I have a giveaway for you today that I really like, and I hope you like it too. How would you like to win the LEGO Superheroes set 76034 The Batboat Harbour Pursuit? Recommended for builders aged 6+, this is a set which I think is great for playing with, and makes a lovely shelf model for the collector.
I'm always more than happy to share my love of LEGO, so being asked by House Of Fraser if I wanted to give away a prize from their Construction Toys And Building Blocks range was an easy thing to accept.

Every now and again, when you are about to go for surgery and your world is crazy enough already, you get an opportunity that you think really must be a dream. Being given the chance to review the AEG Ultramix KM4400 Food Mixer last Thursday really was one of those moments - and I didn't believe it was true until it was here....


One of our children broke the bowl to my previous food mixer 18 months ago. It was 23 years old and had cost me £25 and was very basic and flimsy, but I've missed it. To say this is an upgrade is an under-statement of the highest order.

The Jurassic World movie is out today and what better way to celebrate than to play with some LEGO? We were asked if we'd like to review the Raptor Rampage set 75917, and my partner received the Dilophosaurus Ambush set 75916 for his birthday.


Raptor Rampage set 75917 contains Clare, Owen, an ACU Trooper, the two Raptors - Delta and Blue, plus the Mobile Vet Unit with a rotating shooter and Owen's motorbike. The build is split into 2 books, surprising for what is only a 324 piece model, and is recommended for children aged 6-12. I think there are a couple of aspects of the build that maybe need a 6 year old or up, but otherwise it's okay and possible for children a little younger.

It's true. After 5 years, one failed keyhole surgery, one bout of flu with horrific coughing, one move to the 'urgent' list, 2 surgical cancellations and 3 1/2 hours of fairly major surgery, my digestive system is working well again. I have finally been justified in all of my quiet complaints and I have a very impressive scar and 22 staples holding me together. It's a tale I will be delighted to see the back of!

Stapler.

I did keep telling everyone it was bad, but I think it was only after I'd been assessed on the day for surgery on my 2nd appointment that everyone began to realise just how poorly I was. I was sent home that day with a corset and strong painkillers and a genuine apology that there hadn't been enough time to do my surgery.

Today I'm launching a great giveaway to get you into the festival mood. The sun has been here, the t-shirts are coming out, and I for one am looking ahead to lazy Summer days and music while I lounge on the grass and enjoy the fresh air. Braided bracelets, beads and feathers will be everywhere by mid-July and Interplay are giving you the chance to make your very own personalised festival jewellery.

It's that time of year when we start browsing handkerchiefs and wondering when ties went out of fashion, and then resort to some 97% dark chocolate like every year because we know he'll be really pleased with it anyway... It can feel a little bit lame, so here are some ideas that think outside the box a little bit more..

Scruffs Hardwear. The entire Scruffs range is designed to be hardwearing and long-lasting. Scruffs are a brand we've reviewed for before, and their Scruffs t-shirt is just as good quality. Heavyweight cotton, nicely printed and really very good for an £11.99 t-shirt.


Scruffs don't only sell clothing though, they have a range of useful accessories, from belts and gloves to bags, and even shockproof, water-resistant watches at £19.99. Ideal for a Dad who likes his sports or DIY, or has a manual job and needs something a bit tougher. It's very big, it's very orange! If big orange watches aren't his thing, then how about a Bottle Opener Belt at £11.95?

It's no secret that our youngest family member loves vehicles, playing outdoors and getting messy, so I knew a review of the John Deere Big Scoop Excavator would be perfect for him. I kept it a secret until the rain went away too, as I knew he wouldn't be able to resist taking the excavator outdoors...


I wasn't wrong, he was very impressed. This is a big excavator - around 50cm long when extended, and designed for children aged 3 and over. My youngest is 5, and loves this sort of toy as he can be rough with it and get it filthy without getting into trouble.

Drumond Park are one of our favourite games manufacturers and this one is very different! Designed for 2-4 players aged 4+ there is no board, there are no counters, no timer. Instead we have a snarling spring-loaded dinosaur and a whole nest full of baby dinosaurs that you are trying to pinch!


Drumond Park's Dinobite only requires 2 minutes assembly. Attach the dinosaur to the main part of the model and insert  2 x AA batteries, switch it on and you are ready to go. The batteries power the sound, which plays dinosaur style jungle noises throughout, and the timing to release the dinosaur.

It's been a long while since we reviewed any Orchard Toys, but we still play them all of the time, and our youngest received a couple of new ones for his 5th birthday. He's been a reluctant reader and writer, so we were sent Match And Spell so that we could see what he was really capable of!


Orchard Toys Match And Spell is suitable for 1-4 players aged 4+. Your child could possibly gain from it even younger, as no knowledge of letters is needed before you begin.

Last year was my first visit to Britmums Live. I was scared and it was so huge, but actually, once I got there I found it was pretty darn awesome. Everyone was friendly and lovely, and my only regret is that I didn't get to meet all of the people I'd hoped to meet.


Although I was nervous last year, it doesn't come close to this year. While everyone else is out choosing outfits and fretting about looking okay, I still have a Hernia operation to look forward to this week (please God let it happen this time - 3rd time lucky), so I can't even begin to know what shape my belly is going to be in 3 weeks time. I won't be able to lug a big bag around with me, so if you see someone wearing the same crumpled badly-sized outfit twice, it'll probably be me.

I also have a far more important reason to be nervous. This year I'm not only going as a Blogger, I have been asked to read one of my blog posts in the Bloggers Keynote on Saturday afternoon. 

I can't tell you how proud I am that one of my posts has been chosen for the Bloggers Keynote. I work very hard at my blog, far more hours than a full time paid job would require, and I always give my best. It's a very bittersweet moment for me though, because the post I'll be reading is about Elspeth.

I don't know if I can read it all, but I'll try, and I will have brand new Mum Pippa from Red Rose Mummy standing beside me to take over if I falter, and a sea of lovely people who have been there for me all along in the crowd. I do know what I'll be wearing though, and it'll be the dress Elspeth helped me choose for Britmums last year. She chose well. I'm 2 1/2 stone lighter, but I think it'll still do the job. She blogged herself, she read my blog, and I know she would be proud were she here.

Thanks again to Jen from MyMummy'sPennies for the photo

Last year my sponsor was the fabulous Drumond Park, and this year I have been part sponsored by the PR company who work with Drumond Park, Langshot Communications. Behind Langshot Communications are two awesome ladies who have become good friends over the last couple of years, and I'm very proud to be associated with them. If anyone else wants to sponsor me for the rest of my costs, please get in touch, I'll be more than happy to discuss it with you.

Nerves and all else aside, I am looking forward to Britmums. I am looking forward to thanking lots of the people who have supported us in our darkest times, and collecting some of those hugs I've been promised. I am looking forward to meeting some of the PR's who help make this blog interesting and varied, and I'm looking forward to learning from the speakers and hearing the other bloggers read their posts.

Don't be shy, say hiya.