Sunday, 8 December 2013
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Thank Goodness for The Croods! - DVD review
My youngest - Grumpy- has been ill this week. He has not borne his mild malaise well. He has demonstrated all the patience and graciousness of a rhino with a migraine. He truly is suffering from man-flu - and therefore we must all suffer.
Thankfully this week I was sent a copy of the film "The Croods" on DVD to review. It will be on general release on DVD and Blu-ray on December 9 but through the miracle of blogging I had the chance to watch it early and it has saved my sanity.
Let me give you an example. We had a major meltdown from the less-than-patient patient because his brother didn't peel his banana correctly. My son pointed out there was no such thing as a correct way to peel a banana which prompted tantrum #2 from child and, to be honest, from tired and over emotional mummy.
The wailing (from both of us) could have gone on all night but thankfully we had a marvellous distraction in the form of "The Croods" which happily distracted Grumpy from his lecture on how to peel a banana as he settled to watch it for the 6th time. Yes, you read that right. In my desperation to keep him quiet and happy I have let my child watch this DVD back to back six times.
Luckily it is a great film so I have been happy to watch it over and over. From the creators of Madagascar and How To Train Your Dragon the movie is filled with memorable characters (I defy you not to love Grug) and colourful characters like Belt, a cute 'n furry pet/belt!
It's rare to find a film which holds the attention of our whole huge family. We range in age from 5-50-something and the children's tastes range from Zombie apocalypse type films to movies featuring over-happy American teens singing and dancing about being wizards, or cheerleaders or something - I dunno, my brain turns to mush when these things come on.
Meanwhile I am a Monty Python fan with a secret love of soppy rom-coms. DH loves action and adventure blockbusters. But we all loved "The Croods." Even DS#2 who was the least keen grudgingly admitted it wasn't all bad while the rest of us were laughing out loud at the antics of the antics of the fearful cave people who are forced to search for a new home when their cave is destroyed. They are helped by cool, buff newcomer Guy who, shock, horror, has IDEAS!
It is the perfect Christmas present for just about any age. I know even my 89-year-old Gran would love it and so would be just the thing to stick on when you are sick of re-runs and Christmas specials on the TV. It's lively enough to keep you awake after a large lunch and like many of the films from the clever people at DreamWorks it entertains on many levels to keep young and old entertained whilst offending no-one.
The Croods is rated U (Or G if you're Irish) which is deemed suitable for all. The cover does carry a warning; "contains mild threat" but my 5-year-old wasn't worried by anything in it. I found bits of the film a bit tear-jerking but bear in mind I had a sleepless night with my sick child, plus I'm a sucker for a bit of pathos anyway.
The rest of my family has just come home from school and started the film again - and on the 7th time of watching I'm still captivated. Even my daughter who saw the film at the cinema has enjoyed seeing it again on the small screen - plus now she has the added treat of watching the special features which come as a bonus on the DVD/Blu-ray yet. I'm not going to tell you anything about those- you'll just have to buy a copy and discover them yourself!
The final world comes from the sick boy by who said:"The punch monkeys are my favourite animals in it and I like Guy and Belt but I loved all of it. It stops me feeling poorly when I watch it."
Well you can't get a better recommendation than that can you?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Croods on DVD from the nice people at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Views and opinions of madmumof7 and my family of reviewers, ill and healthy, remain unbiased!
 |
| DVD sleeve |
Let me give you an example. We had a major meltdown from the less-than-patient patient because his brother didn't peel his banana correctly. My son pointed out there was no such thing as a correct way to peel a banana which prompted tantrum #2 from child and, to be honest, from tired and over emotional mummy.
The wailing (from both of us) could have gone on all night but thankfully we had a marvellous distraction in the form of "The Croods" which happily distracted Grumpy from his lecture on how to peel a banana as he settled to watch it for the 6th time. Yes, you read that right. In my desperation to keep him quiet and happy I have let my child watch this DVD back to back six times.
