Midlands Mums

Them with frozen tales…Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:54:00 +0000

I took my 6 year old son and his pal to see Them with frozen tails at Lakeside Arts in Nottinghgam. Them with Frozen Tails' is Lakeside's Christmas show for 2010. It is a much cheaper alternative to a pantomime less ‘daft’ and I think maybe more ‘delightful.’

In the show three stories are told, 2 are versions of old folk tales that you will probably know in a way. The two actors bring them to life in a funny and engaging way and the whole audience sat spellbound as the tales unfolded. Wonderful old fashioned storytelling. Lot s of laughs, oohs and ahhs, people being eaten and happy ever afters. The last story to unfold uses the children’s suggestions and ours was a riot. It involved a giraffe who was kind and only ate one person a day and an underwater witch called Dr. Eel Porkpie who was the baddie who won. Our story involved over fishing and hypnotism, it was unique and the kids were amazingly imaginative. The actors bought it all to life beautifully.

We were sat near the bag and my son and his little pal didn’t get to add their contributions even though they raised their hands which they were a little sad about as some kids nearer the front got more than one go. But overall they absolutely loved it. The second it finished my son turned to me and said that was EXCELLENT mummy. High praise indeed. His little pal said he thought it was very funny.

The actors Sarah Goddard and Tom Warwick bounce off each other beautifully and are keeping a record of the fantastic stories the children create on their blog. Well worth popping over to read this blog it’s a celebration of children’s imagination.

.Becky Goddard-Hill

www.Bookreviewsformums.co.uk

www.Basbybudgeting.co.uk

Review - The Bug and the Butterfly by Peut-Etre Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 09:56:00 +0000

By Becky Goddard-Hill

Federico Garcia Lorca’s The Butterfly’s Evil Spell - is the inspiration for this piece of children’s theatre for four to seven-year olds.

I took my daughter Lisi (who is 3) to see The Bug and The Butterfly at Lakeside Arts Centre at Nottingham University Park last weekend.

As she walked in she looked enchanted by the leaf shaped mats set out for the little ones and the rather odd bug (man) who was crawling around the stage pulling very funny faces! There was a huge poetry book out on the front of the stage too which she quickly scuttled over too (but I quickly removed her from) It was a simple, pretty colourful set perfect for little eyes.

The content delighted me, love, romance, despair and entrapment but to be honest it was totally over Lisi’s head, My 6 year old wouldn’t have got these ‘poetic’ themes either (he had been enticed away by the snow) but I don’t think it mattered. She was totally enchanted by the bugs and the beautiful butterfly.

There was lots of gorgeous dance and acrobatic moves and the tiny world of insects was made very human. The music was simply lovely. As an adult I found the tale delightful but some bits I found quite hard to follow too, Spanish, poetry, heavily accented English, characters that changed without really changing costumes I did find a bit challenging, Kids let themselves flow with their experiences so much better than adults. I got a little caught up in my confusion.

The humour was brilliantly accesible and the children sat very well through this show as they were absorbed (though a few found the bugs a little scary).

Overall an unusual, beautiful, slightly confusing piece of theatre (for adults) the children seemed to adore it!

Lakeside Arts Centre is always a pleasure to visit. The seats are comfortable and the venue is the perfect size for little ones not to feel intimidated. You can have a drink and snacks in the lovely café in which it is situated beforehand and take a stroll around the gorgeous lake and feed the ducks or climb a tree after.

The next fabulous production we are off to see at Lakeside is their Christmas show Them with Frozen Tails This looks very funny, is WAY cheaper than a pantomime and it is much easier to park here than in Town! Loads of dates over Christmas

Nottingham – child/budget friendly days out

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:28:00 +0000

by Becky Goddard-Hill

Embrace your environment

I live in Nottingham, a city full of contrast, and it is fabulously fun to have a child here. We have taken our children on walks round Sherwood Forest and tree climbing and boating at the stunning University Lake.

he has been for many rambles and picnics for at the gorgeous Colwick Park and bike riding at Sherwood Pines. I took my son to the Warhol exhibition at Nottingham Castle when he was just 2 and he didn’t like the funny pictures as they were ‘all the same.’ He liked the ladies with no clothes on that he saw at another exhibition and he was loud and proud in asserting his artistic opinion.

