My favourite landscape is that of an abbey that was no more, but the relics of its bygone years show us only a glimmer of what it once was:
BNM
Friday, 24 February 2012
Landscapes
Landscapes can sometimes be modern. The landscape of a city can be gorgeous to some and not to others. It doesn't always have to be trees (though they are great too!). But the relics of the past make me want to know more. The landscapes that have changed like industrial revolution or just the passing of time.
My favourite landscape is that of an abbey that was no more, but the relics of its bygone years show us only a glimmer of what it once was:
Post for Sticky Finger's Gallery
BNM
My favourite landscape is that of an abbey that was no more, but the relics of its bygone years show us only a glimmer of what it once was:
BNM
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
The birth story post -1 - Bel
It seems to be a rite of passage in every Bloggers life, where at one point or another they must blog about poo, wee, and the day when they met their offspring.
Bel turns eight tomorrow and before I forget what happened the day I met her, here is her birth story. It is very long and you may not want to read it all so I forgive you if you decide to pass!
Age 27 (at the time)
1st Pregnancy: 23/02/2004 - due date (edd 09/02/2004)
Pain relief used: Pethidine, Gas and Air, Epidural
What happened...
The beginning..
On my due date nothing happened and nothing kept on happening. I eventually at +7 days had a cervical sweep. I was very excited that something would happen as friends from ante natal classes had sweeps with babies then arriving. Unfortunately for me, this didn’t work.
On the Thursday morning (+10), I was admitted into hospital and was given prostin gel to try and progress matters. Nothing happened again!. I was given more prostin gel on Friday and by Friday afternoon demanded to go home as still no movement. I was asked to come back in again on Sunday morning if nothing had happened. I went home Friday night had a curry, walked a pebbly beach and if I hadn’t felt like an elephant would have had sex just to move things along but still nothing. As you can imagine I was getting fed up by now, even more when my Gran rang and asked if the baby had arrived yet and saying with it that people were waiting you know!
I went back into hospital early Sunday morning and was given a final dose of gel. I was told that if this didn’t work then I had to make a decision between oxytocin drip induced or a Cesarean. By mid afternoon something seemed to be happening and I was given some pethidine for the pain.
The Middle
*Did labour progress naturally?
By early Monday morning nothing was happening again so I was asked for a decision. Not wanting a c-section, I decided to go for the drip. And, boy did it work! I hadn’t realised that the drip meant that my contractions would start right away and to ensure that things progressed by waters where broken with a hook. Having the drip in my arm meant that I couldn’t walk around the room to help contractions so it hurt. I was given more pethidine to help with the pain and while on it did hallucinate! (I thought my mum was in the room with me- she had been dead 2 years). I was then given some gas and air which I thought would help the pain but the contractions got worse. I was adamant that I didn’t want an epidural having heard scare stories about it damaging your back. The midwives called the on call anaesthetist who came and spoke to me about the process. I then after a lot more pain agreed to have it put in and it magically stopped all the pain. My legs were put into stirrups (ready for the birth) and soon I was asked to push. A doctor then came into assist with the birth.
Except hang on I couldn’t feel the contractions, nada, nothing at all. I was at this point swearing at the midwife, my husband and everyone in the room.
To help with the pushing, a midwife came in and put her hand on my tummy and had to tell me when to push. So there she was saying push and there I was swearing my head off going I am &*^ pushing!.
Except of course, my baby wasn’t coming out. So out came the ventouse cap and on that went to try and get her out. But the ventouse wouldn’t stay on her head. The doctor tried twice to get it to stay on but it wouldn’t. Then, the forceps came out. Obviously, as I was lying down I didn’t see them but my poor husband did and just kept on holding my hand and saying everything would be fine. The forceps went on and eventually my beautiful baby girl came out.
Since writing this, and watching many episodes of one born every minute, Neb has opened up and said it was very scary and he didn’t really know if she and I would be OK. The following is what he told me happened :The ventouse would stay on for a bit and then slip off due to Bel having a funny shaped head (apparently like him). He said I screamed when they put the forceps in even though I was drugged up and that there was a lot of blood. I seem to have forgotten that it took a while before Bel came out. After they did and my placenta cord snapped he said it was like the gates had opened as the trough seemed to fill with blood. Even though he had hated the anaesthetist the first time he saw him , he could have hugged him when he came back and took over especially as the doctor was quite ignorant and nasty towards me and him
My baby wasn’t passed to me straight away, as they had to check her over. I got a quick look of her and then as they tried to get the placenta out the cord snapped. My daughter was passed to my husband and then they were trying to decide what to do next, there was talk of taking me to theatre to remove it. Also, the epidural had worn out and so they rang the anaesthetist. The same man appeared, asked me Why I hadn’t finished and recommended to the doctor that he try manual removal but that there was no point giving me another epidural, and asked me to breath the gas and air and only the gas and air. The doctor manually removed the placenta, stitched my cuts (I had to be cut for both ventouse and forceps use!) and then I held my baby girl.
*How long was your recovery?
I was in hospital for 4 days. Bel wouldn’t feed from me and after a lot of agonising and being told by a senior midwife that I would never be able to breast feed (apparently my nipples weren’t big enough!), I let them feed her. I then decided to bottle feed her as even though she slept well, I couldn’t face the agony of trying to feed her myself. On the day we left hospital it snowed, and I nearly wasn’t let home as the roads around the hospital were being closed.
