Getting messy with Persil

Hi all,

A few weeks back me, midge and modge embarked on a quest of culinary excellence thanks to help launch Persil's Cook With The Kids 2015 campaign, their yearly promotion to get encourage both parents and children to put down the electronic devices and get cooking together, learn independence skills and have great and messy fun, because you can't have fun without making mess!

The event, was hosted at the prestigious Maggie and Rose in Kensington by the Persil team, Prudence Staite to create a food homage in celebration of Alice in Wonderland's 150th anniversary and the lovely Fiona from Toddler Chef, to teach the kids to make some yummy food and inspired to go home, make some creative food and tasty treats no matter the state of the kitchen afterwards.

The children were paired up into two teams ready to do what kids do best - having messy fun! Our little group started with the homage while the younger team learnt how to cook Sweet Potato, Apple & Cinnamon Pancakes and also  Cheese & Salmon Lunch box Scones, with sneaky added greens. 

Armed with breakfast, tea, fruit juice and a room full of happy children we set off paired up ready to do what kids do best, making a mess while having lots of fun, our little group started with the homage, the scene pulled straight from the pages of Alice in Wonderland and created in fruit, veg and chocolate outlines, presented as a blank canvas for the children to create come colourful yet tasty art, full of flavour and tasting was encouraged too!
I know Vee and Lissy were nibbling as was everyone else. I'm not going to complain, fresh fruit and veg are important to a child's development and meant less on the floor too. (OK - who swapped my girls for tidy lumps? - All parents in the universe!!)

Once they'd partially completed the Murial and the other team had made pancakes and scones, the children got to pile together, have lunch with the pancakes and scones, colour in and chat about their experiences I took a look around in wonder at all the amazingly wonderful things on the shelves.
I must say Maggie and Rose, has a beautiful layout and décor that I can only describe as photogenically beautiful and a fantastically family friendly, giving it a homely welcoming feeling backed up by lovely staff and the Persil team.

Once refilled the kids regrouped and our little team took to the kitchen to make scones, pancakes and try come fantastic fruit and veg smoothies. I've never hidden the fact Lissy is fussy when it comes to veg, until this day when she tried some drinks with veg inside them - she loved it and went back for more. A proud moment for any parent of a fussy child (and I'm prouder to report it's kick-started her to try more!)

Fiona and her husband were on such a level with the children the kitchen was awash with mess and smiles, perfect for any growing child, encouraging the older kids to flip pancakes and thanks to Vee I had the chance to flip some too, once I get my camera back I'll upload the videos and photos to Flickr and YouTube from this, but the children loved cooking, making mess and having a huge laugh with lots of other children. 

Persil's Cook With The Kids campaign was created to encourage parents to let children in the kitchen and learn or nurture their independence and culinary skills. And, to help with this they are giving away some awesome rewards with promoted packs, meaning children have the chance to take home chef hats, colourful whisks, silicone cupcake cases as well as vouchers from Haven holidays and a £250 supermarket prize draw to help your children flourish in the kitchen.

We've been in the kitchen ourselves, letting the girls make cupcakes, help with curry and they even want to try bread-making next. On top of this they've began to learn how to respect appliances, and dangerous items like knives and the such. Skills all children need to learn from an early stage to help them flourish later on in life. The team from Persil told me: "We believe that mess equals worry-free fun."
I believe this to be true and mess should be encouraged for both children and adults, after all a mess can be cleaned up but the happy memory of making the mess will live on with you forever. And much, much more fun than staring at a tablet (this coming from a tech parent blogger!!)

For more information and recipes from Persil's Cook With The Kids and to get your hands on some fantastic goodies click here and take part.

Paul!

(Sidenote: Nametags blurred on press photos for privacy) 

Daddy Fails - Party time

There comes a time we all inevitably cock up and when the crap hits the fan in many cases the children are the ones that lose out, causing upset all round. And this weekend I messed up big time.

