Tired....oh, So Tired

Yet again, I am very tired. Sorry! No epic blog posts today. I've been very busy at work recently with some major projects, that and illness and baby Fifi waking up every two hours in the night has sapped me of all energy and creativity. Suffice to say, I dragged my weary bottom to London Zoo on Sunday to infiltrate the British Mummy Bloggers Winter Meeting. It was lovely, great to see 'old' blog friends and make some new ones. Also, to hear the good news that one high profile blogger might even be moving to St Albans! A fantastically huge buffet and some brilliant puddles for Toddler boy to jump in thanks to biblical rain, made it a fun day. Thanks to A Modern Mother for organising it all. Normal blogging service will be resumed shortly.

Tired....oh, So Tired

Review; JoJo Maman Bebe Buggy Cosy Toes

With winter on the way the lovely people at cool maternity and baby shop JoJo Maman Bebe sent us one of their signature fleeces to try out. This came as a bit of a godsend as the buggy cosy toes we have all seem to slide down and drag on the floor. The JoJo Maman Bebe Cosy toes is made from their good quality recycled Polarfleece fleece and retails for £39. This is really fab stuff, it washes and washes. I know this because Toddler Boy has a pair of trousers made from this fabric, inherited from his friend which are as good as new.

The cosy toes has been really well designed so that it can be easily attached to most buggies. I have tried it on all three of my different buggies and it fits them all thanks to clever ties and a plethora of holes for straps. It has zips around the edges which allow you to get your child in and out easily. However, the most important factor for me, is that it is not so long that it drags along the floor, yet it fitted my toddler with plenty of spare room.

I have to admit, that I think a nice cosy toes really can make all the difference to your buggy in the winter. It instantly smartens it up. The JoJo Maman Bebe Cosy toes come in a chose of four different fabric designs. These match their latest clothing ranges. Unfortunately, I chose the one fabric which I thought would be the most neutral. It, er, doesn't actually go with any of my buggies. But that was my silly fault. I do quite like the colour, however, I think I should have gone for one of the other options!

So in summary, this is a great cosy toes, it will last the length of your buggy years and I would suggest that to make it really cost effective, it would be worth investing in one for your baby's first winter. Its nice to have something a bit unusual and I would definitely suggest ditching the cosy toes that came with your buggy (if you got one thrown in) in favour of one of these! Whilst you are at it, you can check out the whole range of polar fleece clothing here.

Review; JoJo Maman Bebe Buggy Cosy Toes

Falling With Style

Whist we have been recuperating at home, from this horrid cold/ flu thing, I have to admit the television has been on for much of the time. I don't have the energy to entertain. This has meant that we have been watching Toddler boy's current favourite film 'Toy Story' over and over again. However, this is a warning. Buzz Lightyear is clearly a bad influence. Toddler Boy has decided that he is the living embodiment of Buzz, which means that he enjoys 'falling with style'. So far, he has fallen on the coffee table, the bed box and the sofa. Bruised knees abound...

Falling With Style

Teenage Cancer Trust Appeal

One day your children will be teenagers. We all know what that is like.It's a hard, hormonal challenging time at best. Apparently everyday 6 teenagers in the UK find out that they have cancer. These teenagers get a bit of a raw deal as they are either treated on children's wards or with the old people. Being in a ward full of old people is rotten, I found this out recently and I'm not even a teenager. The Teenage Cancer Trust is building specialist units in NHS hospitals especially for teenagers with appropriate care and support. I think this is a great thing and it's something that I am only to happy to promote and support. To be honest there are only about five charities that I would support and this is one, along with Women's Aid. It just so happens they both have an appeal this week.

Rachel Stevens, who funnily enough went to school with my little sister, is promoting a special necklace that the Teenage Cancer Trust have had designed. The necklace features a long chain and an oversize jewelled flower, is available in all Dune stores and through www.dune.co.uk for £20. All profits will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust. If you can splash the cash, this might make a good present for someone, or even for yourself. I for one would like one.

Teenage Cancer Trust Appeal

Wordless Wednesday; Girls and Boys

Wordless Wednesday; Girls and Boys

Mummy Reviews

Since becoming a parent, I have found it increasingly hard to get good, honest opinion on the many parenting products out there. With this is mind, myself and some other parents and bloggers are pooling our collective resources and bringing you Mummy Reviews. On this site you will find a slowly growing archive of reviews of some of our parenting products. I hope you find it useful. Please take a look, bookmark it and visit it. If there is anything that you want us to review then use the contact form.

Mummy Reviews

Why You Should Support Womens Aid

Women's Aid is one of those charities which you don't really hear that much about, although it has been going for 35 years. Well, I certainly hadn't until fairly recently. However, it is one of those charities which could make a real difference to you, or one of your friends or family members. It provides a place of refuge for women who are suffering Domestic violence. The statistics are frightening, Domestic violence affects 1 in 4 women at some point in their lifetime. You most probably know someone who is suffering, they most probably are not telling anyone. Recent statistics from the Women’s Aid Annual Survey show that last year an estimated 18,000 women and 20,000 children lived in refuge accommodation in Women’s Aid’s national network of services.

I recently received a press release asking me to highlight Women’s Aid's first charity single, ‘Take My Hand’. I am really happy to do so. The song has been written especially for the charity to help them raise vital funds to support abused women and children.

You can down load the song from Itunes here

'To buy Take My Hand' for 79p, please go to www.womensaid.org.uk/takemyhand

The launch of Take My Hand on the 25th November marks the beginning of Women’s Aid’s activities to mark the ’16 days of Action’, where the charity will ask the public to help them take action against violence against women and children. For more information on the ‘16 Days of Action’, go to www.womensaid.org.uk.

Why You Should Support Womens Aid

Dazed and Confused on the Floor

I'm getting quite good at this lying on the floor feeling really ill, whilst the kids delicately bash my head with toy hammers, Buzz Light-year and other hard plastic implements. Who cares about a the loss of a few more brain cells?

It's funny, I never thought that having kids was so much about physical and mental endurance. One of my very good friends is in the Navy, they do all sorts of training involving sleeping without sleeping bags in the back of beyond, going on expeditions with about 2 hours sleep and so on. I am firmly of the belief that those people with children must find it a doddle. My patience has been tested to its limits and beyond, I've survived sleep deprivation, I have been assaulted on numerous occasional. Does running away with my glasses (I'm incredibly short sighted) count as bullying? I'm still here. I am a survivor.