Luckily it is a great film so I have been happy to watch it over and over. From the creators of Madagascar and How To Train Your Dragon the movie is filled with memorable characters (I defy you not to love Grug) and colourful characters like Belt, a cute 'n furry pet/belt!
It's rare to find a film which holds the attention of our whole huge family. We range in age from 5-50-something and the children's tastes range from Zombie apocalypse type films to movies featuring over-happy American teens singing and dancing about being wizards, or cheerleaders or something - I dunno, my brain turns to mush when these things come on.
 |
| Academy award-winning actor Nicolas Cage is the voice of Grug in "The Croods" (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
It is the perfect Christmas present for just about any age. I know even my 89-year-old Gran would love it and so would be just the thing to stick on when you are sick of re-runs and Christmas specials on the TV. It's lively enough to keep you awake after a large lunch and like many of the films from the clever people at DreamWorks it entertains on many levels to keep young and old entertained whilst offending no-one.
The Croods is rated U (Or G if you're Irish) which is deemed suitable for all. The cover does carry a warning; "contains mild threat" but my 5-year-old wasn't worried by anything in it. I found bits of the film a bit tear-jerking but bear in mind I had a sleepless night with my sick child, plus I'm a sucker for a bit of pathos anyway.
 |
| poorly Grumpy |
The rest of my family has just come home from school and started the film again - and on the 7th time of watching I'm still captivated. Even my daughter who saw the film at the cinema has enjoyed seeing it again on the small screen - plus now she has the added treat of watching the special features which come as a bonus on the DVD/Blu-ray yet. I'm not going to tell you anything about those- you'll just have to buy a copy and discover them yourself!
The final world comes from the sick boy by who said:"The punch monkeys are my favourite animals in it and I like Guy and Belt but I loved all of it. It stops me feeling poorly when I watch it."
Well you can't get a better recommendation than that can you?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Croods on DVD from the nice people at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Views and opinions of madmumof7 and my family of reviewers, ill and healthy, remain unbiased!
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
From There to Here- there is life after the toddler years.
To all those struggling, exhausted parents I want to let you know. There is light at the end of the tunnel.You will sleep again. You will lose at least some of the black shadows from under your eyes. You will remember that you have a name other than Mummy/Daddy.
I write this now from the comfort of a very lovely cafe called Here in a nearby town (Berkhamsted). There is gentle jazzy music playing. I have a lovely creamy hot chocolate next to my laptop and my friendly waiter even propped a tasty home-made shortbread biscuit on the saucer for dunking purposes. I am warm, and relaxed, and happy. No-one is asking me anything apart from checking I'm OK.
I am here and, yes, I'm OK thanks, in a striking contrast to yesterday when unusually I had a disturbed night with my youngest, Grumpy, who had developed a croupy cough. I kept him off school and (already tired) was totally unprepared for the hard work that comes with having a child at home. I once again had to think more about his needs than mine. He needed food, entertainment, medicine, cuddles, nap time because he was poorly. It was lovely having some one on one time with him but at the end of the day I was exhausted. My ears were bleeding - that boy doesn't stop talking! Luckily his cough turned back very quicky into a normal cough and he's back to his normal self so today he's gone back to school.
It's bizarre that it seemed so odd having him at home because he only started full time school in September - prior to that I had at least one child with me continuously since 1994 when DS#1 was born. And of course there's weekends and holidays but somehow they are different.
It amazed me how quickly I had got used to my weekday routine with no children. I've taken up crochet, crafting, rediscovered baking, makeup, grooming. I even have time to read, and write. And sit in cafes like Here where I can actually eat my own food (currently a rather yummy, moist, not-too-sweet chocolate brownie). And can listen to the music instead of answering endless questions from a curious toddler who wants to know:"Why has that man got so much hair up his nose?" or "Where does poo come from?"
