in the meantime, we have been appreciating the little things.

Appreciating a day when the pollen count isn't too high, as the little one suffers with a touch of hay fever.

Watering my hand made hanging basket and actually seeing the flowers grow.

We have made daisy chains.

We have "tested" to see if we like butter .... using the very technical method of a buttercup under your chin.

We have blown bubbles into the wind.

We have run away from bumble bees.

We have chased squirrels out of the garden.

We have spent no money. We have used no technology. We just woke up and appreciated life. Roses might have been nice but the daisies worked as a pretty good substitute!

 

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This post is in collaboration with Floraqueen.

We are currently number one in the ebuzzing charts for crafts, which is a major achievement in anyone's book, let alone mine so holidays with a craft accents, certainly piqued our interest.

We all like to take souvenirs home with us as permanent reminders of our trips (or if you are like my girls, every single outing means collecting something). But, they don’t have to be as ubiquitous or generic as a fridge magnet or a tea towel. There are lots of holiday destinations where you can craft or make your own mementos to take home to keep or give as gifts to family and friends. If you are still trying to decide where to take your little ones during the summer holiday or October half term, here are just a few of the best places to get your family’s creative juices flowing.

Painting pots in Northumberland

 

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Combining quirky accommodation with the chance to make your own pottery, Berwick’s Pot-a-doodle do wigwam village on the Northumberland coast offers a unique holiday experience. There’s an art centre where you can try your hand at a range of crafts from painting pots to making mosaics and glass painting. The glazing process takes two days so it’s the perfect excuse to stay for a break in a wigwam while you wait for your design to be ready to take home. My family originates from Northumberland so it would be a great chance to visit my heritage while keeping the girls amused too!

Knitting in Wales

 

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So many traditional skills have been lost but Wales’ National Wool Museum is doing its bit to keep the arts of knitting and spinning alive for the next generation. There are lots of hands-on activities for children all year round, including making blanket-stitch cards – perfect if a loved one has a birthday or special event coming up. During every school holiday, there’s an even bigger events programme, including an art cart, activities and trails. The museum is based in Carmarthenshire, so you could combine a day of crafting with some time at the beach. Pendine Sands caravan park is a good accommodation option because it sits just minutes from the beach of the same name, so you can spend mornings or early evenings walking on the sand, enjoying a picnic tea and watching the kite buggies whizz across the bay.

Make your own Gaudi masterpiece in Barcelona

 

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If you want to go a little further afield, Barcelona is renowned for the Gaudi architecture which dots the city. And, while you won’t be able to afford your own Gaudi artwork, you can have a go at making a piece in a similar style. The Mosaiccos centre allows you to make your own colourful tile mosaic. There are sessions for children and adults, with participants designing their own creation before being advised on the best way to realise their vision. Results are so impressive you’ll have a hard time persuading loved ones back home that you really did make it yourself.

Bone carving in New Zealand

Bone carving is a large part of New Zealand’s cultural heritage. You’ll see beautifully carved necklaces in swirling designs and Maori carvings adorning earrings and bracelets. You’ll find several studios dotted around the country which offer you the chance to carve your very own piece of bone jewellery. The Nelson Bone Carving Studio offers a full day workshop for around $80. At the end, you should have your own wearable creation. Now that is a souvenir!!

 Making incense in Japan

 

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They say smell is the sense which most evokes the most memories. So, making a souvenir which smells of your holiday is surely one of the loveliest ways to continue your holiday once you get back home. In Japan, there are lots of rituals involving incense so you’ll smell it everywhere you go. Incense is thought to purify the air, making a more sacred environment for rituals. At most incense factories, you can either watch incense being made or try your hand at making it yourself.

Opting for a holiday where you can make and do is sure to give you plenty of experiences to try as a family, and, you almost get to bring the holiday home with you ...... now where is my passport??

Disclaimer : This is a collaborative post.

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My mum always says that "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" and I have always been mindful of that. Whether I need to be confident (when I am almost definitely not) or if I need to be brave (when my legs are quivering) ... which has been especially prevalent this weekend as I walked into the Britmums Live conference. I had been last year, knew lots of lovely people but that didn't stop the conference nerves.

I was being silly. I knew that.

I needed some attitude. Some confidence and belief in myself.

I reminded myself that I had an amazing sponsor to shout about and it was so easy to do that. Swimming is something every mum wants their child to be able to master and I had great fun sharing our experiences with lots of mums and mums to be.

So when I got home, it seemed only natural for my "babies" to be in the water in this glorious sunshine.

I think looking at this photo ..... maybe I need a little of her attitude!

 

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