At the moment, its making work seem a lot more of a brighter prospect. I go there, people are moaning, its somehow very dirty. However, I can have a cup of tea in peace, I can wear my headphones and not engage with others. I can for the most part, get some peace. Yesterday I spent some time doing photography, it was therapeutic not having to keep ask my subject matter to stand still, smile, stop picking their nose. I think I may get used to it. Alternatively I have just lost far too many brain cells to care....

Dazed and Confused on the Floor

Telegraph Book Club; The Dog Who Came in From the Cold- Progress So Far!

I've been taking part on the Telegraph's on line book club and have been avidly reading the Dog Who Came in From the Cold. Well, I say avidly, actually I have read a few chapters, got hideously behind read a lot of chapters and now finally I have caught up. I must say, despite my ability to find the time, it's absolutely riveting reading.

So far, my favourite character has to be Freddie de La Hay. He is one dog who knows where his bread, or more to the point his meat, is buttered. I do hope the Russian takes reasonable care of him especially as he appears to be missing.

What about Roger and Claire? Scoundrels, I'm with Berthea on that one. Fancy trying to take some ones house away, I'm disgusted.

Another of my favourite characters is without a doubt Dee, she is a woman after my own heart. Full of ideas, a Sudoku enhancing vitamin. Pure genius.

I have to admit to not liking some of Alexander MacCall Smith's previous novels, however, I have really been pleasantly surprised by this one. I am genuinely finding it gripping. The characters are comic, yet serious. I imagine that as the story progresses, their paths may delicately cross in weird and wonderful ways. I can't wait to read more.

If you have been joining in, please feel free to post y0ur thoughts and comments here.I'd love to know what others think. If you want to join in you can catch up here. Hopefully, I have revealed just enough to tickle your tastebuds!

Telegraph Book Club; The Dog Who Came in From the Cold- Progress So Far!

Review; Toby Tiger Childrenswear

Fifi is a lucky girl, it seems that people are positively queueing up for her to try out and review their clothes. This week, I was made jealous yet again, when this really great pink and girly organic cotton stripy dress appeared from cool childrenswear company Toby Tiger. She gets to keep this, then some lucky person will inherit it in their charity shop bundle.

If I can afford it, I do my very best to get organic clothes. I've stated the reasons enough times before. Not only are they better for little skins, they are better for the environment and purely selfishly, they tend to wash up much better and last longer. As with all clothes on Fifi, I choose the size bigger than what she actually is. This was the right move, 10 month old Fifi is modelling a size 1- 2 years above.

This dress is really practical, it washed well, I think she looks cool (for a baby) and is suitable for most occasions well, in my book anyhow. You can wear it in the winter with tights or as it is in the summer. I'm very pleased with it. It's well made, there are no loose threads or wobbly seams. The cotton is really good quality, soft, yet thick enough to be substantial. You can just tell that it will wash and wear and it is without doubt going to become a staple of her wardrobe.

So, if you like to dress your children in different clothes to the rest of the H & M , Sainsbury, Asda clad kids, then there are lots of other really cool clothes on the Toby Tiger site. Check them out, I guarantee you won't come away empty handed, its just far too tempting...

Review; Toby Tiger Childrenswear

Review: 3rd and Bird DVD; A Very Squooky Christmas

3rd & Bird is one of Toddler Boy's absolute favourite television programmes. If you haven't heard of it before check out this link. I let him watch it as its a sweet little programme, with songs the kids can join in with. It's full of good sentiments, humour and moral's. The animation is nice to look at and it seems really appropriate for this age group. I have written before about the programme, as it also has a really good website.

Anyhow, we have been lucky enough to have been sent a couple of their latest DVDs to have a look at. This is great as 3rd & Bird isn't currently available on the BBC IPlayer, much to Toddler Boys disgust. But now he can watch it whenever he wants.

We are now the proud owners of:

'Birds The Word!' This one includes the classic episode 'The Muffin Express', fans of the show will know which one I mean.

'A Very Squooky Christmas' This one has a special double length Christmas episode which will be very handy on Christmas day. We really enjoyed watching it today when it was rainy outside and we had finished painting robots! It may be worth investing in this for Christmas day, I guarantee it should provide enough peace for you to be able to set the table and turn the turkey over.

Both DVDs have a few extra features as well as eight episodes, which I'm sure your toddler will enjoy. They are BBC Children's DVDs and are available from all the usual retailers.

Review: 3rd and Bird DVD; A Very Squooky Christmas

Flagging Up Some of My Favourite Websites and Blogs

Very kind blogging friends keep presenting me with awards and I am so behind with them, that to be honest I am just giving up doing them. But thank you so much one and all, I love you all too! Instead, every month or so, I will try to flag up some of the places that I visit on the Internet. Many of these are, of course, highlighted in my blogroll. However, its not just blogs that I look at, so here is a chance to maybe find a few other sites that you haven't seen in the past.

First up fellow blogger and internet collaborator Karin with her site Cafe Bebe. Enter her Cafe full of virtual iced gems and coffee as she writes about her life with little miss in her blog, and reviews the best products.




On to one of the Internet's best Toy Review Sites. The Great Toy Guide is written by some of the UK's best mummy and daddy bloggers (including myself). For Christmas there is a special top 100 toys for under £10 feature and a fab competition to win one of four fantastic prizes;

The SILVER CROSS baby stocking; contains the gorgeous Bamba baby signing kit and a really cool letter cushion from Jonny’s Sister, which can be personalised. Then there is a range of the new Silver Cross baby toys, which make great gifts for your own baby or someone else’s.

In the TOMY pre-school stocking there is a range of Thomas goodies including a Thomas Boulder Mountain train track and Thomas Rock and Roll Guitar. There’s also an In the Night Garden large Aquadraw mat, and a Flex family game, plus some Tomy K’Nex construction kits.

For the ELC boy’s (or girls) stocking; some goodies including a lovely wooden garage and a Ben10 Action Cruiser, plus some dinosaurs and a construction set that lets you build trucks and robots, plus a Playmobil set.

In the girl’s stocking from ARGOS there’s a High School Musical MP3 player, a Nintendo DS cheerleading game, a Puppy in my Pocket hospital play set and this must-have FurReal Lulu the Cuddlin’ Kitten.

What are you waiting for? Enter this competition now!

Next up, Bambino Goodies. I can't help but look at this slick and very stylish site. The writing team are second to none and really hit the nail on the head when researching some of the best products for children. The only problem is that it is just far too easy to spend a lot of money at the places they recommend!

