Mum In The Madhouse - Parenting without stabilisers

If you are of my generation then you will remember the amazing ticks that the Harlem Globetrotters did.  In fact they were all I knew about basketball at one point in my life! Both of my boys are sports mad and after checking our their you tube video I knew that this would be something that they would adore.   The UK tour starts on 25 March, so in order to be in with the chance  to win a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) to the UK venue of your choice then please complete the rafflecopter entry below.  The draw will close at noon on Friday 15th March. Wondering if there is a venue near you?  You can find the Harlem Globetrotters tour dates and venues online.   a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 

My mum and my niece on her christening

This week I have been acutely aware of missing my mum. There has been a mum shaped hole in my days. This is my third Mothers Day without her and although she was not one for the soppy sentiments in Mothers Day cards, it still makes me aware of her absence. But more than my pain and the pain of my children, I hate the fact that my wonderful sister in law now has to go though Mothers Day without her mum. Her wonderful mum died on Friday night. I hate that I am welcoming her in to a club that I do not want to be part of. That I can not take away her pain and also that I know how much heartache she is going through. I read this post by Becky and so want to echo the sentiment. Family is not something, family is everything. To all the motherless on Mothers day  

Warmer weather is just around the corner and that means family holidays are just around the corner too! Packing the bags for everyone in a family can be a stressful process but for this reason it can be made easier by writing a list. If you start it well in advance of your holiday, you can add things as and when you think of them, rather than having to remember everything on the day you pack. The good thing about a checklist is that you can check the contents of your bags against it when you unpack too. Let’s start with some of the items you’ll need in your handbag or hand luggage. You must have all of your passports if you’re going abroad, European Health Insurance Cards (which replaced the old E111s) and any other details of travel, flights and accommodation. You’ll also need payment methods (either debit/credit cards and/or travellers cheques and cash in pounds and your destination’s currency), medication, water and snacks. Any sharp items such as scissors or tweezers will need to go in your hold (checked-in) luggage if you’re flying. As kids get fed up very quickly when travelling, save them (and yourself) from the pain of boredom by packing them games, toys and books to keep them well entertained. If budget allows, it is worth considering buying them something new for the holiday so that it’s still a novelty to play with. When it comes to beauty products, it’s unlikely you’ll want to spend ages doing your hair and cosmetics. So the best holiday makeup tips include keeping it simple and fuss-free. Pack waterproof mascara if you’ll be spending time in the water, and maybe save the other basics for evenings out. Skin care is important on holiday – take day and night moisturiser and be sure to remove any foundation you wear at the end of the day to avoid breakouts. Look after your feet too if they’ll be in sandals all day – Cosmopolitan has a great article about getting your feet ready for the summer. You’ll also need high factor sun cream for yourself and the children, sun block and after sun. Remember that your toiletries and beauty products need to meet airport regulations. Although you don’t want to end up being like a walking chemist, it’s important you have some basic medicines and first aid items to hand in an emergency. Adult- and child-friendly painkillers are essential, as are travel sickness tablets, diarrhoea medicines, antiseptic cream, antihistamine and plasters. In terms of clothing, check out the local weather report online before you go and pack accordingly. As a general rule, if you’re going somewhere hot, although you’ll want thin, light fabrics and you won’t be wearing so much, you do need to cover up between 12 and 3 when the sun is at its hottest as well as when the temperature drops in the evening. So pack a variety of clothes that will allow you to cover up. Don’t forget your sunglasses, hats, swimming costumes and beach towels. If you’re heading to a colder destination, of course pack lots of thick clothing as well as items that will keep you dry if it snows or rains. Take hats, gloves, scarves and waterproof jackets as well as garments that can be layered up.

Mini's favorite place in the whole wide world is London.  He loves visiting it, loves reading about it and sleeps in a London themed room.  So when it came to making him a quilt (my first one ever) it had to be London themed.  I have had this fabric and the deciding for this quilt for over six months thanks to Kelly, but have discovered that cutting fabric is my kryptonite   I just can not bring myself to cut it at all.  Knowing that I had to get past my fear, I booked in for a sewing class.  I go two hours a week on a Tuesday and the quilt was my first project. So finally Mini has his quilt and he loves it.  I made it over 5 weeks mostly at class and with the support of some fab online buddies too (yes you Katy and Justine, who listen to and answer all my insane questions).   I am really pleased with how it turned out.  It is the perfect fit for his cabin bed and he loves it, which is all that matters. Oh and I have already started another one and me and Maxi are on the lookout for the perfect fabric for his quilt.

