Could You Win Your Family Holiday This Year?

Times are tight for most families, with budgets being squeezed to pay ever increasing grocery, utilities and petrol bills. Add to that reductions in tax credits and child benefits for some and it’s easy to see why luxuries like a family holiday are having to fall by the wayside.

If you know you can’t afford to get away this year, why not try a different tactic and give winning your family holiday a go? What have you got to lose? Search online competition forums or keep your eyes peeled at the supermarket, when reading magazines or when watching the TV, and take every chance you get to win your family a great break.

For example, when you’re buying your loo roll this month, look out for special packs of Cushelle. Cushelle and Butlins have teamed up to give away three UK breaks, at the Bognor Regis Butlins resort. The lucky winners can check in two adults and two children to the brand new Wave Hotel, for a super exciting staycation at Butlins – for free!

If you have older children, between the ages of 8 and 14, the new Wave Hotel is ideal, as everything about it has been designed with hard to please teens and pre-teens in mind, including quirky submarine style rooms with the latest gadgets for tech savvy kids – including iPod docks, Freeview, and individual DVD players for each bed, saving on squabbles over what to watch!

The hotel is also the first Butlins hotel to boast a high-tech Games Port, where families can play interactive games together. In addition, there’s a kindle and iPod library for guests to use, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, so the kids can still check Facebook, tweet and chat to their friends back home.

To enter, all you have to do is get yourself a Cushelle barcode from special packs (everyone needs loo roll, right?) and fill out a simple form online, but don’t stop there! Keep seeking out summer holiday competitions – after all, the more you enter the more chance you have of winning your family holiday this year!

A safe product for your home | CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes

I received a container of CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes to test out in my home. I love to clean and although I use a variety of products, I am very particular about what I use to clean specific things around my home. One thing I take extra care with is my son's activity table... and by activity, I mean he uses it to color on, paint, eat, drink and everything in between. I am always so careful about washing it down a couple times a day and making sure it is rinsed and dried before I allow any food items on it.

The great thing about CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes is that they kill over 99.9% of germs, kills cold and flu viruses* and get this... there is no rinsing or wiping required even on food contact surfaces and children’s toys. This is good news for me since I am so nervous about using something harmful around my little guy's stuff. It has a thyme-based formula and deodorizes really well. Unlike other household wipes, you are not required to have to wash your hands after use. I have been using them to clean off his toys and it has made my life so much easier. 

I hope to find these wipes in a larger size so that I can always have them handy around the house. I would have loved to have these when we went on our recent beach trip. They would have given me great peace of mind. I look forward to trying out the spray cleaners too. You can find their products at Whole Foods, Amazon.com and Vine.com..

Stay connected with the CleanWell family of products on the web, Facebook and Twitter. 

Getting prepared for kindergarten

I can't believe the time is closing in on us. William starts kindergarten next month and he is so excited. He does still have some days where he tells me he thinks he will just stay home with me forever and I tell him he has to be a big boy. To say that I have been emotional is an understatement! The whole family has been pitching in to help William get prepared for going to school. Daddy has been working on reading and memory and the girls help with coloring, writing and organization. Together, all of the little things are helping to build William into being more independent and well-prepared for school.

Since William still have some issues with eating certain foods that the average kid would eat, I invested in a hot food jar for his lunch. I ordered all Spider-man themed lunchbox stuff from Amazon . I also ordered a small sized back pack from L.L.Bean with his name embroidered. I received a lot of recommendations about the brand. I love that they never charge you for shipping and stand behind their products 100%.

When William tried his back pack on for the first time, we all thought we were going to cry! I have him pack small items and take it with us each time we go anywhere in the car. I figured since he has not had the need for one before now, he needs practice with it. The same goes with his lunch items. Each day I will pack his lunch and he will get the hang of using his lunchbox and food jar. All we can do is encourage him as much as possible. It will be a big transition for all of us!

A brand new look for Momfiles

I am so excited that after so many years, Momfiles finally got a fresh, new look! I really wanted something very simple with a tiny pop of color. I am so happy with it. A big thanks to Kreated by Kelsey for hooking me up with the new look. She's awesome!

So what do you all think of it? I still have some things to clean up so ignore the obvious broken bits.

Fun in the Sun in Malta

When we think of Malta, we probably think of history and the St Georges Cross but there’s so much more to this beautiful country. Holidays in Malta can be fun, fascinating and exhilarating for all the family.

The most popular resorts are to the north of Malta, the three fantastic beaches are Mellieħa Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay, and each offer some fantastic water-sports as well as cafes and snack bars along the shores. Some smaller beaches can be discovered off the beaten track, many are rocky but are well worth visiting for a quieter dip or to discover little rock pools and secluded bays. A must visit is Camino’s Blue Lagoon which can be reached by boat, where azure blue waters and glistening sands can be found - this is a great spot for snorkeling and exploring hidden coves.

With its rich history dating back thousands of years, Malta has a wealth of historical landmarks to explore. The whole family will enjoy visiting museums and learning about the roman ruins and prehistoric temples. Colourful displays and re-enactments are often shown where you can travel back in time, seeing knights in costume come to life with their swords, muskets and canons. It's not to be missed!

Throughout the year Malta comes to life with its many cultural and music festivals. Festival Meditterania is a huge event held on Malta’s neighbouring island of Gozo, which can easily be reached by boat. The island comes to life dominated by music and dancing but also holding educational events, offering the chance to explore historic places on the island and celebrate the culture. Malta’s International Fireworks festival is a spectacular event and a breath-taking experience for the whole family. Held at the end of April, the event takes place over the harbour and commemorates Malta's accession into the European Union that took place on 1st May 2004.

Other popular festivals include the Malta Arts Festival and the Malta Jazz Festival. The fiesta season in Malta is made up of a long series of extended weekends, starting from the end of May right through the entire summer and well into September. During this period villages and towns celebrate the Patron Saints of their churches by feasting over weekends and partying Maltese style!

Families will love the wide range of activities and exhibitions which can be enjoyed, ranging from arts and crafts and museums to horse riding and rock climbing. There really is something for everyone on offer here.