Valentine's Day Fun and A Fallen Hero

I know that many people do not enjoy participating in Valentine's Day.  However, all the arguments about the commercialism and resenting being told to be romantic on a specific day don't cut it with me at all. My relationship with Ian doesn't need to be prompted into romance.  We are pretty lovey-dovey 365 days a year anyway.  He is an attentive, caring and demonstrative man.  He believes in love and romance and soul mates.  He believes in sharing the household chores and responsibilities.  He takes the weight off my shoulders. We connect everyday, finding our moments even in the mundane.  We don't need Valentine's Day to keep our spark alive - but we love the excuse to do something a bit special and to include our kids, which makes them feel a part of it all.

Our Valentine's Day history goes back to a snowy February in 1984.  After painstakingly cutting out letters from a magazine to make an anonymous message in the card I had bought him, I cajoled my two best friends to walk the 3 and a half miles to Ian's house.  I didn't realise it was that far as my sense of geography is pretty pitiful.  Had I understood what a seven mile round trip in the snow would feel like, perhaps I would have thought twice about it.  But we made that journey and so begun the relationship with the boy that would later become my wonderful husband.

This year, like every year, Ian took the day off work.  We spent a very nice morning together while Freddy was at nursery. We exchanged gifts and snuggled under a blanket to watch a film together, uninterrupted by anybody or anything - a rare treat!  Our choice of film was the movie Sinister, not a traditionally romantic title but perfect for us and our shared passion for horror.

Afterwards, we picked up our boy, who came out clutching a card he had made us, and went for lunch at Starbuck's. Always a good idea!  Once home I hit the kitchen making Pink Vanilla Cupcakes and Chocolate Chantilly Cupcakes with Strawberries and Blueberries.  That's why I love Valentine's Day.  It's an excuse to make themed food and to decorate the house and interject a dose of loved-up fun into everyday proceedings.

We had a fabulous Mexican feast for five this evening.  All the flowers, homemade cards and balloons are decorating the living room and the girls are watching the gift that we got them "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" on DVD.  Ian is putting Fred to bed, as he always does and we have a bottle of Champagne chilling for later.  It is just perfect.  Knowing that Megan and Joe are also having wonderful Valentine's Days too is just the icing on the heart shaped cake!!

The only blot on the landscape of today was the news about Oscar Pistorius.  He is one of my greatest heroes.  The fastest man on no legs.  The blade-runner.  The first paralympian to compete in the Olympics.  I saw him run at London 2012.  I cried tears of total wonder and awe at this amazing individual as he broke down boundaries, challenged preconceptions and changed history. Now he is being held in custody over the suspected murder of his model girlfriend, having shot her four times in the arm and head.  Early reports suggested that he thought she was an intruder and acted in self defence, but four shots seems excessive even in this scenario.  The fact he has been refused bail and that the police have been called to his address numerous times in the past for domestic disputes suggests something far more horrible. Seeing his arrogant outburst at the Paralympics made me concerned about his state of mind.  Was there some mental health issues or extreme anger issues at play?  Was this a terrible accident or a deliberate act of violence?  Either way, I doubt that my sporting hero will ever be running again.  I'm glad I got to see him run.  I am sorry that his heroic journey has ended in this way.  Whatever the truth is, my hero has fallen.

My Amazing Olympic Adventure Part 2

After a fantastic first day in London, experiencing the Roux Restaurant and the Beach Volleyball, we were looking forward to our second day of our BMW Olympic experience.  After a 6am start and a quick buffet breakfast in the restaurant, we boarded our coach to head out to Wentworth Golf and Country Club.

We were met by the incredibly attentive staff who gave us goodie bags, booked us in for our spa treatment and gave us coffee and pastries.  We had a tour of the place and then Ella and I headed for the pool.  I embraced my inner Rebecca Adlington and swam a few lengths, burning off the breakfast I had previously enjoyed!  Afterwards I had a manicure and a rest in the Relaxation Room.

From here we went for yet another incredible meal in the very posh banqueting room which was decorated with fantastically adorned portraits and chandeliers.  The displays of food which were being served were themselves like works of art!  The ice sculptures and platters of  fabulous looking foods were so impressive.  We were instrumental in introducing the joys of the quintessentially British Sticky Toffee Pudding with clotted cream to the two lovely Korean guys from BMW in Italy, whom we befriended!  It was a real hit with them and it was so delicious!  We got to hold the prestigious PGA Championship golf trophy which BMW sponsors.  I'm not a big golf fan but even I recognised the likes of Nick Faldo and other golfers whose names are engraved on the trophy!