BNM
I will post a pic of her on this but I can't seem to find the digital ones at the moment.
Bel turns eight tomorrow and before I forget what happened the day I met her, here is her birth story. It is very long and you may not want to read it all so I forgive you if you decide to pass!
Age 27 (at the time)
1st Pregnancy: 23/02/2004 - due date (edd 09/02/2004)
Pain relief used: Pethidine, Gas and Air, Epidural
What happened...
The beginning..
- Where you overdue? Overdue by 2 weeks
- Where were you when you went into labour? In Hospital
- How did it all begin?
On my due date nothing happened and nothing kept on happening. I eventually at +7 days had a cervical sweep. I was very excited that something would happen as friends from ante natal classes had sweeps with babies then arriving. Unfortunately for me, this didn’t work.
On the Thursday morning (+10), I was admitted into hospital and was given prostin gel to try and progress matters. Nothing happened again!. I was given more prostin gel on Friday and by Friday afternoon demanded to go home as still no movement. I was asked to come back in again on Sunday morning if nothing had happened. I went home Friday night had a curry, walked a pebbly beach and if I hadn’t felt like an elephant would have had sex just to move things along but still nothing. As you can imagine I was getting fed up by now, even more when my Gran rang and asked if the baby had arrived yet and saying with it that people were waiting you know!
I went back into hospital early Sunday morning and was given a final dose of gel. I was told that if this didn’t work then I had to make a decision between oxytocin drip induced or a Cesarean. By mid afternoon something seemed to be happening and I was given some pethidine for the pain.
The Middle
*Did labour progress naturally?
By early Monday morning nothing was happening again so I was asked for a decision. Not wanting a c-section, I decided to go for the drip. And, boy did it work! I hadn’t realised that the drip meant that my contractions would start right away and to ensure that things progressed by waters where broken with a hook. Having the drip in my arm meant that I couldn’t walk around the room to help contractions so it hurt. I was given more pethidine to help with the pain and while on it did hallucinate! (I thought my mum was in the room with me- she had been dead 2 years). I was then given some gas and air which I thought would help the pain but the contractions got worse. I was adamant that I didn’t want an epidural having heard scare stories about it damaging your back. The midwives called the on call anaesthetist who came and spoke to me about the process. I then after a lot more pain agreed to have it put in and it magically stopped all the pain. My legs were put into stirrups (ready for the birth) and soon I was asked to push. A doctor then came into assist with the birth.
Except hang on I couldn’t feel the contractions, nada, nothing at all. I was at this point swearing at the midwife, my husband and everyone in the room.
To help with the pushing, a midwife came in and put her hand on my tummy and had to tell me when to push. So there she was saying push and there I was swearing my head off going I am &*^ pushing!.
Except of course, my baby wasn’t coming out. So out came the ventouse cap and on that went to try and get her out. But the ventouse wouldn’t stay on her head. The doctor tried twice to get it to stay on but it wouldn’t. Then, the forceps came out. Obviously, as I was lying down I didn’t see them but my poor husband did and just kept on holding my hand and saying everything would be fine. The forceps went on and eventually my beautiful baby girl came out.
Since writing this, and watching many episodes of one born every minute, Neb has opened up and said it was very scary and he didn’t really know if she and I would be OK. The following is what he told me happened :The ventouse would stay on for a bit and then slip off due to Bel having a funny shaped head (apparently like him). He said I screamed when they put the forceps in even though I was drugged up and that there was a lot of blood. I seem to have forgotten that it took a while before Bel came out. After they did and my placenta cord snapped he said it was like the gates had opened as the trough seemed to fill with blood. Even though he had hated the anaesthetist the first time he saw him , he could have hugged him when he came back and took over especially as the doctor was quite ignorant and nasty towards me and him
My baby wasn’t passed to me straight away, as they had to check her over. I got a quick look of her and then as they tried to get the placenta out the cord snapped. My daughter was passed to my husband and then they were trying to decide what to do next, there was talk of taking me to theatre to remove it. Also, the epidural had worn out and so they rang the anaesthetist. The same man appeared, asked me Why I hadn’t finished and recommended to the doctor that he try manual removal but that there was no point giving me another epidural, and asked me to breath the gas and air and only the gas and air. The doctor manually removed the placenta, stitched my cuts (I had to be cut for both ventouse and forceps use!) and then I held my baby girl.
*How long was your recovery?
I was in hospital for 4 days. Bel wouldn’t feed from me and after a lot of agonising and being told by a senior midwife that I would never be able to breast feed (apparently my nipples weren’t big enough!), I let them feed her. I then decided to bottle feed her as even though she slept well, I couldn’t face the agony of trying to feed her myself. On the day we left hospital it snowed, and I nearly wasn’t let home as the roads around the hospital were being closed.
BNM
I will post a pic of her on this but I can't seem to find the digital ones at the moment.
Monday, 20 February 2012
I'm not crafty
So, Bel had a school project to do over the holidays - and I was in work.
