Time for wine? Why you should never drink in front of kids...

I don’t drink very much. Ever since I had my children my alcohol tolerance has been at practically zero. And you can’t drink when you’re in charge of little people, not even if they’re being little terrors and you crave a quick hit of hard liquor or gulp of wine to calm your nerves.

No, I don’t drink very much at all.

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But Sophia, my nearly three-year-old little girl, seems to have a different idea. 

All you need is love

I heart my husband.  He says the most romantic things...

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"You've got old hands."

"You're a weirdo."

"Your feet are like cold slabs of meat. Keep them away from me."

Yes, I love my husband.

Of course, he does say the BEST things sometimes...

"Have you lost weight? You don't need to lose weight."

"We're like cheese and crackers...made for each other."

How do you keep the magic alive in your relationship? What sweet nothings does your other half whisper to you?

The Muppets, milk and a sticky situation

What do you get if you cross Kermit the Frog with a milk bottle and some stickers?  The answer?  Some fabulous arts & crafts fun!

At the end of last week, I received some stickers to 'make my own Muppet'.  I shall ignore the obvious joke about already being married to one (I'm obviously not, love you really hubs!) and continue...

The stickers were courtesy of Cravendale (the milk people behind the 'cats with opposable thumbs' advert).  They've teamed up with the powers that be behind The Muppets movie to celebrate the film's release (Friday 10th February, in case you're wondering) and have a number of free sticker sets available with which to transform your old milk bottles into characters from The Muppets.

A new year...and a plan revealed

At the start of 2012, I made a New Year's promise to my children. A promise that this year will be different. And I'm determined to keep it.

But how will I make 2012 count? I have a plan.

Up until now it's been my secret plan.

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I've been a bit reticent about telling people other than my nearest and dearest about it; while I knew exactly what I wanted to do and had most of the details set out in my head, I wanted to get my idea much more 'fleshed out' and on paper before revealing any aspect of it.

So, what is my plan?

The little girl's guide to getting what you want...

Also known as "How to wrap Daddy around your little finger":

'Nuff said.

The great HiPP Organic giveaway

To celebrate my blog's new identity, I have a selection of delicious looking HiPP Organic goodies to give away to one lucky reader. 

Up for grabs are some yummy 'stage one' products, perfect for little ones from four months plus when they start to hanker after solids.  Specifically, they are: 

• Banana and peach breakfast 
• Apple, orange and banana cereal 
• 4 x baby jars 
• 3 x fruit pouches 
• Fruit pots 

A new me

Well, that's it, I don't hang around!

After announcing yesterday that I didn't think my blog name reflected what I wanted it to, I've had a change.

As you can see, "Adventures of an Ordinary Parent" is no more. From today, this little part of cyber-space is now known as "Chez Mummy". I think it sounds much more friendly, chatty and homely - the exact qualities I was trying to find.

I may not be French, but I am a Mum. So come and say hello, put your feet up and make yourself at home. I'll get the kettle on...

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Who am I?

I have been having an identity crisis of late.  Not me personally, but rather my blog.  When I originally started blogging, I wanted a name that would make it clear I am an ordinary parent, just like the thousands of other parents out there.  That I'm not special and am experiencing the same sort of things that everyone else is.

However, what I've come to realise is there are no ordinary parents out there.  We are all doing the best job we can (for the most part). To my mind that makes us extra-ordinary.

So I've recently found myself asking, ""Who am I?" (in terms of my blog of course).  

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After a bit of soul searching, I think I've found the answer.

How to survive the cinema with a two-year-old

After making my New Year's promise to my children, I fully intended this post to be about my plan.  My plan to do things differently and make this year count.   Instead, I'm finding myself writing about yesterday's trip to the cinema with my little girl.  A bit of light writing relief before things get serious, I suppose.

Yesterday was the first time that Sophia had stepped inside a cinema.  She's two-years-old but soon to turn three and, up until now, my husband and I had thought she was too young to sit through a whole film.

This past year, Sophia's attention span when it comes to films has steadily increased.  The first movie she watched was "Toy Story" and she became hooked on it.  She went from viewing just the start, to dipping in and out of the film and then to watching it in its entirety.  Her library of favourite films started to increase; the Toy Story trilogy, "Finding Nemo"...and, most recently, "Alvin and the Chipmunks".

So, what did we go to see at the cinema?  Can you guess?

A New Year's promise

Dear Sophia and Dexter,

2011 has been a fantastic year for our family.  Dexter, you forged your way into our home and hearts from the moment you were born and I have enjoyed every minute of being with you both at home.  We have had some great little adventures; visiting the Alton Towers waterpark, swimming, taking you both to the zoo for the first time...

Sophia, this was the year you started Pre-School and I am so proud of you, the way you adapted to the change and settled in.  My little girl is starting to grow up!  You are becoming more and more independent and, while this can be a challenge sometimes for your Daddy and me, I hope this continues and you become a confident little girl. 

Dexter, 2011 has been a major year for you - you were born for starters!  You've learnt to sit up, roll over, crawl, smile - I love your smile - and you're now experimenting with food.  It feels like you have always been part of this family

But now 2012 is here and it will soon be time for me to go back to work.  That means I won't be at home every day.  I won't be able to take you to the park at the drop of the hat or take you to school or play groups.  It means I will see you for about three hours each day, Monday to Friday (although the weekends will be ours to do as we please).

I will miss the time that we have spent together very much.

But, I have a plan.  That's why I am making this New Year's promise to you.