Making Exercise A Good Thing (Sponsored Post)

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Ever since I was pregnant with The Boy, I always knew subconsciously that I was going to have to show a very positive outlook towards exercise and outdoor activities, especially as I am not the fittest parent around. I spent much of my childhood playing outdoors in the garden, and whilst I attempted a few sports clubs and activities, it wasn't an area that came naturally to me and as a result I wasn't encouraged actively to pursue it.

Maybe that's why I am so keen to ensure that The Boy is active on weekends with plenty of opportunities to exercise those muscles.

Fun Exercise For Children [Read more…]

Days 313 – 320 of Project 365

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314-320 of 365

314. Perfect (This was the morning after the night before, as we explored Highcliffe beach in the most glorious autumn sunshine.)

315. Exhaustion (When I went to pick The Boy up today from school, I found him holding the teacher's hand and looking very pale. He'd been unhappy most of the afternoon, had a slight temperature and complained of a headache. As soon as he saw me, he started sobbing and I had to carry him home with a very soggy neck. A temperature of 38.4°C saw a dose of the magic pink stuff and cuddles on the sofa. Here he's quietly playing with a new toy called Plus Plus.)

316. Botanist (We were in the garden examining the leaves while The Boy tried out his new Pink Lining satchel.)

317. Scooter (A quick scoot after school on a local pedastrianised street.)

318. Angry Birds (A birthday party for someone who seems to be his school best friend in a fab play centre to the north of Cardiff. These Angry Birds cakes were the ones given out in the party bags, aren't they awesome?)

319. Puntsey (Dressed up for school for Children in Need day, he can't say Pudsey and it's so cute that I don't correct him.)

320. Wiggins Junior (Last year, Mr. TBaM was bought a bicycle by his boss who also bought a tag-along bike which attaches from the back. It's sat in his boss' garage until now as we didn't think The Boy was ready for it, that was until his boss threatened to sell it! We took The Boy down to the barrage earlier and he tried it out for the first time; he was so excited it was amazing to see. I'm hoping that it will help him learn a little more about balance on a bike as at the moment he still had the stabilisers on his normal bike.)

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TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky

The One Where Everyone Went To Roath Park (Country Kids)

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Roath Park Lake

When it's sunny, there are three places which the entirety of south Wales flocks to; St. Fagan's, Barry Island and Roath Park. Yesterday, we joined the eleventy billion people also heading to Roath Park, to meet up with my brother and his family. (They weren't going to meet up with him by the way.)

There's a really good reason why it's so popular in the sunshine, the above panorama is just one of them. The boating lake was laden with swans sailing along with open wings, students valiantly attempting the row boats, and mums and dads navigating the flailing oars in the more sensible pedalloes. It's a beautiful sight to behold.

We didn't venture on to the lake, but we did fight for our turns on the swings and slides, scoot around the crowds of urban folk getting their weekly allowance of fresh air dressed rather bravely in Summer dresses or shorts (The Boy only fell of his scooter seven times with one graze to the forehead, and yes he did have his helmet on), and climb some magnificent trees. Has anyone else ever had to queue to climb a tree?!

roath park

The Boy loves spending time with his cousins, and she was so good with him as she let him win at scooting, stood her ground against bigger children in the playground, and showed him where to put his feet when tree climbing!

Hurrah for the Spring!

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Country Kids: Park Explorer

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We're well into the pattern of getting our minimum of 15 minutes of outdoor play a day now, striding past week two and entering week three. It's been significantly helped by the fact that the past week has been half-term and so I didn't have the stumbling block of my work days getting in the way and effecting our fun and games.

The beach is a top, and easy, venue for us as there aren't enough hours in the day to explore every pebble there, but for a bit of variety we've been going to the parks as well. Turns out my council is a bit unimaginative when it comes to playgrounds in parks and we're bored of them already; there seems to be a set template of poxy climbing frame, baby and junior swing, one slide and a wobbly roundabout. A far cry from the treasures I see other people visiting!

However, we have enjoyed the one decent one in our town which is just around the corner from where I grew up and as such is one I frequented a lot as a child.

country kids park explorer 2

I used to climb that tree as a child, so proud of him for learning how to do it too! I'm sure it used to be bigger though?

We've also been to Victoria Park in Cardiff, which is a brilliant park with plenty of money thrown at it; different authorities have different priorities I guess? In the Summer, the paddling/swimming pool is packed with children splashing each other and shrieking with laughter. Winter turns the pool into a curiosity for young children. The Boy managed to find himself a friend in the shape of four year old Phoebe who took his hand and guided him around the playground.

country kids park explorer

Today we've been down the beach front (again) on The Boy's bike and I have had to tell Mr. TBaM to stop wrapping him up in cotton wool; he's more capable on his bike than his father gave him credit for! If we can just get him to keep his speed up then those stabilisers will be off in no time!

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country kids

Weekend Activity: First Weekend of Spring

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Saturday morning beckoned, bright and sunny. It was a refreshing change to the grey drudgery of the past week and so, after a slow start to the day, we headed down to Cardiff Bay Barrage to get some fresh air and blow the argumentative cobwebs away.

The Boy is becoming so confident on his scooter, it's fabulous to see. I just need to get daddy to have more confidence; he rushes over everytime he stumbles or crashes, whereas I'm the one who is standing back and saying "stand up then, brush your hands down!" to The Boy. It's hard work, but maybe it's the teacher in me, he'll cry if he's hurt himself and he's got a helmet on to protect his head. It's working too, so those parents who smirk at it can bugger off!

While on the barrage I managed to take these two photos, which I'm quite proud of. There's a lot of interesting angles and lines down there: the whole barrage is a real work of art. In the right hand picture, the 1950s style hut is actually a bright pink, but it didn't come out properly so I desaturated it.

And so to Sunday: I declare the 2012 season of sandcastle building well and truly open!

We built sandcastles, we went paddling in the sea (in our wellies), we played football, we ate sausage and chips on the beach (I had cheese and chips), we scooted along Barry Island promenade and we had a Mr. Creemy ice-cream. It was a balmy 15°C; madness for a Sunday in February!

When we came home, we decided to get a head start on planting some seeds we'd been sent.

I have a feeling that The Boy is going to love gardening this year.

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I'm linking this up to Country Kids

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