Yesterday, February 22nd we decided to visit the mega rides fun fair at Newton Abbot racecourse with our 4 year old daughter. The funfair seemed a great price £1 entry per person and 99p a ride.
On entry only around 4 kids rides are there but about 6 adult ones. There were a few stalls around such as hook a duck etc. Kids rides were great value although after we left I realised I never had my penny change from any ride!! Of course my daughter wanted to have a go of hook a duck and a few other stalls these prices were a different price but weren't advised clearly in or out of the area. The cost varied from £2-£3 depending on the stall. We had a go on a few stalls as my daughter quite likes them. One stall was advertising win a fish which really grabbed my daughters and my attention. It was £2 a go. We lost but the man said if we had another go he would give us a fish so we did and my daughter was over the moon!
At this point she decided she needed the loo and as I hadn't seen any we asked. The closest ones were across the main road at tesco! Thats fine but a sign on entering would of been great! We wasted time looking and it was a close call for my daughter when we got to the loo, I quote her "phew that was close!" Now shes quite good at holding on but I know children who aren't so if its aimed at families lack of information for utilities is essential!
Overall we enjoyed our experience and think the idea is fantastic but pricing needs to be clear and signs/information to the nearest toilets would make the experience better.

NB: Nice Mums Devon does not endorse the use of pets being given as prizes at fairs.

Today we decided to use our Groupon voucher for prickly ball farm as the last treat for our daughter's 4th birthday. I visited the Facebook page and website before we left to ensure I knew my way and to see what excitement lay ahead.
We arrived at approximately 12:45pm. The site is open 10-4, last entry is 3:30pm.

It has a few play areas and a grand prix with a couple of peddle tractors. My 4 year old loved the play areas and I had trouble prising her away to see the animals so I would say the play areas are a hit! There were toilet facilities at either end of the farm so you were never far away from a loo and with children that is a definite plus!
The hedgehog hospital was lovely lots of information on the walls the cages are easy to view just in case there is a hungry hedgehog to spot! There is a room where talks are given and you can meet the hedgehogs too.
In the barn there were lots of different child friendly animals from rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, goats, donkeys, ponies and lambs. There are opportunities to see the animals being fed and during our visit we also got to feed the lambs.
Outside the barn there was a nice area with pigs, a fox, ducks and alpacas. I was amazed to see a fox in the day.
There is plenty of areas around to wash your hands and sanitation points were widely available.
On site is a lovely little cafe we only had tea but it was served in lovely vintage tea cups and was a reasonable price. There was a fridge full of cold alternatives. Food wise you could have sandwiches or some lovely looking huge cakes or usual sweets and chocolate for the kids.
They also have 2 buggys to hire but the terrain is suitable for most pushchairs.
Overall we really enjoyed our afternoon. Its a rustic place but that makes it better for me.
Entry price is £6.95 per adult and £3 per child. I wouldn't of paid for the whole family to go but if I had an afternoon spare or I was looking for somewhere go with a friend that catered for both our children I would definitely pay a visit.
I will be going back in the future :-)

So my journey continues, 4 weeks/30 days following a kick start plan and how am I doing? Well I have lost 22 inches! Trousers that I couldn't get on now fit! I don't crave sugar, biscuits, chocolate, cakes etc
What have I learned? I can cook! I can afford to eat proper food and most importantly feed my family well! I have a new found love for food, proper food not the sugar laden or high fat variety! I have been slowly introducing my habits and meals to my hubby and my daughter who are enjoying home cooked meals daily regardless of whether I am working or not. I am making the transition to gluten free at the moment slowly changing tbe stock in my cupboards. This I will only partiality do with hubby and Alexis as I won't force my lifestyle on them unless it was for their health as recommended by a health professional.

I am still baking once a week with my daughter I love doing a good cake and cannot wait to try almond or coconut floor replacement in my recipes :-)
I have done extensive research into my diet and its effect on the human body at all ages and its all positive so making small changes like replacing the floor is no issue.

The difference in my appearance is amazing I have attached progress pictures and I apologise for them now as they are gross but a step on the journey for me :-)

My girl turns 4 next week, I am off work all week and have my parents down so going to be interesting how I am going to stick to the plan and do my daily exercises!

Update on my journey soon...