We headed from Wentworth straight to the Olympic Park.  Just seeing the incredible stadium gave us goosebumps and made us proud to be British!  We went through the security which was really efficient.  We loved the verges planted with meadow flowers and the attention to detail that had gone into the design of every element of the venue.

BMW are sponsors of the games, providing the official vehicles used.  London 2012 is the most sustainable Olympics ever held and BMW are the most sustainable car company, making them perfect partners.  They have a big display of their cars at the Olympic venue which we looked round, seeing the new innovative environmentally friendly vehicles.

We simply had to go to the biggest McDonald's in the UK and have a McFlurry which we enjoyed whilst sat in the sunshine, watching the myriad of people of all nationalities meandering around.  The atmosphere was incredible.  News of Murray's gold medal began to spread and soon everyone was cheering at the great news of yet another gold for Team GB.  We went to the BMW Hospitality Lounge where we were treated to more incredible food...Fennel and Tomato Gratin with a number of fabulous salads, followed by a lovely strawberry and raspberry tart.  We got to meet Olympic gold medallist (and very handsome rower) James Cracknell who spoke to us about his own experiences, adventures and future goals.

The highlight of the day was of course the Athletics session that was to include the 100m finals with the awesome Usain Bolt.  We had the most brilliant tickets (the face value of them was a jaw dropping £725 each!)  Our seats were directly in front of the medal podium about half way along the 100m track.  Perfect!  Walking into the stadium was unbelievable.  I felt so emotional seeing all the people, the Olympic Flame burning and the sheer scale of the arena.  The first event of the night was the medal presentation for the Long Jump which had been won by Greg Rutherford.  Hearing our national anthem sung by thousands of people made me actually cry!   We also saw Mo Farrah pick up his gold medal.  We quickly realised that sat a few seats behind us were the young Royals...Kate, Wills and Harry!  We were a bit excited....however seeing Tony and Cherie Blair just a few seats away wasn't quite as thrilling by comparison!

We were sat in front of the Royals!!

BMW have a team of remote control mini cars that are used to fetch the javelins, hammers, shotputs and discuses back from where they are thrown in the competition.  We were impressed that BMW had managed to get themselves centre stage in the field events.

We were treated to some incredible displays of sporting excellence.  The women's 400m hurdles, men's 3000m steeplechase, women's triple jump, men's high jump, men's 400m semi-finals, men's hammer and of course the men's 100m semi-final and final!

We had the best view and it was truly exciting.  The silence of 80,000 people waiting for the starter's gun to go off for the 100m final followed by the deafening roar as Usain Bolt strode into the lead in a race that broke Olympic records as the fastest final, with 7 runners finishing with a sub 10 second time, is something I will remember forever.  History was made right there!

Perhaps the most moving moment for us was witnessing double amputee Oscar Pistorius make Olympic history by competing in the 400m semi-finals.  We've followed the career of the Paralympian dubbed the "Blade Runner" for years, as he has fought for the right to compete in the Olympics.  Watching him running was awe inspiring.  The man is an inspiration and a true sporting legend, breaking down barriers for the future.  I felt so honoured being there.

Blade Runner....Oscar Pistorius

The whole experience from the moment we arrived in London has been a real once in a lifetime affair.  Being there, being a part of something so historic has made me proud to British.  Watching the inspirational sportsmen and women in action is so exciting.  I am loving the Olympics!

Thank you so much to ParkatmyHouse.com * for the opportunity and BMW for the hospitality.  I can't imagine having a better Olympic Experience!

Ella and I Enjoying London 2012

*Do take a look at www.ParkatmyHouse.com who offer a revolutionary new approach to parking, offering the largest online parking community where you can find a private drive, parking space or garage to park your car, saving money and offering peace of mind.  Perfect for when going on holiday or attending an event such as the Olympics, knowing your car is safely parked.  You can also make cash by renting out your spare parking space.