He was terrified by the Gorilla at Wollaton Hall and had picnics whilst staring in awe at the canoes rolling on the slalom course at the National Watersports Centre. He climbed the play castles at Nottingham Castle and he has run through the water fountains in the Old Market Square. He has seen the kite festival at Rushcliffe Country Park and my daughter loves to teddy bears picnic in the willow dens there.

He has made exciting things happen at Greens Mill Science Museum and he watched the planes take off for hours at East Midlands Airport.

I could go on and on and on. Almost all these activities were free; and all involved no more than 20 minutes of travelling time.

Nottingham is a fantastic place to live and has TONS of free / budget friendly things to do with a little

It’s a good idea to read your local newspapers ‘what’s on section’, ask at the library, look on local notice boards or check out your nearest tourist information. You’ll suddenly find your local environment has tons more to offer than you thought and you and your toddler can discover it together.

Don't forget to visit Becky's blogs Baby Budgeting and Book Reviews For Mums

Review - Drayton Manor

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0000

The lovely Liz from Living with Kids was looking for a family to review Drayton Manor, so as OH had the week off and my brother and sister lived in Tamworth where Drayton Manor is I jumped at the chance.

We went down on the Tuesday and spent the night in the nice hotel in town so we could get to Drayton Manor at a decent time in the morning; we packed a lunch and was ready to go. Now there wasn’t enough room for two children and four adults in the car so OH had to drop me, my sister and my 10 month old niece off, then go back and get my brother, thankfully they are only 10 minutes away. BG went back with daddy as she had just woken from a nap in a foul mood and I had just broken my only pair of sandals I had with me! OH brought me back a pair with my brother.

I was a little worried how BG would be as this was her first trip to a theme park but she had a great time. The first place we headed to was Thomas Land, which she just loved (trains & cars are her new favourite). As she is small there wasn’t a lot she could go on but we went on the Sodor Classic Cars

And she had her pictures taken with the trains. She spent most of the time shouting “choo choo”.

I’m not as brave as I used to be so I went on the more meek rides like Excalibur which is boat ride with twist, The Pirate adventure which BG liked as well and the Roller Coaster. My Brother and sister who are more adventurous went on the thrill rides such as Apocalypse - The world's first stand-up tower drop and G-Force A white-knuckle journey through 385 meters of rolls, tight camelbacks, high backed curves and loops at over 70 kph! I also went on an old fashioned waltzer that me made me feel really sick afterwards.

We took turns watching the BG and B and going on the rides.

The highlight of the trip has to be the Zoo, it has over a 100 species and BG and my Niece B were just fascinated. BG’s favourite where the tigers and the monkeys.

There is a Thomas Playground and Picnic area in the Zoo, we had our lunch there it was a lovely place.

We were only there 5 hours but my god we were shattered by the end of the day, it might not be the biggest theme park but there is so much to do there. It has something for everyone. I spent a fortune in the Thomas gift shop, but BG is now the proud owner of Thomas the Tank Engine and Bertie the Bus which she fell asleep holding!

We went midweek so were really lucky that there were no queues, I imagine it can get quite busy at weekends and in the holidays. We will definitely go back again; hopefully BG will be able to go on a few more rides and maybe I will

NM X

To help celebrate Drayton Manors 60th Birthday all people visiting the park during the six week summer holidays (28^th July – 4^th September) will be able to enter a daily competition to win one of a selection of prizes. These include annual passes to the park, Mega Blocks Thomas & Friends™ toys, K’Nex roller coaster sets, and Thomas the Tank Engine DVD’s. A winner will be chosen each day and will be selected at random from a specially created tombola.

As an extra bonus, everyone that enters the competitions will also receive a special voucher, enabling one kid to go free when accompanied by two full paying adults visiting the park during September or October 2010

Midlands Mums Meet Up

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:48:00 +0000

In the last few weeks I have been offered a Summer and Winter meet up.

I will give details of the Winter meet up soon but save the 4th December in your diary.

So firstly I need to arrange the Summer one, I've put together a quick survey so I can get a sense of where and when you want to meet.

Please fill in the survey below.
Click here to take survey

Thank you

Carol x

Moving on up! By Fi Star-Stone

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:15:00 +0000

I lived in London for 10 years with my husband, and loved every minute of the life, career and fun it provided us with.

