I'm a little late with my smiles this month. It should have been yesterday, but I had my staples from my operation out yesterday and I was feeling a bit sore and sorry for myself, and we had to watch the finale of Game Of Thrones, so it had to wait.

Game Of Thrones was one of Elspeth's things. It was something she shared with her Dad, and when this series was about to begin I watched as much catch up as I could so that he could watch it with me instead of alone. I'm a poor substitute, I don't get as excited or enthusiastic as Elspeth used to, but I have obviously become immersed enough as I find myself shouting at the TV at all the right bits...I don't think I'll ever actually learn who is related to who else though...

This last month has mainly been eaten up by my being ill. I was very poorly after my 2nd date for the operation was cancelled, and lost several days due to dehydration. When I eventually had my operation it was far more serious than had been suspected, my hernia REALLY was as bad as it looked, so my family are having to rally round and do everything at home while I recover. The hospital wanted to keep me in for a few days, which proved to be incredibly hard on everyone. My family were relieved I was awake and 'fixed' and just wanted me where they could see me. No-one voiced any fears aloud, but they were there to see in the bitten top lips and wide eyes, and so I got permission to recover at home in my own bed instead. I have never had so many visitors peeping at me while I slept, each one of them very welcome, and as comforting to me as it was for them. Recovery is going well so far, and I am still on track for attending Britmums this coming weekend - although I may need to nip off and have a sleep at some point!

It is Britmums Live this weekend, and what has to be the most bittersweet event in my life. I have been asked to read Dear Elspeth during the Bloggers Keynote. I'm incredibly proud that one of my posts has been chosen, but so terribly sad that I ever had to write it. Seeing The Brick Castle logo up there on the big screen, and reading my own words in front of an audience of my peers so huge, is such an amazing achievement and should only fill me with pride. Instead it is equally full of sadness of a depth that I hope very few of you ever know.

When I wrote I wanted to tell Elspeth's story, I wanted people to know she'd been a happy and integral part of our life. Witty and clever and participatory, loving her siblings and rarely showing how weighted down she felt.  I know that many people have read that post and then gone and found the help and support they need, and so I am prepared to share it with as many people as possible. Elspeth was proud of my blogging. She blogged, she read my blog and commented. I will be reading Dear Elspeth for her, and for all of the people I have heard from since I wrote that post.  I will do my very best, and if I falter then Pippa will take over from me. She knew Elspeth, she met her many times, she is an excellent stand-in.

In spite of the Hernia fiasco, we did manage a few smiles this month....especially from our youngest two..




And an achievement of sorts during the school holidays - my two young lads beat the final boss Kaos on Skylanders Trap Team. This is something that's made them semi-legendary at school, and personally I can stop feeling guilty that we had a Kaos trap and no-one else could get hold of one....

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.