You'd think that Neb would help her with it. Oh no, he left that to me. So, yesterday I spent some of the afternoon trying to be arty! I had all these great ideas in my head but they didn't come out right.
The theme was Celebration, Excitement and Movement. So,we decided to do the Olympic stadium. With some stick men (in pipecleaners) doing some stuff. And we did (I'd show you a picture but you'd just laugh) and I'm so ashamed for my daughter.
I've seen courtesty of Facebook some of the other projects and I feel so sorry for Bel taking what we made into school. I am ashamed for her (she on the other hand loves it) and want so much to be the parent who does it for her in an amazing spectacular way.
But at least I suppose it will be her own work. There'll be no need to worry about anyone doubting who made it.
Neb says that I should stop going on about it, but I dread seeing her tonight and asking her what they said when she handed it in
BNM
You'd think that Neb would help her with it. Oh no, he left that to me. So, yesterday I spent some of the afternoon trying to be arty! I had all these great ideas in my head but they didn't come out right.
The theme was Celebration, Excitement and Movement. So,we decided to do the Olympic stadium. With some stick men (in pipecleaners) doing some stuff. And we did (I'd show you a picture but you'd just laugh) and I'm so ashamed for my daughter.
I've seen courtesty of Facebook some of the other projects and I feel so sorry for Bel taking what we made into school. I am ashamed for her (she on the other hand loves it) and want so much to be the parent who does it for her in an amazing spectacular way.
But at least I suppose it will be her own work. There'll be no need to worry about anyone doubting who made it.
Neb says that I should stop going on about it, but I dread seeing her tonight and asking her what they said when she handed it in
BNM
Picture Perfect
In the digital world that we live in many of our pictures don't get published and printed. No more frames on walls full of family memories though our social network sites are full of them.
Now, Neb got a new camera for his 40th last year - a Digital SLR. One that he loves to pieces and on a normal walk to the woods he can take up to 90 pictures. But then they sit there on his external hard drive and not made good.So, recently, when I got asked by Pixum if I wanted to try out their canvas prints I jumped at the chance.
I've always loved printed photos on canvas but when I mentioned it to Neb he was unsure- so as a surprise I rooted through his external and found a lovely sunset that he took from my new office.
Using the website was as easy as pie (just like their icons say)
And the best thing was that I ordered on the Tuesday (evening) and by Friday (of the same week) it had arrived.
It is now in place on our wall:
And the best thing, Neb absolutely loves it. He thinks its great that on our wall is one of his photos and he's even thinking about signing the back!
So if your looking for a different gift, a Mother's Day present even then why not check out Pixum Canvas Prints.
BNM
I was given a voucher so that I could review the product and website. All opinions are my own
Now, Neb got a new camera for his 40th last year - a Digital SLR. One that he loves to pieces and on a normal walk to the woods he can take up to 90 pictures. But then they sit there on his external hard drive and not made good.So, recently, when I got asked by Pixum if I wanted to try out their canvas prints I jumped at the chance.
I've always loved printed photos on canvas but when I mentioned it to Neb he was unsure- so as a surprise I rooted through his external and found a lovely sunset that he took from my new office.
Using the website was as easy as pie (just like their icons say)
And the best thing was that I ordered on the Tuesday (evening) and by Friday (of the same week) it had arrived.
It is now in place on our wall:
And the best thing, Neb absolutely loves it. He thinks its great that on our wall is one of his photos and he's even thinking about signing the back!
So if your looking for a different gift, a Mother's Day present even then why not check out Pixum Canvas Prints.
BNM
I was given a voucher so that I could review the product and website. All opinions are my own
Saturday, 18 February 2012
If you go down to the woods today...
Then you will find me there. I love the woods. We have as a family gone to many of the forestry commission woods in the area and as we were on our way to our favourite today I noticed another one near by! Somewhere else to go for free to get some fresh air in our lungs - to tire us out (yes, that would be me who fell asleep earlier while everyone else was watching Let's dance!)
We hadn't been since Christmas and today life was beginning to return to the woods:
One, small flower coming through. Except it wasn't just one - it was a blanket of white:
All in all,we had a fun afternoon.
BNM
We hadn't been since Christmas and today life was beginning to return to the woods:
One, small flower coming through. Except it wasn't just one - it was a blanket of white:
All in all,we had a fun afternoon.
BNM
Club Penguin - New Magazine
As I've said before, one of the things guaranteed to make Bel happy is getting to play Club Penguin on the computer. So, imagine her face when this landed through the door:
The first ever Club Penguin magazine in the UK (the first issue was out February 9th) and its full of all things Club Penguin. Every issue gives you the chance to get 1500 coins (with which you can buy things with in the game) and if you send in pictures of your igloos and penguins all dressed up you could get even more coins
Bel thought it was awesome and I can see it being one of the magazines she asks for us to get her. Each issue also has secret codes in, which gives exclusive content to Club Penguin players.
The Club Penguin Magazine, available to buy from Morrison's and WHSmith is priced £2.99 and a reasonable price to pay for an afternoon of adventure.
BNM
Bel thought it was awesome and I can see it being one of the magazines she asks for us to get her. Each issue also has secret codes in, which gives exclusive content to Club Penguin players.
The Club Penguin Magazine, available to buy from Morrison's and WHSmith is priced £2.99 and a reasonable price to pay for an afternoon of adventure.