Don't get me wrong I adore my children. I love spending time with them and chatting to them. But I need that time, the time that has (annoyingly) become known as "me" time.
I'm sure all of you out there reading this with a baby on your lap, or with a toddler tugging your sleeve, or with one eye on the clock because you have a mid-day nursery pick-up are thinking that this me-time is a long way off.
But it's not, it's really not. And soon you will be sitting alone in a cafe somewhere wondering where the years have gone, but relishing the next phase of motherhood which incorporates some freedom. Enjoy it pals, the teenage years are only round the corner and that brings a whole new set of challenges plus (probably) some more sleepless nights as you wonder when your "baby" will return from the pub/club safe and well.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.
 |
| I'm here at Here |
I am here and, yes, I'm OK thanks, in a striking contrast to yesterday when unusually I had a disturbed night with my youngest, Grumpy, who had developed a croupy cough. I kept him off school and (already tired) was totally unprepared for the hard work that comes with having a child at home. I once again had to think more about his needs than mine. He needed food, entertainment, medicine, cuddles, nap time because he was poorly. It was lovely having some one on one time with him but at the end of the day I was exhausted. My ears were bleeding - that boy doesn't stop talking! Luckily his cough turned back very quicky into a normal cough and he's back to his normal self so today he's gone back to school.
It's bizarre that it seemed so odd having him at home because he only started full time school in September - prior to that I had at least one child with me continuously since 1994 when DS#1 was born. And of course there's weekends and holidays but somehow they are different.
 |
| tired poorly boy |
Don't get me wrong I adore my children. I love spending time with them and chatting to them. But I need that time, the time that has (annoyingly) become known as "me" time.
I'm sure all of you out there reading this with a baby on your lap, or with a toddler tugging your sleeve, or with one eye on the clock because you have a mid-day nursery pick-up are thinking that this me-time is a long way off.
But it's not, it's really not. And soon you will be sitting alone in a cafe somewhere wondering where the years have gone, but relishing the next phase of motherhood which incorporates some freedom. Enjoy it pals, the teenage years are only round the corner and that brings a whole new set of challenges plus (probably) some more sleepless nights as you wonder when your "baby" will return from the pub/club safe and well.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Deck the Halls - preparing our home for Christmas.
I am ashamed to admit that I am a bit of a control freak. I don't like people helping in my kitchen, and even have the urge to re-hoover when the children have been good enough to run the vacuum round for me.This urge to ensure things are done my way means I even find it difficult to let the children help me with my Christmas decorations.
We put up our tree this week and the younger ones were bouncing with excitement, desperate to dress it. My older one was less interested - in fact he had fallen asleep on the sofa. Good. One less person to "help".
I let the little ones hang baubles willy-nilly and listened careful as they advised me on the placement of lights. I lifted the youngest up to place his choice of angel on top of the tree. I did this fairly easily because I knew full well that when they had gone to bed I would rearrange it.
I can't bear it if two baubles of the same colour are too close together or the lights are unevenly spaced. I know-it's weird. I understand it's not important in the grand scheme of things but it would drive me mad having to look at it not done "right" so this is the way I deal with it.
They don't seem to have noticed that the tree looks slightly different today. Well, to be honest I only tweaked a few bits and, I'm proud to say, resisted the urge to swap the dodgy white angel for the more tasteful vintage-y one. The children took the "no tinsel" news very well too (I hate tinsel unless it's wrapped round my neck at a party and I'm dancing drunkenly and singing along with Noddy Holder) We draped the tree with ribbons instead and all agreed it looked lovely.Arranging the rest of the
I'd like to think they'll remember at least some of the pieces we put out every year when they are adults with children of their own. I remember when I was a child we had a little fabric Chinese lantern ornament I loved to carefully unfold and hang. I wonder if my mum winced every time she saw I'd dragged out the totally un-Chritsmassy red, yellow and gold thing out yet again! We had some mad birds too which I wish I had for my tree now - but I think she's possibly still putting them on her tree 2000 miles away in Cyprus.