Celebrate Their Success #PGRaisingOlympians

I can only imagine how the mums of the sportsmen and women in Team GB must be feeling right now, knowing that in a few short weeks their children will be competing in the Olympics.  Being watched by a global audience of millions, this will be their opportunity to show the world what they can do.  A culmination of years of being nurtured to become the best they can be.

Our children won't all become Olympic athletes, but each and every one of our children will have their own unique dreams and ambitions that they will strive to achieve, and it is our job as parents to support them, cheer them on and be proud of their achievements.

Being a mum of five means I have had plenty of moments where my heart has swelled with pride at the achievements of my children.  From the moment that each of them were born, every milestone has been celebrated.  I have always tried my best to encouragement them and facilitate them with what they needed to succeed in what they were setting out to do.  Whether that meant putting a spoon in their chubby hands for them to take their first independent spoonful of baby rice, or helping them to put together an application for university, I have relished my role.   I feel so honoured in that I get to help my children become the best version of themselves that they can be.  I won't take credit for their success, but to know I played a part is a humbling experience and one of the most amazing aspects of being a parent.

P & G have made eight documentary style videos of a selection of Olympic Mums talking about their children who will be competing in London this summer.  They are really emotional and I shed a tear or two, especially at the mother of Paralympian Ben Rushgrove talking about her son's achievements.

My children have all filled me with pride so many times, but I want to share a few of the achievements of my older children here in this post.  You won't find any tales of Olympic Gold, but all my kids are winners in so many other ways.

Megan is just 20 years old. Within the last month she has graduated from the University of Manchester with a 2:1 in Business Marketing and Management.  With her heights set high she began job hunting and has already been offered a position as a Marketing Executive for a company specialising in healthcare.  With a job offer under her belt, she has found a swanky and modern flat in the city centre that she will be sharing with her equally motivated and ambitious friend Abi as they embark on their new life as a couple of young professionals in a vibrant and exciting city.  The possibilities are endless and I am so immensely proud that Megan has the tools and the go-getting personality to achieve exactly what she wants to achieve in life.  Plus, she still phones her mum everyday!

Megan and Ella

Ella has just finished her GCSEs and got herself a place in a really impressive college to study her A'Levels.  She wants to improve her education by studying subjects which were not on offer at the local school sixth form.  So she is prepared to travel for an hour on the bus twice a day to achieve her goal.  Given that she sometimes struggles with change, this is a massive step for her and I am so proud that she is thinking to the future and creating opportunities for herself.  And she continues to be a wonderful musician, sharing her love of music with her friends and family which brings so much joy to us all.

My eldest son Joe's attitude to his job and his desire to succeed in the workplace has always impressed me and made me proud.  He never wanted to take the academic route through life and has instead worked his way up the employment ladder using his personality and his determination to his advantage.  And now he is about to become a dad he has really buckled down and made some 'grown-up' decisions to better the life of his family.  A couple of weeks ago he moved house to provide a better home for his girlfriend, himself and for their baby.  He has stepped up to the mark like a real man.   His girlfriend is suffering with terrible sickness in her pregnancy which is not improving.  They are not having an easy time at all but they are coping admirably through a difficult phase in their lives.  My once little boy and my first born son has done me so proud!

Having Fun In Joe's New House

I will always be the number one fan and most tireless supporter of my children's endeavours.  I will be cheering them on from the virtual sidelines of their lives giving them whatever I can to help them succeed.  I will provide love, support, advice and practical help at every step.  Even as my eldest three children become the amazing adults they were always destined to become, my role as their mother does not diminish.  Instead it evolves as I see my children taking on new responsibilities, achieving new goals and planning their own futures.  I am as proud of them now as I have always been.

I love that at the same time that I am preparing my youngest child, 3 year old Freddy, for his next big adventure in life and taking pride in his pre-school milestones, I can also help my eldest son prepare to be a parent himself.  And as 9 year old Kizzy receives yet another glowing report at school, I can also witness my eldest daughter graduate with honours.  I love being a mum to my five children and I am so proud as I celebrate their successes!

This is my entry for the #PGRaisingOlympians Celebrate Their Success Linky, sponsored by P&G.

An Olympic Meme

Louise, mother of a future swimming Olympic hopeful and  lovely lady has been tagging in her Olympic Meme!  Although I am not a huge fan of sports, I am very fond of memes!  So...on my marks, get so, GO!!