Any visit to Orlando would not be complete without a visit to Disney.  We only had a day to cram in as much of it as we could and boy did we cram it in. We were lucky enough to experience two of the parks (Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) with a VIP tour guide, who walked us miles around the park in just 10 hours (one of our tour guides, Fred, had a pedometer which showed 13,000 steps around that day).  A VIP tour experience costs around $300 an hour for a group of up to 12 people. Our guides  were amazing, real pied pipers, who connected so well with the children.  They really were invaluable when it came to making the most of the parks in such a sort period of time.  They knew all the best routes, where all the toilets were and also which rides to go to when. As a VIP guest, you’ll also have unlimited Fastpass access, which means you can join the express lines at the most popular rides and attractions. Our highlight of the whole day was the parade and fireworks.  Just look at this image of Maxi's open mouthed as he watched.  It was amazing and the perfect end to a wonderful experience. Maxi's favorite ride was Toy Story Midway Mania and being the competitive family we are the game was on to see who would score the highest and whoop I kicked ass that day! You can find places to meet your favorite characters and get them to sign an autograph book if that is your thing, but Maxi at nearly eight decided he was too old for all that, however, he did have his picture taken with a toy soldier that was hanging around outside the Toy Story Mania ride. We visited the newest part of Disney World Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland and had a delicious Le Fou's Brew at Gaston’s Tavern, which is a mixture of frozen apple cider (which is non alcoholic apple juice)  and marshmallow with a mango foam topping, which Maxi loved.  Lunch was taken in the Be Our Guest restaurant.  One of the guides stood in the rather large queue whilst we went on another ride (which was another amazing perk of the VIP tour).  The food was amazing. Our Top hints and Tips for Visiting Disney WorldOrlando

• Make sure you book a table for Dinner as the restaurants get busy
• Always buy your tickets online. They're usually cheaper and save you the headache you'll get waiting to purchase at the gate
• Download the free Disney Magic app, you can plan rides and check show times and once you’re inside the park it will let you check how long the lines are on different rides
• Bring your own water bottles. It will save you time and money!  If you don't want to carry a water bottle, just ask for a cup of water at any food or drink vendor
•  Have your children look for Hidden Mickeys is a great way to keep them occupied especially when queuing
• When the park opens at 9am, go first to Toy Story Midway Mania, which has the longest lines in the park, and FastPasses are usually gone for the day by noon.
• Plan a show for the hottest part of the day, but be aware that the air conditioning can be fierce!
• If it’s your first visit, get one of the first time badges from Guest Services

For more pictures take a look at Mum in the madhouse Facebook Page . Thank you to Walt Disney World for making our visit so memorable on our trip to Orlando hosted by Visit Orlando.

I think that after LEGOLAND Florida, Maxi's favorite time in Orlando was the day we spent at Universal Orlando. Universal Orlando is actually two separate theme parks – Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Universal Studies is where you step  beyond the screen, and jump right into the action of your favorite movies and TV shows, with attractions based on Shrek, The Mummy, Men in Black and lots of other Universal movies. It includes Marvel Superhero Island, featuring rides based on Marvel characters like Hulk and Spiderman.  The Spiderman ride was our favorite ride of the whole trip.   In Island of Adventure you will find Seuss Landing, which is a brilliant area for younger children and Dr Seuss fans (Mini will love this part of the park when we visit in November as he is a HUGE Dr Seuss fan).  You will also find the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure    Thrills and technology make for amazing rides in Universal and this really blew me away.  I wasn't prepared for just how technological the park would be, however, with hindsight the use of CGI in movies should have given us a clue!  For big thrill seekers there are traditional coaster style rides such as The Hulk (Island of Adventures) and the and the Rock It Rollercoaster (Universal Studios) with its 17-storey vertical incline and 65mph drop on the other side was the only ride that left me terrified and really did scare me.  You can also buy a video clip of yourself on the Rock it Rollercoaster.  This really is the future of parks for me.  I can see being able to download the clip and send it to your friends and family via social media as something you can do in the future. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Our biggest tip would be to head for the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter later in the day.  The queues in the evening are much smaller than at any other time of the day.  Plus most people tell you to get there early and our guide said that as everyone heads there first it is really busy early on, so go later   It was the busiest area in the park by far.  There are three rides or experiences in this area.  We both were really wowed by Forbidden Journey.  This is an amazing ride where you make your way through the familiar classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then soar above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter™ and his friends on an unforgettably thrilling adventure, coming face-to-face with an array of malevolent creatures! We loved how Universal had made the queue an experience too. Our top tips for getting the most out of Universal

