I love Moors Valley Country Park it's a great day out for children of all ages. There is a fantastic family day out being organised on the 17th March and I'm handing my blog over to the organisers to tell you about it....
We are pleased to announce that the Doggy Day Out event will be held at Moors Valley Country Park on the 17th of March from 10am-4pm. Come and find us by the Visitor’s Centre.
The aim of our event is to primarily raise money for the charity, but also local awareness. The event is a family fun day with many activities and demonstrations on offer, all centred around the ‘five senses’. All the exciting games and activities focus on taste, sight, hearing, smell and touch. There will also be a raffle held with a wide selection of prizes kindly donated by local businesses such as Poole Pottery, Lush, Farmer Palmer’s and many more! There will be demonstrations from the Dorset Search Dogs team and the opportunity to ‘get found’ by the dogs themselves!
You can keep up to date with the event by following @doggydayout2013 on Twitter or reading our blog at http://doggydayout2013.blogspot.co.uk
If you want to ask us anything more about the event or Dorset Search Dogs simply email: doggydayout@dorsetsearchdogs.org.uk.
Please follow the link at the bottom to find out more about the Dorset Search Dogs!
http://www.dorsetsearchdogs.org.uk/default.aspx
Doggy Day Out is an event organised by a group of Bournemouth University Event Management students. In our second year as part of our course, we are set the exciting assignment of organising a live event for a local charity. We had to prepare pitches and proposals but finally got our dream charity the Dorset Search Dogs.
This charity is based in the Bournemouth area and was set up in 2006 with the purpose of assisting the Police services and other statutory bodies when searching for missing people.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Where's me keys, a where's me phone?
On the 1st of January my top new year's resolution was to become more organised and stop losing my car keys, phone and bank card. Well, I've spectacularly failed on that! I've lost my bank card three times, that's once a month, it last appeared in the fridge. And I pretty much misplace either my keys or my phone on a daily basis.
Normally I lose my keys in the house, either I put them somewhere or one of my lovely children decide to hide them for me. Yesterday though, I lost my keys at the soft play centre. What a sodding nightmare that was.
After getting the boys togged up ready to leave, that itself is a major mission, I discovered my car keys were no longer in my bag. After several times of emptying the entire contents of said bag on the floor, reality kicked in and I looked at the ball pit, it looked back at me, and I thought about the ridiculous task ahead. It's me against the balls, with a three year old and a one year old as my allies.
Well boys, you were a great help, if you call beating each other up and running off whilst mummy was neck deep in plastic balls helping.
After calling in some more adult assistants, 40 minutes later the search was called off. One clever person, who obviously wasn't as frazzled as me decided to ask reception if any keys had been handed in. Genius! Then like magic my car keys appeared, yes someone had taken them and places them with reception.
I'm think I'm destined to a life of losing things, my womb is not a tracking device and my boobs are not crystal balls that can see where things are. Fact!
Normally I lose my keys in the house, either I put them somewhere or one of my lovely children decide to hide them for me. Yesterday though, I lost my keys at the soft play centre. What a sodding nightmare that was.
After getting the boys togged up ready to leave, that itself is a major mission, I discovered my car keys were no longer in my bag. After several times of emptying the entire contents of said bag on the floor, reality kicked in and I looked at the ball pit, it looked back at me, and I thought about the ridiculous task ahead. It's me against the balls, with a three year old and a one year old as my allies.
Well boys, you were a great help, if you call beating each other up and running off whilst mummy was neck deep in plastic balls helping.
After calling in some more adult assistants, 40 minutes later the search was called off. One clever person, who obviously wasn't as frazzled as me decided to ask reception if any keys had been handed in. Genius! Then like magic my car keys appeared, yes someone had taken them and places them with reception.
I'm think I'm destined to a life of losing things, my womb is not a tracking device and my boobs are not crystal balls that can see where things are. Fact!
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Sleep is Priceless
I am now a week and a half into sleep training and we had that golden night, that one magical night every parent with non sleeping children craves, a full nights sleep.
Charlie aka Dennis, went to bed at 5:45pm and Jake aka Damien at 6pm. Neither cried or protested and slept through until... Wait for it... 8:15am.
I nearly fell over when we went downstairs and I saw the time. I felt amazing and both boys were happy and full of energy.
