Photography Talk

This Christmas I got a perfect gift from my Mum, a book all about my camera, the Canon EOS 600D. I have had my camera for over a year now, and still haven't mastered the manual settings. Until I got THIS book, the Canon EOS 600D From Snapshots to Great Shots, by Jeff Revell. 

I love how this book is written, it goes through everything that you could possibly need to know. What I particularly like is how on each picture he includes all his settings for that particular shot, great for amateurs like me!

As I grow more confident I would like to share with you some of the things I have learned, but for now what I would love to hear is your own hints and tips for photography, especially for taking great natural shots of children and also how you like to photograph products.

Mummy B xoxox  

Christmas 2013

First of all, Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have had a wonderful few days with the special people in your life, and that Santa found you all :)

Our Christmas has been a lovely one, it has been the first Christmas in four years that Jamie hasn't had to work, which made my Christmas to be honest! Our Christmas day started off in our bed, Little d had an unsettled night and ended up in our bed, luckily Santa knew where to put her stocking! In her stocking she found some lovely silly (inexpensive) presents, like a flashing duck and a squidgy hedgehog! She also got some books in there too. After that we trotted down stairs where she found her first present...

Her rocking 'hooooorse' was a brilliant find by Jamie, it cost us £20(ish) in October in Sainsburys! It is a Mamas and Papas one and should of been around the £70 mark - my best buy this Christmas! 

Then we moved on to her other presents from us and some from family and friends. I have to admit I didn't take that many pictures this year, I just wanted to take our time and enjoy it with Darcie. She was a lot more into Christmas this year, wanting to play with everything she opened before she went on to the next.

Darcie's 'library' has been newly filled with lots of new (and second hand bargain finds) books - one of her favorite things is a good book.

Me and Jamie were equally lucky this year, here is me sporting my new Joules top with little Stags all over it - just to add to my obsession! For Jamie I got him new shirts and a Haynes manual for his motorbike, I think it was a hit!

After a morning playing with Darcie's new toys we then headed to My Dad's and Step Mums with my brother and Mum (Mum, Dad & Step Mum all get on and have an amazing relationship = we get to spend Christmas and special occasions together :) ) to have an amazing Christmas dinner and share some more gifts.

Since Christmas we have been staying mostly at home, chilling spending time as a family.

Darcie in her new outfit and with a seemingly special knitted bunny that she is now attached to! Also can you spot Kate, Wills & Prince George in this pic???

More playing and another new outfit (for Darcie that is). Happy Land is a favorite of Darcie's.

Let the fun family days continue, and make more memories. 

I am hoping to share with you some more on Darcie's gifts and possibly mine, although I am in to minds... But I will be doing a couple of reviews, because I love reading them myself and may be helpful for future gifts!

Merry Christmas once again

Mummy B xoxox

p.s See what we got up to last Christmas HERE

And the award goes to...

This year, at work, I got an award. Not for my fabulous hard working effort, but for doing the most stupidest thing this year. I was awarded the bottom rung!! 

To find out why I won this award, click HERE.

Mummy B xoxox

Meeting Santa & Dancing

On Sunday we spent the afternoon bopping around the Christmas tree and meeting Santa! Jamie's work put on a party for all the children, disco, food, cake and best of all Santa popped in to join in on the fun.

I was really surprised as to how good the event was, Darcie loved it. Such a great gesture at this special time of year.

Darcie liked Santa, but preferred her balloon...

Awesome little gift too!

Thank you to the lovely people that Jamie works with, we really appreciate the effort you made to bring smiles and make memories.

Mummy B xoxox

Darcie has been a busy bee...

Making Christmas decorations!

I picked Darcie up from nursery yesterday and was given a folder full of goodies! Goodies covered in glitter, the best kind of goodies. Once we got home I investigated the folder, it was full to the brim with crafts that Darcie had done over the last few weeks. These are the little things that make me feel nursery is right for Darcie, and as much as we do lots of crafty things at home, its nice to know she is doing this whilst interacting with other children - the best way to learn.

Here are a few of my favorite.

I have always wanted a wreath on my door, now I have one on my kitchen door, made with my girls hands!

Salt dough star and tree

Not the most brilliant of photos, but love it all the same! great sticking Darcie!

I hope these keep for years to come, and if not I have all these memories kept safe, here.

Mummy B xoxox

Darcie's Nativity 2013

On Wednesday we got to experience another first as parents. Darcie's first Nativity!

Yes, at the grand young age of 18 months she has taken part in her first Nativity that her nursery organised. It was a truly special moment, one that brought a tear to the eye for both me and Jamie. The Nativity itself was slightly... chaotic! Children crying, parents chatting and nursery workers chasing after the kids But it was perfect all the same!

Darcie bobbed along to the Christmas songs and Carols, and was really enjoying herself until she clocked me... then the tears came! So I crept onto the side, we had a cuddle and bopped together!

Another special moment with our girl.

Mummy B xoxox

Chilling Out With Dispicable Me 2

Today has mostly been spent chilling out with Little d, we have been colouring, playing, watching Dispicable Me 2 and even a little baking (more on that in another post)! 

With the weather we've been having I didn't make any plans for this weekend, but to be honest it is turning out to be a pretty perfect one. Dispicable Me 2, is so funny and lovable, the first film I loved and the second one has definitely lived up to it! Darcie likes the minions, and although she can't obviously fully appreciate the film, she giggles along  and her little face lights up with certain characters. Its the perfect film for every member on the family, be sure to put this on your Christmas viewing list! Your can watch Dispicable Me 2 over at BlinkBox. 

Whilst we watched, Little d spent some time colouring in her favorite characters, the Minions! Check out her Left-handed skills...!

Make sure you check back tomorrow to see our baking results.

Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend and enjoying all the Christmas festivities.

Mummy B xoxox

*Products where sent for the purpose of this post.

Bury St Edmunds Christmas Market

After a week of ups and downs (more on that in another post) on Sunday we took a trip to Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Market. It is one of the biggest ones in our area filled with, festive goodies, crafts, food, mulled wine, music, Santa and even reindeer. What more could you ask for?!

The day was lovely, we had brunch at Patisserie Valerie. Me and my Mum opted for Eggs Benedict which was delicious, probably even the best Eggs Benedict I have tried. Whilst Jamie had poached eggs of toast and Darcie had scrambled, so eggs all round!

I am a rubbish blogger of late, so its no surprise that I forgot to take many pictures. I blame it one being so hungry and the food looked soo good!

From Darcie's mucky chops its clear to see she enjoyed her eggys!

After we filled our tummy's we had a mooch around the hundreds of stalls and shops, its safe to say I am truly in the Christmas Spirit. It was incredibly busy, so taking pictures was near to impossible.

Back when we got home, the Christmas spirit continued, so much so we put the decorations up!

(2012 baubles was made for Darcie by a lovely friend, on the other side it has a 1 to represent Darcie's first Christmas last year. My friend also sells them on Etsy for £5)

Can not wait for the next few weeks, for me its all about family and spending time with your loved ones!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Mummy B xoxox