Ma Ma Comes To Stay

You may all be familiar with John Crane Toys, but you may not have heard about their exciting new campaign! It's just a bit of fun, but they have handed out 100 wooden Grand Parents (from their Tidlo Collection) to loving family's around the UK because....these excitable little Grandparents want to travel...

Ma Ma (The name she adapted this morning) rolled up on the Train just before lunch, she looked very excited and instantly exclaimed how enjoyable her journey had been from the John Crane Head Quarters. Ma Ma could not wait to meet Leo and get settled into her new home.

We opted into adopting Ma Ma so we could take her along on our exciting adventures, which of course there are many!

The thought of Ma Ma sitting at home with Pop's doing nothing but staring at the same four walls, made us think that we could take her with us and show her the world! Ma Ma has told us that her relationship with Pop's these days is strained to say the least! It is not what it use to be....So I know we made the right descision in welcoming Ma Ma into the family.

There will be many photo's and even videos of Ma Ma having the time of her life, while she is joining in on the hustle and bustle of my little family. There will be days out and even holidaying abroad this Summer!

So keep your eyes peeled for the Adventures of Ma Ma, as there are sure to be many!

Here is Ma Ma getting settled in to her new home.

As you can see, Ma Ma is very young at heart. There are no signs of any aches or pains. Ma Ma is fighting fit and can tackle the tallest assent with just her climbing rope and bare hands!


Ma Ma has advised that her biggest dream is to go boating, so we have arranged for this to happen! I know...What is better than making an old lady's dreams come true!


This is how Ma Ma got on during her boating exhibition.

Watch this space for more of Ma Ma's adventures!

Laura xx

Leo & His Bodily Functions...

Over the weekend Leo thought his bodily functions were incredibly funny. I was recording him and this little scene unfolded right in front of my eyes. As you will see the timing is just spot on. I am sure he is actually laughing at his Uncle Chris, but the element of him laughing at himself is there to say the least!

I hope Leo can put a a big smile on your faces as I have to admit this did make me chuckle! Of course I am biased being his Mummy and all...but I am sure you will agree!

Who would have thought a baby laughing at his bodily functions would put such a grin on your face!? I am sure it will only stay funny until he hits 1...and then he will be in the same category as Daddy when he does it. In the Dog house!

I guess having a little boy....I am going to be overwhelmed with toilet humour...So I best get used to it now, as I have both Leo and Luke to contend with!

Laura xx

Daddy Comes To Baby Group!

I attend a baby group every Monday, I usually go along with other Mummy's that I have become acquainted with through many different baby events over the months since having Leo.

Today I took a V.I.P with me. I brought Leo's Daddy along for the experience.

As Luke had the day off from work after a busy weekend, being here, there and just about everywhere. I jumped at the chance to take Luke with us on our religious Monday Morning Mother's Meet. Luke accepted my intriguing offer, maybe to get a insight into my day to day activities with Leo? Or maybe because I am always talking about how Leo now mingles with the other babies, and he now wanted to see it first hand. What ever the reason. Luke happily obliged to come along.

Before leaving the house....A little later than usual (As always, when having the man with me) we took a leisurely stroll into the town where the group is hosted. I could not resist a little bit of a wind up, filling Luke in on the Pink T-shirt that he would have to attire in order to participate in the group, more of a uniform if you will. I watched his face drop, as if to say 'NO way!' and then chose that moment in time to bring him in on my little fib.

Luke must think that baby group is like School....That Leo has to go by law. He seemed very panicked that we were not there for 10:30am on the dot when the doors open, like back in the day when you missed the last bell for entering school on time. I explained that it was fine and we could arrive from anytime after the opening time. I think he was just worried they would run out of tea and biscuits...

We had a lovely time watching Leo crawl around all the toys, and up to a mirror to give himself a big wet sloppy kiss...Well in my opinion it was more of a lick, but either way Leo seemed immensely pleased with himself.

Luke and I got Leo weighed together for the first time since those early days of bringing Leo out of hospital. Leo now has to sit on the scales like the other big babies, as getting him to lie down is just not going to happen. Luke seemed impressed that there were health visitors on hand every week, so I can query any concerns I may have, and get Leo weighed, all while having a gossip with the other Mums.

I tend to get Leo weighed every fortnight and now, at 8 months old, he weighs a whopping 21 lbs & 2oz!

It was lovely for Luke to see Leo playing and really coming into his own. Leo's cheeky persona shines through for everyone to see. He demonstrated his new party tricks and crawled into the centre of the room, and began to clap. For no one else's amusement but his own.

Each week, people give up their time to make this group happen. They serve Tea & Coffee, and there is even one lady that brings along her guitar to play to the babies. They hand out Shakers so the babies can join in, in their own way and the music begins. Leo loves this, and is more than happy to clap along, giggle and smile. He especially loves the song where he gets thrown high up in the air and caught again!

When the music began Luke looked a bit taken a back, maybe I had forgotten to mention that they sang nursery rhymes? It didn't take him long to realise just how much Leo enjoyed himself. Luke was then the one to be throwing Leo up in the air and rowing the boat merrily down the stream.