In a mad crafty moment a few days ago I sprayed a branch silver and potted it to decorate with the little felt decorations I have been making with friends and the children. Yes! I let the children help! I even let them choose which branch they hung their decorations on. So maybe I'm not such an unfit mother after all? Our indoor "winter tree" takes pride of place opposite the front door so is the first thing visitors see when they step in.
Although we have the Christmas tree up quite early I save my last bit of Christmas decorating til quite late in December. A few days before Christmas I will brave the cold in the garden and gather lots of holly and other greenery to make garlands. Obviously I will do this alone with no help!I love decorating the house for Christmas but you can be sure of one thing. I won't ever be in any danger of earning bad luck by leaving decs out past 12th night - by the end of Boxing Day I'm fed up with the clutter and want it all packed away until the next year.
Monday, 2 December 2013
An Early Christmas Party
The greedy git in me loves the idea that I can eat as much as I like. Then there's the fussy eater in me that likes to be able to be able to decide exactly what's on my plate without fear of offending my host.
And of course buffet meals are generally served at parties and whatever the occasion, happy or sad, it's normally a meal shared with friends and/or family.
At the moment the big event looming in my calendar is….. Easter. Nah, of course it's Christmas. And although for once it will just be me, DH and the children sitting down for Christmas lunch I'm certain at some point friends and family will drop by so I plan to have a few special tasty bits and pieces put by to feed visitors in true Black Country fashion. (Most Black Country folk will try and feed their guests 'til they burst - it's a matter of pride!)
Naturally I will be baking mince pies stuffed with my own home-made mincemeat and freezing them, and maybe preparing a few easy to assemble hors d'oeuvres to keep in the fridge….. HAHAHAHA! Did I mention I have seven children? I will naturally be buying in some boxes of frozen stuff and trying to pass them off as home-made!
Which brings me ("finally!" I hear you sigh) to the point of my "what's the story?" photograph this week. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the #britmumsxmasdo in London last week where as well as swilling wine before noon! and having a good old cackle with a few of my lovely blogging chums I also got to try out some very tasty nibbles and Christmas treats on offer from the supermarket, Morrisons.
I arrived at the event with Sam from The 40-year-old Domestic Goddess who I'd spotted in a nearby coffee shop. I was queuing up for my overpriced flavoured latte (which I ended up being too nervous to drink) when I spotted what I thought was her. Taking a deep breath, hoping I wasn't about to accost a complete stranger who just looked like the woman I remembered from Britmum's Live in the summer, I tapped her shoulder and smiled. Luckily I got a big smile back - she seemed as pleased to see me as I was to see her!
Anyway, this meant I could walk into the venue with someone I knew. Almost immediately we found even more friends (also first met at Britmums Live 2013) and formed a giggling group all ready to make the most of our break from "real" life and have some early festive fun.
Which brings me back to the buffet! The room we were in had not one but four buffet tables loaded with cakes, sweet treats and nibbly bits all beautifully styled. I am a sucker for the "shabby chic" look so was particularly taken with the gingerbread men and mince pies artfully arranged around some vintage style kitchen utensils.It seemed a shame to spoil the display but to be honest none of us took much encouraging to eat like we had been starved for a week!
I did mutter to Sam that everything on the buffet would make me bloat thanks to my mild wheat intolerance but decided to risk a repeat of what happened after the last blogger afternoon tea. On my way home a kind young man on the tube got up from the "pregnant or disabled" seat and offered it to me! I didn't like to tell him what he thought was a cute baby in the making under my dress was in fact the after-effects of too many scones! Anyway, my feet were aching by then and I was glad of the seat.
I have to say, I was very impressed with the range and quality of the Morrisons party treats I tried. The fruit cake in particular could easily be passed off as home-made! In fact Neil Nugent, their top chef who had come along to give us some seasonal cooking tips, told us they treat their Christmas cakes like home cooks would, maturing them to give them the rich flavour.