It would of have to happen on a preschool day, and I did have to run around like a headless chicken to get all three of us ready. Or at least semi presentable.
I've not once in three years had to set an alarm clock. If the boys slept until 6am that was considered a lie in.
The day flew by, I guess when you get up at 5am everyday by around 9am you've already done four hours and feel like it's lunch time.
The journey has been hard, but not as hard as the constant sleep deprived nights.
I'll keep you posted.
Charlie aka Dennis, went to bed at 5:45pm and Jake aka Damien at 6pm. Neither cried or protested and slept through until... Wait for it... 8:15am.
I nearly fell over when we went downstairs and I saw the time. I felt amazing and both boys were happy and full of energy.
It would of have to happen on a preschool day, and I did have to run around like a headless chicken to get all three of us ready. Or at least semi presentable.
I've not once in three years had to set an alarm clock. If the boys slept until 6am that was considered a lie in.
The day flew by, I guess when you get up at 5am everyday by around 9am you've already done four hours and feel like it's lunch time.
The journey has been hard, but not as hard as the constant sleep deprived nights.
I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Controlled Crying - Night Two
Control crying two children at the same time is hard! It's 2am and I've been awake for the last hour. I'm currently listening to Jake shout: "I want my mummy" he isn't crying as such, just moaning and desperate to get in my bed.
Charlie has also been up but is now back to sleep. He is actually doing really well with his new routine, only crying for around ten minutes when he wakes up now.
I thought he would be the hardest nut to crack but it's my determined three year old who is hanging on in there.
In doing the back to bed routine with him, and thought I would spend hours putting him back into bed. But no, he has only gotten up a handful of times. Instead he stays in his bed, shouting for me.
The main problem I'm facing is them waking each other up! If one starts they set the other off.
However, I'm determined to see this through and we will get there in the end.
Charlie has also been up but is now back to sleep. He is actually doing really well with his new routine, only crying for around ten minutes when he wakes up now.
I thought he would be the hardest nut to crack but it's my determined three year old who is hanging on in there.
In doing the back to bed routine with him, and thought I would spend hours putting him back into bed. But no, he has only gotten up a handful of times. Instead he stays in his bed, shouting for me.
The main problem I'm facing is them waking each other up! If one starts they set the other off.
However, I'm determined to see this through and we will get there in the end.
Monday, 18 February 2013
Controlled Crying - Round One Mummy
Tonight, is the first night of our new routine. Having only had three hours sleep each night since Thursday, I had to do something.
Although, I've said I hate it in the past, I decided I have to give control crying a go. I was at breaking point, exhausted mummy and exhausted children is not a good combination. My two have always been bad sleepers, but recently it's got totally out of hand. And that is my fault for letting it get so bad.
So tonight went as follows, bath, pjs, milk and story. Then I tackled Charlie aka Dennis. I've been rocking him off to sleep in his buggy for the past six months and it had to change.
It was awful, listening to him wailing mummy in desperation and frustration and coughing away. I went in every ten minutes and each time I left the room I felt awful. I had to keep in mind why I was doing it, and that is so we all get some sleep in the long run.
Charlie took 50 minutes before he settled.
Next up was Jake aka Damien. I am following the Supernanny 'back to bed' tactic with him. But to my surprise he didn't get out of bed.
Now Jake being Jake didn't make it easy for mummy either. He cried for me for a good 50 minutes too.
In fairness, this was slightly easier to take as he is three and can communicate his feelings.
So, all in all, I would say round one goes to mummy. But let's see who takes round two. I know it can't be that easy.
I'll keep you all updated on how our sleep training progresses this week.
Although, I've said I hate it in the past, I decided I have to give control crying a go. I was at breaking point, exhausted mummy and exhausted children is not a good combination. My two have always been bad sleepers, but recently it's got totally out of hand. And that is my fault for letting it get so bad.
So tonight went as follows, bath, pjs, milk and story. Then I tackled Charlie aka Dennis. I've been rocking him off to sleep in his buggy for the past six months and it had to change.
It was awful, listening to him wailing mummy in desperation and frustration and coughing away. I went in every ten minutes and each time I left the room I felt awful. I had to keep in mind why I was doing it, and that is so we all get some sleep in the long run.
Charlie took 50 minutes before he settled.