The girls have been ultra excited about a bowling party they were invited to and to be truthful I was excited too as we've had some behavioural wobbles as of late, and I wanted to see if a change of scenery would ease some of these grumps.

Well it would have been if I'd got the flipping time of the party wrong, instead of being 1-3pm it turned out to be 10am-1pm, leaving a very embarrassed me to explain to the girls I messed up, while Vee was calm but annoyed and strangely understanding about it unlike Lissy, who got upset quite quickly, only calming down once I promised a trip to the nearby park, while it calmed things down she was somewhat upset about it. (I'm a terrible dad apparently, I can accept that.)

I won't lie I'm also happy as a plan B seemed to be unfolding in front of me and a bit of bonding with the monsters is very good for the souls and may improve the wobbles. So a damp park is go!

The first thing I'd done right all day it seems as the frowns turned to smiles within seconds, I won't bore you with the park as we all know what happens at the park when it's been raining (unless your Humf and Wallace - then it's super happy mud fun.)

The best part of plan B was a little treat for the girls, a babyccino as we've seen in our silent Sunday topped the afternoon off fantastically. Even if I messed up!

It brings me to one thing I look into quite a lot and it's the plan B's, as a carer and an idiot who needs to plan things meticulously they're very important to me, although I understand things can change in seconds with a disabled partner and children I also hate it when things do change and there is no plans for this. So for me to think up a completely random afternoon for the kids with no immediate planning to do things was a great but strange experience for me, knocking down a somewhat annoying mental barrier.

So in all an awesome day and a small personal victory, even if I messed up somewhat!

Me :)

The first ride of 2015 #familyfun

Muriel at the junction of Route 6, 574 and the Totternhoe Hills and Green Lanes

It's been a madly busy Christmas and new years here at imwellconfused towers, despite the omission of more two wheeled fun, while some of that was down to meeting family, tacky festive films and the rebuilding of Naughtybike.

Also that darned weather played an annoying part here with it's inability to make it's mind up. While we did go for a few small rides around town we've been quite lacklustre on larger rides to the disdain of both Lissy and Vee!

That changed on Monday when we unleashed the beasts onto NCN Route 6 and 574 on the outskirts of Dunstable and Totternhoe, for one of our ' do what you want rides.' I'll not hide the fact I'm a sponsor of 574 (link here) as it's an awesome place to ride, de-stress and get out of town for a few hours.

On entering the Sewell Greenway  both girls decided they wanted to let off some steam and thrash their bikes. considering how fast they can be when they want to it was good to see them doing this rather than screaming at each other, while it turned into a "hoon it" moment, it was what the doctor ordered.  Especially with one afternoon of freedom before they're back to school, it was certainly needed.

At the sewell bridge and 574/green lane junction we admired the recently installed murial advertising the Totternhoe hills and lanes. featuring some beautiful carved animals. Eventually they wanted to move on and they chose the muddy track, Oh hell no - there is no way I'm getting all of us coated in muck, world war z is not needed today (trust me I'd be in a world of pain here.) Thankfully they decided to go on the more stable route back into town, while it's still muddy it's not going to cause hell for all of us.

The only downside to this is the first hill, it's a pain in the behind, I can defeat it but i do struggle on both Naughtybike and Grampsbike here. We walked this bit it as it was easier on little feet as we can't wear them out when there's hooning to do on the flat!
Walking the hill bought a few special surprises and views, including the chance to see the horses and other animals out and about, a good chance for little explorers to see nature, bug hunt and play in the mud at the same time!

Home time was looming so we made tracks on the flat, passing the mighty Maidenbower Hillfort and plenty of beautiful scenery on the way through, on the final half mile to home Vee alerts me to a wobbly feeling on her bike, a loose steerer caused this issue for her hand tightened to get us home without dirt destroying the tube. *this is why it's important to check a bike*

On the final stretch I get asked the question of question.

"Dad! For our next ride can we go to the Enchanted Wood?"

Oh boy, Vee's certainly got the bike bug!

