Well that was 2011!

It has passed in a blink of an eye and a constant flurry of activities.  2011, has been a great year! My family have continued to make me proud and are my greatest joy and achievement. Freddy has grown into a bright and gorgeous toddler (with a Diva-ish penchant for dancing in his big sister's dresses!)  Kizzy is thriving at school and has enjoyed taking part in the Gifted and Talented programme.  Ella's musical talents continue to astound me with her beautiful guitar playing and vocals.  Megan is doing so well applying for Graduate schemes ready for September. Joe has been promoted at work with his new post starting in January.  But 2011 has been a great year for me personally too!  My blog has continued to present me with amazing opportunities and I have been amazed at how much it has evolved over the last 12 months. Here are some of my highlights of the year.

My success with my weightloss has seen me have photoshoots for The Sun and Top Sante and I have appeared in the Mail Online.  I was the runner-up in the Slimpod Slimmer of the Year competition which was a huge honour, after shedding 3 stone with the Lose 2 Jeans Sizes Slimpod!  This year I want to lose another stone and maintain a comfortable size 12.  That will be a huge achievement and will make me truly believe that I have completely kicked the yoyo diet habits forever.  I am forever indebted to the wonderful Sandra Roycroft-Davis who I have met on numerous occasions this year.

Top Sante shoot by Thomas Skovsende

In 2011 I have been a Craniac for John Crane, a Graco Ambassador and a Toys R Us Toyologist. I have worked with some great companies including UK Mums TV, Aldi, Regis, Pampers, Warner Bros, P&O, Quinny, Next and Ubisoft.  I love working closely with brands that I believe in.  It is an amazing opportunity to test out products and attend events, and share my thoughts on my blog.

In 2011 I enjoyed going to Cybermummy along with fellow ambassador Emma representing Graco.  With a hire car from Hyundai and Lou as my co-pilot we had a great time meeting fellow bloggers and learning a thing or two about the blogging world.  I even won the passport competition, winning a weekend at The Four Seasons Hotel.  Above all though, attending this event was a huge achievement for me.  Just a few months prior to this, I would never have dreamt that I would be able to drive all the way to London and stay in a hotel on my own without Ian by my side.  This was a real test for me and my self-confidence...and I've not looked back since!

Feeling like an official Blogger at Cybermummy

I took Kizzy to the Hexbugs Bedbugs Sleepover at London Zoo.  It was amazing sleeping on the floor of a bug house alongside ants and cockroaches after having a private tour of the zoo by torchlight.  We went with Helen and her daughter Hanna who were perfect company.

Meeting a Tarantula at London Zoo

The Next event to preview the SS12 range was a wonderful, child friendly affair where we were thoroughly spoiled!  I had some photos taken of Freddy which I absolutely love.  I'm proud to be part of the Next Blogger Network and would love to work with them again in 2012.

Fred modelling his Next jeans (Next jumper was removed prior to photoshoot!)

I guest edited Real People which was a real highlight of the year and got to produce a two page spread that appeared in the magazine.  It was an amazing experience that gave me the chance to recommend some of my favourite blogs and top toys.

My Real People pages!

Attending the Tots 100 Butlins Christmas Party was a wonderful opportunity to combine blogging with my family, as me, Ian and the kids descended on the Bognor Regis resort.  I had a really great time catching up with favourite online friends and spending some quality pre-Christmas fun with my family.  Thanks again to Sally!

Our Tree Decorating Team at Butlins

The Rachel's Organic event at Buxted Park Hand Picked Hotel was another wonderful opportunity.  We watched top chef Lucy Hyder prepare dishes using Rachel's products before being treated to a sumptuous four course meal in the 5* restaurant.  The hotel was exquisite, the company was superb and the food was out of this world.

Me and Lucy Hyder of Buxted Park.

I have enjoyed family outings to zoos, safari parks, theme parks, Blackpool dungeons and events such as Bob's Big Build (where we enjoyed a marvellous breakfast on board a Clipper alongside Danielle, Helen and families before arriving at the O2 for lots of Bob related fun!).  Sharing the benefits of blogging with the children and Ian is a real bonus, making the hours spent tapping away on my laptop worthwhile.  The children have also relished the opportunity of being my Tiny Testers, helping me with my reviews.  I couldn't have done it without them!

Kizzy at Bob's Big Build

What a great year 2011 has been!  Here's hoping that 2012 is going to be as successful, eventful and fun for us all!  I hope to see many more of you in 2012...our community is a wonderful place and I am honoured to be a part of it!  Happy New Year! xxx

Bob's Big Build

On Saturday the 27th August, the O2 Arena played host to Bob the Builder for the Big Build event.  As VIP guests, we were treated to a fabulous boat ride down the Thames from the London Eye to the O2.  With brilliant goodie bags and refreshments onboard, it was a marvellous start to our day.

The Thames Clipper

Arriving at the iconic building that was previously known as the Millennium Dome, I was very impressed.  It is quite a magnificent structure!

The O2

We approached the Live Quarter and the kids were given yellow hard hats before entering the ten zones that made up the interactive event.  With a host of special challenges and activities to take part in, within each 90 minute session, there was not a dull moment for Freddy and Kizzy.

Arriving at Bob's Big Build

We met up with Helen from The Crazy Kitchen and her lovely family, which made the event even more fun.  Our children have real fun together!  It was also lovely to see other familiar faces including Danielle from The Family Express and my sister Qwerty Mum.

Digging in the sand.

With so much to do, Freddy got stuck into playing in the giant sandpit. building a brick wall, playing with an amazing assortment of Bob toys from Character, zooming on a scooter test track and bouncing on a bouncy castle.  Kizzy got her face painted, listened to a Bob story and did some colouring in as well as joining in with her little brother and friends.

Building a wall.

Scootering!!

Character toys :)

A quiet moment at Bob's Big Build.

A live Bob show and a character Meet and Greet session kept the crowd thoroughly entertained. We had a boogie to some of the songs. "Big fish, little fish, cardboard box!"

The culmination of the session was a screening of Bob's The Big Dino Dig, the brand new feature length DVD released on September 19th in which Bob and the gang unearth some dinosaur bones on the site of a new theme park at Fixham Harbour.

2,500 Bob the Builder fans enjoyed the day's events and went home with some lovely Bob goodies.  It was a great day which we all enjoyed.  Freddy enjoyed sporting his hard hat, goggles and tool belt back in the hotel room.  A reminder of an awesome day filled with all things Bob!!!

Fred the Builder x