If you have been reading my posts for a while, you will probably already know I experienced colic with my second baby, Baby G (now Diva G!)  Having a baby who cried for as many as eleven hours a day took me to a very dark place indeed so if you are here reading this with a baby with colic let me give you a (((BIG HUG))) have a read of my post “Babies cry but …” maybe there will be some ideas of things to try there for you.

I used to have Infacol on my weekly shopping delivery, I was genuinely afraid of running out, I had bottles in most rooms in the house, most bags and even the car!  If Infacol had a social presence back then, Baby G has just been promoted to Diva G as she recently celebrated a very Happy 2nd Birthday , I would have liked and followed in all the usual ways.  I’m really pleased that Infacol have arrived with new social pages on Facebook , Twitter, You Tube and a Blog *pops party popper*

To celebrate Infacol are running a sweep stake competition on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/infacol), the prize being approximately £500 worth of baby related goods.  It’s super simple to enter – Just ‘Like’ the new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Infacol) then answer 3 colic related questions correctly and follow the instructions BEFORE TUESDAY 1st NOVEMBER – one lucky winner will be picked to win the prize on 2/11/11.

Before you head off, I thought I’d re-publish one of my most popular posts, this is me and back then Baby G showing you “Tiger in a Tree” – remember you saw it here first!

Tonight is Movie Night at Villa Lancaster!  Lil H is having a handful of his school buddies over we have made some bat biscuits for a spooky touch to the proceedings.  I love baking with my kids, Lil H is easier than Diva G for 2.5 years worth of extra age reasons so I find the Dr Oetker kits a big help in the ease stakes – we had a lot of fun making these although I am not sure there will be many left as they are pretty melt in the mouth!

Thanks Dr Oetker for sending us the kit, Dr Oetker’s facebook page is worth a like they have some great giveaways on the Facebook promotions tab take a look (and enter!) here https://www.facebook.com/DrOetkerBaking?sk=app_184242291638795

This evening’s agenda involves five x 4 year olds – wish me luck – and here’s our plan for the evening ahead:

• Eat Bat Biscuits
• Play with HEXBUG Nanos – more fun to share the love and review with friends!
• Eat Pizza and Ice-cream
• Put Pyjama’s on
• Watch Movie – we have Spooky Shrek and Rio for their viewing delight.
• Eat Popcorn
• I suspect play with HEXBUG  Nanos some more!

This plan is a bit light on the wine I feel, what do you think?!  Claire x

Related links
HEXBUGS  http://www.hexbug.com/
Join the FB conversation http://www.facebook.com/hexbug
Follow the twitter stream http://twitter.com/#!/hexbug

I’m tucked up all cosy in a converted barn near Barnard Castle for a long weekend, I return to my native North West tomorrow.  My life is blessed, I feel confident to make plans about weekends, nights out, Christmas, birthdays etc.  A few weeks ago I was reminded that the confidence to make plans is a luxury we take for granted.  A sobering thought from British women during the second World War “We didn’t make plans because we were convinced we were going to die”.  At the beginning of October was invited to check out the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester and the activities they had planned for October Half Term.  Embarrassing confession time – I had never been, I had no idea where or what it was.  So, we went! 

I have now been!  I now know, its in The Quays on the Trafford side, the other side of the water to The Lowry here’s a map.  I would describe it as a museum documenting War and the impact war has on life, times and styles.  It isn’t just Historical War of days gone by either, modern day conflict including 11th September attack on the Twin Towers in New York and the ensuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

Lil H and Diva G, enjoyed the space, they are 4.5yo and 2yo they run about and this was not a problem.  The scents of war exhibit created lots of shrieking of “Poo-ee” – was it socks, gun powder or mustard gas?  Then there was trying out camouflage – Diva G proved particularly talented at this – can you see her?!  Our very own Ewok in training!

Crafting rations in the arts session was popular with them both and the real tank in the car park was a big hit with them both on the way in and the way out too.