BNM
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
What was I thinking post
This is me (circa 1994-8) in a jumper I loved to bits - I know its hideous!
Over the years I've had many random embarrassing clothes moments but this is the only one that Neb has seen so far and gone - you let her out like that.
He never had to see me in the lovely home knitted jumpers that my mum used to knit, with huge parrots, bears or other random animal on them! If he had he would've known that many years of practice has accumulated to the random dress sense I possess!
BNM
This post is for the Gallery over at Sticky Fingers where other embarrassing outfits can be seen
Pennies add up to pounds
Look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves - or something
like that is how the proverb goes.
Every year we try and save the coppers in our house. So, that our savings grow.
Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
And every year, we have to dip into them. This is how life was in our house. We aren't great with money - between us we have a few debts and sometimes when your pay check is a week away and you've ran out of bread that's how it goes.
But, it’s now different, especially since Neb has more money after working on a weekend. Now, the jar gets put into our savings. I don't know what it is about having a savings account that seems to make us spend less. If we left money in our normal joint bank account the money would get swallowed by bills and other living expenses. Moving a few pounds a month across to the savings and we actually have a rainy day fund. Money for holidays, money for spoiling ourselves with.
BNM
Every year we try and save the coppers in our house. So, that our savings grow.
Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
And every year, we have to dip into them. This is how life was in our house. We aren't great with money - between us we have a few debts and sometimes when your pay check is a week away and you've ran out of bread that's how it goes.
But, it’s now different, especially since Neb has more money after working on a weekend. Now, the jar gets put into our savings. I don't know what it is about having a savings account that seems to make us spend less. If we left money in our normal joint bank account the money would get swallowed by bills and other living expenses. Moving a few pounds a month across to the savings and we actually have a rainy day fund. Money for holidays, money for spoiling ourselves with.
BNM
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
What no roses?
So today, February 14th (Valentine's day) celebrated the world over!
In the BNM household thought it may be different, what with St Dwynwen's day having been already! So, tonight will there be romance, chocolate, flowers, candlelit dinner - um well:
Because they're expensive (!) Even though Neb is today acting as Mr Valentine and helping to deliver flowers for a florist friend I will have none!!
Addendum - so it seems that working with her helped as he came home with three roses from him and the girls for me! Ahem so sorry , this is why I should write said post after presents had been actually given!
(except its the one from Morrison's that goes in Microwave!)
I will be having Thai tonight .. on my own - because its Tuesday and its pool night and to be honest I like my Tuesday's giving me time to blog, twitter and generally catch up!
No chocolate either - but that's probably a good thing as I've got a horrendous cough (again)- and they are fattening but I may buy myself some at lunchtime!
Image: vichie81 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Well we're romantic every day! I've been known in my time to write him poetry and him write back( this was BC though!). We have our own special sayings (that I'm not sharing) and I love him dearly so Valentine's is just another commercial event that mostly goes by unnoticed (we have given funny cards and random gifts!)
Hope you have a peaceful day with your loved one and that you enjoy your Valentine in your own special way!
BNM
In the BNM household thought it may be different, what with St Dwynwen's day having been already! So, tonight will there be romance, chocolate, flowers, candlelit dinner - um well:
Addendum - so it seems that working with her helped as he came home with three roses from him and the girls for me! Ahem so sorry , this is why I should write said post after presents had been actually given!
I will be having Thai tonight .. on my own - because its Tuesday and its pool night and to be honest I like my Tuesday's giving me time to blog, twitter and generally catch up!
No chocolate either - but that's probably a good thing as I've got a horrendous cough (again)- and they are fattening but I may buy myself some at lunchtime!
Image: vichie81 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Well we're romantic every day! I've been known in my time to write him poetry and him write back( this was BC though!). We have our own special sayings (that I'm not sharing) and I love him dearly so Valentine's is just another commercial event that mostly goes by unnoticed (we have given funny cards and random gifts!)
Hope you have a peaceful day with your loved one and that you enjoy your Valentine in your own special way!
BNM
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Friday Fun
Last night we took the girls out for a surprise. They knew nothing of what we were about to do. Questions were asked and ignored and we parked the car in our local town.
We then walked towards the chippy (part of our treat) but the kids decided they wanted KFC instead (it was next door) and as we ate they kept on asking more questions but our lips were sealed.
We left KFC and walked slowly towards the CINEMA!
The Muppets were showing and we thought it would be a great treat for both of them to see it. Car got so excited about it and then bless her got scared. It was obviously dark in the cinema and we had an issue with her and the chair. It seems that she didn't way enough to stop the fold down chair from folding back up. In the end I had to wedge her coat down it and sit with my leg pushing it down!
Both girls sat patiently eating their popcorn waiting for the film to start. Car jumped a bit when the first sound came out of the screen (I think the sheer noise surprised her). They sat through the many adverts and then the trailers. It was decided that the next film we'd go to see would be The Pirates: In an Adventure with Scientists (which looks very funny!) and then the interval came so the kids had some ice cream each.