Paper Dolls and Other Paper Toys is a great little blog full of craft ideas you can make at home. Its really worth a look and a great useful discovery.

Folksy is a great website full of crafty things. You can purchase products or supplies, find out about events in the forum and lots more. Have a little look if you are looking for unusual Christmas Gifts.

Finally this month I would like to highlight two new mummy bloggers on the block. Both live locally to me and fortunately for me, I know them both, so can vouch for their loveliness credentials:
Mummy's Learning Curve

Baby Number 2

Flagging Up Some of My Favourite Websites and Blogs

Review; Babyprints Memory Box from Blooming Marvellous

One of the things I have been meaning to do for baby Fifi (and me) is to create a memory box filled with things relating to her birth and first year of life. I really enjoy looking at all the things that my mum kept from when I was little. The hospital wrist band, birthday cards and so on and I would like to be able to share similar moments with my little girl.

Enter Blooming Marvellous, the independent maternity and baby shop who specialise in stylish maternity wear, baby gifts and useful parenting products. I was a bit pushy, I must admit, I had my eye on one and thought I would see if they would let me have one to review. They agreed, the power of the blog!

The Babyprints Memory Box is a largish wooden box which is nicely made, with two glass panels on the front. One is essentially a picture frame, the other is a photograph frame which is deep enough to frame the impression that you will make using air dried clay, of your little ones hands and or feet. Lovely. At £40 its the sort of price range that might appeal to a family member if they are looking for a good baby gift. I would have been over the moon if I had received one.

How did we get on with the air dried clay? Famously, baby Fifi is now 10 months old and therefore keen to get involved in this sort of activity which makes doing this sort of thing easy. I am handy enough at craft, following two years of practice with Toddler boy, to know what I am doing without too much reference to the instructions. Much easier than fiddling about with an oven. The finished effect is great and will be a good memory in itself.

The box fitted all our keepsakes well, without being too enormous to store in itself. So, in conclusion, if you are looking for one, then this is probably just the thing for you; stylish, simple and well made, with the ability to personalise.

Review; Babyprints Memory Box from Blooming Marvellous

Review; The Owl & The Pussycat Chilled Baby Food

Baby Fifi likes her food, she will eat a whole range of things, from entire roast dinners to puréed baby food. In recent weeks, she has become a bit more discerning. She definitely doesn't like avocado. I try my hardest to give her what we are having. However, sometimes it's just not suitable and I don't have time to whizz up an Annabel Karmel recipe and stocks of home made supplies in the freezer are depleted and so Igiveherababyjar. There you are, I admitted it, very quickly. She quite likes the new Organic's range and also has Hipp Organic jars. I do feel a bit guilty, as the husband has pointed out; they are not exactly the freshest are they? Then one day I got an email; Would Fifi like to try a new range of chilled baby foods? Oh, yes, that sounds good.

The Owl and the Pussycat chilled baby food are organic baby foods that have no added salt, sugar, preservatives or colourings. They are sold in Waitrose or Ocado for £2.79 for two individual pots which can be heated in the microwave or the hob. At £2.79 they are a bit more pricey than the ones we usually buy. However, they are fresh and lovely and you do get what you pay for.

Anyhow, its not really down to me. The test is really what Fifi thinks of them. We tried three different ones all suitable from 6 months +. Here is my interpretation of her thoughts:

Sweet Potato with Chicken, French Beans and Coriander: "Yum, I like this one with bread. Chicken is my very favourite"

Tomato and Celeriac Risotto with Cheddar Cheese; " Yuk, I don't like this one mummy... Mummy! stop eating it yourself". I quite liked this one, I think the cheddar must have been a bit too strong for her.

Parsnip with Beef and Apple; " Yum, yum, I am a fully fledged meat eater like my father. Gimme more NOW!"

There you have it a 66.67 % success rate, or two thirds. Who knows, she might change her mind tomorrow and love the Cheddar Risotto. I thought it was all very nice, good quality food. If you happen to be shopping in Waitrose, give it a try. Its fab to see a food company trying hard to make their products as close as possible to home-made and a really good idea. We will be stocking up on the meat ones for sure.

Review; The Owl & The Pussycat Chilled Baby Food

Full. Of. Germs.

I don't think that one day goes past when someone in this house doesn't have a lurgy. Talking to parents outside pre-school, it seems that some of them, dare I say generally the ones that are at home anyhow, send their little ones in with really bad lurgy. This is very frustrating, I don't mean general colds, I mean horrible Swine Flu type things, Chest Infections, the Pox and so on.

Recent comments include:

" Oh, yes he was up all night with a temperature but I thought I'd send him.."

"He's been so ill that his eczema is so bad that he is bleeding behind his knees, I don't know what to do about this, so I have left it, just change his trousers a few times..."

For goodness sake! Have these people not heard of the doctors, the pharmacy and thought that maybe their kids need to stay at home and rest for a day or so. Aside from consideration to other people. I can only assume it is their technique for hardening up their children for a life of crime/ a job in the city.

Full. Of. Germs.

My Stance on Reviews and Advertising

As I am sure some of you have noticed, I have decided to include a lot more reviews on this blog and actually try to reply in a positive manner to any PR enquiries/ press releases that I receive. I hope you have also noticed that I am very clear about what I am receiving in return. I think this does make a difference. I would also like to make it clear, that I always write exactly what I feel about a product, and I do not allow any PR company to have any editorial control whatsoever over what I write. This means that you really do get to find out what I feel about a product. If you choose to purchase that product, however, I will take no responsibility over whether you like it or not. All children are different. This is made very clear by my disclaimers published at the bottom of the page.

Why have I chosen to take this stance and not create a separate blog for reviews? Well, the fact is, that I am creating a review blog with some other bloggers and ordinary citizens. However, I still want to put reviews on this blog because this blog has always been a record of my life. The things we receive are part of that and as such part of the fun of it all. I enjoy the blogs I read which are a mixture of things, I have to admit, I rarely read separate review blogs unless I am looking for something specific.

Am I selective? On the whole no. I don't see why I should be. If I am giving everything a fair review then that's exactly what I will do. Unless a really irrelevant silly product is offered, I will happily test and review. I'm keen to experience all life has to offer, and want my children to feel they can try anything. So why should I be different about this?

What do I do with the stuff? To be perfectly honest, I was actually forced to sell on one item, we were exceptionally short of cash that month and I was struggling to buy food. However, under normal everyday circumstances we either keep the item, pass it to friends, or, I pass it to one of three local charities. These charities deal with women who are in difficult circumstances, either related to pregnancy or domestic abuse. A fair amount of stuff we buy is destined that way eventually.