I'll be doing more rides like this throughout the year so if anyone wants to join our little rides say the word! If there's enough demand I'll organise some lead guided rides through Sustrans.
(More on the enchanted wood will come soon) 

If you wish to see the route we cycled click here for the Endomondo route

Cheers

Paul

This post has also been shared on the Coombe Mill #Familykids linky too!

  

Bike Week. School run fun!

Morning all.

As part of bike week and bike to school week  I've teamed up with Sustrans to talk about their campaign for safer streets and why I think it's important for safer streets as a cyclist and also explain how I do the school runs using the bike and trailer.

Where I live we're fortunate to have Travel Choices, a joint project with Central Beds Council and Sustrans and together they actively work within the community to get more people out and about and trying to educate the wider community to make the streets safer, while some of the changes have been a tad annoying to the town it's not going to be an overnight conversion it's a darned good start.

Our school runs are usually a mix of bus, Bike/trailer or and scooters depending on the girls moods and the state of my knees and back. The bus being reserved for the more extremes of weather or pain levels.

We spend the majority of the school year cycling and scooting to school, the benefits of this being less hassle for the girls and I lose a bit of belly in-between!

On bike the girls jump into the trailer and gabble, argue while i make the mile journey to school.

It'a an awesome little trip which can be (for the girls) epic depending on the route we take, being the Luton and Dunstable busway or the main road.

The busway path is a crushed lime which needs to be replaced with tarmac or a hardcore and sand mix as it can be unstable and with the trailer on the back I've wheelspun and bashed the trailer and nearly the kids with loose stones spinning off the tyres, It's not the preferred choice mainly due to it's exit on an active and very busy industrial estate, if the pathways were upgraded It would improve things there. So we go the main roads mostly.

The main road takes us down two busy roads, but set out well with comfortable and wide dual use pathways so there's less risk of getting in the way of anyone here and lots of good light too. The girls use this to sing lots of Frozen songs, Hug Roo and Tigger (Not Boo, Roo and Tigger Too! D'oh!) when they're having a grumpy day and gabble like awesome little monsters do!

What I love about riding and scooting with the girls is how happy they are when out riding and scooting with me to school it's an instant grump fix, no matter the cause of the grinch!

You should try it as it's fun. Yeah it's a learning curve but awesome experience.

If there's anything you want to know. let me know.

Paul, the kids, Naughtybike and grouchotrailer

What makes the perfect Dad?

Heya everyone!

Today is special, I'm publishing this post from a hotel room in london just in case I don't get the chance tomorrow morning, as I'll be in a radio studio tomorrow morning talking with stations around the UK and Ireland about being a dad thanks to the lovely people at Burts Potato Chips and their yummy goodness!

The guys and gals at Burts were wondering how we can all be the perfect dad's. I've got an easy way to do that, ask the kids. If come out with the cute "you're the best daddy ever" or "you've got a big belly" or similar, in my eyes you've pretty much cracked it! Yes you can forget the cringe worthy dancing, the bad jokes and being a bank that never closes, all you need to do to be the perfect modern father is to always be there when needed in a crisis, give great life advice and cheer up your children when they’re down.

With Father’s Day just around the corner a study by Burts Potato Chips has revealed the top attributes that combine to make the best dad. Being able to help out with DIY in the house (43 per cent), give good financial advice (38 per cent) and give a great hug (28 per cent) also ranked highly on what makes the perfect dad.
When it comes to gifts, dads aren't demanding with less than half (42 per cent including myself) not expecting a Father’s Day present, a third (36 per cent) stating that the best Father’s Day present they received was something made by their child and a quarter (26 per cent including me) valuing time spent with their children on Father’s Day as the most important gift they could be given.