However, after finding out I was pregnant with my (now 9 months) daughter Betsy, my Husband and I decided it was time to pack and move on up to Stafford.

It wasn't a random choice; Both me and my husband grew up in Stafford and most of our family and friends live here, so moving back home seemed the right thing to do.

You'd think it was an easy choice to make, but after a few years in London working as a professional Nanny, I made so many friends and can honestly say it was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make!

We had a lovely house, job and friends, some of whom had become like family, so to up and at em' to Stafford was very hard indeed, not to mention heartbreaking.

Selling our house in a property dip was pretty hard, most of the viewings were when I was heavily pregnant and had to go out and walk the dog, but we eventually sold and the dream to move became reality.

A big reality.

I don't think I ever thought it was going to happen, that I was going to have to leave the place I'd got used to as home, the friends I loved and the life I was used to living.

I had to say goodbye to so many of my friends, and hardest of all, the family I had become a part of as a live-out, full time, sole charge nanny for Eight years, which I had started when Jack (The eldest) was only five months old.

A career as a nanny is so much more personal than other careers as you become such a huge part of their lives. It's also very hard to leave a position you are happy in, and if it's been for a long time, it's very hard on the family too.

My charges who I love dearly (Jack & Ben) were very upset when I told them I was leaving, but after lots of chats and support from their parents, the leaving didn't seem so bad and we were soon making plans for them to visit as soon as we were settled.

I now get regular texts, calls and emails and it's lovely to hear what they've been up to!

Working in London as a professional nanny is fantastic. I know it inside-out and upside-down! There is so much to do and so much to see, I thought to myself 'how will sleepy Stafford ever compete for our little girl growing up?'

I started doubting (a little too late) the decision we had made.

All of my friends in London either had children of their own or were nannies, so socialising with a child and finding baby groups was second nature in London for me.

In Stafford, I only knew one friend who had a child of a similar age, and I had no idea where to look for activities for Betsy!

How wrong could I have been?

Stafford had so much to offer and at a fraction of the London prices! So impressed was I with its touristy attractions and freebie fun, I wrote an article about it which gained lots of attention from midlands based families on the social networking site Twitter!

I'm now writing a Friendly Ford' for my website www.childcareisfun.co.uk to show other parents and newcomers to Stafford, the places they can visit with their children that are fun, sometimes free, but most of all, child-friendly!

There is so much to do here, and on top of all that its a place of natural beauty and fresh air, not loud car noises and smelly fumes.

I'm so happy we stuck to our decision to move from a thriving, busy, noisy city to a sleepy, friendly town- when I go out walking with Betsy and my dog, I'm constantly saying hello to friendly Ford' folk, who have time to stop and make a fuss of my little girl. It feels so safe here, and I'm glad we embraced our home town and came back for good.

London has it's glories, but Stafford has it's magic too, and I'm proud to say it’s my home.

Review - My House at the Lakeside Art Centre Nottingham.

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0000

MY HOUSE – a review by Becky Goddard-Hill

Performing Arts Workshop at Lakeside Art Centre, Nottingham University June 5 2010 Suitable for ages 18 months - 3yrs and parents/carers.

Created and performed by Andy Manley in association with Starcatchers...

This is how it was advertised:

Come and visit a very special house - where all is not as it seems.

Watch the rooms and chimneys grow, and see how many shapes and textures you can spot!

Well the show certainly sounded fun!

I took my little girl (aged 2) into a cosy room with pretty cushions in front of a semi circle of chairs. It was all very cosy. In front of us was a man just sitting next to a cardboard box. My daughter looked quite unimpressed. But then he began to play and to explore his cardboard house. He was utterly captivating. The children completely ‘got’ his play and he was as enchanting as a child to watch. I think what appealed to me as an n adult the most was the absolute joy and fun that he had with a melon, a box and some woolly hats (who needs DS!)