       

Hi all

Just wanted to say how joining the nice mums team has changed my life!
I've been a member of Nice Mums Devon for a while and used the page daily, it was lovely to find a group of mums who could interact without getting into arguments, who had all been through the same and help & support each other!
Then in October Steffi asked me to join the behind the team scene and become an admin, of course i jumped at the chance (anyone who personally knows me knows im up for anything lol) It was extremely over whelming at first and im sure Steffi tried to scare me off haha but i relished the challenge and ive loved every minute of it.


Before nice mums me & my son were kind of alone, not many friends, we would always go out but usually just the 2 of us or my other half at weekends when hes off work but it was becoming kind of tedious just being us all the time, i missed having an adult conversation, having a laugh with other mums, and generally missed having fun (there's only so much fun you can have with a 3 year old)

ALL of that has changed now! Im meeting new people on a daily basis, people come up to me in the street and say hi, im basically a new more confident person and i have to admit Aiden absolutely loves me now, We go everywhere together (hes my sidekick) but hes got soo many new friends and loves going to all these new places.

Were also loving the recycling collecting, Aiden loves playing with all the 'rubbish' We go to all these new places each week, meet new friends and have fun with other people instead of it just being us!

So a long story short i just want to say a humongous thank you to Steffi, Dani & Mel one for putting up with me lol, and letting me join the team! Also to each & every single member who made me feel welcome to the page as a new admin and as a friend.

What do you do for a living?
I work as a Young Parents Housing Support Worker for Devon and Cornwall Housing. I also waitress in a restaurant as well as deal with their social media, website, promotion, tripadvisor and other admin tasks. I am also in my last year at university studying Children and Young people BA.

Who do you live with?
 My partner and my 3 year old little boy. My partner has a 10 year old from a previous relationship who is here most weekends.

Tell us a bit more about your children. What sort if personalities do they have?
Raphaël is a cheeky, intelligent comedian! He makes us laugh every day and does not stop talking! He is kind and considers everyone’s feelings. He does very well at nursery and I believe he is an overall well-rounded child.

What’s the best thing about being a mum?
The sheer love I have for my little boy. Having someone who loves me just as much back and who can make me smile even when times are hard.

What has being a parent taught you?
Patience

What’s the most important piece of advice you want to pass on to your children?
The value of money and why we have to work so hard to provide but also to be an open child-not afraid to approach us with any problems.

How has your life changed since becoming a mum?
I am more resilient. I may have less time to concentrate fully on studies and social events, but would not change it for the world.

Who is your favourite celebrity mum?
Do not have one

Tell us a bit about your home? Whereabouts is it and what’s it like?
It is a 3 storey townhouse in Torre Marine, Torquay. It is a modern, spacious home and is the first investment we have made. We bought it under the shared ownership scheme.
 

What would a typical day in your life entail?
Every day is different, but usually entails of one of my jobs, then coming home, spending time with my son, my partner going off to work, sorting out son’s dinner,bath/shower etc, then putting my son to bed, cooking dinner for my partner and I, doing some paperwork/uni work, and collapsing on the sofa! On my day off, my son and I will do something like go for a walk into town to a café, or going for a walk in Cockington, Babbacombe etc and doing lots of reading and playing! But also doing as many chores as possible!

Where are your favourite three places to visit in Devon?
Exeter, Salcombe area,

Where is your favourite holiday destination?
Cornwall-St Ives and Carbis Bay

What are your top three favourite shops? 
Home bargains, New Look, Hollister

What’s your favourite book?
Any books on child centred practice

What baby or children’s items can you not live without?
A fully packed toddler bag, baby wipes and interactive games (leap pad/computer)

Describe your fashion style:
practical but fashionable

Top tips on how to balance work and family life:
trying to book something in once a month which you can all enjoy together. But also making sure the time spent together after a long day at work is quality. Quality not quantity.

What or who inspires you:
My son inspires me to keep striving for the best and to keep going when times are hard

What plans for the future do you have?: I would like to build up a new business which would incorporate involving the community, supporting the local need as well as being a safe place for children and parents to come. There would be a healthy outcome tied on to this.

If you could live your life again what would you change and what would you keep the same?
Only thing I would change is having had to have a caesarean. No matter how hard I try, I will always struggle to get the stomach I want, and this causes me a lot of the time to be very critical of myself.