Pony Rides and Friendships

A few months ago my daughter was invited to go horse riding with her best friend, it was a rainy and muddy day but that didn't put them off. My daughter was all covered up in her Helly gear, which is perfect for such occasions as this.

The first task when we got to the stables was to find a suitable helmet, it took a while as my daughter has a rather tiny head but eventually we found one befitting of her petit size and off we went to find her a horse. A rather beautiful specimen named Smudge, a very proud little lady took him down to the training paddock.

For someone so little, it was hard for her hold the reigns and keep her feet in the stirrups but she worked hard and got the horse moving around the paddock. Her little face lit up as the horse trotted round the paddock, as her confidence built up and with the help of the riding school staff the trotting turned to galloping.

As she turned the horse through the cones, her new found confidence grew and the look of joy on her face was just fantastic. Isn't it just amazing what children can do and what they can learn in such a short space of time.

As they trotted off into the muddy forest, I was amazed at the spirit of both girls, they didn't even look back, just off they went into almost knee high mud, doing something they'd never even attempted before. Not afraid and just happy to be on a horse, getting to play real life horse riding Barbie.

These two little friends are just inseparable anyway and for them to be able to have this first lesson together was just fantastic, so big thanks to her lovely mum for inviting us.

Life is full of adventures and this was just one of them, I can't wait to see what life holds for my little lady, to see where life takes her and what else she gets to try.

Dressing Up with Pretend To Bee

World Book Day is upon us and it always seems to put the fear of god into some parents, whether you choose to make a costume or buy one, it doesn’t have to be difficult. It is all about choosing an outfit from a story you love reading with your children.

Ours have been, the rat from The Highway Rat, the witch from Room on the Broom as well as George from Georges Marvellous Medicines.

This year though we have been sent some wonderful outfits from Pretend to Bee, this fab local company have some wonderful outfits, not just for World Book Day but for dressing up at any time.

I
n our house my daughter can often be found dressing up in some of her outfits, just last weekend we went to Drayton Manor and she was dressed in her Thomas the Tank Engine Outfit.

Dressing up engages the imagination and allows children to be explore life through a different lens, it helps with self-confidence and my son who is currently attending Stagecoach Drama school loves dressing up.

Whether it is a princess, lion, robin hood or a robot Pretend to Bee have something for everyone and every occasion.

This year my daughter is going to be the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, with the release of Through the Looking Glass later this year it is the perfect time dressing up as the wonderful characters from this book and soon to be film.

The dress we were sent is really quite pretty and unusual, I love the detailing on the front and the fit around the back looks really lovely with the high neck.

For my son he is going as a possibly more untraditional character, however this character does feature in several of the books that we have read over the years from Each Peach Pear Plum to the one he has been reading with his Dad recently, Robin Hood and the Silver Arrow. 

Being from Nottingham this character has always played a huge part in our lives and so this outfit will be well used and loved, my son absolutely loved the arm guard and money purse which he immediately popped some of his money in and then found a sword he already had.

The outfits themselves are quite unique and they not something like you'd find on the high street, the little attentions to detail such as the chain mail on the arm, the velvet trousers and belt with purse and scabbard set off the outfit. 

With plenty more to chose from, there is something for all tastes, like this fab Thunderbirds outfit perfect for any little international rescue wannabes.

Or how about this, perfect for spring and summer butterfly outfit, this wonderfully bright costume would look great at a summer party or for just playing in the garden.

Whatever your child wants to be i'm sure you'll find something for them at Pretend to Bee.

NB: We were sent the outfits to form this review, all words and opinions are my own.

Hoping to Build Confidence with Stagecoach Theatre Arts School

Last week my son started his first term at the Stagecoach Theatre Arts School in Southwell, I have high hopes for him to build his confidence by attending this. He loves singing, dancing and generally being silly. He was recently part of the Christmas in Concert at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham and is in the choir at school so I know he has something a little special going on, he just needs help with his confidence.

So with his t-shirt on and a belly full of butterflies, we headed to his first session. We arrived a little early, so we sat and chatted for a bit. Soon, another newbie arrived and since they looked to be the only two boys in the group, they were put together.

We'd read up on the website about what to expect however I was expecting a bit more info on the day as to what the layout would be, especially as it was our first time. Another of the new mums also mentioned they'd expected a little more, but I think thats just because we were a little apprehensive.

My son had a wonderful time and I needn't of worried, he explained all of what had happened with the different teachers and explained what they'd done. It sounded likes lots of fun though and when my husband went to pick him up the teacher asked if he'd done this sort of thing before because he was a natural #proudparent.

This was so exciting to hear and hopefully means good things for him, I can't wait to see how he progresses and what the next few months brings. I'll be documenting his journey so keep your eyes peeled for more in the coming months.

NB: My son has been invited to take part in a term at Stagecoach Theatre, all words and opinions are my own.