The children were engaged and involved just enough and they watched with delight as the box enabled hide and seek…became a house…opened up to reveal pictures…hid things behind it…could be copied in miniature. It was an exploration of imagination or as Annalise succinctly put it

‘Mummy he’s playing’

At the end the children got to play with the house, eat watermelon and say hello to the performer. It was a gorgeous hour and not one child lost interest. DO go and see this if you get the chance Andy is subtle, engaging and completely in tune with a toddler’s way of being,

Review - Sheeptight at the Lakeside Arts Centre

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:41:00 +0000

Sheeptight – a review by Becky Goddard-Hill

Saturday 05 June 10.30am,1.30& 3.30pm

Suitable for ages 2 - 4 years and parents/carers

Sheeptight is another play I took my kids to see as part of Wheee! Lakeside's International Children's Festival 2010.. This is how it was advertised

Moon in the sky, story in your ear, boy in bed - and sheep jump over the fence… Good night, sheep tight!

Snuggle up and enjoy Nat Gras’s delightful performance. Specially created for toddlers, this gentle and charming dance theatre about bedtime rituals will bring smiles all round as children and their carers recognise much of their own experience in this performance!

It sounds restful and delightful doesn’t it? I was a bit nervous 2-year-old Annalise and 5-year-old Frankie were all hyper form the sandpit, water tree crafts stations and the general joy of being at Lakeside.

I needn't have worried. The Sheeptight dancers were magical, completely childlike and just dreamy to watch. Not one of the children made a sound they were completely entranced. The dancers played out a child’s bedtime with grace, humour and references every child could understand. Tents out of sheets, playing with their flannels and getting water on the floor, getting all excited when it was really time to sleep. Parents chuckled with recognition too. An absolutely beautiful introduction to dance that transcended the usually associated barriers of age and sophistication.

Playtime after involved bedtime play, places to sleep, blankies and books by the fire and soap to roll. Marvellous stuff. (Climbing the ladder that was part of the set was not a play option…GET DOWN FRANKIE!!! I shattered the peace a little!)

I loved this and the kids were enthralled.

Review - Architects of Air Luminarium - Levity II

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:30:00 +0000

This week is the 6^th Lakeside International Children’s Theatre Festival, at the Lakeside Arts Centre in Nottingham.

Last week Midlands Mums had some tickets to giveaway for a few of the events and the winners have kindly written some reviews for us.

Today I bring you the Architects of Air Luminarium, Levity II. Families are being invited to walk inside a gigantic inflatable light structure sprawling across Nottingham’s University Park. The structure, called the luminarium, is 55 metres long and 32 metres wide. Over 1200 people visited the Luminarium on its opening day.

The first review is from is from Becky Goddard-Hill.

For the third year, Architects of Air and their Luminarium were at Nottingham University’s Lakeside Arts centre. I have missed them this year and luckily this year Midlands Mums had given us complimentary tickets and asked us to review it. Well it would have been rude to refuse!

It is described as:

Designed by Alan Parkinson a luminarium is a monumental installation that people enter to be immersed in the beauty of colour and light. These magnificent inflatable structures have been seen all over the world, in 35 countries, on 5 continents and since 1992 by over one million people.

It looked completely bonkers form the outside like the kind of bouncy castle Willy Wonka may have designed. But oh inside…………..light pods, swirls of colour, a slight breeze. You felt like you were in another world. People were lying immersed in colour, cuddling sleeping babies, others were just sat by themselves resting. My two little angels were dashing about chasing pools of colour, almost following rainbows. My lively little lad was initially trying to bounce off the walls – it did look a bit like a big bouncy castle! and had to be told a few times to chill but he soon relaxed into the cool colourful experience.

I have never experienced anything like this. It was how I imagine a spa in 2050 might be. Magic and almost mystical for kids and adults alike. Do visit one if it comes near you. Check out their website for details

The second review is from Di Mayze

Thank you Midlands Mums for the ticket to Luminarium. I went with my hubby, 19 week old son Sebbie and his grandparents yesterday. I wasn't sure how much Sebbie would enjoy it as I disturbed him having a lovely nap in his car seat but as soon as he entered the Luminarium he was captivated!

I took a photo of him looking very awake in the red room.

Despite it being really hot he didn't cry once as we explored the rooms, I think he liked the red room best but obviously he can't speak for himself yet, he was also quite vocal in the green room. We wouldn't have got round to going had we not won a prize and Sebbie's grandparents loved it too so thank you!

I’m so glad you all had a great time.

Look out for our reviews this week.