I will happily take advertising, this helps offset the hosting fees and broadband costs. I do try to check out all the advertisers first though, to make sure that they are reputable. If you are an advertiser you will find my rates exceptionally reasonable.

I hope that helps clear up any confusion.

My Stance on Reviews and Advertising

Rules for a Perfect Family Christmas

I've been contacted by John Lewis (Britain's favourite retailer) to participate in their latest initiative to help families get inspired for the holiday season. I love John Lewis, we asked for vouchers for them as our wedding gifts. Anyone that knows me will know that it's the one place that I recommend time and time again, and I try to buy most big purchases there. It's also fairly local to me and so extremely practical. I could go on and on, and to be frank I'm sure you don't really want to know the top ten reasons why I love John Lewis. After all, if you are one of my friends you will have heard them often enough! The prospect of some vouchers to spend in this most esteemed store has lured me into getting involved with this initiative.

The idea is to let readers know some of the rules for our perfect family Christmas. I have to admit that for me, this one is quite hard, as I quite simply dislike Christmas and have to force myself to participate in all Christmas matters. I turn into a bit of a misery from October onwards when the torture of those annoying songs and twinkly lights everywhere make venturing outside of my house difficult. It's even worse when it infiltrates the very walls of our house through the television and decorations. However, I do try and for the sake of the kids I am going to try my very hardest to be a cheery little Christmas fairy this year. That's better than an Elf. In fact, my generosity towards this idea knows no bounds as this year I've gone all out and allowed our local churches Travelling Crib to spend a night at our house. Toddler boy is positively exploding with excitement at the prospect. I hope he doesn't hide the knitted baby Jesus.

Henceforth, I present the Being a Mummy Household's Christmas Rules:

The Children ( to vaguely include the husband);

• Do not remove wrapping paper before 5 am. I mean the presents, not the children themselves.
• Absolutely no chocolate before breakfast, unless you are mummy and you can sneak a quick Cherry Brandy Liqueur in, whilst you are pretending to look for something in the fridge.
• Save that tantrum till tea-time if possible.
  

The Christmas Meal

• Creamy leaks are a compulsory thing, they require effort to make but are lovely
• Everyone must wear their hat
• Mince pies must be eaten after the pudding, with cream
  

Entertainment

• At least one game of Trivial Pursuit
• A nice morning stroll

Decorations

• These must be minimal and simple
• No modern colour schemes, good old Victorian colours around our house
• The children must provide, through hard manual labour, at least a few decorations, be it paper chains or Christmas tree 'things'

So there you have it, when Christmas comes around you will of course receive a full report. However, as this blog has been going for a couple of years, feel free to search my archives for a flavour of Christmas past in our house.

Rules for a Perfect Family Christmas

Museums and Kids

This is a topic that I have written about in various places, just not very much on this blog. Going to museums is a bit of a busman's holiday for me, so I have to admit that I tend to favour art galleries. I always find it a surprise when I talk to people and I find out that they haven't been to their local museum, yet alone the big City ones. Often, when you get talking to people its related to their own childhood. Their parents never took them to these places, they might have gone once on a school trip, but that's it. They simply don't have the experience and feel that its a bit exclusive.

In the last decade or so, loads of progress has been made in making museums far more accessible. The introduction of free admission was one of these things. Museological arguments over whether this is a good thing aside, it has definitely allowed more families access to museums like the Natural History Museum in London.

What are good things to take and do when visiting museums with kids?
I would suggest a bit of research if you can, and don't try and see everything. Have a look at the website beforehand, there may be resources you can download. Pick specific objects. Take some pencils and paper and encourage the children to make notes of things they see and do drawings. Try to go on journeys around galleries, using some of your own story books ( We Are All Going on A Bear Hunt works brilliantly at the Fitzwilliam Museum). Talk to the visitor staff, they will have the experience to direct you towards the things that families have enjoyed. They might also be able to provide you with activity packs. But most of all, don't let your child run across the mosaics (this will aggravate any passing curator), but let them run, hop, skip, laugh, scream, shriek and realise that they can be a place of fun, discovery and wonder.

Some places we have enjoyed with our children (you will have to Google them, as to link them all with two children screaming is proving an impossible task!):

• Verulamium Museum, St Albans
• Mill Green Museum, Welwyn- Hatfield
• Stockwood Museum and Country Park, Luton
• The British Museum
• The Natural History Museum, London
  
• The Imperial War Museum, Duxford
• The RAF Museum, Hendon
• The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
• The Secret Nuclear Bunker, Essex
• The Shell Museum, Glandford
• The Natural History Museum, Tring
• The Victoria and Albert Museum, London
• The Lifeboat Museum, Cromer
• The Tate Modern, London
• The National Portrait Gallery, London
• Colchester Castle Museum, Colchester
  
• Norwich Castle Museum, Norwich
  

Museums and Kids

Review; Cosatto 'I Love to Play' Origami Baby Walker

I have to admit, I have not invested in this type of baby walker as I was told by the Health Visitor that they were dangerous. Instead, we went for the brick trolley cheap and cheerful option. I have always been a bit jealous of people owning this type of baby walker though, as they don't have to worry about their little darling falling over and hitting their heads on the hard, hard floor. Not that mine do that or anything, all the time, honest.

So, when Cosatto, a brand known for their funky baby stuff, offered to let me have one to review and pass on, I was happy to be given the chance. Even better, they sent me possibly the most girly baby-walker in the entire world. All acid pink and orange. We like girly things around here, so that's a good start.

The walker folds flat and it arrived with a minimal amount of construction needed. I managed to do it whilst balancing baby Fifi and keeping an eye on the toddler in about 15 minutes. Attaching the seat was a bit fiddly, the rest was easy.

Excited about its potential for baby entertainment for whilst I am cooking dinner, I put Fifi into it and she instantly cried. Unfortunately this happened 90 % of the times that I put her into it. On the other hand Toddler boy loved it, I had to physically restrain him from trying to squeeze into it. I did find that the instant crying was purely a baby Fifi phenomenon, we popped my friends baby into it and she positively loved it, whizzing about my kitchen like there was no tomorrow. I suspect it is because Fifi is used to wandering about with her brick trolley and the freedom that it entails, in the walker she is restrained and can't have a little sit on the floor nd a poke under the kitchen cupboards, if she wants.