The lights dimmed again for the second time and we all got very excited as the film seemed about to start. But no we got one more surprise a Toy Story short - and I managed to find a clip for you all:
When the short finished the excitement grew as The Muppets began. Both the girls loved the film and although I thought that Neb wouldn't like some of it - lots of cheesy singing - he had a big smile all the way through. Some of the best moments for me weren't from the film but Car when she :
1) shouted loudly - Daddy there's Miss Piggy you fancy her (accompanied by titters from the rest of the cinema) and 2) her dancing on my lap and then getting up and dancing in front of us.
It was great watching The Muppets especially for us oldies who remembered it on telly. We would definitely recommend going to see it over half term and if you're worried that your 4year old won't sit still and talk then worry not - mine was laughing most of the way through!
And just for you, here's the trailer:
BNM
We then walked towards the chippy (part of our treat) but the kids decided they wanted KFC instead (it was next door) and as we ate they kept on asking more questions but our lips were sealed.
We left KFC and walked slowly towards the CINEMA!
The Muppets were showing and we thought it would be a great treat for both of them to see it. Car got so excited about it and then bless her got scared. It was obviously dark in the cinema and we had an issue with her and the chair. It seems that she didn't way enough to stop the fold down chair from folding back up. In the end I had to wedge her coat down it and sit with my leg pushing it down!
Both girls sat patiently eating their popcorn waiting for the film to start. Car jumped a bit when the first sound came out of the screen (I think the sheer noise surprised her). They sat through the many adverts and then the trailers. It was decided that the next film we'd go to see would be The Pirates: In an Adventure with Scientists (which looks very funny!) and then the interval came so the kids had some ice cream each.
The lights dimmed again for the second time and we all got very excited as the film seemed about to start. But no we got one more surprise a Toy Story short - and I managed to find a clip for you all:
When the short finished the excitement grew as The Muppets began. Both the girls loved the film and although I thought that Neb wouldn't like some of it - lots of cheesy singing - he had a big smile all the way through. Some of the best moments for me weren't from the film but Car when she :
1) shouted loudly - Daddy there's Miss Piggy you fancy her (accompanied by titters from the rest of the cinema) and 2) her dancing on my lap and then getting up and dancing in front of us.
It was great watching The Muppets especially for us oldies who remembered it on telly. We would definitely recommend going to see it over half term and if you're worried that your 4year old won't sit still and talk then worry not - mine was laughing most of the way through!
And just for you, here's the trailer:
BNM
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Phrases that drive me mad - Listography
Because I love doing them and life is now too hectic to even think of anything else to blog about!
Here are my 5 phrases that drive me mad:
That's my lot for this week (or last week's list). I struggled to pick 5 (and only because I'd read others!)
BNM
Here are my 5 phrases that drive me mad:
- O M G - as if Oh My God isn't bad enough you have to shorten it, Bel has been doing this a lot recently and has been told that I'm not happy with it (she then thought it was highly amusing to turn it to OMJ!)
- Are you going to try for a boy? - I have two girls, I am happy with my two girls. I don't think I could cope with anymore children and what happens if its another girl (I do not want a netball team). So, people, No I'm not going to try for a boy
- Whatever/ Loser - but said using your hand as well as the word. Really is there a need for it. It drives me mad (I can hear you know so I hardly need the signal!)
- Muuummmmy - obviously I don't hate the word Mummy but its the tone of voice, that screeching squealing noise that comes out of their demonic mouths when they really want to annoy me - yes and its always me, Daddy seems to get ignored
- Do you really still speak Welsh - I thought noone did.! Ydw, rwy yn , nac ydy dwi e heb marw allan a beth bynnag mae rhaid siarard rwbeth wahanol.
That's my lot for this week (or last week's list). I struggled to pick 5 (and only because I'd read others!)
BNM
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Safer Internet Day and Club Penguin
What happens when you get the chance to interview the head of Club Penguin, UK and Europe. Well, doh, you're too busy in work and don't get the chance to ask the questions you had'nt thought of yet. Luckily for you, somebody did ask her questions and as today is the 9th Global Safer Internet Day, here are her answers. Also, if you are in the Brighton area on the 14th February (and not miles and mile away and in work like me then read down to get more info!)
1. Create your own account – What better way to get to know a game than to create your own account. For safety reasons, most kids virtual worlds require you to create an ‘avatar’, a character through which you explore and interact with the virtual world and those within it. This means players stay anonymous and there is no sharing of pictures and profiles, like you might see on an adult social networking site like Facebook. This is a good moment to test a sites technical filters and moderation – if you can get away with giving your avatar a rude name you can make a decision as to whether or not you’d want your child making friends with a character like that.
2. Strike up a conversation – kids, in character, can ‘chat’ with others in virtual worlds in a number of different ways. Some have pin boards where you can leave messages, others have live chat but both should be moderated. At Club Penguin we use technical filters, so only words that we’ve typed into our ‘white list’ of approved words will get through the filters. Words not on the white list don’t get through and only our moderators and the child typing the word will be able to see the phrase. This was designed to encourage good behaviour as kids who might try to be naughty soon get bored as they think they are being ignored. So go on give it a go, test the moderation by trying to leave a rude message on your own pin board (please not anyone else’s and delete quickly after!) or if you’re on Club Penguin see if anyone reacts.