International Children’s Theatre and Children Festival Ticket Giveaway - Nottingham

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Sat, 29 May 2010 11:17:00 +0000

As part of the 6^th International Children’s Theatre and Children Festival – called Wheee! - organised by the Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre from 4 to 10 June I have 3 sets of 10 tickets to giveaway!!

The first set if for the luminarium. Families are being invited to walk inside a gigantic inflatable light structure sprawling across Nottingham’s university park – as part of an international children’s festival coming to the city. The structure, called the luminarium, is 55 metres long and 32 metres wide.

Starts 4^th June.

Tickets are £3 each.

I have 10 tickets to giveaway, all you have to do is email me at midlandsmums@live.co.uk with luminarium in the subject line. The first 10 people to email me get them.

The second of set of tickets I have is for Sheeptight on 4 and 5 June, 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

60 mins including playtime. Suitable for 2 to 4 years.

Snuggle up and enjoy Nat Gras’s delightful performance. Specially created for toddlers, this charming dance theatre about bedtime rituals will bring smiles all round as children and their parents recognise much of their own experience in this performance. Following the performance, there’s a chance to enjoy a special playtime in the theatre space with a range of fun things to do.

Tickets are £7 each

I have 10 tickets to give away, all you have to do is email me at midlandsmums@live.co.uk with Sheeptight in the subject line. The first 10 people to email me get them.

The third and final set is for My House Running 5 June, 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm

Running 6 June, 12.30pm, and 2.30pm

Running time 40 mins including playtime.

Suitable for ages 18 months to three years.

Come and visit a very special house where all is not as it seems. Watch the rooms and chimneys grow and see how many shapes and textures you can spot.

Tickets are £7 each

I have 10 tickets to give away, all you have to do is email me at midlandsmums@live.co.uk with My House in the subject line. The first 10 people to email me get them.

Review - Bombers Moon at The Lakeside Arts Centre

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Tue, 25 May 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Lax Parenting has been along to the Lakeside Arts Centre in Nottingham to see A Bombers Moon by Billy Ivory, here’s her review

Being Nottingham born and bred it's always lovely to see local references on screen and stage. Billy Ivory's latest play has these in abundance and bases this two man show in and around his Southwell birthplace.

Set design is strikingly simple, a room in a nursing home, a ceiling fan that becomes the propeller during WW2 flashbacks, a circular window in the door becomes the 'Bomber's Moon" and a walking stick in silhouette as the gun. During the raids the noise clattered throughout the tiny theatre and the lighting was superb.

The swearing is profuse and unabashed. Jimmy played by the talented Paul Greenwood is an ill old man, ex RAF gunner who takes out the frustrations of his old age and incapacity by being rude and difficult towards his carers. His new carer David acted marvellously by Tim Dantay is a nervous man, recently separated from his wife and eager to please. Jimmy's surliness and awkward questions expose David's many weaknesses that he is trying desperately hard to hide. His faux cheerfulness teamed with the occasional slip of temper and immediate guilt and remorse makes the paring fascinating to observe.

As the relationship between the men builds you witness some touching moments of tenderness, black humour, startling revelations from their pasts and a gritty viewpoint on life post war.

At two and a half hours long this is not for the fidgety of bottom but the dynamic between the two men and some stupendous acting make this a must see production.

And The Winner is.....

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:15:00 +0000

Superlucky! (great name)

Superlucky wins two tickets to the NEC Baby Show, which were kindly donated by Mamascarf.

Please email me your name and address and we can get the tickets out to you. Midlandsmums@live.co.uk

Have a great time!

Midlands Mums (and Dads) Nominated for MAD awards.

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Well not Midland’s Mums blog but parent bloggers from all over the Midlands have made the shortlist for the MAD awards.

The Mum and Dad (MADS) blog awards sponsored By Butlins announced the shortlists for the UK Parenting blog awards and some great Midland parent bloggers make the cut!

These blogs are-

New Mummy nominated for Best Baby Blog

Bringing Up Charlie nominated for Blogger Of The Year and Best Blog Writer

Cafe Bebe nominated for Most Innovative Blogger

Have A Lovely Time nominated for Best For Family Fun

Baby Budgeting nominated for Best New Blog

Got Your Hands Full nominated for Most Inspirational Blog

Violet Posy nominated for Best Looking Blog

Goodbye Pert Breasts nominated for Blogger of The Year and Funniest Blogger

The Hairy Farmer Family nominated Best Blog Writer

Everyday Parent nominated for Most Inspirational Blog

Why not checkout their blogs you will find some great writing, and if you feel like voting for them well that would be lovely.

