Kidtropolis, London - October Half-Term 2016

UPDATE: We attended Kidtropolis 2016 on Tuesday afternoon. It is always a special treat to be able to spend extra time with Daddy (Husband) during the week and we enjoyed the friendly staff on the DSL trains on the journey to the ExCel Centre, London. This was the 1st Kidtropolis event and it had some definite challenges. I had been pre-warned via Twitter that there was some issues with long lines for several of the activities. My daughter was looking forward to see Paw Patrol (never saw) but otherwise had no expectations. The long lines were mostly focused on Little Pony bus, Nerf, and climbing wall. My daughter was either two young for long queue events or not interested in visiting the Little Pony bus. 

Daughter enjoyed having her face painted and making a dream catcher. Little Brother played with the trains at the Bigjigs stand and enjoyed the soft play area. Even though my children did have fun, they could have had these same experiences in our local town centre during half-term events. We were given free tickets to this event but spent close to £60 for trains and dinner at the train station. I probably need to see major changes to event to attend in the future. It was not worth this year the ticket or train costs. I have shared a video of afternoon at Kidtropolis on LadyBug Home YouTube Channel. 

Mamas & Papas New Store Opening - Westfield Mall, White City, London

One of the first items that we purchased in preparation for the birth of our daughter in 2012 was a moses basket from Mamas & Papas. Even though she outgrew the moses basket, I held onto this cherished item and now it is the home to my daughter's growing collection of dolls and cuddly animals.

We were very excited to hear that Mamas & Papas was opening on Monday, March 21st, 2016 a new store in the Westfield Mall, White City, London. This new store will not only be selling items from their collaboration with Liberty but also is a brand new store concept. 

Grand Opening Celebrations! - You are invited to celebrate on Thursday, March 24th from 10am - 7pm. Bring the whole family because there will be mini master classes for Mums and Dads but also storytelling with Claire Freedman, Author of Aliens Love Underpants. Complimentary pampering, Easter Egg Hunt and a goody bag!

My Mother-Daughter Trip to London

This week I took my daughter to see Peppa Pig Live in London. We were very lucky when we won tickets from Donna from What The Redhead Said blog. We had a fun time seeing the show but what I will remember from that day was the joy of spending time with my daughter.

Sadly the last time I had a Mother-Daughter date was over ago. I remember shortly before my Baby Boy was born that Little LadyBug (LL) and I had lunch at Subway. Being very pregnant I was impatient to head home but LL was sitting across from me eating her sandwich slowly and just smiling at the world around her. I knew that these times of just the two of us were going to be less often once the new baby arrived and I cherished this moment.

REVIEW: The Gruffalo Live London Christmas 2015

We were very excited when we are invited to attend a performance of The Gruffalo Live at the Vaudeville Theatre, London. The Gruffalo is one of Little Ladybug's favourite books and she probably knows most of the words by heart.  Our baby son was also welcome to come and we were all looking forward to this family adventure in London, England.

Tea Party at Mamas & Papas Liberty Event #MandPLiberty

The beginning of September, we received an invitation to a Children's Tea Party at Liberty London to celebrate the new collaboration collection from Mamas & Papas and Liberty London. 

The team of Liberty London and Mamas & Papas warmly welcomed us at the door of the charming party room. Yummy cakes and treats were offered but also there was lots of activities to keep my daughter busy while I admired the beautiful new collection.

Making Your Own Espadrilles with Kate Smith of The Makery at John Lewis, Oxford Street, London

I was recently invited by Kate Smith, Co-Founder and Owner of The Makery, to come to a "Make Your Own Espadrilles" Workshop in the John Lewis Store on Oxford Street, London.

The Makery was launched in Bath, England in 2009 by Kate and Nigel Smith as a creative hub where people could come to learn new skills and be more resourceful. Founded with the idea to encourage people to re-use items and learn new craft techniques. They also stock all of my favourite things: fabric, buttons, trimmings, as well as craft kits that allow you to complete a project from start to finish.

New Adventures

Almost a month ago, my current employment contract was terminated.  It was not the best start to 2014.  The previous 7 months had been filled with pregnancy sadness and disappointments so being unexpectedly being unemployed was not helping my positivity level for 2014.  I quickly moved onto my other goals for 2014.

During the beginning of January, I was trying to work while trying to complete my 1st module of assignments for KLC School of Designs.  I enrolled in the Open Learning Course for Interior Design over 10 years ago and then my husband very sweetly paid more money to update the course materials a couple years ago.  Shortly after the birth of my daughter in 2012, I got an email from KLC that to continue on the course I must complete the 1st module of work by February 1st, 2014.  It was a very fair deadline but the last 2 years I focused on spending time with my family.  On New Year's Day 2014, I officially started working on the course work.  The new unemployed status meant that I could spend 2 weeks focusing on KLC.  I cried tears of frustration a couple times in that 2 weeks and a few technical pins may have been thrown across the room. My daughter had a hard time understanding why Mommy was locked in her bedroom for the whole weekend and why she could not make circles on my Mommy's drawings. My husband kept my daughter feed and entertained. We all survived the 2 weeks of non-stop KLC focus.  It was a very challenging experience but I was honoured to meet and correspond with a group of inspirational fellow students that were also trying to make the deadline.  I was very excited and rather nervous when I hand-delivered my portfolio on Monday, February 3rd to KLC in Chelsea Harbour.

Now that I started, I am committed to continue with this course.  Look forward to posting my graded Module 1 in the next month and working on the next assignment. Deadline goal .... June 1st, 2014.
https://www.klc.co.uk/InteriorDesign