Both Toddler boy and baby Fifi positively loved the tray accessories, there was a squidgy mat which you filled with water so that the hearts moved around. It was very tactile, I liked it. There were also a couple of little spinning toys which attracted them. They both stood outside the walker using it like a little table, for a long time, captivated.

Going back to safety, Cosatto have clearly thought about that and have produced a walker with speed restricting wheels and an adjustable seat so you can tailor it to your baby.

Our house is not massive and I have to say that I felt that the walker was a little bit big to use indoors. It didn't take very long to go from one end of the kitchen to the other and then friends baby got stuck and we had to try to manoeuvre the walker and the baby. I think its best use would be out doors in the summer time.

In summary, I would have to say that although BabyFifi didn't like it, I was very impressed by the quality of the product, it was clearly very well made using good quality materials.

Review; Cosatto 'I Love to Play' Origami Baby Walker

Skipping to 100

This is something that they do in Peppa Pig. It's something that I think should be part of everyone's daily routine. Yes, I do mean skipping in the great outdoors using a rope. It promotes health and well being through fitness and it would cheer me up no end if I saw my neighbour bouncing up and down over the fence each day. However, for those of you who can't actually skip to 100, I bet I can (smug, I know). I suggest that you fulfil this little task through the medium of skipping things. If you skip at least 10 things per day I'm sure your day would improve. A few suggestions:

• The washing up: this is a popular one with university students, and look how happy they are?
• Brushing your teeth; this might prevent undue contact with other humans
• Finishing the kids food; good in terms of fat reduction
• Flushing to loo after a wee; save money & be eco-friendly
• Making tea for work colleagues; and so it will come to you...
• Plumping those cushions; pointless
  
• Doing a load of washing; it can wait
  
• Sorting out those sofa throws; pointless
  
• Being the disciplinarian; why is it always you?
  
• Getting the children up and dressed; have a rest
  
• Eating that chocolate; it will help you get thinner
• Being so nice to people; why is this essential?
  
• Worrying; who cares!
  

There you go, a few to get you started. Now I'd like to see all you bloggers skipping things, in search of happiness.

Skipping to 100

Review; Nubie Modern Kids Lumilove Nightlight

Toddler boy is scared of the dark, recently he has called hubby into his bed without fail, every night for a cuddle. To be honest, this has had us at our wits end. We want him to sleep, he wants to sleep. It's just that he seems to wake up during those lighter phases of the sleep cycle and it is so darn dark in his room. We have tried leaving the light on with the dimmer switched down low. The trouble with these energy efficient bulbs is that they hum when dimmed. Not good.

As luck would have it, Amanda from the really swanky online store Nubie Modern Kids suggested that Toddler Boy might like one of their Lumilove nightlights. These are available in a range of different animals and their tummies gently light up different colours, red, blue, white, green throughout the night. And the best thing; no batteries, you just plug it in to charge.

Toddler boy received the panda one, which is so cute, I almost kept it for my bedside table. Once charged he took to it in an instant, carrying it around all day with him, it gently cycling through its different coloured lights. He then propped it on his bedpost and STAYED ASLEEP as far as we could tell. The only problem was that as he has added it to his entourage (which includes 2 bunnies and a soft toy dinosaur) there is not a great deal of opportunity for charging it. I have to keep whisking it away at opportune moments.

I think this is the nicest nightlight I have seen. We have tried those ones that stay in the plug, but frankly they don't look very nice and they tend to attract the kids towards the plugs. A lot of adult nightlights get a bit hot and are therefore dangerous for babies and toddlers, this one doesn't. The Grobag egg seems a bit costly for what it is and frankly the Lumilove night-lights are just the cutest little animals you will see. All this for £23.00, which seems reasonable as you wont need to purchase any batteries. If you are struggling to find a nice night-light or an usual present for a baby or toddler this might be the perfect solution.

Review; Nubie Modern Kids Lumilove Nightlight

He's Like a Superhero, or Alternatively; Little Red Riding Hood

A few weeks ago we went to Ikea, the plan was to get a red blanket to make a buggy cosy toes. You get a massive expanse of material for the princely sum of £2.00 if you buy fabric that way. As opposed to buying it elsewhere where it might be £8:00 for that much material. I've been so busy recently that I haven't had time to make the buggy cosy toes and the blanket has been lying around our hallway gathering dust.

Today I decided I needed a little case for my mobile phone. I went onto Folksy which I love, to buy one, but I couldn't really see anything I fancied. I then realised that I could probably knock one up for myself in a matter of minutes. As I wanted something with a little bit of padding, I went on the hunt around our house for fabric. That's when I rediscovered the blanket. I realised I wouldn't miss a little bit of it, so I set about butchering the blanket and making my mobile phone holder.

That was when Toddler boy decided he wanted to be a superhero, yet again! I have been meaning to make him an outfit, but I hadn't got around to it. I had a light bulb moment, I realised that I was standing there holding red material and remembered that Angie had given me a fab kids dressing up outfit pattern. An hour or so later and I had my own Little Red Riding Hood/ Super Hero cape and a little person very willing to go in it. It was very simple to make, unfortunately I got carried away and didn't take any pictures of the process, so I can't do a tutorial this time. However, I am tempted to make a mini one for Fifi and another one in a different fabric for Toddler boy. Apologies for the quality of the pictures, the little fella would not stand still! I'm also taking orders for Christmas....

He's Like a Superhero, or Alternatively; Little Red Riding Hood

Review; Kidorable Dinosaur Umbrella

On Friday the Thirteenth we woke up and fortunately we were not at summer camp...

However, it was absolutely tipping it down with rain and a rather soggy postman rang the doorbell with a package. As luck would have it for Toddler boy, it was his new umbrella gifted to us for a review by Stylechild. Kidorable are an American company, so their products are available in a limited number of places. Which makes them exclusive!

We opened up the box with great anticipation and excitement. Not only a brolly, (fab enough for a toddler) but a dinosaur one! It took all of three seconds for Toddler boy to declare; "me love dinoraur(he hasn't quite grasped the pronunciation) brolly mama".

Luckily for Toddler boy, on Saturday 14th November we were also blessed with some of the worst weather the UK has seen this year. Floods, Famine (I forgot to go shopping) and Pestilence. OK, well not the pestilence, but really good welly and brolly weather. I can report that the umbrella came through the weather unscathed, it was good enough quality to withstand anything that the UK could throw at it. And a little bit of toddler man-handling. I can therefore attest that it is really well made.