On speaking to Leane Bramhall, the Marketing Director at Burts Potato Chips she tells me “Our research found that 43 per cent of us feel that our dads rarely treat themselves, instead opting to treat the family more. Father’s Day is a perfect opportunity to give som
ething back and show them our gratitude.“

With more than a third of us (38 per cent) resorting to the same, boring presents each year and struggling to know what to buy, it seems however that we are giving them less and less thought when it comes to saying ‘Thank you’. What’s more, a staggering 10 per cent don’t even buy their Dad a present or a card – twice as many as those who don’t give their mother a card or present for Mother’s Day.

Leane continues: “We rely on our Dads for more than we give them credit for and with the research revealing that they often get overlooked, something as simple as quality family time together can make a huge difference. This year we are encouraging Brits to make the extra effort and show their appreciation.“

Stuck on how to celebrate fathers day this year, well how about the chance to win a deliciously epic supply of potato chips and a new TV thanks to Burts Potato Chips?

In the run up to Father’s Day, Burts Potato Chips are asking people to submit a photo of their dad, through their Facebook page www.facebook.com/BurtsChips, captioned with why they are #BurtsBestDad for a chance to win a year’s supply of Burts Chips and a state-of-the-art TV from Finlux.

I can't enter the competition as I'm representing Burts Potato Chips with this post but thought I would ask TheJess to chat with the girls while I'm in London what they love about their dad and this is what they thought.

"Daddy makes yummy dinner and gives great cuddles and loves making me laugh with tickles. We love playing in the woods with daddy and making treetents. And daddy makes the bestest pancakes ever" Roll on Sunday

While I stop blushing I'll tell you a little about what i think about my father too!

What Can I say about my old man, he wasn't the best judge of things and pretty stuborn but at times made up for his quirks with his skills behind the wheel of a truck, be it a DAF3300 ATI, Volvo F12, DxxxBEG, the limiter destroying Foden, you knew how to throw a truck around better than many and while not perfect you made a huge first step to smooth things over with us in the week you passed. so all I can say is thanks!

Holiday madness.

Hi all.

It's been a strange week. I received a phone call from the in laws to say they want to borrow the smalls over the school holidays and take them away. Woohoo! Then they dropped the ball. "Our internet is down, could you look on the net for some good deals?" Of course I can… Well if I knew what I was looking for that it! So my challenge for the day was set!

I Panicked going straight went online clueless. Thankfully I searched for holiday comparison sites and found my way to Icelolly.com, a holiday comparison site with many choices and options including Disney holidays, Ski Breaks, Hen and stag weekenders, cruises and much more too. Everyone could find a holiday easily here. While browsing the site you are presented with a simple interface with many options which were complimented by country and region, dates and flexibility, the duration of the holiday even down to the most convenient or local airport available is listed.

Depending on your choice you will find multiple deals available for you and your holiday needs, suitable for families on a budget, party goers looking for the latest rave up to couples wanting to spend a quiet weekend away from the kids. All options, including Disney can be covered in a no nonsense layout with clear information you receive on you've searched.

How does it work?
I knew you were going to ask this. IceLolly scours the web hunting out a good deal for you and your requirements finding licensed and approved travel agents so you can work out what is the best choice for your needs. In some cases you may receive multiple results for the same resort but from different providers. This could bring more substantial savings to you.

Once you find the holiday package you are happy with, call the agents on a dedicated phone number to discuss the package with them, quoting the reference provided with the package.

I don’t have internet on a computer. Can I use my phone to look?
Yes indeed. On testing with an ipad, android phone and basic nokia it opened up a perfectly scaled mobile page. It’s safe to say if you only have a mobile you’re very well covered.  

I need a car. Can they help me?
That’s already covered. Just click the link at the top of each Ice Lolly page for quotes on car hire around the many resorts available.

How do I tell what the resort will look like?
Each resort has a ‘Hotel information’ link has specific information services and facilities available on each resort. Including: the star rating, food provided facilities within the hotels, Pools information and entertainment for families.

I'm happy to say the site is easy to use with all information presented in a clear and concise manner to help you choose the perfect holiday for you, no matter the location. Tell me what you think of Icelolly. 

Paul 

Disclosure This post is brought to you in association with Icelolly.com