Both my boys seemed to have a lovely morning, and even Luke has said this evening just how nice it was to see Leo begin to play with other children and see what actually goes on inside the Mother's Meet. He is privvy to all the little chit chats and secrets that we share while the men are out at work....

The rest of the day was a relaxed one, we all felt pretty exhausted after our stroll and baby group taking all our energy away. I say OUR but what I really mean is Lukes energy....

Leo decided upon getting home that he now has another new trick.....He likes to try and help Daddy play on the PlayStation, now he can pull himself up to standing,  and get that controller off Daddy if he really wants to! Much to Luke's utter horror!

Happy Monday Everyone,
Laura xx

The Space Hopper Pre-Shoes Review

Leo and I have been lucky enough to review a pair of the fantastic Pre-Shoes, both Leo and I have rated them very highly, we both fell head over heals and into shoe heaven, as soon as they arrived! Well actually..In all honesty this happened prior to their arrival. I have been staking out the website and looking at all the fabulous designs. If Leo is anything like me...We have a serious shoe-aholic issue on our hands!

If you aren't familiar with Pre-Shoes, I do have to ask....Why not!? I must insist that this all changes at once and you head over to their website and check out the very exciting range on offer.

Let me introduce you to Pre-Shoes: 'Susie Warner, a mother of two and a former Director of a large Company founded Pre Shoes in 2009. Susie's mission is to provide a range of gorgeous soft leather shoes for babies and toddlers that are value for money!

Pre Shoes has allowed Susie to apply her creative flair and channel her passion into a product that is fun, yet practical.

At Pre Shoes quality is of the up most importance to us and that is why we are members of the British Leather Centre.

We at Pre Shoes work very closely with the British Leather Centre to ensure the highest of quality standards. All of Pre Shoes Baby shoes leather is tested and has been awarded the leathersure mark. Whenever you see this accreditation you can be assured it is quality leather.

We know our designs are adorable and the quality is outstanding, but hey, don’t take our word for it, do take a look for yourself at our gorgeous designs.'

The pair of shoes we have had the pleasure of reviewing, is a extremely lovely pair of Space Hopper Pre-Shoes, which actually happens to be one of the latest designs in their ever expanding line up.

The shoes arrived in a very well presented transparent zip up bag with a neat carry handle, it did not take me long to get them out, and slip them with ease onto Leo's little feet.

My first impressions of the shoes were just through the roof and up to the high heavens. The leather is so soft and stretchy. I feel this is very important when putting shoes on babies. Leo is now at the age where he needs something on his feet. He crawls like a little army trooper so I like that the shoes just keep his little toes tucked away nice and safely.

They are made of soft, top quality leather that allows baby's feet to breathe, keeping them warm in winter and cool in summer.

Leo has had the odd pair of booties in the past, but they have always fallen off, so in the end I gave up putting them on him. Today though, these super Space Hopper shoes stayed on all day until I took them off! I was actually amazed. Socks don't even stay on...But these Pre-Shoes do!

The reason these shoes fit so nicely is because they have an elasticated comfort band to hold them snugly in place. These shoes don't just look the part, they are the part! They offer a comfortable, soft and practical solution, when it comes to putting shoes on babies. There are NO laces to tie or buckles to fasten, simply slip them on!

Another feature that I am up mostly impressed with, is that each and every shoe manufactured by Pre-Shoes boast an anti-slip suede sole that provides the perfect flexibility. Leo has been known to crawl into our kitchen (Tiled) in his socks...and slips and slides everywhere. Today...When he did just this, he could crawl as he would do on the carpeted floors.

I am so glad to have discovered Pre-Shoes, I think they are a brilliant product and feel that when Leo is learning to walk and toddling around, these shoes are the perfect footwear. They are light and flexible enough for Leo to get around.

They are available in four sizes from newborn up to 24 months, they come in designs for both boys and girls. There is so much choice that every taste is catered for. My all time Favourite is The Frog Prince.

The Space Hopper Pre-Shoes we have reviewed retail at £15.99.

You can visit Pre-Shoes and check out their full range.

I will leave you with a little video that Leo and I made to wrap up our review.

The Slugs & Snails Competition

The Boy Is My Best Friend

The boy is my BEST friend.

Over 9 months we grew together. Physically and emotionally. My tummy expanded to accommodate his needs. He grew from the size of sesame seed into my baby boy. I found emotions somewhere inside along the way,  that I didn't know I could ever feel.


Now he is here, we both continue to grow and learn new things everyday. Some life lessons about the world around us, shaping us to be better people. Leo is a little sponge absorbing everything that I show him, I am his teacher. Whether we take a walk by the river or stay home and play with his toys. We are learning all the time.


We laugh together and sometimes we cry together, but no matter what. Things always work out for the best. I am there to wipe away the tears and give him the special huggle, only I can provide. I am there to tuck him into bed at night, and if he wakes in the early hours. I am there to settle him and put him back to bed. When he wakes in the morning, I am there to give him his breakfast.


I am there to play with him, have a giggle and a joke. We go on exciting adventures and see many new things along the way. We are both on a journey...A journey of growing up.


I am a consistency that he relies on, but I rely on him too. I need him to do all of these things. I would go to the moon and back to keep him safe and happy.

That's what any Mummy would do.

The boy is my best friend.

Wordless Wednesday: A Belated Post