Obviously, the main thing about this brolly is the design. There is no question,you will look good by association, as you trot down the road with your toddler. Mainly, as its not one of those tacky television programme character designs and therefore shows a bit of taste. If you get carried away, you can get lots of matching accessories such as raincoats and there are a wide range of designs to choose from. We think this one is fab, but you can check out the whole range here. Just don't tell everyone.

Review; Kidorable Dinosaur Umbrella

Review; Kidorable Dinosaur Umbrella

On Friday the Thirteenth we woke up and fortunately we were not at summer camp...

However, it was absolutely tipping it down with rain and a rather soggy postman rang the doorbell with a package. As luck would have it for Toddler boy, it was his new umbrella gifted to us for a review by Stylechild. Kidorable are an American company, so their products are available in a limited number of places. Which makes them exclusive!

We opened up the box with great anticipation and excitement. Not only a brolly, (fab enough for a toddler) but a dinosaur one! It took all of three seconds for Toddler boy to declare; "me love dinoraur(he hasn't quite grasped the pronunciation) brolly mama".

Luckily for Toddler boy, on Saturday 14th November we were also blessed with some of the worst weather the UK has seen this year. Floods, Famine (I forgot to go shopping) and Pestilence. OK, well not the pestilence, but really good welly and brolly weather. I can report that the umbrella came through the weather unscathed, it was good enough quality to withstand anything that the UK could throw at it. And a little bit of toddler man-handling. I can therefore attest that it is really well made.

Obviously, the main thing about this brolly is the design. There is no question,you will look good by association, as you trot down the road with your toddler. Mainly, as its not one of those tacky television programme character designs and therefore shows a bit of taste. If you get carried away, you can get lots of matching accessories such as raincoats and there are a wide range of designs to choose from. We think this one is fab, but you can check out the whole range here. Just don't tell everyone.

Review; Kidorable Dinosaur Umbrella

Some Quick Thoughts on Feminism

"...a political, cultural or economic movement aimed at establishing more rights and legal protection for women..." (an oversimplied Wikipedia description!)

It was a fantastic movement, establishing votes, reproductive rights, civil rights and so on. I think, however, that I am a post- feminist. The feminist movement was a brilliant thing up to the 1970's. Yet, I am begining to slowly come to the conclusion that much of the recent advances in womens rights have actually had a counter-productive effect. For example, the extension of maternity benefits; whilst I have undoubtedly benefited from them and am very grateful for that, recent news reports seem to suggest that women of child-bearing years are now being subtly discriminated against when applying for jobs. This is a bad thing.

My mothers generation and those before her also felt that it was their right and duty as women to stay at home and look after children. They were not frowned upon for making this positive decision. I would argue that this has changed now and women are expected to put their children into some form of care and go back to their jobs. This is a bad thing.

I have been brought up to think that as a women, I am equal to any man. This is how I will bring my daughter up. However, this does not tally well within some cultures present in the UK today. This worries me, the first time I realised this was when a door was deliberately shut on me as I was coming through it at a place of work. I complained about this, it was clearly not a 'you're a woman, why should I hold it for you?' circumstance. I was told that it was a cultural thing, not to worry, that's just how it is.

These points alone make me wonder; is there a subtle shift in society that is actually making excuses to try to undo some of the feminist movements successes?

On the door thing; I was shocked and part of that was, not only because it was cultural, but also because I actually do expect people to hold the door open for me. Not because I am a woman but for the sake of manners. The male backlash against the feminist movement would argue that, as I have pushed for equality they should not need to open the door. I actually like a bit of old fashioned manners. And, whilst i'm at it I will be very happy if you give me your seat on the train.

What are your thoughts?

Some Quick Thoughts on Feminism

Things That Improve the Day

Through a process of trial and error over the last couple of years, I have realised that there are in fact, a series of activities that once undertaken, will improve the way that the day goes immeasurably. At the moment the undertaking of these few tasks seems to make an incredible difference. Weird really, perhaps I could employ hired help for 10 minutes, as that this all takes to complete these tasks. I am a bit silly and lazy after all:

• Empty the dishwasher. I have begun to gauge the day on whether I can complete this task or not. If I can, things will go well, work surfaces will remain clear and I will be able to cook something other than fish fingers and chips.
• Empty the bin. If I can do this, we don't have a mountain of recycling to wade through. Making entry into the kitchen actually possible.
• Put a load of washing on. If this is done, I wont be spending all night waiting for it to finish.

So there you have it, domestic advice from the Being a Mummy household. You know you wanted it.

Things That Improve the Day

Wordless Wednesday; Its hard being the smallest

Wishes are granted, just a bit more forcefully than you would like ...

Wordless Wednesday; Its hard being the smallest

Going Bonkers with Conkers

This post is a little bit late. But hey, so what, I'm a mum. That means I am officially late with everything. Conker season it sort of, still is. Well, anyhow, do you remember when you were a kid and you collected the shiniest biggest conkers with a view to playing the game where you attached them to a piece of sting and tried to break your opponents conker by smashing it with your one? That's not quite how it was, is it? I mean, admit it, you did in fact aim at least half of the time for your opponents body. Or was that just me?

Actually, it was quite a rare occurrence for me to be able to join in at Conkers because I didn't have the equipment needed to actually create a sort of conker bead to thread onto my string. My rock solid shiny conkers (no, this is not in this instance an alternative description of my breast feeding boobs, I really do mean Conkers, as in the seeds of a tree) and my little seven year old hands just did not combine to enable me to generate the force for a large screwdriver to create a hole. Why did I write this? I dunno, I think I digress yet again. I was going to tell you about my attempts at toddler art.

I have been going around collecting object de nature, so that when it is a rainy day we can sit inside and do sticking, create collages and painting. We have had lots of success, leaves are good for sticking and painting and printing. However, conkers are without a shadow of a doubt the best natural toy going. And they repel spiders apparently. Apart from playing mini games of bowls with them, we have been dropping them into paint, fishing them out and rolling them about on pieces of paper like you might do with marbles. With fantastic effect, except I forgot to photograph any of this so you will have to imagine. I have also found that as an adult you can saw them in half and then let the kids do a little bit of stamping and printing. We have printed robots, trees and people. We have talked about seeds and trees and nature and textures and colours and softness and hardness. But best of all, this has taken a long time and provided some valuable mother and toddler bonding time. If you can find some conkers, just go bonkers with them, there are no limitations. Apparently.

