Giveaway with Freckled Frog

Last week I shared a gorgeous rainbow dress from Freckled Frog and have had so many comments on how lovely it is. So today I've got a treat in store - a giveaway from the fabulous people behind the online clothing boutique to win yourself £50 worth of goodies!

Freckled Frog sell some absolutely beautiful clothes from brands such as Wild Things Dresses, Olive & Moss and Down With The Kidz. They are constantly sourcing new, original brands in order to provide the most current and stylish clothing for your little ones. I originally came across them when I bought this Down With The Kidz dress for H and am now always visiting their site or having a look on twitter to see what new lovelies they have come across lately.

Here are some of my favourite pieces from the Freckled Frog range - I have to say though, it took me ages to go through all the collection as there are some lovely things to choose from!

Hmm I think I may be a fan of animals!

Right, time to get down to it! To win yourself £50 to spend at this fantastic store, follow the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How To Catch A Star - Ten Years On

I have heard so many wonderful things about the Oliver Jeffers book 'How To Catch A Star', however it is not one I have got around to buying myself. So when I was offered a special anniversary copy to celebrate the book's ten year anniversary I just couldn't refuse.

Low Energy Playtime: Cardboard Roll Cars

Last month I began writing about some low energy play ideas I am putting together for those struggling with tiredness, starting off with foam stickers. This month we have tried a completely new idea that was so easy to set up but so much fun - cardboard roll cars!

Cancer & M.E.

I've never really shared much about what is going on with my dad in my blog. Mainly because I wouldn't want him to come across it one day and be hurt or upset by what I had written. Recently, though, it has become harder and harder not to write about it, as what he is going through affects me daily in some little way or another.

Last year, after going through major heart surgery only the year before, my dad was diagnosed with stage IV lymphoma, an extremely rare form of this called Sezary Syndrome. With this cancer people develop a red, severely itchy rash that covers at least 80% of the body, they struggle to maintain their body temperature and they have raised lymph nodes. My dad now has the cancer is his skin and bones, making it stage IVA and incurable. He is currently receiving treatment to reduce the rate at which it spreads, although this is making him terribly ill, tired and barely doing anything at all.

Time

So today was my third appointment at the ME clinic to learn about relaxation techniques to help deal with the tiredness. I have to admit that I haven't really been practicing the techniques at home much, I find that often the day just slips away and before I know it it's bedtime and I'm too tired.

We talked a little about how things have been going and I ended up in tears. I am so angry and frustrated and completely fed up with how things are at the moment.

Last week we had a really good week seeing friends, having a few too many to drink and leaving our worries at home. Unfortunately it seems that has caught up with me big time this week and I have been completely drained. I find it so frustrating that I can't even enjoy my life any more as I pay for it afterwards and it just doesn't seem worth it.

Things have been pretty bad at home lately, I am finding the whole situation completely overwhelming and I just want to crawl into bed and hide away from it all. Or run away. Mr H is having a hard time picking up my slack, managing the children and their tantrums as well as me and my lows. I really do not know at this minute how we are getting through it.

My mum is incredible - she comes and stays most weeks and whilst she is here she cleans, she tidies, she vacs, she dusts and she watches the children whilst I sleep. All that whilst she has my dad at home who is really ill, I am so hugely grateful and yet feel so guilty at the same time. And I hate that this is the way I spend my time with her at the moment - gone are the days out, trips to the park or playing out the garden.

Everybody keeps telling me it will get better, one step at a time, these things can't be rushed. But if you lived in my head you would understand all that does is make me want to cry more.

Time. One day I will look back and wish I had these years with the children back. I think that makes me cry more than anything else.

They are not babies for long...

Review: Photobox

I have used quite a few different photo product websites, such as Snapfish and Truprint. A few years ago I was introduced to Photobox by a friend and was really impressed by the quality of their products and the ability to customise your chosen item. When they recently contacted me to review one of their canvasses I was more than happy to.

Matilda Mae & Mia Tui

Last weekend was spent in a confliction of emotions - happiness, sadness, love, loss, laughter, tears. But above all it was a weekend of being together and remembering. It was the Matilda Mae Remembers service.

My Office Tour

I have mentioned in a couple of recent posts that we have been working on making our spare bed also an office for a while now. Well, the room is complete so I thought I would show you around.

Giveaway: Creeper Crawlers

Last week I announced my sponsors for Britmums Live 2014. One of those is the fantastic baby clothing brand Creeper Crawlers.

Childhood Chic: Cheeky Baby Tees

I'm a few days late with this week's Childhood Chic post, but this week I'm bringing you some super cute tops to have a look at from Cheeky Baby Tees!

Announcing My Britmums Live Sponsors 2014!

Back in January I once again began my search for a sponsor for this years parent blogger conference - Britmums Live. I also contacted some brands who I particularly loved and hoped to work with. I am now thrilled to announce that two of these brands said yes!

Happy Birthday Twinkl!

I first came across Twinkl last year when I sat across the aisle from the lovely heather on the train home. We discovered we had lived very near each other growing up and had lots to chat about for the three hour ride. She also introduced me to Twinkl - a resource of over 1000 exclusive teaching resources including printables, signs and aids for literacy, numeracy and tons more!