• Take some american stamps and postcards to use the owl post in  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This is where you can send a letter with a Hogsmeade postmark.  You can buy usable Harry Potter stamps but they were rather overprices at $15 a pack especially when we only wanted to send three postcards.
• Frozen Butterbeer is much nicer than regular Butterbear (which tasted like cream soda).  If you want to get a souvenir cup with your butterbeer you can ask for the butterbeer to be put in a regular cup so you do not have to wash out your tankard for putting in your bag.  Also you can bypass the cart and buy it straight from The Three Broomsticks which is a lot faster.
• The mixtures of movies and rides is fantastic.  The Despicable me experience is fantastic, we loved being turned in to Minions.  Oh and the fart gun does smell of bananas!
• The temperature gets really hot around lunch time, so make a beeline for the indoor rides like Despicable Me, The Mummy or Spiderman during this time.  Alternately why not take a trip to Jurassic Park and be prepared to get VERY WET!
• Take a refillable water bottle with you.  You need to keep drinking as you can dehydrate really fast.  Alternatively you can ask for a cup of water at any of the street vendors.
• Check what rides your children can and can not go on before you visit to avoid disappointment.
• Consider a Universal a Express Pass which costs around £30-40 per person, and allows you to go to the front of the line once on each ride, although you get this sort of ticket for free if you’re staying at a Universal hotel.

  For more pictures take a look at Mum in the madhouse Facebook Page . Thank you to Universal Florida for making our visit so memorable on our trip to Orlando hosted by Visit Orlando.  

We are already fans of LEGOLAND Windsor, so had an idea of what to expect of Orlando's newest theme park LEGOLAND Florida.  However, I have to say that it blew away all of our expectations and was a fantastic day out.  It is pitched at children aged 2 to twelve and have over 50 rides and attractions.  This meant that Maxi who is nearly 8 could go on every ride accompanied by me and most rides on his own. We experienced a VIP tour at LEGOLAND, which meant that we bypassed all the queue and had an out of this world experience.  Regular tickets start at $64 for an adult and $54 for a child (3 - 12).  As part of the VIP Package we got to jump all the queues and to visit the master model builders workshop.  Oh to have a LEGO collection like this at home! However, the park was not too crowded on the day we visited.  At certain times during the year the park is closed on a Tuesday and Wednesday and had only just reopened on the Tuesday we visited, so was quieter than usual. The park is set out in lands very much like the UK Park.  I would advise that you start at Lego City which has the Driving School, Junior Driving School, Boating School and Flying School rides, which are the most popular in the park (just as Driving School is in the UK).   You just need to remember to drive on the right side of the road! Maxi's favorite ride in the park was the LEGO Technic coaster which is located in the Technic area of the park.  This is the perfect area for mini thrill seekers and has the three most high thrill rides on the park (although Flying school ranks with them too). Hints and tips for getting the most out of LEGOLAND Florida

• Make sure you arrive early for the park opening at 9 am.  Rides open at 9.30 am
• The park is 45 minutes from Downtown Tampa and the other Orlando Parks
• You can exchange your own LEGO Mini Figure with any of the Model Citizen's (LEGO Employees).  They have theirs on their name badge.  Also keep an eye out for the Mini Figure Ambassador as they have a shirt covered in Mini Figures.
• Go to the back of the park either LEGO City or Technic first
• If it your birthday, then collect a badge from a Model Citizen  (A LEGO Employee) at Guest services at The Beginning
• If you want to visit a show, try and turn up 30 minutes before the start time
• Make sure you take plenty of sun cream and hats as it is much hotter and sunnier in Orlando that the UK. We actually purchased Maxi a pair of sunglasses and shorts strap in LEGOLAND
• The park also has many attractions for children and adults that prefer  gentle pace including Safari Trek and Duploland
• Download a Park Map before visiting, it shows you all the height restrictions, so you can set expectations before visiting
• There is a large selection of places to eat all catering for children,  but you need to try the parks signature dish of Granny Smiths Apple Fries
• It gets very hot in the middle of the day, so eat inside if possible as the restaurants are air conditioned
• The LEGOLAND Florida water park reopens in March and you can upgrade your tickets for $12 each and this would be the perfect place to cool down
• The park closes earlier than other parks around 5.30 each day
• The Big Shop is the largest LEGO shop in the world