Going Bonkers with Conkers

When Dealing with Mother in Laws

• Place a bottle of Cif cleaner prominently in the kitchen
• Pretend you use fabric softener in every wash
• A quick hoover won't go amiss
• Turn the hand towels around- she might not notice that paint stain and ground in Weetabix
• Plump a few cushions
• Make sure her little darlings clothes are all ironed
• Pretend you worship the ground her little boy walks on
• Nod and smile generally

Hope that she doesn't read your blog...

When Dealing with Mother in Laws

Working Mummy; Week 2

Week one didn't go too well. Mummy felt depressed and stressed, housework piled up. There were two overtired children. Week Two and I am trying my hardest to keep an open mind about it all. The depression about the situation will pass, things can't be that bad. They can't REALLY expect that much of me can they?

This is how the day went

8.00; I'm still feeding the kids, well, trying and trying to get them to eat their breakfast.
8: 10; Might as well give up, I'm already running fifteen minutes late.
8:20; Get to the childminders both children, screaming and screaming. There is a toddler clinging to my leg for dear life. Weirdly, I think the following; "I wonder what her neighbours make of all this every morning"
8:30; Get into work, decide to make a cup of tea. OMG the sink, the worktops are filthy, the teaspoon cup holder has a layer of mould in the bottom of it. It suddenly sinks in that its probably unlikely that anyone has actually cleaned this area since I went off on maternity leave. Perhaps that explains my slight nagging tummy ache. I set about cleaning.
8:45; To work in the galleries, photographing objects.
8:50; Some scumbag has filled up the CF card on my work camera and not taken the pictures off.
9:00; Still looking for appropriate leads for my camera
9:30; Still looking for appropriate leads for MY WORK CAMERA
9:45; IT help desk call me and tell me they will call back about an issue
10:00; Team meeting
10:02; IT help desk call back
10:07; Back to my Team meeting. OFGS someone has actually gone and sat on my chair, can they not read my NAME that has been TIPPEXED on it for such occasions. Petty but necessary
11:00; Finally finish Team meeting. At which I was forced to STAND UP
11:01; Have to go to other museum for yet another meeting
11:15; Start another meeting
11:30; Childminder phones PANIC, baby Fifi is covered in rash. Phone the doctors, rush and take her straight there
11:50; Fifi has Scarletina. She can't mix with other babies
12:00; Drag Fifi into work and work in the galleries

Repeat above scenario at least once more swopping a few names/ children/ adults.
5:10; Appear home, bedraggled and somewhat exhausted
6:00; Go to the supermarket to obtain food

blah, blah, blah, blah

So, in summary if anyone knows how I can:
A) Fit a few extra hours into the day
B) Go to work and avoid meetings, colleagues and all else in order to enable me to actually do some work
C) Keep a child healthy and free from germs and disease
D) Not suffer from stress or depression because of all this

I will be very happy....

Working Mummy; Week 2

My Little Girl and Me

There is definitely something special about the relationship between mothers and daughters. Quite simply, we just understand each other.

My Little Girl and Me

Fashion and Me; The Pitfalls of Mummy Fashion

Reading Metropolitan Mum's blog recently about her little girl and fashion made me think. Alright, so I've never been on trend and I have to agree with Metropolitan Mum's theory, my children are far more trendy than me. However, I think this morning things came to a head. I thought I would try to smarten myself up a bit, in order to make myself feel a bit better. I got a nice pencil skirt out the of the cupboard and was going to team it with a casual but smartish (Fat Face) top. I had the following conversation;

Toddler Boy; " No! Like Nana"
Me; "What you mean this skirt?" OMG I'm turning entirely into my mother
Toddler Boy; "Like Nana wear, you wear this" Points to crumpled up pair of dirty baby sick encrusted jeans lying in a heap on the floor.
Me; "Mummy wear this"
Toddler Boy; " Noooooooo, this mummy!!!"
Me; "OK, then, do mummy's only wear jeans then?"
Toddler Boy; "Yes, mummy wears this, mmm, mmm ROBOT mmm"

My children clearly don't recognise or feel comfortable unless I am dressed like a bag lady. Perhaps this is a good thing? Any new mummy's out there I would urge you not to make this fashion mistake, rotate your wardrobe and bin those jeans.

Fashion and Me; The Pitfalls of Mummy Fashion

Toddler Boy and Pre-school

This week, Toddler boy struck out alone at pre-school. After the disaster of my last attempt to get him started in the world of education I spent 4 sessions sitting with him and trying to get him to realise that he would be fine and all was great. It was, I have to admit, mind- numbingly boring. I couldn't get involved with any play, didn't really want to interact with any other children and didn't want to talk too much to the staff and distract them from their jobs. Still, it has given me a useful insight into what he actually does there. I can report that its all good, although it is a good pre-school based in a school, permanently set up and with an enthusiastic team running it. None of your surly 16 year olds here. I can also report that this seems to have done the trick. Fingers crossed. No tears on arrival or departure and very few during the session. In fact, it has all gone so well that I have no photographs to show, as there has been no fiddling around. Toddler boy simply won't model his school bag for me in the rush to get there.

I am a bit sad about this, his new found independence is a little bit alien to me. However, its great to see that he is happy there without me and feels secure enough to realise that I will be back. It's also brilliant that I can now report that, as I am back at work, and he is also going to the childminders there is a lot less television viewing. This can only be a good thing. So in summary; Toddler boy has, I think, actually had one of the best, most tiring weeks of his life, full of activity playing and fun. His mum has to have had one of the worst, full of stress, upset and feelings of rushing about. I'm beginning to think that there is only a certain allocated quota for happiness in the face of stress per family, perhaps this is the doing of the Labour Government. For, at the moment, it seems to be my turn to feel stressed.

Toddler Boy and Pre-school

Next Generation Childrenswear and Make a Wish Foundation Competition

I really love the little girls clothes in Next, so when I was asked to write a bit about their competition in exchange for some vouchers I was only happy to do so. I hope this will be of some interest to readers too, if not, think how I need those vouchers to clothe the little sugar plum fairy Fifi.

