Photos of Elvaston Castle

We are really lucky with where we live, 20 minutes in one direction and we are in the peak district, and 20 minutes in the other direction and we are in the centre of the city, which has some amazing parks and open spaces.

One of our very favourite places is Elvaston Castle. With beautiful scenery and plenty of wildlife it is the perfect place to spend the day. I think the photos speak for themselves!

Sophie was very pleased to have mastered the play park! Shes getting so much more confident

Catch up Sophie!

We had lots of fun feeding the ducks and geese!

I love the contrast of woods and open spaces

One tired little girl!

Thanks for looking! x

30 ways to save £1 (or thereabouts)

Like so many other families, since the credit crunch we have had to tighten our belts. I am always looking for new ways to save money and so are the lovely people over at Money Supermarket.

They want to find 1000 money saving tips to help us all, whether it is reducing our outgoings or saving to afford that holiday, new car or house deposit.

 And to help them out here are 30 of my money saving tips :)

1. Cook meals in bulk and freeze leftovers to reduce waste
2. Try having a vegetarian meal each week as meat is so expensive
3. Have one or two really cheap meals each week
4. Buying frozen veg will help you reduce waste
5. Try buying supermarket own brands instead of top brands, the quality can be very good
6. Don't be tempted by buy one get one free offers if its not something you would normally buy
7. Always meal plan and write a shopping list to avoid impulse buys
8. If you really can't avoid temptation, then try shopping online
9. When shopping online, always search the internet for voucher codes for money off or free delivery
10. Try the budget supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl - we recently tried Aldi and the quality has been great
11. Buy non-perishable items in bulk to save money - just make sure it is something you will actually use!
12. Freeze fruit and veg if it is close to its use by date. Frozen fruit is perfect for smoothies.
13. Make extra for meals and use for packed lunches, or dinners the next day
14. Use up veggies that are about to turn in soups
15. I always make a tomato pasta sauce the day before shopping day and use up whatever veg I have left in the fridge
16. Use natural cleaners such as vinegar and lemon juice rather than expensive shop bought cleaners
17. Dried pet food often works out cheaper per meal than tinned food
18. Make a picnic, grab a football and head down to the local park for a free day out with the kids
19. Always take a flask of hot water out for the day with you to save on expensive cafe prices
20. Look on discount sites such as Groupon for cheap days and meals out
21. Take advantage of kids eat free deals in restaurants
22. Go to places with a salad bar included in with the price and fill up
23. Drink tap water or refillable soft drinks, restaurants make a massive profit on drinks
24. Take advantage of cheap online photo processing deals
25. You can buy canvas kits online and print your own photos on them, they make great gifts for family too
26. Make Christmas and Birthday presents for family and close friends, or make up hampers with things you know the recipient loves
27. Get the kids to make cards for family
28. Look out for local nearly new sales for kids clothing
29. Do toy swaps with your friends rather than buying new toys when the kids get bored
30. Always shop around for bigger purchases, you can get some good deals on the internet and can also use cash back sites and collect loyalty cards

Happy money saving!

Your best parenting moment?

I never realised just how overwhelming being a mummy would be - I'm not the natural maternal type, but from the moment I laid eyes on my little girl I was amazed by her. For the first 2 weeks of her life we didn't even turn the TV on, we just watched her, whether she was eating, sleeping, crying... you get the picture.

Each and every day she suprises me, she does something new or funny, or runs up and gives me a cuddle unexpectedly, and I was trying to think what our best moment has been - I'm just not sure I can pinpoint one. Of course there are all the firsts - smile, steps, words.

But then there are all the other things she does too, the way she giggles uncontrollably if we sniff her feet (don't ask how that came about!) or the look of absolute surprise she adopts when she opens a present, or we play peekaboo, or when I ask her for a kiss and get a toy tiger launched towards my face!

Then there are the simple things, watching her going up and down the slide, or play on the swings, trying new foods, having her come for a cuddle before bedtime. I never realised just how rewarding the so called mundane activities of everyday life could be.

What has been your best parenting moment so far? I'd love to hear from you :)

Sophie turns 2!

When you have a baby, you don't realise how true it is when people tell you how quick the time goes, but I cannot believe that on the 5th of May it was 2 years since the whirlwind that is Sophie came into our lives.

Just a few minutes old

In those 2 years our lives have changed beyond recognition. We've had sleepless nights, tears and tantrums (and thats just us!) Its been a real rollercoaster, but its undoubtedly been the most amazing 2 years of our lives.

3 months old

Its such a cliche, but it has beyond amazing watching our helpless little bundle grow into such a happy, loving, funny and stubbornly independent little girl. She never fails to make me smile, and I find it impossible to stay mad at her, no matter how naughty she is!

1 year old

 

It was quite emotional thinking that now shes 2 we really can't refer to her as a baby anymore. Shes this little person with her own thoughts and opinions (on EVERYTHING!) but as amazing as she is, I do miss the little bundle that she was.


We had such a wonderful weekend for her birthday. On the Saturday we had family arriving from down south to stay for the weekend - I was pretty worried how we would all squash into our little house, but we managed just fine and it really made it a fantastic weekend for Sophie - she loved all the attention! On the Sunday we had yet more people round for cake in the afternoon. Luckily the sun was out and we spent the whole day in the garden for the first time this year - we really couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend!

Enjoying her birthday cake aged 2

Thanks for reading x