3. Stay anonymous - There is one really easy and simple rule which we encourage all our players to follow so that they keep themselves safe, wherever they are online: don’t share any personal information. Whether you’re seven or 70 sharing personal information can get you into trouble so it’s good to instill this in your kids from a young age. Teach your children to never give away details about where they go to school or live or their email address and telephone number. We don’t have school names, addresses, email or numbers on our white list so these words won’t get through our filter. If you see this kind of information it’s important to report it to the site’s moderation team.
4. In Moderation – Some sites will have some kind of filtering technology working alongside human moderators. We believe human moderation is an essential safety net, as well as keeping an eye on in-world happenings our moderators also keep our white list up to date, as the English language changes so much. It’s worth trying to find out if the virtual world your child is playing in has a dedicated moderation team and how large it is or if the company outsources the work. We have over 250 full time moderators on our staff world wide to make sure our players have the best possible experience.
5. Know what buttons to push –It’s important that kids are able to take control of their online experience. On Club Penguin, if kids want to block another user they can so they’ll never see each other in the game again. Or they can report a player to a moderator by clicking ‘M’ in the top right of the screen to report a player. When you are exploring a new virtual world with your child, it’s worth being familiar with which buttons to push
6. Customer support – If you have questions or want to know more get in touch with the customer support team, they’re there to help you. We like to hear from kids and parents and are happy to answer questions from any parents who want to know more about Club Penguin. Our team can be reached at support@clubpenguin.com
Now Bel loves Club Penguin and we let her join it after I went online and read about it. It helped that a few of her school friends are also on it, not that she has managed to 'see' any of them yet. As she has now got older, she is not in the moderated rooms where no talk is allowed but in normal rooms. I have told her though not to accept friend requests from anybody - unless she know it is a real life friend. She has been told, both by us and by school that she is not allowed to share any personal information.
She tends to play it for the challenges, and to help G catch the bear! She has since then seen more virtual online worlds advertised on TV asked to join them but I have as yet said NO! Club Penguin is as far as I see it the best around. It also helps that I can go online as her and earn her extra coins as bonuses!
If anyone reading this would like to attend the Club Penguin open house in Brighton on the 14th of Feb at 1100 GMT with your children please leave a comment here and we’ll get in touch. There will be a tour of Club Penguin’s European HQ, you’ll get to meet the moderators, take a look behind the scenes as well as take part in some fun games to learn more about online safety.
Club Penguin was founded by three dads who wanted a safe, ad free, online environment for their kids to play so safety was built into the design of the virtual world from the very beginning. When Club Penguin was conceived they shared the same concerns as most parents do today as their children start taking their first steps online.
BNM
This is not a sponsored post, We just love CLUB PENGUIN !
1. Create your own account – What better way to get to know a game than to create your own account. For safety reasons, most kids virtual worlds require you to create an ‘avatar’, a character through which you explore and interact with the virtual world and those within it. This means players stay anonymous and there is no sharing of pictures and profiles, like you might see on an adult social networking site like Facebook. This is a good moment to test a sites technical filters and moderation – if you can get away with giving your avatar a rude name you can make a decision as to whether or not you’d want your child making friends with a character like that.
2. Strike up a conversation – kids, in character, can ‘chat’ with others in virtual worlds in a number of different ways. Some have pin boards where you can leave messages, others have live chat but both should be moderated. At Club Penguin we use technical filters, so only words that we’ve typed into our ‘white list’ of approved words will get through the filters. Words not on the white list don’t get through and only our moderators and the child typing the word will be able to see the phrase. This was designed to encourage good behaviour as kids who might try to be naughty soon get bored as they think they are being ignored. So go on give it a go, test the moderation by trying to leave a rude message on your own pin board (please not anyone else’s and delete quickly after!) or if you’re on Club Penguin see if anyone reacts.
3. Stay anonymous - There is one really easy and simple rule which we encourage all our players to follow so that they keep themselves safe, wherever they are online: don’t share any personal information. Whether you’re seven or 70 sharing personal information can get you into trouble so it’s good to instill this in your kids from a young age. Teach your children to never give away details about where they go to school or live or their email address and telephone number. We don’t have school names, addresses, email or numbers on our white list so these words won’t get through our filter. If you see this kind of information it’s important to report it to the site’s moderation team.
4. In Moderation – Some sites will have some kind of filtering technology working alongside human moderators. We believe human moderation is an essential safety net, as well as keeping an eye on in-world happenings our moderators also keep our white list up to date, as the English language changes so much. It’s worth trying to find out if the virtual world your child is playing in has a dedicated moderation team and how large it is or if the company outsources the work. We have over 250 full time moderators on our staff world wide to make sure our players have the best possible experience.
5. Know what buttons to push –It’s important that kids are able to take control of their online experience. On Club Penguin, if kids want to block another user they can so they’ll never see each other in the game again. Or they can report a player to a moderator by clicking ‘M’ in the top right of the screen to report a player. When you are exploring a new virtual world with your child, it’s worth being familiar with which buttons to push
6. Customer support – If you have questions or want to know more get in touch with the customer support team, they’re there to help you. We like to hear from kids and parents and are happy to answer questions from any parents who want to know more about Club Penguin. Our team can be reached at support@clubpenguin.com
Now Bel loves Club Penguin and we let her join it after I went online and read about it. It helped that a few of her school friends are also on it, not that she has managed to 'see' any of them yet. As she has now got older, she is not in the moderated rooms where no talk is allowed but in normal rooms. I have told her though not to accept friend requests from anybody - unless she know it is a real life friend. She has been told, both by us and by school that she is not allowed to share any personal information.