Right, the competition then; basically if your child is between 4 and 7 years old and would like to be a model this is the one for you. They can win a chance to appear in the Next Directory, a shopping spree at Next and the chance to be represented by a modelling agency. Lets face it though, all of those prizes will pale into insignificance to the joy of showing all the smug mums at the school gates the pictures of your little darling in the catalogue. If you fancy submitting a picture of your little Brad Pitt or Kate Moss click here

Alongside the Children’s Competition, Next are also running an event for the Make a Wish foundation. This happens to be a charity which hubby has been involved with in the past, even attending a charity auction in the presence of Jude Law. Anyhow, the idea is that children aged 0-16 draw a picture showing “their wish” and upload a photo of the picture to the Make a Wish event on the Next Facebook page. A panel of judges at Next will choose the top fifty designs and the entrants responsible for the top designs will then be asked to submit their original drawings and join in all the fun of the competition final at Woburn Abbey on 21st December, when an overall winner will be selected. This design will be manufactured by Next, with sales benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation. Fifi and Toddler boy will be having a go and I urge you not to do this, as we would like to have a really good chance of winning.

Next Generation Childrenswear and Make a Wish Foundation Competition

Review; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs DVD/Blue -ray

Lucky old us, we are on the Think Parents panel and this means that we get sent lots of Disney DVDs. This month, we got Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The classic film has been re-released on Blue-Ray and DVD.

Snow White is a remarkable film, it is one of those classic bits of animation that has lasted for decades and looks as good today as was made in 1937. Or, so I imagine. To put this date into context it was made before Hitler annexed Poland. Before Gone With the Wind was made and even before Neighbours became a popular television programme.

It was actually the first film I ever went to see at the cinema when it was re-released in 1982. I can remember the excitement clearly, even now. I wanted to be Snow White for years after that. This is a great chance to get a really tip top version of the film, we loved every second of it. Partly, I think, because I actually sat and watched it with Toddler boy, discussing different parts of it and how I felt when I was little and saw it for the first time. There are not many films that enable you to do that.

If the kids haven't seen Snow White make sure they do, as its one of those unmissable classics.

Review; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs DVD/Blue -ray

One Day Down

First day back to work, feelings of dread, panic and an overwhelming feeling that my usefulness in life is over. I've had the babies, nurtured them and now I am back where I began. I have worked in more or less the same job for ten years, not a lot has changed, professionally I haven't moved on. Personally, I have moved house a couple of times, got married and had two kids. The kids have become my life.They are all I think about, day in day out. It's really hard to change that frame of mind.

So, we all got up at about 6, it was 7.34 before I managed to get them down and eating breakfast. I dropped them at the childminders at precisely 8.00 and made it into work for 8.15. I then spent about twenty minutes cleaning 9 months worth of dust off my desk. This is the world of museums. Rapid changes in front of house public things, but when you have a minimum estimate of 100,000 objects to work on its quite hard to make an impact. You might then find yourself beavering away, but you don't have time to dust the desk. So anyhow, what I am trying to say is that I thought I would take the opportunity to clean. Make myself feel more like I was back home.

At 9.10 I made a cup of tea, this was unusual in that I actually got to drink it, instead of leaving it until it went too cold to drink. At home, it's all about the process of making it, rather than drinking it. I then spent every fifteen minutes with thoughts going through my mind relating to the kids; "It must be Fifi's bottle time, I hope the childminder has remembered...I hope Toddler boy is alright...I wonder what they are having for lunch?..."

I quite enjoyed going back to work after Toddler boy, however things have changed. I feel more maternal I suppose. I feel like being a mum is not only my responsibility, it is my life duty. There are two little people dependent upon me, wanting me, used to being with me. Wherein I used to have some level of interest in my work. It is now merely work. I could be doing anything, it no longer defines me like it used to.

This is the modern dilemma isn't it? You are expected to go back to work, put the kids in care. Get help around the house if you can afford it. Basically, you are expected by society and positively encouraged to have it all. Women are no longer expected to be good wives and mothers, they have to be superwomen, capable of turning their hand to all situations. Doing it all and being it all. When did this happen and whose fault is it? The Suffragette movement, the bra-burning Seventies, Virago Press, Thatcher? I'm not sure. All I can say is that at the moment, it sits really uncomfortably with me.

One Day Down

Things That I Specifically Don't Want for Christmas

Bah Humbug, I could do without Christmas altogether. I am forced to enjoy it for the sake of everyone else. However, if you are thinking that you might like to bestow me with a gift. I would rather have nothing than;
Socks
Bubble Bath
Night dress
Books on parenting
CD holders
Small items of make-up and make-up bags

So what would I like?
A new winter coat
Some shoes, I've had the same ones for four years
Some nice jewellery
One of several books, I can provide a list
A nice new handbag from somewhere posh
SOMEONE TO BABYSIT FOR ONE DAY, SO I CAN HAVE SOME PEACE

I may well be adding to this list with links, so come back again soon!

Things That I Specifically Don't Want for Christmas

Breville Hot Cup Review

Hello, its hubby here, moonlighting again. In the 1970's the only thing wider than my Dad's sideburns were his flares. The decade was full of dubious kitchen gadgets like hostess trolleys, electric tin openers, food processors and of course in 1974 the legendary Breville Toasted Sandwich Maker.

I know my parents had one because when I moved in with my future wife in 2002, my parents kindly gave us their vintage toasted sandwich maker. I have to admit we used it sparingly, it was and still is I suppose, a year older than me and we're both leery of electrical death and fire (too much Fireman Sam).

So when the Breville Hot Cup appeared for us to have a shufty at, I wasn't expecting much to be honest. Brevilles changed ownership since the 1970's and has fallen off my personal radar- they make kettles and toasters and stuff like that now days and most of that sort of thing is fairly interchangeable as far as I'm concerned.

So the Hot Cup came as a bit of a pleasant surprise to be honest. It won't wow anyone who's worked in a modern office, but it is a bit of a revelation at home. It boils one cup of water really really quickly. And if you think about it, that's really really useful. I'm constantly silently resenting people for boiling a whole kettle of water (at enormous cost) to make one blooming cup of tea, never mind how long it takes to boil. Well, this gets round it by boiling one mug of water (variable quantity setting if you don't have a manly mug too) very quickly with no fuss other than a funky blue light and a strange cough at the end.

I love it, it may even stop wars, famines, make first contact with aliens, make you a more considerate and sensitive lover, I don't know and wouldn't like to say one way or the other but it is a blinking marvel in the kitchen.

Addendum;
Its me, Zooarchaeologist here. I have regained my blog.
I quite like it, but it is a bit big on the worktop,
I'm not convinced the water is properly boiling,
boiling hot and it's a bit
of a pain to make a cup of tea nowadays as the
husband is always standing by the darned thing,
finding excuses for boiled water.

Breville Hot Cup Review