Next up was Jake aka Damien. I am following the Supernanny 'back to bed' tactic with him. But to my surprise he didn't get out of bed.
Now Jake being Jake didn't make it easy for mummy either. He cried for me for a good 50 minutes too.
In fairness, this was slightly easier to take as he is three and can communicate his feelings.
So, all in all, I would say round one goes to mummy. But let's see who takes round two. I know it can't be that easy.
I'll keep you all updated on how our sleep training progresses this week.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Silence is golden!
My boys are so loud, they make a rock concert seem quiet. I sometimes crave silence. When the've finally gone to sleep, it's nice to just enjoy the peace.
But when you put two toddlers together, and two very active toddlers at that, the last thing you want to hear is silence.
Well this is exactly what happened this week. My friend and I let our boys go upstairs and play in his bedroom. We turned the TV off so we could hear them and things were going well.
All of a sudden. I turned to my friend and said: "Can you hear anything?", "Nope" replied my friend. We just looked at each other and knew it could only mean one thing. Trouble!
Up the stairs we went and this is what we were greeted with.... No more words needed!
But when you put two toddlers together, and two very active toddlers at that, the last thing you want to hear is silence.
Well this is exactly what happened this week. My friend and I let our boys go upstairs and play in his bedroom. We turned the TV off so we could hear them and things were going well.
All of a sudden. I turned to my friend and said: "Can you hear anything?", "Nope" replied my friend. We just looked at each other and knew it could only mean one thing. Trouble!
Up the stairs we went and this is what we were greeted with.... No more words needed!
Monday, 11 February 2013
Keep calm and paint
I fancied having a bit of a spruce up of my house today, I know it's not spring and I'm certainly not nesting, I just fancied freshening things up.
So off I trek to my local DIY store, buy the biggest tin of white paint I can find and a starter set of brushes. I'm the girl who struggles with the most basic of home improvements, so you can imagine how proud of myself I felt.
After a quick stop off to see a friend, it's time to pick up Jake from Preschool. My head still filled with how amazing I'm going to be at painting. Perhaps, I'll discover an unknown talent?
Hang on, we don't even get that far and disaster strikes! I arrive home, pop inside with the shopping and go back to the car to get the boys. Jake innocently says to me: "Mummy, can we play with the paint now?", hmmmm, "Not now sweetie I say."
Then I see his eyes look to the floor, mine follow and I think, that's not right. I look again. Still not right. Then I look for a third time and it hits me. The entire contents of the paint tin is across the floor of my car!
Oh my god! Now what do I do. I take the tin out, it covers the pavement, I move the mat and it covers the passenger seat. I move my new brushes and it covers me!
I'm now surrounded with a white mess, everywhere, and I mean everywhere. What do I bloody do now? Yep, I call my Dad! Who else hey?
Having to explain the mess I was in wasn't my finest hour and he then came and spent the next two hours attempting to clean my car, the pavement and all the clothes!
I'm all for letting kids have messy play, but I draw the line at painting my car!
So off I trek to my local DIY store, buy the biggest tin of white paint I can find and a starter set of brushes. I'm the girl who struggles with the most basic of home improvements, so you can imagine how proud of myself I felt.
After a quick stop off to see a friend, it's time to pick up Jake from Preschool. My head still filled with how amazing I'm going to be at painting. Perhaps, I'll discover an unknown talent?
Hang on, we don't even get that far and disaster strikes! I arrive home, pop inside with the shopping and go back to the car to get the boys. Jake innocently says to me: "Mummy, can we play with the paint now?", hmmmm, "Not now sweetie I say."
Then I see his eyes look to the floor, mine follow and I think, that's not right. I look again. Still not right. Then I look for a third time and it hits me. The entire contents of the paint tin is across the floor of my car!
Oh my god! Now what do I do. I take the tin out, it covers the pavement, I move the mat and it covers the passenger seat. I move my new brushes and it covers me!
I'm now surrounded with a white mess, everywhere, and I mean everywhere. What do I bloody do now? Yep, I call my Dad! Who else hey?
Having to explain the mess I was in wasn't my finest hour and he then came and spent the next two hours attempting to clean my car, the pavement and all the clothes!
I'm all for letting kids have messy play, but I draw the line at painting my car!
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