I found a car destroyed in the bombing of the historic Al-Mutanabbi street book market in Baghdad eerie, shocking and fascinating.

I am always drawn to featured remembering 9/11 and this exhibition has as a centre piece a huge section of steel, 7 metres in height and weighing more than a tonne recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. 

Its been said many times that you know you’re in a bad situation if Katie Adie is there.  This reality is highlighted by the fabulous War Correspondent “Reporting under fire” Exhibition.  I could have spent longer in there.

The gift shop saw me tick off the Great Grandparents Christmas gifts with spectacular originality.  The restaurant / cafe / coffee shop is also worthy of high praise indeed for genuinely great quality food. 

The Imperial War Museum North is free to enter and open seven days a week 10am – 5pm.  There is a host of activities going on the October half term – ration / grow your own veg themed activities, including arts, crafts and music.  Learn why carrots were eaten on lolly sticks and parsnips were used instead of pineapple during the second world war.  For full details of the half term family activities running from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th October 2011 at the Imperial War Museum North click here

Imperial War Museum – related links
Website:  http://north.iwm.org.uk/ 
Twitter:  @I_W_M
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/iwm.north

Green Giant ambassador Colin Jackson is coming to Manchester this half term!  The event is at The Trafford Centre on Saturday 29th October, it is open to everybody but there is a VIP area which I have a chance for you one of you to be in.  As well as a VIP pass the winner will have the chance to meet the sporting legend Colin Jackson and will also receive a top of the range scooter and helmet!

Olympic and Commonwealth sporting superstar Colin Jackson CBE will be at Orient Way the Trafford Centre from 10.30am on Saturday 29^th October to meet families and sports fans, full details are here.  Colin will be encouraging families to ‘High Five’ the legendary Green Giant animated character by jumping up to high five his hand and will also be giving out height charts, great recipes and coupons to help families get their five a day.

Entries must be completed by over 18s. Maximum of two people to meet Colin per entrant and children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

A big Thank You to Galt Toys for donating some of their fabulous toys, games, puzzles and kits for Lil H’s school fund raiser*.  As a Cheshire girl I used to go to Galt Toy Shop which had a big play centre in it as a child, we are going back *cough* a few years here!  I played with Galt Toys and I love the fact that my children love playing with Galt Toys too.  Here are some of our favourites.

From being about 1 year old Diva G has loved this Pop Up toy, there has not been a child visit our home who hasn’t played with it either! 

Lil H was given these Paper Planes for his 4th Birthday.  We love them.  We take them on holiday, easy to pack, hours of fun and great to share.  They are my number one favourite birthday party gift for Lil H’s buddies I always have a few in my present box.

Drawing, painting, colouring, stickers are all mega popular with my little Diva.  In a morning when Lil H is doing his phonics and writing practise she sits colouring and drawing on this first colouring pad.  Lovely clear outlines and great quality paper so there is no “show through” from one page to the other.  This mum enjoys a bit of colouring in and I can’t wait for my 2 year old budding artist to stay within the lines! 

Galt Toys Jungle feely floor puzzle Lil H’s most popular puzzle, there pieces create templates to add the scaly, furry, fluffy animals, 24 large pieces it is this jigsaw that captured Lil H’s attention to really give Jigsaws a go.

Also in my present box for the little girls in Lil H’s life are Galt Toys Sparkle Puzzles and I love Galts kits for older girls check out the Girl Club on their website, craft, fashion, stationery and puzzle gifts perfect for other 8+ young ladies like my God daughters! 

You can buy Galt Toys online http://www.galttoys.com/
Join the conversation on Facebook  
Follow Galt Toys on Twitter @GaltToys

* In exchange for the donation I offered an ad on my site which ran over the last three months.  I wanted to also write this post as a further thank you to Galt Toys for their support, the event raised enough to fund some great new outdoor play equipment for the children.