Abarth Make It Your Race Semi-Final

I was invited as one of 50 Semi-Finalists to attend the Semi-Final for Make It Your Race (I posted my entry on a previous blog post). This involves two days of activities at Rockingham Motor Speedway, only you have to qualify as one of the top 24 to go through to the second day.

Well today was day one. Mark came with me and brought Macy so we booked a hotel for last night and tonight knowing it would have been too early a start this morning to get Macy ready and at the track in time. With a late finish today I didn't fancy the idea of a long drive home and thought we could spend tomorrow looking round Rockingham Castle.

The day started with a reaction test, seeing how many lit buttons you could press in 3 minutes. Sounds easier than it is when you short as the lights are quite high and far apart!

Next activity was taking an Abarth out onto the track - yes great fun, brilliant to have some instruction as well, I really learnt a lot.  A nice buffet lunch followed.

The afternoon started with a computer simulator, never been any good at these as am not a great computer game fan! I didn't put in a great time but it wasn't the worst in my group.

Wheel change was next, I have only changed a wheel with help from mark, never on my own so this I was most worried about. I struggled at first as the wheels are heavy!! And the airgun sent vibrations right through my carpal tunnel (suffering this evening now!) However I did okay I thought.

Finally we took a car round a slalom balancing a ball on the bonnet and had to make sure it didn't fall off. I took it steady to make sure I didn't lose that ball!!

The results came in and to my surprise I have got through to tomorrow! I didn't feel I did too badly but didn't think I would be in the top 24 so am really thrilled!

Our cheeky monster!

Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner - Bathroom & Toilet

I reviewed this product for Mumsnet:

- How easy or difficult did you find the Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner to use?

I found it really easy to use, you just unscrew the top a little and it opens up the dispenser. You then use a sponge, paper towel or whatever you want and place it on top, pushing down to dispense a shot of cleaning solution. I did find that when I didn’t cover it up fully it squirted across the room, but soon learnt from my mistake!

- How effective did you find Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner?

Very effective.  I used it on ceramic sink and toilet - it cleaned up grime and limescale really well. I used it on the mirror and glass shelves where it left them streak free without having to polish off.  I tried it on some dirty grout however it wasn’t effective on that.

- Did you find that you used Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner more regularly than your other cleaning products or not? If so, how often did you use Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner?

Yes as I can use it on the mirror and glass as well, meaning I don’t have to have two products out. Also it doesn’t have a strong smell to it so it doesn’t leave my hands smelling like bathroom cleaner! I feel like I am not wasting anything as it dispenses just the right amount of solution.

- The RRP for the Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner is £2.99, do you think you'll be likely to buy it again or not? If so, why? If not why not?

Yes I would like to try the kitchen cleaner as I tend to have more areas where I would need a touch up cleaner – more spillages etc in the kitchen. I would like to see the product refillable as it seems a shame to have to throw away the dispenser.

- Mr Muscle Touch-Up cleaner is currently available for the kitchen and bathroom. Would you like Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner for other areas of your house? If so, which areas?

A carpet cleaner version would be great.

- What did you like most about Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner?

The design looks good, no strong smell & you don’t feel like you are wasting any solution.

- If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner to your friends/family? If so why? If not, why not?

Yes

 



Codsall Cupcakes

I want to say that if you are looking for a novelty cake I would highly recommend Codsall Cupcakes.

They are very accommodating - I asked whether they could make the cake an amaretto cake and make 'Alice' out of marzipan - despite this being a difficult product to work with, it was no problem at all.

We all loved the cake :)

One Month Old!

Happy one month birthday gorgeous girlie!

Mamas & Papas Starlight Swing Review

We picked this swing up last night, two things sold it to me. One being that it is cream - I am not keen on all these bright colours for big things like swings, I just think they look a bit gaudy. The other being I like the pretty LEDs.

So the swing has different speed settings depending on the weight of your baby, they reckon it will last till they are about 6 months or earlier if the baby is able to turn and get out etc. It's a good feature as you can start it off nice and slow for them to get used to it.

There is an option to play them lullabies and there are four different lullabies you can play and are also able to turn the sound up and down. Another feature I love is that you can plug your mp3 player into it so you don't have to have one of the built in lullabies, great stuff! Macy has been listening to Pink's Glitter in the Air :)

The swing can be put on a timer for 6, 10 or 15 minutes and the back rest has different height settings so they can be sitting bolt upright or a bit more reclined.

My favourite feature is the canopy with the built in LEDs. Macy loves to watch the lights, you can set them on random chase or they light up in rows of lights. You can vary the speed of the lights so they can be flashing really quickly or have them on a slower setting.

We love this swing! However the only thing I would say is it could do with a newborn head support, it does have a good harness which can be adjusted but I just felt we needed to support her head a bit better. I used a head support from her bouncer in it. 

Acid Reflux

Poor little Macy is 4 weeks old tomorrow and we have just come back from the doctors who diagnosed reflux. We have some infant gaviscon to try, 1/2 a sachet in each of her bottles. 

Poor thing has really been suffering, it's getting to the stage where she doesn't want much milk as it is hurting her so much :( She is so uncomfy after a feed.

We are trying everything to help her - feeding her upright, propping her head up when in bed, we're going to get a swing which has been recommended.  We tried cutting out lactose which only made her worse! Can't yet feed her the thicker milk as it wont come out of the slow flow teat and she finds medium/vari flow too fast! She is also having a cranial osteopathy session tomorrow.

Any other tips would be gratefully received!