You can see all the finalists on the MADs site, to be honest all of them are great!!

Good Luck to everyone

If I have missed anyone of this list please let me know

Carol x

Two Tickets to the NEC Baby Show to Give away!

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Sun, 09 May 2010 15:01:00 +0000

The lovely Kiera from Mamascarf as kindly given Midlands Mums a pair of tickets to the NEC Baby Show to give-away to one lucky reader.

Mamascarf® is an award winning breastfeeding scarf allowing mums to breastfeed discreetly, comfortably and stylishly in public whilst also providing essential support without the need for a cushion. Mamascarf® allows mum to see baby throughout the feed, enables any clothes to be worn for breastfeeding, is easy to use, folds up to fit in a pocket and is 100% soft, tactile cotton.

Celebrity fans include Melanie C who said, "I was very self conscious about needing to breast feed in public places but Mamascarf is simple, stylish and the perfect solution".

The NEC Baby Show is on from 21st to 23rd May at the NEC in Birmingham.

I have a pair of tickets to give to one lucky reader, the tickets are non-refundable, no cash alternative, open to UK residents only, you will have to make you own way to the Baby Show.

To enter leave a comment below.
For a extra entry 'follow' Midlands Mums, leave a comment to let me know you have done this.

Closing date is Thursday 14th May, the winner will be chosen use a random generator and will posted on Friday 15th May.

Good Luck.

7 Things You Didn't Know About Me

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:00:00 +0000

The lovely Sam Thewlis has tagged me (New Mummy) in the 7 things you don't know about me meme.

This was really hard as I've shared so much on my other blogs, well here it goes.

1. I have 4 tattoos. A butterfly, a bee and two Japanese symbols, I'm not telling where!

2. I have my nose pierced. My best friend only realised I had it pierced when I removed the ring I was wearing and put in a small stud, at that time we had known each other about 9 months.

3. I had never watched Dr Who until this new series, yes I missed David Tenant.

4. I hate snow

5. I write with my right hand but eat left handed. Both my parents are left handed

6. I was once part of a drama group at our local theatre.

7. It took me 5 attempts to pass my GCSE Maths, good at maths, bad at maths exams

Sorry they were dull!

I now have to pass it on, so I'm passing it on to some lovely Midlands Mums, sorry if you have already done it.

Liz at Violet Posy

Rosie at Rosie Scribble

Emma at Me, The Man and The Baby

Becky at Baby Budgeting

Linds at You've Got Your Hands Full

Have fun!

Carol (New Mummy)

Is This The End Of The Mummy Tummy?

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:22:00 +0000

This post was originally written for From Rusk To Dawn by Andrea Daly

LIKE many mothers out there, I don't mind admitting to the fact that I have a mummy tummy.

As if having the little darlings running around my feet isn't enough of a reminder of the precious life that I bought into this world. Everytime I get undressed I have to gaze down at the flabby jelly belly that I now have as a result of carrying three very big babies. Not all at the same time, I might add. I didn't have triplets!

It's not only the blancmange type appearance of my tummy that bothers me, but the stretch marks, ceasarean scar and a rather fetching old appendix scar that has stretched and puckered its way through my pregnancies.

Needless to say, I no longer have a desire to wear either bikinis or crop tops!

My OH knows how I feel about these badges of motherhood that I carry around with me, so as a joint Mother's day and Valentines day present he bought me a voucher for a rather unusual treatment.

He couldn't explain what the treatment was. All I got was, "Oh I saw this woman at a business breakfast and she uses this thing to get rid of scars and stuff." OK...sounds fascinating!

So, none the wiser, the day came for my treatment and I made my way to a very nice house

in Binley woods.

I was greeted by Sue, who I instantly recognised from my days as a lecturer. This put me at ease and I found her very easy to chat to. I told her why I was there and that I had no idea what she was going to do to me.

She explained the treatment fully, which I won't try to do here as I won't do it justice, though you can read all about it at www.healingtherapies.co.uk

I lay down on a couch and she placed a band around my head with something attached to it to make me relax. All a little strange, but it worked! I felt great, almost hypnotised. She then came back into the room and started working on my scars with a probe.

