Eye Spy

I haven't posted in a while, so to get back into my blog, I have the lovely Miss Ellie taking over and giving me her insight into the world of upcoming technology. Let me start by saying Miss Ellie is only ten years old and an aspiring creative, hoping to set up her own blog in the coming future. So without further ado, let me show you her great work.

Eye Spy

Is 2014 set to be the year of technology? I don’t think so! I’m going to have a look at the Google Glass and tell you what I would do if I had a pair for the day.

 

So, let’s begin with what actually is the Google Glass?

The Google Glass is a compact and light pair of glasses but with a twist they connect to your phone via Bluetooth and can do everything that a phone can do but on your face.

You can ask it questions and it will immediately answer back, you can answer and make calls, take pictures, record videos and much more

This is what I would do with a pair if I had them for a school day

7:30 am breakfast search which is healthier crunchy nut or coco pops? “Crunchy nut” – ok I’ll take coco pops

8:30 am on the way to school stuck in traffic search shortcuts down a back way

9:00 am maths what’s the square of 6789= 82.3953882205

10:00 am break time Mario bros

10:30 am English find word of the day

11:30 am Geography check emails

12:00 pm lunch order a pizza

1:00 pm P.E check weather

2:00 pm French ask how do you say I’m bored I wanna go to sleep now in French

3:00 pm home search for nearest sweet shop

3:30 pm search top 10 ways to annoy little brother

4:30 pm stop annoying little brother

4:45 pm start on the other little brother

5:30 stop annoying

5:45 pm dinner get to choose hungry house

6:00 pm homework ask all the questions on my sheet

7:00 pm watch TV whilst searching for random things]

7:30 pm read new York times

8:30 pm set alarm for 7:30 am

Yummy mummy - Kate Middleton

Click the link to see my latest post for the Daily Mirror 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/kate-middleton-yummy-mummy-poster-2473104

Love your mummy tummy

Please have a read of the article I drafted for the Daily Mirror http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jennifer-ellison-right-love-mummy-2459119

Tips to teach your children to swim

When Puddleducks asked to write a guest post for my blog, it couldn't have come at a better time. Damien has started to become afraid of the water and only wants to stand and play on the steps at the pool.

I know how important it is for children to learn to swim, it's an essential life saving skill and one all children should be given the chance to learn.

I asked for some helpful tips on getting my reluctant water baby into the pool and here they are below. Hope they help!

Learning to Swim: Do’s and Donts for Parents with Reluctant Children
For children, learning to swim is an important milestone in their development, and a vital life skill that can not only bring hours of pleasure and fun and increase health and fitness, but it could one day save their life. Like learning to ride a bicycle, the ability will stay with them for life and will no doubt bring you closer together as a family. Most children love swimming and can’t wait to jump in the water. However, there are some that have misgivings, and may take some encouragement. Here are some tips to coax your youngster into the water and help improve their confidence.

Do:
Let them Go at Their Own Pace
As with most stages in their development, be it learning to walk or speaking their first word, children know when they’re ready. The same goes for swimming. If at first they appear intimidated by the swimming pool, try to see it from their point of view: the swimming pool will appear enormous, the water will look very deep, and the pool chaotic and swarming with strangers. It is understandable that this may overwhelm them at first. Let them become accustomed to the new atmosphere. Encourage them to sit on the edge and dangle their feet in the water, or take a ride on your back instead of paddling on their own. They will soon want to join in the fun.

Don’t:
Tease
If they have siblings who are perhaps more at home in the water than they are it could be awkward, especially as your other child may want to show off to you whilst you are at the baths together. This could discourage the fearful swimmer. Don’t let them tease either as this is a sure-fire way to prevent them from learning to swim. Instead recruit the confident swimmer to help you. Together you will both be able to show them that there is nothing to be scared of, and encouragement works much better than insults!

Do:
Make it Fun
The last thing you want is for your child to associate the swimming pool with being unhappy. When I was learning to swim my instructor was very forceful. She would make us swim lots of lengths without a break and one day she even reduced me to tears. I was put off swimming for months until I got a new instructor who made learning to swim much more fun. Play games with your children in the water; get them silly rubber rings that look like animals, or the swimsuit they fall in love with at the store. Anything it takes to ensure that they enjoy the learning process will be worth it.

Don’t:
Force
The Biggest No-No is forcing your child into the water. Never shout at them, push or in any way force them to get into the water. This will only result in making them more fearful, and could undo any progress you have made. They need you to be a source of encouragement and safety, not the opposite.

Do:
Find a Suitable Class
Once your child overcomes the initial fear of the water, you may want to consider swimming lessons to improve their skills and improve their fitness. There are a multitude of classes for varying levels, from toddlers to teens and from non-swimmers to competitive athletes. Choose a class they will enjoy with a smallish group and children of a similar age so that they can make friends. They will gain confidence in no time.

About the author
Olivia Lazenby is a family blogger and considers herself an expert on teaching children to swim. She recommends http://www.puddleducks.com/ to parents looking for swimming classes.

Silent Sunday

Shhhhhhhh! It's Silent Sunday! A little photo of a wedding I attended yesterday. Got a little Brucie Bonus.

#SatCap

I haven't joined in with a Saturday caption day for a long time, but I saw this picture when camping and thought it was great!

Please help me come up with a suitable caption for the below.

Beastie Stew - my favourite children's book

I've got a confession to make. I've had the most amazing book and I've kept it a secret for too long! I'm so sorry to its fabulous author Giles Paley-Phillips because its a travesty I've kept it so quiet.

Both my boys love this book and I mean love it. So I guess you all want to know what it's called? It's The Fearsome Beastie.

It's so well written and just flows off the tongue. It's a joy to read out loud and I think the boys love the way it rhymes as they are captivated from start to finish.

My youngest at a year old was hooked on the book and my eldest, now almost four loves the content and story line.

It's beautifully illustrated and an absolute pleasure to read.

I can't believe I haven't shared this with you all before but I can't recommend this book and it's fabulous author enough.

Go and get a copy. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Remember it's The Fearsome Beastie by Giles Paley-Phillips.