The Rules

"Here's how to join in... simply write your own blog post answering the Olympic questions below and then  tag other bloggers to join in and share their answers.  Don't forget to share the love with links to the lovely bloggers you are tagging and back to me if you are feeling generous!"

So here goes...

1)   If every day tasks were Olympic events what would you get a gold medal in?
Procrastination....ooh what's that on Twitter??

2)   As a child (or now even) did you excel at a particular sport and if so which one?
I am the antithesis of someone who excels at sport.  I was constantly stuck in goal on account of being the tallest girl in class.  So whether it was netball or hockey I was the one responsible for allowing in all the goals as I stood there trying to look cool in my hideous green PE knickers.  This was social suicide among the popular sporty girls.  No wonder I never made the secondary school A List! (Well that and the fact I wore black lipstick and nail varnish and a punked up holey jumper!)

3)   Michael Phelps (swimmer) or Michael Johnson (runner) - which sport appeals to you more?
I  like Usain Bolt for his total fun loving attitude.  I also love Oscar Pistorius who is the fastest man with no legs and who runs on blades....and I like the Paralympic swimming for amazing and inspiring me.  It is just awe inspiring that people with no arms or no legs can swim!  Neither Phelps or Johnson do much for me but I'd pick track over pool.  (Unless Miss 'Pre-Teen' Bloggomy is competing of course!!)


4)   How fast can you get out of bed and ready to go out the door if miss the alarm and sleep in?
I get up at 8am every school day giving me 25 minutes to get up and out.  This is normal for me and just enough time to get me and Freddy up, washed and dressed and ready for the school run.  Thankfully I have very independent girls and a helpful husband or I'd be stuck and have to get up earlier!

5)   What fantasy sport would you like to see made into an Olympic event?
I would love to see the Bedroom Olympics (forgive me but this would make very interesting telly!)

6)   Claim to fame time - Have you ever met an Olympian and who was it?
I once met Linford Christie at a nightclub opening.  I had on very painful stilettos.  I was unimpressed.

7)   What event in past Olympics can you remember most vividly?
I remember the Seb Coe and Steve Ovett era with the Golden Mile and 1500m races.  I also remember the Ben Johnson steroid fuelled disqualification which was the year that my first son was born. 

8)   Tuning in at home, not for me or tickets clamped ready in sweaty palms?
I will watch some of the highlights and the opening ceremony on TV .  I do love watching exciting things like Usain Bolt's races and the men's 4 X 100m relay and I do enjoy the inspirational Paralympics...but as for the volleyball, equestrian, cycling, diving, sychronized swimming, long distance races, soccer, hockey and basically any women's sports etc. I can totally leave it!  But I might get sucked into the Olympic mania and end up glued to the screen waving my Team GB flag!

9)   Who do you think most deserves a gold medal (any walk of life not just Olympians)
I would get a giant gold medal to go around my entire family.  They keep me sane, grounded, happy and provide me with endless pride, love and joy.  Team McDonald for the win!!


Tag away and carry the meme on like an Olympic torch!!

Wear It! Wave It! Win With It!

Official Team GB Olympic and Paralympic Supporters' Scarf by Next

Next have launched the historic must-have for the London 2012 Olympic Games.  The stylish scarf has been designed as a tribute to Team GB and is a lasting iconic memento of this momentous occasion.  It is a statement of support and involvement.

The intricate patterns incorporated in the scarf represent the athletes, the events, symbols of our nation, representations of the supporters, the date of the Olympics and a GB map.  It is truly a piece of art.

Available as a 90cm or 50cm square, the scarf can be worn or waved with pride.

There is also a Paralympics design representing the 'talent, pride and determination' of the GB team with 'ice in their minds and fire in their belly'.  The hand painted lion symbolizes this, and the sixty hands represent the sixty million supporters of our greatest team. The large size costs £10, the smaller size costs £5.

Everyone purchasing an official Olympic or Paralympic scarf from Next can post a photograph of themselves wearing it to win prizes, including hugely coveted Olympic London 2012 tickets.

Check out the Wear It! Wave It! Win With It! page for more details.

Next sent me a scarf to try out and here is how Kizzy wore it!

All profits from the sale of every scarf go to support our athletes in the quest for Olympic and Paralympic glory.