And that was it! We chatted for the next hour and a half while she worked over the scar tissue.

I couldn't feel a thing, other than some slight tugging over my appendix scar, which I admit made me want to giggle.

After the treatment she applied some collagen and got me a hand mirror to look at the scars. I kid you not when I tell you that apart from some slight redness my ceasarean scar had all but gone! My horrible puckered appendix scar looked so much better and I'm sure my tummy was tighter.

24 hours later, I checked again and my ceasarean scar was now just a silver line, minor stretch marks had gone and my tummy had gone down. It was amazing!

According to the literature, it can be used on just about any kind of problem and it geniunely gives great results.

Sorry Sue, I still have no idea how any of this works, I just know that it did.

My treatment cost £60. You can call Sue or Sam to book a treatment on 024 7654 3991

Why I will always have Fairy-soft hands

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +0000

This touching post was originally written by Sam Thewlis on her blog Mumazing.

I mentioned this on Twitter the other day, but I am still so touched by my 4 year old, who has depths I couldn’t imagine, that I thought I would share here.

My little boy has eczema. He has always had it, from the day he was born, and over his short life we have tried every cream and ointment on the market going. Last year, he had a peanut and his head swelled up like a balloon and he was subsequently tested and found to have numerous food allergies, and since that big allergic reaction, his eczema has been worse, particularly on his face.

His face is particular has often been seen weeping, not tears, but cracked and red skin just oozing from itchiness and scratching. His legs, which he bares in PE at school, scabby red and lumpy.

Every morning and every night I slather him in cream. Until recently, the only emollient we could use was a vaseline-type sticky one, which did not add moisture to the skin, but at least helped retain any natural moisture that remained. It was not great by any means, but far far better than nothing, and better than the screams of pain when trying to apply other creams that stung his ravanged skin.

But he copes, and always has coped with his eczema, and his allergies, unbelievably well. When he is feeling particularly itchy, he will ask for his cotton gloves which help prevent him gouging his own skin. He knows what he can and can’t eat, and rarely complains. Of course we have tears at cream time sometimes, but he is, after all, only 4.

Recently, I happened to be at Birmingham Skin Centre and saw a poster asking for children to trial a new eczema cream, known as Altoderm, which has already been trialled in the US and in this country. It is amazing. His skin is softer, less itchy and altogether smoother. His face is almost entirely cleared up and is almost unrecognisable from the red weeping sores of just a couple of months ago. And I can cover him in the cream and he doesn’t scream. My only regret is that I didn’t find out about the trial earlier.

But the inspiration for this post came from a conversation at bedtime a couple of nights ago. I was covering him in the new cream and he said to me “I wish I didn’t have eczema Mummy”. I told him that I wished he didn’t have eczema either and that I wished I could have it instead of him. His reply?

“I don’t, because then you would be itchy and I don’t want you to be itchy. People just have to be how they are Mummy”

So on Valentine’s Day, this post is dedicated to my lovely boy, whom I love with all my heart.

If anyone reading this has a child affected by eczema, try following@eczemasupport or visit www.nottinghameczema.org.uk

Conversations With a 13 Year Old

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:20:00 +0000

This post was originally written by me (New Mummy) for the Mumstop Blog.

I feel it needs a bit of love :(

My 13 year old cousin has been staying with us for a few days, she is a girl of little words but what she does say makes me laugh

Cousin “BG is really cute and funny, but she never stops. You must be tired”

Me “Yes I am”

Me to my cousin who is rocking on my footstool “If you fall off that stool I will laugh”

Cousin “Yes, my mum would do the same”

(Yes we are a family of evil mums)

Cousin “Do you watch Eastenders?”

Me “No”

Cousin “If you did I think you’ll really enjoy it”

(We watched it, I didn’t enjoy it)

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (New Mummy) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:22:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to Midlands Mums.

This is a place for Midlands Mums to share the posts they are most proud of, the posts they feel need a bit more love, to write that post that doesn't fit right on your own blog or the place to write if you don't have a blog your self.

I want Midlands Mums to be a celebration of blogging.

To submit the a post all you need to do is email it to me midlandsmums@live.co.uk and I will post it, simples!

I'm looking forward to your contributions!

Carol x