She tends to play it for the challenges, and to help G catch the bear! She has since then seen more virtual online worlds advertised on TV asked to join them but I have as yet said NO! Club Penguin is as far as I see it the best around. It also helps that I can go online as her and earn her extra coins as bonuses!
If anyone reading this would like to attend the Club Penguin open house in Brighton on the 14th of Feb at 1100 GMT with your children please leave a comment here and we’ll get in touch. There will be a tour of Club Penguin’s European HQ, you’ll get to meet the moderators, take a look behind the scenes as well as take part in some fun games to learn more about online safety.
Club Penguin was founded by three dads who wanted a safe, ad free, online environment for their kids to play so safety was built into the design of the virtual world from the very beginning. When Club Penguin was conceived they shared the same concerns as most parents do today as their children start taking their first steps online.
BNM
This is not a sponsored post, We just love CLUB PENGUIN !
Monday, 6 February 2012
Meal time Monday -6th February
I am actually on the ball this week (sitting here on Sunday writing it). Things didn't go to plan on Saturday for our Lasagne as I spent 4 hours builidng Bel's Lego Atlantis and swearing at it lots so we had Pizza delivered instead.
Monday - Lasagne
Tuesday - Baked cod with Tomato and Cheese
Wednesday - Chicken Balls, Crispy Bacon, Barbeque Sauce and Chips
Thursday - Sausage, Mash and Gravy for the girls, Hearty Sausage Paella for me and Neb
Friday - something simple undecided as yet (as we're taking the girls to see The Muppets in the cinema)
Saturday - Steak and Ale Pie, Mash and Veg
Sunday - Leftovers or Roast dinner
Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is eating this week - need some inspiration for next week!
BNM
As usual linking in with Mrs M!
Monday - Lasagne
Tuesday - Baked cod with Tomato and Cheese
Wednesday - Chicken Balls, Crispy Bacon, Barbeque Sauce and Chips
Thursday - Sausage, Mash and Gravy for the girls, Hearty Sausage Paella for me and Neb
Friday - something simple undecided as yet (as we're taking the girls to see The Muppets in the cinema)
Saturday - Steak and Ale Pie, Mash and Veg
Sunday - Leftovers or Roast dinner
Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is eating this week - need some inspiration for next week!
BNM
As usual linking in with Mrs M!
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Socks ROCKS
Socks brings the fantastic rhymes of the other two books up a notch and the tongue twisting sock rhymes made the girls laugh. We had fun trying to think of other animals/ things that could be in the book - an Elephant with a sock for a trunk, a spider with socks instead of legs! Car loves this book so much that I've read it several times recently and still have trouble with the last SockyWockyDooDah rhyme!
I was worried that the book may be too young for Bel - but she loved it and as usual they both sat there looking for the best socks too wear. Bel loved the ant socks and though that the next socks book (of which they both should be named MORE SOCKS) should have a caterpillar with socky feet in it.
We were also lucky enough to be sent some activity sheets with the book, featuring a socky make (pictures of which will be published soon!) and a postcard each.
Socks was published on Thursday by David Fickling Books and its RRP is £10.99
SOCKOTASTIC BOOK!
BNM
We were sent this book to review. All opinions given in the review are ours (BNM and family) alone!
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Eating out
Unluckily we (as in me and Neb) aren't the type of parents who get to eat out that often. There are two reasons for this: 1) we are always skint and 2) Neb is a fussy bugger! He won't eat veg, or fishy fish, or offal or anything too poncy, or anything bleeding!
So he was very surprised when I decided to take him out for a meal last night. (due to not having to pay council tax this month!). What was more surprising was that he let me pick the place. So, deeming that his favourite Italian was out (its the only one in my home town and when I've been there several times since 18 it gets a bit booring!), I picked a local pub restaurant not far from our house. We got the babysitters in (Bel's godparents) and off we went.
Icy cold as it was last night, we wrapped up warm and got to the pub. Sitting in the front bar with our drinks and menus it felt pleasant to be out. We ordered and went up to our table to wait. (I had a chicken dish , he had posh burger!) Our waitress was very attentive but we were only one of three tables in the place. We even had wine off the wine list - Neb laughed at me when I asked why the wine glasses were so large and why he wasn't filling it up more! (he said I was meant to let the wine breathe- BAH!). We were bought someone elses food, which I nearly started eating and then are food came .
Both our plates of food looked lovely and even though (as usual) I did manage to eat most of mine before Neb touched his, it was delicious. Sitting in the restaurant eating poshly together, I thought my god we've grown up. (Yes, I know I'm 35 but you know it doesn't happen often!). Unfortunately one of the couples on the tables behind us hadn't... Neb nudged me as they shared the soup starter and then when they're fish dishes arrived (haddock on a bed of creamed leeks) along with it came some chips and a side order of beans (something not on the menu!). I tried my hardest not to laugh too loud and we both hid our giggles behind the napkins.