  For more pictures take a look at Mum in the madhouse Facebook Page or Google + page Thank you to LEGOLAND Florida for making our visit so memorable on our trip to Orlando hosted by Visit Orlando.

I have to admit that I was really skeptical about Seaworld.  I was unsure about using animals in shows, however, I have to say that I was completely won over and we had an amazing day.  First things first, there is no way you can see everything in a day (unless you opt for one of the excellent VIP tours, which cost from £172 per adult and child in addition to park admission and includes a freshly prepared lunch) . I would advise you to plan your must see's before you get to the park. Seaworld Orlando offers the perfect mix of action rides, educational exhibits, hands on interaction and amazing shows.  It is a great place for all ages and would be a super place to visit for children and grandparents, although there are some rides which are for 54 inches and above, but you can find this information on the park website. Shows We managed to see the Dolphin show (Blue Horizons), which was epic (in Maxi's words),  So make sure you check the times for the shows.  The shows are designed to showcase the animals natural behaviors and  Blue Horizons was a really spectacular combination of dolphin, human and avian entertainment.  Maxi was transfixed for most of the show and he thought the divers were amazing.    It is advisable to turn up to the show 30 minutes before it starts and do keep an eye out where you choose to sit as you will get wet in the splash zones! Food and Drink There is a good range of dining experiances at Seaworld, including an all day dining option. We were lucky enough to experience the Dine with Shamu experience which starts at $28 per adult and $19 per child.  This meant that we got to see the Killer Whales behind the scenes in training for their One World show at reserved tables.  The food was a buffet style and it was a great way to get up close to the Whales and watch them with their trainers.  The trainers do not go in the water with the whales at any time.  If you are looking for a unique experience then this would be on my list of must do's.   Maxi has been raving about this. Rides Manta and Kraken are the big thrill rides and you need to be over 54 inches tall to be able to ride.   Maxi was too small to ride, but I did go on Kraken and loved it.  It was exhilarating, but smooth and was so much fun.  Oh yes I screamed like a girl.  Maxi is a mini thrill seeker and loved the Shamu Express.   He also loved the Wild Arctic simulator ride, but being someone who suffers from motion sickness I gave this one a miss!   There really is a ride for everyone at Seaworld. Exhibits  One thing that really stood out for both Maxi and I at Seaworld was the exhibits including the fantastic 3D turtle trek.  This showcases the manatee and the plight of the vulnerable sea turtles.  The animals that are used in the exhibit are all rescue animals and this makes it even more interesting and amazing.  You get to experience what it is like to be a turtle in an amazing 3D dome, which gives you a 360 degree experience  so there is no shouts of "I cant see" from smaller children.  The park guides and staff are amazingly well informed and more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Why not time your visit to the ray pool so that it coincides with feeding time, you can even search the bottom of the pool for teeth to bring home as souvenirs. Once exhibit that we didn't get to experience, but hope to when we go back in November is Antarctica, Empire of the penguin, which opens on 24 May this year.   At this amazing new attraction, you’ll be surrounded by the sights, sounds and awesome encounters found in this frozen place, embarking on a one-of-a-kind ride and an incredible, first-of-its-kind family ride. We did however, get to "pet a penguin" named Cecilia and she didn't feel anything like I expected. You can see more photos of our trip on The Mad House facebook page  Thanks to Seaworld Orlando for looking after us as part of our trip to Orlando hosted by Visit Orlando   

We have laminate floors everywhere downstairs and one of my pet hates is cleaning them.  Well it has become a pet hate since I slipped on a just mopped floor and broke my shoulder! So I was delighted when I was offered the opportunity to review a steam mop by Black and Decker.  We have had hard floors for the last 10 years and I have grown to love them.  They are practical, especially as I have two very active boys.  But I just wasn't sure that a steam mop with no cleaner could keep up with them and actually ensure that my floor was clean. So we have put the Black and Decker Delta Head Steam Mop to the test.  The version that we have reviewed costs £120 and comes with four washable pads.  Two large ones and two delta ones for getting int o the corners. What I liked:

1. The floor is dry within 15 seconds.  No slipping on wet floors and fearing broken bones ever again.  This also means that I can use it when the boys are around without shouting at them not to step on the wet floor
2. No chemicals are needed.  I love the fact that the floors are clean and that bacteria is killed without bringing chemicals in to the house
3. There is no additional costs.  No paying for replaceable heads or chemicals, which means that although you have a large initial outlay, the cost per use is really reasonable
4. It heats up ready for use in just 15 seconds
5. It is easy to store and I do not have to lug a bucket of water round the house, even less worry about spillages
6. The additional steam burst function works really well and is very effective on stubborn marks
7. I can use this on both my laminate floors and lino floors as I can select the right flooring type with the Autoselect® digital handle
8. It is so easy to use that even the boys can use it!
9. The unique and innovative design of the delta lift off head means that with a quick push of the foot peddle I can use the triangular cleaning head to get in to all the corners, this is especially effective in the kitchen
10. It leaves the floors clean and streak free with minimal effort on my part

I have to say that other than having to plug in the mop, I haven't found anything that we do not like.   I am kicking myself for not getting on the steam mop bandwagon earlier.  It is a great addition to The Mad House and I no longer live in fear of anyone slipping on a just mopped floor! The official blurb: The Black & Decker® steam-mop™ with Autoselect® digital handle commands and steam burst technology easily gets rid of tough to move marks and germs with minimal effort, ensuring that your floors are sparkling clean. Ready to use in 15 seconds and it will run for 25 minutes on a single tank. With Autoselect® digital handle command technology, simply push the button to select the specific floor type -hardwood/laminate, tile/ vinyl, or stone/marble - and the mop automatically releases the right amount of steam. Autoselect® helps to assure thorough yet delicate cleaning on all sealed hard floors and is even safe on sealed hardwoods. The addition of steam burst mode removes even the most stubborn dirt - it releases 50% more for steam in a concentrated 5 second burst when you need that extra cleaning power, you don't get from ordinary steam mops. With the unique and innovative design of the delta lift off head you can, with a quick push of the foot peddle, use the triangular cleaning head to get in to all the corners of your home.

• Kills 99% of bacteria and germs - no chemicals required.
• Quick dry and streak free, it takes less time and work than a mop and bucket.
• Swivel head for ease of use around furniture and awkward areas.
• Self standing for convenience with auto shut off when locked in the upright position.
• 1600 watts.
• 6m power cord.
• 0.5 litre water tank capacity.
• Ready to use in 15 seconds.
• Steam ready indicator.
• Steaming time 25 mins per tank.
• Machine washable pads.
• Suitable for all floor types.
• Accessories included.
• Weight 3.07kg.

I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network, a group of parent bloggers picked by Mumsnet to review products, services, events and brands. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity.

Maxi and I are spending the half term holiday in Orlando, Florida thanks to Visit Orlando.  This is perfect timing for us to explore it all prior to our family holiday there in November with my brother and his family. We will be exploring the major attractions including including Walt Disney World, Sea World Parks and Universal Orlando Resort. I have taken a look at the Orlando Holiday Planning tool, so I know that the weather is going to be great and have packed our swimming things and the sun cream and for the first time I will not be taking prescription sunglasses on holiday and I am looking forward to being able to see things from the top of any rides we go on and not worry about my specs falling off. But I need your help, as we are only going for a week and spending a short time in each of the parks.  We need to know which rides and attractions are a must see for a very nearly eight year old and a super excited Mummy.  What food should we try and where should we try it. So can you help me:

1. What do I need to take?
2. What MUST we see?
3. What rides to we need to make a beeline for?
4. Your top tips for the parks and attractions?
5. What should I bring back for Mini?

I am so looking forward to some one to one time with Maxi.  I am excited about going on the rides together and just generally having fun with each other.  However, in order to placate Mini, we need to make sure that we have a super itinerary for our trip ion November and have told him we are scouting it all out, so that he gets the best holiday ever in November! There is no way I am going to sleep for the next two nights!