I loved the fruit cakes displayed on gold platters and rough wooden boards, with nuts and sweets scattered to add colour, texture and contrast.
Gold-wrapped chocolate coins in jars and gingerbread men with candy canes - all looked fab! Add a few candles and Christmas decs and your party table is complete!
And my highlight of the day? Realising that with every event, every month, every blog post, every linky I am feeling less like the new girl. And this event was a #magicmoment for me because it felt like a proper Christmas party with real friends. So to all of you who lingered for a chat or clinked glasses with me -Cheers! Happy Christmas!
Disclaimer: I received free food and a goody bag at this event which was organised by Britmums and Morrisons.
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Friday, 29 November 2013
A New Look for Scooby-Doo- DVD review
Having seven children means I have seen the popularity of children's TV characters wax and wane. Some are all the rage for a very short time, some last the distance and are still as popular now as they were decades ago.
One of my favourite characters has always been Scooby-Doo which means it's one kids programme I don't mind sitting down and sharing with the children. I particularly like watching the smooth moves of blonde hunk Freddy. I have to confess I list him as one of my weird crushes, along with Patrick Stewart and Michael Palin - but that's a whole other blog post!
Over the years the whole family has enjoyed the adventures of Scooby, a pizza-loving, ghost chasing mutt and his human pals and we have watched the adventures through its cartoon and "real life" feature film formats so I was delighted to be offered the chance to check out the latest DVD which has been created using a brand new puppet format! Zoinks!
"Scooby-Doo! Adventures- The Mystery Map" sees new look Scooby and the gang embark on a mad pizza-fuelled (of course) dash to find pirate Gnarlybeard's hidden treasure.
Predictably they have to confront a few chilling obstacles on the way (the predictability of the show has always been part of its charm) and we were enthralled as the slobbering sleuth and his crime-busying puppet pals sniff out the clues only to have the map stolen by a scary (not really!) Phantom parrot! Ruh-Oh!
So the gang have to track down the mystery bird to recover the map to reach the spooky ship - where they might have to face Gnarlybeard!
Will the gang will finally find something or someone genuinely ghostly? Or if some naughty criminal will be unmasked thanks to those pesky kids? Well there's only one way to find out…..
I loved the new format, and think it would be particularly suitable for younger children. It would make a perfect Christmas gift and is already available in the shops.
Disclaimer: I received one free copy of Scooby-Do Adventures, The Mystery Map for the purposes of this review. Views and opinions remain my own.
Over the years the whole family has enjoyed the adventures of Scooby, a pizza-loving, ghost chasing mutt and his human pals and we have watched the adventures through its cartoon and "real life" feature film formats so I was delighted to be offered the chance to check out the latest DVD which has been created using a brand new puppet format! Zoinks!
"Scooby-Doo! Adventures- The Mystery Map" sees new look Scooby and the gang embark on a mad pizza-fuelled (of course) dash to find pirate Gnarlybeard's hidden treasure.
Predictably they have to confront a few chilling obstacles on the way (the predictability of the show has always been part of its charm) and we were enthralled as the slobbering sleuth and his crime-busying puppet pals sniff out the clues only to have the map stolen by a scary (not really!) Phantom parrot! Ruh-Oh!
So the gang have to track down the mystery bird to recover the map to reach the spooky ship - where they might have to face Gnarlybeard!Will the gang will finally find something or someone genuinely ghostly? Or if some naughty criminal will be unmasked thanks to those pesky kids? Well there's only one way to find out…..
I loved the new format, and think it would be particularly suitable for younger children. It would make a perfect Christmas gift and is already available in the shops.
Disclaimer: I received one free copy of Scooby-Do Adventures, The Mystery Map for the purposes of this review. Views and opinions remain my own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)