We then had dessert -well Neb did I had a cheese board (which I shared with him and took some home too). We finished off the meal, sitting in front of the roaring fire with after dinner drinks. Neb was very happy that his 18yearold whisky was cheaper than he thought it would be.
If Neb hadn't been working the next day,we would've stayed longer but we came home, sent our babysitters packing, drank some pink fizz and then I did my usual Friday thing of falling asleep in front of the TV.
It was lovely to be out with Neb and we may have to do it more often. I'm wondering whether we can get my dad to babysit for us next time so we can pop to a different restaurant!
BNM
So he was very surprised when I decided to take him out for a meal last night. (due to not having to pay council tax this month!). What was more surprising was that he let me pick the place. So, deeming that his favourite Italian was out (its the only one in my home town and when I've been there several times since 18 it gets a bit booring!), I picked a local pub restaurant not far from our house. We got the babysitters in (Bel's godparents) and off we went.
Icy cold as it was last night, we wrapped up warm and got to the pub. Sitting in the front bar with our drinks and menus it felt pleasant to be out. We ordered and went up to our table to wait. (I had a chicken dish , he had posh burger!) Our waitress was very attentive but we were only one of three tables in the place. We even had wine off the wine list - Neb laughed at me when I asked why the wine glasses were so large and why he wasn't filling it up more! (he said I was meant to let the wine breathe- BAH!). We were bought someone elses food, which I nearly started eating and then are food came .
Both our plates of food looked lovely and even though (as usual) I did manage to eat most of mine before Neb touched his, it was delicious. Sitting in the restaurant eating poshly together, I thought my god we've grown up. (Yes, I know I'm 35 but you know it doesn't happen often!). Unfortunately one of the couples on the tables behind us hadn't... Neb nudged me as they shared the soup starter and then when they're fish dishes arrived (haddock on a bed of creamed leeks) along with it came some chips and a side order of beans (something not on the menu!). I tried my hardest not to laugh too loud and we both hid our giggles behind the napkins.
We then had dessert -well Neb did I had a cheese board (which I shared with him and took some home too). We finished off the meal, sitting in front of the roaring fire with after dinner drinks. Neb was very happy that his 18yearold whisky was cheaper than he thought it would be.
If Neb hadn't been working the next day,we would've stayed longer but we came home, sent our babysitters packing, drank some pink fizz and then I did my usual Friday thing of falling asleep in front of the TV.
It was lovely to be out with Neb and we may have to do it more often. I'm wondering whether we can get my dad to babysit for us next time so we can pop to a different restaurant!
BNM
Friday, 3 February 2012
Dum-no-more
Ages ago (possibly even last year, my memory fails me as usual!) I mentioned that one of our things to do for 2011 was to banish the dummy. Well, I failed (because I didn't really want a crying 3yo).
But Monday night, Neb had a chat with Car and explained we'd be trying with no dummy for bed time. Well she burst into tears and cried so hard she was nearly sick so we gave in (yes we're those parents).
In a moment of mummy strength, Wednesday I hastily made a star chart and persuaded her to go to bed without it. And you know what it worked. She went to bed, sleep didn't come as quick as normal but there was no crying and no sadness. Her little face yesterday morning when she got the first star was fab. It worked again last night too! As we are off out tonight and I've got friends babysitting we are going to let her have it tonight!
With the stars going on the chart well (well 2) Car has decided that she would like a build a bear with a heart in it! Which would be great but our nearest store is Telford! And she thinks that she'll get it with 2 stars!
BNM
But Monday night, Neb had a chat with Car and explained we'd be trying with no dummy for bed time. Well she burst into tears and cried so hard she was nearly sick so we gave in (yes we're those parents).
In a moment of mummy strength, Wednesday I hastily made a star chart and persuaded her to go to bed without it. And you know what it worked. She went to bed, sleep didn't come as quick as normal but there was no crying and no sadness. Her little face yesterday morning when she got the first star was fab. It worked again last night too! As we are off out tonight and I've got friends babysitting we are going to let her have it tonight!
With the stars going on the chart well (well 2) Car has decided that she would like a build a bear with a heart in it! Which would be great but our nearest store is Telford! And she thinks that she'll get it with 2 stars!
BNM
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Meal Planning
So its Monday, Tuesday, oh crap Wednesday. I am so late this week!
After my marathon feastful of freezer suprises supper, the freezer is now defrosted. If you'd seen the icebergs coming out of it, you'd be shocked. Anyway its now empty (apart from a loaf of bread!) and ready for the shop tomorrow!
So getting back to the meal plan:
Wednesday - Fishfingers, chips and pasta shapes - for Neb, Car and Bel - asked for by Neb
- me am going to have some fresh pasta (from the supermarket - god am not that clever!)
Thursday - Tuna pasta sweetcorn for the kids, Oven baked risotoo for me and Neb (Neb's got Welsh classes so later meal for us!)
Friday - Pizza Chicken for the girls , me and him are off out for a meal!
Saturday - lasagne
Sunday - Roast
Very simple this week, but am looking forward to the shop tomorrow and hope to buy a new Good Food magazine to get some more inspiration for the weeks to come.
BNM
M
As ever, I am joining in with Mrs M! She of course will be on time!
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